A festival for chocoholics is currently under way in Perugia in the Umbria region of Italy. The annual Eurochocolate festival, which transforms the Umbrian city into the chocolate capital of Europe, includes exhibitions, workshops, debates and stands. Major chocolate produce from all over Europe is present at the festival and there are popular initiatives such as demonstrations of sculpting chocolate, a chocolate school and a chocoshow. This year there will be a special section devoted to the chilli pepper revolution, the latest chocolate passion in Italy, with chilli pepper added to chocolate bars, cakes, chocolate liquers and best of all chocolate ice cream.

The festival runs until 23 October, www.eurochocolate.com.

During the last weekend of the Eurochocolate festival in Perugia, the Umbria association Equosolidale promotes and organises Altrocioccolato, in nearby Gubbio. From 20 to 23 October, the streets of the town fill with stands, street artists, musicians and small exhibitions. The theme of the festival is fair trade, financial aid for chocolate producers and helping to protect the environment in chocolate producing areas of the world. For information see www.altrocioccolato.org.