Ternopil region’s buckwheat dumplings to be recognized as intangible heritage of Ukraine

Kremenets buckwheat dumplings are intended to be included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine.

The head of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration, Volodymyr Trush, reported that on Telegram.

What is the problem?

Today, intangible cultural heritage is essential to Ukraine's international image. It also expresses regional and local cultural identity, contributing to tourism development and international recognition of the country.

What is the solution?

"Another element from the Ternopil region will supplement the national list of intangible cultural heritage. This list is kept in compliance with the UNESCO Convention and includes 69 elements, two of which are from the Ternopil region," reads Trush's message.

How does it work?

The commission that formed the regional list of intangible cultural elements had the chance to visit Kremenets on August 15 and witnessed the Kremenets buckwheat dumplings as one of the elements of the intangible cultural heritage of the Ternopil region. This made them recognize that the dumplings deserve attention, preservation, and popularization, which has been confirmed by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the State Administration of Ukraine.

On the initiative of the director of the Kremenets Museum of Local Lore, Andriy Levchuk, with the participation of the bearers of this element of intangible cultural heritage, journalists recorded the process of preparing buckwheat dumplings in photos and videos. They recorded the testimonies of the homemakers regarding the recipe and its features.

Those present tasted buckwheat dumplings and listened to a lecture about the dish's history.

Фото: Володимир Труш

The commission noted that the area of origin of the dish "Kremenets buckwheat dumplings" is South Volyn, Kremenets district, the city of Kremenets, as well as the villages of Pidlisci, Zholoby, Stizhok, Antonivtsi, Velyka, and Mala Ilovytsa. Usually, this dish was prepared on St. Andriy's Day and as a holiday dish during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. To this day, the families of the residents of Kremenets prepare dumplings made of buckwheat flour with cheese.

"It is noteworthy that in Kremenets, the production and sale of semi-finished buckwheat dumplings for residents and guests of the city has been established. In addition, when visiting tourist attractions in Kremenets, you can buy souvenir whistles in the shape of dumplings. All the above facts testify to the survival of the element "Kremenets buckwheat dumplings" and about measures in the community to popularize it," the commission concluded.

"In every city, town, or village in the Ternopil region, families pass down special recipes from generation to generation, and these unique flavors make the region a destination spot for foodies. Kremenets region has not only preserved but also popularized a unique and interesting dish, which deserves to be included in the regional, or even the national list of intangible cultural heritage," added Svitlana Baytaliuk, director of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration.

For reference:

2008 Ukraine ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. According to the Convention, intangible cultural heritage means those customs, forms of display and expression, knowledge and skills, as well as related tools, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces, which communities, groups recognize, and, in some cases, individuals as part of their cultural heritage Intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly reproduced by communities and groups under the influence of their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and forms in them a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.

It should be noted that Obuhovychi weaving was included in the list of cultural heritage of Ukraine.

Also, the tradition of preparing and consuming ceremonial bread for St. George's Day of the village of Krynychne (Odesa region) was included in the National List of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine.

In addition, the department of Protection of cultural heritage included the Voznesensky cave complex in the list of objects of cultural heritage of Kyiv by type of archeology.