Why did Van Lam's mother bring bread and salt to the airport to welcome her son?
Olga hugged her son tightly after two years of separation and gave Van Lam a large loaf of bread and a jar of salt with a special meaning.
After a period of continuous training and competition in Vietnam, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam finally had time to return home to visit his family. The player, who has both Vietnamese and Russian heritage, took a 10-day break from football to be with his loved ones. Notably, it was the first time Van Lam had seen his mother in two years.
To welcome her eldest son, Jukova Olga prepared many nutritious dishes, including one that she personally brought to the airport for Van Lam.
The Russian mother carried a large, round loaf of bread placed on a white cloth. On top of it was a small jar of salt. This is one of the specialties of Russia, especially used to welcome guests from afar or children returning home after a long absence. The goalkeeper's mother also wanted to help her son ward off bad luck, like a "purification" ritual.
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Van Lam's mother specially brought a loaf of bread and a jar of salt to the airport to welcome her son. |
More than just a food item, bread and salt have become a traditional ritual in Russian culture called Khleb-sol, where khleb means bread and sol means salt. When honored guests arrive, the host will prepare a large, round, puffy karavai bread. Many places also add embossed designs such as flowers, branches, or twisted ropes for added visual appeal.
The loaf of bread must be placed on a traditional rushnyk-style embroidered cloth and not held directly in the hand. A small jar of salt is also essential. Guests will break off a small piece of bread with their hands, dip it in the salt, and eat it before entering the house. On special occasions, the host may also wear traditional clothing such as a sarafan and a kokoshnik hat.
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| Salted bread is a traditional Russian treat for returning home after being away and for honored guests. |
In Russian folklore, bread and salt symbolize material abundance and physical health. Hosts bring these two items out at the door to welcome guests with heartfelt hospitality.
From ancient times to the present day, no meal in Russia is complete without bread. Therefore, bread is considered sacred. Salt, on the other hand, was a luxury item in the past.
Russia is a cold country with limited salt resources. Therefore, salt was very expensive, and only the wealthy could afford it. Today, salt is not as scarce as it once was, but it is still used to entertain distinguished guests.
The Russians also have a saying: "If you're united, you can eat a whole puddle of salt together" (puddle is a unit of measurement in Russia, equivalent to more than 16 kg), meaning that if you're united, you can overcome difficulties together.
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A family reunion photo of Van Lam before he officially came to Vietnam to play. |
Although an ancient custom, the tradition of welcoming guests with bread and salt in Russia is becoming increasingly popular. Many high-ranking world leaders, upon arriving in Russia, are greeted with bread and salt by girls in traditional attire. All the sports delegations participating in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia were also welcomed with this unique dish.
Not only used in formal ceremonies, bread and salt are also used in modern Russian weddings. The bride and groom bring bread to offer to their parents and together break off a piece of bread, dip it in salt, symbolizing their readiness to go through life's ups and downs together.
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Upon his return, Van Lam was also treated to a Russian-style salmon roe sandwich by his mother. |
