Brtonigla was the host of the 24th Mushroom Days last weekend, an event organised by the Bujština Mushroom Society "Boletus". The gathering attracted around 20 mushroom associations from Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, while mushroom enthusiasts from Sarajevo participated as guests for the first time.
The centrepiece of the programme was an exhibition featuring 230 mushroom specimens, alongside a competition for preparing a mushroom stew (kotlić), a gastronomic offer and educational content. Around 20 associations took part in the Saturday programme and mushroom picking. In identifying mushroom species, they were assisted by trainee determinators David Šav and Maurizio Basanesse, as well as members of the Associazione Micologica Giuliana from Trieste.
At the stoves were the mayors of Brtonigla and Grožnjan, Neš Sinožić and Claudio Stocovaz, the head of the Istria County office Ezio Pinzan, and local tradesman Darko Damjanić. Among the competing mushroom associations, culinary skills were tested by guests from Zabok, Krapina, Ilirska Bistrica and Trieste. The jury consisted of top chef Marino Kraljević, "Boletus" president Željko Ružić and the Istria County prefect Boris Miletić, who also visited the event.
In the mushroom associations category, first place was won by the Zagorski vrganj society from Zabok, second by Krasnica from Krapina, and third by the Associazione Micologica Giuliana from Trieste. Among local officials and other participants, the mayor of Brtonigla municipality, Neš Sinožić, took the victory. Second place was secured by Grožnjan mayor Claudio Stocovaz and Istria County office head Ezio Pinzan, while Darko Damjanić came third.
Special awards went to Slovenian and domestic participants. The most beautiful basket was arranged by the Gobarsko društvo Sežana, the largest mushroom was found by members of the Gobarsko društvo Ribnica from Slovenia, and the award for the most beautiful mushroom went to the Pauletić family from the local "Boletus".
"Boletus" president Željko Ružić thanked all members who participated in the preparation and execution of the programme, and specifically highlighted the help of the municipal utility company of Brtonigla municipality in arranging the space and tasks related to setting up and dismantling the event. He also announced that the possibility of expanding the tent and kitchen or finding a new location would be considered. Around 45 members of "Boletus" were involved in organising the entire event, with preparations starting eight days before the event and continuing after its conclusion. The society now counts nearly 180 members.
Brtonigla mayor Neš Sinožić emphasised that the increasingly numerous response from associations in Croatia and abroad is a confirmation that the organisers' work is recognised, while this year's arrival of guests from Sarajevo further expanded the circle of participants.
