Thursday, June 4 marks the opening of the fourth edition of SALE Sant’Ambrogio in Festival: four days dedicated to the theme of RELATIONSHIPS, the guiding thread of the 2026 edition.

As every year, SALE opens with The Communities Dinner, a convivial gathering dedicated to the communities that make up the city of Florence. This year’s spotlight will be on the Albanian community, at the heart of an evening filled with colors, flavors, and atmospheres celebrating the deep bond between Florence and one of the most vibrant and rooted cultures in the area.

The evening will begin with a talk focused on the relationship between Italy and Albania: a moment of dialogue and storytelling featuring guests, artists, and personalities from both countries. Among them will be Milot, an Italo-Albanian artist and sculptor known for his large-scale installations exploring themes of identity, freedom, and intercultural dialogue, and who in 2026 will also take part in major international events, including the Venice Biennale.

And then… of course, we move on to our legendary “Cena da Urlo”, with a menu born from the encounter between Italian and Albanian traditions and created together with the extraordinary Chef Anna Cieno, who will be joined in the kitchen by her equally wonderful mother Ikbale Cieno, also a chef, to take you on a true gastronomic journey.


The Evening Menu:

Buffet Appetizers
BYREK — Flaky Pastry filled with Spinach, Feta Cheese, or Minced Meat and Leeks
DOLMA — Vine Leaves stuffed with Rice and Meat
TARATORË — A chilled Yogurt-Based Sauce Shot with Cucumber, Garlic, Water, Salt, Dill, and Olive Oil
BISHTAJA ME DOMATE — Braised Snow Peas with Tomato
PISPILI ME PRESH — Savory Leek and Corn Pie
GRATINED SPRING ONIONS
TOMATOES AND OREGANO
ALBANIAN SALAD — Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese

First Course
JUFKA ME GJALP — Fresh Pasta with Browned Butter and Caciocavallo Cheese

Main Courses
FËRGESË — Peppers, Friggitelli Peppers, Tomatoes, Gjizë Cheese, and Onion
KOFTE WITH GREEN SALAD — Grilled and Spiced Lamb and Beef Meatballs served with Green Salad

Dessert Buffet
SYLTIASH — Traditional Rice Pudding with Milk, Raisins, Sugar, and Cinnamon
KATAIF — Kataifi Pastry filled with Walnuts and Sugar Syrup

Accompanying the evening will be live music by the Akrobatìk, an electrifying band made up of exceptional musicians who will transport you into the heart of Albanian culture through traditional and original pieces inspired by Balkan folk sounds: from Central European Klezmer to Jazz Manouche, through swing, rebetiko, and gypsy music.

👉 Dinner Event with Concert: €50 per person, wines not included.
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An opportunity to immerse yourself in a culture rich in history, music, and conviviality, beginning with one of its most authentic languages: the language of the table.
“Where do people from different cultures truly get to know each other? Around the table.” — Giulio Picchi

Discover the full program for the opening day of SALE – Sant’Ambrogio in Festival and all the activities taking place throughout the Sant’Ambrogio district!