On Saturday morning, 15 November, Gardens of the Future hosted a hands-on pasta-making workshop centred around the traditional Cypriot handmade pasta known as sklinitžin. The workshop brought together community members in a relaxed, participatory setting, combining culinary heritage with environmental learning. Although framed primarily as a cultural activity, the workshop created an effective opportunity to introduce participants to the vertical garden system and the CARDIMED project.
The session unfolded in two main parts:
- Traditional Pasta Making
Guests learned each step of preparing sklinitžin. The process encouraged interaction, skills sharing, and meaningful exchange around local food traditions. While the pasta rested and cooked, the group transitioned to the sustainability-focused segment of the morning. - Garden Activation and Introduction to CARDIMED
While waiting for the pasta to be ready, participants accompanied the Gardens team to the vertical garden area to collect fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley. This created a natural bridge between culinary practice and the discussion of sustainable food-growing systems.
The visit to the vertical garden was used as an informal, indirect presentation of the CARDIMED project. Through conversation rather than formal instruction, participants were introduced to:
- The aquaponic–hydroponic system supporting the vertical garden
- How fish waste is transformed into nutrients for plants
- The benefits of soilless cultivation in Mediterranean climates
- The role of the vertical garden as a nature-based solution implemented under the CARDIMED framework
- How these methods support urban sustainability and resource efficiency
Participants responded with great interest, expressing curiosity about the system’s mechanics and its relevance for urban living.
The workshop successfully blended cultural heritage with environmental education. Participants left with:
- Practical experience in preparing a traditional local dish
- First-hand exposure to an urban NbS demonstration site
- An introduction to the CARDIMED project’s objectives
- A heightened understanding of sustainable food systems and responsible resource use
The relaxed setting helped cultivate meaningful conversations and strengthened the sense of community around the Gardens.
Although the workshop was not a formal CARDIMED event, it contributed to project objectives by:
- Raising awareness of NbS among adults and families
- Showcasing the vertical garden in an accessible, experiential way
- Strengthening community participation in sustainability-focused activities
- Demonstrating how cultural practices (like cooking) can connect with ecological learning
The pasta-making workshop provided a warm, engaging platform for community connection and environmental learning. By integrating the vertical garden into the activity and offering an indirect introduction to CARDIMED, the event helped broaden public understanding of the project’s goals while celebrating Cypriot culinary heritage and the spirit of shared experiences at the Gardens of the Future.
