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On Saturday, November 23, in Metz, a controversial restaurant nicknamed ‘the worst in the world’ is setting up near the Pompidou Center, ready to make headlines. This initiative, orchestrated by the association Échanges Lorraine-Ukraine, offers dishes that evoke the suffering experienced during the Holodomor. With unappetizing fare, this event aims to raise awareness among the public about the use of hunger as a weapon. Who would have thought that cuisine could both entertain and awaken consciences?

Why is this restaurant called ‘the worst in the world’?

The concept of the restaurant nicknamed ‘the worst in the world’ in Metz is based on a much deeper social reflection than a simple gustatory provocation. Upon its opening, visitors will be confronted with dishes that evoke dark memories of famine, particularly those related to the Holodomor — a tragedy that struck Ukraine in the 1930s. Serving herb-based pancakes and a weeds soup aims to provoke a sense of awareness among diners. Far from glorifying bad cuisine, this establishment seeks to remind modern citizens of the challenges faced by many populations throughout history.

This raises questions about the relationships between culinary art and collective memory. The choice of unappetizing dishes is fundamental. These bold choices highlight not only the struggle for survival of millions of Ukrainians in the past but also the ways in which hunger is still used as a weapon today. Such staging encourages reflection on the role of our food in modern society and our responsibility toward those suffering from famine.

What dishes will be offered at the opening?

The plates that will compose the menu for the event are both symbolic and disturbing. Designed to create an experience, they illustrate what the victims of the Holodomor were forced to consume. Here are some examples of what will be served:

• Pancakes made from herbs: an austerity that recalls the daily struggle for subsistence.
• Weeds soups: an attempt to recreate the verbal upheavals of those whose lives were a constant battle against hunger.
• Potato peel pancakes: a dish that testifies to the great necessity and distress of the populations.

Each dish speaks volumes about the tragic history that marked the 20th century and allows one to taste the despair of the victims while provoking critical reflection on the current reality. The goal is not only to shock but to take diners on a memory journey through almost forgotten flavors.

Why is this event so significant?

The restaurant is not just a place to eat; it is part of an artistic project aimed at raising awareness. By choosing to honor the victims of the Holodomor, the organizers wish to shed light on a forgotten chapter of Ukrainian history, while establishing a parallel with today’s atrocities. This memory-rooted approach is essential to our understanding of the contemporary world. The director of Échanges Lorraine-Ukraine, Violeta Moskalu, emphasizes that we must remember that hunger is a weapon used against civilians in modern conflicts.

By paying tribute to the victims of this famine, this event encourages the people of Metz to reflect on the impact of war on vulnerable populations. In addition to serving meals, the restaurant also proposes a fundraising campaign to support humanitarian aid in Ukraine, thereby demonstrating that gastronomy can be a vector for change. If there is tasting, it is also intended as an act of solidarity.

How does this event fit into the local culture?

Hosted at the esplanade of Human Rights in Metz, this project resonates strongly in a city marked by history and culture. The proximity of the Pompidou Center adds another dimension to the event, reinforcing the idea that art can express itself in various ways. By bringing together men and women around this unique culinary experience, this project evokes memories and struggles that should not be forgotten.

The people of Metz are thus invited to actively participate in this collective memorization. Tasting the dishes and feeling a part of the despair experienced by millions of Ukrainians creates a link between the tragic past and the unwelcoming world of today. This beneficial event, through cultural interaction, encourages humanitarian support, demonstrating that even dark events can lead to positive initiatives in our society.

What message do the organizers wish to convey?

The organizers, notably Natalia Veretenina, assert that the ultimate goal of this initiative is to make participants feel a surge of solidarity towards the Ukrainian people. An experience that goes beyond mere consumption. It involves reflections on the thirst for freedom and the trials of those who continue to suffer, not only through the memory of the Holodomor, but also in response to contemporary injustices.

By evoking painful memories, this event is a heartfelt cry to raise awareness among the French population about the fact that the use of hunger as a weapon persists in some modern conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. In this way, the restaurant positions itself as a catalyst for broader discussions on memory and solidarity, prompting everyone to reflect on the role they can play in supporting humanitarian causes.

This Saturday, November 23, 2024, Metz will see the opening of a restaurant named ‘the worst in the world’, close to the famous Pompidou Center. This atypical establishment does not just serve unappetizing dishes; it mainly aims to raise awareness among the public regarding the use of hunger as a weapon through a powerful event. The offered dishes remind of the tragedy of the Holodomor, where millions of Ukrainians had to endure immeasurable suffering due to famine.

The dishes chosen for this shock action are far from appealing in appearance, and this is precisely the objective: to make visitors feel the discouragement of the victims of this dark era. Thus, among the presented dishes, there will be herb-based pancakes and weed soups, choices that evoke the drama experienced by past generations.

In parallel, this event, organized by the association Échanges Lorraine-Ukraine, also serves as a platform to support contemporary Ukrainians. A fundraising campaign will be set up, allowing visitors to contribute to humanitarian aid for those who still suffer from conflicts today. This initiative is not limited to gastronomy; it invites everyone to reflect on our history and to act for a better future.