As part of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO 2003), a tribute event will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 18:30 in Aspropyrgos, honoring the local female farmer and her role in both the development and preservation of Aspropyrgos’ cultural heritage. This is a region that, despite its post-industrial character, still maintains a strong agricultural identity—something not widely known.
The event is organized by researcher and visual artist Emilia Bouriti and the Syn+Ergasia Art Platform, as part of the international program “Amoli,” in collaboration with the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos. It is implemented under the auspices and with the support of the Ministry of Culture.
Specifically, at the event on November 5, 2023, at 18:30, two elderly female farmers, Ms. Katerina Dara-Hatzi and Ms. Katerina Ilia, along with livestock farmer Ms. Eleni Issari, will speak about their agricultural and livestock work, sharing their experiences of a lesser-known, personal Aspropyrgos. The Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos and its members will also participate.
The evening will be accompanied by the awarding of the women farmers within the framework of the “International Day of Rural Women,” established by the UN to be celebrated on October 15th, and due to the elections, the celebration was postponed to November 5th.
The event emphasizes the value of the rural woman of Aspropyrgos, who has watered the land with her sweat, and the development of the city has been primarily based on her toil!
The evening will be accompanied by discussions, storytelling, Arvanitic songs, and screenings.
Moderated by Emilia Bouriti.
Participating with songs
The Arvanite women from Aspropyrgos, Elefsina, and Mandra:
Eleni Darra, Katerina Ilia, Maria Kapsala, Sofia Kasaki, Koula Liosi, Kaiti Neroutsou, Katina Neroutsou, Fani Papada, Aikaterini Peppa, Aikaterini Sterpi – Sotiriou, Aikaterini Farmaki
The “Magoula Women’s Association”:
Spyridoula Panagopoulou, Marika Gkogou, Popi Beké, Avgoustina Alexandra, Angeliki Dimakopoulou, Paraskevi Kokkinoti, Zoi Katsibra, Kaiti Trivella, Athina Koutsodima, Ourania Lingou
Regarding the anniversary, it should be noted that in 2023 we celebrate worldwide the 20 years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which institutionalized the changes in our perception of cultural heritage—that is, the radical broadening of the concept, which now embraces not only the material monuments of the past but also the social and cultural practices of the present.
As well as the rural landscape as a strong cultural asset, along with the rural practices that accompany it. In this context, Aspropyrgos and its women farmers constitute a living example of cultural heritage and are rightly celebrated within the framework of “20 years since the adoption of the International Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
Date & Time: Sunday, November 5, 2023, at 18:30
Location: Cultural Center of Aspropyrgos Municipality (Alekou Panagouli 13, Aspropyrgos)
Organized by: Emilia Bouriti | Syn+Ergasia Art Platform
In collaboration with the Agricultural Association of Aspropyrgos
With financial support and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports
