Kitchen of Friendship in Dnipropetrovsk Region: Thousands of Portions of Kazakh Pilaf

Our team believes that a sincere conversation over a plate of hot food can build bridges between people and warm hearts even in the darkest times. During the last week of March, the humanitarian and gastronomic route of the “Kitchen of Friendship” initiative passed through the Dnipropetrovsk region. Four locations, thousands of portions of aromatic pilaf, and countless genuine smiles became our contribution to the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Pavlohrad: The Beginning of the Route

The journey across the region began on March 23 in Pavlohrad. Volunteers prepared and distributed around 600 portions of traditional Kazakh pilaf. It was especially symbolic that representatives of the local Roma community actively joined the event. This became a vivid example of how a traditional Kazakh dish can serve as a universal language of intercultural cooperation and unity.

Troitske Village: Warmth and Traditional Treats

On March 25, the team visited the village of Troitske. Volunteers cooked a large cauldron of authentic Kazakh pilaf, serving everyone who came. A special addition to the meal was homemade baursaks (traditional Kazakh bread) and fragrant Kazakh tea. This combination created a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where every visitor felt genuine care and support.

Pokrov: Pilaf That Brings People Together

On March 26 in Pokrov, the initiative’s team prepared around 500–600 portions of authentic Kazakh pilaf in a large cauldron over an open fire. The queue for food naturally turned into a space for communication and connection.

Residents and representatives of the Pokrov City Council noted not only the scale of the initiative but also the exceptional taste of the dish. According to them, the pilaf had a special flavor thanks to Kamilla, a representative of the Kazakh diaspora, who prepared it using a family recipe. Each portion reflected craftsmanship, respect for tradition, and a sincere desire to support Ukrainians during difficult times.

Kamianske: A Symbolic Final Stop

The final destination of the route was Kamianske, visited on March 27. This city holds special symbolic significance for Ukrainian-Kazakh relations. It is here that the first President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, studied and began his career.

This historical connection added special meaning to the visit. While preparing pilaf in Kamianske, the team felt they were continuing a long-standing tradition of friendship between the two nations. Local residents showed great interest in Kazakh traditions, while the team admired their resilience and dedication to their hometown.

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About the “Kitchen of Friendship” Initiative

The large-scale implementation of the “Kitchen of Friendship” initiative became possible thanks to the combined efforts of many people. The initiator and driving force behind the project is Ukrainian Member of Parliament Serhii Nahorniak.

Together with the major Kazakh holding “BI Group”, they joined efforts to systematically support Ukrainian communities. The main goal of the initiative is to prepare 15,000 portions of pilaf for frontline and border regions of Ukraine.