The event “Kehayias and Mandra – Lemnian Stories in Space and Time”, on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Maroula Cinema, in Lemnos, was a great success!
With the participation of approximately 120 people from the local community, we had the pleasure of exploring the agrifood heritage of Lemnos! The two short films “The Mandras of Lemnos – a traditional system of agropastoral management” and “Cheese on Lemnos – culture and heritage” paved the way for the discussions that followed.
More specifically, Rafail Giannelis, social folklorist and project officer of MedINA, discussed the role of kehayias and mandra through time and how modern kehayiathes can navigate in a sustainable manner in times of crisis. The presentation was followed by a vibrant discussion on the development dynamics of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with young cheesemakers Argiro Markaki and Panagiotis Chrysafis along with Andromachi Economou, senior researcher at the Academy of Athens facilitated by Ivi Nanopoulou of Anemoessa.
Angeliki Tseliou, co-founder and manager of Places & Traces, facilitated an extremely interesting discussion about the Lemnian idiom and its use in the modern era, which was accompanied by Christos Kolleros, Rafail Giannelis, Maria Papapanagiotou, philologist and Director of Moudros High School, and Dr. Dr. Despina Douka, philologist and Director of the 3rd High School of Aghia Paraskevi.
The evening came to a perfect close when, following a comprehensive presentation on Lemnos’ music and dance tradition by Νasos Chalkas, collaborator of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Lemnos, the youth dance group of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Lemnos took the stage. Through traditional dances, they guided us to a world that the people of Lyceum carefully preserve with care! The dance group was accompanied by musicians Marinos Kefalas on lyra, Nasos Chalkas on lute and Sotiris Rodanidis on toubeleki.
The event was held in the frames of the European Heritage Days 2023, with the theme “Living heritage”. The theme is linked to Intangible Cultural Heritage, as this year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
We would like to extend warm thanks to our co-organizers, Anemoessa, Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Lemnos and Places & Traces, as well as the Maroula Cinema for the hospitality, and of course to all our fellow travelers in the enchanting world of Lemnos’ cultural heritage.
