Idaean Celebrations
2024-2025
Initiatives to Highlight and Protect the Cultural Identity of the Psiloritis Natural Park Area
The Idaean Celebrations include:
• Cultural events
• Sports activities
• Artistic performances
• Promotion of local crafts
• Participation of diverse groups
GLIMPSES OF PSILORITIS:
Photography Exhibition | “Flora mirabilis: wondrous plants of the Psiloritis Geopark”
As part of the "Idaean Celebrations", the Psiloritis Geopark's photography exhibition titled “Flora mirabilis: wondrous plants of the Psiloritis Geopark” travelled to three different locations within the Psiloritis Geopark and was included in the event programs of various cultural associations and local municipalities during the summer of 2024. The exhibition features a series of photo prints on canvas (20 unique plants of the Psiloritis Geopark) by local photographers, aiming to introduce and familiarize the public with some of the region’s plants. Its ultimate goal is to highlight this aspect of the area's natural wealth and raise awareness about the need for their protection.
Specifically, within the framework of the Idaean Celebrations, the exhibition was presented at:
July 21 & 22, 2024 – Amari Green Festival
The exhibition was part of the parallel events of the annual Amari Green Festival, where for two days, visitors could find it in the central square of the village Apostoloi in the Amari region.
August 10 & 11, 2024 – Water Festival in Zaros
Similarly, the exhibition was set up around the Zaros lake, where visitors during the two-day event (August 10–11, 2024) could stroll through it while enjoying a walk by the beautiful lake during the Water Festival in Zaros.
August 30 & 31, 2024 – 4th Psiloritis Geopark Festival in Fodele
The traveling exhibition “Flora mirabilis: wondrous plants of the Psiloritis Geopark” was presented in the square of Fodele, Malevizi, as part of the 4th annual Psiloritis Geopark Festival, where visitors could enjoy it as one of the parallel events.
More information on the exhibition can be found in the article: Flora mirabilis Photo Exhibition
4th Psiloritis Geopark Festival
ECHOES OF PSILORITIS
Musical Evening – August 30, 2024 | Traditional songs from the wider Psiloritis region and Crete
As part of the “Idaean Celebrations” and marking the conclusion of the first day of the 4th Psiloritis Geopark Festival, a musical evening took place at the central square of Fodele village. Young local musicians performed traditional songs from the wider Psiloritis region and Crete, under the evocative title “Echoes of Psiloritis.”
The participating musicians were:
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Vasilis Papoutsakis – Lyra
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Stelios Papoutsakis – Lyra
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Giorgis Panteris – Lyra
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Giorgos Xydakis – Lute
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Kyriakos Panteris – Lute
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Notis Marathianos – Mandolin
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Michalis Koutentakis – Daouli & Askoumpantoura
The event was organized with the support of the Fodele Cultural Association.
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PSILORITIS ARTISTS CREATE:
Thematic Exhibition of Local Artists / Folk Art Creators – August 30–31, 2024
Local artists from the wider Psiloritis Geopark area were invited by the Geopark to participate in the 4th Psiloritis Geopark Festival in Fodele and take part in a group exhibition to showcase their works.
Among the artists who participated were creators from the villages of Anogeia, Margarites, Gergeri, Astyraki, Krousonas, and Zaros. The exhibition featured works in sculpture, painting, wood carving, marble art, photography, weaving, and ceramics.
Specifically, the following artists presented their work:
Polydoros and Maria Teresa Aerakis, Kostis Gallios, Giorgis Dalambelas and Mariniki Mania, Georgios Kapsalis, Nikos Kapsalis, Stavros Koukiadakis, Maria Pitsikaki, Manolis Prinianakis, Grigoris – Michalis – Sifis Sifakis, Alkiviadis "Grylios" Skoulas, Nitsa Chaireti.
IDAEAN ACTIONS:
Theatre Performance – August 30, 2024 | “Playing with the Labors of Hercules”
As part of the parallel events of the 4th Psiloritis Geopark Festival in Fodele, Malevizi, on the first day of the festival (August 30, 2024) at 19:00, an interactive environmental-themed theatrical performance for children was held.
The performance titled “Playing with the Labors of Hercules” included a live narration with music, followed by an educational workshop for elementary school children.
Children from the Fodele community, nearby villages, and festival visitors attended the performance.
Theatre Performance – August 31, 2024 | “...The Wandering Musician with the Instruments...”
On the second day of the Festival, August 31, 2024, a one-hour educational workshop was held by the Thyrathen Musical School, a group from Krousonas, Malevizi.
The workshop, titled “...The Wandering Musician with the Instruments...”, featured a musical fairytale narrated in interaction with the children, introduction to musical instruments, construction of a self-made instrument, and the teaching of a traditional song.
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Throughout the Festival, visitors could explore the artworks and the exhibition booths of local businesses and producers collaborating with the Geopark. Workshops and educational activities for children were held, along with parallel actions allowing attendees to explore the picturesque village of Fodele and visit its local landmarks. Evenings ended with musical performances and traditional treats offered by members and friends of cultural associations from the Malevizi area.
These parallel activities of the Festival (theatre, art exhibition, music event) were funded under the “Idaean Celebrations” through the CLLD LEADER program of AKOMM-Psiloritis Development Agency.
