
Gragnano, June 6th, 2024 – In Piazza Guglielmo Marconi in Gragnano, the bronze statue dedicated to Cavaliere Mario Faella, dean of pasta makers and son of Gaetano, founder of the pasta factory of the same name, was officially inaugurated.
A life dedicated to work, in the name of excellence
Cavaliere Mario Faella was a visionary entrepreneur, born and raised in Gragnano, who dedicated his life to the production of high-quality pasta. His pasta factory, founded in 1870 and present in Piazza Marconi since 1907, has become a symbol of excellence and tradition, helping to make Gragnano pasta known throughout the world. Thanks to his commitment and passion, Faella pasta has become synonymous with quality.
The city of Gragnano, known as the “City of Pasta”, owes much to the work of Cavaliere Faella. His dedication has allowed the ancient production techniques to be enhanced and local traditions to be kept alive.
Today, Gragnano PGI pasta is appreciated for its unique quality, resulting from the use of selected grains and slow drying, which gives the pasta an inimitable consistency and flavor.
Institutions and schools at the inauguration
The ceremony was attended by the administrators of the pasta factory Sergio Cinque and Gianluca Di Nola (Mario’s grandchildren), numerous citizens, local authorities and representatives of the food sector, underlining the importance of this figure for the Gragnano community.
Also present were the students and teachers of the Roncalli-Siani middle school of the music department, who opened the ceremony by performing famous Italian music pieces and then paid homage to the figure of the pasta maker through an in-depth analysis of his professional life.
During the ceremony, the mayor Dr. Aniello D’Auria underlined the importance of Gragnano’s recognition as the world capital of pasta, highlighting how the city has acquired international fame thanks to the work of local producers.
D’Auria recalled how Gragnano, thanks to innovation and global communication, is now known throughout the world. He also highlighted the crucial role of institutions, schools and entrepreneurs in keeping this tradition alive and ensuring that Gragnano continues to thrive as a center of excellence in pasta production.
Sculptor Domenico Sepe stated: “Creating this statue was a great honor. I wanted to represent Cavaliere Faella as a symbol of excellence and tradition. The bronze used for the bust was cast together with that of the monument dedicated to pasta makers, underlining the deep connection between the figure of the Cavaliere and the history of Gragnano pasta. The sculpture preserves not only the image, but also the spirit of a man who has contributed significantly to our community.“
Faella CEO Dr. Sergio Cinque, Mario Faella’s nephew, said: “I remember my uncle as a person who truly dedicated himself body and soul throughout his life to the production of pasta, he lived 24 hours a day in this square, in this factory that is rich in history, rich in history not only of the Faella pasta factory but also of other factories that Gragnano has hosted going back to 1800. For us, for all of us, he was certainly an example, an example, a great motivator, a person who managed to transmit healthy values to all of us and above all the commitment and passion for an art that may seem easy especially to those who carry it out daily with a certain simplicity but instead is always full of unexpected events and difficulties. A heritage that Gragnano must continue to preserve also for the new generations, because it is what has practically distinguished our history in recent centuries.”
The bronze statue represents the Cavaliere Faella in a proud pose. The plaque on the statue reads: “Cavaliere Mario Faella. Wise guardian of the white art, who has been able to pass on his knowledge and contributed to making the quality of Gragnano pasta known throughout the world.”
The inauguration of the statue marks a moment of great pride for Gragnano and for all those who work in the pasta sector. The city will continue to celebrate its rich history and traditions, keeping alive the memory of a man who was able to transform a small pasta factory into a brand of excellence recognized throughout the world.
The renowned I.G.P. pasta of Gragnano is now available in the best shops and online.
To learn more, visit the website pastaficiofaella.it.