Join Eleonora Matarrese, the Wild Cook, on a fascinating journey through the secrets of medieval plants and their modern-day significance in horticulture and food. Uncover the hidden meanings behind the illustrations and the valuable insights into the scientific and nutritional properties of these ancient plants. Discover how our ancestors' observations shaped our understanding of nature and its wonders.

Agriculture owes its origins to wild plant species and the fundamental need for sustenance. Prior to widespread cultivation, the earliest vegetable gardens revered wild plants as both nourishment and medicinal remedies, which were synonymous at that time. It is during the era spanning from the Middle Ages to the early Renaissance that the exchange of seeds and knowledge can be traced back. Manuscripts, ranging from Anglo-Saxon herbals to pre-printing herbal manuscripts, subtly depict the profound reverence and extensive knowledge held not only by physicians and early scientists, but also by the common people. This priceless wisdom serves as remarkable evidence of the significance of plants. The primary sense of medieval man was likely rooted in observation, as evidenced by the intricate illustrations of wild plants in connection to the four elements, seasons, and stages of human life.

Dr. Matarrese will lead us on an extraordinary journey to explore our past and present. She will also reveal some of her latest fascinating findings about the Voynich Manuscript, renowned for its status as "the indecipherable manuscript".

The talk will be followed by a Q&A session.

This exclusive event offers the option to attend either in person at the prestigious McMordie Hall, Music Building, located at Queen's University Belfast, 1 College Green, Belfast BT7 1LN, or virtually by registering here to receive the meeting link.

We are looking forward to your presence at the event!

The speaker: Dr Eleonora Matarrese is an expert in Germanic Philology and English Language History, specializing in teaching Phytoalimurgia and Ethnobotany at the prestigious University of Bari. She is highly sought after as a consultant in the field of wild food and phytoalimurgia. Matarrese serves as the director of i Skogen!, a magazine dedicated to research, and is the acclaimed author of La Cuoca Selvatica. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is a renowned professional forager, contributing to both scientific and popular journals. Matarrese's influence extends to her role as a Chef for the esteemed Slow Food Alliance, where she champions food education initiatives throughout Europe. Her reputation as La Cuoca Selvatica - The Wild Cook precedes her, and she is a featured personality on the popular Italian national television program "È sempre mezzogiorno" hosted by Antonella Clerici.