| DEKAPLUS.4 | Reviving the Olive Tradition : Tree Planting and Harvesting | |
| Partner organization (who designed it) | DEKAPLUS | |
| Overall description (Tell us the story of this activity) | This activity focusses on the traditional practice of planting and harvesting olive trees in Cyprus, and participants learn about the olive tree’s cultural, historical, and ecological significance. Participants will visit an olive grove to plant young olive trees, learn about the harvesting process, and how olives have influenced Cyprus’s ecology and economy over time. The practice also includes recollections from elders who have personally experienced olive picking in the past. | |
| Total Duration: | 3 hours | |
| Group size: | 10 | |
| List of materials: (from pens to papers to Wi-Fi to an elephant) | Young olive tree saplingsShovels and gardening tools (e.g., gloves, watering cans, trowels)Olive baskets (for harvesting)Traditional harvesting sticks or toolsInformation sheets or small booklets about the history of olive trees in Cyprus | |
| Activity’s objectives: (what do you want to achieve by delivering this activity) | To educate participants about the ecological, economic, and cultural importance of the olive tree in Cyprus’s history. To engage youth in hands-on activities like planting and harvesting, connecting them to traditional agricultural practices. To promote intergenerational learning, allowing elders to share personal experiences and stories related to olive cultivation. | |
| memory archive timeline: information, picture and link. e.g. short story. | The history of Olive Harvests in the 1950s Short Summary: Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation recognized for its rich cultural heritage and production of high-quality olive oils. Since ancient times, Cypriots have grown olive trees and produced olive oil Crushing olives in a traditional olive mill, in the 1950s. Photo by F.M. Yiaxis. | |
| Step-by-Step Description | ||
| Time: (mins) | Activity Description: Include all the steps needed, Include notes for the facilitation. | |
| 30 mins | STEP 1. (Introduction and Story Sharing) Elders share stories about the importance of olive trees to the community. | |
| 60 mins | STEP 2. (Tree Planting) Youth and elders will work together to plant young olive trees in an open field or existing olive grove. | |
| 60 mins | STEP 3. (Olive Harvesting) Youth will work together to collect olives in baskets, under the guidance of elders, who will explain how the harvest process has changed over the years. | |
| 30 mins | STEP 4: (Reflection and Discussion) At the end of the activity, participants will gather to reflect on their experience of planting and harvesting olives. They will discuss the importance of preserving olive groves and sustainable agriculture in Cyprus. | |
| Extra information we need to take into account. Notes for facilitation etc. (if needed) | – | |
| Preparations for the activity: (what do you need to do, who needs to do it, etc.) | Facilitators: Choose an olive grove or farm with accessible land where tree planting can be done. Brief the elders on how they can share their stories during the activity, highlighting personal memories and the history of olive harvesting in Cyprus. Set up a comfortable, shaded area for the reflection and discussion phase. | |
| Evaluation of the activity: (Describe how you will explore what worked, what did not, what should be changed, what is the impact, was the objective achieved and to what extent…) | Gather feedback from participants by asking: “What did you learn about the importance of olive trees in Cyprus today?”Observe how participants interact with the elders and how well they understand the significance of olive trees in the cultural context. | |
| Expected Outcomes: What are the expected learning outcomes, social outcomes, or other benefits. Describe how it contributes to collecting and sharing socio-ecological memories. | Youth will learn about the ecological and cultural significance of olive trees in Cyprus.Stronger bonds between generations, as youth and elders work together to preserve a tradition.A deeper understanding of sustainable farming practices, contributing to local environmental conservation. | |
| Appendices (If relevant – handouts, internet links, etc.) | ||
Reviving the Olive Tradition : Tree Planting and Harvesting #5