Join us for a community celebration of dumpling delights from around the world!
Coinciding with the start of Refugee Week, Rochdale’s Dumpling Day brings the community together to celebrate our diverse culinary heritage. Taking dumplings as our focal point, the day will entail tastings, creative activities and music performances. See items from Touchstones museum collection and hear about the Dining Room Project as part of the buildings redevelopment.
As well as Refugee Week, the early summer date connects to the historical tradition of Wakes Day in Lancashire mill towns – an annual holiday for mill workers that saw music, dancing and a festival feel throughout the town. Gather your friends and family for a day of celebration, honouring Rochdale’s diverse communities and the universal love for dumplings!
All of the food and activities are free and you don’t need to book, just drop in!
Activities:
- Dumpling tasting from Rochdale’s diverse community
- Challenge your family and friends to a game of corn hole
- Craft sunflower seed paper dumplings
- Design striking botanical cyanotype coasters using natural prints
- Plant your own seeds to take home and grow
- Get creative with knitting and crochet activites
- Explore facinating objects and archives from our very own Collections on Tour and Local Studies
Why Dumplings?
In Ukrainian culture, the dumpling holds a special significance beyond just being a national dish; the Ukrainian dumpling varenyky are also seen as a cherished talisman. In Ukrainain history, varenyky’s cresent shape have been likened to a young moon and were once used as sacrificial offerings near spring water sources.
Varieties of the simple dough filled pocket or parcel of the ‘dumpling’ are found across the globe. Steaming, boiling, frying, or baking unlocks endless culinary possibilities. Different countries put a distinct spin on their dumplings, influenced by their agricultural produce, climate, cultural tastes and cooking methods. Ukrainian varenyky fillings include cherries and bilberries reflecting common and wild fruits found across the country.
The dumpling can therefore be considered a food that unites different cultures. It is shared across countries and continents, evolving through trade, migration and cultural exchange.
Access Information
It will be a busy day with noise of people and live music, especially in the main hall. The bar area will have some slower crafts and is usually a bit quieter.
Access InformationDumpling Day – Saturday 13 June, 11am-3pm
Location: Ukrainian Centre, Mere St, Rochdale, OL11 1HJ
