Sweet Istria in Vižinada – the scents of tradition and the rhythms of fun

On August 14th, Vižinada was once again the center of aromas, flavours, and traditions. The 27th edition of Sweet Istria brought together numerous visitors from all over Istria and beyond, who enjoyed the rich program and variety of events for which this event is known.

The sweet atmosphere was already being built up days before the main evening, through special children's workshops. At Battistella's well, the youngest children decorated a large cardboard "Sweet House" under the guidance of educators Dragana Mađarac Arman and Tanja Ritoša. Meanwhile, at the Maraston House, little chefs prepared traditional desserts, such as pashtina and pandešpanja, alongside long-time Sweet Istria hostesses and volunteers, Davorka Ritoša and Laura Kešac. The workshops provided an opportunity for children to discover and appreciate the Istrian culinary heritage creatively.

The main day, August 14th, began with a presentation on making kroštuli at the Maraston House, led by long-time Sweet Istria participant, Morena Ritoša. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the school hall was transformed into a lavish exhibition of old-fashioned sweets – pandešpanja, pinca, povetica, kroštule, fritule, cukerančići, and paština. More than 200 collected cakes – 231 samples to be exact – arrived from all over Istria, and each one carried its own story about people, place and love for tradition.

143 participants took part in this year’s Sweet Istria, from the youngest to the oldest. Two special stories won the hearts of the audience – Mrs. Giovanna Vigini from Škarjevac near Momjan, 88 years old, the oldest participant, who baked fragrant štrukolo just like in the old days, and the girl Ana Brajko from Oskoruš near Momjan, 13 years old, the youngest participant, who proudly prepared her first pandešpanja.

Behind each dessert were hours of work, and the commitment of hardworking volunteers and organizers who invested a tremendous amount of effort, will, and passion. This year, cakes were sold on the occasion, and the collected income of € 2,100.00 will be used to co-finance workbooks and school supplies for students of the Jože Šuran Elementary School and the Vižinada Elementary School, as well as for other needs of children within the municipal program 'Municipality Friend of Children'.

The youngest visitors enjoyed creative workshops and face painting, while the Brass Band ZT Vižinada and guests from Sveti Lovreč created the musical atmosphere. The park near the old school was filled with wine lovers from Vižinada, and the evening culminated with a concert by the Tequila Group and Maja Šuput, who kept the audience dancing until late.

The event ended with the announcement of the best cakes of Sweet Istria 2025, which were chosen by this year's jury consisting of Klaudija Pilato from the bakery-pastry shop Concettino, Sandra Živolic, professor of cookery and pastry, Franko Milotić, professor of cookery, Tanja Kocijančić from the Istra Terra Magica portal, and Alessandro Giudici, pastry consultant and lecturer from Italy.

And this year's winners are: Dorijana Tončić - kroštule, Mariza Legović - breskvice, Vanda Paladin - povetica, Nevija Gardoš - bucolaj, Davorka Šajina - pinca, Sanela Klarić - fritule, Neda Ivančić - pandešpanj, Jolanda Starić - paštine and Mirjana Pamić - cukerančići. Special recognition for the effort and presentation of Sweet Istria under the name of Istrian delights was awarded to Danijela Koraca, a long-time participant and multiple award-winning hostess.

"Sweet Istria is not just an exhibition of traditional Istrian sweets - it is a story about people who have been nurturing our heritage for years and who contribute with a lot of love, effort, and will to keep this event alive. Thanks to them, Sweet Istria is presented to new generations year after year, as well as to the increasing number of visitors who come to Vižinada to experience the spirit of Istrian tradition.

I would like to extend a special thank you to all this year's participants, as well as our volunteers, associates, employees of the Municipality and the Tourist Board of Vižinada, and to the numerous sponsors. Each of them, in their own way, made a valuable contribution to making this year's celebration shine in the best light," said Marko Ferenac, Mayor of the Municipality of Vižinada.

Sweet Istria has once again confirmed its status as one of the most special events in Istria - a unique blend of traditional flavors, a rich cultural offering, and summer joy. Vižinada proudly preserves its heritage and shares it with everyone who comes to taste, see, and experience.

The event is organized by the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Vižinada, under the patronage of the Municipality of Vižinada and with co-financing from the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries and Water Management of the Istrian County. The event was financially supported by the following sponsors: Agrolaguna d.o.o., Bratanović fasade j.d.o.o., G.E.O.T.I.M. d.o.o., Građevinrstvo Ritoša, Istarski dvori 2 d.o.o., Radoš Elektrotechnik GmbH and Žiković d.o.o.

Photos: Sebastijan Skoko.

Fotografije dječjih radionica, TZ Vižinada