Buzet, Croatia’s only truffle town, becomes the weekend hub of Istrian gastronomy and experiences during the Istrian Truffle Festival. The event offers a rich two-day programme dedicated to truffles, and in the white truffle season – the most expensive underground mushroom in the world – it provides a blend of fine gastronomy, an introduction to truffle hunting traditions, local products, educational and recreational content, as well as a music and entertainment programme.
The festival programme was announced by Buzet Mayor Damir Kajin and Melita Paladin of the Buzet and Ćićarije Regional Tourist Board. The announcement was held at the Natura tartufi company in Srnegli, at the premises of Marko and Daniela Puh. The Mayor of Buzet also serves as the president of the Tourist Board.
The core of the festival’s offer is an exhibition, tasting and sale of truffles, truffle products and local produce. It will take place on Saturday and Sunday in a large tent at Mašimova škuja from 11:00 to 20:00. This year, more than 50 exhibitors will participate, including family farms, winemakers, olive oil producers, ham makers, truffle hunters, caterers, cheese makers, distilleries and other producers. Six companies involved in the purchase and sale of truffles and truffle products will also participate: Karlić tartufi, Natura tartufi, Prodan tartufi, Tartufi Istra, Miro tartufi and Zigante tartufi, alongside the "Istra" Truffle Hunters Association.
The official opening of the festival will take place on Saturday at 14:00, featuring performances by Limena glazba and the folklore group of the "Sokol" Buzet Music Society. Following the opening, the Best Truffle of the Festival will be selected. The gastronomic content "Buzet on a Plate" will be presented by Buzet tavern "Most", while on Sunday, the gastronomic content will be presented by the "Mirna" Buzet Hunting Society – Vrh Section. A workshop on making homemade pasta with Vilma Jeletić will also be held, and the Saturday afternoon will be marked by a cooking show by renowned chef Marija Mandarić. Demonstration truffle hunts will take place throughout both festival days.
The Saturday programme will be enriched by the adventure race "Truffle Hunt", in which two-person teams use orientation, running and mountain biking to find the path to a hidden truffle. On Saturday, a panel discussion with two thematic sections will be held from 11:30 to 13:30. The first thematic section, "Quality has roots. Value has responsibility.", is dedicated to habitat protection, preservation of authenticity and responsible management of natural resources. The second thematic section, "Naturally on the table: when a delicacy becomes a destination", will raise questions about gastronomy, glamour and marketing in creating tourist value. The panel discussion will be moderated by Ana Pisak, and entry is free.
Throughout both days, from 14:00 to 18:00, a free "Kids' Corner" with workshops for children is scheduled in the Small Tent. Saturday morning is reserved for a children's bike ride and Nordic walking, while the Sunday programme features a costumed walk "Meet Buzet", in which participants will walk through the Old Town with a guide. The Warm Up Truffle Party will be held on Friday, 6 November, with DJ Mister G and DJ Luca Montecchi providing the atmosphere in the Small Tent at the Mašimova škuja car park. Saturday evening will be marked by performances by Skupina Direkt and DJ Kriza.
