The traditional glassblowing craft in Syria has a rich history dating back over 2000 years to Phoenician times, with the technique remaining essentially the same today.

The craft originated in Syria, with Syrian craftsmen inventing the technique in cities such as Sidon, Aleppo, Hama, and Palmyra.

The technique involves heating sand to high temperatures and shaping the molten glass with tools, requiring great skill and precision.

The glassblowing craft is an important part of Syrian culture, with many families preserving the traditional craft through family inheritance.

The city of Damascus is particularly famous for its glassblowing traditions, with artisans using recycled glass and high-temperature ovens to create various items like vases, plates, and jugs.

Islamic motifs are used in painting on glass in Damascus, reflecting the city's rich cultural and historical heritage.

Despite its long history, traditional glassblowing in Syria has been affected by war, but efforts are being made to revive the craft.

There are still skilled artisans practicing the craft, such as Hussein Najjar, who has 40 years of experience in manual glassblowing.

The craft has been recognized by UNESCO, which listed traditional glassblowing as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent preservation in 2023.

This recognition highlights the importance of preserving traditional crafts like glassblowing, which are an essential part of Syria's cultural identity.

However, the current estimated number of artisans engaged in traditional glassblowing in Damascus is not available due to a lack of specific data.

The number of traditional craftsmen in Syria has declined due to economic conditions, with a 50% decline in traditional professions.

The high costs of production inputs and income taxes have caused many craftsmen to close their workshops and switch to other jobs.

The lack of support and unequal competition have also affected craftsmen, making it difficult for them to continue their craft.

UNESCO listed Syrian glassblowing as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding due to its cultural significance and the need for preservation.

The Syrian government and organizations, such as the Syrian Professional Center Association, provide financial support to artisans to help preserve traditional crafts.

Young people are also being trained to learn and develop traditional crafts, ensuring the continuity of the craft.

Exhibitions and workshops are being held to promote and preserve Syrian heritage and folklore professions, including traditional glassblowing.

The Dummar Incubator is working to protect Syrian heritage from extinction by providing conditions for professionals to innovate and promoting craft products locally and abroad.

The incubator has departments like the Assad Academy of Craft Arts and workshops for craftsmen, and it aims to establish branches in all provinces.

The Syrian Trust for Development is a UNESCO-accredited organization that supervises intangible cultural heritage nominations and works to preserve heritage and identity.

Overall, the traditional glassblowing craft in Syria is an important part of the country's cultural heritage and identity, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote it for future generations.

The traditional glassblowing craft in Syria has a rich history dating back over 2000 years to Phoenician times, with the technique remaining essentially the same today.

Title:

Content: Art of glassblowing returns again in Aleppo countryside liberated from terrorism

The town of Urem Al-Kubra in Aleppo province in northern Syria has historically been famous for its skilled glassblowing craftsmen. The war considerably affected this traditional craft inherited from our ancestors, but after the liberation of the city from terrorism, some artisans have brought it back to life. The artisan, Yassin Arab learned the glassblowing craft from his father when he was a child, and after the town was liberated from terrorism, he returned to his small facility, where he worked to restore it and start working again. Arab does not hide his enormous passion for the craft of glassblowing and his belief in the need to preserve this ancient Syrian heritage. Regarding the working mechanism, the artisan explained to SANA that he uses recycled glass, melts it again in the oven at high temperature, and then chooses a specific shape for its manufacture, whether hookah bottles, vases, plates, small jugs, fish houses for decoration, decorated cups and antiques of different sizes. After that, t he piece is blown, rotated and processed by the artisan until it takes its final shape using white and brown colors, and once the manufacturing of the product is finished, it is decorated and colored to give it the required aesthetics. For his part, Hussein Najjar noted that he learned the craft of blowing glass manually since he was young and has been working in this field for 40 years. He added that he is able to make any shape or glass container, using his imagination, and considered that the art of glassblowing is one of the types of plastic arts. Traditional glassblowing is a profession that dates back more than two thousand years (since the time of the Phoenicians) and was included in December 2023 by UNESCO on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity that needs urgent preservation. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

The craft originated in Syria, with Syrian craftsmen inventing the technique in cities such as Sidon, Aleppo, Hama, and Palmyra.

Title:

Content: Bella Hadid flashes her toned figure in shorts and a cropped sports top while showing off her creative side as she learns the art of glassblowing

It appears Bella Hadid has found a new hobby that showcases her artistic side.

On Sunday, the catwalk queen took to her Instagram page and posted a step-by-step video of herself making her own glass piece, using classic glassblowing technique in a workshop.

Considering the extreme temperatures it takes to make glass from beginning to end, Bella opted to keep her cloths to a minimum and wore skimpy white shorts with a cropped purple sports top.

Showing her creative side: Bella Hadid, 25, learned the classic art of glassblowing to make her own glass piece and posting a video on her Instagram page on Sunday

Glass is made from the process of heating sand to an extremely high temperature so that it turns into a moldable liquid. When it solidifies, a piece of glass is formed in whatever shape the creator has molded it into.

In the video, viewers will find Bella at the stage where she's working to shape the molten red hot material.

She can be seen sitting down and jabbing a long, sharp wrench-like tool with her scorching hot material, which was attached to a hollow blow pole about three feet long.

She was concerned with safety and wore goggles to protect her eyes.

Shaping: The video shows Bella at the stage where she's working to shape the molten red hot material that is attached to a blow pole

Working it: An instructor can be heard voicing a couple of tips as she spins that object around to the point where a small hole begins to form

Dose of heat: By the end of the first clip, Bella gets up and gives the hot material another dose of intense heat by placing it into a fiery furnace

An instructor can be heard voicing a couple of tips as she spins that object round and round to the point where a small hole begins to form.

By the end of the first clip, Bella gets up and gives the hot material another dose of intense heat by placing it into the fiery furnace.

For the next phase, the instructor assists Bella and slowly spins the blow pole while she sands down the still-molten red piece with two black blocks.

The heat is so intense that you can see steam floating into the air as they continue the sanding-down process.

Honing it: For the next phase, the instructor assists Bella and slowly spins the blow pole while she sands down the still molten red piece with two black blocks

Team work: Bella and the instructor work together to begin molding the molten hot object into shape with those two black blocks

Trippy: Bella gave her 53.7 million Instagram fans and followers a look at how her glass piece is looking at this stage of the process

More intense heat: At one point, the Washington, DC, native can be seen kneeling down using a small propane tank to heat up the object to make a few more changes

At one point, the Washington, DC, native can be seen kneeling down using a small propane tank to heat up the object to make a few more changes.

'Oh yeah, that's the one right there,' a man's voice from behind the camera can be heard saying as they continue to spin the object while jabbing it with that sharp tool.

As the process continues, Bella sits down, spinning the blow pole back and forth as it rests in a round plate that she holds with her right hand.

'It's a perfect shape,' the instructors says in encouragement.

'Here it is, ladies and gentlemen,' the man continues just as Bella gets up to blow into the pole to expand the molten hot material out to form some sort of glassware or vase.

Example: The catwalk queen drew out the shape of her piece she was trying to attain with chalk

Rounding it out: As the process continues, Bella sits down and spins the blow pole back and forth as it rests in a round plate that she holds with her right hand

Major phase: 'Here it is, ladies and gentlemen,' the man from behind the camera continues as Bella starts blowing into the pole

Expanding: Bella then process of blowing into the pole to expand the molten material out to form some sort of glassware

Old technique: Glassblowing is the practice of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube, or in this case a pole

The final clips shows a closeup of Bella spinning the glass while adding a few intricate touches to the piece with a prong-like tool.

Glassblowing is the practice of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube

It was was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the area of Sidon, Aleppo, Hama and Palmyra in the 1st century BC, according to Britannica.

The technique has remained essentially the same to the present day.

Ancient art form: Glassblowing was was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the area of Sidon, Aleppo, Hama and Palmyra in the 1st century bc, according to Britannica

Lovin' it: The glassblowing technique has remained basically the same to the present day

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Bella Hadid flashes her toned figure in shorts and a crop top while learning the art of glassblowing

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The technique involves heating sand to high temperatures and shaping the molten glass with tools, requiring great skill and precision.

The glassblowing craft is an important part of Syrian culture, with many families preserving the traditional craft through family inheritance.

The city of Damascus is particularly famous for its glassblowing traditions, with artisans using recycled glass and high-temperature ovens to create various items like vases, plates, and jugs.

Islamic motifs are used in painting on glass in Damascus, reflecting the city's rich cultural and historical heritage.

Title:

Content: Samples of the Damascene Literary Heritage Attend an Exhibition and Seminar in the Culture of Infection
Damascus-Sana
In the exhibition “Heritage Crafts are Inherited by the Fragrance of History ” hosted by the Adawi Cultural Center, the artworks varied between glass decoration, Damascene brocade and various handicrafts.
The exhibition was followed by an introductory seminar on these arts for the Sheikhs of Carr and craftsmen specialized in these professions under the supervision of the handicraft trainer Rowaa Yousef.
Youssef Lassana explained that the exhibition was dedicated to traditional professions in general and handicrafts, especially such as brocade, painting on glass, Islamic motifs and handicrafts to maintain their continuity and importance.
Mohammed Bassam Rayhan Sheikh Al-Karar in painting on glass and decoration spoke in his intervention about the history of this craft, its forms, fields of work and materials used in it, pointing out that the glass, which was the first to be invented by the Phoenicians, evolved in Damascus throughout history and was painted on the mishkat and lanterns using oxides and various materials, thermal colors, acrlik and others.
The Damascene brocade craftsman Mohammed Rankous explained in his intervention that this cloth is made of natural silk and golden reed yarns and attributed to Damascus because it took its character, heritage and environment, such as the painting of Omar Khayyam, the Levantine Rose, grape clusters, the lover and the beloved, and the octagonal geometric drawings, pointing out that this craft entered the cultures of different civilizations.
Nasruddin Mohammed is a graduate of applied arts and a drawing teacher who participated in paintings for his students from children and boys. In his intervention, he explained the history of the Damascene plant decoration, its methods, types and schools such as Andalusian, Persian and Damascene, and its differences in decoration, diggings, mirrors and miniatures, indicating that its history dates back to the Andalusian civilization, which was its main creativity in palaces and buildings.
Mohammed Sabha is a bridal craftsman who participated in a group of decorative glass works for brides and explained that he has completed a model of a waterfall flowing from an electric mountain that is operated by hand from cardboard, wood and cork inspired by his ideas.
Rana Ayoub participated in a group of works of three-dimensional models and miniatures of the Levant environment. She explained that she chose this environment because she grew up and lived in it and adored it. It is necessary to inform future generations of their heritage and history, pointing out that she works with cork, wood, natural materials, gypsum, ceramic paste and others.
Bilal Ahmed

Despite its long history, traditional glassblowing in Syria has been affected by war, but efforts are being made to revive the craft.

There are still skilled artisans practicing the craft, such as Hussein Najjar, who has 40 years of experience in manual glassblowing.

The craft has been recognized by UNESCO, which listed traditional glassblowing as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent preservation in 2023.

This recognition highlights the importance of preserving traditional crafts like glassblowing, which are an essential part of Syria's cultural identity.

However, the current estimated number of artisans engaged in traditional glassblowing in Damascus is not available due to a lack of specific data.

Title:

Content: What is the reality of traditional and traditional professions in Syria?
DAMASCUS – The traditional professions and crafts in Syria were not immune to the repercussions of the war. In light of the difficult economic and security conditions that the country has been witnessing for more than a decade, these professions are suffering from an unprecedented decline related to production and market conditions, which makes them today threatened with extinction.
The head of the Union of Craftsmen in the province of Latakia Jihad Pro, in a recent statement to the local newspaper Al-Watan, the decline of the production of handicrafts and handicrafts of various kinds by 50% within the province, considering the high costs of production inputs and increased income taxes as direct reasons for this decline.
Bassam Qalaji, head of the artisanal association for confectionery in Damascus, told the local newspaper Global last month that more than half of the confectionery craftsmen had stopped producing and switched to other professions due to low demand and insufficient profits.
Successive statements reveal the reality of Syrian traditional and traditional crafts, which are suffering under the weight of the economic decline that the country is suffering from.
This situation has prompted thousands of craftsmen to close their workshops and shops and switch to other jobs, or migrate and move their work abroad, amid the real threat of the disappearance of many traditional traditional traditional professions and handicrafts, which constitute vital sectors of the economic sector in the country and an integral part of its cultural identity.
What are the main reasons for this decline?
How does it affect the economic life of the country?
Lack of support and unequal competition
Anton, a 42-year-old Damascene craftsman and former owner of a mosaic workshop in rural Damascus, says his struggle for years to keep his workshop open, producing and selling enough to pay its workers has been futile.
He adds in an interview with Al Jazeera Net: "I tried hard to maintain the workshop and its workers for as long as possible, but the constant high prices of wood (local and imported) in an inappropriate manner, the long interruption of electricity (16-18 hours a day), and the low demand for mosaic in the domestic and foreign market, all factors forced me to lay off workers, and later to close the workshop after months, during which I received only two orders."
In addition to these factors, Anton attributed the low demand for "original" mosaics and other handicrafts and heritage artifacts (copperware, damask, antika, textiles) to:
The reality of the market at the moment in the absence of tourists.
• The decline of external demand for the commodity as a result of the interruption of trade relations with foreign markets.
• Migration of brokers and traders and thus reduced export.
• Unequal competition.
With heritage products becoming “more than luxury ” for Syrians suffering from poor purchasing power (average monthly salaries of about $20), and the lack of support for craftsmen and awareness of the importance and authenticity of these products by trade unions and government agencies, Syria ’ s craftsmen face major challenges to continue their craft.
Although there are no accurate figures on the number of craftsmen who have been driven by working conditions to emigrate outside the country, the head of the Damascus Craftsmen ’ s Union, Ali Qarmashti, revealed in an interview with the local news website Click News last year that the percentage of Damascene craftsmen migrating has become very high, especially among young people.
Repellent economic and social policies
In addition to the direct economic factors that led to the decline of traditional crafts during the past few years, represented by the high prices of raw materials, the poor reality of services, and the decline of the sale and purchase movement, there were indirect factors that affected these crafts.
Syrian economist Younis Karim believes that the artisan crisis began in 2008 after being subjected to great pressures due to the change of the general economic orientation in the country.
He said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net: "Since 2008, the authorities have put their hands on the spread of these industries due to the importance of their geographical location, and work to change their features in favor of wealthy investors, or provide them as donations to countries that Damascus seeks to establish bilateral relations with."
According to the expert, the reality of the work of traditional crafts after 2011 became more complex and difficult with "the continued adoption of economic and social policies by the regime that restrict the owners of these crafts, exclude them from support, take their places of deployment, in addition to the cessation of exhibitions and the difficulty of participating in external events because of the political positions of the regime.
Karim explains that the family and social disintegration suffered by Syrians as a result of large-scale migration during the last decade was an added reason for the decline of these crafts, which “relied on inheritance between generations of the same family as a tradition followed by Syrian craftsmen long ago. ”
Kilo to Piece and Pieces
It seems that some traditional crafts and crafts are in the same trench with traditional crafts in their war against extinction, where the owners of many traditional crafts are no less original than those of heritage, especially the confectioners from the high costs of raw materials in production, high costs of energy stands, and successive losses due to the reluctance of citizens to buy expensive Arabic sweets.
Suhaib, 55, owner of a sweets shop in the Jazmatiya area of Damascus, told Al Jazeera Net: "Days pass without selling a total of a kilo of various items, and two years ago the stagnation of goods in the shop became a familiar phenomenon to us, and had it not been for the holiday seasons, and some occasions and weddings held here and there, we would have closed long ago."
Al-Halwani Al-Damascene adds in an interview with Al-Jazeera Net: "Our profits, and the profits of most of the shops of Halwanis in Damascus, have decreased by a large percentage since the beginning of the economic crisis in the country."
Al-Halwani pointed out that the price of a kilo of some varieties of Arabic sweets has exceeded 400 thousand pounds recently, adding: "Which is not able for Syrians to buy, so we have become selling methods in which we rely on small quantities, so we sell baklava, crystal, shaped, asian, brominated and other items in ounces, grain (piece) and two grains to keep the sales movement, and do not stop customers from our shop."
As for the reasons why sweets in Damascus stopped working and many of them emigrated outside the country, Al-Halwani said: “Many reasons start from the large annual taxes that are inconsistent with high operating costs and low profits, in addition to the high prices of commercial electricity and fuel needed to operate shops and laboratories, the huge increase in the prices of raw materials, the high wages of workers, and the reluctance of customers to buy these sweets except on occasions. ”
High prices
Prices of food, nuts and other components of Arabic sweets have risen by varying rates recently, as the price of a kilo of animal margarine reached 150 thousand pounds ($equivalent to about 2511 pounds), while the price of a kilo of pistachio love rose to 300 thousand, and the price of a kilo of walnuts to 120 thousand.
The prices of popular sweets such as Al-Barazek and Al-Ma ’ amoul in Damascus markets, by the holy month of Ramadan, were between 100 and 130 thousand pounds per kilo, while the prices of medium and luxury sweets such as “Al-Belouria ”,“ Al-Mashkeel ”, “Kool and Shakour ”,“ Aish Al-Bulbul ” and “Baklava ” ranged between 250 and 500 thousand per kilo, which is equivalent to the salary of a Syrian employee in the public sector.
The head of the artisanal association for confectionery industry, Bassam Qalaji, attributed this rise in confectionery prices to the government lifting subsidies on oil derivatives, which led to a direct increase in costs by 150%, pointing out that raising the price of electricity by 5 times will lead to an increase in the price of about 650 products.
Qalaji said in a statement to the local newspaper Al-Watan last month that the largest number of confectionery craftsmen emigrated, and their first destination was Algeria followed by Germany.
In March last year, the head of the artisanal association for the confectionery industry revealed that 70% of the workshops of the confectionery industry were closed due to the economic crisis and the low demand for sweets and refreshments.
A severe blow to the economy
This gradual disappearance of traditional crafts is a painful blow to the Syrian economy, says economist Younis Karim, “For decades these crafts have been the largest incubator of Syrian labor, and their contribution to the economy before 2011 ranged from 40 to 50%. ”
This is what Matanios Habib, a researcher and former Syrian oil minister, said in a research paper entitled “The private sector in Syria ” (2005), when he pointed out that the private industrial sector in Syria tended to invest in crafts for fear of nationalization policies, whether during the era of Syrian-Egyptian unity (1958-1961) or after the revolution of March 8 (1967).
Karim stresses that the crisis of workers in traditional crafts, such as confectioners and others, dates back to before 2011, specifically to the period between 2007 and 2009, when there was “an attempt by the regime to pressure the owners of traditional crafts and crafts by forcing them to pay taxes, and to keep them away from city centers in favor of large investors. ”
Younis Karim believes that the gradual demise of these crafts will have negative effects on the Syrian economy because of their role in "providing job opportunities beyond those provided by large laboratories and their excellence in ease of operation and achievement, and the ability to spread.
Source: The Island

The number of traditional craftsmen in Syria has declined due to economic conditions, with a 50% decline in traditional professions.

The high costs of production inputs and income taxes have caused many craftsmen to close their workshops and switch to other jobs.

The lack of support and unequal competition have also affected craftsmen, making it difficult for them to continue their craft.

UNESCO listed Syrian glassblowing as intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding due to its cultural significance and the need for preservation.

Title:

Content: Red Sea Festival in Jeddah
Arab culture in 2023.
Achievements and Creations
The year 2023 witnessed a large number of important cultural events in the Arab world. In addition to the periodic film, theater and visual festivals and book fairs, there was a real presence of creative ideas and new initiatives not witnessed in the cultural arena in previous years.
The sixth edition of the Cultural Summit was held in Manarat Al Saadiyat under the theme ‘ A Matter of Time ’, to explore how culture is changing the world ’ s perception of time, alongside the Al Hosn Festival, which documents the heritage of this ancient city.
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, one of the top 10 literary festivals around the world, also kicked off in Dubai, UAE, and hosted more than 260 writers, creators and thought leaders from around the world and the Arab world in more than 300 events covering all topics, such as literature, arts, culture and more.
Saudi Arabia launched the Culture Index in the Islamic World project, which monitors the transformation of the cultural landscape and its development and documents its achievements in Islamic countries within four dimensions and axes: “Culture for Economic Development, Culture for Environment, Climate and Resilience, Culture for Social Development, and Culture for Openness and Diversity. ”
Red Sea Film Festival selects 17 films for its official competition
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RIFF), the first international film festival in Saudi Arabia, was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in early December. In addition to film screenings and competitions, the festival will feature “Talent Days ”, which will provide specialized discussion sessions and orientation workshops for filmmakers who are passionate about learning the craft and enhancing their skills and artistic tools.
In the context of cinema, the year 2023 witnessed Arab participation in a number of film festivals, most notably the Cannes Film Festival, which witnessed the culmination of three Arab films in the "Some Look" competition dedicated to encouraging young talents in the field of film.
The Moroccan film "Hunting Dogs" by Kamal Lazrak won the jury award, the Moroccan director Asma Al-Mader won the directing award for her documentary "White Lie", while the Sudanese film "Goodbye Julia" by Mohamed Kordafani won the freedom award, the first participation of a Sudanese film in this prestigious festival.
At the Berlin Film Festival, the Lebanese film “Yarqa ” for the sisters Michel and Manuel Ksarwani won the“ Golden Bear for Best Short Film ”, while the Yemeni director Amr Jamal ’ s “The Tired ” won the Amnesty International Human Rights Award at the same festival.
In the field of literature, the winning of the Iraqi novelist Firat al-Ani Award for Arabic Literature, presented by the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, for his novel “I Remember Fallujah ”. Similarly, the Omani novelist Zahran Al Qasimi won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction“ Poker ” for his novel “Taghriba Al Qaffer ”. The novel.
In an earlier interview with Erm News...
How did Zahran Al Qasimi predict that his novel would win poker?
Continuing the literary prizes, Ashraf Ashmawy of Egypt won two prizes from Katara of Qatar, while Mohammed Al Yahyaei of Oman won the prize for his novel “The War ”.
As for the intangible cultural heritage, the inclusion of the Syrian glass blowing element on UNESCO ’ s lists of urgent conservation is a milestone achieved by Damascus.
The losses of Arab creators remain a milestone in the scene, including, for example, the Lebanese composer Elie Choueiri, the Syrian novelist Khaled Khalifa, and the pioneer of children ’ s literature in Egypt Yacoub Sharouni.
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The Syrian government and organizations, such as the Syrian Professional Center Association, provide financial support to artisans to help preserve traditional crafts.

Title:

Content: Exhibition of craft products by Syrian and Russian artists in the public park in Aleppo
Halab-Sana
On the grounds of the public park in the city of Aleppo, the activities of the exhibition of craft products were launched today, with the participation of 20 craftsmen and artists from Syria and the Russian Federation.
The exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Industry in cooperation with the Russian Cultural Center in Damascus, the Federation of Artisans in Aleppo and the Syrian Professional Center Association, includes a collection of heritage and artistic works, paintings of Ajami thread, ornaments and handicrafts of wool, orphans, leather, rugs, carpets, bamboo and silver industry.
According to the President of the Union of Artisans in Aleppo, Mohammed Hossam Hallak, in a statement to SANA correspondent, the exhibition aims to highlight the traditional handicrafts and crafts and folklore professions to revive them by training the younger generations and mastering their industry to preserve them.
Mustafa al-Nu, President of the Syrian Professional Center Association, pointed out that the association worked to attract professionals and handicrafts, and provided them with financial grants to encourage them to continue their work, to preserve these crafts from extinction, in addition to training young people wishing to learn these crafts and develop them to suit the times.
The Russian artist Yuri Lishin, famous for the manufacture of blowing on glass, talked about his professionalism for more than 54 years, and his participation in many exhibitions in the world, indicating that his visit to Syria to learn about the glass industry, and participate in workshops on the manufacture of hand glass in Syria.
A number of participants noted the importance of the exhibition, which allows for the marketing of their products, where Zakaria Sultan, who works in the craft of silver and peat breaking, explained that he participates with silver and copper products and accessories made by hand in various forms for swimming pools, steadfastness, image cadres and chandeliers, in addition to grafting copper on wood, calling for providing the necessary support to maintain this profession.
The craftsman Ayman Saeed presented the results of the drawing on wood, which is called Ajami art, and stated that he learned to make this art and plant motifs and painting in Arabic calligraphy in the association, and became a trainer contributing to the revival of heritage, and that the exhibition is an important opportunity to market his products.
Artist Tala Naravyan participated in watercolor, oil and other paintings painted with pencils and charcoal, talking about the Armenian and Arab heritage and the neighborhoods of Aleppo and its citadel, pointing out that she participates to introduce people to the components of the rich Syrian heritage through painting because it constitutes the language of the world.
Samira Misto, who works in the craft of making the ancient traditional macrame, using colored threads and ropes to decorate the Koran, mirrors, clothes and jewelry, pointed out that she is working to develop this profession by adding beads and tree trunks to revive and preserve it.
Qusay Razzouk
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Aleppo Public Park

Young people are also being trained to learn and develop traditional crafts, ensuring the continuity of the craft.

Exhibitions and workshops are being held to promote and preserve Syrian heritage and folklore professions, including traditional glassblowing.

The Dummar Incubator is working to protect Syrian heritage from extinction by providing conditions for professionals to innovate and promoting craft products locally and abroad.

Title:

Content: Dummar Incubator for Heritage Crafts is the first development project to protect the Syrian heritage from extinction and maintain its continuity, and provides the right conditions for professionals to innovate, develop ideas and access heritage products with creative ideas.
Khobar Code: 576992
Publication date: 27 September 2021
The incubator is the product of an idea that is part of an integrated scientific research entitled "Syrian heritage between the heritage of the past and the challenges of the present", a research that won the Syrian Innovation Award for 2014, and was invested by the General Federation of Craft Associations with interest and support from the central leadership of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party.
He pointed out that the incubator consists of several departments, including the Assad Academy of Craft Arts, in addition to workshops for craftsmen, a cultural center, an exhibition hall, and a commercial center whose mission is to promote and market the craft product in local and foreign markets.
He complained that the incubator provides support for small projects.
The Director of Dummar Incubator for Traditional Crafts said that the incubator ’ s work is based on providing the possibility of gathering various “kar sheikhs ” and craftsmen in one place, which leads to the generation of new ideas through this convergence and convergence and access to new projects.
On the objectives of the incubator, he stressed that "it aims to establish branches in all the province and friendly countries as the basis for the development of small projects."
In turn, Nabil Karkutli, who specializes in alternative energy, pointed out that the objectives of the presence of his craft in the incubator aims to qualify cadres to make alternatives to imports to face the Caesar law as well as recycling materials, in addition to the production of alternative energy devices, especially solar energy.
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The incubator has departments like the Assad Academy of Craft Arts and workshops for craftsmen, and it aims to establish branches in all provinces.

The Syrian Trust for Development is a UNESCO-accredited organization that supervises intangible cultural heritage nominations and works to preserve heritage and identity.

Title:

Content: Successfully registered!
Please go through the link provided in the body of the e-mail message
after their efforts to preserve heritage and identity.
Syrian Trust for Development is a UNESCO accredited organization for another four years
© AP Photo / Jacques BrinonUNESCO
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has renewed the accreditation of the Syrian Secretariat for Development as a non-governmental organization to play a consultative role for the next four years, for its efforts in preserving heritage and identity and developing and supporting communities bearing it.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the secretariat stressed that this role was "over many years of honest work, real experience and wide awareness of responsibility towards society, its culture and history."
The Secretariat also pointed out that its presence as an accredited consultative body in UNESCO, which contributed to the refinement of its work with Syrian communities to preserve and revive cultural heritage and supervise the preparation of nomination files for intangible cultural heritage elements to be registered on the lists of human heritage in the Organization.
Syrian Trust for Development Wins the Status of International Arbitrator in UNESCO
The Secretariat ’ s accumulated experience in the cultural field contributed to its candidacy for the Arab States Group in the UNESCO Evaluation Body, which consists of six non-governmental organizations and six experts in the field of intangible heritage, to evaluate the files nominated by Member States.
It is noteworthy that the Syrian Secretariat for Development plays its role as an accredited expert in the field of preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, in addition to working on the revival and rehabilitation of archaeological sites and tangible archaeological heritage, where the Secretariat explained in its statement that it plays its role directly in seven governorates: Damascus, Rif Dimashq, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Sweida, and Latakia.: In Hasakah, Daraa, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib.
The Aleppo Cats...
A timeless musical tale and the memory of an ancient city
It is noteworthy that the Syrian Trust for Development, a Syrian non-governmental organization, was first accredited to UNESCO in 2012, and renewed in 2017, and recently in 2021, where it preceded its role in registering the Aleppo cod on the Representative List of Human Heritage at UNESCO.
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Overall, the traditional glassblowing craft in Syria is an important part of the country's cultural heritage and identity, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote it for future generations.


The US drives nearly half of the world's avocado demand, which has increased significantly in recent years.

US avocado consumption has quadrupled in 20 years, reaching 4.2 kg per capita in 2022.

Mexico, particularly Michoacán, produces 70% of the world's avocados.

Avocado cultivation in countries like Mexico, Peru, and Chile has expanded to meet high demand, causing deforestation and soil erosion.

Avocado production consumes around 1000 liters of water per kilogram, causing water scarcity and aquifer depletion.

Avocado farming is linked to migrant worker exploitation, indigenous community exploitation, land grabbing, and community displacement.

In Mexico's Jalisco state, a tree is cut down every 75 seconds for avocado cultivation.

The Rainforest Alliance has certified 1,500 hectares of sustainable avocado gardens in Jalisco, Mexico.

The Rainforest Alliance certification ensures avocado producers meet strict environmental standards.

Improving certification programs like the Rainforest Alliance can promote sustainable avocado farming and reduce negative impacts.

Avocado cultivation has complex social effects, including displacement and labor exploitation of local farming communities.

Governments, organizations, and companies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable avocado production.

Choosing certified sustainable avocados helps mitigate deforestation and water pollution caused by avocado cultivation.

Avocado producers can obtain Regenerative Organic Certification, ensuring ethical treatment of animals, fair worker conditions, and environmental protection.

Avocado cultivation requires 320 litres of water per fruit, and two avocados have a carbon footprint of nearly 850 grams.

Consumers can make sustainable choices by buying whole green unripe avocados, which reduces waste, or choosing slightly hard avocados for longer storage.

Rough-skinned avocados have a longer shelf life, making them a sustainable option.

The US drives nearly half of the world's avocado demand, which has increased significantly in recent years.

Title:

Content: Go to contents
Two politicians killed in one day at a Mexican avocado farm
Two politicians killed in one day at a Mexican avocado farm
Posted February.
29, 2024 07: 28
Updated February.
29, 2024 07: 28
한국어
On the 26th, two mayoral candidates were shot and killed in Maravatio, Michoacan state in southeastern Mexico, the world ’ s largest producer of avocado avocado, known as “green gold. ”
Avocado is a healthy superfood, especially popular in developed countries such as the United States.
However, in Mexico, the fight between various criminal forces around the control of circulation is very fierce, resulting in frequent violence.
According to local media reports such as "El Universal", on the afternoon of the 26th, in the center of Marabatio, Miguel Angel Reyes, the candidate for mayor of the ruling party Morena (Morena) and the current doctor, was shot and killed by unknown persons on the way to his car.
The same night, Almando Pérez Runa, a candidate for mayor of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), was also shot and killed.
Authorities speculate that this is a crime committed by forces trying to influence the elections in the run-up to June 2, when general elections, parliamentary elections and local council elections are held simultaneously.
Michoacán is known as a region where various criminal organizations are active, such as the Jalisco de la Cartel (CJNG), Mexico ’ s most powerful criminal organization.
The struggle for the interests of the organization has been painful.
Last year, Michoacan ranked fifth out of 32 states for attacks on politicians and government associates.
Meanwhile, in Michoacán, avocados can be harvested four times a year due to the mild climate, etc.
About 70% of Mexico ’ s avocado production comes from this region.
Most of this is exported to the United States, which accounts for almost half of the world ’ s demand.
According to professional statistics website Statista, the average avocado consumption in the United States in 2022 was about 4.2kg, an increase of about four times over 20 years ago.
With the increasing profitability of avocado cultivation, many criminal organizations have scrambled for circulation rights.
Civic Data, a local civic group, is concerned that attacks by various criminal organizations may reach the worst levels in history when local councils are sworn in and elections are held this year.
The illegal cultivation of avocado is also very serious. In 2018-2023, at least 300 square kilometers of forest have been converted into avocado plantations.
In response, authorities recently said they would block the export of avocados grown on illegal arable land.
邮箱 ： donga @ donga.com

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

What are the countries and regions that import avocados?

US avocado consumption has quadrupled in 20 years, reaching 4.2 kg per capita in 2022.

Title:

Content: Go to contents
In one day, two politicians were killed in a Mexican avocado.
In one day, two politicians were killed in a Mexican avocado.
Posted February.
29, 2024 07: 26
Updated February.
29, 2024 07: 26
한국어
On the 26th, in the high-income avocado (Avocado • avocado), the world's largest producer of avocado, in Maravatio, Michoacán state, southeast Mexico, two candidates for mayor were shot dead.
Avocado is a healthy super food, especially in developed countries such as the United States.
However, in the local area of Mexico, various criminal forces around the control of circulation is very fierce, resulting in frequent violence.
According to local media reports such as "El Universal", on the afternoon of the 26th, in the center of Malabatio, Miguel Angel Reyes, the candidate for mayor and current doctor of the ruling party Morena (Morena), was shot dead by unknown persons on the way to the car.
On the same night, Armando Pérez Runa, a candidate for mayor of the opposition National Action Party (PAN), was also shot dead.
Authorities speculate that this is a crime committed by forces trying to influence the elections in the run-up to June 2, when the elections, parliamentary elections and local council elections are held simultaneously.
Michoacán is known as a region where various criminal organizations are active, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Mexico ’ s most powerful criminal organization.
Conflicts of interest between organizations have been fraught.
Last year, the number of attacks against politicians and government associates (Michoacán) ranked fifth out of all 32 states.
At the same time, in Michoacán, avocados can be harvested four times a year, based on the mild climate, etc.
About 70% of Mexico ’ s avocado production comes from this region.
Most of this is exported to the United States, which accounts for almost half of world demand.
According to statistics from professional statistics website Statista, the per capita avocado consumption in the United States in 2022 is about 4.2 kg, an increase of about four times over 20 years ago.
With the increasing profitability of avocado cultivation, many criminal organizations vie for circulation rights.
Civic Data, a local civic group, fears that attacks by various criminal groups may reach the worst levels in history when local councils are sworn in and elections are held this year.
Illegal cultivation of avocado cultivation is also high. At least 300 square kilometers of forest have been turned into avocado plantations in 2018-2023.
In response, the authorities recently said that they will prevent the export of avocados grown on illegal farmland.
邮箱 ： donga @ donga.com

How has avocado consumption changed in recent years?

Mexico, particularly Michoacán, produces 70% of the world's avocados.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

Avocado cultivation in countries like Mexico, Peru, and Chile has expanded to meet high demand, causing deforestation and soil erosion.

Title:

Content: Avocado: Between Environmental Impacts and Global Market Controllers
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
(Getty)
In recent years, the avocado industry has become a staple in many diets around the world, and its popularity has increased greatly due to the multiple health benefits.
However, the demand for this fruit has led to harmful environmental effects and the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries.
A Chilean study published recently said that avocado cultivation has caused severe water shortages, as well as in Peru, where large farmers have dominated the avocado market since the 1990s, where cultivation requires huge amounts of water, the production of one kilogram of avocado, consumes about 1,000 liters of water, much more than other crops such as tomatoes or oranges.
According to a report by the Water Footprint Network, the production of one kilogram of tomatoes requires about 300 liters of water, and the high water use of avocado production has led to water scarcity and depletion of aquifers in some areas.
In the Mexican state of Michoacán, which produces about 80% of the world ’ s avocado, avocado cultivation has depleted local water supplies and caused severe environmental damage, with studies showing that avocado cultivation has led to deforestation, soil erosion and chemical contamination of water sources.
According to the report, moving avocados from the production site to the market also has a significant impact on the climate, as avocados are grown mainly in developing countries, and are exported to developed countries such as the United States, Europe and Japan, and the transport of avocados over long distances contributes to greenhouse gas emissions harmful to the environment. Approximately 5.4 kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kg of avocado.
Avocado production has also led to the emergence of a mafia that controls the production and distribution of avocados in some countries, where the avocado mafia operates mainly in Mexico, where it controls the production and export of avocados, and this mafia, according to media reports, consists of criminal organizations that use violence and intimidation to control the production and distribution of avocados, and often extort money from farmers. The avocado mafia uses violence to eliminate competitors and dominate the export market, as studies have shown that these gangs are responsible for deforestation, land grabbing and violence against indigenous communities in Mexico.
According to dozens of studies published in recent years, avocado cultivation also has negative effects on local communities. In some areas, demand for avocados has led to land grabbing, community displacement, labor exploitation, and avocado cultivation in the Mexican state of Michoacán has led to the displacement of indigenous communities and the exploitation of often paid migrant workers. Some studies have shown that the expansion of avocado cultivation has displaced traditional crops, leading to food insecurity and loss of biodiversity.
According to the study, governments around the world can take various measures to mitigate the impact of this agriculture on the climate, and one way is to promote sustainable avocado farming practices that reduce water use and reduce the use of chemicals. Protect the environment, provide financial incentives to farmers and enact laws that will deter illegal and criminal practices in these countries.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Avocado production consumes around 1000 liters of water per kilogram, causing water scarcity and aquifer depletion.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Avocado farming is linked to migrant worker exploitation, indigenous community exploitation, land grabbing, and community displacement.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

displacement of local communities
labor exploitation
land grabbing

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

In Mexico's Jalisco state, a tree is cut down every 75 seconds for avocado cultivation.

Title:

Content: • En
Drug lord avocado rises in Mexico, superfood wreaks ecological havoc
(Photo by Pixabay _ tookapic)
As a superfood, avocado has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and many cafes and restaurants have taken advantage of this trend, launching avocado meals and beverages. However, as the demand for avocado has increased, the cultivation of agricultural land has also expanded, which has caused ecological havoc in Mexico, the country of origin, and the rise of "avocado criminal organizations."
Avocado is native to Central America, Mexico and Peru, with Mexico ’ s largest producing region located in the southern state of Michoacán, producing 70% of the country ’ s avocado, and the neighboring state of Jalisco, producing about 11% of the country ’ s avocado. As demand for avocado grows, the cultivation of avocado spreads to other states, including Colima. and Chiapas.
However, this wave of expansion of the avocado garden has not been carefully evaluated, but under the guidance of local criminal organizations, with almost brutal methods of deforestation, the local preservation of the original forest has been completely destroyed.
According to the conservation news website Mongabay, one tree in Jalisco is illegally cut down every 75 seconds to be converted into a casserole garden, with around 1,100 trees disappearing every day.
The study found that in 2010, Jalisco ’ s avocado garden was about 0.84 million hectares, but by 2021, it has reached 27.8 million hectares, more than tripled, and nearly half of the state ’ s 56,000 hectares of agricultural land has been used to grow avocado; and correspondingly, deforestation has accelerated since 2019, at least 0.51 million hectares of woodland has become avocado, resulting in pristine acorn. A large number of forests and evergreen forests have disappeared.
Under the avocado craze, criminal organizations also sniffed business opportunities, and the notorious Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes extended his reach into the field, and his Jalisco New Generation Cartel acquired the land of local residents and transplanted the avocado to obtain huge amounts. Profit.
Locals point out that not only private land, but also protected woodlands that require official permission to convert to other crops, and that even if people report to the government that these organizations have substantial control over these areas, they end up sinking into the sea, with the result of course more virgin forest areas being destroyed.
In addition, compared to the original forest, planting avocado requires a lot of water, so after the new avocado garden is planted, it is necessary to build a large water storage tank to reserve irrigation water, which reduces the function of rainwater infiltration and local water collection.
Mexico is not a country with abundant water resources. As the number of avocado trees continues to increase, it will undoubtedly worsen the local water shortage and exacerbate political tensions.
On the other hand, there are also locals who try to coexist with the original ecology and introduce more eco-friendly avocados.
Javier Magaña Cárdenas, a avocado farmer who has long maintained the forest and helped restore the trees, said the authorities should establish a system to help identify and verify the provenance of avocados and ensure that illegal avocados are eliminated by consumers.
Already, many smallholder farmers have partnered with the Rainforest Alliance, a non-governmental organization, and around 1,500 hectares of avocado gardens in Jalisco have been certified for sustainable agriculture.
Sergio Graf Montero, head of the Jalisco Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET), said that as long as the demand for non-destructive avocados in the market rises, farmers will naturally choose such methods, and it is still consumers who determine the future of the ecology.
Updated: 2023-06-18 19: 38 GMT + 08: 00

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

The Rainforest Alliance has certified 1,500 hectares of sustainable avocado gardens in Jalisco, Mexico.

What are the countries and regions that produce and export avocados?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

The Rainforest Alliance certification ensures avocado producers meet strict environmental standards.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Improving certification programs like the Rainforest Alliance can promote sustainable avocado farming and reduce negative impacts.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado cultivation has complex social effects, including displacement and labor exploitation of local farming communities.

What illegal activities have surfaced in avocado trade in recent years?

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the social structure and the economy of the countries that produce them?

displacement of local communities
labor exploitation
land grabbing

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

Governments, organizations, and companies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable avocado production.

Title:

Content: 00: 00
Expo 2020 Dubai Today
Sustainability as the basis for the eradication of hunger
In 2015, 193 countries met within the framework of the United Nations and pledged to end global hunger by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Agenda.
With less than a decade left, the odds of achieving that goal seem slim.
Clearly, improving these prospects requires governments and the private sector to simultaneously address the global food and environmental crises.
Food insecurity has increased in recent years as a result of conflict and climate change, as well as the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the accompanying global economic crisis.
Today, as many as 811 million people suffer from hunger, including an additional 132 million people who were classified as malnourished during the pandemic, and another 3 billion people who are too poor to afford a healthy diet.
The fight against hunger has traditionally focused on producing more food – but this has come at a high environmental cost.
Agriculture consumes 70% of the world ’ s fresh water and 40% of its land.
Agriculture has contributed to the imminent extinction of about 1 million species.
Food production also generates 30% of greenhouse-gas emissions, the main cause of deforestation in the Amazon.
Policymakers seeking to eradicate hunger today face an extremely difficult dilemma: preventing billions of people from going hungry while saving the planet.
For example, fertilizer subsidies may increase crop yields and reduce hunger, but they may also lead to overuse of nitrogen, thus damaging the soil.
Similarly, livestock farming and rice farming emit methane, a greenhouse gas stronger than carbon dioxide.
The most effective way to reduce methane emissions is to tax them.
But this would cause food prices to rise, affecting poor consumers ’ access to food, and threatening the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.
Therefore, countries need to establish an optimal level of environmental pollution that does not reduce agricultural productivity or undermine the social and economic well-being of the poor.
We need a solution that feeds most mouths without endangering the planet.
Reaching a workable plan requires looking at diets holistically – a major departure from the current, isolated approach.
To avoid any unintended consequences, it is critical to quantify any data swaps.
Turning data-driven strategies into action on the ground also requires concerted efforts to boost public and private investment.
No single intervention will solve the problem of hunger.
But studies suggest that a combination of key measures aimed at increasing farm productivity and reducing food loss and waste could reduce the number of people chronically hungry by 314 million in the next decade, and provide 568 million people with healthy diets.
Expanding national safety nets across countries, including school feeding programmes, could provide an additional 2.4 billion people with access to a healthy diet by 2030.
Another study shows how a series of low-cost initiatives could end hunger for 500 million people by 2030 while also reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
These include agricultural research and development projects to produce food more efficiently, information services that provide farmers with weather forecasts and crop prices, literacy programs for women – who account for nearly half of small farmers in developing countries – and expanded social protection.
All this can be achieved if rich countries double their food security assistance to $26 billion a year until 2030, and the poorest countries maintain their annual investments at $19 billion.
Automation can help manage trade-offs between food production and environmental protection.
For example, equipment called AgBots, which are similar to small farm vehicles, can recognize and remove weeds.
Because they don ’ t use expensive chemical herbicides, they can help reduce the cost of weeding by 90% and protect the soil from potentially harmful chemicals.
Similarly, artificial intelligence technologies and cloud solutions can detect pest infested areas using drone imaging.
The data collected can help guide and inform decisions by farmers regarding irrigation, agriculture and fertilization, and indicate the best time of year for the sale of a particular crop.
Governments must now work with the private sector to make high-tech precision farming systems available at lower costs, especially to small farmers.
The good news is that private companies are increasingly keen to promote sustainability – including through “blended finance ” schemes that combine initial investment by governments or multilateral financial institutions with subsequent trade finance.
This approach can effectively reduce the risk of private financing and encourage investment in improving food systems.
For example, the governments of the United States and the Netherlands are working with German coffee company Neumann Café Group and three European banks to provide a $25 million loan to smallholder farmers in Colombia, Kenya, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru and Uganda to promote sustainable coffee production.
Banks initially rejected the proposal because small farmers are usually excluded from financial services, leaving them unable to prove their creditworthiness and turning them into a high-risk category in the eyes of commercial lenders.
But banks signed on to the scheme after the Dutch government and Neumann Café Group agreed to cover the first 10 percent of the losses if the initiative did not work, with the US government absorbing 40 percent of the remaining losses.
Critics will argue that countries should be individually responsible for reversing rising levels of hunger through domestic policies.
While this may be true, other problems such as greenhouse-gas emissions cannot be addressed by a single country or region and need to be addressed and funded globally.
Saving the planet should not necessarily come at the expense of feeding the poor, and vice versa.
If governments properly organize their efforts, there is still a chance to eradicate poverty by 2030.
* Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
opinion @ albayan.ae
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What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Choosing certified sustainable avocados helps mitigate deforestation and water pollution caused by avocado cultivation.

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

Avocado producers can obtain Regenerative Organic Certification, ensuring ethical treatment of animals, fair worker conditions, and environmental protection.

Title:

Content: Company: Global Organics

Websitewww.global-organics.com

Ingredient Snapshot: Global Organics is proud to recognize its longtime partner, Natíve, for becoming the first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) sugar producer. Over the last 35 years, Natíve’s Green Cane Project has reinvented cane sugar growing and processing. By focusing on soil health and biodiversity, integrating sustainability at all levels of their operation and ensuring social fairness to farm workers, Natíve’s Green Cane Project has been long recognized as the model for sustainability.

Regenerative Organic Certification was created to leverage and bring together existing high-bar certifications for environmental protection, animal welfare and fair trade. USDA Certified Organic, an already-rigorous standard, is the baseline requirement. Regenerative Organic agriculture increases soil organic matter and sequesters carbon, ensures ethical treatment of animals, and provides fair conditions for farmers and workers. This new certification resonated strongly with Natíve because it encompassed so many of the practices they have innovated over the years.

“My aim, since I began this work, has been to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, a way to preserve the natural resources we need now—water, soil fertility, biodiversity and the atmosphere,” says Leontino Balbo Jr., executive vice president at Natíve.

“Leontino and the Natíve team have shown that regenerative organic agriculture can succeed at scale, increase yields and improve resiliency—proving it is excellent for business too,” says Dave Alexander, president of Global Organics.

Global Organics will be showcasing Natíve organic cane sugar and providing more information about the Green Cane Project’s Regenerative Organic Certification at the upcoming BevNet Live Winter event, set for Dec. 6, 2021 in Santa Monica, CA.

What strategies can make global avocado trade more ethical?

improving working conditions for employees

Avocado cultivation requires 320 litres of water per fruit, and two avocados have a carbon footprint of nearly 850 grams.

Title:

Content: "Superfood" avocado has become one of the most popular fruits in the world due to its dense taste and wide use, but environmental awareness has risen in recent years, and due to the need for water and high carbon footprint during cultivation, some restaurants around the world have resisted avocado, replacing the ingredients used in dishes with other fruits and vegetables.
According to the Guardian and The Hill, growing avocados requires a lot of water. According to DanWatch, an independent Danish investigative media, it takes an average of 320 litres of water to grow one avocados.
In addition, thanks to the popularity of avocados around the world, the international transportation of avocados after harvest has further boosted the carbon footprint, which is estimated by Carbon Footprint Ltd to be nearly 850 grams for two avocados commonly found on supermarket shelves.
The main production area of avocado is in Central and South America, but because it is popular with North American and European consumers, the avocado has to be transported across continents when it grows.
Because the journey is too long, farmers often pick the avocado before it is ripe, and it is necessary to use temperature-controlled containers to transport the avocado, all of which push up the avocado ’ s carbon footprint.
In addition, the price of avocado has been soaring in recent years, according to Business Insider, by 2019, the Hass avocado produced in California has risen to $2.1 (about NT $58).
In recent years, the price of avocado has risen, and the cost of its cultivation and transportation has been inextricably linked, and California's casepear production has been severely affected by drought and wildfires in recent years.
Growing and distributing avocados also requires a lot of labor, and the avocados need to be transported to the ripening center first after picking them first, and then to the sales sites after adding ethylene.
Thomasina Miers, founder of the British Mexican restaurant chain, pointed out that today's strong demand for avocado around the world has caused the price of avocado to soar to the point that indigenous people in the region cannot afford it.
Realizing the environmental impact of avocados, restaurants around the world are beginning to resist them. Myers says his restaurant has replaced the cornflake sauce “avocados ” with beans, green peppers, lime, parsley, etc.
Canadian Mexican chef Aldo Camarena also introduced dipping sauces made with pumpkin seeds and tomatoes, while Irish restaurant owner JP McMahon removed the avocado from the menu, calling it “Mexico ’ s blood diamond. ”
Chefs declare war on a trendy fruit because of its enormous carbon footprint
Source: Why avocados are so expensive
End of the avocado: why chefs are ditching the unsustainable fruit
# Avocado # Superfood # Chef # Boycott # Planting

What negative impact has the increased global demand for avocados had on the environment?

Consumers can make sustainable choices by buying whole green unripe avocados, which reduces waste, or choosing slightly hard avocados for longer storage.

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Content: You will not miss us!
8,159 followers
Tips to help you find quality goods in the ocean of junk
Sometimes it is not easy to find exactly what you need in the store, especially when you offer a huge number of different products and items.
You have to spend a lot of time shopping, which is not always pleasant.
It is doubly frustrating if the quality of the purchase is disappointing.
A good cheat sheet for such a case can really make life easier, save time and nerves.
We have prepared a small guide with tips on how to choose different things and products so as not to be disappointed in their quality, taste and purpose.
How to choose coffee
To choose a coffee that you will like, you should take into account some features of this drink.
The two main types of coffee beans are robusta (more bitter and strong) and arabica (softer and sour taste).
Mono varieties are more suitable for black coffee, and mixtures - for consumption with milk.
It is recommended to use the grains no later than 1-2 weeks after roasting in order to “catch ” the best taste.
According to the recommendations of experts, it is better to use coffee, the grains of which were roasted no more than 3 weeks ago.
Ground coffee contains more caffeine than instant coffee.
It also has a different degree of grinding.
Very fine, powdered form – for Turkish coffee and espresso.
The average size of the grind is for filter coffee and mocha.
Medium-sized for a purover.
And coarse grinding - for the French press and the cold method of brewing.
How to choose a frying pan
If the size of the frying pan can be selected based on the size of the plate, and its purpose, as a rule, is indicated in the characteristics, then the situation with the material is not so obvious.
What is made of a frying pan can give it certain advantages.
The main thing is to decide which ones you need.
Here is what you should consider so as not to make a mistake with the choice.
Stainless steel: use professionals, durable, food is prepared evenly, when heated, no harmful substances are released.
But if you fry on it without oil, the dish can burn.
Cast iron: can be put in the oven, evenly heated and cool for a long time, the food does not burn when used correctly, very durable, work on an induction cooker, but have a lot of weight.
Aluminum: budget option, do not rust, light, just clean, heat up quickly, but can not be used on induction cooker.
With ceramic coating: eco-friendly, can be heated to high temperatures, easy to clean, allow cooking without oil - they almost nothing burns (especially while the pan is new), but unevenly heated, less durable compared to others, are not suitable for induction cookers.
How to choose a bra
To choose the right bra that will sit perfectly, pay attention to the following elements.
Belt: It is important that the belt fits tightly to the chest, as it supports the chest.
Therefore, you do not have to rely on straps.
Push 2 fingers under the belt, if between it and the back turned out to be about 2.5 cm and this does not add discomfort, then the size is suitable.
Also, the belt should be comfortable if you fasten it on the last hook (in the process of washing and wearing, the landing will become freer).
Straps: should be comfortably located on the shoulders, that is, do not fly off and not be too tight. Cups: should lie well on the chest, if it falls out or is squeezed, then the size is small.
Conversely, if the cups are too large, there will be voids in them.
How to choose meat
The tips below will help you choose the freshest meat.
Smell: fresh, natural, free of impurities.
For example, spoiled pork will smell like ammonia.
Meat color: good beef and lamb has a purple tint (the freshest meat) or a bright red color (a fresh product exposed to oxygen); fresh pork should be completely pink (however, the shades may differ depending on the part of the carcass), gray or brown spots are a bad sign.
Fat color: If cattle are fed grain, the fat color will be white, and if grass, it will be yellowish white.
It is quite another matter with regard to pork: yellow fat will be a sign of stale meat.
Elasticity: if you press your finger on the meat and remove it, the fresh product will quickly restore its shape, and a dent will remain on the spoiled one.
How to choose a toothbrush
A head with a height of no more than 2.5 cm and a width of about 1.5 cm will help to clean even hard-to-reach molars.
Stiffness of bristles should be selected according to the situation.
For sensitive and children ’ s teeth – soft.
Against tartar - hard, but on a permanent basis it is not recommended to use.
The best option, which suits most, is brushes of medium hardness.
Synthetic bristles are safer, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria, rather than accumulating them, as natural bristles do.
In addition, synthetics are easier to wash and dry.
Natural brush should be changed after 6 weeks, and synthetic - every 3-4 months.
Multi-level bristles brush teeth much better, but silicone inserts on the working surface of the brush is a useless attribute.
How to choose soy sauce
There are different types of soy sauce, which differ in composition and application.
Light is a Chinese sauce that consists of beans, wheat, salt and water.
It is used as a seasoning for ready-made dishes.
Dark is a Chinese sauce in which, in addition to the main ingredients (wheat, salt, water, beans), various additives are used, such as starch or shrimp.
It is thicker and is usually used directly in the cooking process, as when heated it improves the aroma and appearance of dishes and reveals its taste.
Tamari is a type of Japanese sauce that is considered gluten-free, as it usually does not contain wheat in its composition.
It is more salty, so it is used for dipping food, such as sushi.
How to choose avocado
Since the color of the avocado can depend on its variety, and it is not always possible to find out it, then when choosing a ripe fruit, it is better to pay attention to its hardness.
Too soft, mushy avocado - overripe, too hard - unripe.
Optimal maturity of the fruit - when pressed, it is slightly pressed by the fingers, but remains elastic.
If you do not plan to eat an avocado on the day of purchase, you can choose a slightly harder fruit.
In this case, it can be stored for 1 to 4 days and will not rot, but, on the contrary, ripen.
The harder the avocado, the more time you will have to wait to eat it.
Examine the peduncle: if it is easily separated and the area under it is green, then you have a ripe avocado, ready to eat.
Brown spots indicate that the fruit is overripe and inside will also be partially brown.
And if the peduncle could not be separated, then the fruit has not yet ripened.
How to choose olive oil
The best variety of olive oil is considered extra-class, or extra-virgin.
This oil is the most useful and high-quality, retains the natural taste and aroma, and is also considered useful for health.
It can be recognized by the following signs.
Cold pressed: in the production of this method, olives were not subjected to high temperature.
Although it helps to get more oil, heat also destroys what is so appreciated for this product - the delicate taste and aroma of the first cold press.
In this case, we are talking about a temperature not higher than 27 ° C.
Age: Oil does not get better with age.
Usually, the period between the spin date and the expiration date is 1 year.
It is recommended to consume the oil within a month after purchase, rather than store it for too long.
Taste: if possible, it is recommended to try the oil.
Spicy, floral, nutty, fruity and herbal notes can be felt only in taste or aroma, it is not amenable to visual evaluation.
The effect of ingesting high-quality virgin olive oil is called amato.
It can be described as follows: a peppery aftertaste is felt at the tip of the tongue, which then passes into the far part of the oral cavity.
Color: but this indicator does not allow you to determine the quality of the product.
Even a good first cold pressed olive oil can be either dark green or golden yellow.
Origin: The best oil is grown, pressed and bottled in the same country.
The inscription on the packaging “Products of Italy ” says only that the oil was spilled in this country.
This could mean that raw materials from some other country were transported to Italy, and all they did there was bottled.
How to choose a pillow
The choice of pillow depends on the position in which the person prefers to sleep.
Its main task is to keep the body in a comfortable position.
The right pillow should keep the head, neck and spine in a neutral position.
You can check it this way: the ears should be on the same line with the shoulders, and the chin - on the same line with the chest.
The choice of a pillow depending on the sleeping position is a priority criterion for this accessory.
Sleep on the stomach: it is not recommended to sleep in this position, but to minimize harm to health, you will need a soft pillow 5 cm high or lower from down, feather or compressible synthetic filler.
Sleeping on the side: you need a high pillow that will relieve the load from the shoulder (if it cuts into the mattress, then you need a pillow higher), hard or medium rigidity, with whipped filler or one that takes shape.
It is recommended to put another pillow between the knees, as it helps to align the position of the upper thigh.
Sleep on the back: the ideal option will be a pillow of medium height and medium stiffness, which will keep the head in the right position in relation to the spine.
How to choose a banana
If the banana has a yellow color in the middle and greenish tips, you can safely buy it.
This means that the fruit is in the middle of the ripening spectrum.
When the banana is yellow with small brown inclusions, it can be eaten immediately.
And dark spots are called sugar spots and are a sign of a mature fetus.
If the peduncle breaks off easily, then the fruit has already ripened.
Banana, which is difficult to clean and has a greenish color, is likely to be bitter in taste, and can also cause indigestion.
Choose bananas of bright color, plump, without dents and signs of damage.
Dark areas and depressed areas indicate damage to the fetus inside.
Dull color is a sign of hypothermia or, conversely, overheating during storage.
How to choose a fish
Chilled fish has a fresh soft smell; smell of fish, ammonia, something sour and foreign good product should not.
Eyes should be convex, shiny and clear.
A high-quality fish has a dense carcass, in which the flesh springs when exposed, that is, there is no dent left on it after pressing.
But too soft and gray flesh is a sign of poor-quality fish.
If the fins are wet and the gills are bright red, the fish is good.
If they are dry, covered with mucus and smell bad, the fish is stale.
The fillet should not be darkened or dried at the edges.
Pre-frozen fish do not always have shiny eyes or dense flesh, but they should smell fresh, not something sour.
The skin of fresh fish has no damage, and the scales fit tightly to the body.
The surface is thick and shiny, can slip out of the hands.
If the scales fly away, the color has changed, and the skin has cracked - in front of you stale fish.
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Rough-skinned avocados have a longer shelf life, making them a sustainable option.

Title:

Content: Tips for picking avocados ｜ You 'll never know because you' re doing the wrong thing! Taiwan Agriculture and Food Agency 2 Tips for picking avocados
Author: Yin Jiawei
Published: Updated:
Avocados In addition to Mexico, there are many avocados produced in Taiwan. In July, it began to enter the peak production period. Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung are the main avocados.
The Taiwan Agricultural and Food Administration teaches 2 courses to choose avocados, which taste better with the time of eating.
The avocado in Taiwan is generally larger and has a smooth surface, which is different from the avocado Hass in Mexico. The fruit type is slightly finer and the surface is uneven.
How to choose avocados, many methods have been discussed in the past, such as choosing avocados with a narrow core, you can choose a longer form of avocados, or depending on how you want to use avocados, and how many days you want to put them and decide to buy avocados of different maturity.
Related article: Tips for picking avocado fruit ｜ Measure the size of the fruit by looking at the shape of the fruit, how delicate and delicate to pick round or long?
The room temperature is ripe, the taste is good, the refrigerator is not ready!
Avocados are very versatile, whether they are cut and eaten directly, or they are made of salad, stir into sauces, fruit shakes and so on.
Avocados are “post-ripening ” plants that are not fully mature at the time of harvest. They need to be placed at room temperature to continue to mature for better taste.
If you want to choose Taiwan avocados that can be put for a long time, it is recommended to pick green fruits with a rough skin and a grain of white spots, and then put it for about 3 to 4 days to mature; while Mexican avocados can be picked with less brown skin, green brown pedicled, and flexible when pressed.
Summer is hot, and the date of avocado ripening may be shorter.
Remember not to put immature avocados in the refrigerator, so as not to become “mute ”, which will never be cooked and completely unedible.
When buying avocados from Taiwan, it is recommended to pick green fruits with rough skin and a grain of white spots. After that, they will mature after 3 to 4 days.
(Unsplash)
Two tricks to quickly judge the full ripe avocado flesh flavor to the top while eating fast
The skin of avocados is different when they mature, depending on the variety.
The coat of the Mexican Hass gradually changes from yellow-green to black-brown, but some varieties, even the ripe fruit, have a turquoise coat, so it is not always accurate to look at the coat.
The Taiwan Agriculture and Food Administration recommends that the skin of avocados is rougher when they mature. When shaking the avocados, the seeds have a sense of shaking and sound, which means that the whole avocados have been completely soft. At this time, the pulp and flavor are just right, and the sliced fresh food is the most delicious.
However, most people who are used to avocados feel the texture and maturity by gently pressing the avocados with their hands.. Fully ripe avocados, feel soft; semi-ripe avocados, feel flexible; unripe avocados, feel tough.
When buying avocados, shake the seeds. If the seeds have a sense of movement and sound, the flesh and aroma are just right, sliced fresh food is the most delicious. (Unsplash)
See clearly the differences between avocados in different ripeness levels:
+ 8
Can unripe avocados be put in the fridge?
No. No.
Unripe avocados will become "mute" when placed in the refrigerator and will never ripen.
What is the best taste of avocado?
The Taiwan Food and Agriculture Department recommends that the skin of avocados is rougher when they mature. When shaking the avocados, the seeds have a sense of shaking and sound, which means that the whole avocados are completely soft, and the pulp and flavor are just right, so sliced fresh food is the most delicious.
Reference: Taiwan Agri-Food Agency / Free Times
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