The 16th edition of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Turin, 24–27 September 2026: an ode to environmental sustainability, biodiversity and respect for those who grow and produce through agroecology
© 2026 article by Clara Bruno - all rights reserved reading time: 4 minutes Diversity is what defines us
For four days, Turin once again becomes an international capital of food. From 24 to 27 September, the 16th edition of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto brings a vast atlas of food to the heart of the city, where producers, artisans, farmers, scientists and communities from all over the world come together, along with rare products and traditions that are often difficult to discover outside their places of origin.
It is a remarkably diverse event, to be explored without haste and with plenty of curiosity: international encounters, stories about food and the people behind it, surprising products and generous tastings that turn discovery into a tangible and convivial experience.
The setting is Turin itself, with the beauty of its historic buildings, squares and arcades, which this year provide the backdrop for the event right in the heart of the city.
A journey through all the regions of Italy, brought together in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, while Piazza Castello becomes a window onto Asia. And then there are other countries, territories and communities spread throughout the city centre, forming a geography that invites visitors to move from one square to another, following flavours, aromas and encounters.
The setting is as evocative as it is challenging for those travelling by car: much of the city centre is pedestrianised, and getting there can require a little patience. But this is one of those occasions when it is worth leaving the car behind, forgetting the rush for a few hours and setting off to discover a world in which the pleasure of food goes hand in hand with a clear vision of the future: environmental sustainability, the protection of biodiversity, organic farming, and respect for those who grow, raise and produce our food. A world that looks to ancient culinary knowledge and the memory of local communities not as a nostalgic return to the past, but as tools for building a more conscious, fair and environmentally responsible food system. This is the philosophy of the Slow Food movement: “good, clean and fair”, as its slogan puts it, where taste – always exceptional – becomes culture, responsibility and care for the planet.
At the opening ceremony, attended by the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, a message from King Charles III of the United Kingdom was delivered. I reproduce it in full because it is a valuable testimony that encapsulates the profound and fundamental meaning of this extraordinary event. King Charles III, Terra Madre 2026 Opening Ceremony
24th September 2026
"It is with a particular sense of profound sadness and loss that I send you this message for the opening of the sixteenth edition of Terra Madre, the first since the sudden, tragic death of the incomparable Carlo Petrini. I can only imagine how very different this year’s meeting will be without his uniquely special presence.
I have the fondest possible memories of Carlo over all the years I have been privileged to know him. Above all, I treasure the recollections of a Slow Food restaurant he took me to in Florence a few years ago, run by an old friend of his, an indomitable character whose whole approach represented the cultural and culinary essence of the Slow Food movement. Never have I enjoyed a dinner more, nor laughed so much, with two such irresistibly memorable individuals. All my meetings with Carlo meant a very great deal to me. His passion, ardent humanity and humour always raised my spirits and, as with so many others, I shall miss his vital, irreplaceable presence in our lives more than I can ever say.
The last time I saw Carlo was in Ravenna, during our memorable State Visit to Italy last year, when he introduced me to some of the wonderful people who continue to nurture Italy’s rich tradition of slow food. That memory will remain especially dear as every time our paths crossed, my affection and admiration for him grew ever deeper. He represented sanity, humanity and civilized values in a world that needs them so desperately.
Whilst Carlo has left us, his legacy remains very much alive. His invitation to attend the first meeting of Terra Madre in 2004 proved to be unforgettable in every way and made an immense impression on me. Now, more than twenty years on, the mission of the Slow Food movement seems more crucially and urgently important than ever.
I am greatly heartened that this year’s meeting will focus on biodiversity as Nature’s foundation. Biodiversity underpins not only the good, clean and fair food for which you all labour so tirelessly, but also the essential harmony on which all life and flourishing depends.
In these anxious and challenging days, I can only urge you to remain both ambitious and hopeful by recalling Carlo Petrini’s exhortation: “Those who sow utopia, reap reality.” I pray that Carlo’s spirit will guide you, and that your deliberations will bear much fruit."
CHARLES III Carlo “Carlin” Petrini (22 June 1949 – 21 May 2026) was an Italian activist, gastronome, journalist and author, best known as the founder of the international Slow Food movement. In 1986, he founded the forerunner organisation Arcigola in Italy, which led to the signing of the official International Slow Food Manifesto in Paris in 1989. Over the years, he campaigned for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and food that was “good, clean and fair”, promoting traditional food culture as a counterweight to industrial fast food. In 2008, the British newspaper The Guardian named him one of the 50 people who could save the planet. He subsequently helped establish the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo and create the global Terra Madre network. In 2013, he received the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth award for his environmental commitment.
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