LANDSCAPES, VOICES, AND FLAVORS
OF THE UKRAINIAN COMMUNITY IN VISEU
Varenyky cooking demonstration
With Iryna Melnyk
Saturday, June 20th, 2026
As part of the community project “Landscapes, Voices, and Flavors of the Ukrainian Community in Viseu”, a co-production between Binaural Nodar and the Association of Ukrainians in Viseu, a demonstration of the preparation of one of Ukraine’s culinary emblems, varenyky, took place last Saturday, 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 savory ingredients. They are considered one of the most emblematic 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 cooking method.
Varenyky have been documented in Ukrainian culinary traditions for centuries and appear in folklore, ritual practices, and literature. They were usually prepared for festive occasions, harvest celebrations, and religious holidays. References to varenyky appear in Ukrainian folk songs and humor, where the dish symbolizes abundance, human warmth, and hospitality.
Continuing the project, on Saturday, June 27th, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., a culinary and community gathering on the food heritage of several regions of Ukraine will take place at Casa da Ribeira.
The project “Landscapes, Voices, and Flavors of the Ukrainian Community in Viseu” is supported by the Municipality of Viseu, through the Várzea de Calde Linen Museum and Casa da Ribeira, and by the Calde Civil Parish Council, and is co-funded by the Creative Europe program, within the Tramontana Network, and by the Portuguese Republic – Directorate-General for the Arts.
Photographs by Luis Costa and Natalka Konopko.
Binaural Nodar is a cultural organization supported by the Portuguese Republic – Culture, Youth, and Sports | Directorate-General for the Arts.
