Vitebsk region is the only one from Belarus to join the European Culinary Heritage Network

The European Culinary Heritage Network is an initiative aimed at promoting national culinary features, traditional recipes and dishes, and the use of local products in their preparation. Today, the network includes over 1200 estates, restaurants, and cafes from 32 European regions, including areas of Germany, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, and Sweden. From Belarus, only the Vitebsk region has joined the ECHN so far.

Located in the unique tourist region "Bela Dvinа," Vitebsk region joined the network in 2013, thanks to the "BellaCuisine" project. The "Interaktsiya" foundation is the partner and coordinator of project activities for Belarus. This initiative is 90% funded by the European Union. The total budget is 483,195 euros (6,693,367,350 Belarusian rubles). The project aims to promote culinary heritage and develop gastronomic tourism in Pridvinye and Latvian Latgale, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its work in the network this year. This region is attractive not only for its unique natural landscapes but also for its kind, responsive people, and skilled craftsmen. The recipes for traditional dishes and drinks of the hostesses from the two border regions are quite similar. Importantly, only local environmentally friendly products are used in their preparation.

What makes membership in the ECHN attractive? Photos of dishes and their recipes are posted on the website www.culinary-heritage.com. Thus, many people from different parts of the world can learn about the existence of estates and other facilities related to the hospitality and tourism business, the services they provide, and their signature treats. For example, the Glubokoye bakery, a branch of RUPP "Vitebskhlebprom," offers guests the opportunity to get acquainted with the enterprise and appreciate its products. A special offer is the "Glubokoye Souvenir Gingerbread" weighing 0.5 kg in packaging. It is made from first or second-grade wheat flour with the addition of sugar, amber sugar honey, margarine, chicken eggs, and other ingredients with a filling of jam, dried plums, and bitter tincture. The surface, glazed with syrup, features a relief pattern and the inscription "Glubokoye."

The "Byaseda" agro-estate, located in the village of Punishche, 18 km from Lepel, has its own unique features. The cottage is situated in a picturesque location, surrounded by forest, with two lakes nearby. Strawberries, currants, raspberries, and blueberries are grown on the household grounds. There is also a bee apiary. The hosts are happy to treat guests with various delicacies. One of them is "Nalistiyniki" (pancakes with cottage cheese).

Recipe: Prepare pancake batter and cook pancakes from it. Prepare a filling from cottage cheese with the addition of egg, honey or sugar (raisins can be added), and stuff the cooked pancakes with this mixture. Then, the nalistiyniki are fried in butter and served with sour cream or honey.

The farm of traditional regional agriculture and agritourism "Lyukzhino" in the Lepel district will introduce interested individuals to the preparation of the signature dish "Kolduny".

Recipe: Grate potatoes finely. Squeeze out excess liquid, form patties, add finely chopped pork with spices (pepper, bay leaf, salt to taste) inside, and fry in sunflower oil until cooked. Serve with sour cream.

How to become a participant of the ESEH? Initially, an entire region joins the network. For example, in the Vitebsk region, the agreement to join was signed by representatives of the regional executive committee. Then, estates, cafes, and other food service enterprises are involved in the work. The more participants from a region are in the network, the lower their individual annual fee.

Nadezhda Fondarenko, "Vitebskiye Vesti"