An important event was recently organized by the University of West Attica (PADA), under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament and the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT), on the topic: “Intangible Cultural & Religious Heritage – Sustainable Development and Promotion”. With the speech of the Deputy Doctor of History – Ethnology of the Democritus University of Thrace Katerina Marinaki, who represented the Cultural Association of Folegandros (PO.SY.FOL.), presenting elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the island, Folegandros participated in this event of grave importance. Specifically, Katerina Marinaki briefly referred to the traditional art of Xerolithia, the preservation of which is strongly supported by PO.SY.FOL. with its actions, as well as in the Easter customs of Folegandros, an element of local culture, which is in the 2nd Stage of the Enrichment Process of the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece (period 2024).
Greetings at the event were delivered by:
-the Rector of PADA Professor Panagiotis E. Kaldis
-Evangelos Liakos, Representative of the President of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, Member of Parliament for 2nd West Attica
- President of the Greek National Tourism Organization Angela Varela (watch the 1st video)
The event focused on the results of two important European KA2 Projects:– INTHRACE: “Management of National Intangible Cultural Heritage to enhance awareness of common European values”.(https://inthrace.unitbv.ro/index.php/about-inthrace/) – ReligiTour: “Development of religious tourism and integration of religious sites and monuments”. (https://www.religitour.eu/).
These projects, with the participation of more than 60 speakers from various regions of Greece, provide a comprehensive framework of theoretical and practical tools for the utilization of Cultural Heritage in education, society and local development, while the Scientific Manager of the event and the Projects for PADA, Professor Androniki Kavoura (Department of Business Administration), has conducted on-site research to promote the heritage of these specific regions.
The invited speakers referred to important issues of Intangible Cultural Heritage of their country, presenting good practices and proposals for the promotion and tourism promotion of their regions, contributing to a substantive dialogue for the formation of a modern sustainable development strategy in Greece, while the results will highlight issues concerning the medium-long-term strategy of mainland and island Greece.
Also participating from the Cyclades were Dimitrios Helmis from Andros and the Cyclades Olive Museum, as well as the Mayor of Serifos Kostas Revinthis with the President of the Serifos Association Antonis Kouzoupis.
The program also included Round Table discussions with distinguished scientists and professionals:
-1st Discussion on “Intangible Cultural Heritage, collective memories & sustainable tourism development – Challenges and Prospects”, moderated by the former Director and Honorary Researcher of the Research Center for Greek Folklore of the Academy of Athens, Aikaterini Kamilaki-Polymerou, and panel members: -Alexandra Adami, Lawyer, Honorary Professor, PADA
-Alexios-Patapios Kontis, Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Economics and Management, University of the Aegean, former Advisor to the Ministry of Tourism Development
-George Panagiaris, Professor, Department of Conservation of Works of Art, PADA
-Kritonas Isidoros Piperas, former President of the Panhellenic Federation of Tour Guides (POXEN)
-Vasiliki Polyzoi, Member of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Council
-2nd Discussion on the topic “The European project as an educational tool in the classroom, in research, in practice, in society”, moderated by the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Educational Affairs of the Parliament, Christodoulos Stefanadis, and members of the panel:
-Aspasia Voudouri, Secondary Education Teacher
-Gogo Sp. Karakousis, Laboratory Teaching Staff, PADA, with research activity in bead folk art
-Sofia Mytilineou, Assistant Professor, Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication, PADA
Members of the Project team are Professor Eleni Martini, Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication and Professor Sofia Asonitou, Department of Business Administration, PADA
As part of the event, student creations inspired by the case studies of the Projects were presented in the foyer of PADA. At the same time, actress and director Andromache Davlou recited works by Greek poets, while the Mandolinata of Zakynthos “Anastasios Leftakis 1958” offered a special musical program (see the 2nd video). The event had the full support and participation of the President of the Association of Provincial Press Editors (ESET) Giorgos Koulouras and the local media throughout Greece, as well as all participating Organizations.
