FAO Global Exhibition Seeds to Food – Europe and Central Asia

Bridging tradition and science to nourish people, sustain the planet, and celebrate culture

Grain by grain, seed by seed, the story of Europe and Central Asia unfolds. Across vast steppes and mountain valleys, from sunlit Mediterranean shores to the windswept fields of the north, cereals and pulses have been companions of humankind for millennia. Wheat, barley, rye, oats, lentils, chickpeas and beans – these humble crops have carried empires, sustained villages and nourished families. They are the foods of celebration and survival, symbols of resilience and identity, and threads that bind cultures across time and geography.

The ‘Seeds to Foods’ exhibition, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in Parco di Porta Capena, Rome, Italy, is an invitation to step into that world – a world that awakens all the senses. As part of the global exhibition, the pavilion for Europe and Central Asia invites visitors to explore the variety of grains, from golden wheat fields to the deep brown hues of rye, and the intricate textures of artisanal breads. Visitors can smell the comforting aroma of freshly baked flatbreads, roasted pulses and milled flours. They can touch the grains, flours and dough, feeling the textures that connect them to centuries of agricultural tradition. They can hear the stories of farming communities and the lively chatter of markets, all echoing the living culture of Europe and Central Asia. They can taste the heritage of the region in porridges, breads, pulses and pasta, discovering flavors that have shaped diets for generations.

The pavilion is presented by FAO in collaboration with a wide network of partners – from governments across the region to civil society organizations, the private sector, academia and research institutions, and the youth and women who are shaping the future of food. These partners will also deliver engaging and thought-provoking presentations and discussions through the “Europe and Central Asia Pavilion Talks.”

 

Europe and Central Asia Pavilion Talks

Friday, 10 October

• 11.15-11.40 | Plant genetic resources & Agritourism in Albania 
  

Zef Gjeta, Associate Professor and Researcher for Cereals at the Institute of Plant Genetics Resources part of the Agriculture University of Tirana, Albania

Discover how Albania’s rich plant heritage is shaping new opportunities for farming and tourism with insights from Zef Gjeta.

• 14.15–14.40 | Pulses the unloved superheroes  
  

Daniela Graf, Scientific assistant presidential office at Max Rubner-Institut, Germany 

Daniela Graf highlights why pulses deserve the spotlight as powerful allies for health and sustainability.

Saturday, 11 October

• 11.15–11.40 | The farmer’s voice: Enrico’s journey from land to table 
  

Enrico Parisi, Young Farmer, Coldiretti / WFO

Young farmer Enrico Parisi shares his personal journey of bringing food from the land to our tables, exploring what it means to be a young farmer with challenges and also opportunities.

• 12.45–13.15 | In conversation with: Svalbard Seed Vault and Georgia's Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture

Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director, Crop Trust, Norway

Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, Georgia 

Join a conversation on safeguarding the world’s seeds, from the Svalbard Seed Vault to Georgia’s agricultural research efforts.

• 14.15–14.40 | Role of cereals in plant-rich diets 

Laura Gazza, senior researcher at CREA Research Centre for Engineering and Agro-Food Processing in Rome, Italy. 

Cereals play a crucial role not only in agricultural biodiversity and sustainability but also in shaping healthier, plant-rich diets. Laura Gazza will reflect on the cultural and nutritional importance of cereals, with particular reference to wholegrains, and discuss how shifting dietary patterns –especially in Western countries – are reshaping our understanding of food systems and health

• 16.15–16.40 | Stand-up talk: Seeds and treasures of Slovak fields: A gene bank journey
  

Pavol Hauptvogel, Director of the Research Institute of Plant Research Institute of Plant Production, Slovakia 

Join Pavol Hauptvogel for an inspiring stand-up talk exploring the seeds and treasures of “Slovak fields through a gene bank journey.”

Sunday, 12 October

• 11.15–11.40 | How seeds become food on our table and protect our planet: from fables to food 

Sonia Massari, Researcher at University of Pisa, Italy. 

Sonia Massari takes us on a journey from stories to seeds, showing how they shape the food we eat and the planet we share.

• 15.00–15.45 | In conversation with: Field Crops Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Türkiye  

Fatih Özdemir, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Türkiye. 

Join the conversation with Fatih Özdemir on advancing field crop science and supporting farmers in Türkiye and beyond.

Monday, 13 October

• 11.15–11.40 | Future of cereals & pulses in healthy diets for a healthy planet 

Riccardo Valentini, Full Professor of Forest Ecology, University of Tuscia, Nobel Laureate IPCC 2017

Professor Riccardo Valentini explores how cereals and pulses can shape healthier diets and a more sustainable planet.

• 15.00–15.25 | The human story of seeds: Anthropology of cereals and pulses 
  

Ernesto Di Renzo, Professor of Anthropology of food, Department of History, Humanities and Society, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy. 

Discover how seeds connect people, traditions, and societies in this talk by anthropologist Ernesto Di Renzo.