Kilkenny embraces its multi-cultural communities with series of Global Kitchen events

Following the success of Kilkenny's Ukrainian Borscht Cafés, locals will be delighted to go along to a new series of events where they can enjoy cuisines from around the world - all in the heart of Kilkenny City!

Kilkenny continues to embrace and welcome communities from around the world and celebrate all of its cultural diversity with a series of Global Kitchen events, beginning with an Irish-themed Café on April 1 in Kilkenny’s Home Rule Club.

Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, in collaboration with the Home Rule Club, are back with a series of pop-up events. Martin Rafter, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, said celebrating who we are through our food and traditions is an important way to gain an understanding of people from all over the world and appreciate how much we all have in common.

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The Global Kitchen celebration of international culture and cuisine has been instrumental in helping people from a variety of international communities feel welcome in Kilkenny.  Pop up Ukrainian Borscht Cafés held by newly arrived Ukrainians during last year’s Savour and Yulefest festivals in the city were so popular it has spurred this year’s extended programme of Café events. 

“We have an Irish-themed café April 1 to showcase our most traditional dishes to communities from across the globe who have made Kilkenny their new home,” Martin Rafter said. “We’re also looking forward to a Lebanese Café on April 22; a Malaysian Café on May 20; a Polish Café for the Polska Eire Festival in June, a Bangladeshi Café in August and a Café for Romanian National Day in November. Many of the Ukrainians who worked during the Borscht Cafes will support the new pop ups. This is a great way to promote integration between various communities.

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“All of these events provide a meeting place for new arrivals and longer-established members of our communities.  They offer an opportunity for Irish people to meet and interact with newer arrivals. Food is an integral part of all culture and provides an ideal platform to exchange ideas and gain increased understanding of each other. Tickets are modestly priced and will be available on Eventbrite,” Mr Rafter continued.

Liliia Svyrydenko from Ukraine came to Ireland last summer. “I was involved in the Ukrainian Borscht Cafés in the past. It was a great way to help us get to know people in Kilkenny and for us to show our food and our culture. I would encourage everyone to come along, to support Global Kitchen and to enjoy food from around the world.”

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For more information on Global Kitchen, log on to Kilkenny Leader's Global Kitchen webpage to see the details of all events.