^{The case of mediterranean diet}

^{(working title)}

2022 - ongoing

^{Different installaments of the work were exhibited or performed in:
◍ Castel Coucou, Institut Francais, Sept 2022
◍ Middle East Institute , “MEI Climate Exhibition”, Dec 2022}

The research looks into different economic and political forces that shaped the food system in Lebanon.

^Subtitle

Through a dinner performance, I presented a menu set based on the Great Famine of 1916 that took place in Lebanon and its connection to the monoculture of mulberry.

To compete against China with the production of silk and to cater for European countries, the Ottoman Empire dedicated Mount Lebanon for the production of silk. The area faced a rise of mulberry monoculture which was due to the specific diet of silkworm that required solely on mulberry leaves to produce silk. Towards the end of the empire it was estimated that 45% of agricultural land in this area was dedicated to mulberry. Protected under the Ottoman network, Lebanon became interdependent for its food supply (grains and wheat).

As a result of the environmental crisis; bad season of crops and the locust invasion, the Mount Lebanon area experienced the Great Famine from 1916 to 1918. During that time, the Ottoman Empire created an alliance with Germany and decided to prioritize its food storage for soldiers fighting the imperial war. From the sea, Britain and France forced a maritime blockage preventing any aid entering the area. During that time Lebanon lost half of its population. (The weakened state facilitated the colonial project in a couple of years to come.)

The dinner performance allowed for this story to take place around a menu set based on mulberry mixed with leftover foods. The menu creates a parallel between the current food crisis in Lebanon with the one during the famine. As the Lebanese economy falls in black market, having access to any basic need becomes a form of class luxury.

The dinner was accompanied by music created and popularized during 1916 in Lebanon.

^Subtitle

Through a dinner performance, I presented a menu set based on the Great Famine of 1916 that took place in Lebanon and its connection to the monoculture of mulberry.

To compete against China with the production of silk and to cater for European countries, the Ottoman Empire dedicated Mount Lebanon for the production of silk. The area faced a rise of mulberry monoculture which was due to the specific diet of silkworm that required solely on mulberry leaves to produce silk. Towards the end of the empire it was estimated that 45% of agricultural land in this area was dedicated to mulberry. Protected under the Ottoman network, Lebanon became interdependent for its food supply (grains and wheat).

^Subtitle

Through a dinner performance, I presented a menu set based on the Great Famine of 1916 that took place in Lebanon and its connection to the monoculture of mulberry.

To compete against China with the production of silk and to cater for European countries, the Ottoman Empire dedicated Mount Lebanon for the production of silk. The area faced a rise of mulberry monoculture which was due to the specific diet of silkworm that required solely on mulberry leaves to produce silk. Towards the end of the empire it was estimated that 45% of agricultural land in this area was dedicated to mulberry. Protected under the Ottoman network, Lebanon became interdependent for its food supply (grains and wheat).