A new official Record of Ukraine has been set in Chernivtsi: “The Largest Parental Kalach in Ukraine, Crafted as a Symbol of Bukovinian Wedding Tradition and Parental Blessing.” Including its decorative elements, this unique pastry weighed an impressive 665 kilograms and stood 160 centimeters tall.
The record was officially documented during the Petrivskyi Fair (Petrivskyi Yarmarok) — a major cultural and gastronomic event in Bukovyna that brings together local producers, artisans, and craft bakers. The national record holder is the NIKONOVA chain of specialty stores, whose bakers created this monumental wedding bread. Nataliia Nikonova, the founder of the NIKONOVA chain, was also awarded a diploma from the Book of World Records for the realization and execution of this record-breaking project. The official verification of the record was conducted by Mykhailo Khmelevskyi, a representative of the Book of World Records in the Chernivtsi region.
To bake this massive kalach, the team used:
- 461.5 kg of flour
- 171.6 liters of water
- 1,147 eggs
- Over 50 kg of sugar
- Nearly 27 kg of margarine
- Over 13 kg of yeast
- 11.4 liters of oil
- Over 4.5 kg of salt
After the official record was confirmed, the kalach did not remain just an exhibition piece — it was distributed among the event’s guests, allowing everyone to taste a piece of this historic milestone.
The parental wedding kalach (a traditional braided bread) is one of the most vital symbols in Ukrainian wedding rituals. It embodies parental blessing, the continuation of the lineage, prosperity, and the union of two families. Every decorative element carries a specific meaning:
- Wheat ears symbolize prosperity and abundance.
- Doves represent love and fidelity.
- Intertwined dough signifies the unity of the families.
- Flowers symbolize beauty and growth.
- The sun stands for protection and divine blessing.
Beyond breaking a record, this project aimed to draw attention to Ukrainian traditions, preserve intangible cultural heritage, promote craft baking, and popularize the rich cultural legacy of Bukovyna.
