Degustando l'Arte

Degustando l'Arte in San Miniato

Degustando l'Arte is a festival in the town of San Miniato, in the Province of Pisa and the heart of Tuscany, that blends art, culture, history, and the region's finest food and wine. The event is organized by the Fondazione Conservatorio Santa Chiara, which hosts it annually in its historic venue at Via Roma 15, and is supported by the Tuscany Region, the Province of Pisa, the Scuola Normale Superiore, and the Municipality of San Miniato.

The 2026 Theme: The Collodi Bicentennial

The 2026 edition, the fifth, is entirely dedicated to the Collodi Bicentennial: 1826 marked the birth of Carlo Lorenzini, known as Collodi, the author of one of the world's most widely read books, The Adventures of Pinocchio. The guiding theme is "Everyone reads Pinocchio… and you?," an invitation to rediscover the famous puppet through artistic performances, installations, tastings, and high-level cultural moments. Children and students from San Miniato's schools give voice to some of the most significant passages from Lorenzini's original version.

Art and Solidarity

At the heart of the festival is the bond between art and charity. Around thirty Tuscan painters create works inspired by Pinocchio, which are then sold at charity auctions to support various causes. Highlights include an exclusive bag by Braccialini, crafted in leather with a wood-effect print and details evoking the puppet's strings, an etched leather piece by Rosi De Biasio dedicated to Collodi and Pinocchio, and a mixed-media canvas by Gerardo Brogna. Local organizations, such as the Soroptimist association, also participate in the evenings.

Culture and Language

Alongside the art, there are significant cultural meetings: guests include Professor Giovanna Frosini of the Accademia della Crusca, who explores the relationship between language, food, and storytelling in the world of Pinocchio. The evenings are designed as a journey that intertwines literary memory, Tuscan identity, and conviviality.

Local Flavors

The absolute star is the local food and wine, creatively reinterpreted around the theme of Pinocchio. Local producers, delicatessens, pasta makers, and chefs create dishes with evocative names: "molliconi" shaped like hats, the "A lie to bite" sandwich with a carrot nose, "Geppetto's shavings" cookies, cured meats like "The First Lie" and "The Liar," paired with wines from local wineries. This offering highlights the typical products of San Miniato, a land also renowned for its white truffle.

A Highly Anticipated Event

With over 170 attendees at the preview alone, Degustando l'Arte confirms itself as one of San Miniato's most cherished cultural and gastronomic events, capable of uniting major themes of Italian culture, solidarity, and the authentic flavors of Tuscany.