Dear Madam, dear Sir,
The olive and its tree is at the heart of an international television series we are currently developing for several European TV networks led by franco-german pubcaster ARTE. The aim is to tell the surprising story of this magnificent and mythical tree, across the entire Mediterranean Sea. both from a symbolic and a real perspective, We?ll focus on the central role it played in all civilisations (Egyptions, Phoenecians, Grecs, Romans?.) that wrote the History of the Med, and we will visit every single country around the Med. Whether they were Jews, Christians or Muslims, all of the Mediterranean people used to share its benefits in the past, and witness today its remarkable renaissance in people?s minds and hearts. This is no doubt why UNESCO is in the process of awarding its official Patronage to our project.
Yet, our series will not be aimed at a few olive experts, historians or agricultural researchers. On the contrary, it is aimed at the general public and, solidely researched, will concentrate on everyday issues related to the olive tree and its fruit across the Med: pressing of extra virgin olive oil, a brief history of its development on all of its shores, its legends and symbols, its commerce, its products, its diet, its future??you?ll find a brief synopsis of the series attached to this email.
In order to make it as vivid and interesting as possible for the viewer, we are currently looking for some kinds of elements :
It is very important for us to rely on an ensemble of characters from across the Med, persons who will talk to us passionately about their relationship with the olive culture, commerce and history : olive farmers, artisans, researchers, cooks etc?..people who through work, passion or else are linked one way or the other to the world of olives. If you know persons who fit this description ?passionnate is the operative word- or of original, unusual stories around the olive, would you be so kind as to let us have their details, or invite them to contact us?
Please do feel free to largely circulate this request and we sincerely hope to hear from you in the not so distant future. Thank you very much for your attention. With kind regards from Paris.
brice.c@ictv-solferino.com