Gardens of Care
Mouneh
A Palestinian Tradition of Food, Memory & Collective Making – A Participatory Gathering
29. July 2026
18.00-20.00
18.00-20.00
Save the Date
For adults
in English
People across cultures have developed ways of preparing for changing seasons by preserving food. In Palestine and throughout the Levant, this living tradition is known as Mouneh, which involves preparing, preserving, and sharing seasonal foods. Mouneh is more than a method of food preservation, however; it is also rooted in seasonal knowledge, care, hospitality, and relationships with the land, community, and future generations.
Register here
This participatory gathering is open to anyone interested in food cultures, cultural heritage, and collective learning. Drawing on over a decade of participatory practices developed by the Basta Theatre Collective, this event invites participants to observe, smell, taste, write, share stories, and collectively prepare a traditional za'atar blend. This activity serves as an entry point into the broader philosophy of Mouneh.
Together, we will explore the ingredients, practices, and stories that bring Mouneh to life. We will discover how everyday ingredients, such as za'atar, sesame, sumac, and olive oil, carry ecological knowledge, family traditions, and cultural memory across generations. Participants are encouraged to share their memories, experiences, and reflections, using food as a medium for dialogue, connection, and shared learning.
The gathering will conclude with a shared Mouneh meal featuring freshly prepared za'atar, bread, olive oil, labneh, makdous, and other seasonal preserves. Conversation continues around the table through food, stories, and the many ways communities preserve not only ingredients but also knowledge, care, and relationships across generations.
This gathering will be facilitated by cultural practitioner and educator Hussam Ghosheh and Maram Nazzal, working at the intersection of food heritage, community knowledge, and collective self-determination.
If you’d like to participate, please register here.
