The pig charity, third edition - Balvanyos

In the heart of Balvanyos, at the shelter of the Christmas trees whitened by the snow that fell roughly one night before, a few wooden tables lay there as if were ready to be filled with dishes. Not far away, 8 fatties are struggling in a fold, knowing in a way that they will be transformed very soon in burned ears, smoked pig skin, bacon, sausages, all combined with Romanian traditional beverage, ?uica. 14 teams from Romania and foreign countries We are at the International Festival of Pork Charity, organized this year for the third time in Balvanyos station, at the Fortress, by ANTREC Covasna in collaboration with Turia Local Council and District Council. With this event, 14 teams from inside and out the country competed in order to show their skills in keeping this traditions concerning pig cutting and preparation of traditional goods. The fun begins even from Friday evening, when the teams arrive at Balvanyos and they continue next day with a defilation of the participants, that were dressed in national suits this year, after which the sacrifice of the  is taking place. As every team requested, they’ve received half of a pig or a full one to sacrifice, according to EU norms. Beside promoting traditions and winter habits, the Pig Charity is also a true race against time that proves the cooks skills. All tasks are being divided between the members of the team and everything happens quite fast and with a lot of care so that all dishes would be successful and tasted as soon as possible. The boiled wine and the tuica brought from each area in order to warm up the cooks, are not missing, while the traditional music from all participant’s areas vibrates in the valley.