In 2004, I travelled for the first time to my motherland Italy and developed a deep love for the culture, traditions and lifestyle. Italy has opened my eyes to a different way of life and reignited my passions and curiosity for the world. It has made me realise that the foundations of Italian history and culture are important to me. I have discovered that the things I love most are food, community, culture and environment. More importantly I have realised that these are not only important to me but to others, and each of these elements play a vital role in society and none of them stand-alone. They are irreversibly intertwined.
Italy has a plethora of provinces, each with their own rich heritage of farming, sharing of knowledge and gastronomical delights. Their eating habits are a reference model for the Mediterranean diet. Italians have been able to keep together the beauty of their provinces, knowledge, wealth of tradition, value of community and inspiration of entrepreneurship and innovation.
In 2017, I’m going to be further exploring my love affair with Italy and their way of life. I’ll be leaving late May for an International Study Tour of the United Kingdom and Italy. I will be looking to learn and find practices that are common within the Italian garden industry, local community and culture, which could be related back to the Australian industry and community.
My tour will include looking for new trends, techniques and innovations. Together with the new, I will attempt to discover the tried and tested cultural techniques of gardening: the “secrets” of my grandparents’ generation. Not only on how food and plants can be grown, but also how they can be used, shared and the important role they play in day-to-day living for everyone.
Through my blog and social media I will be sharing my experiences and knowledge, and how we can all contribute to a sustainable healthy future. Subscribe to the Garden Soirée Blog, follow Garden Soirée on Facebook and Instagram and while you are at it follow me on Facebook and Twitter too.
- Chantal Tenace
