LANDSCAPES, VOICES AND FLAVOURS
OF THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY IN VISEU
Varenyky cooking demonstration
With Iryna Melnyk
Saturday, 20 June 2026
As part of the community project “Landscapes, Voices and Flavours of the Ukrainian Community in Viseu”, a joint initiative between Binaural Nodar and the Association of Ukrainians in Viseu, a demonstration was held on how to prepare one of Ukraine’s culinary icons, varenyky, which was led with warmth and professionalism by Iryna Melnyk.
Varenyky (Ukrainian: вареники, sing.: varenyk) are traditional Ukrainian dumplings made from unleavened dough and filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. They are considered one of the most iconic dishes of Ukrainian cuisine and are closely related to other Eastern European dumplings, such as Polish pierogi. The term varenyky derives from the Ukrainian verb varýty (to boil), referring to their main method of cooking.
Varenyky have been documented in Ukrainian culinary traditions for centuries and feature in folklore, ritual practices and literature. They were traditionally prepared for festive occasions, harvest celebrations and religious holidays. References to varenyky appear in Ukrainian folk songs and humour, where the dish symbolises abundance, warmth and hospitality.
As part of the project, on Saturday 27 June, between 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm, a gastronomic and community gathering will take place at Casa da Ribeira (Viseu), focusing on the culinary heritage of various regions of Ukraine.
The project “Landscapes, Voices and Flavours of the Ukrainian Community in Viseu” is supported by Viseu Municipal Council, through the Várzea de Calde Linen Museum and Casa da Ribeira, and the Calde Parish Council, and is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, within the context of the Tramontana Network, and by the Portuguese Republic – Directorate-General for the Arts.
Photographs by Luis Costa and Natalka Konopko
