Main language will be English during this event.
Can foraging be an act of resistance? On the 5th of May, Waag Futurelab and the Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam will organise a freedom meal, where we will seek the connection between foraging, indigenous plants, culinairy dishes and freedom.
Za'atar and akoub are important herbs in Palestinian cuisine and grow wild in rocky terrain. Traditionally, the herbs are foraged by residents. In practice, this freedom no longer exists. The custom of gathering these wild plants has been under serious pressure for some time, since it is officially forbidden by Israel to pick these herbs, also in the occupied territories. The Israeli government has banned this foraging under the guise of nature conservation, but for the Palestinian people it is seen as yet another form of bullying. The documentary shows how Palestinians continue picking the herbs as a form of resistance, leading to lawsuits and fines. They continue to pick – a calm but defiant act.
With the screening of Jumana Manna's documentary Foragers, we will see and taste some of the ingredients that pass on screen with a tasting menu inspired by three different Palestinian chefs: Fadi Qattan, Laila El-Haddad and Nadia Irshaid Gilbert. The dishes will be brought to life by Nihal Rabbani, cook and curator of the Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam.
The ticket includes the screening, an olive oil tasting and a tasting menu. Between the dishes, texts by legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish will be recited by Shira Wolfe, a Dutch-American poet with Jewish heritage.
The food is entirely vegetarian, with vegan options. Unfortunately, as all dishes are prepared in the same kitchen, it will not be possible to accommodate guests with severe gluten, nut and seed allergies.
This freedom meal programme is organised in cooperation with the Palestinian Film Festival Amsterdam and made possible through the support of the the Amsterdam Committee 4 and 5 May and Vfonds.
