Úbeda is hosting the 11th World Forum of Traditional Gastronomies this weekend, a congress that brings together representatives and experts from Spain, Mexico and Italy to address the conservation, dissemination and evolution of traditional cuisines. Two of its proposals are open to the public: the market and the gastronomic carousel, which offer a closer look at the richness and diversity of the cuisines of the participating countries.
Sunday, November 1 began with a tribute to the victims of the train accident that occurred in Urda (Toledo), through a floral offering before the Mexican altar installed in the Plaza de Toros de Úbeda for the Day of the Dead. This celebration, one of Mexico's most representative traditions and which coincides with the All Saints' Day holiday in Spain, is recognised by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Afterwards, awards were presented and the market and carousel opened.
The deputy for Promotion and Tourism, Francisco Javier Lozano, highlighted that the forum «highlights three top-level gastronomic cultures, such as the Mexican, Italian and Spanish», and noted that these three countries have managed to turn their gastronomy into «an identity of their own in order to keep prospering and seeking opportunities». The event was also attended by the councillor for World Heritage and Innovation of the Úbeda City Council, José Miguel Gámez; the director of the
UNED in Jaén, Vicente Ruiz; and the president of the congress, Gloria López, as reported by the
Diputación de Jaén.
The programme includes other activities, meetings and gastronomic proposals spread across different spaces in the city, with the aim of encouraging the exchange of experiences, giving visibility to traditional cuisines and highlighting their importance as cultural heritage. The eleventh edition of the congress is organised by the Conservatorio de la Cultura Gastronómica Mexicana and the UNED together with other collaborating entities.
