Sweet Integration: The Plum Jam Unity Festival
Asociatia Culturala si de Comunitate Dobolii de Sus - Feldobolyi Kulturális és Közösségi Egyesület
Romania
Plums are our region's "purple gold," yet often neglected. Our project centers on the traditional, communal cooking of plum jam ("szilvaíz"). In a village where the Roma minority represents a significant part of the population, we use this tradition to foster integration. We highlight one specific Roma family as role models, demonstrating how traditional foraging and processing can support a sustainable livelihood. The event transforms the ancient practice of jam-making into a bridge, connecting diverse groups through shared labor and local flavors.
Scheduled for early September 2026 in the local schoolyard, the festival revives the labor-intensive tradition of cooking plum jam in copper cauldrons without sugar. The core innovation is the leadership role of the Roma community. A selected local Roma family, experts in traditional agriculture, will lead the workshop, teaching others the nuances of the process. This flips the script: they are not passive recipients of aid, but respected masters of a craft. The event includes plum harvesting, wood-fire cooking, and a "sustainability showcase" where the family demonstrates their eco-friendly household practices. It involves the whole village in stirring the jam—a process taking 10-12 hours—creating a natural space for dialogue. It is a hands-on lesson in coexistence, proving that traditional rural skills offer a viable path for the future.