'Soul of Soil 2' project: art events dedicated to mine-free land in five cities of Ukraine

Within the framework of the project "Soul of Soil 2.0", Easter breads (pasky) were baked in five cities from grain grown on demined fields. The event took place simultaneously in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Kharkiv, drawing public attention to the importance of humanitarian demining and the return of agricultural land to use.

"Soul of Soil" is a project by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine that symbolically demonstrates the results of humanitarian demining. Grain grown on fields cleared of explosive ordnance becomes bread — a powerful metaphor for the return of life, security, and prosperity to the liberated territories.

"The paska baked from grain from a demined field is a symbol of life that returns to the cleared land. Each such bread is the result of the work of sappers, farmers, and everyone who helps Ukraine become mine-free," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

Famous chefs from each of the five cities took part in the baking of the pasky. Each paska was made using a unique recipe, incorporating local culinary traditions and modern approaches.

The event attracted significant media attention and interest from the public. Representatives of diplomatic missions, international organisations, and the Ukrainian government participated. Part of the baked pasky was sent to diplomatic events abroad to draw international attention to the issue of humanitarian demining.

"When you know that the flour for this bread comes from a field that was recently dangerous, you realise the true value of the sappers' work. This is not just a loaf of bread — it is a symbol of hope," shared one of the chefs participating in the project.

The "Soul of Soil" project has already been presented at numerous international events, including UN platforms and European forums. The project demonstrates the nexus-approach — the connection between humanitarian demining, food security, and economic recovery.

In 2024, Ukrainian sappers cleared and returned to use over 300,000 hectares of agricultural land. The grain grown on these fields feeds both Ukraine and partner countries through the "Food from Ukraine" initiative.