Edible art “the season on the plate”, a workshop by Dhurata Thanasi 

A workshop promoting sustainable, local and ethical food practices

As part of the Art Explora Festival’s audience program, a creative food workshop was offered by Silver Spoon (Luga e Argjendtë) to introduce children to healthy eating, sustainability, and Albanian cultural heritage through hands-on artistic activities.

Using local, seasonal ingredients, they created artworks while learning about traditional food practices and the importance of eating fresh and local.

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The children took part in various activities using local and seasonal ingredients:  

• Creation of mosaics inspired by the festival and its boat, using seeds and cereals.
• Creation of motifs evoking traditional Albanian textiles using food stamps and natural dyes made from turmeric, red cabbage and pomegranate juice.
• Sensory games to recognize a variety of foods through smell, taste and touch.

Blending visual art, storytelling, and food exploration, this workshop offered a fun and meaningful way for children to learn about healthy and sustainable eating, food tradition, and environmental issues.

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Silver Spoon: A Model for Sustainable Food Practices

Silver Spoon is an Albanian social enterprise and food initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable, local, and ethical food practices. Founded by Dhurata Thanasi—a passionate food entrepreneur and activist—the initiative aims to preserve traditional Albanian cuisine, support small-scale farmers, and build a more sustainable and resilient food system. 

By supporting traditional food-making techniques, reducing food waste, promoting biodiversity, and adopting eco-friendly packaging, the initiative promotes a more thoughtful and responsible way of producing and consuming food.  Silver Spoon collaborates closely with local farmers to source native Albanian ingredients, encouraging the widespread use of local and seasonal products in restaurants and home kitchens. This approach not only supports the local economy but also reduces environmental impact by cutting down on transportation and packaging. 

Silver Spoon also values education, community engagement and collaboration. Through workshops, events, and campaigns it highlights the importance of good nutrition as well as Albania’s gastronomic heritage. Additionally, it partners with small-scale farmers, chefs, restaurants and public institutions to strengthen local food networks and maintains active ties with international food movements - such as Slow Food – to advocate for sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty on a broader scale. 

Instagram: Lugaeargjendte  

Facebook: Facebook Luga e Argjendte  

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