NewsExceptionally diverse program of the Idrija Žlikrofi Festival 
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Exceptionally diverse program of the Idrija Žlikrofi Festival 

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The year is around and again before us is the Exceptionally diverse program of the Idrija Žlikrof Festival , which will for the 15th time take place in Idrija. On, Saturday, August 23rd, will be in the sign of these filled pastas that boast the designation of guaranteed traditional specialty. Park Mejca in Idrija is again transforming into a paradise for lovers of good cuisine, but this year quite a few novelties are promised, which place the boundlessness of cuisine into the foreground. With them, the Idrija Žlikrofi Festival remains a festival that into the green scenery of Park Mejca in Idrija attracts numerous families and other lovers of gastronomy.

The Idrija Žlikrofi Festival  is a traditional festival, which was for the first time organized already in the year 2011 still as The Day of Idrija žlikrof in the organization of the Idrija-Cerkno Development Agency. Then was taken over by the Youth Center Idrija, after it then by the Institute ID20, which organizes the festival already since the year 2020. The festival boasts with the certificate Idrija Chosen, is but also the recipient of the award Jakob 2024 – an international award for innovativeness, quality, and excellence in tourism.

As many as 35 different servings of žlikrofs

At the festival present themselves every year certified producers of Idrija žlikrof. To them join also other providers, who into the foreground place this culinary specialty. Although Idrija žlikrof have a protected recipe, the žlikrof still differ, as they are hand-made, which means that each žlikrof is unique.

In the offer will be as many as 35 different types of servings of Idrija žlikrof. Photo: Marko Čuk

The story of Idrija žlikrof is connected also with innovativeness, which the mining Idrija marks already for centuries. Visitors this year at the Idrija Žlikrofi Festival will taste as many as 35 different types of servings of žlikrof – let us just name a few interesting ones: in Asian style with beef masala, with a sauce from Tolminc cheese with lemon and cheese crumbs, with a billy goat sauce, with asparagus, with mint ice cream, with BBQ žlikrofs with young onion, with hops and a lace from Tolminc cheese. On offer will be also gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, which further complement the rich culinary offer. Visitors but will also be able to test themselves in a workshop of making Idrija žlikrof, which will be led by members of the Tourist Association Fara.

We present a unique Slovenian culinary heritage.

Also in this year we are collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food in the promotion of quality schemes and protected agricultural products and foods. Thus, the providers have their sauces enriched with numerous Slovenian protected ingredients – we can name for example Kras prosciutto, Carniolan sausage, Tolminc cheese, Slovenian sheep or beef meat. In this way we wish to contribute to the respect and preservation of Slovenian culinary heritage. Visitors but will also be able to attend a special tasting and lecture about Slovenian wines and cheeses, which will be presented by sommelier Dejan Levpušček and Irena Orešnik from the  Združenja kmečkih sirarjev Slovenije (Association of Farmstead Cheesemakers of Slovenia).

Arriving are the two finalists of Masterchef Slovenia

All of you who follow the cooking show MasterChef will surely be delighted to hear that Barbara Poljanec and Jure Kirbiš, the finalists of MasterChef Slovenia 2025, will be joining us. At the Festival of Idrija Žlikrofi, they will lead an interactive workshop where they will share tips and ideas on how to create new and exciting dishes using products from Slovenia’s quality schemes. During the workshop, they will prepare two dishes: buckwheat blini with smoked trout and horseradish foam, and a “breakfast in a jar” consisting of smoked curd cream, egg crumble with Carniolan sausage, marinated kohlrabi stems, and bread crisps.

Barbara Poljanec and Jure Kirbiš, finalists of MasterChef Slovenia, will in an interactive workshop share advice and suggestions, how from products and foods from Slovenian quality schemes to create new, interesting dishes.

Borderless District unites the flavors of three neighboring countries

In the year when Nova Gorica and Gorizia proudly hold the title of European Capital of Culture, we also wish to highlight the borderless spirit of filled pasta. This year, for the very first time, we are bringing together similar dishes from the so-called Borderless District of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria. In addition to our traditional Idrija žlikrofi, visitors will be able to taste Carnian cjalsons, Carinthian krapi (kasnudeln), Kobarid štruklji, and Prfarski štruklji. As part of a collaboration with Mlinotest from Ajdovščina, we will also welcome former MasterChef Slovenia contestant Adam Šerc, who on this occasion will be preparing gyoza dumplings with an Asian-style sauce, topped with crispy onion, soy sauce, yuzu lemon, and miso mayonnaise.

As part of the Borderless Ocvirk, the GO! Pasta food trailer will once again be making an appearance. Photo: Marko Čuk

As is tradition, the Idrija hunting associations will also showcase their skills, competing in the preparation of wild game “bakalca” stew. Visitors will be able to stroll among their stalls and enjoy the homemade delicacies they have to offer.

A Carefree Experience for Families

The Festival of Idrija Žlikrofi is a family-friendly event, perfect for children as well. In addition to the wonderful venue, which offers plenty of space for carefree running and play on a natural grassy meadow, we also provide engaging workshops prepared by the Idrija Youth Center and the Idrija Municipal Museum. Children will be able to enjoy a creative workshop dedicated to žlikrofi, make themed brooches, or take part in a museum’s children’s workshop. They can also have fun on a trampoline or a children’s carousel, and explore other activities within MCmobil – a mobile outdoor playground.

At the Festival of Idrija Žlikrofi, there will also be plenty of activities designed for younger generations. Photo: Marko Čuk

Discovering Heritage on Foot or by Bike

We are also offering an additional program dedicated to exploring the cultural heritage of Idrija and its surroundings. Cycling enthusiasts can join two guided cycling tours to discover the Idrija Geopark, while in cooperation with the Idrija Tourism Board we also provide guided tours of Idrija and the historic Rake Water Channel.

Unique music program

The music program will also be rich – as it has been for several years in a row, the street ensemble Suho Cvetje will entertain us, and in the afternoon and evening hours, DJ Rekordman will take care of the dance rhythms. Tonight, the famous Goriška rapper Smaal Tokk will perform, combining driving rhythms, local dialect, and infectious electronica.

The evening’s guest at the event will be the Goriški rapper Smaal Tokk.

Environmentally friendly festival

This year’s Idrija Žlikrofi Festival will provide an exceptionally rich program that celebrates the gastronomic and other heritage of Idrija, Goriška, and Slovenia. The festival will once again be held with an ecological note – biodegradable utensils and containers, returnable jars, and waste separation enable fun that is responsible towards nature and the local environment.