TRAINEES with Limerick Youth Service’s (LYS) Bakery Skills Course are playing their part in the centenary commemorations of the Limerick Soviet by producing a special ‘Soviet Loaf’.
Working with artist, Ann Ryan, the LYS Community Training Centre based trainees have been working on the Limerick Soviet bread project, part of an art history project called ‘Continue in their Refusal’.
“For a fortnight, the Limerick Soviet ran the city as it printed its own currency, formed its own police force and organised a supply of food,” explained artist Ann Ryan.
“For the past year the young people have been learning about many aspects of the Soviet, particularly the role the local bakeries played during it,” said Ann, a graduate of Limerick School of Art & Design.
As young bakers, it was this part of the story that struck a chord with the class and they decided to create a special ‘Soviet Loaf’ to mark the centenary.
For the past few weeks, it has been all hands on deck with the young people baking the special batch which is based on a recipe similar to that used a century ago.
“The bread during the Soviet was created using grain from a Canadian ship that was docked at Limerick Port,” said Paul O’Brien, LYS Bakery Instructor.
“From using this Canadian grain the bread was quite dense and heavy and our Soviet bread is similar to that,” said Paul.
The Soviet Bread is available at LYS’ Community Training Centre, Lr. Glentworth St, Limerick while it will also be waiting for patrons on the opening night of Bread Not Profits, a play on the Limerick Soviet which starts at the Cleeves Factory on Wednesday, April 17.
“In another exciting development, you can also purchase your loaf of Soviet Bread with a Soviet Shilling, which can be purchased at SIPTU’s office, Church St, Limerick,” said Ann.
Supported by the Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board, the Bakery Skills Course is a FDQ accredited course delivered at LYS’ Community Training Centre.
