This year’s fifth edition of the Pierogi Festival took place on Sunday, 25 May, in Dąbrowa Bolesławiecka. As in previous years, there was no shortage of fans of these flour-based delicacies. Stalls selling homemade pierogi were open two hours before the event. One might risk saying that pierogi are the favourite dish of Bolesławiec County. Regular festival attendees have already learned that, to taste them, one should arrive suitably early.
Participants in this year’s festival could not complain about the weather. In addition to the pierogi, which were undoubtedly the main attraction, visitors could watch a performance by children from the Primary School in Dąbrowa. A particularly loud round of applause followed an interview with Doda, portrayed by one of the pupils. That day, the following performers also appeared on stage: the Żeliszów Singing Group, Alicja Kołacz from Dąbrowa, a group of boxers from Bolesławiec’s Muay Thai club, and the Diament band.
In the traditional competition for the tastiest ruskie pierogi, the winners were the women from the Rural Housewives’ Association in Dąbrowa. The women from Jurków took second place, while the women from Bożejowice came third.
There was also a competition for food lovers. Participants had to eat a serving of large rhubarb pierogi in the shortest possible time. The task was not easy at all, especially since the competition treats had been prepared... without sugar.
A wide variety of pierogi was prepared for enthusiasts: with cabbage and meat, spinach, and lentils. There were also baked yeast pierogi with vegetables and egg, as well as small pierogi cooked in broth. Some of the delicacies stood out not only for their taste but also for their colour. In Dąbrowa, for example, visitors could try red pierogi.
(information from GOKiS Bolesławiec based in Kruszyna/GA)