The Great Fish Soup Festival

A fish soup that has become the soul of Ivrea

Some events, year after year, end up belonging to an entire city. The Great Fish Soup Festival in Ivrea, in the heart of the Canavese area near Turin, is one of them. Every June 2nd, for Republic Day, Corso Nigra fills up from the morning with music, colors, and aromas. At the center of it all is a massive pot simmering with fish soup made from fresh local catch, symbolizing a day of conviviality that draws thousands of people.

Twenty years of tradition by Tony Cuomo

The initiative was born from the passion of Tony Cuomo, the famous restaurateur and owner of Aquila Nera, the historic venue on Corso Nigra. For about twenty years, every June 2nd, Cuomo has celebrated Republic Day in his own way by cooking his "record-breaking fish soup" and offering it for free to the city. It is not just a simple tasting: it is a large family gathering every year around the same pot, under the same sky, with the same desire to be together. Over the years, the event has grown to become one of the most anticipated popular gatherings in the Ivrea calendar.

A day of celebration for the whole city

The free distribution of the soup is the highlight of the day and begins around lunchtime. However, the program starts much earlier: throughout the morning, Corso Nigra hosts craft, vintage, and antique markets, while dancing, performances, and live music entertain the public until the afternoon. The festival is designed for everyone, including families, and each edition brings some surprises: from lighthearted parades to tributes to figures dear to the community.

Record-breaking numbers

• Over 3,000 portions distributed for free in the 2025 edition;
• Hundreds of kilos of fresh fish cooked in the event's iconic pot;
• A tradition that has lasted for about twenty years;
• Long queues and visitors arriving from well beyond Ivrea.

Between Canavese and the Mediterranean

The beauty of the Great Fish Soup Festival lies in its contrast: a deeply Mediterranean dish that becomes a collective ritual in the shadow of the red towers of a Piedmontese city. It is a sign of a welcoming community, capable of adopting a Southern recipe and turning it into its own identity-defining celebration. For those visiting the Canavese, it is the perfect opportunity to discover Ivrea on one of its liveliest days, amidst taste, music, and community spirit.