National Day of Transhumance and Pastoralism: This proposal collects the requests of numerous local communities with which we have been in contact and collaborated in various capacities for a long time, committed communities that recognize themselves in and care for the safeguarding and enhancement of a set of knowledge and practices that characterized large segments of the population in the past and which today once again characterize the lands historically marked by extensive pastoralism, although today, they are increasingly often re-interpreted in light of a path of re-evaluation and enhancement of local bio-cultural heritage, also in a touristic and economic key. Following also a series of prestigious occasions for scientific discussion and enhancement, including the Study Day 'Rethinking Transhumance' on October 27, 2022, organized by the Accademia dei Georgofili at the Presidential Residence of Castelporziano, considering the recognition of transhumance as UNESCO intangible heritage, and finally considering the institution of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism by the United Nations for 2026, it was decided to advance the proposal for the institution of the "National Day of Pastoralism and Transhumance" by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. This National Day intends to develop opportunities for discussion among experts, scholars, heritage-keepers, and practitioners of these ancient practices of sustainable animal farming that is respectful of environmental and animal rights. Alongside this, it can represent an occasion for a succession of moments of re-enactment of ancient transhumances, crossings of the tratturi (sheeptracks) and transhumance routes in various locations - Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Lucania for the 1st edition that we are preparing for September 2025, with the involvement of breeders, shepherds, cheesemakers, artisans from different localities, but also with some performances (theatre, film festivals, readings, etc.) inspired by the world of pastoralism and the experiential dimension that characterizes it. We believe that these integrated, multi-site, and multidisciplinary activities can allow for the realization of a National Day enabling proximity with the different pastoral communities, but also demonstrate the increasingly sensitive relevance today of pastoralism in terms of safeguarding bred biodiversity, the traditional routes and soils linked to it, and the cultural worlds that have settled around this productive and, at the same time, existential dimension. The institution of the Day represents a strong continuity with the recent inclusion of seven other Countries in the list of Nations represented in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List for this specific intangible asset. The "National Day of Pastoralism and Transhumance" is then inscribed in the global framework of the United Nations International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralism whose Global Board we’ve been part since the beginning, especially in the context of the European RISG. We strongly believe our Country can play a fundamental cultural role in the landscape custody as well as in the enhancement of the biocultural heritage of knowledge and practices of pastoralism.
Format (in-person only, or hybrid with videoconference): in person; International conference on transhumance in Europe: Transhumance and Pastoralism, Biocultural heritage and ecosystem services (2nd, October 2026); Cultural heritage exploration and collective walkway with a local shepherd (3rd-4th, October 2026).
Multilevel Participants: local shepherds/herders and associations, local and regional research centers, university and associations, Pastoralists Network, IYRP. Target: 200 in person.
Contacts: BIOCULT Research Center + University of Molise (Fabio Pilla, Angelo Belliggiano, Letizia Bindi) BIOCULT Research Center + University of Molise (Fabio Pilla, Angelo Belliggiano, Letizia Bindi).