Coimbra becomes European Region of Gastronomy for 2021

The title is shared with the country of Slovenia

As of 11 May, Coimbra (Portugal) is the official European Region of Gastronomy for 2021, a distinction that it shares with Slovenia (the first time a whole country is awarded the title). This award seeks to promote the variety of culinary and gastronomic heritage available all across Europe. It was begun in 2016 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT).

Coimbra in this case is represented by an inter-municipal organization (CIM RC)

To be more exact, the title goes not only to the city of Coimbra but to the region, composed of 19 municipalities, to which it belongs. The program, thus, also included the signing of a protocol, between Coimbra Municipality and CIM RC (the inter-municipal organization of the region), for the opening of the “Loja da Região” (Food Store featuring regional products) in a recently refurbished municipal building on Rua Ferreira Borges, in the downtown part of the city.

The Region of Coimbra adopted the motto “A million food stories” and now presents a program of several initiatives, which include, of course, tasting local specialities, such as chanfana, lampatana, kid, piglet, lamprey, sausages, Baixo Mondego rice, Xávega fish, sardines, convent sweets, honey, cheese, wines and craft beer, the products that were featured as part of the application process.

“In a territory like ours, rich in diversity, initiative, historical heritage and strong identities, the title of European Gastronomy Region represents a stimulus and an opportunity to interconnect all the Region's food heritage, but also hospitality, tourism, culture and sustainability, contributing to the economic development and the social and cultural dynamism of our municipalities,” stated Manuel Machado, Mayor of Coimbra at the opening ceremony, stressing that “the conquest of the title 'European Gastronomy Region 2021' is only possible thanks to the involvement of public and private sector institutions, our century-old academy and countless associations, in a joint and interconnected improvement effort ”.

The mayor was also confident that this accolade would boost the chances of Coimbra in its quest to become the European Capital of Culture in 2027.