Italians are still very fond of beauty pageants and there is a whole variety of them taking place in every town in Italy during July and August. The culmination is the Miss Italy pageant that occupies four days of prime time TV during September.
But beauty pageants don't seek to award just aspiring models. There are pageants for bigger women, pregnant women, Italians that no longer live in Italy and for the past five years there is also one for Grandmas.
"Miss Nonna Italiana", calls on grandmas to compete on beauty but also on singing, dancing with their grandchildren, reciting a poem and even singing a lullaby. They also get to show off their culinary skills as they have to present their own special nonna recipe.
This year's winner is Giancarla Bedana, 53 years old and a tailor from Padova. Giancarla has two children and 4 grandchildren. She is an avid Salsa dancer and showed off her skills on stage with her husband.
