UNESCO lists Ukrainian borscht soup as endangered heritage

UNESCO has listed the Ukrainian culture of cooking borscht, a beetroot-based soup, as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

Officials said on Friday that the dish is under threat due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They fast-tracked the application process, which was initially scheduled for next year.

Borscht is cooked in all regions of Ukraine, but it is also consumed in Russia and other former Soviet states.

UNESCO says the listing does not imply exclusivity nor ownership of the heritage.