Karlene Ball, ESL Program Coordinator at NVCC commented. “Bread occupies the soul of our many cultures. At the event, we learned about different breads from all over the world. We learned about beignets from the Democratic of Congo, pudin de pan from the Dominican Republic, chiabata from Kenya, and fried dumplings from Dominica and Jamaica. Not to be outdone, Jamaica also showcased the breakfast staple hard dough bread and the celebrated bun and cheese, a part of every Easter celebration. We came together in a virtual celebration of culture and community and broke bread from a distance during the season of Thanksgiving.” 

NVCC student Sarah Kettani made four different homemade breads from Morocco---Baghrir, Krachel, Mellawi and Msemen. The event also featured a cooking demonstration by NVCC Associate Registrar Anna Syta, who taught viewers how to make a traditional “Savory Polish-style French Toast” using her father’s Chleb smażony recipe. Hosted by Ball, the “Virtual Multicultural Celebration of Bread” engaged students and staff who showcased their cultural heritages through homemade bread that left our mouths watering--even through the ethernet. 

Syta shared this excerpt from the poem “My Song,” by Cyprian Norwid and translated by Walter Whipple to highlight the reverence we have for bread all over the world.  

For that land where a scrap of bread is picked up  
from the ground out of reverence  
For Heaven’s gifts…  
I am homesick, Lord....