Say "Palianytsia!", or Ukrainian Shibboleth
Hello, guys!
Sonia and I are back to you with the story of another Kyiv mini sculpture that appeared in Kyiv in November 2022. The Ukrainian work "palianytsia" has become a shibboleth in the first days and months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Sonia was born in Ukraine (literally, created by Ukrainian craftswoman) so she is familiar with palianytsia but what is shibboleth?
Oxford Dictionary explains it as "a custom, word, etc. that distinguishes one group of people from another". Spot on!
In the first weeks of the invasion, it was important to distinguish friends from enemies. Sometimes Russians changed into civilian clothes or into Ukrainian military uniforms from captured warehouses to pass themselves off as Ukrainians.
This is when shibboleth words came in handy. We used them as a code word for verification. Ukrainians know their meaning and know how to pronounce them. Even those who speak Russian. But the people of Russia merely cannot pronounce it due to phonetic features and do not understand the meaning. In those days, Russian TV said on that the word "pa[o]lyanitsa" means "strawberry." This is how our creative password has also become a meme that pokes fun at their stupidity. Gosh, they really believed their propaganda that we are one people with them, LOL.
So, passing a block post on one of those days, you could often be asked to say "palianytsia". And what does it mean?
Palianytsia is a type of Ukrainian bread, made of wheat flour, round in shape. Before baking, a horizontal incision is made on it, which forms a crust on top of the bread. The name means burnt, because often the crust is slightly burnt.
This morning, my husband returned from combat duty, and I suggested that we meet in the downtown, have breakfast together and a little walk. A few days ago, the heat subsided, so walking around the city became pleasant again.
The mini-sculpture is installed on the wall of Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, to the left of the main entrance. The hotel is located on the Dnipro embankment, next to Post Square and the river station. There is always a lot of sun here in the morning.
![1000011111.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/zirochka/EonkXV9eRbcWFvtdw1x4YNPoBZ2BowNtCG3JxdjAH2NJoKK4vRMi11a1WUb87S7YxjW.jpg)
![1000011117.jpg](https://images.hive.blog/768x0/https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/zirochka/23x16f3mfU5tVeSEt4pr63hpmgZq1nCggv8rrRhMZ8ahLtEVCQiywNW5k7CiREyetuCDs.jpg)
Here it is, a symbol of Ukrainian hospitality, a round flat bread on a traditional embroidered towel.
In addition to being a symbol of wealth and prosperity, palianytsia also had a magical significance. It has been baked since ancient times and used during sacrifices.
The round shape of the bread signified the cyclical nature, the immortality of the dead souls and was used in all calendar and ritual holidays. Our ancestors believed that during the winter solstice the boundary between the worlds became thinner and the souls of the dead came to visit. The bread was the key.
It is no coincidence that guests were greeted with a bread on a towel. Guests also come to your house from another place, as if from another world. A towel is a road and at the same time a boundary that separates friends and foes. A stranger will not just enter the house. And the palyanytsia is a kind of pass.
(The source is the site of the project).
After the "mandatory program" and a brief photo session, we walked around a bit more.
There is a casino in the hotel. The entrance to it is around the corner. I don't think it has worked since the full invasion.
The hotel adjoins the former building of the Kyiv Steam Mill, the largest flour mill in Kyiv in 1857-1920. There is a narrow passage between the buildings to the inner courtyard.
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We call it Brodsky's Mill since it became the property of the sugar king Lazar Brodsky shortly after the construction. The mill consisted of three buildings, but two of them were dismantled when this hotel was built. Only the building that served as a granary has survived. Now there is a library and a great book depository.
We weren't hungry, but after talking about freshly baked bread with an aromatic crust ... could you resist buying one for yourself? Neither do I.😊😋
This is all for today.
Thank you for stopping buy, and take the most of this day! 💖
Yours truly,
@zirochka
and Sonia
This post is one of the Series of mini sculptures of SHUKAI project.
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Thanks for this lesson in Ukrainian culture. I can't help but think of my great-grandfather when I read your posts. I never met him but feel like I know him through the stories my Mom tells me. I would definitely like to taste that bread!
When I smell the aroma of fresh bread, I believe it is the most delicious food in the world. 🥰
Thank you so much for your comment. I am so happy to be a tiny link of the chain between you and your past. Sending the warmest greetings to your mother.
!LUV
It's the same with me, fresh baked bread and a wood fire are my two favorite fragrances.
You're welcome. It really is great to learn more about the culture he came from. Thank you and I wish you and your family a good (and safe) week!
Thank you, dear Eric!
You're welcome! I found this new-ish YouTuber who just traveled to Ukraine. He has a series of four videos he shot there about a month ago. Kyiv is one beautiful city! The churches are amazing. I could barely believe that even during wartime Kyiv was cleaner than most US cities.
I am so glad to hear that!
Thanks for the video, it was funny to see our city through the eyes of a foreigner. And he came to Ukraine after visiting Russia, hmm...
It is Lviv in this video, the biggest city in the west of Ukraine, close to the Polish border. But I will look for his footage from Kyiv.
Take care and have a god week!
Yeah, I thought it might be entertaining to see that foreign perspective. He tried some traditional Ukrainian cherry wine and it was so strong it nearly wrecked him! Lol.
He's a relatively new YouTuber who's trying to make a name for himself and he's taking way too many chances, in my opinion. He flew into Moscow first, which there's no way I'd do as an American right now. Then he took a 14 hour bus trip to Kyiv.
Thanks, enjoy your week as well!
I really enjoy your series on the public sculptures!
Thank you so much! 😊
Hello zirochka!
It's nice to let you know that your article won 🥇 place.
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Привiт Зiрочка! як завжди дуже цiкавi розповiдi, я iнодi заходжу читатю, але щось писати нема сил. Та я себе трохи зiбрала докупи, i ось пишу)) До речi, ще одне слово додам - домовина, росiяни думають, що це дом)) i починають описувати, як вони в ньому гарно i багато живуть. Ой Господи...
Привіт!! Я так рада тебе чути 🤗
Мені часто здається, що я пишу через силу. Натхнення приходить, як короткий спалах....
Про домовину смішно, справді ) Насправді те, що вони не уявляють, наскільки ми різні, це півбіди. Але й решта світу думають так само 🫤