Festival of hentesh in Zakarpat

Zakarpattia has long been known to its original, interesting and intricate fairs and festivals. Among them there is one contest-festival of hentesh or so called professional butchers of pigs.

It takes place traditionally on January 31 in Gecha village in Berehove Raion Zakarpattia oblast.

Each butcher demonstrates here his own skills and techniques of pigs' cutting, secrets which are carefully safeguarded and passed only from father to son, from grandfather to grandson for centuries. They say the most important thing to make cutting in such manner that the animal does not suffer. The taste of fresh meat depends on these skills. There is also an ancient tradition when to each hentesh to pour a glass of vodka after a pig's cutting. But guests of the festival, who are come just to the beginning, can treat homemade wine or mulled wine.

While guests treating, butchers (hentesh) continue to compete in speed and quality of pigs’ cutting until it is not cold. And soon a lot of meat dishes of Ukrainian and Hungarian cuisines are preparing in stoves, boilers, grills, sausages are smoked as well.

At the festival you will be able to look how to prepare famous Hungarian dishes as pörkölt, bograch and goulash. Guest will be treated by the first courses prepared with fresh meat.

So if you enjoy fresh meat dishes you have to visit this festival. This festival as back as far back as 2010 was recognized by the experts as the best among all gastronomic festivals in Ukraine. And in reality what could be more delicious for fresh lard and piece of roasted meat with traditional wine of Zakarpattia or liqueur?