Tradition

 

 Here is Z sitting in front of what was the village school – now having undergone the educational equivalent of deconsecration! The building belongs to the local council within which operates The Castle Cultural Association of the Didymoteicho Council. This group, manned by volunteers, has in many ways brought life to the village – a place where locals can enumerate the houses which now lie empty, whose lights have gone out and where that dark emptiness gradually creeps over the community.                                                     

That’s why the work, chiefly of the volunteer Giorgos Topalidis, is so important. Through his efforts the classrooms have been transformed into a folkloric museum, recording the past of the village of Koufovouno and its people. This museum has become so well known that coaches arrive from other areas, with people who are interested in seeing what has been achieved here.

But his contribution doesn’t just encapsulate the past, it touches our present as well. Giorgos helps arrange a variety of cultural events and we meet up with friends and relatives to enjoy one such evening together.                                              

He has organized a convention of over 80 Thracian bagpipers and drummers from all over Thrace – from Orestiada to Xanthi. As they made their mass entrance, playing in unison, I felt quite overwhelmed and nostalgic for our bagpipes. Most impressive!                                        

Giorgos had been planning to improve part of the school yard structure and appearance; Z and I had been so impressed by his project that we made a donation to help realise these plans. In return they kindly invited us as official guests to the event and we were presented with a commemorative plaque to express the association’s gratitude – very touching.                                                   

What really impressed was that they said that fifty years ago the youngest Thracian piper was 65 years old!! That night the youngest one was a 12- year-old – and one accomplished enough to perform in public!                                         

                                                   

There was even a lady piper – a former school mate of Z. Well done, one and all. Evidence of event success and community revival? We left around 2am and both pipers and dancers were still going strong!                                             

Now we move to our local Vasilika area where Thomas, a friend, wears traditional costume as one of the dancers from the Thermi Council Cultural Association. This was a Council -organised Thracian Dance celebration set on the campus of the International University of Greece. We now feel all Thraced-up! 😊                                         

It was lovely to see so many young people are learning traditional dance and are actively involved in local dance troupes.                                             

This last photo displays cuteness personified: a little group of very little children with their attentive teacher always nearby.  Can you believe the youngest dancer was 3 years old!? Just got the balance and mobility stuff sorted, then you roll into performing three sets, including a gloriously stampy Podaraki!!

                                      

It is so gratifying to see young ones being encouraged and supported by volunteers, teachers and organisers, so readily giving of their time to keep cultural traditions alive. Respect! 😊

Tripping to Attica.

  It was time to take a trip to Attica, the peninsula that encompasses the entire metropolitan area. Angeliki and I wanted to meet up before she headed off to Durham to coordinate classes at the pre-sessional courses at the university. That evening we had arranged to meet old friends for dinner, so Angeliki had prepared a ‘snackette’ as Colin would say!  We had the most delicious spinach and leek tart along with her famous ‘dolmadakia’ – fresh stuffed vine leaves– can’t refuse any of that!

                                      

We eat and chat on her cool balcony, in the shade of her amazing lemon trees –bliss!                                  After a wee siesta we get gussied up for our night out in the centre and take the metro to Monasteraki.

                               

We walk round Plaka - the tourist area with the Acropolis overseeing all. Around there there are the most beautiful neo-classical buildings. The pinks and blues below enhance the scene. The Ancient Greeks possibly painted their buildings in such warm tones – they liked a splash of colour!

                                  

As we walk along the cobble streets, we hear tongues from around the entire globe as the visitors explore the area. Being among this international throng gives me a wonderful sense of being on holiday too!

And so we make our way to our chosen restaurant; one by one the gals arrive: first Alison, then Marissa, and Marina arrives just as the audience applauds the two guitar and bouzouki-playing singers as they finish a set. Dramatic entrance!

                                              

       The following evening Mercouris, Angeliki’s husband, has requested we leave free as he wants to take us out to dinner. The venue is opulently decorated. It’s a deli-restaurant so, as well as biological foodstuffs on display, there are hand-made items of clothing and jewellery.           

                                   

Here are my delightful hosts, enjoying a fine Hedgehog Rose from the Alpha Estate in Florina, NW Greece. Its blurb promises floral aromatics and fruity tones. And so it was. 😊

                                 

From the open kitchen these delicacies were delivered: pasta with salmon in a truffle cream sauce, stuffed beefsteak with thrice-cooked potatoes and steak with chips. This was accompanied by a refreshing cucumber and watermelon salad. Not of the faint-hearted, we actually managed to sample their chocolate pie with caramel ice-cream. Utter decadence!

                             

On my final day, my lady-buds decided we needed one more meeting before my departure – brunch! The seaside setting of Voula again put me in full-force holiday mood.  Our gourmet brekkers looked like this:  French toast with strawberries and blueberries, egg-white omelettes with mixed green salad. Me? I couldn’t resist the cheese-filled crispy pastry rounds topped with fig jam …. mmm!                           

                                               

 Although I had added a few of Angeliki’s luscious lemons to my original baggage load, I felt sure it would not exceed the 8-kilo limit. But after all of that consumption I was afraid the airline might deem me as being overweight. Sadly, very true! Time to go diet !! ☹