World Bread Day (16/10)





The holiday was established in 2006 at the initiative of the International Union of Bakers and Pastry Bakers. And the choice of date is due to the fact that on October 16, 1945, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization was created, which dealt with solving problems in the development of agriculture and its production. By the way, another holiday, – World Food Day, is timed to coincide with the same event.

Today, as at all times, in any country in the world, bread and bakery products enjoy constant love. Even now, when many adhere to different diets, replacing bread with low-calorie bread, biscuits or crackers. People of different nationalities have always treated bread and their breadwinner with care and reverence. He was given the most honorable place on the table; he was and remains a symbol of life. And in former times, bread was also the main sign of prosperity in the family and prosperity in the house. It’s not for nothing that there are so many sayings about him: «Bread is the head of everything», «Without salt, without bread – half lunch», «Without bread and honey you won’t be fed» and others.

By the way, the history of bread goes back several millennia. According to scientific research, the first bread products arose about 8 thousand years ago. Externally, they looked like flatbreads, prepared from cereals and water and baked on hot stones. They learned how to make the first yeast bread in Egypt. Even then, bread was considered a breadwinner and was associated with the sun and was even designated with it (in early writing) by one symbol – around with a dot in the center.

Moreover, in the old days, white bread was consumed mainly by people from the upper class, and black and gray (due to color) bread were considered the food of the poor. It was not until the 20th century, after learning about the benefits and nutritional benefits of rye and grain bread, that it became more popular.

Bread was considered a breadwinner and was associated with the sun (Photo: marysckin, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

It must be said that in Rus' this product has been treated with care and love from time immemorial, glorifying the fertile land that provides the main food, and Russian baking traditions have long roots. This process was considered a sacrament and was a truly complex matter. Before kneading the dough, the hostess always prayed and generally approached the process of kneading the dough in a good mood, singing soulful songs. All this time, it was forbidden to talk loudly, swear and slam doors in the house, and before sending the loaf into the stove, a cross was made over it. Even now, in Christian churches, parishioners are given communion with wine and bread, young people are met on the threshold of the house by their parents with loaf and salt, and when sending their relatives on a long journey, loving people always give bread with them to the departing region.

Although today many traditions have been forgotten, the true love of bread, of course, has been preserved. Just as a caring attitude towards him has been preserved. After all, he accompanies us from birth to old age. But before bread gets on the table, it makes a huge journey (from growing grain, harvesting to producing flour and the product itself), using many workers and equipment. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that bread has its own holiday.

By the way, many holidays are dedicated to bread, and each people has their own. In Russia, in addition to today, they also celebrate the Third Savior (popularly this holiday is called the Bread or Nut Savior), which symbolizes the completion of the harvest. Previously, on this day, bread was baked from the wheat of the new harvest, illuminated and consumed by the whole family. There was also a saying for this day: «Third saved – bread stock». And in February in Rus', Agafya Day – Day of Bread and Salt was celebrated, when a loaf of bread and a salt shaker of salt were blessed as symbols of the hearth and they were preserved throughout the year as talismans protecting the house from misfortunes: fire, pestilence, etc.

Today's – holiday is also an occasion to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of hunger, poverty and malnutrition in the world (Photo: Daniel Schweinert, licensed by Shutterstock.com)

Today's holiday – World Bread Day – is both a professional holiday for workers in this industry, and, of course, a tribute to the product, when all professionals associated with the production of bread and the bread itself are honored. In addition, this is another reason to draw the attention of the general public to the problems of hunger, poverty and malnutrition in the world.

Therefore, traditionally, on World Bread Day, many countries host various exhibitions of bread products, meetings of cooks, bakers and confectioners, fairs, master classes, folk festivals, as well as free distribution of bread to everyone in need, charity events and much more. Everyone can not only try different varieties and types of bread and bakery products, but also learn about how bread appeared, its history and traditions, what it is made of, where it grew, how it is baked, etc. On this festive and bright day for all humanity, bakers from all over the Earth accept congratulations and gratitude in the difficult and responsible task of baking tasty, aromatic and healthy bread.

Take part in this truly national holiday. Maybe this will help you take a fresh look at our daily BREAD. Happy holiday to everyone – who eats bread and who puts effort and soul into its creation!



Postcard «October 16 — World Bread Day» Story «War Bread»

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