Rechercher...
Women's Day: celebrating 5 Corsican women
Discover 5 leading women at the service of a modern and innovative Corsica
Journée de la femme - Corse ©CDC
Because Corsican women have always had an important place in Corsican society, we invite you, through these 5 short portraits, to explore Corsica from a different angle, meeting the women who make the heart of our island beat. Welcome to a journey to the heart of Corsica, guided by the strength and grace of these women who, in their own way and in their own speciality, will leave an indelible mark. Gastronomy, characterful accommodation, viticulture, literature or local shops, let's take a look at 5 passionate women.
Organic Corsican saffron: Anne Nocera's organic saffron
Anne 'fell' into growing saffron almost 20 years ago... It was during her history studies at the Università di Corti that she fell in love with this far-flung spice. Her farm at Pantanu, around twenty minutes from Aiacciu on the way to Bucugnà, is a treasure trove: red, green, yellow, elongated or round tomatoes, aromatic plants from here and elsewhere, chia, coriander, green fennel, Chinese chives, red perilla, flat or curly parsley, fennel, white or green, round or elongated courgettes, caviar lemons, limes, yellows, aubergines, onions, Boudha hands, pomelos... the list runs on! Anne's farm is a festival of incredible colours, smells and scents. And then of course there's saffron... who would have bet 20 years ago that this spice, as delicate as it is expensive, would take root in Corsica? Anne has done it, and it's a success... The harvest takes place in October-November, by hand, carefully, skilfully and quickly, before the sun rises... Like a true commitment to her land, Anne's whole family is on hand to lend her a hand for this event. The first "farmer", as she likes to call herself, to grow this spice in Corsica, she is also a fine gourmet and doesn't shy away from combining her saffron with unusual flavours: ewe's milk cheese, ice cream and many other delights.
Anne Nocera ©ANocera
Le safran d'Anne ©ATC - SA
Safran de Corse on Instagram
On sale directly on the farm and in all good grocery stores
« A Scanceria » : Carulina Cesari's grocery shop
Carulina had her professional future all mapped out, but she was determined to develop a business that really suited her. After careful consideration, her dream came true in her little village nestling in the Boziu, Castellare di Mercuriu: a grocery shop combining everyday products, homemade sweet and savoury treats and local produce (and beyond): in a warm, authentic setting, visitors can enjoy delicious homemade Corsican specialities to eat in or take away: herbed turnovers, migliacci, frappe, pizze, Carulina delights her visitors. On the grocery side, you'll find delicatessen products, wines, cheeses, chestnut flour and honeys, as gifts or to treat yourself. The shop is also a venue for exhibitions from time to time... Helping to revitalise the interior, A Scanceria is a real place for sharing and living in the heart of Boziu. When she's not at the grocery shop or behind the stove, Carulina goes out to meet the people of the canton, criss-crossing the roads and breathing new life into the dragulinu (street vendor) trade. Located on the Mare à Mare road, A Scanceria is a must for a refreshing gourmet stop-off.
Carulina Cesari ©CC
L'épicerie de Carulina ©ATC
« Confiserie Saint Sylvestre » : Alexia Snatini's chocolate
A worthy descendant of her father Marcel, a famous Corsican chocolatier and creator of the Soveria confectionery, Alexia has created her own gourmet universe, where savoir-faire blends with pride in her roots. A proud ambassador of Corsican gastronomy, Alexia draws her inspiration from the wealth of flavours Corsica has to offer, imagining and designing unique chocolate creations that tell the story of the island in every bite. The intense flavours of Corsica, such as citron, clementine, orange and lemon, as well as nougat, honey and chestnuts, are combined to create an authentic taste journey. In addition to her culinary talent, Alexia Santini is also helping to promote Corsica as a land of excellence. By choosing to showcase Corsican products and flavours, she is helping to preserve the island's gastronomic heritage. Her chocolate factory has become a meeting place for tradition and modernity, where the flavours of yesteryear blend with a contemporary approach to the art of chocolate-making.
Alexia Santini ©La confiserie de Soveria
Les chocolats d'Alexia ©La Confiserie de Soveria
Confiserie Saint Sylvestre
« Domaine Saparale » : Julie Farinelli's paradise
Julie Farinelli, a charming figure from the Sartè region and the Ortulu Valley, is the embodiment of Domaine Saparale. When she became a winegrower several decades ago, Julie followed in her husband's footsteps, passionately cultivating the local grape varieties that have made the region's AOP wines famous. Alongside her winemaking activities, Julie is also passionate about olive oil production, exploiting the olive groves that dot the region. By combining tradition and innovation, she produces an oil with subtle aromas, capturing the essence of the olives grown under the Corsican sun. However, Julie's imprint doesn't stop there. Keen to share the beauty of her region with the world, she has also opened a number of bed and breakfasts with characterful architecture. Nestling in the heart of her vineyards, these accommodations offer visitors an authentic immersion in Corsican life, with warm hospitality and cuisine showcasing local produce.
Julie Farinelli ©JF
Le Domaine de Julie Farinelli @ATC
Musanostra association: the beautiful letters of Anna Maria Sammarcelli
A French teacher for more than 20 years, with a passion for literature and a commitment to keeping the Corsican language alive, Anna Maria Sammarcelli was the natural choice for the presidency of the Musanostra Association in 2022, which aims to raise the profile of literature in general and Corsican literature in particular. Because a country cannot live without its memory, Anna Maria Sammarcelli has never ceased to promote, make accessible and share her love for the Corsican language and literature. With the help of its volunteers, the Association organises literary events throughout the year in Corsica, working on a daily basis to make literature accessible to as many people as possible.
The Musanostra Association was founded in 2008 by another woman with vision, Marie France Bereni Canazzi. Musanostra's primary vocation is to promote literature, the humanities and the arts in the wider sense of the term. The association will be hosting a literary café at the Bastia Italian Film Festival.
Anna Maria Sammarcelli ©AMS
Les Rencontres litteraires de Musanostra ©Musanostra
