Day visit of the American College of Greece (Pierce College)

On the 4th of April, a warm and bright day, at the beginning of flowering, we welcomed eighty children of the American College of Greece. After the breathtaking view of the place "Oxia” and lunch in Monodendri, we toured the cobbled paths, courtyards and the areas of the Land Beyond, in Ano Vitsa. We talked about the choice of life in the countryside in combination with the dreams and aspirations of young people, we referred to the history of Zagori, its period and conditions of prosperity, the domestic economy, the diaspora, the remittances and welfare works, the construction materials of houses, cisterns, bridges, roads, schools and churches but also about the continuation of tradition in modern conditions with the inclusion of Zagori in the UNESCO Cultural Landscape and efforts such as that of the Land Beyond for the continuation of life, through knowledge and culture in this unique place. Moreover, we discussed about the National Park, biodiversity, bears and hikes, threshing floors, wheat and bread. During our talks, we commended many children for their knowledge, consciousness and maturity. The tour guide Mrs Toula Belitsi from Metsovo and Mrs Stella Karageorgiou, Professor of aesthetic education and the other professors contributed to this visit, making it strong and influential. These day visits leave everyone with their own imprint, along with hope looking for a crack to get through.