German Past, Czech Present

What does it mean to ‘taste’ a region’s identity? This chapter explores how Opavian Silesia’s culinary heritage is used to brand the region as a unified tourist destination. It examines collaborations among local authorities, experts, and stakeholders to codify and promote regional cuisine. Projects like the Week of Silesian Cuisine and local cookbooks create a marketable, simplified Silesian identity, raising questions about authenticity. While some residents feel their traditions are diluted, others see culinary heritage as a unifying force. The chapter critiques how tourism can obscure lived experience but also foster reconciliation. Ultimately, it shows how food becomes both a cultural symbol and a platform for negotiating identity in a historically divided borderland.