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Torino Film Festival (mid Nov) This is the second most important Italian cinema festival after Venice and has become a reference point for emerging directors from all over the world. The site for the festival has recently changed to the modern multiplex Pathé at the Lingotto centre. The event gets richer by the year. For further information see http://www.torinofilmfest.org Il Palio dell’Asino di Alba For centuries Alba and Asti have been neighbours and rivals. This is no better expressed than in the irony with which Alba conducts its parody of Asti’s Palio. Merciless amusement is caused by the sight of awkward donkeys entering into what could only be charitably called a race around the main square. Festa delle Trofie In October gourmets from all over the world descend on Alba to celebrate, sniff out and buy the white gold of Italian cuisine, the white truffle, just that much more powerful, rich and rare than its black cousin. Market stalls celebrate and sell the truffles while the local restaurant rake it in with all manner of delicious but highly prized and priced dishes containing miserly shavings of the stuff. Salone del Gusto (21-25 in 2004) The ‘taste fair’ is one of the biggest and most important food and wine events in the world, organised by the Slow Food Association every two years at the Lingotto. Producers display and sell goods and visitors can participate in tasting, debates and even meet some famous international personages. See also http://www.slowfood.com
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