In the second year of the project, the idea of sharing and cooking together was further developed through the construction of a mobile culinary kiosk, which was created in close collaboration with the residents of the refugee shelter at Columbiadamm. In participatory workshops, the design and functionality of the kiosk were developed together. The construction took place in several building workshops.
After the completion of the construction phase, the kiosk was inaugurated with an opening event on the central square. This was accompanied by a cooking event, which immediately turned the kiosk into a meeting point for the residents. Subsequently, regular community cooking activities took place.
The culinary kiosk initially attracted children who actively participated in cooking and helped with the preparation. Over time, parents and other adults joined the process, sharing recipes, cooking, and thus getting to know each other. The shared cooking experience became a space where people of different ages, with various stories and backgrounds, could find support.
A special ritual during the hot summer months was the shared cutting and eating of large watermelons. For some of the residents, this experience evoked memories of Kherson watermelons, which are famous not only for their extraordinary sweetness but also as a symbol of liberation and resilience during the occupation. These simple moments of collective remembrance are what fill everyday life with support and solidarity with those who are still under occupation.
The Culinary Kiosk was a place where not only cooking took place, but also connections grew. The regular events contributed to making the central square a space for encounters and exchange.
