LEVANTINE ENCOUNTERS Travel Seminars on Chios

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1 LEVANTINE ENCOUNTERS Travel Seminars on Chios About The Levantine Encounters are seminars and study courses running for a week on Chios island, Greece. Seminars commence during the week May 2018 and are scheduled to run once a month from then onward with dates to be confirmed soon. Chios, crossroads of cultural encounters and cradle of the cosmopolitan Levantine civilization is a panorama of Byzantine and Genoese monuments and sites offering unique cultural experiences. Onsite visits in select medieval settlements - still-inhabited and abandoned inclusive - combine storytelling, entertainment and hiking along medieval paths and across idyllic landscapes. Participants enjoy an unparalleled experience by exploring genuine medieval elements, such as forts, towers, farmsteads, in breathtaking sites.

2 Additionally to edu-tainment, the courses offer to participants acquaintance with modern-day local culture, botanology and collection of aromatic herbs, share of ideas during exploration of the small, vibrant communities, participation in season s festivals, and above all the opportunity to indulge into local cuisine and patisserie. In collaboration with the Friends of Chiot Trails we are very happy to offer our expertise in our subject matter, and raise audience s awareness in the Levantine heritage and culture. We welcome everyone interested in enhancing their knowledge in cross-cultural encounters in the land of the rising sun, the cradle where cosmopolitan spirit and global citizenship emerged. Edu-taining sessions The nature of the course appeals to anyone with an interest in the Middle Ages, in archaeology and in natural landscapes. Our sessions offer a personalised learning experience by fostering interaction between people from across the globe. Courses are designed and led by Ioanna Koukouni in select medieval sites encompassing topics such as fortifications, secular and religious architecture, art, heraldry, society, trade. Mr George Halatsis and Mr George Missetzis will be our guides during hiking. Each session will be comprised of activities and visits with onsite storytelling. Indicative places are: Castle of Chios town and the suburb of Kampos. Anavatos - Nea Moni. Medieval rural estates and watch-towers. Saint George Sykoussis. Hiking in select medieval paths. Museum of Mastica resin (southern area). Volissos (northern area). Lunch or picnic and coffee/tea break are included during each day. 1

3 CASTLE OF CHIOS TOWN The Castle of Chios throughout its very long history has been the administrative, political and military centre for two great Empires namely, the Byzantine and the Ottoman, respectively and a maritime democracy, Genoa. Under the banners of Genoa the medieval citadel became the first port of the world. The Castle is a rare example of a still inhabited fortified town. THE KAMPOS The Kampos is the suburb reserved for the summer mansions of the Chiot and Genoese landed nobility, therefore the most representative place to study the Levantine society. The Kampos was also the heart of regional economy for the thriving sericulture and citrus cultivation, the crops of which were exported to the West. In 2016 Europa Nostra declared the Kampos one of the seven most endangered European cultural sites. SAINT GEORGE SYKOUSSIS 2

4 Saint George Sykoussis is a picturesque settlement only 20 min away from the capital town. This year marks the 500th anniversary from its foundation ( ). Visitors will attend and/or participate in a plethora of festivals and events. VOLISSOS Volissos is a challenging medieval settlement in the NW region of Chios. It is built on a hillside whose top is crowned by an imposing castle. Together we will try to unfold the mystery surrounding the foundation of this Byzantine bulwark which appears to have never succumbed to pirate attacks. HIKING - BOTANOLOGY - NATURAL LIFE Hiking along medieval paths reveals a panorama of the historical topography and the rural organisation of the mountainous terrains of northern Chios. Observation of the flora will also be practised as the chian nature is rich is rare species. 3

5 Fees and accomodation Levantine Encounters commence in late May First round: MAY The total cost to be paid is estimated in EU ± 1, , broken down into: FEES pp ACCOMODATION AT THE GUEST HOUSE SPITAKIA, AVGONYMA ( ; for booking: kratisis@spitakia.gr ) B & B accommodation w ith a picnic bag for the day trips. Optional, evening meal or buffet in a tavern. One week / 8 days 3-bed to 6-bed room (inc. VAT) pp/pn Single or twin room (inc. VAT) pp/pn Please note that the above prices will include an extra sojourn fee of 7.00 pp per night. Entrance to the Mastiha Museum Daily transport (for persons) 18.00pp between pp Transport Athens - Chios special prices for groups will be arranged Avgonima Interior of the accommodation. 4

6 1. PAYMENT The total cost to be paid is estimated in EU ± 1, , An amount of shall be paid in advance to Mr Missetzis ( kratisis@spitakia.gr ) for securing the accommodation and participation in the seminar. Group tickets to Chios (by boat or by plane) will be purchased in advance after communication with Mr Missetzis. The rest of the amount shall be paid at the conclusion of the training sessions. Participants from abroad are responsible for the booking of their tickets to Athens. Programme director Ioanna N. Koukouni is an archaeologist with expertise in the medieval eastern Mediterranean, graduate of the University of Birmingham, Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies (2012), with scholarships from the Kougioulis Foundation and the School of Historical Studies. As EU postdoctoral fellow ( ) she followed the strand of Digital Humanities conducting research in audience development for cultural heritage via digital learning. Her work is part of the Europeana digital platform. She co-founded the Centre for Historical Studies of the Genoese Overseas (CeSSGO) with Professors Sandra Origone and Gabriella Airaldi of the University of Genoa, and joined the Fondazione Alte Vie (Prof. Paolo Stringa-UoG) aiming to promote the candidacy of the Genoese commercial networks to UNESCO and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. In her capacity as cultural professional, she supports public engagement to cultural heritage by launching learning activities and study tours on Chios island, her main research area. To book: inkoukounis@yahoo.com - Tel.:

7 Provisional programme Arrival at Athens provisionally on Saturday/Sunday. Sunday evening ferry boat from Piraeus to Chios (or flight Athens-Chios). Day 1 Welcome. Introductory seminar. Castle of Chios. Lunch and coffee in town. Day 2 Kampos - Saint George Sykoussis. Light lunch in the village. Flora observation & herb collection. Day 3 Hiking in the medieval path Nea Moni - Anavatos. Flora observation. Herb collection. Day 4 Day trip to Volissos. Days 5-6 Mastica Museum (Pyrghi); picnic basket. Secular or defensive architecture in the southern area (to be scheduled shortly). Day 7 Farewell lunch. 6