The Ukrainian Centre in Rochdale welcomed hundreds of visitors to the third annual Dumpling Day, a community celebration that brought people of all ages together through food and music. Organised by Touchstones, part of the Rochdale charity Your Trust, the free event coincided with Refugee Week while also honouring the historic Lancashire mill town tradition of Wakes Day.
Global Dumpling Tastings Unite Cultures
The event featured dumpling tastings from across the diverse borough, showcasing how the simple dough-filled pocket can unite cultures. Visitors sampled traditional Ukrainian varenyky alongside a wide variety of other global options, highlighting the culinary diversity of the area.
Live Music and Creative Activities
The venue filled with live Ukrainian music while attendees took part in a range of hands-on creative activities. People crafted sunflower seed paper dumplings, designed botanical cyanotype coasters, planted seeds, and tried knitting and crochet. These activities engaged visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Exploring Local Heritage
Visitors also explored fascinating archives from the Touchstones 'Collections on Tour' project. The museum team spoke to guests about the upcoming Dining Room space, which will open when Touchstones re-opens in 2027. This new area will provide room for museum collections, three brand new artist commissions, and a place to meet and socialise. Local people working as Community Curators are helping to co-create the space by sharing their passions for food and heritage.
Community Response
Rachael Burns, creative engagement coordinator at Touchstones, said: "It was brilliant to see so many people coming together again this year, sharing different food and stories from their own cultures. The atmosphere was incredible – from the live music to the amazing food. It’s a wonderful way for people to learn about different cultures while having a great time with friends and family and the whole event was a huge success. Dumpling Day is all about connecting our communities, and seeing people of all backgrounds getting creative and celebrating our shared heritage ahead of Refugee Week was fantastic."
The event was held in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, and attracted hundreds of visitors, demonstrating strong community engagement and support for cultural exchange.
