“Matviyivka borsch with steers” will be the first element of intangible cultural heritage from Mykolaiv region
24 February 22:37
“Matviyivka Green Borsch with Bulls” will be the first item to be included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine from Mykolaiv region.
This was reported by Olena Buberenko, head of the Department of Culture, Nationalities and Religions of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Ukrinform.
“At present, the list of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine does not include a single element from the Mykolaiv region. Unfortunately, we have lost most of their carriers, and there is no one on the ground to search for them. But this needs to be corrected. So now we are actively working to add the Matviyivka borsch with steers, which is our heritage, to this list. It, along with 12 other elements, is part of the regional list of intangible cultural heritage,” Buberenko said.
According to her, there are media for Matviyivka borsch, there are record cards, so there is every reason to believe that it will soon be added to the National List.
“We tried to include our ‘Tavrian painting’, which has gained great popularity not only in our region but also abroad. But we failed because it currently has no scientific basis to prove that it is a local heritage, because the word “Tavrian” has a broader meaning. So we were offered to rename it, but it has already become a brand of Mykolaiv region, so it is not advisable. Or we need to wait a few generations for this to become possible,” said the head of the department.
She also noted that there is another interesting ritual – “driving a goat” in the Kryvoozerska community, which could be eligible for inclusion in the National List. But when the war broke out, its practitioners left the region, so it is currently impossible to recreate it.
It is worth noting that local housewives pass on the secrets of cooking Matviyivka green borsch from generation to generation. Its main ingredient is river gobies, which are fried in advance. Its peculiarity is that although tomatoes are added to it, it is called “green” because of the presence of sorrel and a lot of greens. Other must-have foods include pink beets, potatoes, beans, boiled sliced eggs, celery, carrots, and onions.
