In Ukraine vareniki is not just a national dish, but also a special talisman. Many years ago Ukrainian peasants believed varenyky brought them abundant harvest, so they took their miraculous dumplings to the fields.
In the ancient Slavic period women used to eat varenyky on the second day of their wedding, as a symbol of wellbeing and wellness. Vareniki were also given as the medicine to pregnant women.
In 2006 the first Ukrainian Varenyky monument was established in Cherkassy. The statue was a Cossack Mamai with a bowl full of Ukrainian dumplings.