Budapest hosts second Ukrainian cultural and gastronomic festival, making 4,822 varenyky to break record

During Cossack Day celebrations in Budapest, event participants set a new record in Hungary by jointly making 4,822 Ukrainian dumplings (varenyky).

The Book of World Records reported the achievement on its website, according to Rubryka.

Participants set the record during the Ukrainian Cultural and Gastronomic Charity Festival, held in Budapest for the second time. The event showcased Ukrainian culture, traditions, and Cossack heritage.

Around 5,000 people attended the festival, including:

• Families and children from the Saturday Ukrainian schools
• Budapest residents
• Delegations from various countries, including Ukraine

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

The festival took place in  the Városháza Park. Organizers prepared a varied program for visitors, featuring:

• Ukrainian music and dance
• Cossack traditions
• Traditional Ukrainian clothing
• Ukrainian national dishes
• Creative workshops
• Children's activities
• Charitable initiatives

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

Making Ukrainian varenyky together became one of the main highlights. Participants prepared 4,822 dumplings in total, setting a new Hungarian record in the "Size" category.

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

An international team from the Book of World Records, alongside event guests, oversaw the official count and verification of records. The team included:

• Oleksandr Lazuka, coordinator of the Euro-Atlantic Ukraine inter-parliamentary group of European Parliament members and advisor to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in the Kingdom of Belgium and international institutions
• Kristina Hiresh, representative of the Book of World Records in Hungary
• Nadiia Yashan, head of BUSINESS WOMAN PRO CANADA
• Hanna Krysiiuk, CEO of the Book of World Records

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

The Book of World Records awarded honorary diplomas to the project's initiators and partners for outstanding event organization, active civic engagement, and the promotion of Ukrainian traditions.

Honorees included Liliana Grexa, parliamentary spokesperson for the Ukrainian national minority in the Hungarian Parliament, the Nova Khvylia Association, and the National Self-Government of Ukrainians in Hungary.

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

At the same time, the festival pursued humanitarian goals. It served as a fundraising platform to support:

• Kherson Regional Children's Clinical Hospital
• The "Healthy Mother – Healthy Child" project

Fundraising efforts to support Ukrainian medical workers and aid children remain ongoing. Organizers will announce the final results of the charitable initiative separately.

^{Photo source: Book of World Records}

Hanna Krysiiuk, CEO of the Book of World Records, thanked Liliana Grexa, the organizers, diplomatic corps representatives, international delegations, and everyone who helped make varenyky and donated to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The National Self-Government of Ukrainians in Hungary, the Ukrainian Culture and Documentation Center in Hungary, Parliamentary Spokesperson for the Ukrainian National Minority in Hungary Liliana Grexa, and the Nova Khvylia Association organized the event.

Background

It should be noted that Bucharest hosted the Unifying Table charity event, setting up a 5,055-meter-long table to raise funds for modernizing Romania's first children's psychiatric hospital.

Reports also highlighted a charity gastro-festival of Ukrainian cuisine in Budapest, which showcased 14 varieties of borshch alongside a concert, workshops, a fair, and a charity raffle. Organizers raised 12,400 euros to support Ukraine.

Additionally, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic organized a cultural and gastronomic event in Prague, presenting Ukrainian borshch as an element of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and hosting a pop-up fashion show featuring Ukrainian designers.

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