In the Maļinova village community center, Elvīra Kokina, the local librarian, is embracing her role as a custodian of Latgale's culinary traditions by preparing asuškas, a traditional dish. Kokina believes it is essential to promote Latgale's culinary heritage so that more people experiment with cooking these traditional recipes at home. Her passion for reviving the local cuisine reflects a deeper cultural effort to keep traditional foods alive among the younger generations.

Kokina mentions that preserving these traditional dishes is not just a culinary endeavor but a way to maintain cultural identity. She advocates for recipes that have been passed down from her grandmother, such as oatmeal jelly and blood sausages, emphasizing the importance of such dishes over modern fast foods. By introducing asuškas as a simple yet beloved local dish, she hopes to educate youth about their culinary roots and encourage pride in their heritage.

The community's celebration, coinciding with an autumn gathering of three villages, saw a significant focus on food, underscoring the communal spirit of sharing traditional treats like asuškas. This kind of event fosters a collective memory and appreciation for regional delicacies, helping to ensure that these cultural markers are not forgotten as new generations emerge, thus reinforcing local identity and community bonds.