Ruffano to host Maru chili pepper festival and environmental forum

The town of Ruffano in the Salento region is preparing for 'Maru – Il Peperoncino in Festa,' a festival dedicated to chili peppers scheduled for September 5 and 6. The event will feature hundreds of chili varieties from around the world, including the local 'Varda’ncelu' variety. Activities include sensory tours through historic sites, gastronomic stands, local craftsmanship, and a spicy food resistance challenge based on the Scoville scale.

In anticipation of the festival, the 'Dialoghi di Maru' forum will take place on August 27. This meeting will address critical regional issues such as renewable energy communities, agrivoltaics, and environmental education for sustainable events. Discussions will also focus on biodiversity and landscape preservation, particularly following a devastating fire on July 14 that damaged the Serra di Ruffano ecosystem.