The project “Amoli | Demeter and Agricultural Cultivation in the Post-Industrial Thriasio Plain” by researcher, visual artist, and performance artist Emilia Bouriti and the Syn+Ergasia Art Platform, organized by Eleusis 2023 Cultural Capital of Europe, focuses on creating a network and exchanges between the agricultural communities of the post-industrial Thriasio Plain.
The program includes, among other activities, a walking tour of the farms, public participation in agricultural work such as harvesting peanuts and planting fruits and vegetables, storytelling, traditional music, Arvanitic songs, performances, visual installations, screenings, the presentation of the documentary “100 Years of Agricultural Life in Aspropyrgos,” as well as meetings between the agricultural communities of the Thriasio Plain. The activities conclude with a presentation by researchers from the HME-PROPE Laboratory at PADA on the topics of energy transition, agricultural communities, and the challenges of water use for farmers in the Thriasio Plain.
This is a multifaceted reference to the agricultural goddess Demeter, the protector of agriculture, who, despite the different stages of development in the Thriasio Plain, has never left it. She is alive, not as a myth, but as a reality, since the plain has been systematically cultivated from ancient times until today. The critical message of the project is that food and the connection between humans and the land are timeless elements not only of survival but also of cultural heritage—an element that must be preserved and given protected space in the ever-changing Thriasio Plain.
Using tools such as contemporary art, participation, experiential knowledge, and science, the project approaches the agricultural communities of the two cities, Eleusis and Aspropyrgos, unfolding their cultural heritage and transforming the rural landscape into a field of new possibilities.
Participants:
Arvanites from Eleusis and Aspropyrgos, the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos and its members, artists, scientists, farmers, theorists, the local community, and the wider public.
PROGRAM
ELEFSINA
Sunday, August 27, 2023 – Time: 18:00 – 22:30
At Adam Argyriou’s pistachio farm (Stratou Fragkou Street, Airport area, Eleusis)
Singing Arvanites:
Aikaterini Peppa, Georgia Kriekouki, Dimitra Sterpi, the V. Farmaki family, and from the Magoula Women’s Association: Spyridoula Panagopoulou, Ourania Lingou, Marika Gogou.
ASPROPYRGOS
Thursday, September 14, 2023 – Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
“Blessing for the agricultural seeds,” a ritual offering by Emilia Bouriti and the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos at the Church of Saint Demetrios in Aspropyrgos.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – Time: 18:00 – 22:30
At Vangelis Mouzakas’ fruit and vegetable farm – Chapel of Saint Marina – (Saint Marina & Konstantinou Karamanli Streets, Aspropyrgos).
Singing Arvanites:
Mary Avraam, Eleni Darra, Katerina Ilia, Maria Kapsala, Koula Liosi, Spyridoula Mouzaka, Maria Mylona, Vasiliki Nasou, Kaiti Neroutsou, Katina Neroutsou, Fani Papada.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Entry to the events is free with seat reservation.
Audience transportation with return: Electric Bus of the Laboratory of Mild Energy Forms and Environmental Protection of the University of West Attica.
Departure from the Town Halls of Eleusis & Aspropyrgos.
Contributors:
Emilia Bouriti: Originator of the idea “AMOLI,” Director, Visual Artist, Performance Artist, Head of Cultural and Social Planning – Researcher of participatory actions.
Panagiotis Ktenidis: Researcher – Coordinator of Actions connecting Culture, Energy, Sustainable Resilience of Rural Communities and challenges of water use for the farmers of the Thriasio Plain.
Andromachi Oikonomou: Scientific Associate, Research Consultant.
Bia Papadopoulou: Exhibition Curator – Art Historian.
Despina Savvopoulou: Text Editor – Journalist, Theatre Studies Specialist.
Panos Vittorakis: Cameraman, Director.
Charis Karoutsos, Nikolas Papadimitriou: Video Editing.
Voula Androni: Production organization & execution manager – Photographer.
Ioannis Stamou: Traditional clarinet musician.
Tasos Fotiou: Music Professor, musician, performer, music supervisor.
Konstantinos Meretakis: Musical performance (Daouli drum).
Production organization & execution: Syn+Ergasia Art Platform
Organizer: 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture
Implemented in collaboration with the Laboratory of Mild Energy Forms and Environmental Protection of the University of West Attica (HME-PROPE PADA), the Municipality of Aspropyrgos, the Spiritual Center of Aspropyrgos, and the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos.
Under the auspices and support of the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage, Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Intercultural Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Sports.
27/08/2023 Eleusis – Demeter and agricultural cultivation in the post-industrial Thriasio Plain
14/09/2023 Aspropyrgos – Blessing for the agricultural seeds
23/09/2023 Aspropyrgos – Demeter and agricultural cultivation in the post-industrial Thriasio Plain
