Re-Tasting History

In the organizer's words:

In „Re-Tasting History“ lädt Salah Zater das Publikum dazu ein, Speisen aus dem 13. Jahrhundert neu zu entdecken, inspiriert von mittelalterlichen Manuskripten und Rezeptsammlungen aus Al-Andalus, Nordafrika, Ägypten, Syrien und dem Irak, darunter Kochbücher wie „Scents and Flavors“ (ein anonymes syrisches Kochbuch aus dem 13. century), "Fiḍālat al-khiwān" by Ibn Razin al-Tujībī (Al-Andalus), "Al-Kitab al-Tabikh" by Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq (Baghdad) and "The Exile's Cookbook" by Ibn Razin al-Tujībī (North Africa, in exile). The performance explores the history of culinary and spiritual practices from the Golden Age of medieval Islam. Zater creates an intimate experience and a temporary, intense relationship by transforming the museum into a "food theater". He reconstructs ancient dishes, drinks, scents such as musk, jasmine and agarwood, and regional specialties using saffron, rose water, nuts, olives and other Mediterranean flavors, ranging from hearty stews and succulent kebabs to fragrant rice dishes and desserts. Together with the rituals of cleansing and perfuming, it presents innovative new recipes and a unique collective experience where personal narratives intersect with culinary history through the performativity of cooking and eating together. The performance highlights the rich culinary tradition, diversity and heritage of Abbasid culture and shows how people lived, celebrated and understood body, taste and power.

About Salah Zater
Salah Zater is a Hamburg-based performance artist, dancer and former television journalist. He is the founder of Zater's Community Kitchen, a unique initiative that combines art, activism and culinary performance to promote intercultural exchange and community. In 2024, he was awarded the Kampnagel Theater's Kaleidoscope Art Prize. Zater's works often deal emotionally with themes of human relationships, identity and social issues, including love, fear, racism, decolonization and social justice. Drawing on his own life experiences as a person of immigrant background, he challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about power, privilege and the fragility of human relationships. Through his art, he aims to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and inspire collective action for a more just society.

Worth knowing:

Registration is requested at veranstaltung@markk-hamburg.de

Price information:

Museum admission