Delicacy Monday – Food, Dance and Safe place – for Everyone

May, warm yet pleasant weather. Pots full of food – chopped, fried, cooked and stirred with love by the students from the Hospitality and Tourism School and young refugees from Iraq and Burundi, Karoh and Lorraine, are being served into the KC Grad on the Sava Pier. The sun reflects on the shiny and warm lids that hide fragrant and spicy specialties from some faraway regions. A well-heated grill is smoking in the yard, attended by future cooks and chefs. The students make final preparations and the food is served. These are not the stage directions of some theatre play, but an attempt to briefly describe the atmosphere of the preparation of Delicacy Monday.

The gastronomic event Delicacy Monday, part of the traditional cooperation between the United Nations Refugee Agency in Serbia (UNHCR), Crisis Response and Policy Center (CRPC), young refugees and the Hospitality and Tourism School in Belgrade, was organized yet again. Africa, the Middle East and Serbia – what we share is the importance we give to gatherings involving food and music -large and inseparable parts of our customs and celebrations.

This joyful multicultural event is part of UNHCR’s mission to bring people together in the way they know best – through food and dance, things closest to family activities that bring a sense of security. Sounds and aromas have the power to take us back to a moment in the past when we felt tucked in, to remind us of our carefree childhood. Refugees, many of whom are children, leave their homes forcibly. They usually do not have time to take even the most basic things with them, some are deprived of the most beautiful and crucial years of growing up. However, heritage and memories are something no one can take away from them. They carry these deep inside, as they do a family recipe or a traditional song. They hope that maybe, someday, they will return to their country of origin, or find a new home somewhere else. In the meantime, many are helping them to feel welcome in Serbia.

On that May evening, everyone in KC Grad had the opportunity to get a taste three cultures on one plate – barbecue, dolma and pilaf. Serbia is a small country and any event that includes getting to know the customs of other geographical “dots” and regions is something special. Language was not an obstacle – Serbian, French, English and the language of music and gastronomy – there was always a way to communicate. Two girls who are not yet old enough to know their mother tongue, let alone know how to speak different languages look at each other shyly, and then take a picture together with their mothers. The event is additionally spiced up with the dance and song of Burundi.

“Delicacy Monday was one of the most interesting social events I attended this spring.” I met fantastic people willing to share their refugee stories with me. The food was only there to complete the event” – the impression of UNHCR associate, professor of Serbian language and literature Anđelka Petrović.

The people who, despite the difficult circumstances, stop to teach strangers dance moves of their homeland, who are willing to learn the traditional dance of the country where they sought refuge, and to share their refugee stories, show that hope, “life after” exist somewhere else, and that no one can take away your heritage and memories.

Media reports are full of statistics about people forced to flee. This year, that number rose to 100 million. However, behind every figure there is a person with their dreams, hopes, fears, and plans for an uncertain future.

Some of them found refuge in Serbia. In a way, Delicacy Monday was one big family meal where everyone felt safe and a part of the community.

Written by Sofija Mirčetić