Sumy State University together with George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș (Romania) successfully held the International Student Discussion “Democratic Values in the Language of Food” on Monday, 8 December 2025 in the framework of ENLACED project, Erasmus+ Programme.
The event brought together Ukrainian and Romanian students to explore how everyday food traditions reflect shared democratic values such as openness, equality, cultural dialogue, and respect for diversity. Participants discussed the symbolism of hospitality as a universal democratic practice, highlighting how welcoming guests at the table becomes a gesture of inclusion and mutual respect.
Students also examined how popular global foods, such as cheeseburgers and Coca-Cola, have become informal symbols of unity, accessibility, and cultural exchange across societies. These items sparked a conversation about how simple, widely available foods can create a sense of shared identity among people with different backgrounds.
In addition, the discussion emphasized the cultural importance of traditional national dishes. Ukrainian students presented borsch and kutia as embodiments of communal values, family traditions. Romanian participants highlighted polenta as a symbol of regional heritage, resilience, and cultural continuity.
The meeting was organized by representatives of George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Associate Professor, PhD in Philology, Dana Rus; and by representatives of Sumy State University, Associate Professor, PhD in Philology, Olga Zhulavska from the Department of Germanic Philology, and Associate Professor, PhD in Economics, Svitlana Tarasenko from the Department of International Economic Relations.
#DemocraticValues #FoodAndDemocracy #CulturalDiplomacy #InterculturalDialogue #YouthDialogue
