| RO4 | Pickling emotions: A taste of the past | |
| Partner organization (who designed it) | Timiș County Youth Foundation | |
| Overall description (Tell us the story of this activity) | In this unconventional workshop, participants learn how to pickle vegetables while connecting the process to emotional preservation. As each ingredient is prepared and jarred, participants reflect on emotional resilience, family recipes, and metaphors for coping with change.. | |
| Total Duration: | 3 hours | |
| Group size: | 6–10 | |
| List of materials: (from pens to papers to Wi-Fi to an elephant) | Glass jars, vinegar, salt, herbs, vegetables, cutting boards, aprons | |
| Activity’s objectives: (what do you want to achieve by delivering this activity) | Explore traditional food preservation methodsLink ecological practices to emotional well-beingEncourage metaphorical thinking and sharing personal stories | |
| memory archive timeline: information, picture and link. e.g. short story. | Year: 1947 Summary: In post-war Romania, with food shortages and harsh winters, families relied heavily on preserving vegetables through pickling. Recipes were passed down orally—cabbage, green tomatoes, and cucumbers fermented with herbs in barrels. These survival strategies created strong bonds between generations and sparked symbolic traditions, like offering pickled goods during seasonal family gatherings.  | |
| Step-by-Step Description | ||
| Time: (mins) | Activity Description: Include all the steps needed, Include notes for the facilitation. | |
| 20 mins | Intro and Metaphor: What do you want to preserve? | |
| 30 mins | Pickling Demo (facilitator or guest elder) | |
| 60 mins | Hands-on activity: Participants create pickled jars | |
| 30 mins | Storytelling while sealing jars: “What emotion/memory are you pickling?” | |
| 20 mins | Wrap-up and group sharing | |
| Extra information we need to take into account. Notes for facilitation etc (in case needed) | ||
| Preparations for the activity: (what do you need to do, who needs to do it, etc.) | Logistics: Secure a space with tables and access to a sink. Purchase jars, vegetables (e.g., cucumbers, peppers, cauliflower), vinegar, herbs, and salt. Symbolic tools: Prepare cards where participants write the “emotion” or memory they are preserving. Facilitation: Invite someone with experience in traditional pickling to explain practical and cultural aspects of the process. Safety: Ensure food hygiene, gloves, and allergen awareness. | |
| Evaluation of the activity: (Describe how will you explore what worked, what did not, what should be changed, what as the impact, was the objective achieved and to what extent…) | Participants share their “emotional pickle” metaphorically in a group circle: “This jar contains…”“If I opened this in the future, I would remember…” Use journaling prompts and voice notes (optional) for deeper personal reflection. Collect stories, photos, and short clips for use in the digital memory archive. | |
| Expected Outcomes: What are the expected learning outcomes, social outcomes, or other benefits. Describe how it contributes to collecting and sharing socio-ecological memories. | Emotional processing via metaphor and sensory engagement.Reviving preservation knowledge as a form of sustainability. Personal storytelling linked to food memory and seasonal practices.Sense of collective reflection and healing through a slow, communal act. | |
| Appendices (If relevant – handouts, internet links, etc.) | ||
Pickling emotions: A taste of the past