Maira Mora: "National cuisine is the most democratic and dynamic aspect of culture"

Taste and nothing else – this is how one can briefly convey the essence of the culinary festival "European Delicacies," which took place in Miory. Here, one could taste both European cuisine and their own Belarusian dishes. Both hosts and guests were generous with treats. Latvians from Latgale, with whom the residents of Miory became friends through the international culinary project "Bella Cucina," felt at home. They presented delicacies characteristic of their region – cheeses and homemade bread, grey peas. The latter, by the way, became one of the most sought-after treats among Belarusians at the festival. In turn, Belarusians, especially the hosts of agro-estates from Miory, Lepel, and Rasony districts, offered dishes of national cuisine.

Taste and nothing else – this is how one can briefly convey the essence of the culinary festival "European Delicacies", which took place in Miory. Here, one could taste both European cuisine and their own Belarusian dishes. Both hosts and guests were generous with treats. Latvians from Latgale, with whom the residents of Miory became friends through the international culinary project "Bella Cucina", felt at home. They presented delicacies characteristic of their region – cheeses and homemade bread, grey peas. The latter, by the way, became one of the most sought-after treats among Belarusians at the festival. In turn, Belarusians, especially the hosts of agro-estates from Miory, Lepel, and Rasony districts, offered dishes of national cuisine.

Natalia Zhojdik from Yazno made particularly delicious potato cakes – small pies filled with mushrooms. At the estate "Luka" from Lepel region, appetizing aromas lured with golden sausage, filled with grated potatoes and baked in the oven, which the hostess beautifully calls - "nalivanka", and dried ham. Many hurried to the yard of the Shkindzers from Lepel district, where the father and son treated guests to herbal tea. The drink was also well-received, and many wished to purchase blends for themselves. Pancakes with jam, baked by the hostess of the agro-estate "Dostatok" Liliya Artimyonok, were a great success. You could also have a meal of dishes "from grandmothers" in the club "Tsvetsinskiye Prismaki", Old Believer cuisine... And after all that was seen, how can one disagree that culinary art is part of the culture of every nation, a language that is easy for everyone to speak.

Thus, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Belarus, Maira Mora, noted at the opening of the festival that national cuisine is the most democratic and dynamic aspect of culture; people from different countries adopt foreign culinary traditions, bring new ideas and unusual ingredients from their travels. Therefore, the format of a culinary festival provides a wonderful opportunity to widely present the traditions of the EU states.

Other festival events were also interesting. Here, one could attend master classes by the renowned Belarusian chef, participant of international culinary festivals, Alexander Chikilevsky, on preparing German potato salad, Czech cheese spread, and Belarusian potato and pickled cucumber salad. And from Xavier Le Tarivelec, an employee of the French diplomatic mission in Belarus, one could learn to make authentic French crepes.

One of the highlights was the presentation of the "Book of Culinary Recipes of European Union Countries", compiled by diplomats working in Belarus. Winners of thematic contests held throughout the event received it as a prize.

"The hospitable region is open to cooperation and ready to become a platform for the implementation of other international projects and hopes that the "Culinary Heritage of Europe" will find its home here for many years to come. The friendly atmosphere, wonderful nature, and experience of fruitful cooperation serve as an excellent basis for this", – emphasized the Chairman of the Morye District Executive Committee, Igor Kuznetsov.

Tamara Pashkevich, "Vitebskiye Vesti"