Every year, on October 2nd, the International Day of Nonviolence is celebrated to mark the birthday of Gandhi, offering a unique opportunity to spread the values of nonviolence and peacemaking, in line with the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. In relation to this day, Culture Goes Europe (CGE) has decided to celebrate this important occasion by organizing a “Dinner of Culture”, a unique opportunity to foster interaction and mutual exchange between cultures that are both distant and unique in their own way.
To best celebrate this day, food and the table were chosen as the symbols of conviviality. The value of food as a tool for peacemaking has a long history behind it. One of the most notable examples occurred during the Christmas Truce of World War I, when on the front lines, the British and German soldiers, who were engaged in battle, stopped and together celebrated Christmas by sharing a meal, temporarily forgetting the horrors of war. However, this is not the only example. A similar project with an extremely important impact, especially in light of recent events that have captured public interest, is the so-called “Recipes for Reconciliation”, held in Sri Lanka some years ago. In this case as well, the goal was to facilitate reconciliation following the bloody conflict that shook the country for a quarter of a century. The project, funded by Amnesty International, used food as a tool to build bridges between the conflicting parties and overcome shared traumas. At the end of the project, a book was published, which not only described the objectives and how the project was implemented, but also included the recipes for the various dishes, so that each person would be able to prepare them independently once the event was over.
Photos: Maryna Bykova
Specifically, CGE took charge of organizing this workshop from the ground up. First, they created flyers that immediately conveyed the idea of peace as a universal value, choosing calm colors and images that connected to peace as a value to be protected. Once the flyers were created, a group of volunteers took it upon themselves to distribute them throughout the neighborhood (Ilversgehofen), inviting as many people as possible to attend the “Dinner of Culture”. After the flyer distribution phase, preparations were made to set up the room, aiming to create a welcoming space to host the guests in the best possible way. In the center of the room, a long table was meticulously decorated, and on the walls, paintings and photographs were hung. Once the room was set up, everything was ready to welcome the guests, each of whom brought with them a typical dish from their culture, allowing the food to speak for them.
Photos: Maryna Bykova
The people who attended the “Dinner of Culture” came from various countries around the world, some of which are still experiencing internal conflicts, and expressed their joy at being there to share a pleasant and peaceful moment, united in the spirit of sharing.
Photos: Maryna Bykova
The activity is cofounded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Program
