In Kassel, and during Documenta 14, for a period of two weeks, I invited Miss Mona El Dor, known as Um Ali, and her son Ali Suleiman to lead the traditional baking act. We baked Saj Manakeesh. My family members joined, including my father Nassib, as well as her family members who were already in Germany as new or old immigrants and refugees. We formed a growing team and we sold the Manakeesh at a symbolic price.

The profits of the bakery were modest, but we could at least re-distribute them to non-for profit associations in Athens, to associations who support refugees and with whom I have previously worked. 

The Manouché is a Levantine pizza, topped with cheese or thyme, or Kechk, it is typical in Lebanon, in Syria and in Palestine. People usually eat the Manouché for breakfast. It is a pizza everyone can afford, poor and rich. 

----------------------------

This project wouldn't have been realized without the support of Documenta 14, the D 14 technical team, and specially Hendrik Folkerts, Ayse Gulek, Tamim Ahmad (previous owner fo the Syrian Kebab restaurant in Kassel), Fanny Hauser, Rana Matloub, Um Ali and her family members, my father Nassib and my family members, all of the D14 visitors who particiapated and bought our Manouché on a daily basis, as well as Kassel old and new inhabitants.