Gastronomy in Alexandria: a cosmopolitan flavor in the Mediterranean: Alexandria, 23-24 May 2008
Alexandria no longer reflects the cosmopolitan city it once was, nor does its cuisine. Although there remains a cosmopolitan spirit, various political and economic factors have caused the city to look within instead of embracing the diversity the Mediterranean region represents, meaning Alexandria’s once rich gastronomy has become hidden. Many of the foreign communities that once defined cosmopolitanism have emigrated, leaving very little in which to gauge the achievements of multiculturalism. The city once boasted a rich array of gastronomical influences, incorporating elements from, among others, French, Italian, Lebanese and Greek cuisine in addition to its own unique Alexandrian flavor.
The Alexandria Mediterranean Research Center (AlexMed) was awarded a grant from the EC Delegation to Egypt under the local cultural activities programme for its proposal. The project main event consists in the food fair, that will be hosted at Villa Antoniadis in Alexandria in May 23-24. It will also produce a cook book and a website. The project’s duration is twelve months and has five primary objectives: to promote and highlight the diverse gastronomy in Alexandria; to encourage the exchange of a common language: food; to highlight the benefits of coexistence and encourage inter cultural dialogue and exchange; to strengthen the relationship between Alexandrian communities; to highlight and narrate stories of certain individuals and their relationship with their country’s cuisine, origin of recipes, etiquette and techniques; to encourage the food festival to be a fixed date in Alexandria’s annual calendar.
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Gastronomia ad Alessandria: un sapore cosmopolita nel Mediterraneo: Alessandria, 23-24 Maggio 2008 >>>