Novalja celebrates its island products

Novalja is a place where the authentic spirit of the island of Pag is preserved through gastronomy, customs and local products. This year's awards of the prestigious Croatian Island Product (HOP) label have once again shown that the greatest value of the island lies not only in its beaches and natural beauty, but also in the knowledge, skills and stories that are passed down from generation to generation.

This year, the HOP label was awarded to OPG Vidas for its traditional Pag cheese, the Tourist Board of the City of Novalja for its collection of old Croatian Novalja jewelry, and the Association of Craftsmen of Novalja for the May Festival event - three different, but equally strong symbols of Novalja's heritage. The award ceremony was held in Postira on the island of Brač, as part of the session of the Island Council of the Republic of Croatia, confirming the importance of preserving island products that carry the taste, smell and identity of the Croatian islands.

When it comes to the gastronomic identity of the island of Pag, few products enjoy such a reputation as Pag cheese. Its uniqueness stems from the unique combination of the harsh island landscape, the strong bora wind and the aromatic wild herbs that grow on pastures sprinkled with sea salt. It is these herbs that are eaten by the indigenous Pag sheep, whose milk gives the cheese its characteristic spiciness, rich aroma and complex flavour that rank it among the most prized sheep cheeses in the Mediterranean.

The Vidas family has been producing cheese since 1887, preserving the original recipe and traditional methods that have been perfected over more than a century. Each wheel of cheese is stamped with the II-94 mark, a recognizable sign of family tradition and commitment to quality. The production process requires patience and experience – from the processing of fresh milk, hand shaping and salting, to the long-term maturation during which the cheese develops its distinctive texture and intense flavour. In addition to cheesemaking, OPG Vidas also produces premium virgin olive oil, continuing to nurture the island philosophy of life in which the land, sea and people are inextricably linked.

Another winner of the Croatian Island Product label is the May Festival, an event that has been held in Novalja since 2001 and has grown over time into one of the most recognizable spring events on the island. What began as a gathering of local craftsmen and residents is now a large gathering of locals, expatriates and numerous guests who want to experience the true atmosphere of the Pag way of life. The central place of the Festival has always belonged to food. The streets and squares of Novalja are transformed into a large island table where traditional specialties are presented: Pag cheese, lamb, homemade bread under a baking oven, olive oil, prosciutto, fish dishes, desserts and numerous other products from local family farms and craftsmen. The smells from the grill and traditional kitchens mix with music and conversation, creating an atmosphere that can only be experienced in small Mediterranean communities where a shared meal is much more than food – it is an act of socializing, hospitality and preserving identity. Concerts by famous Croatian musicians on Basilica Square each year further confirm the status of the May Festival as one of the most important social events in Novalja.

Although not a gastronomic product, ancient Croatian Novalja jewelry fits perfectly into the story of authenticity and heritage that the Croatian Island Product label seeks to protect. The collection of rings and earrings is inspired by 10th-century archaeological finds found at the sites of Caska and Košljun, places that testify to the rich and layered history of Novalja. It is a modern interpretation of ancient jewelry, where historical motifs are transferred to today's design and transformed into a unique souvenir with a story. Visitors thus take home not only an object, but also a piece of the island's past, connected to the early Croatian Middle Ages. It is precisely this combination of tradition and modernity that is key to the sustainable development of island communities.

Photos: TZ Grada Novalje