The traditional Maracaju Sausage Festival promotes the regional culture of Mato Grosso do Sul, in addition to gastronomy and economy, benefiting the population of the municipality.
The governor, Eduardo Riedel, and the first lady, Mônica Riedel, participated in the party this Saturday (5). “It is very gratifying that the Public Power encourages and helps the Sausage Festival, which is a tradition and harks back to the origins of the municipality. Everything is done in favor of a culture that is genuine from Maracaju. The State government will always be present, because it reinforces our history and culture. Furthermore, it helps local society”, said the governor.
The profit obtained from holding the party is intended for charitable organizations that provide some type of service to society. The city’s hospital, Apae, shelters for the elderly, children and teenagers, a bank to help wheelchair users are some of the segments assisted with resources from the event.
“It’s a very good experience, as a manager, being able to contribute. Because I worked on several editions, I followed the evolution and growth of the party and what it became for Maracaju, and the State. We can contribute to maintaining the structure, seeing the results, promoting the local economy, and with the profits going to philanthropic entities, so in all aspects the party is very positive”, said the mayor of Maracaju, Marcos Calderan.
The party, held between the 3rd and 5th of May, is part of the “Rota MS Gastronômica”, with several cultural attractions organized by the State Government, through the Mato Grosso do Sul Culture Foundation. The action of the state management aims to enhance the natural vocation of each municipality, drawing attention to its traditional festivals.
This year, in the 28th edition of the festival that has been taking place for 30 years (with suspension in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic), approximately 20 tons of sausage were produced. The organizers’ forecast was to bring together 40,000 people during the festival days, with an estimate that for every real moved, another R$7 goes into consumption and services in Maracaju’s commerce.
Throughout the event, Mato Grosso do Sul handicrafts were exhibited and sold at the State Government stand. And the National Artisan Card will also be issued this Sunday (5), starting at 10am.
History
The party was born in 1994, as a result of a Rotary Club project that sought to promote and promote the city’s most famous delicacy. Over the years, gastronomy joined other attractions, such as national shows, exhibitions of vehicles, machines and implements, amusement parks, handicrafts, making the party one of the main tourist events in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Currently, the event is considered one of the biggest and most important in regional gastronomy. The delicacy is seasoned with “sour orange”, with an “anti-fake” geographical indication seal issued by the National Institute of Industrial Property, which has guaranteed the dish protection against falsifications of origin and production since 2016. Furthermore, on one of the festival days, sausage is part of the school lunch in the city.
In 2019, a trade agreement was signed between Mercosur and the European Union, which gave special status to the delicacy, which is now part of the list of 220 items protected by Mercosur. Among the items are Canastra cheese from Minas Gerais, Mel from Pantanal and Cachaça.
Last year, around 35 thousand people passed through the Exhibition Park, consuming and selling 10 tons of sausage. All proceeds were allocated to social and welfare entities in the municipality, including the Soriano Corrêa da Silva Hospital and social projects of the PM (Military Police).
Natalia Yahn, Communication Government of MS
Photos: Álvaro Rezende
Tags: Maracaju Sausage Festival strengthens regional culture benefits population
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