https://streetchallenge.eu/?page_id=973
Qu’est-ce tu mijontes Bangnolet?
Well, the answer is somewhere around 53 different cuisines.
Well, the answer is somewhere around 53 different cuisines.
Qu’est-ce tu mijontes? (What’s cooking?) is a physical and online space where people experience and express culture through the medium of food. So whether you would want to be experimental and try a dish from a new culture or just want people to experience a part of your culture, this is the platform you are looking for.
As a physical space we refer to the bridge in between La Noue and Les Malassis, which can be used as the space for events where a cuisine is served to the community. This is mainly for the reasons that it is an area that is the link between the previously unified areas of Bagnolet and it also serves as a route to the more often visited areas of Paris. Using the already existing bridge would mean lesser infrastructure requirements and easy working for the suggested approach.
We see food as a unifying factor between the currently isolated efforts made by the residents of Bagnolet and also as an attempt to bring the culture from behind the walls to the outside for the rest of the community to see. And food being such a part of culture, we realised that people would not be averse to sharing.
We see food as a unifying factor between the currently isolated efforts made by the residents of Bagnolet and also as an attempt to bring the culture from behind the walls to the outside for the rest of the community to see. And food being such a part of culture, we realised that people would not be averse to sharing.
A brief note on how it works?
It begins with one of the residents posting on Qu’est-ce tu mijontes, the online platform about their expertise at a certain dish from their culture and their willingness to host a specified number of people (depending on the number they are capable of cooking for).
It begins with one of the residents posting on Qu’est-ce tu mijontes, the online platform about their expertise at a certain dish from their culture and their willingness to host a specified number of people (depending on the number they are capable of cooking for).
Various posts like these appear from all over Bagnolet, from interested chefs and all these posts collectively appear on a display kiosk located at the bridge.
So for everyone who crosses the bridge, you can immediately sign up for any dish that you would be interested to try for free, as we realised that Bagnolet being a diverse and culturally rich just like India, a kind token of hospitality could actually bring communities together. And as soon as the maximum number of people specified by the chef is reached, an invitation is sent out for this ‘party’ serving that dish to all the people who signed up.
As a token of gratitude to the chef, an invitation for the next party serving a new dish is sent out.
And we believe it is this unique feature of Bagnolet that can bring the community together and additionally attract more attention from the rest of Paris, thus increasing the visibility of Bagnolet on the map of Paris.
Why we want to focus on building community and not directly space?
We see the strength of Bagnolet as a place with people enthusiastic about making their spaces better and more “livable”. We identified the different diversities and hope amongst the community in creating a better place despite the budget limitation. It was interesting to see how all the activities initiated by the community are inclusive and generate interest amongst people from all walks and ages. And thus this approach through food could be an extension of the same approach that we witnessed, and could be effective in bringing the community together.
We see the strength of Bagnolet as a place with people enthusiastic about making their spaces better and more “livable”. We identified the different diversities and hope amongst the community in creating a better place despite the budget limitation. It was interesting to see how all the activities initiated by the community are inclusive and generate interest amongst people from all walks and ages. And thus this approach through food could be an extension of the same approach that we witnessed, and could be effective in bringing the community together.
Sustainability and Future directions
Due to the geographical location of the bridge between La Malassis and La Noue we expect to approach the Town hall for the initial funding of the project. These costs would include providing a certain sum for the materials required for the activity i.e. ingredients and any additional infrastructure that may be required, though the area on the bridge and around it feels equipped to hold such an initiative. Additional administrative support may be sought from the two cultural centres in La Noue and Les Malassis.
Due to the geographical location of the bridge between La Malassis and La Noue we expect to approach the Town hall for the initial funding of the project. These costs would include providing a certain sum for the materials required for the activity i.e. ingredients and any additional infrastructure that may be required, though the area on the bridge and around it feels equipped to hold such an initiative. Additional administrative support may be sought from the two cultural centres in La Noue and Les Malassis.
We also see food as being an entry into the other aspects of a culture that could be introduced through this event such as music, textile, and language.
The approach could also be taken further in future with the residents participating in food festivals in and around Paris or collaborating with the catering systems of educational institutions to create a self-sustainable system.”
