Caracterização e gestão da semana cultural de Vale Vêneto e o uso da gastronomia local como atrativo turístico

Abstract

This paper presents a case study on the Italian Cultural Week, held since 1986 in the tourist district of Vale Vêneto - RS, which is located in the municipality of São João do Polêsine, in the region of the Quarta Colônia of Italian immigration, and in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Grande do Sul. Alongside this event, there is also the International Winter Festival of the Federal University of Santa Maria – FIIUFSM, an event focused on classical music and the improvement of the Institution's students, which also has a partnership with the University of Georgia, in the United States. The objective of the study is to analyze the Italian Cultural Week, its management process, organization and also to understand the use of typical Italian cuisine as a tourist attraction, using descriptive qualitative research, through document analysis and interviews with managers. of the event. A historical retrospective of the locality was carried out, colonized around 1878 and which, among other attractions, has the only church consecrated to Corpus Christi (Body of God) in Latin America; of the 36 editions of the event, held until 2021; and, also, a description of the main elements of the event and of the gastronomy. The main results show the presentation of a diversity of cultural attractions, including a museum, sale of colonial products, parade and themed monuments, in addition to the use of a menu related to the food traditions of Italian immigrants, which over time underwent small changes. and adaptations to serve the regulars.