La Bollita del Tonno

La Bollita del Tonno: the Tonnara ritual returns to Oliveri

La Bollita del Tonno is an event in Oliveri, a small seaside village in the Messina area overlooking the Gulf of Patti, that revives one of the most ancient collective rituals of Sicilian maritime culture. At the heart of the festival is the large cauldron where, in times past, freshly caught tuna was boiled in public: around that steaming pot, the tonnaroti (tuna fishermen), their families, and the entire community would gather in a moment of sharing that this event recovers and restores to today's visitors.

Where and when

The event takes place along the Via del Mare in Oliveri, in the space in front of the former Tonnara, in the area historically known as del Rais, named after the head fisherman who directed the Tonnara operations. The promenade transforms into a path of stands, workshops, and installations that guide the public from history to the table, in one great day of celebration in the heart of summer.

A journey through history, sea, and taste

The event is organized into thematic areas that tell the story of the Tonnara civilization in all its facets:

• Stations of History: vintage photographs, live stories from the tonnaroti, films, and guided tours of the shed housing the palischermo, the historic Tonnara boat.
• The Sea, the Fish, the Environment: workshops on sustainability and responsible fishing, created with WWF Italia, the University of Messina, the Sea Museum, Slow Fish, and Slow Food.
• La Bollita del Tonno: the highlight of the event, featuring the preparation of tuna in the large cauldron and tastings of stuffed sandwiches, a true specialty of the festival.
• Conferences: university professors, marine biologists, and local experts discuss the environment and the future of the Tyrrhenian coast.
• Cooking shows and lectio magistralis: cooking demonstrations with Sicilian chefs and the presentation by Mastro Salatore (Master Salter) Alfio Visalli, who illustrates the meticulous cutting of the fish and the preparation of the seasoning.

Flavors and protagonists

Alongside the tuna, the stars of the festival are the typical Sicilian products brought by local pasta makers, oil mills, and dairies, in a food and wine journey that highlights local agri-food excellence. The evening gives way to music and entertainment, with live concerts enlivening the Via del Mare until late at night.

A community event

La Bollita del Tonno is promoted by the Municipality of Oliveri, with the logistical coordination of Eurofiere Srl and the patronage of the Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Mediterranean Fisheries of the Sicilian Region. The network of institutional and associative partners — from WWF Italia to Slow Food, from the University of Messina to the coastal action groups of the Tyrrhenian Sea — makes this festival not just a gastronomic appointment, but also an opportunity for reflection on maritime identity and the protection of the sea in Oliveri, in the province of Messina, Sicily.