In a cozy kitchen in southwest London, the aroma of freshly steamed varenyky—traditional Ukrainian dumplings—is doing more than tantalizing taste buds. For sisters Iryna Shokotko and Svitlana Coppola, it’s a lifeline to their homeland and a creative response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its tenth month.
Since fleeing to the UK earlier this year, the duo has transformed their family recipes into a grassroots movement, selling handmade dumplings to raise funds for humanitarian aid while introducing London’s multicultural communities to Ukrainian culture. Their initiative comes as over 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced globally since February 24, with tens of thousands settling in Britain.
‘We wanted to turn our anxiety into action,’ said Coppola, who started the project with her sister during a heartfelt dinner conversation. ‘Food is our love language—and London’s diversity gave us hope people would care.’
The sisters now supply varenyky stuffed with cottage cheese, potatoes, and berries to local markets, donating 30% of profits to verified Ukrainian aid organizations. Their story echoes a broader trend of displaced communities using culinary heritage as both economic empowerment and cultural diplomacy.
As Coppola puts it: ‘Every dumpling is a reminder that Ukraine’s spirit remains unbroken.’
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
