This year was the 11th occasion that the Interreg V-A SIovenia-Hungary Cooperation Programme has joined the European Cooperation Day initiative, the aim of which is to present the cross border Interreg programmes, the projects supported in the framework of Interreg programmes as well as their results to the wide public. In the morning of the 24th September 2022 (Saturday) approximately 200 Slovenian and Hungarian people have come together in Dötk (Hungary) to take part in the whole-day event named “Vineyard Picnic” organised jointly by the Wine picnic project, co-financed by our programme.

 

 

“One of the main priorities of the Interreg V-A Slovenia-Hungary Cooperation Programme is the promotion of green tourism, not only in the larger tourist centres/magnets, but also in remote, less developed rural areas, which can provide a better quality of life for the inhabitants.” said Tanja Rener, Head of the Managing Authority of the Programme. The participants were also welcomed at the Noé Wine House in Dötk by Mrs Veronika Takács Martincsevics, Mayor of the Municipality of Dötk (HU), Marjan Kardinar, Mayor of the Municipality of Dobronak (SI), representative of the Slovenian partner municipality of the project; as well as by József Baracskai, Mayor of the City of Zalaszentgrót (HU), who were project partners in two successful Slovenian-Hungarian wine tourism projects in the previous programme period, and István Martincsevics, President of the Zalai Borút Egyesület (Zala Wine Route Association), the leading partner of the Wine picnic project.

 

 

During the 6 km hiking tour in the morning, the participants visited 4 wine cellars (Mikolás Cellar, Kilátó Cellar, Martincsevics Cellar and Vizvári Cellar) in the nearby vineyard. There, the winegrowers offered them excellent local wines and must (grape juice) from the wine-growing region of Zala, homemade juices as well as rich snacks. Pleasant musical accompaniment contributed to the happy atmosphere at all the outposts. At the end of the tour, the participants enjoyed a tasty Hungarian bean soup and a colourful cultural programme at the Noé Wine House. The cultural programme was presented by Endre Kardos (nickname: Bozi) – the chronicler of Dötk, who introduced the following performers: the Magyarhang Folk Music Ensemble, the Hollóének Hungarica Old Music Ensemble, the Dobronak singers and the zither virtuosos.

 

 

 

 

The participants of the picnic were also impressed by the performance of the Gyűrűsi ménes group of young girls, who performed a wonderful show with horses accompanied by classical music. In the afternoon, younger participants could also try their hand at riding horses. They were also animated by painting their faces with various, colourful tattoos. With all the diverse happenings, the locals also offered local delicacies and products at the stands, which most attracted young people and those with a sweet tooth. A pleasant addition to the program was the performance of a Hungarian folklore group and lively dances, in which the participants of the event could also participate.

Tanja Rener, Head of the Managing Authority, pointed out that “Cooperation does not just happen on its own, it is built up gradually and is based on trust, which must be carefully nurtured. This is, after all, the aim of today’s event”.

Pictures of the event are available here: Photo gallery

TV AS news about the event: