Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning — Somogy event — HERITASTE
Download the Event Description Sheet
The event "Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning" was organised between 2–5 October 2025 in Somogy County, Hungary, within the framework of the CERV project HERITASTE – Heritage and Taste: Connecting Communities through Twinning. The event brought together 41 participants from Harghita County (Romania) and 41 participants from Somogy County (Hungary), including representatives of local and regional authorities, tourism organisations, wineries, local producers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders involved in rural development and cultural heritage preservation.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the long-term partnership between Harghita and Somogy Counties by promoting mutual learning, exchanging good practices and encouraging active dialogue between citizens and professionals on topics related to sustainable rural development, local identity, cultural heritage, wine and gastronomy tourism, community participation and European cooperation. Throughout the programme, participants discussed common challenges faced by rural regions, explored innovative solutions and identified future opportunities for cooperation under European Union programmes.
2 October 2025 – Arrival and introductory networking
Participants arrived in Somogy County and checked in at the accommodation. An informal networking session provided an opportunity for participants from both counties to become acquainted and exchange first impressions. The introductory discussion focused on the objectives of the HERITASTE project and the importance of town twinning initiatives supported by the CERV Programme in strengthening European values, intercultural dialogue and cooperation between local communities.
Representatives introduced the economic, cultural and tourism characteristics of their regions and identified several common priorities, including sustainable tourism development, promotion of local products, preservation of traditional gastronomy, support for family businesses and stronger involvement of citizens in cross-border cooperation.
3 October 2025 – Exchange of good practices on tourism and wine culture
The second day combined a professional study visit with thematic discussions. During a boat trip on Lake Balaton participants attended welcome speeches followed by presentations introducing tourism development strategies in Somogy and Harghita Counties.
Special attention was devoted to the role of wine tourism as a driver of local economic development. Representatives of the South Balaton Wine Route Association presented successful cooperation models between municipalities, wineries and tourism service providers, demonstrating how local communities benefit from coordinated destination management and community-based marketing.
The afternoon thematic workshop focused on wine culture and rural entrepreneurship. Discussions addressed the growing role of women in the wine sector, generational renewal within family wineries and sustainable viticulture practices. Participants exchanged experiences on preserving traditional knowledge while responding to modern market demands and climate-related challenges.
The winery visit enabled Romanian participants to observe sustainable vineyard management and innovative winemaking technologies. Local wine and food tastings further promoted the culinary heritage of the South Balaton region and stimulated discussions on how gastronomy contributes to regional identity, social cohesion and tourism attractiveness.
4 October 2025 – Local traditions, crafts and community development
The third day concentrated on the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Participants visited the Légli Ceramic Workshop, where they learned about traditional craftsmanship, transmission of artisan knowledge between generations and the importance of preserving local cultural identity through handmade products. Discussions highlighted similarities between Hungarian and Romanian craft traditions and explored opportunities for future cultural exchange activities.
The programme continued with a visit to Légli Winery, where participants discussed the role of family-owned enterprises in rural economies, innovation in traditional production methods and sustainable business models supporting local communities.
During the excursion to Kishegy and the Murci Gastro Festival, participants experienced an excellent example of community-based tourism development. They met local producers, visited artisan market stands, explored exhibitions of regional products and sampled traditional culinary specialties. The festival demonstrated how local events contribute to regional branding, support small producers, preserve cultural heritage and encourage citizen participation.
Extensive discussions took place on how festivals and local food events can strengthen community identity, attract visitors and create economic opportunities while maintaining authenticity and sustainability. Participants compared successful practices implemented in Hungary and Romania and explored possibilities for organising future joint cultural and gastronomic events.
5 October 2025 – Conclusions and future cooperation
Before departure, participants evaluated the outcomes of the meeting and identified several areas for future cooperation. They expressed their commitment to continuing exchanges between local authorities, tourism professionals, wineries, cultural organisations and local producers.
The final discussion confirmed that both counties share similar development priorities and complementary strengths. Participants agreed to further explore opportunities for joint European projects, reciprocal study visits, promotion of local products, cultural exchange initiatives and cross-border tourism cooperation.
Main outcomes and impact
The event successfully contributed to the objectives of the CERV Programme by strengthening dialogue between citizens from two European regions, encouraging active participation in discussions on local development and reinforcing European solidarity through town twinning.
Key outcomes included:
- strengthened institutional cooperation between Harghita and Somogy Counties;
- exchange of good practices in sustainable tourism, wine culture and rural entrepreneurship;
- increased knowledge on preserving local traditions while supporting innovation;
- new ideas for joint projects related to gastronomy, cultural heritage, local products and tourism promotion;
- stronger networks between local authorities, civil society organisations, producers and tourism stakeholders;
- increased awareness among participants of the importance of European cooperation in preserving local identities while promoting common European values.
Participants highlighted that the event created an excellent platform for long-term cooperation and mutual learning. The combination of professional discussions, study visits and cultural experiences strengthened interpersonal relationships and laid the foundation for future collaborative initiatives between the two regions.
Media coverage and dissemination
The event was widely disseminated through the official communication channels of Somogy County Government and the project partners. Information, photo galleries and project results were published on the official municipal website and on social media platforms.
Official website:
Facebook posts:
• https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1230174725816873&set=a.247806337387055
• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q4oTyzP8/
• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1An724RJgF/