Pelotas officially became the National Capital of Sweets. The title, granted by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, will contribute to the development of local tourism. Located 261 kilometers from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, the city was already informally recognized for its sweets and itineraries linked to culinary delicacies, but the recognition promises to further boost the segment, especially gastronomy, and local commerce.
The granting of the title gains even more relevance at a time of such difficulty that 90% of Rio Grande do Sul’s municipalities are experiencing, with the recent floods. “In the midst of so much sadness that we have been experiencing in our State, this law brings joy and hope to the population and sweet professionals in Pelotas. It recognizes our entire history, our tradition and the day-to-day work of entrepreneurs in the sector”, says the president of the Pelotas Sweets Producers Association, Simone Bica.
The title will add to the history of the city, which has the traditional National Sweet Fair, an event that has taken place every year since 1988, in mid-May and June. Fenadoce is organized by the Chamber of Retail Managers of Pelotas and constitutes an important tourist route in the city. In last year’s edition alone, the fair received 314 thousand visitors, with people coming from 904 tours, including from other states and neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay. At the time, 1.8 million sweets were sold.
Fenadoce
Fenadoce is a state heritage site and contributed to Pelotas receiving, in 2018, the title of Material and Intangible Heritage of Brazil. At the fair, visitors can find everything from traditional sweets, such as bem-casado, olho de mother-in-law, queijadinha and quindim, to more elaborate sweets such as pastel de Santa Clara, bundles of almonds and cameo. Due to the current situation in Rio Grande do Sul, Fenadoce 2024 was postponed, with no new date scheduled yet.
Candy Museum
In addition to the fair, the city also has the Candy Museum, managed by the Federal University of Pelotas, as a tourist attraction. The museum’s objective is “to safeguard the memory of the sweet tradition of Pelotas and the region and, as a commitment, to produce knowledge about this heritage.”
The museum is housed in a historic mansion dating back to 1878. It is located at Praça Coronel Pedro Osório, number 8, and is open for visitors between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 3pm, on Sundays.