In fact, an important initiative has been the setting up of 'Cheese Bimbi' where children aged 4-10 years can learn about the traditional methods of cheese production and get to taste products they might not find on the shelves of their local supermarket.

A recent adddition to the above event has been the revival of interest in the 'transumanza', the once common movement of sheep as the seasons change, and a renewed appreciation of the importance of pastoral life for the ancient history of Italy.

A recent television programme also shed light on the life of modern shepherds in Abruzzo. Who are they? Well, many working the hills of Gran Sasso are immigrants from Montenegro who came over to Italy following the recent Balkan war.

They described their life as physically tough and lonely and it seems no one else wants to do it. The product of their work, however, is the luscious 'Pecorino Tenero di Castel del Monte'. Look out for it in Bra.

SUGGESTED LINKS

http://cheese.slowfood.it
www.turismoinbra.it