project & art director / graphics
in colaboration with Hneta Rós Þorbjarnardóttir
Äta Tilssammans is a community-driven food and cultural initiative that began in 2017 in Dals Långed, Sweden, during the height of the Syrian refugee crisis. Created in response to the growing need for integration and community-building, the project brought together locals, newcomers, and international students to cook, eat, and share stories from different cultures.
And then again … the project was never just about food. Its core aim was to create shared experiences through interactive cultural activities led by each cooking group. For example, during the Taiwanese night, everyone learned how to fold dumplings and later tried to find the one they had made from the big pot where they were all cooking. At other events, participants learned how to make Turkish coffee, or engraved their own patterns into Icelandic Christmas bread. These hands-on activities brought strangers together, encouraging collaboration, conversation, and connection beyond the dinner table.
For two wonderful years, Äta Tillsammans brought people together every other Thursday (pausing only for summer breaks). The meals were always free, creating a space where everyone could join in, no matter who they were or where they came from.
By engaging guests directly in the preparation and cultural rituals around food, the project broke down social barriers and created space for new friendships, cultural exchange, and a stronger sense of community. It offered an alternative to passive attendance … inviting people not only to eat, but to experience, create, and connect.
Photo credits: Martin Gustavsson
This project was made possible thanks to Mötesplats Steneby, Dalslands Sparbank, Dals Långeds Utvecklingsråd, and Kafe Schuckert for generously providing the kitchen and all the culinary gear.