Rural Europe on the move English_E_version_all | Page 83

Herbs, Health and Politics
“As the local host, the gathering felt to me
like a big family meeting."
European gatherings, whether the actors. What an exciting prospect for
focus is herbs or forests or farmers’ sustainable rural development.
knowledge. By assembling from all
Even more exciting is that this
corners of Europe, we are confronted solidarity can be built over dinner
not just with our shared interests but tables. As the local host, the gathering
also with our different struggles, for felt to me like a big family meeting.
example that Romania is far more We prepared our best food and most
rigid in its herbal regulation. With beautiful places, to share our lives
the knowledge and experience of and lifestyle for some days with our
these different struggles, we are visitors. We wanted to share stories
better able to support each other, of the past in order to shape a more
a real grassroots network of rural wholesome future together.
NCE
THE TRANSYLVANIA EXPERIE
W
hen we think about solidarity in these terms
the journalist’s question at the beginning
9. Market of Initiatives during
the 2nd European Herb Gathering
10. Traditional way of drying herbs
IN A NUTSHELL
pass on our traditional herbal knowledge.
In Transylvania, the countryside has often been
of this chapter - “why would you pick a place like far more stable than the cities, despite the political
this for a European gathering?” - seems even more turbulence of the twentieth century. This stability is
absurd. The rural world is not an apolitical space. in part because we have maintained our traditional
We are directly affected by policy often constructed practices, our small-scale agriculture, our fragile,
very far away from us. But we are also taking our quiet harmony with the natural world and our hearty
livelihoods into our own hands. enjoyment of good hospitality. Should you make it
By learning from our forebears, taking the
traditional knowledge that particularly the elderly
out to these parts, I’m sure you would find yourself
most warmly welcomed.
members of our community hold, we are able not
only to preserve our cultural heritage, but also to
help build resilience.
Through Forum Synergies we have been able to
begin building a network of people working with
herbs right across the continent. The European
Herb Gatherings have been a space to share
experience, information and ideas and support
one another. It is a way to value, hold on and
79