Meet us at the Easter Table

The Kitchen of Polish Language – Culinary Workshops for International Students of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin: on April 5, 2025, first-year students of Veterinary Medicine in English studying at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin participated in culinary workshops organised as part of a project “Tastes of Lubelszczyzna without Borders”.

The idea originated at the Foreign Languages Teaching and Certification Centre of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin and was carried out by Ms. Ewa Badurowicz, MA, a lecturer of German language and Polish as a foreign language, in collaboration with Ms. Mariola Tarnowska, the President of the Regionalia Lubelszczyzny Foundation. Language support was provided by Mr. Daniel Opydo, MA, an English language lecturer at the Centre. The event was partnered by the Lublin Voivodeship – Lubelskie, taste life.

Foreign students learning Polish at the Foreign Languages Teaching and Certification Centre of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin were invited to a professional culinary studio “Szwedzki Stół” (Swedish Table) located in SKENDE Shopping, where they were introduced to Easter culinary traditions during culinary workshops. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Jakub Murat, a second-cycle student of Dietetics at the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, a lover of local cuisine and cheesecakes, foreign students delved into the secrets of Old Polish recipes for Easter żur, stuffed eggs, and festive cheesecake.

The enthusiasm and engagement with which the students approached cooking resulted in excellent Easter dishes full of flavour and aroma of Easter. The communal tasting of the symbolic Easter breakfast was accompanied by stories and Easter memories related to the Paschal Triduum, the traditional “święconka” (Easter basket) and Wet Monday.

After the culinary feast, the guests participated in workshops on Lublin handicrafts. It was a great opportunity to learn about the tradition of decorating eggs using the oldest technique, batik, which involves applying patterns to the egg’s surface with a carved stick dipped in melted beeswax. The Lublin handicraft workshops were led by a young folk artist, Mr. Michał Kowalik, actively involved in promoting the local handicraft tradition.

At the end of the meeting, all participants received gifts of local cheese products and Easter souvenirs.

The workshop offered students the opportunity to taste dishes related to the local Easter tradition, enrich their culinary experiences and knowledge with new flavours, and get to know rituals and customs.   

The meeting was filled with joy, laughter, and carefree spirit, proving that cooking together connects and breaks down all language barriers.

And we have an appetite for more projects to share our passion with foreigners who wish to taste our cuisine and immerse in our culture and traditions.

Photos: M. Tarnowska, A. Gruszecka, J. Rączkiewicz-Gołacka

 Ewa Badurowicz, MA
Joanna Rączkiewicz-Gołacka, MA