Mamalõga, focaccia, perepetši, and ratatouille – how national dishes bring cultures together

February 10, 2025

Do do you know national dishes, that I mentioned in the title? Where country are from from, what ethnic groups are these foods often on the table, which food are placed there in? If not know, then I will: mamalõgat is eaten in Ukraine, focaccia is Italian bread with various toppings, family bake Udmurt and ratatouille are just one rat name Pixar cartoon, only French dish made from eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini.

In this in the article I want I to emphasize of cooking cultures between by. About the cooking club is already many written, Naturally is cooking club most more popular activity in the youth room. Young people learn functional reading and calculation, developing fine motor skills, also learn they to work as a team, to take responsibility, to distribute roles, to involve and to delegate. Certainly likes for young people of cooking magic: how raw ingredients are transforming of chefs hand Below one of for a cake, for soup or for dinner. And at the end can own work results Don't to eat Also!

But what is more very important, is of cooking cultural aspect: Insight various peoples ellu and into practices, second culture Probing through flavors, understanding, that world is very versatile. In Estonia is eaten corn relatively little, usually in salads and may-to be pizza on. In Ukraine corn is dried and is ground for groats, from this is cooked porridge, where is added cheese and is eaten savory (and so will be completed mamalõga!). Familiar cabbage jumps together with egg open serrated meat pie In and can Udmurt pefor rehearsal and young person can known, that Udmurts living In Russia and belong also Finno-Ugric of tribes down like Estonians too.

Unusual flavors broaden horizons, allowing the mind to travel to different corners of the world through taste. Russian blini, Estonian blueberry jam, and Ukrainian draniki (potato pancakes) can freely meet on one table. Through the cooking club, young people can be introduced to openness and tolerance, 'infected' with a desire to explore geography and history, and encouraged to look at their classmates or other youth club members with a different perspective.

You don't always have to use recipes from other cultures – Estonian cuisine also has plenty of treasures to discover with young people. This is especially true when most of the visitors to the youth center come from families with Russian or Ukrainian backgrounds. The way to the heart is through the stomach. Even the heart of your loved ones.

Julia Barsukova

news:

The Tartu Work Brigade is opening its anniversary exhibition today at the Tartu City Museum!

Today, April 17 at 4 p.m., the Tartu Youth Work Brigade’s 30th anniversary exhibition will open in the courtyard of the Tartu City Museum, bringing together brigade members from different generations and telling the story of how young people’s work habits have evolved over three decades. For many young people aged 13–19, the Tartu Youth Work Brigade has been their first exposure to working life. Over the course of thirty years, thousands of young people from Tartu have participated in the brigade,

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion — Our German Learning Mobility Program

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in youth work mean creating a safe and supportive environment where differences are not only acknowledged but also genuinely valued and encouraged. This means ensuring equal access, active participation, and a sense of belonging for all young people. This approach goes beyond merely taking into account differences in origin, gender, abilities, or orientation; it is aimed at removing barriers, expanding opportunities for marginalized and minority groups, and ensuring their full inclusion in all activities. Inclusion

For Your Information: Sleep as a Superpower

With the arrival of spring—accompanied by birdsong and the awakening of nature—comes a period that is stressful and hectic for so many young people and adults alike. Whether it’s due to graduations, the final stages of various projects, or simply the anticipation of summer. During this time, it’s important to take care of your health and maintain your routines, one of the most important of which is a healthy sleep routine

Connected internationally! A week in Latvia—fun, interesting, and memorable!

Eight young people from the Tartu Youth Work Center had the amazing opportunity to take part in the “Toolbox for Tomorrow” youth exchange in Latvia, which focused on digital tools, environmental development, design, and storytelling. Over 40 young people from Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Italy, and Hungary took part in the youth exchange. On March 7, we set off with the group from Tartu train station toward Valmiera,

The Erasmus+ project gave young people the opportunity to organize their own esports event

At the end of February, the A. Le Coq Sport Sports Center was filled with e-sports enthusiasts for the Game in Tartu 2026 festival, dedicated to gaming culture. Over the course of two days, nearly 500 people from across Estonia visited the event; 20 organizations showcased their activities; and more than 50 organizers and volunteers contributed to the festival’s success. As part of Game in Tartu 2026, there was

The Tartu Youth Work Brigade is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new visual identity

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Tartu Youth Work Brigade. This is a significant milestone that demonstrates Tartu’s consistent commitment to providing young people with their first work experiences, fostering their independence, and developing their social skills. To mark the anniversary, the work camp has also received a new visual identity that uses vibrant colors to reflect the energy of young people and brings together symbols that are important to the camp participants.

School Break City Camp – One Day, One Place, Lots of Fun!

We put together a varied program for every school break, but City Camp Day is the most special day of the entire break. On this day, Tartu’s youth gather at a single youth center. While all five centers are usually open, during City Camp, activities take place in just one location. This gives young people the chance to visit a place they might not otherwise go to on a daily basis