Slow Food Manifesto; the beginning of the Slow Movement....

SLOW FOOD MANIFESTO
 INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR THE DEFENSE OF  AND THE RIGHT TO PLEASURE
Born and nurtured under the sign of Industrialization, this century first invented the machine and then modelled its lifestyle after it. Speed became our shackles.  We fell prey to the same virus: 'the fast life' that fractures our customs and assails us even in our own homes, forcing us to ingest “fast- food”. 
Homo sapiens must regain wisdom and liberate itself from the 'velocity' that is propelling it on the road to extinction.  Let us defend ourselves against the universal madness of 'the fast life' with tranquil material pleasure.  
Against those - or, rather, the vast majority - who confuse efficiency with frenzy, we propose the vaccine of an adequate portion of sensual gourmandise pleasures, to be taken with slow and prolonged enjoyment.  
Appropriately, we will start in the kitchen, with Slow Food.  To escape the tediousness of "fast-food", let us rediscover the rich varieties and aromas of local cuisines. 
In the name of productivity, the 'fast life' has changed our lifestyle and now threatens our environment and our land (and city) scapes.  Slow Food is the alternative, the avant-garde’s riposte. 
Real culture is here to be found.  First of all, we can begin by cultivating taste, rather than impoverishing it, by stimulating progress, by encouraging international exchange programs, by endorsing worthwhile projects, by advocating historical food culture and by defending old-fashioned food traditions. 
Slow Food assures us of a better quality lifestyle.  With a snail purposely chosen as its patron and symbol, it is an idea and a way of life that needs much sure but steady support.  

Carol Petrini the founder of the Slow Food Movement 20 years ago forged the way forward for the Slow Movement; the concept of taking time, care, reflection, appreciation and a less hurried approach to life in general. These core ideas stem from the Slow Food Movements philosophy of embracing the value of experiencing the simple but important things in life such as family, friends, food and the social aspects that stem from these activities. By cherishing processes, materials and ingredients we become connected to others. The industrial age spring boarded the age of speed forcing society to gain momentum in the everyday. This speedy efficiency gave way to our disregard for the important things in life such as time. Time to absorb and appreciate making, connecting, being, doing, listening to each other and the environment around us.
​Our ever addictive and merciless digital age is sucking the real fabric and individuality out of our souls........or at least that is how it feels!!!