Gugelhupf Festival in Sremski Karlovci | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

The Kuglof Festival is a cultural and gastronomic event that has been held in Sremski Karlovci since 2002, usually at the end of May or in June.

It is dedicated to the famous dessert characteristic of the Vojvodina region's cuisine, a cake called kuglof. In a broader sense, this festival actually preserves the cultural heritage and tradition of the Danube Germans, a national minority that was a significant part of the population of Vojvodina until World War II, from being forgotten.

Kuglof or Kougelhopf in its original form is a "bread-like" cake with a distinctive circular shape because it is prepared in a special mold. Its basic composition is quite simple, consisting of eggs, flour, milk, yeast, and vanilla sugar. However, over time it has been enriched with various ingredients, and today it is made with chocolate, dried fruits, walnuts, hazelnuts, marmalade, and other additions.

This cake arrived in our region in the 18th century with the intensive settlement of Germans in Vojvodina. It later became popular throughout the Austro-Hungarian monarchy as the favorite dessert of Emperor Franz Joseph. Over time, it integrated into the local menus, and today it is prepared by all Vojvodina housewives on special occasions, regardless of nationality. Among the various sweets, cakes, and pastries that are abundant nowadays, this traditional cake can often be found on tables in Vojvodina's villages, farms, and ethno restaurants.

The central event of the three-day festival, held in the picturesque square in Karlovci, is the public preparation of kuglof, in which housewives from across the country can participate. After the preparation, there is a tasting session and symbolic awards for the three most delicious specimens.

The festival is accompanied by choral and cultural-artistic programs in traditional German costumes, a festival procession, a tourist ride on a catamaran along the Danube, and children's art workshops focusing on kuglof and a fair of homemade crafts.

Organized by the Zavičajna kuća Foundation, the Kuglof Festival has been held for more than two decades, with the exception of years when it was not possible due to the coronavirus epidemic. Therefore, this year's 19th edition of the festival will take place from May 26th to 28th.

More details and information about this year's Festival can be found on the official website of the event.