There is just something about food. It is a centerpiece of holiday festivities. It is how neighbours welcome newcomers in their community. In the dining room, families share traditions. In many cultures around the world, coming together and sharing a meal are the most communal and binding moments. In France, for example, communal meals are very common. The French tend to spend a full hour at the dinner table, and during that time, they’re actively engaging with family and friends. In Spain, a long-held tradition is la siesta. For many Spaniards, a true siesta includes taking a break (around an hour or two) to eat, nap and escape the heat. However, for some working Spanish in the cities – those who can’t make it home to rest in the afternoon – siesta is spent with colleagues. It is the time to have a good meal with your coworkers and get to know each other better. What we can learn from these cultural traditions, is that meals are about more than just the food; they’re also about conversation and connection. Food is also a great vehicle for sharing culture with people from different backgrounds. The Gananoque Public Library did exactly this by hosting a multicultural potluck earlier this week to celebrate the arrival of the ‘We Are Neighbours’ exhibit in Gananoque. Local residents were encouraged to bring a favourite dish representing their culture or heritage. Over twenty local residents came together to exchange food, stories and culture. Long-time Leeds and Grenville residents, immigrants from Nepal, India, England and Mauritius, as well as Canadian-born residents who relocated to Gananoque from other provinces, each took turns sharing their stories. Stories about their travels, stories of how they came to live in Gananoque, and naturally as it was a potluck, there was plenty of conversation over the food spread on the table. One resident, originally from Mauritius (an island east of mainland Africa) shared “I never learnt anything about Canada before I came, all I knew was that it was cold,” she laughed. Another gentlemen, who was born in a small village in England, spoke about his entry process to Canada, “I had to have a job lined up before my application would be accepted. I ended up doing a transfer through the company I was working for in England.” For another resident who grew up in Kingston, she shared that she was “tired of the hustle bustle of the city”, so she decided to relocate to Saskatchewan for a more remote and calm life. Eventually she came back to Eastern Ontario, but chose Gananoque for that small town feel. A local chef spoke about what cooking means to him, “For me, the joy of cooking is sharing it, to see others smile after finishing a meal. It’s the love, a way of expressing gratitude.” For another resident who grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, who moved to Gananoque with her family years ago, said “I love it here [Gananoque], it’s a great location, you have your choice of cities around you.” But ultimately, “we choose to stay here because of community”. Our neighbours having amazing stories, so why not invite them over and dig in! Sharing a meal is the perfect time to ask them about their home country, their traditions, their stories – ask them anything, really. All that’s left to do is sit back, relax and listen. If you're inspired to strike up a conversation with somebody new to the region or somebody different than you, here are some questions to get you started!
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