The work of the 5th Meeting of the Summer School of Tzoumerka and Southeastern Pindos (THEST), on the theme of “Aromatic plants and herbs in traditional and modern Greek culture”, was completed with great success. THEST is organized by the University of Thessaly/Department of History, Archeology and of Social Anthropology in good cooperation with the Local Community of Syracos of the Municipality of Northern Tzoumerka, the Management Body of the National Park, Tzoumerka, Peristeri and Haradras Arachthos and the Association of Syracuses of Preveza. He managed to realize his goals thanks to the generosity of the NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY and the substantial assistance of the Park.
The focus of this year’s event was Syracuse (August 27 to September 1, 2017), where the theoretical courses were held for three days (Sunday to Tuesday) in the jewel of Syracuse, the Cultural Center “K. Krystallis”, by prominent members of the university and research community. For two days (Wednesday and Thursday) the students conducted on-site research in Sirrakos, Kalarrites and Matsouki, while on the last day (Friday) the participants presented their research findings demonstrating a high sense of responsibility and scientific consistency, a fact that certified that THEST has now been accepted as a serious educational organization that produces knowledge. It is an accepted university institution at the door of the local communities of Tzoumerka.
The Tzoumerka Summer School began as an experiment and developed into an institution that was embraced by the people of Pindos in Tzoumerka and Agrafa. This is confirmed by the response to discussion and the provision of information, but also by the participation of the residents of the three villages in the ongoing research. The result of this interaction is the building of relationships of mutual respect between the members of the Summer School (teachers and students) and the local community.
The choice of theme for this year’s event was aromatic plants and herbs. The discussion as well as the research helped everyone to understand the logic of the mountain culture. At the same time, it became clear that it is a privileged area of the economy for the redevelopment of our mountains. The shift to another type of diet and the re-evaluation of the therapeutic and nutritional wealth of herbs and plants bring the mountain mass to the fore as an attractive habitat for cultural and economic reasons. At the same time, the different points of view and reservations were highlighted. First of all, the necessity for creative cooperation with the active participation of local communities – and not only their administrative expression – came to the surface.
A RELATED VIDEO FOLLOWS HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag9LTA6o-Wo
