Monday, November 12, 2012

A sense of living

On Wednesday 24th October, I flew to Turin, Italy- to partcipate in Slow Food's International Conference.  I was delighted to have been invited to represent the UK as an official delegate.

Every two years, Slow Food holds Terra Madre, which translates as Mother Earth.  This year, Terra Madre also combined with Salone del Gusto, which is a massive food trades fair show-casing incredible Italian producers, as well as dozens of small artisan food producers or co-operatives from all over the world. 

Salone del Gusto included fresh dates from Libya, several African coffees, Native American rice and Spanish ham- to just name a few of the food and drinks available to taste.

There was an incredible spirit to the proceedings- which began with the official opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.  This took palce in the Palasport Olimpico, one of Italy's largest indoor arenas with a capacity of over 12,000 people.  Each nation selected a representative to carry their flag through the arena and there was even an official song!

Over the next five days, I attended many conferences on international food issues from weaning infants, to food sovreignty for indigenous peoples. 

One of my most vivid memories are listening to Slow Food's founder Carlo Petrini, talk passionately about the advancement of a Western idea of progression.  He likened this march forward, to a "mighty army...which has left behind our women, our children and our elderly...".  There will come a time, when we will look back towards these marginalized, forgotten groups of people and it is them that will help us!

There is so much happening at an international level. Slow Food is not just an organisation for those who care deeply about the food we share (or don't share), it is also beginning to exemplify how we can make the world a better place, through sustainable living.

A sense of living, that within the modern rush of life, begins by slowing down...