- Title: FESTIVAL-RUSSIA/CUCUMBER Russian farmers celebrate cucumber at unique festival
- Date: 20th July 2015
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED CUCUMBER FESTIVAL PARTICIPANT SAYING: "We gathered some seed, then we planted those little seed grains into the soil, but we didn't just plant them, we were watering them like this and we were pulling weeds like this. And then this beautiful cucumber grew!"
- Embargoed: 4th August 2015 13:00
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- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAD68KZ4BOQ3TFVPD00YWKAYRGF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Vegetable farmers from the Russian south gathered in a village near the Ukrainian border to celebrate cucumber at the unique festival called the Cucumber Day.
The fest was held in Bagaevskaya village, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the city of Rostov-on-Don.
To the sounds of traditional songs performed by amateur bands, visitors were strolling along tables served with lots of fresh and pickled cucumbers.
According to local farmers, over one hundred of different recipes of pickled and marinated cucumbers were presented at the fair.
Scrunching and chewing, cucumber lovers were delighted with its taste.
"There are different pickled and marinated cucumbers. For example, I marinate and pickle them very well. I have tried everything here, all of them are different. And my ones are completely different, my cucumber is peculiar. Maybe, because I got used to it. But these ones are very tasty as well. I liked vegetable marrow very much too," said a cucumber festival visitor.
A special cucumber pickling workshop was held, where the public could learn how to make a traditional Russian dish, which is considered to be the main chaser for vodka shots.
Cossack women, who are well-known for their hospitality, playfully explained how much care they put into growing their cucumbers.
"We gathered some seed, then we planted those little seed grains into the soil, but we didn't just plant them, we were watering them like this and we were pulling weeds like this. And then this beautiful cucumber grew!" said one of amateur artists performing at the festival.
Cossacks traditionally served the Russian tsars on the borders of their empire and lived in relative freedom but were persecuted later in the Soviet era.
Neither part of the police nor the military, they have enjoyed a rapid revival since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, becoming a staunchly conservative social force invited by local officials to join security efforts.
Their brand of Russian Orthodox patriotism has won public praise from Putin, but critics accuse them of fierce nationalism.
They still love their cucumbers though. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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