Pam, Bondola e Vim

A tradition in Riva spanning over forty years

"Pam, Bondola e Vim"—meaning bread, mortadella, and wine in the local Trentino dialect—is one of the most beloved popular festivals in Riva del Garda, in the Autonomous Province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Born in 1980 from a group of friends gathering at the Al Canarino tavern in the Marocco district, the event has evolved over the years into a defining local tradition that draws thousands of residents, vacationers, and tourists from the Upper Garda area to the town square.

The giant bondola and the parade

The heart of the festival is the bondola, a giant mortadella weighing over a ton and measuring about five meters long, produced specifically for the occasion. On the morning of the festival, the bondola arrives in town and is escorted in a parade by the Fire Brigade and the local marching band through the streets of the historic center, from Largo Medaglie d'Oro to the arcades of the town hall in Piazza Tre Novembre, just a stone's throw from the lake.

Free distribution of bread, mortadella, and wine

Once it reaches the arcades, the bondola is sliced, and volunteers from the La Bacionela association turn it into about 20,000 sandwiches, distributed for free to the public along with thousands of liters of wine and other drinks. The distribution continues from the morning until supplies run out, characterized by the simple, genuine conviviality that is the hallmark of the event.

A festival with a heart of gold

Behind the day's joy lies a strong charitable spirit: although the food is free, participants are encouraged to make a voluntary donation. The funds raised over the years by the La Bacionela association have been entirely donated to local charities, organizations, and individuals in need, making "Pam, Bondola e Vim" much more than just a simple food festival.

A symbol of the Upper Garda

Amidst the scent of fresh bread, slices of mortadella, and glasses of wine, the festival unites different generations and represents one of the most characteristic moments of the summer in Riva. For those visiting the town of Riva del Garda at the end of June, attending "Pam, Bondola e Vim" is an opportunity to experience an authentic and generous tradition of the Trentino-Garda region.