In a Europe where 17.4% of the population is over 65 years old¹, intergenerational education is a valuable tool for strengthening social cohesion and eliminating stereotypical age-related biases. The third and fourth age community can play an active role within an educational process.
In addition, by possessing knowledge and experience of the history and cultural identity of a place, people in these age groups enable younger generations to learn about, protect and update what has been passed down to the present day by word of mouth.
“Story on the Plate” is an innovative intergenerational action that focuses on cooking as a practical and experiential process of dynamic intergenerational connection. The aim of the action is:
• The preservation, promotion and development of the traditional knowledge of the Messinian cuisine
• The training of young people in the gastronomic culture of Messinia through interaction with older generations.
• Strengthening the sense of pride and giving to people over 64 years of age.
The menu of the action includes a group of women over 64 years old and a group of students 18 – 22 years old studying cooking. As its essential ingredients it will consist of:
• Structured narratives linked to the Messinian cuisines of the past, drawing methodological tools from the theatre of memories, documentary theatre and object theatre, setting as a basis for all storytelling techniques
• Workshops on traditional recipes
• Creative challenges for a group of young people who will be challenged to propose their own versions of traditional dishes in the workshops with knowledge and sensitivity.
The “Story on the Plate” initiative is implemented by MedINA with the donation and care of the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation (CVF) in collaboration with the Ladies’ Association in Pylos and the Horizon Vocational Training Institute in Kalamata.
¹ According to data published by Eurostat in 2012, on 1 January 2010 there were 87 million people aged 65 and over (17.4% of the total population), compared with 59.3 million in 1985 (12.8% of the total population). At this rate, it is estimated that in 2060 there will be fewer than 2 working people (15-64 years old) for every senior citizen.
[retrieved from: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/productsstatistical-books/-/ks-ep-11-001]