Serra da Estrela Cheese Festival in Oliveira do Hospital melts borders

The Hospital’s Oliveira Chamber begins the Serra da Estrela Cheese Festival today. This year, the big news is the commitment to internationalization, with the presence of approximately 250 exhibitors, including producers from Spain and the Netherlands.

The president of the City Council, José Francisco Rolo, highlights the importance of this internationalization, not only as a prominent event in the Central region, but also as a booster for the local economy, bringing significant gains in terms of notoriety and tourist promotion.

The Serra da Estrela de Oliveira do Hospital Cheese Festival takes place this weekend, in the heart of the city. This event is not only an opportunity to enjoy the famous Serra da Estrela cheese, but also to enjoy a variety of high-quality local products, from Dão wines to smoked meats and traditional sweets.

With 250 confirmed exhibitors, the fair will occupy the entire Largo Ribeiro do Amaral and Avenida Carlos Campos. In addition to cheese and food products, visitors will be able to participate in various activities, from cheese and Dão wine tastings to live shearing and cheese making, without forgetting the animal exhibition.

Also noteworthy is the 32nd chapter of the Serra da Estrela Cheese Confraternity, with the participation of more than 40 national and foreign confraternities. This is a living testimony to the importance and prestige of this iconic gastronomic product.

Local producers are also highlighted at this fair. From Queijaria dos Lobos to Queijaria Quinta das Lameiras, including Queijaria Quinta do Cruzeiro, Queijaria Estrela Artesanal and Queijaria Ferreira, everyone shares the same dedication and passion for Serra da Estrela PDO cheese. Despite challenges, from production costs to milk shortages, these producers are determined to keep the family tradition and product quality alive.

In addition to gastronomic activities, the Festival also includes sporting events for those who want to burn some calories after tasting the region’s delicious cheeses. “With the good Serra cheese and our good cuisine, we also need to help burn calories”, highlights Nuno Ribeiro, councilor for sports, expressing gratitude to the clubs and entities involved in organizing these activities.

The diversity of initiatives is not limited to gastronomy and sport. The Fair also has a social dimension, with partnerships established to raise funds for the municipality’s food resources bank. Furthermore, the Cheese Fair also promotes the appreciation of local producers and the authenticity of the region’s products.

“We will have a national guest cheese from Tondela and two international ones, one from Galicia and the other from Castile and León”, says the president of the Chamber of Oliveira do Hospital, José Francisco Rolo. In addition to gastronomy, sport and social initiatives, the Serra da Estrela Cheese Festival also offers visitors the opportunity to discover the region’s historical and cultural heritage, with guided tours and ethnographic activities.

It is not just a fair, but a celebration of the authenticity and vitality of the rural world. It is an opportunity to discover Oliveira do Hospital, with its historical, cultural and gastronomic richness.