The slow life movement has united those who want to regain what they have lost in a constant race: the taste of berries, the color of the sky, the meaning of words. And, ultimately, themselves.
The rhythm of life is growing, we are in a hurry, but we do not acquire anything. Even worse: we lose even what we had. Because a magazine scrolled diagonally is not reading, a sandwich swallowed on the go is not food, but a vacation in the “gallop through the sights” mode is not rest and not pleasure at all.
In search of meaning. A few phrases are enough for us to formulate the impression of a book or a film, and we are already rushing for new impressions – just as superficial. But somewhere in the very depths we understand that our victory in this race is Pyrrhic. The Slow Reading Festival was invented just to stop, focus and step in search of hidden meanings*. Each time, they offer new ways of penetrating deep through detailed, meaningful reading. Starting with literally reading at the first festival, six years later its organizers offer to read both text and films, and pictures, and even dreams. Scientists, psychologists and art historians act as guides in these intellectual journeys, showing how layer by layer new contexts (philological, historical, anthropological) can be discovered. But, perhaps, the most important thing is the “technology” of thinking, the art of asking questions and getting answers to them, in order to then inevitably ask yourself new questions. For the sake of this work, the participants of the festival gather: to think, feel, seek inner fullness and integrity.
Read more:
- The day I stopped racing
In search of taste. How are shallots different from leeks? What does pickled flowers taste like? Which part of the tongue feels acid and which part feels sweet? Children aged 5–12 can learn about this and many other things at the School of Gourmets**. The author’s course by Marina Cherepanova was created on the basis of classes on the sensory of the international slow food movement. After fun and educational lessons, the taste of berries, fruits and vegetables is discovered even by those who previously recognized only chips and chocolate bars. The School of Gourmets has been incredibly popular for four years now, and its creators have finally decided to expand the program. This spring, the second class opens for young gourmets who already know about the seasonal ripening of fruits and vegetables and know how to distinguish star anise from saffron. The participants, together with the chefs of the capital’s restaurants, will prepare dishes from seasonal organic products. And then taste them – slowly, with pleasure, at a beautifully set table. And in May, the first trip is planned as part of the visiting school. Children and their parents are invited to the Belarusian agro-hotel Strelovo to visit the local blueberry plantation and get acquainted with the culinary traditions of the region.
In search of rest. “The philosophy of slow life is not to do everything at a snail’s pace, but to try to do everything at the right speed. To do everything as well as possible, and not as quickly as possible,” says writer and journalist Carl Honoré (Carl Honoré). And this, oddly enough, also applies to rest. In pursuit of impressions, many really do not have time to relax properly – they would like to take more photos and post them on social networks …
Briton of Indian origin Sonu Shivdasani has put slow life at the heart of his Soneva hotels in the Maldives and Thailand***. Everything here is built from local materials, you can only move barefoot, feeling nature literally at every step, guests can enjoy meditation sessions and their own observatory to admire the stars. And in the list of leisure options on the hotel website, “relaxation on your own beach”, “bliss at sunset” and “nap under the starry sky” take pride of place. Such activities would undoubtedly be approved by the authors of the Slow Tourism Manifesto****. He not only urges travelers not to rush, but also gives unusual advice. For example: do not what is written in the guidebook, but what the locals do before your eyes. Go to the same cafes, shops, markets. You will become closer to the country you came to – otherwise why come? Or – rejoice if your train is late or the bus is canceled. This is your chance to learn and see something new.
* For more details, see the website of the educational project eshkolot.ru
** You can learn more about the Gourmet School at cityclass.ru/the_food_with_a_sense
*** soneva.com
**** Published in Hidden Europe, March 2009.