Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Tourism : Harghita County awarded title of European...

Tourism : Harghita County awarded title of European Region of Gastronomy in 2027 by IGCAT

January 15, 2025

 Harghita County will be the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027, according to the official decision of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), announced the Harghita Intercommunity Development Association (Visit Harghita) in a press release."In 2027, Harghita County will bear the title of European Region of Gastronomy, according to the official decision of IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism). The award ceremony of this prestigious title will take place on February 6, 2025, during a festive event organized in Harghita County," specified the cited source.An international jury of experts from IGCAT visited Harghita County between October 6-11, 2024 to assess the local gastronomic heritage, community initiatives and efforts directed towards sustainable tourism.According to the mentioned source, Diane Dodd, PhD, president of IGCAT and founder of the World Region of Gastronomy Award, underlined the uniqueness of Harghita's cultural values, the natural harmony of the landscape and the close collaboration between local communitiesIGCAT wholeheartedly congratulates this important achievement. The quality of the application submitted by Harghita County and the exceptional organization of the jury's visit are highly appreciated. The active participation of more than 100 stakeholders representing various sectors demonstrates the commitment and collaboration that raise Harghita's gastronomy to the forefront of global recognition, reads the official letter issued by the jury.The press release also states that the gastronomic heritage of Harghita County reflects the meeting of Hungarian, Romanian, Armenian and Szekler traditions, which will be developed in the spirit of sustainability and innovation."The consortium that coordinated the application aims to create a sustainable food ecosystem that supports the local economy, protects cultural values and enriches European gastronomic diversity. The main message: Taste Harghita County!," emphasizes the cited source.The president of Harghita County Council, Bíró Barna-Botond, believes that the work of the Visit Harghita team and its partners over the past years has paid off."Thanks to the promotion activity, Harghita County was on the first place in the Destination of the Year 2024 competition, and this latest achievement will contribute to increasing the attractiveness, developing tourism and, implicitly, the economy," said Bíró Barna-Botond, as quoted by the Press Office of the institution.The Harghita Intercommunity Development Association (Visit Harghita) initiated the candidacy for the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027 in 2023.According to Visit Harghita, "the European Regions of Gastronomy (nominated and awarded), selected and coordinated by IGCAT (International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism), aim to contribute to improving the quality of life of citizens by highlighting the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness".They also encourage gastronomic creativity and innovation, promote culinary education and the circular economy, enhance sustainable tourism and support the well-being and health of communities and the environment.The title of European Region of Gastronomy is a distinction that widely promotes the region's achievements, programmes, community collaborations and responses to the challenges of the future, and is not accompanied by a financial award, Visit Harghita further specifies. (Photo:https://igcat.org/)

Read in full - click here
Romanian president nominates former interim president Ilie Bolojan as PM

President Nicușor Dan has nominated Senate president Ilie Bolojan, a leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and former interim president, for the prime minister seat. Dan said Bolojan is “the best person to carry out the needed adjustments in the state administration.” He pointed to Bolojan’s track record with reducing spending, and said he has […]

Balkanik Festival: Bucharest event announces lineup of this year's edition

Balkanik Festival – Home of World Music, set to take place at Uranus Garden between September 5 and September 7, lines up this year artists who "celebrate that form of joy that does not ignore reality, but faces it with beauty, energy, and solidarity," the organizers said. The artists performing in September in Bucharest will […]

Romania’s Timișoara announces plans for two new bridges over Bega River

The mayor of Timișoara, Dominic Fritz, announced on Friday, June 20, that two new bridges over the Bega River will be built in the city. The bridges will be financed with EU-backed funds worth over RON 130 million. The bridges in question are the Solventul Bridge, which will connect Gării Street to Dâmbovița Boulevard and […]

Western Romania: 2,000-year-old Sarmatian necropolis discovered in Timișoara

A Sarmatian necropolis nearly 2,000 years old was discovered after archaeological excavations were carried out at the Mehala II site in the municipality of Timișoara, in western Romania. Researchers discovered 15 inhumation graves, most arranged in rectangular pits with rounded corners, although some no longer retain their original outline, having been disturbed by the passage […]

George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra concert marks Romania Day at Osaka World Expo

The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver on June 26 a concert marking Romania Day at the Osaka World Expo. Additionally, the Bucharest-based orchestra will present a series of other concerts and recitals, both within the Romanian Pavilion and outside, at Toyonara Hall in Osaka. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts will be conducted by […]

Romania’s Sphera Franchise opens chocolate & ice cream café in Italy

Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, has opened its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area.  This marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry. Under the plan, it will open four locations […]