Young organizers revive cheese Route festival in Belgium
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Young people in Maffe, a community in the municipality of Havelange, Belgium, successfully relaunched the Route du fromage de Méan festival on September 20th.
A year ago, the festival’s future was uncertain, but a group of local organizers stepped forward to ensure it continued. These organizers, who had worked together since childhood, aimed to preserve the event and built on its existing format with some improvements.
The committee operated with a zero budget, relying on local sponsors, partners, and support instead of seeking profit. They tested their plans in May with a successful preview event, and expected to balance the festival’s accounts at the end of the day. Volunteers from a local youth group helped with parking and logistics. Approximately 3,000 people visited the festival, browsing around fifty stands offering regional products. These included ten cheese vendors, along with honey, bread, wine, and organic produce.
Organizers intended the event to provide a marketplace for local producers whose goods aren’t always available in larger stores. Augustin Lizin, the president of the organizing committee, believes events like this demonstrate the value of agriculture, crafts, and local knowledge to the wider Wallonia region. He stated that supporting local producers helps preserve jobs, landscapes, and regional identity.
