The summer six days peripatetic seminar took place in the idyllic environment of Epirus (National Park of Northern Pindos), in the National Park of Northern Pindos and at the Land Beyond in Vitsa.
The “land beyond”, in collaboration with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and with the support of European Expression, organized a 6 day interactive laboratory between 15-21 July 2013
In the meeting under the coordination of the greek NGO European Expression (Evropaiki Ekfrasi) participated 50 people representing NGOs and cultural clubs of almost every Balkan country. The meeting aimed at cooperation among organizations, exchange of know how and good practices, enrichment of public dialogue and joint action on local development issues based on voluntarism and citizen society values.
A Ioannina, une autre Grèce se révèle, verdoyante, orientale et méconnue. Capitale provinciale et ville estudiantine, c’est ici que bat le coeur de l’Epire, au bord d’un lac paisible où se mirent les montagnes toutes proches. Jadis carrefour commercial entre l’Italie, la Russie et l’empire ottoman, elle a brassé les cultures et nourri des légendes qui se racontent encore dans son architecture.
Today, the villages of the Zagori are 46 in number, shared out among Central, Western and Eastern Zagori. Vitsa, a village of the Central Zagori, officially designated as a ‘traditional’ settlement of particular historical, architectural and ecological interest, is one of the most typical villages of the Zagori, a region unique not only in Greece but also in Europe for its history and culture, and for its natural features.
Drakolimni (Greek: Δρακολίμνη, Dragon lake) is the name of several alpine or sub-alpine lakes in northwestern Greece Epirus region: the ones in mountain Tymfi and Smolikas are the most widely known. According to local folktales the lakes used to be inhabited by dragons who fought each other by throwing pines and rocks and thus created the peculiar landscape and gave their names to the lakes
As I wound my way up a wildflower-strewn path along Greece’s dizzying Vikos gorge, I had to keep stopping, just to drink in its sheer scale. Forested mountains stretched into the distance – the craggy peaks still topped with snow – and the clear waters of the Voidomatis river whooshed by below. I hadn’t seen another soul for hours. In a country so blessed with ancient ruins, islands and beaches, people tend to forget about Greece’s mountains as a holiday option.
During the Greek national Holiday of 25th March some forty people gathered at the land beyond, adults and children, taking part in an activity full of moving, walking and talking, and community bonding.
Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year! We welcomed the New Year in Land Beyond, fourty five people adults and children, laughing, kissing and wishing each other a better, more peaceful and happy New Year! We all took part in the first Winter Peripatetic Encounters.
"ZAGORI: THE LAND BEYOND. Last time I was up here was back in 2009, and today I have the opportunity to live the experience again with such a fine weather, it is merely paradise! a whole world hidden inside the lap of mountains, a world of aesthetic and natural loneliness and uniqueness
