Le tavolate di S. Giuseppe tra patrimonio culturale e turismo delle radici: un modello di valorizzazione (partecipata)

The Tables of Saint Joseph represent one of the most significant expressions of the intangible cultural heritage of Southern Italy, where religious devotion, collective memory, and communal practices converge in the construction of shared identities. This paper examines the role of the Tables of Saint Joseph in processes of heritage-making and local development, with particular attention to the Molise region. Traditionally centered on ritual meals offered in honor of Saint Joseph, these practices historically promoted solidarity, sociability, and community cohesion through the preparation and sharing of food. Although modernization, depopulation, and rural decline weakened many of these traditions during the twentieth century, recent years have witnessed renewed interest among local communities, younger generations, and diaspora groups. The study is based on bibliographic sources, local archives, social media materials, and interviews with key informants. It analyzes the persistence and transformation of the ritual in Molise, where the tradition survives in several towns through both domestic and public forms of celebration. The paper also explores the relationship between food heritage, ritual symbolism, and tourism-oriented valorization. Comparisons with experiences in Sicily and Puglia highlight how coordinated cultural policies can support territorial promotion and community-based development