The subdelegate of the Government in A Coruña, María Rivas, highlighted in Arzúa the importance of women within the cheese industry and as promoters of the first Protected Designation of Origin of Galicia. He did so at the opening of the 50th edition of the Festa do Queixo of this Coruña town, an event in which he took the opportunity to congratulate the people of the town for the work developed in this half century to promote “a festivity that represents employment, gastronomy and tourism, but also fun and joy for neighbors and visitors”.
The deputy delegate, who was accompanied by the mayor of Arzúa, Xoán Xesús Carriles, stressed that “it is they, the Queixeiras women, who make this land a reference, putting the cheese of Arzúa at the forefront of Galician and Spanish gastronomy and boosting the economy of this region”.
In this sense, he recalled that the queixeiro is one of the reference productive sectors for Galicia within the gastronomic field and, within it, Arzúa unquestionably commands production, with more than 5.5 million cheeses produced last year, from its 16 active queixerías, figures that in Spain only exceeds the Manchega industry. “That is the real importance of this sector for Arzúa and Galicia, which is also strengthened this year by the presence of the European Cheese Route Association,” said María Rivas, welcoming Arzúa to its members.
The deputy delegate took advantage of her presence in Arzúa to transfer to the entire neighborhood and its mayor the support of the Government so that the Festa do Queixo reaches the consideration of Festival of National Tourist Interest, “a party that in its last editions always had women in the center of the celebration,” she said.
María Rivas encouraged the whole neighborhood to enjoy her party, the cheese and the result of the excellent work done during these previous months. He also wanted to value the work of the Government, through the Security Forces and Corps and in collaboration with the Local Police, “so that all those who enjoy this celebration do so in the best security conditions so that, year after year, they can continue returning to the great Galician cheese festival”.