This Weekend’s Blueberry Bonanza in Borovany
Borovany is a charming town in southern Bohemia, situated about halfway between the larger cities of České Budějovice and Nové Hrady. You are warmly invited to Borůvkobraní, scheduled for the weekend of July 12th and 13th. This lively celebration will be held in the lovely courtyard of the monastery, which will feature a craft fair and a variety of cultural activities.
There will be a delightful array of traditional foods to enjoy, including blueberry dumplings, cakes, waffles, muffins, pancakes, ice cream, juicy roast suckling pig, homemade sausages, pates, cheeses, and potato pancakes, as well as hearty steaks. Of course, don’t miss out on trying blueberry beer, refreshing lemonades, wine, and liqueurs. The festival also features traditional competitions you won’t want to skip. Test your skills in the famous blueberry dumpling eating contest, or join in the World Blueberry Mouth Catching Championship, where anyone from the general public can sign up to compete and see how they stack up against seasoned contestants.
Blueberries in the air and on the plate
You might wonder why Blueberry picking is organized in Borovany, especially when there are plenty of blueberry-rich forests nearby, like those around Třeboň or Telč. It’s said that the connection between the town and blueberries comes from the word “pine”, linking the two. The gastronomic festival, along with its diverse program, will take place in the site of the former Augustinian monastery, kicking off on Saturday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m.. The Blueberry Fair (both days from 10:00 – 18:00 in the courtyard) is a must-see, featuring the Blueberry Dumpling King Eating Contest (Sunday at 12:00, with results announced at 14:00) and blueberry-related activities for kids and adults (available both days from 10:00 – 17:00 in the castle park).
Garden enthusiasts can purchase blueberry seedlings (both days at the Blueberry Garden) and can also attend workshops at 11:00 and 16:00 with gardener Ing. Pavel Chlouba, who will share tips on growing blueberries. In 2013, a Blueberry Garden with a reading room was established on the monastery grounds, featuring all eight varieties of garden or Canadian blueberries, including Chandler, Duke, Emblue, Jersey, Bluecrop, Pink Lemonade, Berkeley, and Bluejay.
Everything for children
Weather permitting, the small stage in the park, along with the surrounding grassy area under the trees, will be a delightful place for young visitors and families with children. Expect to enjoy theatrical fairy tales that entertain both the young and the young at heart, along with a clown and magician showcasing their skills, and many stories for little ones. The castle park will also have a shooting range and the fun blueberry activities mentioned earlier.
The children’s stage in the park will offer performances on Saturday, such as a fairy tale presented by the puppetry ensemble Jiskra Borovany, the comical masquerade titled Hugo the Clown, and performances by the puppet and circus troupe Naranjarte along with Babylonband, who will deliver songs for children and families. On Sunday, attendees can enjoy Pavel Šmíd’s Theatre, once again featuring Hugo the Clown and the crowd-favorite band The Gerbil Returns with Henrietta, promising a concert filled with fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
What, where and for how much?
Curious about the cost of all this fun? Entry to the festival (valid for both days, known as the Blueberry Bunch) costs 200 CZK for adults, while it is just 100 CZK for children under 15, students, and seniors over 70. A family ticket is priced at 400 CZK, and children under 3 can enter for free.
Here’s a great tip: if you show a current ticket for trains or buses to Borovany, you can get a 25% discount on the basic admission price at the entrance ticket office. The Borovany stop can be found on the train line No. 199 that connects České Budějovice to České Velenice/Gmünd. To reach the monastery grounds from the train station, head north uphill, taking either Nová Street, which leads to the rear entrance after about 750 m, or Nádražní Street, which brings you to the main entrance to the monastery after about one kilometer. Lastly, please remember that dogs are not allowed on the premises, and bicycles are also prohibited.
