Press Conference – Chamber of Deputies (Sala Tatarella)ESS RELEASE
(Sala Tatarella), the First International Amatriciana Day (6 March) and the three-day celebration to be held in Amatrice on 6–7–8 March 2026 were presented.
The initiative is promoted by the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Amatrice (ARAM), under the patronage of the Municipality of Amatrice, Roma Tre University, the Lazio Region, and the Chamber of Commerce of Rieti and Viterbo.
During the press conference, the official logo of the event was unveiled and the programme for the three-day initiative was outlined (including thematic conferences, workshops, site visits, walking and e-bike excursions, and numerous tastings).
The programme aims to enhance the area’s assets, excellence, and distinctive features—the very territory that historically gave rise to a dish renowned worldwide.
Speaking in Rome were ARAM President Giovanni Apa, together with the Board and members; the Mayor of Amatrice Giorgio Cortellesi; MP Luciano Ciocchetti; the Chamber’s Quaestor, MP Paolo Trancassini; the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Senator Guido Castelli; and the Lazio Region’s Councillor for Culture Simona Baldassarre.
GIORGIO CORTELLESI (Mayor of Amatrice): “For us, Amatriciana is not only a symbol of food-and-wine excellence that rewards the richness of a territory deserving respect and support for what it has endured—especially after the earthquake—but above all it represents the driving force behind the socio-economic restart of Amatrice and its hamlets. We warmly welcome the Amatriciana Day initiative next 6 March, which complements, in a virtuous way, our well-known Spaghetti Festival, already famous worldwide.”
SIMONA BALDASSARRE (Lazio Region Councillor for Culture): “The Lazio Region can only stand close to today’s initiative: the presentation of the programme for International Amatriciana Day, to be held next 6 March in Amatrice. Following the prestigious UNESCO recognition of Italian cuisine as intangible heritage, the ‘first of the first’ could not be missing. A ‘Made in Italy’ dish envied around the world, symbolising a tradition of excellence that has always celebrated the richness of our territories, our history, our culture, and our convivial spirit.”
MASSIMILIANO FIORUCCI (Rector, Roma Tre University): “Roma Tre University is taking part in this initiative as a scientific partner with great conviction. Our University hosts a three-year degree programme in Food and Wine Sciences and Cultures, demonstrating how cuisine and food-and-wine culture are fundamental elements of our country’s history and traditions. Training tomorrow’s researchers and professionals means giving full dimension to an essential part of our cultural identity. In this sense, the history of Amatrice is a story of resilience, which through Amatriciana continues to speak to the world about memory, community, and the future.”
AMATRICIANA: WHY THIS CEREMONY MATTERS
HOW MUCH AMATRICIANA IS CONSUMED?
According to the latest Arsial research (2020), in the municipalities of Amatrice and Accumoli alone the estimated weekly production of “Amatriciana” sauce is 150 kg per food-service outlet, for an annual total of approximately 100 tonnes.
Assuming an average of 5 servings per kilogram of sauce, this amounts to about 25,000 portions per year.
In the Lazio Region overall, the estimated number of dishes reaches 1 million.
WHY 6 MARCH?
This date—celebrated every year—was chosen because on 6 March 2020 Amatriciana received the “Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)” certification from the European Commission.
In Italy, only three other products have this recognition: mozzarella, Neapolitan pizza, and Vincisgrassi alla maceratese.
WHY AN INTERNATIONAL DAY?
There are at least three reasons, ARAM emphasises.
The first is a culinary challenge: on 6 April, “Carbonara Day” is celebrated worldwide—so why not also create an “Amatriciana Day”?
Thus, from an idea born during an interview, this project was developed; in the spirit of celebrating Italian identity, the initiative has been registered and is presented as Amatriciana Day, with the goal that it be celebrated worldwide using any hashtag, provided it includes the word “Amatriciana” (e.g., #giornataamatriciana, #giornatainternazionaleamatriciana, #amatricianaday, etc.).
The second reason stems from pride in this land: the clock that stopped with the earthquake of 24 August 2016 has started turning again, driven with effort and dignity first and foremost by citizens, supported by institutions, associations, and businesses.
The initiative presented today aims to be part of this journey.
The third is a message of positivity: International Amatriciana Day intends to promote one of the world’s most celebrated pasta dishes—celebrating on 6 March across all five continents—while also enhancing the place where it originated.
THE LOGO
The logo features a stylised fork whose four tines transform, in a geometric and symmetrical way, into strands of spaghetti that intertwine to form the graphic element.
The circular element serves as the event’s seal.
The Orange/Gold/Red colours evoke the sun, pasta, wheat, and the preciousness of the products, understood as the high quality of Amatriciana and, more broadly, of Made in Italy.
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL CHANNELS
To promote the initiative online and on social media, ARAM has created the website www.giornatadellamatriciana.it, which went live today, as well as three social accounts; from today until 6 March, social campaigns featuring ambassadors and chefs are planned.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giornatadellamatriciana
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giornatadellamatriciana
X: https://x.com/GAmatriciana
WHY THE WEEKEND OF 6–7–8 MARCH 2026?
The 2026 edition is the first International Amatriciana Day.
In a sense, for the promoters it is the “Year Zero”.
Through the initiatives scheduled for 6–7–8 March 2026 in Amatrice, the aim is to take a first step, with the hope that—both from Italy and from around the world—more and more institutions, associations, companies, and citizens will join in Amatrice, in the name of tradition, hope, good taste, and vitality.
In parallel with the initiatives in Amatrice, all restaurants will be able to join the initiative by offering Amatriciana on their menus, prepared according to the original recipe.
The hope is that this will also take place at home, in canteens, and anywhere there is a kitchen.
PROGRAMME (preliminary)
The final, complete programme for 6–7–8 March will be released in the coming weeks; in the meantime, the main activities of the three-day event are listed below.
FRIDAY, 6 MARCH
10:30–11:30 Cultural and training debates addressing identity-related themes for the Amatrice area and strategic assets for its cultural tourism relaunch.
11:30–13:00 Revitalisation of concrete projects: each topic will be addressed through testimonies, successful experiences and storytelling delivered by those leading the initiatives.
13:00–14:30 Lunch for morning participants, offered by ARAM and organised in collaboration with the Amatrice Hotel School, the Italian Chefs Federation, and the Department of Food and Wine Sciences and Cultures of Roma Tre University.
15:00–16:30 The Mayor of Amatrice will lead a guided tour of the active construction sites in the historic centre and of Casa Futuro.
16:00–17:30 University orientation activities for the Degree Programme in Food and Wine Sciences and Cultures at Roma Tre University.
SATURDAY, 7 MARCH AND SUNDAY, 8 MARCH
From 10:00 (meeting point at the Pro Loco) Amatrice welcomes guests with various tourism proposals (weather permitting) offered by ARAM: mountain excursions; e-assisted bicycle rides; visits to the Orie Terme nature oasis (recommended for families with children); visit to the Municipal Museum; visit to the “Rinascita” restoration workshop; creative workshop at the Women’s House; sensory workshop for children.
13:30–15:30 Lunch with a typical menu at the same price at all restaurateurs participating in ARAM.
16:00–18:30 (Saturday 7 only) Show cooking by chefs; “Amatriciana yesterday, today and tomorrow: chefs’ contest”; presentation of selected local gastronomic excellences.
17:30 (Sunday 8 only) Theatre performance at the Auditorium della Laga.
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