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

Bulgarians in London to meet Olympic weightlifting champion Carlos Nasar

Three-time world champion and Olympic weightlifter Carlos Nasar will be holding a special event with the Bulgarian community in London on 23 November.   According to the organisers, it will be an open conversation in which Nasar will discuss his journey..

published on 11/17/25 2:55 PM

Caritas reaches out to the poor and suffering

On 16 November, we celebrate Caritas Day, when we honour the Catholic Church’s charity organisation that brings hope to those in need through care and acts of mercy . It reminds us that financial gain is not what matters most. What truly matters is..

published on 11/16/25 10:15 AM

A new museum in Plovdiv traces the history of money

The first museum of investment gold is welcoming visitors in Plovdiv who want to learn more about the history of money and its connection to gold – from the birth of gold, its cosmic origin, and its journey to Earth, to how this precious metal has..

published on 11/16/25 6:55 AM