VITEBSK, 20 May (BelTA) – The border regions of Belarus and Latvia are launching a project on culinary heritage development Bella Cuisine as part of the cross-border cooperation program of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus, BelTA learnt from coordinator of the project Anton Rodnenkov.

The Bella Cuisine project will be implemented in the Polotsk, Lepel, Miory, Glubokoye and Verkhnedvinsk regions of Vitebsk Oblast and the Aglona, Kraslava, Dagda, Rezekne and Ludza territories of Latgale District (Latvia). The cost of the project is estimated at about ?500,000.

The 18-month project aims to prepare Vitebsk Oblast for joining the European Network of Regional Culinary Heritage that comprises 24 regions of Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine. The project envisages the development of a six-day culinary route along the cross-border regions of Belarus and Latvia, four culinary festivals, and opening of an international culinary heritage promotion center in the city of Kraslava (Latvia). Belarus and Latvia will host a number of events to promote culinary heritage of Latgale District and Vitebsk Oblast, organize training courses for catering workers and experience sharing trips to Sweden, Latvia and Lithuania.

The Bella Cuisine project as part of the Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus cross-border cooperation project is aimed at familiarizing Belarus with the culinary heritage concept, improve the quality of culinary services in Vitebsk Oblast and Latgale District of Latvia, promote the national cuisine and culinary tourism.