Each session focuses on themes related to the life and work of different authors and personalities from Portuguese culture and history, or to certain historical periods. Realities from other countries and cultures are also included in this initiative. The proposed ‘journeys’ allow us to explore literary flavours from antiquity to contemporary times.
The event allows non-academic audiences to learn from experts how the history and culture of food is present in the works and periods covered. The application of this knowledge and its transfer into a format that is accessible to today's society is revealed in the preparation of the dinner menus (inspired by the texts of the time) and the accompanying entertainment (in the form of notes on literature, poetry, music, or theatre), usually provided by theatre companies such as Viv'Arte, Bonifrates, Almanaque, and Thíasos.
Tasting Literature was established in 2014, under the scientific coordination of the founders of the PhD in Food Heritage, Carmen Soares and Maria Helena da Cruz Coelho. The executive coordination is the responsibility of Dina de Sousa, Head of the Libraries and Historical Archives Division of the Coimbra City Hall, a partner institution in the initiative. Other partner institutions are joining the organisers and proponents of Sabores da Escrita: the transnational project DIAITA: Food Heritage of Lusophony and, since March 2017, the National Reading Plan 2017-2027, called Ler +Ciência, through the Leituras do Território initiative.
Admission to the sessions is free, but participation in the cultural dinner is subject to payment and prior registration.
Information and registration: Coimbra Municipal House of Culture - 239 702 630