"Can this be eaten directly?" "Where can we buy molds for this pastry?" Questions like these echoed frequently at the Ningbo booth during the 4th Bursa International Gastronomy Festival, as curious locals sampled delicate mung bean cakes and eagerly inquired about their preparation. Standing at the booth, master chef Li Pujun from the Ningbo Cuisine Research Association and Chen Weizhe, a "star of skills" from Ningbo, patiently explained the recipes and traditions behind the delicacies. For the Ningbo delegation, such lively exchanges became a daily routine throughout the three-day event.
From Sept 26 to 28, the historic Turkish city of Bursa hosted the 4th edition of its international gastronomy festival — the largest culinary cultural event in the Anatolian region, drawing over 500,000 visitors each year.
This year's festival carried added significance: In September 2024, Ningbo and Bursa formally established friendly exchange relations. The event thus marked an important cultural exchange since the partnership was sealed. As the only Chinese city invited to participate, Ningbo presented an array of traditional specialities rich in local character, bringing the unique "Maritime Silk Road flavors" to Turkish audiences.
Crowds thronged the Ningbo booth, savoring crispy fried yellow croaker wrapped in tofu skin and the soft, sweet texture of mung bean cakes. Beyond winning the palates of Turkish visitors, these dishes served as a window into Ningbo's heritage. During the festival, Bursa Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and other dignitaries visited the booth, warmly engaging with the delegation.
Food, after all, is a universal language. From camel bells along the ancient Silk Road to sails across the maritime routes, this "meeting of tastes" between Ningbo and Bursa symbolized not only a blending of culinary traditions but also a continuation of the Silk Road spirit in the modern era. As one local remarked, "Tasting Ningbo cuisine feels like meeting an old friend from afar."
Through this festival, Ningbo projected its confidence and openness, sharing its identity as "a city of culture and a gateway to the world" with audiences along the Belt and Road countries. For Bursa, Ningbo's presence rekindled the warm pulse of dialogue and mutual inspiration that has long connected this Silk Road city with Eastern civilizations.
With food as the bridge, culture as the soul, and friendship as the foundation, the festival was more than a feast for the senses — it was a cross-civilizational dialogue across time and space. In shared flavors lies understanding; in savoring, friendship. And the story between Ningbo and Bursa is only just beginning.
浙公网安备 33048302000664号
