Betül Tarancı, winner of our international “Bees Will Save the World” poster design competition with her entry “Bees Are Tomorrow,” participated in Terra Madre 2024 in Italy. The competition was organized in collaboration with the Slow Food Communities network in Türkiye and was open to both amateur and professional designers worldwide.
The “We Are Nature” themed Terra Madre 2024 event in Turin’s Dora Park brought together researchers, writers, activists, chefs, producers, and farmers from Slow Food’s global network. As a winner attending this biennial event dedicated to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection, Tarancı was particularly impressed by participants from Italy’s 12 regions and worldwide, who demonstrated their commitment to clean, fair, and healthy food production through strong community engagement.
“After Terra Madre, I better understand the crucial balance between local production and global consumption,” Tarancı shared. “I’ve become much more selective as a consumer.”
She noted the event’s impressive zero-waste approach, with all materials from cardboard furniture to food packaging being recyclable. “I never expected to win the competition, but this became an incredible opportunity,” Tarancı reflected on her journey from poster contest to international forum.
New Perspectives on Sustainability
The experience fundamentally changed her perspective: “While I’ve always loved nature, I was more consumption-focused before. Now I understand agriculture’s vital role in maintaining ecosystems beyond just food production.” Exposure to diverse cultural approaches significantly expanded her knowledge of sustainability, motivating her to become more actively engaged.
Special Connection to Textiles
As a fashion and textile design graduate who later studied graphic design, Tarancı found particular meaning in displays of handmade products made from natural yarns. “Seeing sustainable textile practices preserving traditional techniques showed me how Slow Food addresses fundamental human needs beyond just cuisine – it’s about making conscious choices across all aspects of life.”
Grateful to Kapadokya University for this transformative opportunity, Tarancı described Terra Madre as both educational and deeply inspiring—an experience that reshaped her approach to sustainability and conscious living.
