Brötchentüte – Design and Culinary Diversity

Johannes J. Arens
Cultural Anthropologist, Journalist & Author, Cologne

»Brötchentüte« is not only one of these fiddly German words – it is an essential element of German everyday food culture. Once it is handed over, we store it in our backpacks or briefcases, its haptics and noises pleases toddlers and bothers fellow travellers – until we finally throw it away. It is a disposable, a penny good which usually doesn’t get much attention. But with just a bit of creative thought – it could be much more. German bakeries are having a hard time surviving in the midst of supermarket bun-bargains and low budget-»Back-Shop«-pastry. With a little help the Brötchentüte could evolve into a veritable business card for traditional bakeries, emphasizing personal skills, artisanal traditions and company history. Design could become a warrant for culinary diversity. Johannes J. Arens studied design in Maastricht and cultural anthropology in Bonn. Since 2010, he has been working as a freelance journalist and author with the main focus on eating culture in the Rhineland.

www.nachschlag-esskultur.de

The talk will be held in English language.