Czech and Bavarian gardeners exhibit in Pilsen Region 2013
Czech and Bavarian gardeners exhibit in Pilsen Region 2013
On the weekend of 12–13 October 2013, the Sokol fitness centre in Pilsen-Bolevec belonged to everyone who enjoys spending their free time growing fruits and vegetables and tending to their gardens. For the second time now, Pilsen Region, in cooperation with the Czech Union of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners and German partners from the district of Cham, organised a exhibition and trade show of produce from the heart of Europe.
Over sixty exhibitors from Bohemia and Bavaria showed off the fruits of their talented green thumbs. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, flowering shrubs, seedlings and fruit trees were on display and available for sale.
On Saturday morning the exhibition was officially opened by Pilsen Region President Milan Chovanec, National Council Chairman of the Czech Union of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Jan Hinterholzinger and Vice-Chairman of the Cham District Association for Gardening and Landscaping Johann Robl. “People are focusing more on the quality and origin of their food. This gardening trade show we’ve organised in cooperation with our partners aims to offer people local produce and even attract them to gardening,” said Pilsen Region President Milan Chovanec. “It seems we’ve started a tradition. There’s interest in the exhibition and visitors are having fun, so this year certainly won’t be the last,” the regional president added, noting that the show was also a great opportunity for gardeners on both sides of the Czech-German border to exchange their experience.
Visitors were undoubtedly interested in a new garlic cultivar named Karel IV, after Bohemia’s Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. A medium to late elephant garlic harvested in late July, a single bulb weighs around 100 grams and has a distinct garlicky flavour. This variety has been cultivated so that wet or dry seasons do not affect the size of the yield.
Exhibition visitors were given the chance to taste products that boast the “Pilsen Regional Food” title, including renowned Krchleby kolache and cider from Nebílovy.
Gardeners also appreciated the advice they got from a number of experts, including Czech radio personality Václav Rajšl. Contests were held offering interesting prizes, with the grand prize a one-year subscription of Zahrádkář magazine and a basket of Pilsen Regional Food.
Live folk music provided entertainment for the satellite programme: Jiskra Song and Dance Troupe, which celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, and Plzeňský MLS, a small folklore company performed on Saturday morning, while on Sunday visitors could sit back and listen to cymbalo music and Moravian singers who brought along Moravian “burčák” (partially fermented new wine) and wine to welcome their Bohemian and Bavarian listeners.
The event, which took place on Saturday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., was hosted by Stanislav Berkovec. Entrance was free of charge.
