Harghita County was awarded the title of Europe’s Gastronomic Region for 2027 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT), during a festive event held in Miercurea-Ciuc. The President of Harghita County Council, Biro Barna Botond, spoke in his speech about the values of the area and the joy of sharing them, about the hospitality of the local people, about the specificity of the county and its gastronomic heritage.
The title of Gastronomic Region of Europe will give a boost to tourism and will put Harghita on the map of top gastronomic destinations, representing an opportunity for the county to position itself not only in Romania as a tourist destination, but also worldwide.
The decision of the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism to award Harghita County the title of European Gastronomic Region for the year 2027 was announced in December, after the international jury of experts from IGCAT visited the county in October and appreciated the uniqueness of the cultural values, the natural harmony of the landscape and the close cooperation between local communities.
The Harghita Intercommunal Development Association (Visit Harghita) has initiated the candidacy for the title of Gastronomic Region of Europe 2027 in 2023. The consortium that submitted the application consists of the Harghita County Council, the Harghita Intercommunal Development Association, the municipalities of Miercurea-Ciuc, Odorheiu Secuiesc and Gheorgheni, Sapientia University, as well as several agencies and associations in the area.
According to Visit Harghita, “The Gastronomic Regions of Europe (nominated and awarded), selected and coordinated by the 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 is an award that broadly promotes the region’s achievements, programs, community collaborations and responses to the challenges of the future and is not accompanied by a financial prize.