The Embassy of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Region of Sicily, will organize the 11th edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine from July 6 to 9, celebrating Italy’s rich culinary heritage and promoting the excellence of Made in Italy products across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Recently recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Italian cuisine represents one of the country’s most authentic expressions of culture, identity, tradition and craftsmanship. The initiative aims to promote Mediterranean gastronomic culture while strengthening business ties between Italian and Bosnian companies in the agri-food sector.
The four-day program will take place in Sarajevo, Zenica and Trebinje, bringing together more than 20 Italian companies and the leading consortium of premium Sicilian food products. Professional chefs, producers and industry experts will present the best of Sicilian gastronomy through masterclasses, tastings, business meetings and street food festivals.
The event officially opens on Monday, July 6, at Tershouse in Sarajevo with a full-day B2B meeting between Sicilian and Bosnian companies. Exhibitors representing sectors including extra virgin olive oil, wine, bakery products, cheeses and desserts will showcase their products and establish new business partnerships. At the same time, the Regional Institute for Wine and Oil (IRVO) will host a masterclass dedicated to Sicilian olive oils.
On Tuesday, July 7, bilateral business meetings will continue alongside expert workshops focusing on Sicilian dairy products and wines. The Consortium for Research in the Dairy and Processing Sector (CORFILAC) will present the region’s renowned cheeses, while IRVO will lead a sensory tasting of Sicilian wines.
That evening, Zenica will host the first major street food festival, where Sicilian chefs will demonstrate the preparation of the iconic arancina, one of Sicily’s most famous specialties. Students from local schools will then compete to prepare their own versions of the traditional dish.
The celebration continues on Wednesday, July 8, in Sarajevo’s Cathedral Square, where visitors will enjoy show-cooking demonstrations, tasting stands and authentic Sicilian delicacies. One of the highlights will be the live preparation of traditional Sicilian cannoli.
The festival concludes on Thursday, July 9, with a street food event in Trebinje, transforming the city into a vibrant tasting destination featuring Sicilian olive oils, bakery products and a diverse entertainment program.
Through this initiative, the Embassy of Italy seeks to strengthen cultural and economic cooperation between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina while showcasing the quality, tradition and innovation that define Sicilian and Italian gastronomy.
Photo: archive
