A real gourmet will not miss the opportunity to add something new to the baggage of culinary impressions. Therefore, traveling around the world, he will learn the national cuisine in practice, marvel at the local traditions, and at the same time have fun from the heart. It is probably for this purpose that culinary festivals were invented, attracting millions of tourists and local gourmets.
The main ones on buns
Oddly enough, one of the brightest Chinese festivals is dedicated to buns. It starts on the island of Cheenchau every year, on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month (this year the festival falls on May 12).
The opening day is marked by a colorful carnival procession, which is admired by the audience. In the best Chinese traditions, you can see gracefully dancing carnival lions, tigers and dragons, gorgeously dressed characters and crowds of cheering children dressed in costumes of heroes of old and modern times. The action is accompanied by deafening sounds of drums and trumpets, which have long been used to scare away evil spirits. And at the head of the parade floats the image of the god Pak Tai, the generous patron of the festival, picked up by dozens of hands.
The culmination of the festival is a competition for climbing the” mountains ” of buns. Dozens of agile daredevils climb a 14-meter tower made of bamboo, hung with plastic buns and carefully fill bags with them. The winner is the owner of the largest number of buns. For all the comicality of what is happening to the unenlightened eyes of foreigners, the goals of the holiday are the most serious – to pay prayers to the gods and set a direction for lost spirits. Tourists themselves prefer to observe what is happening from the outside, taste local buns with an abundance of various fillings and raid local souvenir shops.
A paradise for pizza lovers
The world’s favorite pizza was awarded the whole festival “Pizzafest”. It is quite logical that it takes place in Naples, the birthplace of the famous pizza “Margarita”. In early September, the city turns into a giant pizzeria in the open air, and the air literally thickens from the dizzying aromas exuded everywhere.
Recognized pizzaiolo from all over the world come to Naples to take part in culinary competitions, demonstrate their mind-blowing recipes and, perhaps, share the secrets of art in master classes. By the way, by the end of the festival, the people choose the best pizzaiolo. For an unbiased calculation, special equipment is even installed in the city.
However, hot pizza lovers first rush to the main festival venue “Pizzafest”. After paying a few euros, they eat their favorite pizza from morning to night, tasting new recipes and enjoying the ones they have long loved. Given that today in Italy alone there are more than 2000 varieties of pizza, two weeks of the festival is clearly not enough for many.
Temperamental Italians delight guests not only with a large-scale feast, but also with souvenir fairs, festive shows, sports competitions and dance evenings. A great way to get rid of the calories accumulated during the day and free up space for future tastings.
Long live the pumpkin!
Americans have a special weakness not only for hamburgers and hot dogs. Many people like an ordinary and much more useful pumpkin. And in addition to Halloween , the Cucurbita festival, which has been held in the city of Morton, Illinois, for almost half a century, is dedicated to her. For a few days in mid-September, the city streets are painted in iridescent orange tones – almost at every corner, passers-by are offered to treat themselves to some pumpkin delicacy. Curious gourmets try soups, salads, mashed potatoes and pumpkin desserts, not forgetting to write down the recipes that they like. For fans of unusual entertainment, the organizers offer to try their hand at truly American competitions – pumpkin throwing and pumpkin relay. And creative natures comprehend the subtleties of pumpkin carving, stocking up on original ideas for creative home decor.
The Germans also openly admit their trembling love for the pumpkin, organizing an annual festival in Ludwigsburg. Its main decorations are various sculptures, most often animals and fairy-tale creatures, built from whole pumpkins. The most anticipated event is the traditional swim in boats made of giant pumpkins. Anyone can become a member of it. To do this, you need to grow a pumpkin weighing 90-100 kg, cut out a miniature ship from it, launch it and manage to climb into it without sinking or breaking it. After that, it is a matter of technique to swim the set distance and cross the finish line. The rest of the fun is much more traditional: pumpkin fairs where you can buy rare varieties of your favorite vegetable, cozy restaurants with pumpkin dishes and even a children’s amusement park with a corresponding theme.
Holiday in cherry colors
Cherries are able to admire not only the Japanese, but also the inhabitants of South Africa. Moreover, there is a great reason for this – the annual cherry festival, which takes place in Fixburg.
This town can rightfully be considered the cherry capital of South Africa, as its plantations bring more than 500 tons of excellent berries every year. And therefore, the locals, after collecting a consistently rich harvest and other righteous labors, deservedly have fun and relax at the festival.
By November, when the festival takes place, curious tourists also come here to watch camel races, football and rugby competitions, an incendiary carnival with a local flavor, as well as the traditional beauty contest Mr. Cherry Stone and Miss Cherry Blossom.
Of course, it is not complete without tasting cherries, which, according to numerous confessions of tourists, has an amazing taste, unlike any other. Having had enough of berry delicacies, you can go on a tour of the fascinating cherry orchards of Fixburg, horseback riding or magnificent flower exhibitions.
If you are lucky enough to be in an overseas region during a culinary festival, be sure to visit it. Vivid impressions and unusual recipes are the best souvenirs that you can bring from your trip.