The phenomenon of immigration in Spain has caused, among other things, that nurseries and nursery schools are populated by children of different nationalities and cultures.
Of course, the one my daughter goes to is no exception. In fact, she is born in Spain but daughter of Argentines (I will have noticed the accent). There are also some small children born in other countries and many other children of foreign parents.
Seeing the situation and listening to the talks that the mothers had in the aisles about dishes from different parts of the world, the directors have come up with a great idea that I comment on in case any director, child teacher or mother wants to propose it in her School to do the same.
Last Friday they organized a multicultural party, where each child had to be dressed in the typical costume of his country (or that of his parents) or of his people (or that of his parents or grandparents); and the parents had to bring one, two or three dishes typical of their land.
The party was a total success. My girl was a gauchita (with her bombs and her espadrilles) and almost all the children were disguised, including the Spaniards, there were chulapos, flamencas, Galicians, Valencians and Canaries among several South Americans, some Asians and a few Europeans.
As for gastronomic experience it has been unsurpassed, it seemed an international cuisine fair. From Mexican nachos with guacamole, Chilean corn cake, Paraguayan meat patties, Korean noodles, cooked Colombian bananas, British cookies and Chinese snacks to salmorejo, potato and potato tortillas with mojo picón, as some vernacular samples.
There was no shortage of sweets, fritters, donuts, a delicious African dessert (I don't remember the name) and of course, a dulce de leche cake on my part.
Yes, that afternoon we took an intensive course of international flavors. But apart from that, it has been a very positive experience in all aspects. For parents, the culinary excuse has been a way to get to know each other better and have a good time.
For the little ones, a way to reinforce their roots and help them discover that the world of their school (and then the real one) is inhabited by children from different cultures and teach them how to enrich themselves.
Therefore, I suggest that just as there is a carnival or year-end party every year on the school calendar, a date to celebrate the multicultural party is implemented. By far, it has been the one that most parents have come to.
