Istrian olive oil showcased in Vodnjan.
The traditional 11th Days of Young Olive Oil were officially opened yesterday in Vodnjan in Istria. The three-day event with more than a hundred exhibitors and more than 200 samples of olive oil has attracted many visitors and guests. They have enjoyed the intoxicating aromas and flavours of superior extra virgin olive oil, in combination with top oil culinary delights which were prepared by renowned chefs, reports Glas Istre on November 14, 2015.
In addition to Croatia, exhibitors have come from Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. Together with olive oils, visitors can taste wines, cheeses, hams, honey, pumpkin seed oils, liqueurs, jams and many other tasteful products. There are also an oil bar, Oil&Art tours and children’s corner, so the event is interesting for visitors belonging to all age groups.
Opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Istria County and numerous towns and municipalities. On behalf of the host, the Town of Vodnjan, mayor Klaudio Vitasović greeted the visitors. “We started 11 years ago, on an area of 350 square metres, and now on 1,600 square metres we have several hundred olive oils samples. We have also brought the top chefs who will prepare excellent meals belonging to traditional and modern cuisine. Thanks to long-term investments in olive growing, our town has become a symbol of young olive oil recognizable in our region and beyond”, Vitasović said.
The event was officially opened by Istria County Prefect Valter Flego. “The fact that we are here is an expression of respect for this event, this town, and for all olive growers whose efforts are invested in these products”, he said. He added that olive oil is protected at the national level, and the intention is that it should also be recognized at the EU level as well. “We will succeed and then we will play in the olive oil ‘Champions League’. We are not going to be satisfied with just the second place. Istria County will be a partner in the protection of oil, and we will do everything to produce the best olive oil possible”, Flego said at the opening ceremony.
