BelSU Celebrates the Old New Year

Students and staff at Belgorod State University gathered for the "Generous Evening," an event dedicated to celebrating the Old New Year, held at the university’s educational space, "Projectoria." The festivities included quizzes for international students, members of the International Friendship Club of the Belgorod Region, and local schoolchildren, as well as a masterclass on making vareniki – a beloved traditional dumpling.

Maria Chuykova, Vice-Rector for Educational Work at Belgorod State University, welcomed the attendees. She highlighted the university’s diverse international student body, noting how they engage with Russian traditions while also sharing their own customs and unique holidays.

Director of the International Information Centre at Belgorod National Research University Olga Lyutova spoke about the intriguing history of the Old New Year. She explained how vareniki differ from other similar dishes and why they are traditionally served as a festive treat.

The masterclass was led by Alexandra Shatalova, a graduate student from the Department of Food Technology at the BelSU Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Biology. Participants had the opportunity to make these traditional dumplings using various fillings, including potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, and ricotta with berries. They learned how to wrap the vareniki and pinch the edges to create a cute seal.

After the masterclass, all guests were invited to taste their creations and share the fortunes they discovered hidden within their vareniki.