Abstract
Research report written in the context of the Interreg Alpine Space European Project 'AlpFoodway' The Fête des Fromages de Savoie (Savoy Cheeses’ Festival) is a one-day travelling event that aims to bring together the local population and the actors of the Savoyard cheese production chain. The main purpose of the initiative is to foster the communities’ involvement in all the cheese-related traditions, and to raise awareness around the Savoyards cheeses cultural heritage and practices. The initiative is organised each summer by AFTALP, the Association of Traditional Cheeses of the Savoyard Alps, together with the trade associations of the eight Savoyard Cheeses protected by geographical indications as well as local policy makers and associations. The 2018 edition of the Festival, which attracted almost 16,000 visitors from nearby areas, took place in the Beaufort PDO territories. By fostering local participation and increasing the tourist attractiveness of the area, the Savoy Cheeses’ Festival represent an interesting example of bottom-up involvement strategy and of balanced commercial valorisation of food-related ICH.