Water

The land beyond is happy to announce the completion of one more Vikos Crossing in August 2016; a rich schedule full of activities based on Water kept every one of the sixty participants busy and happy in the magnificent Zagori surroundings and mountain paths. They had the chance to know everything about water, the springs, its use, its value as well as its functions. They visited the industrial unit where Zagori water is embottled, where they were fully guided by the CEO Mr Christos Prentzas and Mr Papachristou.

The whole visit turned out to be spectacular; so hard to imagine what lays behind the simple puff of opening a bottle of water! Next we visited the Dalla Fulling in Kalpaki, Ioannina. There we witnessed the function of the watermill which used to produce flour and of the fulling which is still widely used for cleaning carpets and blankets.

In the land beyond premises the participants saw the two cisterns of the estate, put again into use for collecting rainwater through the gutter system and use it for domestic purposes.

Despina Economopoulou, a Greek independent film maker living in Barcelona, presented her work on Water Stress. We thank her for her presence and for her genuine work.

"An enemy of the people", Eric Ibsen’s play referring to a water issue, was successfully presented in the Land beyond audience  in a starry night by Mr Aristidis Lavrentzos and his group, who also stayed and enjoyed the reception held afterwards. 

Hiking and walking activities took part during the event; the hiking at Smolikas Drakolimni was most significant since it is the second highest top in Greece, 1637m. The all-time classic Vikos crossing, the visit to Vikos canyon views from Beloi and Oxya. Last but not least, the walking in the unique stone bridges of Epirus. 

An exceptional moment though was the visit we paid in the famous Christian Orthodox Church of Saint George at Negades village. This 18th century religious monument is one of a kind throughout the Balkans. Two of our group, brother and sister Elissavet and Stelios, visited Negades for the first time; it is their father’s village of origin. They were moved.

The team also visited the Paschalios School of Kapesovo, where we were guided by Thukidides Papageorgiou the tireless owner of Sterna. Everyone was delighted to witness one of the most prestigious school of its time. On August 14th, in the evening we joined the Vitsa festivities with traditional folk music of Epirus. 

That marked the end of another successful Vikos Crossing, leaving everyone with a taste of fulfillment, rich impressions and emotions…Until next summer!