On the renaissance of rural and urban life: the “Fierucola del pane” in Florence

The market known as “Fierucola del pane”, literally the “bread fair”, began in the early 1980s in Florence. It is the first Italian growers’ market dedicated to family-scale natural agriculture and non-entrepreneurial craftsmanship. An association of the same name promotes meetings and conferences on ecological topics, such as biodiversity, organic farming, hygiene of local production, ancient trades and new instruments, farm stay accommodation, local seeds and grain, specific laws and taxes to protect natural growers and craftsmen. The cultural activity of the Fierucola is inspired by the principles of Gandhi, Lanza Del Vasto, Illich and others. It has produced important documents in favour of a return to the land and the resistance of urban crafts and trades, including the Charter for the reconstruction of the European city (1980) and the Charter for the renaissance of rural areas (2008).