Banco di Garabombo: a different kind of xmas market
Impulsive as we were to zip into Milan for panettone, it wasn't the only reason to step off the metro. We also checked out the Banco di Garabombo (Garabombo's stand) at the parking lot of Pagano (M1). Housed under a big cavernous tent, BdG is a sort of multi-ethnic xmas market with a focus on fair trade items. Organic, eco-friendly, recycled and local (km zero) products also stock the shelves along with an ample inventory of books. A couple of things that caught my eye: the first being products cultivated on lands that were confiscated from the Mafia - Libera Terra (and if you look on the english page, it explains Libera Terra's objectives) and the second being goods generated by italian inmates by way of job-skills training. There were cookies, beers, wines, jewelry and clothing. Note: I'd like to add that at Re Panettone, there was a stand representing I Dolci di Giotto - panettone made by inmates at a baking facility within the Due Palazzi maximum-security prison in Padova. Cool video of the inmates at work (italian): youtu.be/4MFP2IcAc7E
FYI: who or what is Garabombo anyway?
It was the MotH who brought BdG to my attention earlier this month, but whenever I tried to remember the name, I came up Garagongo?, Galabamba? and even Gagabimbo. And then the who/what/where and why questions started so....well you get the point. I just like to know some background when putting the word out. www.bancodigarabombo.it
So who is Garabombo?
Garabombo is the protagonist in a novel by Manuel Scorza titled Garabombo, the Invisible.
What's the connection between a fictional character and a xmas fair-trade market?
I honestly don't know, and can only guess that since Garabombo was a defender of peasants, embodies the character of underdog who ends up saving the day. Many of the products at BdG represents fairness and equality from a social and financial point of view.
Who is behind this great idea?
The Chico Mendes cooperative, a non-profit organization founded by a group of volunteers who wished to promote a solidarity economy through fair trade. The cooperative was named after the brazilian environmentalist who was assassinated in 1988.
Banco di Garabombo rocks! Cookies, beer, tea, a t-shirt, yogurt, cheese, jam and a cute bird potholder. The shopping bag is from Hawaii. The market is open from 9am to 8pm through January 9th, 2012.
scribbled from the chestnut forest by Rowena... at 3:41 PM
8 Comments:
nice stash, love your bag too :)
Kat - buahahaha! Still gotta post about that.
so many great gifts!!! Looks delicious.
What kinds of ethnicities were represented other than Italian? Or was it that various regions within Italy?
Very fun post!
The Wanderfull Traveler
WT - mexican and vietnamese immediately come to mind although I don't know specific ethnicities from the broader continents like South America and Africa.
I'll have to check it out... how are the prices?
Chiara - reasonable for a xmas market such as this. For the beers we would spend much more at a pub, and the spices, teas, cookies, books etc. are equal to what I already pay for altromercato stuff at the store. The plus is getting double back for your money by supporting a worthy cause.
Wonderful booty. You made a good haul. There are Fair Trade stores in Santa and Rapallo, full of delicious treasures. They have things like real brown sugar, that you can't find in the supermarkets...
Fern - I can find a small section of fair-trade products in the major supermarkets but to be surrounded all at once at a place like this was fantastic.
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