Varazdin County's celebration of its natural gourmet goodness continues this week with the 19th Zeljarijada in Vidovec.
I have to admit that I really enjoyed this festival a couple of years ago on what was my first visit to Varazdin. A festival celebrating cabbage and other green goodness sounded too good to miss, and when I found myself being photographed with a cabbage, two docile scarecrows and more pumpkins than I could count, I knew I had come to the right place.
But this was no ordinary cabbage festival, for among all the festivities was an attempt to make the largest sarma (that delicious stuffed cabbage dish which is a staple to survive the Croatian winter) in the world. Led by celebrated chef Damir Crleni, no less than 35 people worked for three days with 1,000 kg of meat, 1,000 of cabbage, 300 kg of dried meat and 100 kg of rice to produce a world-record 1,200 metres of cabbage goodness.
Not only that, but Varazdin has its own type of protected cabbage, which is nationally famous, and there is only one woman in the country who is licenced to sell its seeds, which led to a fascinating interview. Coupled with all the other activities on the menu, it contributed into quite a day. You can read about it here.
This year's event starts on September 16, 2016 in Vidovec, and the full programme is below.
19th Zeljarijada 2016
Vidovec, September 16-18, 2016
Friday, 16.9.2016.
20h “Zeljarska night” with ACTIV BAND
ŽELJKO BEBEK concert
Saturday, 17.9.2016.
8h Gathering of participants of old crafts fair and economy fair
- presentations of preservation of cultural heritage and products from participants
Day-long entertainment with FARINGAŠI band
9h Opening of old crafts fair and economy fair
- preparation of “Mega sarma”
9:30h Start of kettle preparation
- competition of associations from Vidovec district in the preparation of the best kettle, whose basic content is the indigenous Vidovec product - Varaždin cabbage
10h Field Days - PIONEER
13h Tasting and winner announcement for best kettle
14h Official ceremonial opening of the 19th Zeljarijada
- salute to “Mega sarma”, cutting and distribution of sarma
16h Selection of the best Vidovec “gibanik”
17h Zeljarske games
19h “Zeljarska night” with CASABLANCA band
LIDIJA BAČIĆ concert
*entire Saturday programme will be moderated by Kristijan “Kiki” Petrović
Sunday, 18.9.2016.
8h Old crafts fair and economy fair
Day-long entertainment with FARINGAŠI band
8:30h Gathering of participants of folklore festival Zeljarijada
9h Reception at the Vidovec district leadership
9:30h Parade of cultural-artistic societies and horse carriages (from OŠ Nedeljanec to St. Vid church in Vidovec)
11h Mass in St. Vid parish church
13h Joint lunch of all festival participants under the tent
15h International folklore festival, firing of firelocks
17h Review of Zeljarijada 2016 and manifestation closing
19h “Zeljarska night” with ACTIV BAND
