Photo : Racines Barbares
Restitution - Here and elsewhere: Kitchen stories
Come and discover the fruit of the meeting between neighborhood associations, people in emergency accommodation, and the Romilly library. Because every dish tells a story — that of our hands, our memories, our languages, our roots.
Bibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly (Paris 18th)
About
The libraries of the 18th arrondissement are hosting a 15-day highlight (November 17 – December 5, 2026) where cooking becomes storytelling. With people in emergency accommodation, they are orchestrating a meeting between pots and memories, between culinary gestures and cultural histories.
The project deploys a sound collection of gastronomic stories: during cooking workshops led by Dalila from the Graine et Noyau association, in the heart of partner structures, Géraldine from the Racines Barbares association and the librarians support the collection of words — transmitted recipes, family anecdotes, kitchen soundscapes, words in mother tongues. These recipes and testimonies then become artistic material: kamishibai illustrations, created collectively in the library, embody the dishes and the stories that carry them.
The final presentation, which will be held on November 28 at the Bibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly, releases these stories in the form of an exhibition and talks, where recorded voices resonate alongside the illustrations. A booklet bringing together visuals, recordings, and quotes will circulate in the neighborhood's structures and libraries. Stéphanie Poisson accompanies these meetings with photography, documenting the journeys, the gestures, the exchanges.
Racines Barbares ; Credits : Racines BarbaresGraine et noyau ; Credits : Graine et noyauBibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly ; Credits : City of ParisOur take on this event
Cooking is so much more than just following steps, and this unique project captures the memories and cultural heritage hidden behind every recipe. You are invited to explore a moving exhibition where heartfelt stories and culinary traditions blend together to create a powerful collective experience.
The Bibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly hosts the final presentation of the project Here and Elsewhere: Kitchen Stories on November 28, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30. This event explores the intersection of gastronomy and memory, showcasing recipes, family anecdotes, and cultural heritage collected from individuals in emergency accommodation. Visitors can discover an immersive exhibition featuring sound recordings and collective kamishibai illustrations. Located in the 18th arrondissement, the session is free to attend and fully accessible to wheelchair users. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the stories and culinary traditions that shape our diverse communities through a blend of art and oral history.
As part of a neighborhood-wide initiative, the 18th arrondissement libraries have transformed cooking into a narrative medium. Throughout various workshops, participants in emergency housing shared their culinary secrets, family memories, and mother-tongue stories. This process was guided by Dalila from the Graine et Noyau association, Géraldine from Racines Barbares, and dedicated librarians, resulting in a rich collection of gastronomic testimonies.
The final exhibition takes place on November 28, 2026, from 14:00 to 15:30 at the Bibliothèque Jacqueline de Romilly. The event features spoken word performances alongside kamishibai illustrations that depict the dishes and histories collected during the project. A special booklet containing photos by Stéphanie Poisson, along with quotes and audio transcripts, will be available. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that this celebration of community and shared heritage remains open to everyone.
