site.btaBanitsa Cheese Pie Festival Takes Place in Balvan

Over 110 traditional Bulgarian cheese pies called banitsa were made by participants in the eighth Banitsa on Weekdays and Holidays Fest in the village of Balvan in the northern Veliko Tarnovo Region on Saturday.

Among the official guests of the festival were MP Mariana Boyadzhieva, MEP Kristian Vigenin, Pavlikeni Mayor Emanuil Manolov, Zlataritsa Mayor Petar Ganev, Dryanovo Deputy Mayor Angel Angelov, as well as current and former mayors of Balvan and smaller settlements.

The grand prize of Village Mayor Nedyo Georgiev went to the representatives of the Burgas Vocational High School of Tourism. Georgiev greeted the participants and guests of the event, thanking all the residents of Balvan and the organizers of the community centre and pensioner's club, who keep the history of the village alive.

First place in the category for the best sweet banitsa went to Sashka Dimitrova from Dryanovo, and for the best savory one went to Juliana Stefanova from Debelets. Veliko Tarnovo Deputy Mayor Georgi Nedev also extended his greetings to all participants and guests, noting that this is how Bulgarian traditions and spirit are maintained and transmitted.

Maria Kazandzhieva from Ruhovtsi was awarded for the most non-traditional banitsa, while the award for the most authentic banitsa went to Anka Nikolova from the same village. The award for the youngest participant was presented to 4-year-old Krisia Mashikova, while 87-year-old Grafitsa Nedyalkova and Yordana Topukova were awarded as the oldest participants.

Members of the evaluation committee were Chef Ivan Ivanov, Chief Expert in Bakery and Confectionery Todor Nikolov and Chief Expert in the Directorate of Culture, Cultural and Historical Heritage, Holidays and Festivals in Veliko Tarnovo Municipality Georgi Chukurov.

In Balvan, wheat grows with blessings, and banitsa is kneaded not only with hands, but also with the heart, the organizers of the event pointed out. "Today is not only a holiday, but also a day when we bow to one of the oldest and most beloved Bulgarian dishes," they emphasized, adding that Banitsa hides maternal care, grandmother's secret recipes and the taste of home.