The Dough That Brings Us Together: Autumn Pies, Dancing and Good Times in Cahul

On October 10, 2026, the Cahul Community Center became a space for traditions, cultural diversity, and friendship. The Regional Center for Community Development (CRDC), in partnership with the Southern Regional Directorate of the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM), organized the community event “The Dough That Brings Us Together: Autumn Pies, Dancing and Good Times in Cahul”, bringing together members of the local community, migrants, and refugees from several countries.

Participants from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, India, Azerbaijan, Greece, and other countries came together to discover Moldovan culinary traditions, share experiences, and build new connections in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The event began with a culinary workshop dedicated to preparing traditional Moldovan pies, known as plăcinte. Guided by experienced local cooks, participants discovered the secrets of yeast dough and learned how to prepare pies filled with cheese, as well as pumpkin and walnuts, including the traditional baking method known as “pe pernă” (“on a pillow”).

Valuable support in organizing the activity was provided by colleagues from the Refugee Council and Diaconia, who helped arrange the space and facilitate the culinary workshop. Their contribution ensured that the event was not only an activity for the community but also one organized with the direct involvement of its members.

For some participants, preparing traditional Moldovan pies was an entirely new experience, while for others it was an opportunity to share traditions they had known since childhood. Beyond recipes and cooking techniques, the workshop demonstrated that food can become a common language, bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds closer together.

The program continued with the “Hora of Friendship,” an interactive dance workshop during which participants learned the steps of the traditional Moldovan Sârba dance. The activity brought together people of different ages and nationalities, transforming cultural diversity into a shared experience full of energy and joy.

At the end of the event, participants enjoyed the freshly prepared pies alongside traditional fruit compote in an informal setting that encouraged conversations, the exchange of experiences, and mutual understanding.

“The Dough That Brings Us Together” was much more than a culinary workshop. It was an opportunity to demonstrate that integration and social cohesion are also built through simple gestures: preparing a meal together, learning a dance, sharing a tradition, or having a conversation with someone one might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.

The activity was organized as part of the project “Local Mechanisms for the Inclusion and Protection of Migrants and Refugees in Cahul”, implemented by the Regional Center for Community Development (CRDC), with the aim of promoting social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and stronger relationships between migrants, refugees, and the host community.

Through such initiatives, CRDC continues to create opportunities for participation and interaction, contributing to the development of a community where diversity is valued and everyone can feel welcome and part of community life.

This project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union, contracted by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) through the Migration Partnership Facility. The content is the sole responsibility of the Regional Center for Community Development (CRDC) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.