On March 24, Longarone Fiere Dolomiti honored European Artisan Gelato Day with a dedicated event held during Agrimont, the Mountain Agriculture Fair, which continues through Sunday. It was a symbolic location for this celebration, as Longarone is widely recognized as the birthplace of artisan gelato in Italy, and the movement for this official recognition began right here.
“It was back in 2008 when we first had the idea,” recalled Paolo Garna, historic director of MIG – the International Exhibition of Artisan Gelato. From the first proposal to the European Parliament on March 24, 2009, to the official presentation in Strasbourg in 2012, it took years of lobbying and promotion. “It was the gelato tasting that won over the Members of Parliament,” he added. “Remembering that today is even more meaningful—it proves how special our product is. This day is not just a celebration; it is a recognition of quality, and a tribute to a product that is deeply territorial, cultural, and value-driven.”
These values—recently highlighted by the Gelato Museum Project of the Val di Zoldo gelato makers—go beyond history. Artisan gelato is a real economic engine, capable of generating measurable impact on national and regional economies.
Toward UNESCO Recognition
Looking to the future, the next milestone could be UNESCO recognition of the craft of artisan gelato making. This initiative is being spearheaded by Giancarlo Timballo, president of the Gelato World Cup (Coppa del Mondo della Gelateria).
“We have already begun the process, working closely with Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and MIG,” said Timballo at the Agrimont event. “The tradition of Italian gelato masters is now recognized globally. In fact, the term ice cream is increasingly being replaced by gelato or Italian gelato. This UNESCO recognition would be a powerful affirmation of excellence.”
Ivano Pocchiesa Award
As part of the celebration, the Ivano Pocchiesa Award—organized by Longarone Fiere Dolomiti and the Bellunesi nel Mondo Association—was presented to Michelangelo Corazza, a master gelato maker and author based in Vienna. Corazza has written 42 books, many of which are dedicated to the world of artisan gelato. His most recent publication is titled “Gelato and Gelato Makers of the Zoldo Valley and Zoppè di Cadore.”
Special recognition was also given to young gelato makers Marco Areato and Carolina Da Rold, who represented the Belluno gelato tradition at Casa Sanremo, during the Sanremo Music Festival.
Honoring Historic and Innovative Gelato Shops
The celebration was preceded by a conference held at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel in Venice, organized by Longarone Fiere and the Belluno-Treviso Chamber of Commerce. During the event, official parchments were awarded to historic and innovative gelato shops across the Veneto region.
Awarded Historic Gelato Shops
Venice Province:
- L’Arte di Mauro (Mirano, 20 years)
- Sall (Burano, 24 years)
- Gelato Fantasy (Venice, 25 years)
- Icebar (Mestre, 30 years)
- Gelateria Gardenia (Mirano, 36 years)
Padua Province:
- Gelateria Barbara (Loreggia, 25 years)
- La Boutique del Gelato (Padua, 25 years)
- Gelateria Panciera (Padua, 26 years)
- Gelateria Amica (Piove di Sacco, 27 years)
- Eisstreet (Abano Terme, 28 years)
- Il Quadrifoglio (Padua, 31 years)
- Dolce Freddo (Montagnana, 36 years)
- Gelateria delle Terme (Abano Terme, 43 years)
- Bijou (Abano Terme, 44 years)
- Vaniglia Cioccolato (Este, 74 years)
- Gelateria Marisa (Padua, 112 years)
Belluno Province:
- Gelateria Gimmy (Feltre, 23 years)
- Il Gelato (Belluno, 33 years)
- Gelateria Al Soler (Zoldo, 35 years)
- Dolomiti la Gelateria (Belluno, 43 years)
Awarded Innovative Gelato Shops
Padua:
- Gelateria Da Carlo (Monselice, opened in 2020)
- Gelateria Gianni (Padua, 2013)
- Cuor di Gelato (Padua, 2012)
- Ciokkolatte (Padua, 2011)
- Golosi di Natura (Padua, 2006)
Venice:
- Mivè Gelateria (Mestre, 2013)
- Gelateria per Passione (Spinea, 2012)
- Chocolat – La Bottega del Gusto (Mirano, 2009)
- Icedelfino (Caorle, 2009)
- Gelato! (Jesolo, 2007)
- Bottega del Gelato (Quarto d’Altino, 2004)
Verona:
- Gelateria Venice (Villafranca, opened in 2022)