Pollinator profile: Benedict Cantatore

Q and A

What are your specialist performance skills?

Passion and enthusiasm are probably my best performance skills. My passion for sustainability is evident in every project I’ve been involved in. I believe that if you are passionate and genuine about something, people can feel it. When I interact with the public, I try to offer them practical solutions whilst trying to make them think about our environmental impact and keeping a light-hearted and positive atmosphere. I find playing games a great way to interact with children and adults at the same time.

Describe the characters you play...

I always try to be myself. I specialise in demonstrations about educational games. Some of the projects I’ve been involved in are:

• being a mad scientist’s assistant
• playing a Berber game using desert dust balls
• giving samples of almond milk (my grandmother's recipe)
• talking about bio plastic talking about the big plastic dump in the Pacific Ocean
• demonstrating apple pressing
• talking about composting and how to make a wormery
• demonstrating the energy-efficient rocket stove and making maize tortillas
• playing the virtual water game, auto pot irrigation system and sea water greenhouse
• being the master of ceremonies of the Venetian carnival
• playing an explorer talking about natural navigation during the Rainforest Time Quest
• pumpkin carving during Halloweden
• making toys out of recyclable material and a virtual axis wind turbine
• being a fire starter (for the friction fire demonstration).

What are your favourite pieces that you perform at Eden?

I particularly love playing my virtual water game which enlightens people about water consumption embedded in our lifestyle. I’m able to inspire and encourage people to live a more sustainable life and have a laugh at the same time.

What does being a Pollinator at Eden mean to you?

The way I interpret being part of the Pollination team is being somebody that has the power to inspire and influence the public and colleagues (at least I hope so!). I'm a profound believer in the power of communities and that the way to change things in our society is by working together, collaborating and learning from each other. As we say in Italian, ‘l'unione fa’ la forza’, or ‘strength in unity’. What I'm mostly trying to emphasise is the fact that with working together and making small changes in our everyday life we can all make a huge difference.

What is your favourite thing about Eden?

I think Eden is an amazing project that attracts people with the same mind-set. Working at Eden we have the chance to inspire and educate people, learn from each other and have fun at the same time!

Which is your favourite place in Eden?

Definitely the Mediterranean Biome, it reminds me of home (Italy)! The atmosphere, the smells, the light...I love it!

Describe your most memorable day at Eden...

There are so many! I remember one in particular. One day I went into the Med Biome and I met Jan (Green team). She told me the story of an amazing plant, the Argania Spinosa. The plant is a fantastic example of how humans and the natural world can live in synergy. The plant provides shelter for the wildlife and holds the desert back; it also provides food for goats and income for the local people through the production of argan oil. The story made my day! Learning about that plant made me full of energy and enthusiasm to share the story with Eden visitors!