Fiorella “Denise” Flavi with her daughter Alessandra
Giorgio Galvani
Work on the eve of August 15, as always for 63 years, for Fiorella Flavi, aged 81, known to all as “Denise”, the undisputed queen of the Città di Castello covered market, “cave” for locals, the historical link between Via Cavour and Via del Popolo. There are never days off, only those imposed by law from a calendar that since 1960, only 18 years old, “Denise” honored every morning with an alarm clock at dawn, in an apron and a cap behind the counter of a delicatessen store. norcineria, cheeses and good things from the local tradition. First next to her husband Gabrio Guerrucci and then for several years with her daughter Alessandra, always smiling and kind to a large clientele. Even today, the tradition is observed that the eve of August 15, a symbol of the summer exodus, holidays of at least one day, should be marked by a picnic in mountain meadows or on the sand of a beach near the sea or on the seashore. Lake. “The traditional menu is always a 60s menu based on cold cuts, zero kilometer ham, fresh or aged cheese, Umbrian bread, seasonal vegetables and herbs, tomatoes, zucchini flowers and the ubiquitous watermelon. And all this with a glass of good wine,” says Deniz, giving advice to regular customers and numerous tourists, including VIPs and celebrities. Among them are the numerous shoppers who in the 60s and 70s went to the covered market stall to shop by August 15th with their parents, and today the parents, in turn, with their children in tow, are still there to continue. a tradition that zealously belongs to the history of Citta di Castello. Denise first raised her shutters when she was just 18 in 1960 and hasn’t had a day off since. A real commitment to work, to the local community and to clients, always in the same place, behind the covered market next to the fish market, which has won him many official awards, including those from the municipalities of Citta di Castello. and Citerna (where he lived for several years) and the Chamber of Commerce of Perugia. Always staying at his post, he practically traveled the world, serving and entertaining customers from all continents and regions of Italy with anecdotes and many details about the products he sells. Not knowing different languages, she always gained understanding through tricks and tricks, which she still uses to seduce clients. First of all Tifernati, and then famous personalities, from Alberto Burri to Monica Bellucci, Carlo Fuscagni, Marcello Tusco and Gwyneth Paltrow, who are attracted by her typical products and her smile. “Happy mid-August,” exclaims Denise, posing for a traditional photo with her daughter Alessandra, “I always recommend the Italian, Umbrian products and traditions of Alto Tiberina, which are second to none and are a guarantee of taste and health.” A wish that Mayor Luca Sekondi and Trade and Tourism Advisor Letizia Guerri share and extend to all the locals and the numerous tourists present in the city.
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