16-17-22-23-24 May 2026
The twenty-third edition of Sapori Pro Loco is back—the great festival celebrating the food and wine specialties of Friuli Venezia Giulia at Villa Manin in Passariano di Codroipo. The event, held within the exedrae of the dogal complex, is scheduled for the first weekend of May 16 and 17 (lunch and dinner), and will continue on May 22 (dinner), 23, and 24 (lunch and dinner), 2026.
DECLARATIONS
“Sapori Pro Loco confirms itself as a showcase of excellence,” said Pietro De Marchi, president of the Unpli Regional Committee of Friuli Venezia Giulia, “capable of combining taste, tradition, and the great value of volunteering. At Villa Manin, within the splendid setting of its exedrae, there will once again be a treasure chest where visitors can taste the best of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s food and wine, thanks to the commitment of our Pro Loco associations. With passion, they safeguard and share our local excellence and the gastronomic identity of our land. Thank you to everyone who supports us, starting with the Region through the Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia area, which returns to host numerous events that further enrich the program. We have designed a wide range of activities for all ages, including plenty of moments dedicated to families.”
“Sapori Pro Loco,” emphasized the President of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Mauro Bordin, “represents one of the most authentic examples of how volunteering can promote and showcase Friuli Venezia Giulia through its traditions, flavors, and the cultural heritage of local communities. Behind every stand, every dish, and every initiative, there are men and women, young girls and boys who dedicate their time, passion, and skills to preserve the identity of our territory and pass it on to future generations. Tourism and local promotion are a true team effort, bringing together Pro Loco associations, institutions, organizations, and communities in a shared mission capable of creating value, hospitality, and opportunities. Events like this prove that volunteering is not just about collaboration, but a tangible social force that blends memory and innovation, enhancing local excellence and turning Villa Manin into a symbolic place of gathering, participation, and promotion for Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
“Sapori Pro Loco,” stated the Regional Councilor for Productive Activities and Tourism, Sergio Emidio Bini, “is one of the most authentic events in Friuli Venezia Giulia: a festival born from the grassroots, from the daily passion and commitment of volunteers, which over time has become a benchmark event for the entire region and the North-East. Now in its twenty-third edition, the event returns to Villa Manin with the participation of numerous regional Pro Loco associations, each bringing flavors, traditions, and identities that together form the extraordinary mosaic of our land. For this reason, the Region is present again this year with the Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia space, which is not only a showcase for local excellence but a lively meeting place, featuring events dedicated to food, wine, and traditions, as well as live performances animating both weekends of the festival.”
TASTE EXPERIENCE
During the five days of celebrations, volunteers from 22 Pro Loco associations will be at work to offer 66 traditional specialties (with over half of them being new additions or reinterpretations, always rooted in tradition), accompanied by local wines and craft beers.
Among the new highlights—to name just a few examples—are the “Cjastelani” (dry biscuits made with Forgiarìn wine) from Val Cosa, polenta gnocchi with cheese cream and wild herbs from Gemona, San Daniele prosciutto focaccia, the “salsiccia da bere – Un tai di luiania” (a unique sausage dish) from Val d’Arzino, and the “Sladcina” (a muffin with Soffumbergo chestnuts and vanilla cream).
There are also special off-stand features: for instance, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, Pro Loco Ragogna has created the “Ragovega,” an inclusive and sustainable vegan dish that will be presented in the Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia area. In fact, alongside the food and wine offerings, a rich calendar of events is planned for all age groups. This program will involve other Pro Loco associations from the regional Unpli Committee and ranges across music, folklore, culture, sports, guided tours, nature, traditional crafts, and literature.
The complete program is available on the official website of the event: www.saporiproloco.it.
IO SONO FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA AREA
Once again this year, the heart of the program will be the Io sono Friuli Venezia Giulia area, a dedicated space designed to showcase regional excellence and interact with the Sapori Pro Loco public through various scheduled events.
Created with the support of the Region, through the Regional Directorate for Productive Activities and Tourism and PromoTurismoFvg, the area will serve as an exceptional showcase to present and discover some of the territory’s most characteristic products.
PARTNER AND ORGANIZERS
Sapori Pro Loco is organized by the Unpli Regional Committee of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Fondazione Friuli, the support of PromoTurismoFvg, and the patronage of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the City of Codroipo, and the Pordenone-Udine Chamber of Commerce.
The event is held in collaboration with Erpac Fvg (Service for the management of Villa Manin, cataloging, and local development), the Società Filologica Friulana (Friulian Philological Society), and the Progetto Integrato Cultura del Medio Friuli. The main sponsor of the initiative is Banca 360 Fvg. Partner sponsors include Ma.In.Cart and Maniago Bevande.
The festival has received a special mention as a “Sagra di Qualità” (Quality Festival) from the national Unpli and Fondazione Pro Loco Italia, and is recognized as an eco-sustainable event by the EcoFvg brand. Technical partners include Friuli Antincendi, Carr Service, Stabilimento Pirotecnico FriulVeneto, Itef Impianti, and Gt Sound. The media partners covering the event are TeleFriuli, Il Friuli, Radio Punto Zero, Il Paîs, Radio Onde Furlane, and IMagazine. The participation of volunteer workers from the Universal Civil Service (Servizio Civile Universale) is also planned.
