The event took place on June 25 and coincided with the traditional fair in Graovo – Vidovden. The place turned out to be cramped for all enthusiasts who wanted to try the local production of 10 local producers.
These were EcoEthnoArt from the town of Radomir with handmade and painted souvenirs, Bee products "Medotron" from the village of Stefanovo, Radomir, Olga Gorcheva - vegetable producer from the village of Granitsa, Kyustendil, Miroslav Borisov - producer of honey, spices, homemade syrups, etc., Beekeeping shop "KRAKRA MED" Ltd. - Ivo and Kamen Sotirovi.
Our girls from the "RAISE Graovo" embroidery workshop at the Regional Youth RAISE Center also took part, as well as the representatives of the National Community Center "Ivo Voyvoda 1928." from the village of Dolna Sekirna. Mandra – the village of Dolna Vrabcha, Zemen municipality, Farm "Agriva", town of Breznik and Sladkoteka "Zhdreloto", town of Trun.
Visitors to the farmers' market, including Ivan Tinkov - Chairman of the Municipal Council - Breznik, had the opportunity to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, honey, bee products, yogurt and milk, butter, cheese, yellow cheese, souvenirs, jam, syrups, vinegars, dried herbs, embroidered jewelry, etc. They also enjoyed traditional Graovo dishes and participated in an open seminar on "Local food and the development of gastronomic rural tourism", led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Desislava Dimitrova from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research (IBER) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS).
As a coordinator of "Slow Food" Bulgaria, she shared her vision on the future of tourism in rural areas. According to her, one of the ways for its development is widely represented by the imposition and supply of specific traditional local products produced by small producers and farmers. This in turn would lead to many positive effects, including: reduction of depopulation and migration; attracting tourists; advertising the respective region as a gastronomic destination, which through food and true taste presents its uniqueness and identity.
"In recent years, interest in local food has been growing. More and more people are looking for quality food of guaranteed origin. In response, as well as in their quest to establish their place in the market, food producers, guest houses, hoteliers and restaurateurs they turn to the Bulgarian culinary traditions ", shared Assoc. Prof. Dimitrova.
During the seminar, Ms. Temenuzhka Mateva, leader of the community of "Slow Food" Bulgaria from Ivaylovgrad, made a demonstration of the preparation of trahana - a traditional dish of Persian origin, known in our country mostly in Strandzha, Sakar, Rhodopes. Nowadays, this product is not so common because it is not prepared in industrial conditions. It is made by hand, and the recipes are not well known.
The team of the Regional Youth Raise Center - Breznik discussed the possibility of joining the network of "Slow Food" Bulgaria, researching and promoting the culinary traditions of Graovo.
This was the fourth in a series of farmers' markets in Pernik district, which are realized by the Regional Youth RAISE Center. Follow our communication channels to find out where and when the next ones will take place!
The RAISE Youth project, implemented by the Center for Development of Sustainable Communities, covers over 500 young people aged between 18 and 29, living in the municipalities of Pernik, Breznik, Trun, Radomir, Zemen and Kovachevtsi, who are not currently involved. Within its framework, various trainings for career and personal development are passed, and the most active 20 participants will be provided with additional training and mentoring assistance to start their own business.
The RAISE Youth project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.