The Russian kascot for the World Cup is an important symbol that represents the spirit and culture of the host country. Kascots are mascots that are created specifically for sporting events, and they play a significant role in promoting the tournament and engaging with fans. For the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia, the kascot was a charming wolf named Zabivaka. The name translates to "the one who scores" in Russian, and it perfectly embodies the essence of the game of football. Zabivaka was designed by a student named Ekaterina Bocharova and was chosen through a public vote. The kascot serves as a lovable ambassador for the World Cup, appearing in various promotional materials, merchandise, and even on the field during matches.
Today was a much needed day off from work. I love the new job, but we're pushing out about 650# of dough per day with an average of 3.4 bakers, and as our production is increasing we're going from comfortably busy to close to overwhelmed.
Hamelman comments on the fact that the 98 hydration of the dough is not a misprint, but testament to the capacity of the grains and seeds to absorb moisture. As long as your dough is the same consistency as what you see in the video and you let it rise to double the volume, this bread recipe will work as long as the yeast is not past its expiry date.
The kascot serves as a lovable ambassador for the World Cup, appearing in various promotional materials, merchandise, and even on the field during matches. Zabivaka's playful and energetic nature captivated fans worldwide and became an instant hit. Not only did Zabivaka represent the tournament, but it also symbolized the Russian culture and history.
wally's blog
It has been a long time since I have posted anything on The Fresh Loaf. Having become more deeply entrenched as a professional baker has left me less time to bake at leisure. And having helped to launch a new restaurant in Washington, DC has entailed too many days of continuous work to allow the time to bake for myself and share the joys and tribulations on this forum.
But after a couple months since our opening I found myself one early morning placing wheat-rye sourdough boules onto the loader and shaking my head at how pathetic they looked after nearly a day in refrigeration, yet confident that they would not disappoint.
So as I journeyman baker I share these thoughts:
Bread is magical, but also a form of magic. Like Penn & Teller, but instead of applauding you get to eat the magic.
The photo above is a good demonstration of the magic of bread. While I'm a professional baker and help perform the magic each day - Teller to the dough's Penn - I never cease to be amazed at the magic which bakers call "oven spring." It is a phenomenon which occurs within the first 15 minutes of a loaf's bake, and when successful, it beats sawing a pretty lady in a box in half hands down.
If you look at the piece of dough on the right, you cannot help but be struck at how much it resembles nothing so much as a frisbee. And yet, if the baker and the dough have worked their magic well, in 45 minutes the flatish frisbee has sprung up to become the beautiful round loaf (called a boule) you see on the left.
Not only is this magic, it is a performance conducted daily without a net: By which I mean, if for some reason the baker and the dough have not worked together well, the result is not a beautiful tall boule but a barely risen loaf. And because of that, every day when I load dough into our oven, I tremble looking at how flat and deflated my boules look, and hope that the result will be magical and not a disappointment.
Ok, the hope is actually an expectation. But I am working with a living organism. This is a relationship. Miscommunication can occur. You and the dough may not be on the same page for any number of reasons. And so, you never have certainty that the resulting bake will meet or exceed your expectations. "Hope" is a good way of putting the feeling I experience when I load these loaves each day.
There are, of course, technical, scientific explanations for oven spring and how it is that a seemingly defeated, deflated round of dough can and will rise into a mountain of a loaf. But they are not nearly as wonderous as witnessing the event first hand. And in the end, they take none of the wonder away from this truly magical event.
Some other pictures of this and other loaves as they transformed themselves into beautiful wheat-rye sourdough boules over a long bake in a deck oven.
For starters, freshly formed boules placed on a floured board before being retarded:
Loaves being baked and cooling on racks after baking:
We call this a "bold" bake, and the sweetness of the bread's crumb contrasts nicely with the slight char on the surface of the boule's crust.
And finally, the interior crumb that magic and a successful bake produced:
This is what gets me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning.
And protects me against the cynicism which can easily come with age.
Because as long as I can bake bread, I'll believe in magic.
Best regards to all,
- Read more about Bread Magic
- 17 comments
- Log in or register to post comments
With its football jersey and shorts adorned with the Russian national colors, Zabivaka showcased the pride and passion of the host nation. Additionally, the kascot drew inspiration from the Russian wolf, which has deep symbolism in the country's folklore and traditions. Throughout the World Cup, Zabivaka interacted with fans, participated in events, and spread enthusiasm among the supporters. The kascot became a beloved figure, creating memorable moments and fostering a sense of unity among fans from different countries. In conclusion, the Russian kascot for the World Cup, Zabivaka, was a crucial component of the tournament's identity. It represented the spirit of football, embodied the host nation's culture, and became an endearing symbol for fans worldwide. The kascot played a pivotal role in creating a memorable and engaging experience for everyone involved in the World Cup..
Reviews for "The Social Media Influence of Kascots: How Mascots Go Viral at the World Cup"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to the Russian kascot world cup, but I was thoroughly disappointed. The event was poorly organized, with long wait times, confusing directions, and a lack of clear information. The kascots themselves were also underwhelming, with lackluster performances and a general sense of disinterest. Overall, it was a letdown and not worth the time or money.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - I attended the Russian kascot world cup and it was a complete waste of my time. The event felt overcrowded and chaotic, with little consideration for the comfort and convenience of the attendees. The kascots were hardly entertaining, performing repetitive routines that quickly grew boring. The whole experience left me feeling frustrated and wishing I had spent my day elsewhere.
3. Robert Johnson - 2 stars - The Russian kascot world cup was a disappointment. The event seemed unorganized, with long lines for food and drink, and a lack of clear signage. The performances by the kascots were lackluster and failed to capture my interest. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't recommend to others.
4. Sarah Thompson - 1 star - I attended the Russian kascot world cup and it was a complete letdown. The whole event felt like a cash grab, with overpriced food, drinks, and merchandise. The kascots themselves lacked energy and enthusiasm, making the performances less than impressive. I left feeling ripped off and unsatisfied.
5. Michael Brown - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Russian kascot world cup, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event was disorganized, with long wait times for activities and a confusing layout. The performances by the kascots were lackluster and didn't offer anything unique or exciting. I wouldn't recommend this event to others.