Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Elena Meat Delicacy Festival 2023 is being held for the tenth time

Photo: Local council of Tourism in Elena

There is almost no house in the town of Elena, Veliko Tarnovo region, in which the meat delicacy called "elenski but" is not prepared. People maintain the tradition and prepare the delicacy every year. 

Only the specific climate of the Balkan Range near the town of Elena can give the unique taste of this salted and dried pork leg delicacy. A local holiday is also dedicated to this meat product which this year is being held for the 10th consecutive time (November 10-12). 

Traditionally, the culinary event gathers guests from the country and abroad, as  in 2022 a record of 50,000 visitors was set. The celebration of the delicacy is not just a culinary festival, but an event that has its own atmosphere and spirit, say the organizers from the Municipality of Elena and the Local Council for Tourism. 


On the days of the holiday, the streets are filled with artisans from all over Bulgaria as everyone strives to entice customers with their delicacies. "And the recipe for preparing a dried pork leg at home only looks difficult", says Bai Sava Kovachev.  "The spices and the very salting of the meat in the pot with rock salt are important."‎



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Folklore formation "Ludi-Mladi" is a connection with the homeland for Bulgarian children in Athens

Teodora Byalkova joined the Bulgarian Sunday school "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" in Athens in the 2022/23 school year. At that time, she also organized the dance formation "Ludi-Mladi" for current and graduated students. Since then, the..

published on 11/19/25 3:09 PM
Daniela Ovcharova and Vladimir Ovcharov

The colorful life of the artistic family of Daniela and Vladimir Ovcharov

The village of Novo Selo is located on the road between Veliko Tarnovo and Sevlievo. Here archaeologists have found tools used by people during the Chalcolithic, which testify to an active economic life in the area. There is also..

published on 11/19/25 1:35 PM

Bansko Film Fest brings together lovers of adventure and extreme sports

The mountain resort of Bansko is set to become the capital of mountaineering culture, adventure, and travel, featuring films, exhibitions, and presentations that detail the limits of human possibility.   From November 19 to 23, the "Bansko Film..

published on 11/19/25 7:40 AM