Mortadella is one of the most iconic gastronomic symbols of Bologna and Italy. Not only does it represent excellence in the art of charcuterie, but it has also left a deep impression on popular culture, from cinema to literature.
Mortadella has crossed the boundaries of cuisine, becoming the star of unforgettable film scenes and the subject of literary references celebrating its authenticity and cultural value.
Mortadella on the big screen
In the world of cinema, mortadella has had a special role, linked above all to its ability to immediately evoke tradition and conviviality.
The iconic film that bears the name of our beloved sausage is ‘La Mortadella’ from 1971, directed by Mario Monicelli and starring a young Sophia Loren.
The plot revolves around the story of Maddalena, an Italian woman who travels to the United States with a mortadella under her arm, triggering a conflict with the customs authorities over her attempt to import this typical product.
Through this bittersweet comedy, Monicelli expresses themes related to cultural identity and the difficulty of reconciling traditions with modernity; mortadella becomes a tangible symbol of nostalgia for the land of origin, a food that speaks of home, roots and belonging.
Even contemporary cinema has not remained indifferent to the presence of mortadella. In many scenes of Italian and international films, we see it as the protagonist of convivial moments, among friends or family, becoming a symbol of eating together, sharing and simplicity that is often missing in today’s hectic life.
Mortadella in literature
Not only the cinema, but also literature has paid homage to this delicious sausage. Over the centuries, various authors have referred to mortadella in their works, making it part of the social and cultural context in which the stories unfold.
Among the most famous, Giovanni Boccaccio, in his Decameron, described opulent banquets where cold meats such as mortadella were served to guests to show the generosity and wealth of the hosts.
In the 19th century, when Italy was in the midst of the Risorgimento, mortadella was celebrated as one of the symbols of national identity. In the novels and short stories of the time, especially those set in Bologna or Emilia-Romagna, this sausage was a recurring feature on the protagonists’ tables.
Even Pellegrino Artusi, the famous gastronome and author of La scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiar bene (Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well), mentions mortadella, emphasising its importance in the Italian culinary tradition.
Mortadella is not just a simple sausage, it is a cultural symbol that tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship and identity.
Whether on the big screen or in the pages of a novel, it continues to keep alive the bond with its land of origin and the people who love it.
Today, as yesterday, mortadella remains an icon of Italian good living, celebrated not only on the table, but also in popular culture, from cinema to literature.
What about you? What is your favourite memory or film in which mortadella plays the starring role?
