A huge crowd gathered at the Porto Cervo Conference Center for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival. Daniela Ferolla, the exceptional patron, officially opened the 15th edition of the event dedicated to the world of wine and food in the Mediterranean last night. The ceremony was held in memory of the father of the Costa Smeralda, Karim Aga Khan, who would have turned 90 this year.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Roberto Ragnedda, Mayor of Arzachena; Franco Carraro and Mario Ferraro, President and CEO of Smeralda Holding, respectively; and Franco Mulas, Costa Smeralda Area Manager. "I'm delighted to be here for the ribbon-cutting of an iconic event for our destination," said Ragnedda. "At this historic moment, it's a pleasure and a thrill to witness what's happening in this ever-growing area, which demonstrates its value every day. We're very proud to represent it, and we always do so with the same commitment and gratitude that has ensured over 60 years of excellent tourism for this land, to grow together, realizing the Aga Khan's dream," added the mayor of the Costa Smeralda.
"On behalf of Mario Ferraro, I would like to thank everyone and congratulate Franco Mulas, because he championed this initiative in 2008, initially with the goal of extending the season as much as possible," Carraro recalled. "Today it's a consolidated reality; the season has already begun, all the shops are open, and we consider the goal we set ourselves with the mayor at the beginning of his term—to extend the season—to have been achieved. We are an important player; tourism has many goals, such as promoting agriculture in the local area. It's now been over a year since the passing of the Aga Khan, and once again," concluded the president of Smeralda Holding, "we want to emphasize how much he created thanks to his vision. I thank Mario Ferraro, Franco Mulas, and everyone who contributes to making the Costa Smeralda one of the most important places in the world."
Meanwhile, the four-day PCWFF continues with the exhibition spaces open to the public. Today, from 3 to 6 p.m., the program features tastings at the Cervo Conference Center, followed by the "Fuori Fiera" events at Nuna al Sole (6:30 p.m.); the program continues tomorrow on the final day.
