Parco Nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano

(Cerreto Laghi, 18 Aug 17) Four successful editions, hundreds of enthusiasts, tens of teams coming from different countries: in Cerreto Laghi, between the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Massa Carrara, within the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, preparations for the 2017 edition of the World Mushroom Championship are already underway.

The number of registered participants already exceeds four hundred, along with about forty teams: on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October they will take part in the world championship created by blogger Fra' Ranaldo - aka esteemed architect Fabrizio Rinaldi –, by the National Park and the "Briganti di Cerreto" cooperative, in collaboration with the Municipality of Ventasso, the 'Passione funghi e tartufi' magazine, and the association 'A passeggio nel Bosco'. Participants are surely bound to increase.

The purpose of this porcino mushroom-centred event - porcini to search, pick, study, tell, photograph, and cook - is to promote respectful ways of living the woods and the environment. This is one of the reasons why, in order to participate in the competition that will take place on Sunday 8th October, it is compulsory to attend the information evening on Saturday 7th October, organised in collaboration with the Carabinieri command deployed at Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park.

This year's big news is the creation of the new women's individual category: the three heaviest basketfuls of mushrooms picked by gentlemen will be awarded along with the three heaviest basketfuls picked by ladies (and then we will see who will have done best overall).

Online registration closes on 30 September 2017.
This fifth edition, too, includes the "Selfie with the Mushroom" category: participants need to send an email to turismo@parcoappennino.it, writing their name and surname, and attaching a self-portrait of their face and a mushroom. Emails can also be sent after one's online registration. A "world panel", composed of five members appointed by the Organisation Committee, will directly judge the participating selfies. The images will remain property of the Park Authority, which may use them for its institutional activities and indicate the name of the author. Prizes will be awarded on 8th October 2017, along with prize-giving for the other categories. Prize for the best image: Gold medal and a 100€ voucher.  To the second-place winner: Silver medal and a 50€ voucher. To the third-place winner: Bronze medal and a 25€ voucher.

The other prizes are as longed-for as usual: for the heaviest and for the most beautiful single mushrooms, and the podiums for the individual and team competitions, and for the combined Apennine competition (mushroom plus litter picking).

To register for the World Mushroom Championship, please send the form (available online or at the National Park offices) no later than midnight on 30 September 2017.

• Further info: Parco Nazionale Appennino Tosco-Emiliano tel. 0585-947200 – 3471639146 turismo@parcoappennino.it
• Registration at: www.parcoappennino.it/campionato.mondiale.fungo/iscrizioni.php