Belmužijada in Svrljig | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Belmužijada is an economic and tourist event that preserves the traditional dish of southeastern Serbia - belmuž.

It takes place in Svrljig every year during the first weekend of August and attracts participants and audiences mainly from Serbia and Bulgaria.

The three-day event includes the selection of the best belmuž dish, a bagpipe players' gathering, the selection of the most beautiful shepherdess, a shepherd's competition, an exhibition of homemade products, a presentation of local Svrljig cuisine, folklore performances, and concerts by renowned folk music artists.

Belmužijada was established in 2005 with the idea of preserving the forgotten traditional shepherd's dish, which represents a unique specialty of the Stara Planina region. Furthermore, this event significantly contributed to belmuž being listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Serbia since 2012.

Belmuž is prepared from young sheep cheese and corn flour, cooked over low heat. It used to be mainly prepared for breakfast before going to the fields. Due to its high caloric value, it is considered a meal sufficient for the whole day. Locals from this region say that the key to good belmuž is using fatty cheese, which is made in the foothills of the Stara Planina mountain, as well as a strong hand to mix it well.

It is believed that the name originated from its white color and the fact that it was mostly eaten by men (husbands) before going to work.

The most important event of this manifestation is undoubtedly the belmuž-making competition, where Goran Živić, from the village of Guševac near Svrljig, has stood out as a multiple and unbeatable champion in recent years. In addition to preparing this dish at home and at the competition, he gained experience by working in a local dairy that produces this specialty.

Dozens of competitors participate in this competition every year. Since the winners are usually determined by small nuances, the key factors for the best belmuž are the quality of the cheese (the best one is made from two-day-old cheese) and the ratio of cheese to flour in the mixture.

When it comes to other traditional food, the event also features competitions for the best savory and sweet pies, savory pastries, and cakes.

The preparation of belmuž is often accompanied by the sound of bagpipes, a traditional wind instrument that was once played throughout Europe but is now mainly present in Balkan villages. It is made of wood and lamb skin and used to be an integral part of the shepherds' daily life.

An essential part of Belmužijada is the shepherd's competition, with a series of traditional games that require physical strength, agility, and dexterity. It consists of various disciplines such as stone throwing from the shoulder, sack races, long jumps, and more.

Women are not excluded from the competitions, and during the event, there is usually a contest for the most beautiful shepherdess.

However, the most attractive part for visitors are the concerts by famous folk performers.

The organizer of the event, which is attended by around 70,000 people, is the Center for Tourism, Culture, and Sports of the Municipality of Svrljig.

The 17th edition of Belmužijada will be held from August 4th to 6th this year. For more information and details, you can refer to the official Belmužijada website or contact the public media channels.