Bread Between Us - بيناتنا خبز Unveiling the Breadmaking Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula
Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز is a unique cultural heritage initiative led by the Creative Knowledge Foundation, Archi.Media Trust, and Koor srl Benefit Corporation. This project, building on the Breads of the Creative Cities framework, explores the diverse and rich breadmaking traditions across the Arabian Peninsula.
Our mission is to uncover the hidden history of bread and its pivotal role in shaping the region’s cultural identity.
As an “archaeology of memory,” Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز delves into the oral traditions linked to breadmaking, such as ancient proverbs, stories, and songs. By documenting these practices, we aim to trace the shared heritage of bread that unites the many communities of the Arabian Peninsula. Bread, with its deep cultural symbolism, serves as a key to unlocking the region’s cultural history, highlighting its significance in daily life across generations.
A Cultural Pilgrimage: Connecting Bread Traditions and Historical Routes
Our project goes beyond mere documentation—Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز captures the essence of a cultural journey, mirroring the historic pilgrimage and nomadic routes that once crisscrossed the Arabian Peninsula. Through the shared knowledge of breadmaking, we echo the trade routes that facilitated the exchange of ideas, goods, and traditions throughout the region.
By showcasing the cultural journey of bread, we not only highlight its role in everyday life but also emphasize how this humble food connects people, places, and memories across time. Join us on this evocative journey to rediscover the hidden routes of bread knowledge and their lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula.
Expanding the Breads of the Creative Cities Framework to the Arab World: Creativity and Cultural Legacy
Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز extends the Breads of the Creative Cities framework across the wider Arab world, engaging with universal themes of memory, tradition, and cultural preservation. Our aim is to promote the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the Arabian Peninsula on a global platform, fostering an understanding of how breadmaking traditions have shaped the region’s identity and contributed to the broader human experience.
Indigenous Identity and Sustainable Development
We believe in initiating a meaningful dialogue between the indigenous communities of the Arabian Peninsula and modern concepts of sustainable development. Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز highlights the strong connection between traditional breadmaking practices and sustainable living, demonstrating how preserving indigenous knowledge can contribute to a more sustainable future. By respecting and uplifting these traditions, we emphasize the importance of sustainability rooted in cultural heritage.
Local Empowerment and Community-Driven Narratives
Unlike typical heritage projects that might exploit local knowledge for tourism or commercial gain, Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز prioritizes local empowerment. Through the visibility generated by a book and a documentary, we aim to spark community-driven development, encouraging local pride and ownership in preserving their breadmaking traditions. This project fosters an authentic narrative, empowering communities to tell their own stories.
Celebrating Artisanal Breadmaking: Honoring Bakers, Farmers, and Millers
The participatory nature of Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز ensures that the knowledge shared within the project equips local communities with the tools to promote their specific cultural narratives. We celebrate the cultural importance of local breads and recognize the crucial contributions of artisanal bakers, farmers, and millers, who play a vital role in preserving these time-honored traditions.
A Collaborative and Ethical Exploration of Breadmaking Traditions
Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز is dedicated to ethically uncovering the breadmaking traditions of the Arabian Peninsula. Our commitment is to balance the empowerment of local communities, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the promotion of sustainable development. With deep respect for the unique cultural ecosystems of each region, we work in solidarity with local communities, ensuring that every aspect of the project honors and protects their heritage.
Rather than imposing external narratives, we prioritize listening to and working closely with local communities. This collaboration ensures that the stories we tell are an authentic reflection of the breadmaking customs, memories, and practices that have been passed down through generations. Our approach is rooted in solidarity, with a deep respect for the cultural landscapes we explore.
Empowering Cultural Ambassadors: Bridging Heritage and Modern Dialogue
To ensure the integrity of our project, Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز collaborates with local cultural ambassadors—individuals deeply connected to their communities. These ambassadors play a key role in facilitating meaningful dialogue between our team and the heritage bearers, ensuring that our work remains respectful and guided by those most intimately tied to the rich cultural tapestry of the Arabian Peninsula.
How Participate - Call for Arabian Bakers, Millers and Farmers
Are you a baker, miller or farmer living in a region within the Arabian Peninsula who’s passionate about joining our project? We invite you to become part of the Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز Bakers Community! Fill out the contact form to connect with us and bring your craft into our collective journey.
How the project works: Q&A
Who is the project aimed at?
This cultural heritage project targets all traditional bakers, miller and famers the “Knowledge Keepers,” across the Arabian Peninsula who embody local bread traditions and possess rich breadmaking practices rooted in history, local culture, and ancient techniques. These Knowledge Keepers are essential to preserving the creative and oral traditions of breadmaking, serving as stewards of sustainable practices for a resilient future. They include farmers, millers, and bread artisans, all deeply connected to the Arabian Peninsula and committed to safeguarding its breadmaking heritage.
Who can activate the project?
This cultural heritage project can be activated as a “dedicated edition” by various institutional entities in the Arabian Peninsula, including governmental, cultural, or ministerial organizations, as well as associations interested in supporting sustainable development, local empowerment, and preserving breadmaking traditions. These organizations aim to foster initiatives that create a positive impact on the economy, public health, international cooperation, and the sustainable development of the region. Institutional involvement is essential to support the project in areas like institutional alignment, logistics, funding, communication, and promotion. If your interested in activating a new edition project fill out the form here.
How does the project develop
The Bread Between Us Project – بيننا خبز – develops through a structured, step-by-step framework designed by KOOR srl Benefit Company, emphasizing “The Future? It’s Under Your Feet.” Each phase focuses on elevating the local bread traditions of the Arabian Peninsula:
- Step 1 – Mapping the Territory. Through partnerships with local organizations, communities, universities, historians, and anthropologists, this phase maps breadmaking traditions across the Arabian Peninsula, identifying Knowledge Keepers who embody and continue these practices.
- Step 2 – Heritage Storytelling of Arabian Traditional Breads. Through video interviews and storytelling, this step promotes Knowledge Keepers by documenting their breadmaking practices and fostering intergenerational dialogue with younger Knowledge Seekers, preserving these oral traditions within the Creative Knowledge Platform.
- Step 3 – The Traditional Bread Roads. The project will develop “bread roads” or experiential tours that allow residents and visitors to engage with breadmaking traditions across the Arabian Peninsula, tasting authentic breads and discovering the heritage of local bakers.
- Step 4 – Local and International Dissemination of Results. The final phase includes developing a digital library, documentary film, interactive website, geo-tagged itineraries, interactive books, and informational booklets to share the results of this cultural heritage project, both locally and globally.
What are the impacts and benefits for the region?
The Bread Between Us – بيناتنا خبز Project promotes sustainable development and local empowerment through its cultural and creative initiatives. By highlighting the rich cultural heritage of places, products, traditions, and community-held knowledge, it fosters an appreciation of the Arabian Peninsula’s unique breadmaking practices. This project also empowers communities to preserve, enhance, and share their cultural heritage, expanding the initiative to encompass broader Arabian traditions and arts, ultimately strengthening Arabian cultural identity and heritage.
How are the project’s results measured?
In the project planning phase, key performance indicators (KPIs) will be identified to assess the impact of this cultural heritage project. These KPIs will evaluate the project’s success in promoting sustainable development, preserving breadmaking traditions, and fostering local empowerment across the Arabian Peninsula, while allowing for timely interventions if necessary.