Aurora Zancanaro

Aurora Zancanaro

a cancellato UNIFORM project that investigates how different people and communities think beyond their disciplines to open new cultural perspectives

WRITTEN BY FRANCESCA DEL BOCA

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FEDERICA COCCIRO

“Bread has always been a symbol, essential on the tables and in the habits of Italians. Today it is experiencing a kind of revolution, there is more culture. There is more passion and desire to return to the origins from the artisans, and a desire for truth from consumers. In general, there is more awareness of the wisdom of food.

Today, bread has returned to being identity, community, family.
The ritual of buying bread, of taking it as a gift to someone, has returned.”

“The courtesy of a smile in the morning, the greeting from a familiar face, the pleasure of conversation in front of the bar... all this had been lost, between supermarket corridors and online catalogues. The pleasure of small habits, slower rhythms and human warmth had been completely lost. As well as the value of free time, which is not always used productively.“

“The magic of the morning shift, however, is priceless. When the city is asleep and the dough is slowly baking in the warmth of the oven... in these moments of solitude I feel a profound peace, and the privilege of silently observing the spectacle of a new sunrise fills my heart so much that I feel rewarded for all the physical effort I have experienced, for all the sacrifices. The early hours of the morning are really my time.”

Aurora Zancanaro is a baker. Her background as a chemist, allows her to be 100% master of the principles of natural bread making. After a degree in chemistry and a few years as a researcher she followed her secret love for bread-making. After attending many courses and several experiences in laboratories, bakeries, mills, on November 30th 2017, Aurora opened LePolveri, a 50 square meters shop, a small open-plan laboratory near the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. From 2023 Le Polveri doubles and opens the daytime bakery in Via Vespri Siciliani, also in Milan.

cancellato UNIFORM revolutionizes the experience of getting dressed