Ukraine recognizes Bukovyna’s Easter ritual bread as part of cultural heritage

The updated list includes the element “Culture and traditions associated with Easter ritual breads in Bukovyna.” Photo: BUK Media

On January 10, 2026, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture expanded the National List of Elements of the country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, adding to it the traditions associated with Easter ritual breads of Bukovyna. This was reported on the ministry’s website.

The updated list includes the element “Culture and traditions associated with Easter ritual breads in Bukovyna.” Easter ritual bread encompasses several kinds of traditional baked goods characteristic of Bukovyna.

In the region, people have long baked a large kulich called dora; a “horned” kulich with raised decorations made of dough; a tall, sweet white baba topped with syta (a sweet glaze or syrup); as well as rye flatbreads called kukutsy, which by custom are handed out to children on Clean Thursday. It is noted that some varieties of such baking are unique to this particular land.

The Ministry of Culture emphasized that once elements are entered into the National List, local communities should take into account the recommendations for their preservation and safeguarding developed by the Expert Council on Intangible Cultural Heritage. The National List has been maintained since 2012 and currently contains about 120 elements.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience supported returning a Catholic church to believers.

Read also