BelSU Welcomes the Old New Year with Culinary Delights and Cultural Insights

International and Russian students, along with staff from Belgorod National Research University (BelSU), gathered for the annual socio-cultural event "Bounteous Evening" at Student Dormitory No. 4 to celebrate the Old New Year. The evening was hosted by Elizaveta Rybochkina, Chair of the Student Council of the Centre for Civic and Patriotic Education of Students.

Together with representatives from the Student Union and the Student Council of Dormitory No. 4, they organized a cultural and culinary experience for international students from Turkmenistan, Syria, Egypt, and several African countries. The event introduced attendees to the history of the holiday, its customs, and traditions, culminating in a master class on making vareniki dumplings filled with surprises.

Guests enjoyed a musical performance by Ekaterina Dubovik, the lead singer of the Otrada creative group from BelSU International Cultural Centre, who entertained everyone with her humorous song Ivan’s Daughters. The performance was complemented by Valery Timofeev, the chairman of the trade union.

After the entertainment, everyone was invited to taste vareniki with various fillings, including potato, cottage cheese, and cherry.

“During the Year of National Unity, we aim to immerse foreign students in our country’s social and cultural environment. Naturally, it can be challenging for them to grasp why we refer to this holiday as the Old New Year. The tradition of making vareniki with fortunes particularly intrigued them,” commented Inna Kuznetsova, Director of the Centre for Youth Initiatives at the BelSU Department of Youth Policy and Morale Building Activities.

The event was organized by the BelSU Department of Youth Policy and Morale Building Activities in collaboration with the university’s primary trade union organization.