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On 31 August, from 9 AM to 3 PM, Jelgava will host the 24th annual Milk, Bread, and Honey Festival and the 22nd Latvian Cheese Day. In Duke Jacob’s Square, visitors will have the opportunity to meet bakers, beekeepers, and dairy product producers from all over Latvia, while cheese producers will be located in the square behind the cultural centre. Throughout the day, there will also be a concert program, attractions, and creative workshops.

“We are once again in for a true gourmet celebration! The event’s focus remains on a healthy lifestyle and Latvian food products, so we invite you to take the opportunity to taste and discover new flavours, as well as meet the producers in person. A variety of offerings to suit all tastes is guaranteed!” says Mintauts Buškevics, the head of the municipal institution “Kultūra”. Over 220 bread, honey, and dairy product producers, along with various craftsmen, will be present at the grand market in Duke Jacob’s Square. Tastings, live cooking demonstrations, a cheese wheel of fortune, a cow milking attraction, and a taste truck with activities for children – producers will once again provide a range of creative activities to engage visitors and introduce them to their products.

Not only to taste but also to learn

The Latvian Beekeepers’ Association will invite visitors to explore the “Power of Nature in a Spoon of Honey” – sharing stories, demonstrations, and educational activities about the diversity of honey, along with engaging in informative activities about bees and honey. As usual, the Bread Tent will welcome visitors, where the Latvian Bakers’ Association, together with aspiring bakers and pastry chefs from Jelgava Craft High School, led by teacher Gunta Briede, will offer insights into “why rye bread makes you strong”. This year, the focus will be on the traditional Latvian dessert – bread soup, which will be served to guests while introducing them to the programs and trades taught at the school. Throughout the day, the young specialists will invite participants to take part in a survey about the daily consumption of rye bread, and as a token of thanks for their participation, visitors will be offered a hearty slice of rye bread from various bakeries, paired with fresh honey. The most active guests will also receive a festive bread ring as a souvenir at the end of the event.

On the stage in Duke Jacob’s Square, there will be performances throughout the day by the folk dance ensemble “Lielupe”. the ensemble “Tandēms trijatā,” and the post-folklore group “Rikši”. For the youngest festival participants, a variety of creative workshops will be available, including drawing, making “puzuri” (traditional Latvian decorations), paper crown crafting, and jewelry making. Visitors can capture colorful memories of the event at the “Endless Sensations Story” creative photo corner.

In the square – Cheese Day

In the square behind the cultural center, Latvian Cheese Day will be organized by the “Cheese Club” association. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste and purchase at least 70 varieties of cheese and other dairy products from Latvia’s largest companies and farmers from all regions.

There will be four gourmet stations to explore. At the station “I’ve come to strengthen you”, the offerings will include cheese dishes or dishes made with cheese, prepared according to traditional Latvian recipes, such as a decorated pig’s head with a Smiltene cheese hat, barley sausages with cheese garnish, cheese salads, and casseroles. These dishes will be served by the chefs from “Ēmužas” farm in Talsi Municipality. The station “I’ve come to make you shine!” will feature confectionery prepared by Zemgale’s homemakers, including a cake with “Smiltene’s” cream cheese, homemade marshmallows, sponge rolls, and cheese biscuits. At the station “I’ve come to surprise you!” the team from Ogre Technical School will offer a selection of cheeses, honey, cakes, tray bakes, snacks, and drinks. Meanwhile, the station “I’ve come to tempt you!” will be filled with 66 kilograms of Jāņi cheese, malted rye bread, and Rucava white butter. These special Latvian products will be presented for tasting by the “Cheese Club” and the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre.

At 11 AM, the traditional Jāņi cheese crown-changing ceremony will take place in the square behind the cultural center. Remarkably, this crown and the prestigious title have been passed from one producer to another for 19 years, celebrating their craftsmanship and the tradition of Jāņi cheese making. To honor the event, visitors will also be treated to 15 large Jāņi cheese wheels. At 12 PM, for the first time in Latvia, a cottage cheese braid competition will be held to find new flavors for this traditional Latvian treat, whose recipe dates back over 100 years and is now almost forgotten. Contestants will present their creations to both the jury and guests. At 2:30 PM, the event will be enlivened by an attraction featuring Dainis Zariņš – one of Latvia’s strongest men and a world champion in log lifting – who will pull an 11-tonne milk truck.

Visitors will also be treated to musical performances during the event – the square behind the cultural center will echo with songs by Jelgava artist Toms Auza, followed by a performance by schlager musician Kaspars Antess, accompanied by pianist Anatolijs Livčs and saxophonist Raivo Stašāns.

Gourmet Walk

At 12 PM, the city will also host a “Gourmet Walk” guided tour, where participants can visit Jelgava’s cafes and pastry shops, explore the city while listening to stories about significant events and notable buildings, and at the same time enjoy special treats made in Jelgava. The activity will begin at the Holy Trinity Church Tower, followed by a visit to the “Silva” tea house on Pasta Island, a stop at the newly opened “pâte bakery” on Lielā Street, and a visit to the pastry studio “Tarte” on Mātera Street. The participation fee for the tour is 20 euros for adults and 15 euros for children under 18. Reservations can be made by calling +371 63005447 or emailing tic@tornis.jelgava.lv.

By attending the event, participants agree to be filmed and photographed. The recorded material may be broadcast, reproduced, and distributed without restriction. For more information on the processing of personal data by Jelgava Municipality, please see HERE.