LA RUSTIDA

On June 13, 2024, Riccione celebrates its 60th anniversary of the traditional Rustida - Lifeguard Festival, at the Piazzale del Porto (Piazzale Alcide De Gasperi). The festival represents one of the most heartfelt events in the city, established in memory of a great gesture of solidarity by tourists visiting Riccione, when the devastating fury of a storm hit the beach and the bathing establishments, swept away by the wind and the stormy sea, on June 8, 1964. After only two days, the beach of Riccione returned to normal, thanks to the industriousness of the lifeguards and managers of the bathing establishments and the precious support of friends and tourists, many Germans, who helped them in the reconstruction operations.

Exactly one year after that anniversary, on June 8, 1965, the Riccione beach attendants decided to honor that great gesture of solidarity by organizing the first party with the “rustida”, the dish based on grilled blue fish and symbol of Romagna conviviality, to pay homage to tourists and citizens. The party starts at 8:30 pm: all the Riccione beach attendants, together with the “Associazione per la candidatura Unesco – sede di Riccione” will offer the traditional fish “rustida”, distributed free of charge together with the piadina offered by Riccione Piadina, while wine and beer will be distributed upon purchase of the party mug, at a cost of 5 euros.

The stand of the Association for the candidatura Unesco of the Riccione beach will also be present at the party, to disseminate and support the project.
Over time, the “rustida” has become a precious symbol of identity, also highlighted by studies carried out by the Cast (Centre for Advanced Studies on Tourism) of the University of Bologna, in the context of the “Beach Identity” project which sees the Municipality of Riccione and the Association for the Unesco candidacy – Riccione branch, committed to obtaining the coveted recognition aimed at safeguarding the uses, customs and practices of the Riccione beach, as an intangible heritage of Unesco.