Project description

In 2021, Greece celebrates 200 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire. In recognition of the bicentenary, the Ministry of Culture and the Directorate of Modern Cultural and Intangible Cultural Heritage intends to highlight the importance of two types of food that are a fundamental aspect of the Greek diet as part of the overall festivities, bread and cheese. MedINA, with the support of a scientific committee consisting of members of the Academy of Athens, the Agricultural University of Athens and the Directorate of Modern Cultural and Intangible Cultural Heritage, will carry out both bibliographic and field research in order to capture the intangible cultural elements of small scale, traditional bread and cheese making, as well as customs and rituals related to their consumption in two characteristic parts of Greece. Two short documentaries will be produced for promotional and educational purposes:

1) Kneading tradition in Lemnos: Culture and Heritage 

Bread has significant cultural value associated with the dietary and food-producing identity of local communities and the popular food culture of modern Greece. The documentation and promotion of traditional knowledge regarding the preparation of bread and its symbolic uses is important for the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage of the country. 

2) Traditional cheese making in Lemnos: Culture and Heritage 

Cheese holds not only nutritional but also symbolic value. Knowledge, rules and traditional customs related to its preparation and consumption are part of the cultural heritage of the local communities where it is produced, as well as an important element of modern Greece as a whole. The need to preserve and promote this heritage is vital.