Vrsar amaretti, a distinctive delicacy of local gastronomy and cultural heritage, were presented at the professional conference “Institutionalization of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Its Impact on Bearers of Cultural Goods”, held on 22–23 November 2024 at the House of the Halubajski Bell Ringers in Viškovo.
One of the key topics of the conference was:
“Intangible Culture as a Tourism Offer: Opportunity or Threat to Living Culture”, within which Dr. Klara Trošt Lesić, Director of the Vrsar Municipal Tourist Board, delivered a presentation titled:
“Vrsar Amaretti – Sweet Guardians of Intangible Heritage and Their Valorization in the Tourism Offer”.
Her presentation emphasized the importance of preserving and revitalizing Vrsar amaretti as an authentic local specialty, highlighting their potential in promoting the destination and cultural-gastronomic tourism. Participants had the opportunity to learn how these traditional confections can be protected, promoted, and integrated into tourism offerings while preserving their authenticity and cultural value.
The conference brought together renowned ethnologists, cultural experts, institutional representatives, and tradition bearers, facilitating dialogue between the academic sphere, institutions, and local communities. Vrsar amaretti were presented not only as a culinary product but also as a living symbol of Vrsar’s intangible cultural heritage, whose valorization contributes to the preservation of tradition and the strengthening of the town’s identity.
This participation is part of a broader initiative of the Vrsar Tourist Board and local producers within the amaretti revitalization project. The aim is not only to preserve the recipe and method of preparation but also to integrate them into the tourism offer through tastings, educational workshops, and events, ensuring that this tradition is passed on to new generations of visitors and local residents alike.
Vrsar amaretti thus continue to serve as sweet guardians of cultural heritage, connecting gastronomy, history, and tourism in a unique story of Vrsar and Istria.
