Naples, perhaps Italy's most superstitious city, will be taking more than a pinch of salt when it hosts the world's first global salt fair next May.
"This will not be just a trade fair," organizer Fabio Fassone explained. "It will be an event of cultural importance".
"The show will highlight all the different sides to this fundamental element of our diet, exploring the psychological, magical and philosophical roles salt has played down through the ages and continues to play today".
A series of conferences, book presentations and debates are planned for SaltExpo 2007, which takes place at the Naples' Mostra d'Oltremare complex from May 3 to 6.
Italian psychologist Paola Mieli will give a lecture analysing superstitions linked to salt - like that of throwing a pinch of salt over your shoulder to ward off evil - in the light of the theories of Carl Jung and Ernest Jones.
Philosopher Remo Bodei of UCLA will give a presentation on the importance of salt in Western thought.
Luigi Ballerini, another UCLA professor, will trace the history of salt from ancient times, when its ability to preserve food made it a vital and lucrative commodity.
Health experts will explain why our bodies need salt and give people advice on how to get the right balance of salt in their diets.
Naturally, the fair will not neglect salt's contribution to the dinner table.
Over 350 producers of salt and salted food and drink from all over the world will be showing their wares.
Top international chefs will prepare dishes highlighting the importance of salt on the stage of the fair's 'Theatre of Salt'.
Other gastronomic events include workshops on salting and pickling meat, fish, salami and olives as well as lessons on how to make salty cocktails.
Tour companies will present trips along the world's great salt routes and to some of the sites of the ancient world's biggest salt mines.
Among the side shows will be concerts by the Viennese Vegetable Orchestra, an ensemble that plays entirely edible instruments.
There will also be circus performances, art exhibitions and film screenings.
The annual fair will alternate between Naples and other top international cities, coming 'home' to Italy every other year.
SaltExpo 2008 will take place in San Francisco.
For more information, take a look at the SaltExpo website, www.saltexpo.com, which has an English-language section.
