Damson Cheese Festival at Etar Museum – A Tradition Celebrated Since 2013

Pestil, known locally as “Gabrovo chocolate,” is one of the most authentic and cherished symbols of the region’s culinary heritage. It contains no cocoa, no artificial additives, and its sweetness comes solely from the natural sugars of ripe fruit. This unique recipe, passed down through generations, is a living part of the cultural identity that Gabrovo continues to preserve and develop as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art .

The Etar Museum has been organizing the Damson Cheese Festival since 2013. Over the years, the event has become one of the most recognizable celebrations dedicated to the traditional technology of producing Gabrovian pestil, included in the global catalogue of unique foods The Ark of Taste.

In 2026, the festival will take place from 5 to 7 September, once again transforming the museum into a vibrant space where tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary culinary creativity meet. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe live demonstrations of traditional pestil making, enjoy modern culinary interpretations and tastings, participate in craft workshops, and experience a rich cultural programme suitable for all ages.

The Damson Cheese Festival is part of Gabrovo’s ongoing efforts to promote local traditions and strengthen international collaboration within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Cooperation between Creative Cities is essential for safeguarding living heritage, exchanging good practices, and developing new cultural initiatives that connect communities across the world.

In the context of these partnerships, Gabrovo is preparing to host the Annual Meeting of the Crafts and Folk Art Cluster of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in September 2026. The event will bring together representatives from cities worldwide and provide a platform for sharing policies, ideas, and good practices in the field of creative industries and living cultural heritage.