Post-Goose
The Netherlands is known for its large population of geese. Because of the abundance of open water and protein-rich grass, the geese tend to stay in the country and not fly further south. Their growing numbers have caused damage to agriculture, nature, and air traffic. As a result, around 40,000 geese are killed annually in the province of North Holland only. Only a tiny portion of these geese are used for consumption, while most are destroyed.
Research has shown potential opportunities for using the culled geese but also highlights challenges. The Slow Food Youth Network, on behalf of the province of North Holland and the Fauna Management Unit of North Holland, organised the "Dag van de Wilde Gans" (Wild Goose Day). This event brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds involved in various aspects related to wild geese, such as hunters, chefs, policymakers, ecologists, students, and artists. The aim was to find ways to integrate the wild goose into the food cycle in a valuable and sustainable manner.
Billie van Katwijk was invited to showcase potential uses for the inedible parts of the goose. She demonstrated how to make paper from the feathers. At the "Dag van de Wilde Gans," visitors were encouraged to write letters to the geese on this paper, addressing the geese directly instead of just discussing them. These letters were then attached to kites made of feather paper, reminiscent of the decoy geese used by hunters. The kites were flown to ensure that the letters reached the wild geese.