The Festival<\/strong> is one of the stages of the \u201cSeed Caravan\u201d<\/strong>, a traveling\u00a0event to bring to the attention of Europe the voices of those who want their agriculture to be free of poisons and GMOs and in favour of local seeds and biodiversity.<\/p>\n Why Seed Freedom?<\/strong><\/p>\n For many years now, Navdanya International<\/strong> has been working on the \u201cGlobal Campaign for Seed Freedom\u201d<\/strong>, aiming to increase both government and public awareness of the importance of defending local seed, a commons, and therefore free from patents and monopolies of multinational companies.<\/p>\n Why a Festival?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sponsored by Seed Freedom, Navdanya International<\/strong> and la Fierucola<\/strong>, and with the Patronage of the Regione Toscana<\/strong>, this event is open to all associations and institutions working on seed, food and for the promotion of Earth Democracy. The programme has been thought out keeping everyone in mind, from children to producers. Already, more than 20 associations have signed up.<\/p>\n The Caravan<\/strong><\/p>\n The children\u2019s Pledge<\/strong><\/p>\n The Festival will begin at the Orto Botanico, Florence\u2019s historic botanical garden <\/strong>with the conferring of the care of the seed to school children and youth by Vandana Shiva and farmer-custodians followed by a joint signing of a \u00a0\u201cPledge\u201d of the children\u00a0 and young adults.\u00a0The handing-over of seeds by the farmer-custodians is a symbolic gesture which recalls the age-old tradition of the handing-down and sharing of knowledge.<\/p>\n The Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n The Festival will be held in Piazza Santissima Annunziata<\/strong> in the heart of Florence. People will be able to meet, take part in debates, participate in workshops, enjoy the market of La Fierucola with its country-market stalls allowing the exchange, as well as the sale, of farm-fresh, homegrown and homemade produce.\u00a0 There will be much music.<\/p>\n The Programme:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. 28th<\/sup> April:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Palazzo Budini Gattai <\/strong><\/p>\n At 14:30 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cAn alliance for seed\u201d \u2013\u00a0Meeting reserved to Navdanya International, Vandana Shiva,\u00a0 Rete Semi Rurali,\u00a0 Coordinamento Europeo Liberiamo la Diversit\u00e0.<\/p>\n At 17:30<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201cLand, a common good\u201d, a meeting with the movement \u201cVerso Mondeggi-Bene Comune\u201d<\/p>\n 2. 29th<\/sup> April:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Orto Botanico<\/strong> (via Micheli 3)<\/p>\n At 10:00 \u2013<\/strong> Welcome speech for children, given by the Orto Botanico<\/strong> and Orti Dipinti (activities and workshops held in the vegetable garden of Orti Dipinti)<\/p>\n At 11:00<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The signing of the Pledge between the children, Vandana Shiva and the farmer-custodians.<\/p>\n Piazza Santissima Annunziata<\/strong><\/p>\n At 11:00 \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The market opens at 12:30<\/strong> Presentation of the Festival with Vandana Shiva<\/strong><\/p>\n During the afternoon: Various talks on stage with intervals of music and theatre<\/strong><\/p>\n At 15:30<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Beneath the Loggia<\/strong>, a workshop on seed for children and young adults<\/p>\n At 18:00<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Salvatore Ceccarelli speaks, followed by Vandana Shiva\u2019s conclusive speech.<\/strong><\/p>\n Palazzo Budini Gattai<\/strong><\/p>\n At 14:30<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Open meeting with Associations and movements concerned with seed, food and access to the Soil, to debate and share strategies for the future and to strengthen the movement for Seed Freedom, Food Freedom and Earth Democracy.<\/p>\n At 17:00<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 \u201cSeeds of Culture\u201d, meeting with Regione Toscana, Banca Popolare Etica, Navdanya International and the partners of Terra Futura<\/strong><\/p>\n FREE ENTRY<\/p>\n info: www.navdanyainternational.it<\/a><\/p>\n The Festival is organised by Seed freedom, Navdanya International and La Fierucola, with the patronage of Regione Toscana and Banca Popolare Etica.<\/p>\n Also in collaboration with: Rete Semi Rurali; Donne in Campo; Orto Botanico di Firenze (as part of Museo di Storia Naturale); Community Garden with Orti Dipinti; Peliti; Associazione Italiana per l\u2019Agricoltura Biodinamica; Coordinamento Toscano Produttori Biologici; Associazione Italiana per l\u2019Agricoltura Biologica; Rete dei Mercati Contadini; Associazione Fiorentina per la Permacoltura; AAM Terra Nuova; Biblioteca delle Oblate; Sportello Eco Equo con Orti Volanti and more still signing up.<\/p>\n Other European associations will be present, some amongst them being Demeter, Red de Semillas, Arche Noah, Open House and more still signing up.<\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n More Information<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact:<\/p>\n info@seedfreedom.in<\/a><\/p>\n For Italy \u2013 info@navdanyainternational.it<\/a>\/info@terraonlus.it<\/a><\/p>\n For Greece \u2013 caravan@peliti.gr<\/a><\/p>\n For France \u2013 dominique@kokopelli-semences.fr<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More information:<\/p>\n Greek: \u0394\u03b9\u03b5\u03b8\u03bd\u03ad\u03c2 \u039a\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03b2\u03ac\u03bd\u03b9 \u0391\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bb\u03b5\u03b3\u03b3\u03cd\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03a3\u03c0\u03cc\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2<\/a> \u2013 14\u03b7 \u03a0\u03b1\u03bd\u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03b1\u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u0393\u03b9\u03bf\u03c1\u03c4\u03ae \u0391\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03ae\u03c2 \u039d\u03c4\u03cc\u03c0\u03b9\u03c9\u03bd \u03a0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ba\u03b9\u03bb\u03b9\u03ce\u03bd<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAlso read the Report: International Solidarity Caravan for Seeds 2014<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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