It was opened to the public, on the morning of last Friday (09), the Flavors and Knowledge Fair, by Cáritas Brasileira Nordeste III in partnership with the CESE. With the participation of solidary and popular experiences, visitors were able to get to know the groups, taste food, buy handicraft products and have fun with the music, poetry and presentations of Sarau da Onça, Casa do Sol, Hip Hop Group and MOCA Percussion.
The action is part of the Solidarity Week program, and was composed of several popular groups (among them Quilombo Rio dos Macacos, REDEMOINHO – Fair and Solidarity Trade Cooperative, Lagoa Negra Association, Craft Productive Group, Jacuípe Women’s Network, Levante Popular da Juventude, Movement of Popular Culture of the Suburb, Movement of Fishermen and Fisherwomen of the Island of Maré), that commercialized gastronomic items like bread of cassava, wafer of tapioca and sweet potato, quince, nuts, honey, coconut treats and compotes of fruits, in addition to handicrafts in ceramics, sisal, crochet, embroideries, handbags, books and dolls.
In addition to the productions, each group brought in the marketed materials the struggle and history of its people. Leilane Domitilla Souza brought to the Fair of Flavors and Knowledge the art of indigenous women of the Collective of Indigenous Women of the Tapajos (PA): “Through indigenous crafts, we seek financial independence and a source of income for women. Making a living from art and what we produce is fundamental not only to not leave our territory, but also to keep the forest standing. ”
Marizélia Lopes, of the Movement of Fishermen and Fisherwomen of the Island of Maré (BA), shared with the visitors how the use of spaces as the Fair is important for the community to resist for the right to the manifestation of culture and ways of life: “The Fair is an instrument of resistance. It’s not just a product, it’s our history. All fishing communities have difficulty in marketing. So we have to enhance these spaces, make visible”, said Marizélia.
The exhibition of products also brought the discussion about organic food and agroecology as promoters of health, sovereignty and sustainability. Francisco Dos Santos, from the Small Farmers Movement (SE), described the rice production system and defended the commercialization that promotes the well-being of society: “In this scenario of setbacks it is very important to participate in spaces such as these, where we can spread our product and our production capacity. It is an opportunity to show society that agro-ecological production does not degrade the environment and does not put poison on the consumer’s table.”
The event also integrated the conversation about the role of women in the construction of another economy inspired by solidarity and sharing, and launching of the documentaries videos Sem medo de ser mulher and Convivência com Semiárido.
The Flavors and Knowledge Fair was created with the aim of being a living space, to give visibility and exchange knowledge on the Solidarity Economy theme. The event took place between the 9th and 10th of November, at the Bahia Arts Museum, in Salvador (BA), with support from the MISEREOR agency, an episcopal work of the Catholic Church of Germany.