Puračko ćaskanje – competition in preparing the local traditional dish – „Puračka ćaska”
GASTRO EVENT: 11th PURAČKO ĆASKANJE
The goal of the “Puračko ćaskanje” event is to preserve and promote traditional Bosnian cuisine, with an emphasis on maintaining the traditional recipe of Puračka ćaska and the tradition of socializing, thereby contributing to the affirmation of the preservation, nurturing, and promotion of Bosnian cultural heritage, traditions, and customs. It enriches cultural and entertainment life and strengthens tourism offerings, contributing to the affirmation of our place, city, canton, and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole.
The gastro event “Puračko ćaskanje” is a competition in preparing the traditional dish from Puračić – Puračka ćaska, which was inscribed on the national list of intangible cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2020.
The gastro event consists of several activities:
- A thematic round table on the importance of preserving recipes and methods of preparing traditional dishes,
- A competition for the best Puračka ćaska,
- A cultural entertainment program featuring traditional games and songs,
- Humorous sports competitions (games from the past).
The people of Puračić believe that Puračka ćaska is more than a dish. It is a way of life. The dish is cooked slowly, without any rush, in an earthen pot to keep it warm longer. You also eat it slowly, without haste, because this allows you to smell and taste all the flavours in the food with more intensity that you could otherwise.
“Puračko ćaskanje” has been held continuously since 2014, and in the past 10 years, over 150 associations, hiking clubs, restaurants, tourism agencies, media representatives, and sponsors have participated. Participants come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The event features a rich cultural entertainment program and fun sports competitions.
At the end of the event, the prepared ćaske are evaluated by a professional jury, which announces the winners: gold, silver, and bronze ćaska, along with modest awards. This year’s event plans to include teams from BiH and the region, and the round table will feature renowned experts in nutrition and cultural heritage preservation. The program for preparing ćaska will also include thematic discussions about the gastronomic offerings of our regions, cultural entertainment programs, and traditional folk festivities.
The ongoing work of the Cultural and Artistic Society “Puračić” in researching and gathering data related to Puračka ćaska led to its inscription in 2020 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we now wish to continue this journey toward the UNESCO World Heritage List. The event is part of the International Folklore Festival “Days of Ćaska – Puračić,” which is included in the CIOFF calendar and has also been recognized this year as a cultural event of significance for the Tuzla Canton.
This year’s ćaskanje is scheduled to take place in Puračić, the old Bosnian town, on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Support for the event has been provided by:
- The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports of BiH
- The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Tuzla Canton
- Numerous sponsors and donors from the local community