- 08-06-2026 12:55
- Velizar Petrov
The Mekitsi Festival in
Svezhen Celebrates Traditions, Flavours and Stories in the Spirit of the “Green
and Mystical Danube Storytelling Route – MYSTICAL DANUBE” Project
On 7 June 2026, the picturesque
village of Svezhen, in the Municipality of Brezovo, became the vibrant setting
for one of Bulgaria’s most distinctive community events dedicated to preserving
local culinary traditions and intangible cultural heritage – the Mekitsi
Festival. At the invitation of the Municipality of Brezovo, the project team of
“Green and Mystical Danube Storytelling Route – MYSTICAL DANUBE” joined the
celebration, recognising it as an inspiring example of how local customs,
gastronomy and folklore can be transformed into authentic and sustainable
tourism experiences.
The participation of the project team
carried particular significance. The Municipality of Brezovo was the first
Bulgarian municipality to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation within the framework
of the MYSTICAL DANUBE project, laying the foundations for a broad partnership
network committed to promoting sustainable regional development through
storytelling, cultural identity and community engagement. Building on this
successful collaboration, additional Memoranda of Cooperation were subsequently
concluded with the municipalities of Parvomay, Maritsa and Krichim, as well as
with representatives of academia, businesses, non-governmental organisations
and other stakeholders who share the project's vision of preserving and
promoting local heritage.
The Mekitsi Festival demonstrated how
a simple traditional recipe can become a powerful symbol of community identity
and an occasion that brings together generations, visitors and local producers
in a shared celebration of culture. Skilled home bakers presented their finest
interpretations of the beloved Bulgarian pastry in a friendly culinary
competition, with numerous awards recognising creativity, authenticity and
mastery of traditional techniques.
The event was honoured by the presence
of celebrated Bulgarian chef and television personality Uti Bachvarov, whose
enthusiasm for Bulgarian cuisine and engaging personality further enriched the
festive atmosphere and attracted considerable public interest.
Throughout the day, the heart of
Svezhen was filled with music, colour and celebration. Folklore ensembles
showcased the richness of local traditions through authentic songs, dances and
traditional costumes, while local producers and artisans presented regional
foods, handcrafted products and traditional crafts that have been preserved and
passed down through generations. The festival thus evolved into far more than a
gastronomic event; it became a living narrative of the region's identity,
illustrating the deep connections between its people, customs and cultural
landscape.
Such initiatives embody the very
essence of the MYSTICAL DANUBE project, which recognises intangible cultural
heritage as a valuable resource for sustainable tourism development and for
creating innovative thematic routes that connect nature, history, legends,
craftsmanship and local gastronomy. By placing communities at the heart of this
process, the project highlights the authentic stories that give each
destination its unique character and strengthen its attractiveness for visitors
seeking meaningful cultural experiences.
The participation of the project team
in the Mekitsi Festival reaffirmed that sustainable tourism is built upon
strong partnerships, active community involvement and the preservation of
living traditions. Every recipe, every folk song, every handcrafted object and
every local story contributes to the wider narrative of the Danube region—a
shared European cultural space shaped by diversity, creativity and collective
memory.
Through initiatives such as the
Mekitsi Festival, “Green and Mystical Danube Storytelling Route – MYSTICAL
DANUBE” continues to demonstrate how local heritage can inspire contemporary
tourism products that support regional development while safeguarding the
traditions that define the identity of Danube communities for future
generations.
This publication has been produced
within the framework of the project “Green and Mystical Danube Storytelling
Route – MYSTICAL DANUBE”, implemented under the Interreg Danube Region
Programme. Its content is the sole responsibility of the author and does not
necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Programme Managing
Authority.
The MYSTICAL DANUBE project:
"GREEN AND MYSTIC DANUBE ROUTE FOR STORIES TELL - TRANSNATIONAL
VALORIZATION OF NATURAL AND INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS IN THE DANUBE REGION" is funded by the INTERREG
Danube Transnational program. The Bulgarian partner in the project is the Regional
Development Agency with Business Support
Center for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, and the associated partner is
the Plovdiv Regional Administration.