The pieces are made with around 90 kilos of traditional Italian preparation and are on display this weekend
One of the most typical Italian dishes has gained a curious use: polenta serves as the base of sculptures that will be exhibited this weekend in Monte Belo do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul (143 kilometers from Porto Alegre). It will be during the 10th edition of Polentaço, a party created to celebrate Italian immigration in the region.
During the two-day event, at least 30 sculptures made of polenta were assembled in the middle of the city's main square, accompanied by a ton and a half of the dish with Bolognese sauce. Of course, the works will not be edible. The idea, according to the event organizer Álvaro Manzoni, is to reclaim the history of Monte Belo do Sul through food.
“They are sculptures that resemble the city's church, the well that supplied the community, the oven that prepared food, the immigration ship, among other historical passages. In the last edition, in 2017, one of the participants even made a sculpture with a suitcase full of money in reference to the monthly allowance. The staff is very creative,” he explains.
Each sculpture contains two to three kilos of polenta and is evaluated in two categories awarded with trophies. One of them is for the simplest sculptures, made with dough and some props. The other one is for more elaborate productions.
Álvaro Manzoni says that the competition was created to “increase” the party created in 1996. At the time, the traditional event: with dance shows, musical performances and typical dishes. But the city needed something more to attract people.
“We did some research and meetings with businesspeople about what we could do differently. The polenta sculptures would be something unusual, and we held a first event in 2000 with 12 works. Two years later, we decided to encourage participants by rewarding them with gold, silver and bronze trophies (Cagliera D'Oro, Cagliera D'Argento and Cagliera di Bronzo). Then we don’t stop”, says the organizer who is also secretary of culture and tourism of Monte Belo do Sul.
Since then, the city's population more than triples during the Polentaço weekend – from 2 to 7 people. And even polenta sculptors from nearby municipalities, such as Farroupilha, Pinto Bandeira and Garibaldi, take part in the festivities. In the last edition, in 2017, the winning sculpture was a replica of the church of Our Lady of Caravaggio.
Polenta preparation began on Friday, with assembly finishing on Saturday. The sculptures are on display until this Sunday (19th) evening and are then discarded – the sour dough becomes unfit for consumption.
But, to ensure no one goes hungry, two gigantic pots with 800 kilos of polenta and sauce are served on both days of the event, at 14pm and 17pm. “Participation is free, we don’t charge anything for the dish. It’s to come, eat and have fun”, concludes the lively Álvaro Manzoni.
Service:
10th Polentaço.
Saturday (18) and Sunday (19), from 10am, at Praça Padre José Ferlin.
Monte Belo do Sul (RS).
Free entrance.
by Guilherme Grandi / Gazeta do Povo
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