LocationsSoul of Soil 2.0
What is the true value of Ukrainian Easter bread?
Soul of Soil 2.0 is a joint project of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Silpo supermarket chain.
This project aims to draw attention to the problem of the contamination of Ukrainian territory with mines and other explosive objects.
World's most valuable Easter basket
On Easter, we unite the voices of Ukrainians to remind everyone of the true cost of the festive basket. Today, Easter bread is not just a tasty symbol of the holiday. It is made possible by sappers who risk their lives to make our land safe.
We have created an Easter basket where each element tells a story of life, love, and gratitude. Stories about how the demining of Ukrainian land affects everyone.
Gratitude
The flour for the Easter bread comes from grain from the demined fields of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. To sow the land, sappers cleared 1,800 hectares of land in Mala Oleksandrivka and other liberated villages.
Consequently, farmer Oleksiy Rudenko, together with his nephews, is sowing the fields again. And Mykolaiv producer "Golden Path" turns Kherson wheat into flour.
Annually, they produce 24,000 tons of flour, which is bought in Ukraine and Europe. Perhaps there is also flour from the indomitable Kherson and Mykolaiv regions on your kitchen shelf.
“Despite the difficult time for our country and enemy shelling and drone attacks, loss of property, mined fields, and threats to life, Ukrainian farmers show true heroism every day, sowing and harvesting wheat, producing flour, baking bread, showing the whole world that this is our land and we will not give it to anyone. Perhaps someone will say that the risk is unjustified, that it is a hopeless endeavor. But this is the only cause worth fighting for!” — Yuriy Nikolaev, Commercial Director of ORTASH UKRAINE, the producer of "Golden Path" flour
Love
The pysanky (decorated Easter eggs) in this basket tell the story of the strength of the Ukrainian spirit. These special Galician pysanky were created by the mother of paramedic Iryna Tsybukh in memory of her daughter. Last year, Ira died while saving lives when her car hit a mine. She died the day before her 26th birthday.
Pysanka painting was a tradition in Ira's family, and she and her mother conducted pysanka painting workshops for the families of Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war.
“I thought I would never paint pysanky again. But they are about freedom and dignity, symbolizing life, love, and resurrection. And Ira is all of this.” — said Oksana Tsybukh
Craftswomen from different regions took part in the project. They created pysanky in memory of those whose lives were taken by the war.
“Even in difficult times, we paint pysanky, reclaiming what is ours.” — Oksana Tsybukh
Life
The rushnyky (embroidered ritual cloths) with willow branches for this basket were embroidered by elderly women from the border region of Sumy. They are participants in the social enterprise "Moim.Ridnym," which supports older women.
Some of the villages where the elderly women live were occupied by Russian troops. Therefore, Sumy region is at risk of being mined. Demining these lands is an opportunity for their residents to live a full life.
Kira Okhrymenко, founder of the social enterprise "Moim.Ridnym" (To The Loved Ones), said the project is an opportunity to revive old traditions and remember what Easter meant for generations of Ukrainians. “For example, my grandmother recalled how her family secretly dyed Easter eggs and feared going to school the next day with colored fingers, as the Soviet authorities banned this holiday,” Okhrymenко said. “By remembering our grandmothers' recipes and preparing Easter bread together, we managed to contribute a little to preserving cultural heritage, as well as share a piece of homely Easter comfort.”
Ukrainian grain that feeds the world
Today, 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land are potentially mined — that's an area the size of Greece. Two-thirds of these territories are fertile fields where generations of Ukrainians have grown wheat. The grain is exported from here to 57 countries, including developing ones like Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan.
Therefore, humanitarian demining is a priority for Ukraine. Through the joint efforts of the state, international partners, and, of course, thanks to the work of sappers, 35,000 square kilometers have already been cleared. Enough wheat could be grown on this area to make 10.5 million tons of bread.
“We’re grateful to our partners who help overcome the challenge of mining. This is not only a problem for Ukraine but also for the world. Before the invasion, our food annually fed 400 million people. Unharvested wheat and unground flour in Ukraine put at risk those for whom Ukrainian food is a lifeline." — Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
"The 'Soul of Soil' initiative embodies the resilience and spirit of Ukraine. As we approach Easter, we should remember that every loaf of bread, every 'paska' on our tables, results from many a story of courage – the dedication of farmers, the bravery of deminers, and the unwavering support of the international community. Our collective efforts to clear mines are not just about restoring land; they are about rebuilding lives and securing a future in which Ukrainian soil will be a big part of nourishing the world.” – Matthias Schmale, Assistant Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine.
From Kharkiv to Lviv, from Mykolaiv to Dnipro — how Easter bread will unite Ukrainians
You can try Easter bread made from flour from demined fields on April 12 in Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv. Masterclasses will be held at stores of the Silpo retail chain, a partner of the Soul of Soil 2.0 project. The initiative is supported by chefs — Elina Boyko, Leonid Malyuga, Andriy Vorona, Oleksandr Tsepkovskyi, Igor Zrazhevskyi, Georgy Asiryan, and Yulia Hiznichenko.
Kateryna Ohuryaeva, Marketing Director of Silpo, said the chain bakes its own bread every day, and so understands the value of Ukrainian grain – grown despite the war. “With the help of Easter bread making master classes, we want to tell our guests – not through texts and numbers, but through a shared experience – about the true value of bread made from flour from demined fields,” Ohuryaeva said. “Our guests will learn the history of flour, discover baking secrets from famous chefs, and receive an Easter bread as a souvenir that cannot be bought. This is our way of saying to the people who are bringing life back to the de-occupied territories: we know, we appreciate, and we are immensely grateful.”
Recipe for revival: a special Easter bread from Yevhen Klopotenko
Yevhen Klopotenko is a chef, creative entrepreneur, public activist, and popularizer of Ukrainian cuisine who is reviving national gastronomic traditions. He joined the initiative to emphasize the problem of demining Ukrainian lands, which are the basis for agriculture and global food security.
“In its form and essence, a country begins with the land,” Klopotenko says. “It's not just about territory. Land is the foundation without which a country does not exist. For example, I am a chef. My dependence on the land is gastronomic. I have always chosen local products, and today, at a time when every gram of Ukrainian flour is given to us with such effort, I want every Ukrainian to realize its value.”
For this project, Yevhen shared his Easter bread recipe:
"Vinnytsia" Easter Bread with Baked Milk from Yevhen Klopotenko
650-750 g wheat flour
1 tbsp. flour for the sponge
50 g pressed yeast
220 ml baked milk
200 g sugar
1 tbsp. sugar for the sponge
200 g egg yolks (approximately 11-12 pcs.)
1 yolk for greasing the Easter bread
140 g melted butter
pinch of salt
zest of 1 orange
200 g prunes
1 tbsp. flour for coating prunes
10 g vanilla sugar (optional)
1 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1. Heat 220 ml of baked milk to 36-37 degrees and pour it into a large dry bowl. Add 50 g of yeast, 1 tbsp. of flour, 1 tbsp. of sugar to the milk. Mix the ingredients with a whisk until smooth, cover the bowl with a towel, and leave the sponge to rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk 200 g of egg yolks. Remove the zest from one orange.
2. After 20 minutes, when the sponge has increased in volume, add the whisked yolks, 200 g of sugar, a pinch of salt, 1 tsp. of turmeric, 1 tsp. of smoked paprika, orange zest, 10 g of vanilla sugar (optional), 140 g of melted butter, and 650-750 g of flour to it.
3. Knead the dough, first kneading it by hand in the bowl, and then transfer the mass to a floured work surface and knead for another 5 minutes. If necessary, you can add flour to the dough, but no more than 50-70 g. When the mass stops sticking to your hands, this is your sign that the dough is ready. Put it back in the bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
4. When the dough has approximately doubled in volume, lightly knead it with your hands and separate 300 g from the total mass — they are needed for decoration.
5. Mix 200 g of prunes with 1 tbsp. of flour so that it covers each piece of dried fruit. Knead the prunes into the dough by hand or use a mixer.
6. Divide the dough into two equal parts and place it in baking moulds. Place in a warm place and let the Easter breads rise in the moulds for another 40-50 minutes.
7. Form decorative elements from the reserved 300 g of dough: I have a sun symbol, but you can decorate the Easter bread with braids, crosses, or leaves to your liking.
8. When the Easter breads have risen in the molds, place the decorative elements on them, brush with yolk, and bake the Easter breads in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius on the lower rack for 40-45 minutes.
The Easter breads for this project were prepared according to Yevhen Klopotenko's recipe. They were baked by elderly women from the border region of Sumy and the "Silpo" retail chain.
This Easter, thank those who make Ukrainian land safe. Tell the world what is behind every Ukrainian loaf of bread, and behind every Easter bread on the Easter table.
Background
The war in Ukraine has led to a large number of territories being affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance, severely impacting agricultural production and threatening food security. In response, UNDP works closely with the Government of Ukraine to support all aspects of humanitarian mine action, helping to coordinate national efforts and mobilize international assistance.
UNDP provides strategic guidance on the development and implementation of national mine action strategies and standards. It also facilitates safe returns, reconstruction, and recovery by delivering technical support, expert advice, and specialized equipment. To accelerate land release and restore agricultural productivity, UNDP leverages cutting-edge technologies, including satellite imagery, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Beyond clearance efforts, UNDP also supports critical services that save lives and restore dignity. This includes strengthening emergency medical care, as well as providing long-term rehabilitation, mental health care, and psychosocial support for individuals and communities affected by explosive hazards.
