Regional festivals and culinary events highlight Balkan heritage

Various regional cultural and gastronomic events are taking place across the Balkans. In Croatia, the Ružica Vinodola competition has been rescheduled to August 22–23 due to weather concerns, featuring wine festivals and traditional crafts. The Porto Gastro Festival is launching in Rijeka's Kantrida, showcasing Michelin-recommended chefs and Kvarner's culinary heritage. Meanwhile, winemakers in Ilok report that climate change is shifting grape harvests nearly a month earlier than in previous decades, complicating the balance of sugar and acidity.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the fourth Kulin Ban Festival begins in Visoko, celebrating local identity and community through awards and cultural programming. Serbia hosts the Wine Garden Summer Nights at the Jevremovac Botanical Garden, offering wine tastings and musical performances including jazz and pop. Additionally, social support projects like ‘Odmor od skrbi’ in Virovitica continue to provide mental health education and creative workshops for families.