The Regional Youth Center (RMC) in Breznik hosted 14 people from Croatia, partners in the RAISE Youth project, from June 23rd to 27th.
The aim was to exchange experiences between the Bulgarian side - represented by RMC-Breznik, the Center for Development of Sustainable Communities, the municipal government in Breznik and young people, participants from Pernik District in the project - and the Croatian - represented by their young people participating in the project, the municipal government in the town of Gospic and the GTF organization.
14 people from Croatia came to Bulgaria: the project coordinator and the coordination expert of GTF, together with their external expert, the deputy mayor of Gospic together with two other representatives of the municipality, the manager and financial manager of the RAISE Youth project for Croatia, as well as participants in project.
The first day of the Croats in Bulgaria, when they were greeted with a cake with honey in RMC-Breznik
Then they visited the Agriva farm, which makes the only kosher cheese and yellow cheese in the Balkans. The owner told the impressive story of his farm, where the most important thing is not the profit, but the attitude towards the staff and, of course, the animals. The guests from Croatia were taken around the cow farm, impressed by the modern way of caring for the cows, milk production and processing.
At Agriva Farm
Shortly afterwards, they were taken to the hall, where honey is extracted from Agriva's combs, again from organically raised bees. The honey extraction machine is specially manufactured in Finland by a master beekeeper to make the work as easy as possible and to increase the yield. It is one of only two in the whole country.
Agriva farm honey extraction machine
The owner of the Agriva farm explains the process of extracting honey
Copper pies on Agriva farm
The group from Croatia was really impressed by the visit to Agriva and exchanged useful contacts with the owner. The next day, RMC-Breznik had prepared a long and tiring but useful program for them.
It began with a sightseeing tour of Breznik, followed by a visit to the Gigini Monastery and then the Zemen Monastery. Before dinner, a special Graov evening was organized, featuring traditional songs and dances from the region. The guests from Croatia were impressed and joined in to dance and sing. However, the closeness of our cultures cannot be denied.
The Graovo evening
After the visit to the holy monasteries, the Croats and the CIA and RMC teams went to the Bread House in Kovachevtsi, where the municipal authorities and the museum management had taken care to present an impressive demonstration of kneaded bread according to old recipes, as well as to tell the region's rich history. this attitude.
Welcoming with bread in the Bread House in the village of Lobosh
Dishes for the guests in the Bread House in the village of Lobosh
On June 26 were the two big events organized by RMC-Breznik - the opening of the exhibition "My favorite landmark in Pernik District" and the awarding of the winners of the photo contest. Three people were awarded at the ceremony, which can be seen until July 26 at St. George the Victorious Church in the city.
Immediately after it was opened the first of its kind Western Farmer's Market, which was attended by 9 local producers from Pernik and Kyustendil. The Croats from RAISE Youth also had their own stand. Hundreds of people passed through the market, which aims to promote local foods and crafts, and bought honey, cheese, cheese, meat, sausage, fruits, vegetables, lemonade, chips, yogurt, pottery, art.
Against the background of all this busy program, a meeting was organized between the chairman of the municipal council in Breznik, Ivan Tinkov, and the deputy mayor of the Croatian town of Gospic - Kristina Prasa, and her colleagues.
The partners from Croatia were very pleasantly surprised by the events and the work of RMC-Breznik and CIA on the RAISE Youth project and by the demonstrated Bulgarian traditions, cuisine and local crafts and products.
RAISE Youth beehives of RMC-Breznik
Short presentation at RMC-Breznik
A sweet surprise for the guests from Croatia, handmade in Breznik
On a visit to the Zemen Monastery
Visiting the Montenegrin monastery
Croatian guests in the Church of St. Friday in Breznik
Bulgarian young people, participants in the project, will go on a week-long visit to Croatia, where they will gain experience and exchange information with their Balkan colleagues and peers.
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.