GASTRONOMIC CODE OF LATGALE JEWS IN THE 1970s–1990s

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55877/cc.vol26.484

Keywords:

Gastronomic code, Jews, memory, food

Abstract

The aim of the article is to demonstrate the specifics of the gastronomic code as a phenomenon of cultural model and as a particular element of the formation of Jewish identity during the Soviet period using the example of the situation of Jews in Latgale. The study is part of a research project focusing on the Jewish text in Latgale, a region in south-eastern Latvia, during the 1970s–1990s. Within the project, a field study – semi-structured interviews – was carried out. The informants interviewed were representatives of Jewish ethnicity, born in the 1960s–1970s, who currently reside in Latvia and Israel.
During the research, the key components of the gastronomic code were identified: remarkable dishes, awareness of the ethnic tradition, understanding of religion, model of knowledge transmission from generation to generation.
Considering the specifics of the field study material, the following conclusion has been drawn. The gastronomic code of the Jewish community in Latgale during the Soviet period reflects a blend of Ashkenazi Jewish traditions and the norms of Soviet household practices. 

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Author Biographies

  • Dr.philol.prof. Elina Vasiljeva, Daugavpils University, Latvia

    Doctor of Philology in Literature, Professor of the Department of Language and Literature at Daugavpils University (Latvia), Author of monography “Jewish Text of Latvian Literature”. Director of the Professional Master’s Study Programme “Intercultural Relations”. Research interests: cultural semiotics, Jewish text in European Culture, other/alien in literature and culture intercultural communication. Currently is manager in the project “Jews in Latgale: The Lost Element of Latvian Culture”.

  • Dr.philol. Ilze Olehnovica, Daugavpils University, Latvia

    Dr. philol. in Linguistics (Comparative and Contrastive studies) is an assistant professor at the Department of Language and Literature (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences), Director of the Academic Bachelor’s Study Programme “Language and Culture Studies. Research interests: contrastive studies; sociolinguistics, cognitive linguistics. I. Oļehnoviča has extensive experience in translation and team management. She is responsible for and has participated in a number of projects of various scales (university, national, international. Currently participates in the project “Jews in Latgale: The Lost Element of Latvian Culture”.

  • Dr.philol. Elvira Isajeva, Daugavpils University, Latvia

    Doctor of Philology in Contrastive and Comparative Linguistics, Asist. professor of the Department of Language and Literature at Daugavpils University (Latvia), Director of the Academic Master’s Study Programme “Philology and Applied Linguistics” Scientific interests: Research interests: sociolinguistics, ethnolinguistic, contrastive. Currently participates in the project “Jews in Latgale: The Lost Element of Latvian Culture”.

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Published

13.02.2025