TravelMag - le Forum des journalistes du tourisme ! - Informissima 2006: a merry competition for very fat people in Cavour

by Norjanah Selamat

(photos to be added)
When I told friends that I was going to Cavour (Piedmont, Italy) to watch the World Plus-size People's pageant, the common reaction was "What! you must be mad, wanting to see the parade of massive cellulite sauntering on stage." I must admit that that remark took me aback. I started studying the literature concerning this event. Informissima 2006 (Shapes in Shape, in English) was a three-day Meeting held in Cavour in the Piedmont region from 5 to 7 May, which brought together some of the biggest, most obese, individuals in Italy and elsewhere. But my fears about having to report on a gathering of exhibitionists parading in front of an audience of voyeurs soon evaporated.

Since after the Second World War, the Genovesios (Giovanni and Ester, grandparents, and Francesco) have been organizing the renowned International Big People's Meeting. They were part of a group of very big friends who enjoyed eating and partying. Being over l00 kilos, they decided to meet once a year to spend a day together having fun, singing, dancing, reciting poems and wearing their nicest clothes. The momentous moment of the day was weighing themselves before and after the gargantuan lunch at the Locanda La Posta. Its aim was to verify how many kilos each participant had gained. Quick to become a cult event, the Big People's Meeting started gathering big men and women from Italy, Europe and now from other parts of the world. After a twenty-year break, the Genovesios decided to organize the party again, with the help of Pro Cavour and of the Over-l00 club. Hence, In l996, big people from around the world gathered again in Cavour.

Preparing the event by a World No-Diet Day
The year 2006 Meeting began on 5 May and the programme included the inauguration of the painting exhibition of young artists and great painters, the opening of the photographic gallery and the "Tribute to Botero" exhibition. I felt much better as Botero is one of my favourite painters; I love the peaceful and serene facial expressions of his subjects despite their obvious roundness, which very often reminds me not to go overboard at Italian-inspired meals for which I have a penchant.

The second day was "World No-Diet Day". My thoughts went to Darfour and images of under-nourished and starving children in the developing world. Following the admission for competitors, the programme included a debate on social, dietary and self-acceptance factors. Then came an exhibition of sumo wrestling and the competitors' talent show. Unfortunately, our own programme did not incorporate these events. We were busy elsewhere.

A Gargantuan lunch
We were invited to the final day's celebrations -- the "Gargantuan lunch" at the Locanda La Posta, and finally the election of Miss and Mister Big and Beautiful. Informissima 2006 is a beauty and talent contest, aimed at discovering and publicizing elegant, beautiful and talented men and women to present them to the audience as new characters for shows, fashion, televsion etc.

To whet our appetite for the gargantuan lunch, we were entertained to a talent show by some of the competitors -- there was "Marilyn Monroe" (I think she's turning in her tomb, says a little voice at the back of my head); a most graceful 150-odd kilos belly-dancing (if she does that for two hours each day for a month, she would go down a modest ten kilos); and an exhibition of sumo wresting. By then, we were ready to troop to the lunch.

Now for the menu:
Rotondino di fassone with toma di Lanzo
Tongue in gelatine
Ham and patè roll
Veal with tuna sauce
Asparagus Cavour
Cotechio with Raschera fonduta
Lamb cutlets with semolina filling
(all that for starters)
Second starters: Agnolotti with roast sauce (I stopped at that!)
Centrepieces:
Leg of pork and Loin of veal, cooked in wood-burning oven
Pheasant salmi
Dessert:
Plate of seasonal fruit
Cold zabaglione cream with maize cakes
Coffee

All the above, washed down with Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato doc 2005, Barberina allegra of Piemonte doc 2004, both of which I suppose were Locanda La Posta's own renowned house wines. (http://www.locandalaposta.it)

I do realise how difficult it is to prepare a gargantuan lunch for some 500 people. Although the enormous menu above was not much to write home about, the whole atmosphere of the meal was friendly and in very good humour. Never mind; we have the day earlier been treated to a couple of really "finger-licking good" gastronomic meals.

Fashion shows , dancing and singing for sizes 20 and above
No siesta after all that. We laboriously made our way back to the main square at Cavour for the rest of the day's events. First, a fashion show by Maxfort for the men and Freemoda for the ladies, very easy-to-wear and attractive clothes designed for sizes 20 and above.

Competitors then resumed their show of singing and acting skills. They came from Italy, Germany, Ecuador, Mexico, Morocco and Puerto Rico. Those that impressed me most were the Glamazons from the United States, three very talented buxom beauties straight from a Broadway show, as well as the almost professional Jeannie Sol from Puerto Rico, accompanied by a couple of fantastically skinny dancers. All that to ear-drum penetrating music by Max "P" D.J.

JEANNI SOL of Puerto Rico was elected MISS MONDO INFORMISSIMA
IVAN GAYDOU of Italy was chosen MISTER MONDO INFORMISSIMA

True to the unquestionable Italian hospitality, there were prizes for both men and women for the best stage performers, the best eaters (bueno forchetta), acting (cinema), fashion, and sports. The heaviest gentleman among the participants was Mr. Jean Jacquod of Switzerland (212.90 kg) and Miss Silvana Cecibel Vergara of Ecuador (156.30 kg) took the honour among the ladies.

Big can also be graceful and pleasant to the eye
I must admit that I had misgivings about what I would see at this Informissima, but I was most pleasantly surprised and have come to the conclusion that as much as small is beautiful, big can also be graceful and pleasant to the eye. However, I could not help wondering whether, behind all the smile and apparent happiness of the participants, there was not a little tinge of anxiety. Apart from the fact that it must be quite uncomfortable to move around with such weight, what sort of illnesses go with being over-weight? What does the future hold for such people, mentally and physically?

It was such a festive occasion in this little town of Cavour. The whole atmosphere surrounding the pageant was very pleasant indeed. I understand that the organisers are planning to go in 2007 as far as Samoa to attract participants to this event, with the next one to be held in 2008. Cavour (http://www.cavour.info) is already gearing up to it. (http://www.informissima.net)

A side trip brought our party to:
Frossasco
The Museum of Flavours which traces a history of food and eating habits is an interesting place to visit, especially for children and young people. It illustrates the origins of the things found on their plates and would encourage them to appreciate good food and a balanced diet. A much needed education of taste buds in a fast food world!
Attached to this museum is the renowned Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners (http://www.icif.com) .
Just a stone's throw from the museum is the Adriano Mesa restaurant which offers a fine and innovative cuisine with Piedmont region flavours. Each dish is prepared to bring out the individual taste of the various ingredients used and at the same time providing a unexpected symphony of flavours and a pleasure to the eye.

For aperitif, the encounter of creamy Gorgonzola with cocoa powder, which melt in the mouth, accompanied by a fruity and slightly fizzy wine was a fantastic start to the meal. Each dish that followed blended delicately into the other, and with more than adequate portions yet light enough to give one the impression of not having over-eaten.

What is so pleasant about this discreet restaurant is the very quiet and seemingly effortless and professional way the place is run at 57, via Principe Amedee, tél.0121.35.34.55 (adriano.mesa@virgilio.it).

Saluzzo (http://www.commune.saluzzo.cn.it)
My introduction to this mediaeval town is on a wet and wintry spring afternoon. A short and slippery walk did provide some insight into the possibilities of doing a thorough visit of the town. Time contraints and the weather did not allow us to see much, except a peep into the San Giovanni church which has the unique feature of being almost in the basement. This town definitely merits a second visit; with good walking shoes for the cobbled streets.

Poggio Radicati, a nine-room "boutique" hotel, offers in Saluzzo beautiful and romantically-decorated rooms. The restaurant serving excellent food and wines, provides a good view of the city. I loved their "fassone" and "gobbi di saluzzo" a combination of three roasts. The Gianduja chocolate pie was excellent. (http://www.poggioradicati,com)

Special thanks to Studio Suitner of Turin and their guide Marianna Carlini for having made possible this trip to Northern Italy.
N. S. (June 2006)