Once upon a time there was a fast-food culture, and then came along the slow food movement. Not long ago, everyone was raving about molecular gastronomy. Suddenly, the regionally produced food is all the rage. What is food culture and who shapes it?
February 9 (Wednesday)
The University of Gastronomic Sciences
Andrea Pieroni, UNISG, Italy (Dock 11 EDEN)
10:15 – 11:00
The University of Gastronomic Sciences UNISG, is the first university worldwide entirely dedicated to the exploration of the inextricable links between food and culture(s). It was founded by the Slow Food movement, in collaboration with the Regions of Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna in 2004, and it obtains support from a number of private companies, institutions and local government agencies. At the moment UNISG hosts approx. 250 under-graduate and post-graduate international students and offers one BSc and three Master programs. In his talk, Andrea will present UNISG’s teaching & learning strategy/philosophy, as well as the currently ongoing research trajectories.
Irish Farmhouse Cheese
Dan Fennelly, Ireland (Dock 11 EDEN)
11:15 – 12:00
This talk will act as an introduction to Irish farmhouse cheese and look at the development of Irish farmhouse cheeses through the stories and experiences of producers. It will scrutinize the Irish Farmhouse Cheese concept and ask to what extent various contemporary production practices are appropriate to that concept. The talk will conclude by asking what the future holds for Irish farmhouse cheese-makers, particularly in light of the current economic climate in Ireland.
Film Screening “Babette’s Feast”
Introduction by Bartholomew Ryan (Kino Krokodil)
16:00 –
This magical film, directed by Danish filmmaker Gabriel Axel, is based on the short story by Karen Blixen. Babette is a 19th century Parisian political refugee seeking shelter in a very rural, Jutland coastal town in Denmark. Philippa and Martina, the elderly daughters of the town’s long-dead minister, take Babette in. As revealed in flashback, Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women, who’d forsaken their chances at romance and fame, and have taken resigned refuge in religion. But Babette is more than meets the eye. Through the delights of cuisine can a world be transformed?
State of the World Week
This annual ECLA event, held in the winter term, brings together students, faculty, alumni and invited guests for the exploration of some important, perhaps urgent, theme in current affairs. Lectures and seminars are given not just by academics, but by politicians, artists, social reformers, diplomats, lawyers, journalists and other people who spend their (professional) lives in close practical contact with the fundamental issues studied theoretically at ECLA. It is assumed that the voices of thoughtful experience will enrich theoretical discussions, and that theory may in turn inform practice. Recent State of the World Week topics include: The Translator (2010), The Politics of Cultural Ownership (2009), Water (2008), Social Entrepreneurship (2007). Twice, in 2007 and 2008, the event won a UNESCO award for education in sustainable development.