Discover the Olomouc Tvarůžky Festival

This year marks the eighth occasion of the Tvarůžkový festival in Olomouc. In the Upper and Lower Square, visitors can sample tvarůžek specialties and local beers. You can also enjoy dulcimer music, while children will be entertained by theater performances, competitions, and magic shows. Alongside a cooking show featuring vibrant cheesecake treats, the festival boasts more than eighty vendors, with beers from nearby microbreweries, a selection of regional dishes, and a variety of handmade products. There’s a special tvarglšop offering unique tvarůžka souvenirs, fun workshops for kids, and contests with tvarůžka prizes. Expect to find delicious cheeseburgers, pizza, traditional spreads, and even unique treats like tvarůžková desserts. The fair will also present fine products from the acclaimed Haná Regional Product® label, including fresh cheese, aromatic pastries, handcrafted delicacies, and distinctive artisan goods.

Musical delights, activities for kids, and discussions with Kateřina Cajthamlová

The culinary experience will be enhanced by an exciting cultural program spread across two stages. Expect lively dulcimer music from groups like Primáš Přerov and Dunajec, the Cimbal Hell Band, Petr Vondracek, and the band Lokomotiva, along with performances by Anna K. and Zbyněk Drda. The festival has something for the youngest attendees too! Kids can participate in creative workshops, enjoy popular sandblasting of pictures, or get their faces painted. A new highlight is a large painting wall where they can let their creativity flow. Besides children’s fun, the festival will feature entertaining acts like the ventriloquist Zdenek Polach with Matýsek and magic performances by Karel Pomahač.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, discussions on Healthy Living with Dr. Kateřina Cajthamlová and Obesity being a disease, not a “beauty flaw” will take place. Dr. Cajthamlová is a well-known Czech doctor and internist, specializing in healthy lifestyle choices, and she gained popularity for hosting programs focused on healthy eating and lifestyle changes.

The city of shapes, scents, and amusement

Olomouc tvarůžky have been made in Haná for many centuries, and large-scale production began in 1876, thanks to Josef Wessels and his son Alois in Loštice. Today, A. W. still operates; in Loštice, you can visit the tvarůžky museum as well as the Tvarůžková Cukrárna, where delicious goodies are prepared in familiar dessert forms: wreaths, cream rolls, cups, and pinwheels.

Fairgoers will be able to enjoy tvarůžky in both hot and cold dishes served at numerous local restaurants, showcasing traditional Haná cuisine. This year’s festival will feature dozens of restaurant and bistro representatives from Olomouc. Unique treats such as cheesecake desserts and beer from local Haná microbreweries will also be available. The main partner of the festival is the A.W. Loštice company, which will not only supply some of the ingredients used by vendors but will also act as the primary seller of tvarůžky at Horní náměstí.

Olomouc tvarůžky is a legendary delicacy

The creation of Olomouc tvarůžky in Haná can be traced back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, but commercial production began in 1876 by Josef Wessels and his wife in Loštice. The name of the present A. W. spol. s r. o. comes from Alois Wessels, the founders’ son. Founded in 1897, the company became the leading producer of tvarůžky by 1914. In 1930, significant renovations turned the factory into a modern production facility under the management of Karel Pivný, who was Alois Wessels’s son-in-law.
In 1991, the factory was returned to the heirs of the original owners. In 2010, Olomouc tvarůžky received protected designation of origin from the European Commission. A new Museum of Olomouc tvarůžky opened in Loštice in 2014, marking it as the only museum of its kind in the Czech Republic. Currently, A. W. spol. s r. o. employs about 180 people and produces around 2,200 tonnes of tvarůžky in over 30 varieties of shape, flavor, and weight, also running four shops in Loštice, Olomouc, Brno, and Ostrava.
Made from non-fat sour curd, Olomouc tvarůžky have a distinct flavor and unique aroma. Their production does not involve the use of rennets, colorings, flavorings, or stabilizers, making them suitable for gluten-free diets. They are rich in complete protein and calcium, and since they contain low fat, they have a lower energy value. Olomoucké tvarůžky are recognized as the only original Czech cheese and classed as a ripened table cheese.

Explore More of Olomouc

You won’t need to wander far from the two main squares to uncover many of Olomouc’s top attractions: the town hall featuring the astronomical clock, beautiful Baroque and modern fountains, and the impressive Baroque Holy Trinity Column, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your visit to Olomouc can be further enriched by an interesting exhibition at the Museum of Art.