Often described as the “most beautiful” event of its kind in Croatia, the 8th Eco-Ethno Croatia Fair took place in Zadar from 13 – 17 October 2010. The fair has presented traditional products and services from Croatian rural areas since its inception in 2003. For the first time, the event was not organised in the capital Zagreb.

Together with Eco-Ethno Croatia, the event combined the 2nd Eco-Ethno Europe fair, as well as the 2nd Eco-Ethno Tour. All three events were held under the joint name Eco-Ethno Croatia Europe Tour 2010.

The event was organised under the patronage of Croatia’s President, Dr. Ivo Josipović, and supported by a range of ministries, županijas (Croatian counties), major media, as well as the business community. The organiser of the fair was Croatian Farmer (Hrvatski farmer), a social company dedicated to rural development. Since its beginning, 300,000 visitors are estimated to have visited the event. In addition to being the “most-beautiful”, it is definitely the largest fair of rural products and services in the country. This year, over 350 exhibitors participated, each of them eager to present their home region in the best possible light.

While fun for the whole family, due to large number of cultural performances including traditional song and dance, the event is principally a platform for exchange of expertise and experience. This year’s programme included round tables on IPARD, the EU’s pre-accession funds for farmers and food producers, the development of integrated production processes, rural tourism, and new products in rural tourism. The 2nd day of the fair featured a workshop on cheese in native Croatian cuisine.

The fair’s popularity in Croatia as well as in the wider region has been growing over the years. Opening this year’s fair, Dijana Katica from the organising committee, likened Eco-Ethno to a movement.

The fair includes everything from gastronomy and food production, through folklore, old arts and crafts, as well as a tremendous variety of rural products and services. Visitors can taste wine, honey, different cheeses, fish and meat products (such as kulen), jams, pastries, and just about any other traditional delicacy one can imagine. Souvenirs, tools, kitchen utensils and a plethora of other items typical of the countryside are on display and sale. The traditional culture of Croatia’s regions, as well as other countries attending the fair, is presented. During his visit to the fair, President Josipović took the opportunity to see the ethno fashion show of designer Mina Petra.

A number of awards were presented at the event. Eco-Ethno awards prizes in several categories, some of them in cooperation with experts in certain fields and different types of foodstuffs. The “Best of the Best” goes to the best quality products in the categories of dairy products, meat products, pastries, oil and vinegar, fruit and vegetables, spirits, and wine.  The “Sunflower of Rural Tourism” is awarded to Bed & Breakfasts, rural tourism entrepreneurs, projects, and events for their contribution to rural tourism. 

The mayor of Zadar, Zvonimir Vrančić, who opened the fair on behalf of President Josipović, underlined the possible synergies which can be promoted between rural products and tourism. “Zadar has a farming background but it is also an important tourist destination and this combination can be very important” said Vrančić. In his view, bringing rural produce to tourist resorts can bring gratification to the tourist as well as the farmer.

In addition to being rustic, fun, and attractive to the media, Eco-Ethno Croatia is an indicator of the growing awareness about sustainable rural development, and as well, the growing market for eco-food.  However, the IPARD round table held at the fair underlined the difficulties Croatian farmers have in meeting the standards needed for accessing the EU’s funds for agriculture and rural development. The situation is the same elsewhere in Southeast Europe. Bringing the focus back to the countryside is a good way to improve quality of life for everyone.