Romanian Cheese Cake Day focuses on a traditional local product from Rasinari, Sibiu Region in order to promote local producers and authentic products.
Romanian Cheese Cake called ”Verzar” in Romanian language is a famous local cake/pie made in the mountain village of Rasinari, with dill and ricotta sheep cheese. In the monograph of the village of Rasinari from 1915 it is mentioned that the ”verzar cake” has always been part of the feast menu in the community. The monography also states that this product was not missing from the farmer’s table at the Christian High Holy Day of Pentecost. This is an evidence that the product has been from a long period embedded in the tradition of the village.
In this context, Rasinari Municipality and the Association of Agro tourism Guesthouses from Rasinari launched the ”Verzar Day” in 2018. The main objective is to promote local gastronomy and to keep alive the interest in old recipes among youngsters and children.
The event brings together local producers and tourists. The event includes a live demonstration on how ”verzar” it’s prepared and what makes it special to the community. Part of the tourist attraction is the departure by the local tram from Sibiu city to Rasinari village. Last part of the event consists of a cooking workshop that children are always looking forward to attend. They prepare polenta with cheese, another traditional local product.
Main stakeholders involved: The Municipality of Rasinari, The Association of Agrotourism Guesthouses from Rasinari.
Beneficiaries: local community of Rasinari, local producers in Marginimea Sibiului, families with children.
Resources needed
For the organisation of the event, every year an amount of approximate EUR 1.000 is spent, out of which 90% is public financing and 10% private contribution. The participants pay a symbolic entrance fee. There are about 6 voluntaries involved.
Evidence of success
The event had a real success from the first edition, all tickets were sold out long prior the event. At the first edition we had 100 participants.
Following the first event, a receipt book was released called Rasinari – Traditional Romanian Gastronomy.
The event it’s a good example in what regards the revival of an old receipt and bring it in the attention of young people and also an example of good collaboration between local authority and local NGOs.
Difficulties encountered
The main challenge encountered was to set up a digital tool for registration of participants for the event. We succeeded in solving this issue by using an external platform that was linked to our website.
Potential for learning or transfer
The event represents an example of good practice on how to revive an old gastronomy product and bring it to the attention of general public, especially children.
The Romanian Cheese Cake Day - ”Verzar Day” event brings together the local authority and tourism association with the aim of promoting a local culinary dish with cultural heritage. In this regard, more than 100 visitors benefit ever year of this event and thus contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in the area.
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Tags: Community, Sustainable tourism, Youth