On the occasion of Europe Day, EUNIC India celebrated Europe’s culinary diversity and shared values, with a special morning programme titled “A Taste of European Mornings” on May 9, 2025, at the Alliance Française de Delhi. The event brought together cultural institutes and food lovers to experience the flavours and traditions that define European breakfasts.
Organised in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes (Spain), Alliance Française de Delhi (France), and the Embassy of Sweden, the event featured a curated breakfast spread including espresso and churros from Spain. Beyond gastronomy, the gathering also served as a cultural dialogue—through food, short films from Denmark and Lithuania, and engaging conversations—emphasising the unity and diversity of Europe.
As part of a moderated discussion on how food reflects cultural identity and innovation, H.E. Ms. Diana Mickevičienė, Ambassador of Lithuania to India, offered an insightful perspective on food innovation in Lithuania, drawing compelling parallels with India’s millet movement.
“Yes, absolutely — there is certainly innovation in food in Lithuania,” said Ambassador Mickevičienė. “And I would say it’s deeply rooted in two key developments.”
She explained that Lithuania is experiencing a culinary renaissance, a process of historical rediscovery that’s reconnecting people with their traditional food heritage, much of which had been overshadowed or lost over the last century.
“There’s a growing trend of returning to our culinary roots and reclaiming traditional foods. It’s like reawakening a part of our identity through food,” she noted.
The second wave of innovation, she pointed out, comes from growing global demand for healthy and sustainable diets. Her experience in India became a pivotal moment of reflection.
“Before I came to India — nearly three years ago — I had never encountered millets. But as luck would have it, I arrived just as the International Year of Millets was concluding. That sparked my curiosity, and as I learned more, I realised Lithuania is undergoing a very similar movement.”
She highlighted buckwheat as Lithuania’s counterpart to India’s millets. While not technically a millet, buckwheat is a resilient, water-efficient crop that thrives in arid conditions and is increasingly being recognised for its health benefits and sustainability.
“Although Lithuania is not yet water-scarce, there is already a forward-looking approach to cultivating healthy and sustainable crops,” she explained.
The ambassador described how buckwheat, once a staple in the southern regions of Lithuania—areas characterised by sandy soil and pine forests—has been revived and reinvented.
“Buckwheat pancakes, pastries, even chips! This revival also reflects our cultural diversity — though Lithuania is small, about the size of Himachal Pradesh, each region brings its unique food traditions.”
Ambassador Mickevičienė affirmed that food innovation in Lithuania is a harmonious blend of tradition and modern values, driven by health, sustainability, and cultural rediscovery. “It’s heartening to see how shared experiences — like India’s millet revival — connect us across continents,” she said.
As the event wrapped up over conversations and espresso, the deeper message lingered: food is not only sustenance but also a cultural bridge, connecting histories, geographies, and aspirations for a more sustainable future.
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