
A living geography · 104 discoveries
Aegean
Traditions, photographs and stories, connected by place.
Cultural dossier
What is culturally discoverable here?
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- 104 discoveries
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- 3 places
The geography within
Places within Aegean
Living traditions
Events

Chirosfaya in Menites
Menites, Andros, Andros
A late-autumn village gathering in Menites demonstrates the traditional preparation of pork, sausages and preserved foods once essential to the rural household.
Discover the eventSaint Averky and the Opening of the New Wine
Emporio, Santorini, Santorini
On the feast of Saint Averky, Santorini’s winemakers traditionally open their canavas and taste the first wines of the new vintage.
Discover the eventOctober 28 Student Parade in Andros
Chora, Andros, Andros
Students, musicians and local representatives mark Ohi Day with a parade through Chora and a ceremony at the town’s memorial.
Discover the eventFeast of the Archangel Michael at Tristomo
Tristomo, Karpathos
At the remote ancient settlement of Tristomo, worshippers arrive by sea, sleep among the surviving houses and dance the pano choros in the church courtyard before returning by boat.
Discover the eventFeast of Saint Minas in North Karpathos
Agios Minas, Karpathos
An overnight November feast above the secluded beach of Saint Minas, where the church hall fills with diners and the celebration moves from chanting and mantinades to the ecstatic pano choros.
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Methydotia of Naxos
Naxos Town, Naxos
Satyrs, Maenads, music and wine descend from the Castle of Naxos in a participatory reenactment of the world of Dionysus.
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Lampadephoria of Naxos
Naxos Town, Naxos
White-clad torch bearers with monochrome masks cross the old town at night and gather beneath the Portara in a phantasmagoric procession.
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Kordelatoi of Naxos
Eggares, Naxos
Ribboned men carrying the Bayraki travel between villages, dance in the squares and renew an old Carnival network of hospitality and exchange.
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Koudounatoi of Apeiranthos
Apeiranthos, Naxos
Bell bearers in heavy capes descend through the stone alleys of Apeiranthos, accompanied by music, masked characters and a mock wedding.
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Byzantine Easter of Olympos
Olympos, Karpathos
From Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Olympos follows a distinctive Byzantine cycle of worship, mourning, procession, communal ovens and the proclamation of the Resurrection inside the women’s section of the church.
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Orthodox Easter in Kastellorizo
Megisti, Kastellorizo, Kastellorizo
From Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Kastellorizo moves through blessing, the Passion, the waterfront Epitaph procession, communal hospitality and the burning of Judas.
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Niptiras of Patmos
Chora, Patmos
On Holy Thursday, the abbot of the Monastery of Saint John reenacts Christ washing the feet of his disciples before a large crowd in the central square of Chora.
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Good Friday Epitaph in Patrika
Patrika, Chios
In the late afternoon of Good Friday, the Epitaph leaves the church of Patrika earlier than in neighbouring villages and moves through the narrow streets of the old Mastichochori.
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Good Friday Epitaph in Pyrgi
Pyrgi, Chios
After nightfall on Good Friday, the Epitaph moves through the crowded streets of Pyrgi, surrounded by the village’s distinctive geometric façades.
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Good Friday Memorial at Pyrgi Cemetery
Pyrgi Cemetery, Chios
On the morning of Good Friday, families from Pyrgi gather at the village cemetery to remember relatives who have died, tending graves and sharing a quiet communal act of remembrance.
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Resurrection and the Talanto of Patmos
Monastery of Saint John, Patmos
At the midnight Resurrection on Patmos, monks rhythmically strike the wooden talanto as pilgrims receive the Holy Light, building from a slow beat to an abrupt and powerful crescendo.
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Rocket War of Vrontados
Vrontados, Chios
At midnight on Holy Saturday, thousands of handmade rockets cross the valley between Panagia Ereithiani and Agios Markos in one of Greece’s most spectacular Easter traditions.
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Easter Tuesday Litany of Katarraktis
Katarraktis, Chios
On Easter Tuesday, a procession leaves Panagia Rouhouni, crosses Katarraktis amid rifle shots from the rooftops and remains in the village overnight before returning the next morning.
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Easter Tuesday Litany of Olympos
Olympos, Karpathos
Four heavy icons leave the main church of Olympos for an eight-to-nine-kilometre procession through chapels, the cemetery, the ossuary and the steep landscape surrounding the village.
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Easter Tuesday Litany of the Icons in Patmos
Chora, Patmos
On Easter Tuesday, sacred icons are carried through Chora and welcomed into homes, where prayers are read and residents offer treats to clergy, bearers and visitors.
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Feast of Prophet Elias on Sifnos
Monastery of Prophet Elias, Sifnos, Sifnos
Pilgrims climb to the summit monastery of Prophet Elias for an evening service, communal dinner, traditional music and dancing that continues until dawn.
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Festival of Agia Paraskevi in Amorgos
Agia Paraskevi, Kato Meria, Amorgos
One of the largest traditional festivals in the Cyclades, built around days of communal preparation, bread baking, the cooking of patatato and a great gathering at Agia Paraskevi in southern Amorgos.
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Feast of Saint Panteleimon in Katapola
Agios Panteleimon, Katapola, Amorgos
A maritime celebration in the bay of Katapola, where worshippers and clergy approach the small coastal chapel by boat before the feast of Saint Panteleimon on 27 July.
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Transfiguration of the Saviour in Olympos
Olympos, Karpathos
A small morning feast at a privately owned cliffside chapel west of Olympos, with blessed bread, loukoumades, watermelon, ouzo and views across the windmills to the sea.
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Assumption Pilgrimage in Tinos
Panagia Evangelistria, Tinos, Tinos
Pilgrims cross Tinos Town on their knees to reach the icon of the Panagia, before the great Assumption procession descends from the church to the harbour.
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Panagia Kyra Psili
Panagia Kyra Psili, Kalymnos
A mountain pilgrimage on Kalymnos leads to a cliffside monastery, a late-night vigil and a traditional feast beneath the stars.
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Dormition of the Virgin in Olympos
Olympos, Karpathos
On 15 August, the main church and central square of Olympos fill with returning families, young women in sakofoustano and necklaces of gold coins, communal food and evening dance.
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The Secret Festival of Olympos
Olympos, Karpathos
On the night after the crowded Dormition feast, the people of Olympos hold a quieter and more intimate celebration of table songs, mantinades, memory and dancing until dawn.
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Feast of Saint Fanourios in Mastichari
Agios Fanourios, Mastichari, Kos
On the eve of Saint Fanourios, a small church outside Mastichari fills with fanouropites brought for blessing, before music, food and dancing continue in the courtyard.
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Feast of Saint John at Vrykous
Vrykous, Karpathos
A two-day pilgrimage to the ancient city of Vrykous, where visitors sleep beside the ruins, worship inside a cave church and sing and dance through the night until the morning liturgy.
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Avlona Days
Avlona, Karpathos
Immediately after the feast at Vrykous, the agricultural settlement of Avlona comes back to life as families reopen their houses, welcome passers-by and gather for food, music and dance.
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Feast of Saint Zacharias on Saria
Argos, Saria, Karpathos
A small overnight festival at Argos on the islet of Saria, reached by boat from Diafani and a walk through the gorge, with liturgy, goat stew, mantinades and music continuing after sunrise.
Open cultural previewThe Caryatis archive
Costumes
Preview · Local costumes
Skyros
Skyros → Sporades → Aegean
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Mesta
Mesta → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Olympoi
Olympoi → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Volissos
Volissos → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Pyrgi
Pyrgi → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Elata
Elata → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Lithi
Lithi → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Vessa
Vessa → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Armolia
Armolia → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Kallamoti
Kallamoti → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Agios Georgios Sykoussis
Agios Georgios Sykoussis → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Nenita
Nenita → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Dafnonas
Dafnonas → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Ververato
Ververato → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Kallimasia
Kallimasia → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Chalkio
Chalkio → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Neochori
Neochori → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Vassileoniko
Vassileoniko → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Thymiana
Thymiana → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Kofinas
Kofinas → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Chios
Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Kardamyla
Kardamyla → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
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Santorini
Santorini → Cyclades → South Aegean → Aegean
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Patmos
Patmos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Astypalaea
Astypalaea → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Kalymnos
Kalymnos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Kos
Kos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Nisyros
Nisyros → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Tilos
Tilos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Symi
Symi → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Emponas
Emponas → Rhodes → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Apollona
Apollona → Rhodes → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Gennadi
Gennadi → Rhodes → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Afantou
Afantou → Rhodes → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Archangelos
Archangelos → Rhodes → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Kastellorizo
Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
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Stories

Field notes
Inside the Kitro Distillery of Naxos
Naxos → Cyclades → South Aegean → Aegean
Inside a Naxos distillery, the island’s fragrant citron leaves become Kitro, a liqueur shaped by agriculture, memory and copper stills.
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Lunch at the House of Verikokos
Naxos → Cyclades → South Aegean → Aegean
In Ano Potamia, a passing encounter becomes an invitation to lunch inside the house of the Verikokos family.
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Pyrgi and the Art of Xysta
Pyrgi → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
In Pyrgi, the façades themselves tell the story: geometric black-and-white xysta patterns turn the village into one of the most distinctive visual worlds in Chios.
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Anavatos and Smaragda Papastylianou
Anavatos → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
In the nearly abandoned settlement of Anavatos, the ruined stone village and the presence of Smaragda Papastylianou create a story of memory, endurance and silence.
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Patrika, A Hidden Gem
Patrika → Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
Quiet, overlooked and full of atmosphere, Patrika reveals another side of the Mastichochoria through its alleys, houses and small everyday gestures.
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The Canava of Santorini
Santorini → Cyclades → South Aegean → Aegean
A meeting in Emporio with Nikolaos Drossos, a traditional Santorini winemaker whose life remained tied to the land, the canava, and the island’s new wine.
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Chryssi’s Giaprakia in Patmos
Patmos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In a courtyard in Patmos, Chryssi prepares giaprakia by hand, keeping a quiet Easter food tradition alive.
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Patiniotikes in Kampos
Patmos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In Kampos, the Gryllis family prepares Patiniotikes, the traditional sweet mizithra pies of Patmos, baked for Holy Week in a wood oven.
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An Afternoon with Vassilis Kypraios
Patmos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
An afternoon inside the house-studio of the late painter Vassilis Kypraios in Patmos, among paintings, wine, white walls and the Aegean view.
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A Kalymnian House
Kalymnos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
An overnight stay in a Kalymnian home becomes a story of food, memory, a former vessel accountant and an elderly captain still caring for her boat.
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Antonis and the Sponge Warehouse
Kalymnos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A chance meeting at the harbour of Kalymnos leads to a retired sponge diver, his boat, and the old warehouse he thought was not worth photographing.
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Nikitas and the Sponge Diver on the Wall
Kalymnos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
At Omilos near the harbour of Pothia, a tavern wall, a tattoo of Saint George and the image of a sponge diver hold a small piece of Kalymnos in plain sight.
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The Diving Suit at Therma
Kalymnos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
At a diving school on Therma beach, an old Kalymnian diving suit turns a working encounter into one of the island’s most powerful images.
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In the Kitchens of Platani
Kos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A visit to the Muslim community of Platani, where Ayshe and her friends prepared hundreds of stuffed zucchini blossoms for a celebration.
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A Baptism at Agios Minas, Karpathos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
At the remote church of Agios Minas, a baptism becomes a day of cooking, chanting, family gathering and celebration.
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A Traditional Engagement in Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In Olympos, a traditional engagement unfolds through dressing, waiting, family presence and the quiet intensity before the groom arrives.
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A Traditional Wedding in Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A rare traditional wedding in Olympos unfolds through dowry, dressing, jewellery, escorting and the collective life of the village.
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A Village of Cafés, Mills and Small Encounters
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
Beyond the great rituals of Olympos, the village reveals itself through cafés, mills, alleys, food and ordinary encounters.
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An Afternoon with Yannis Philippakis in Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A chance encounter with Yannis Philippakis of Foals becomes a quiet portrait of ancestry, music and place in Olympos, Karpathos.
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Everyday Life in Avlona
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In the small agricultural settlement of Avlona, daily life continues quietly among fields, taverns, donkeys and a handful of permanent residents.
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Herding Goats Above Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A visit to a family goat farm near Olympos becomes a close look at feeding, herding and rural life in the mountains of Karpathos.
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The Olive Harvest of Olympos
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In November, the olive harvest around Olympos brings people back to the land, among trees, cloths, coffee and pruned branches.
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Kalliope’s Wood-Fired Bakery
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
In Olympos, Kalliope’s bakery and home reveal the village’s intimate world of wood-fired ovens, bread, coffee and hospitality.
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Fishing with Pavlos in Diafani
Diafani → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
An evening and early morning at sea with Pavlos and his father Yorgos reveal the fragile reality of small-scale fishing in Diafani.
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Kastellorizo and Kaş: Two Shores Facing Each Other
Megisti → Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
From Kastellorizo, the Turkish coast is not a distant horizon but part of everyday geography, with boats and supplies moving regularly between Megisti and nearby Kaş.
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Megisti and the Quiet Streets of Kastellorizo
Megisti → Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
Before the Easter crowds arrived, Megisti felt almost private: an Italian-influenced harbour town of narrow streets, old churches, quiet yards and children at play.
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Stavros, His House and Easter Lunch in Kastellorizo
Megisti → Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
A chance meeting in Kastellorizo led from family photographs and glasses of Souma to a boat ride around the harbour and Easter lunch at a local home.
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The Fishermen of Kastellorizo
Megisti → Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
On Kastellorizo, the day’s catch still moves directly from local fishermen into the kitchens and tavernas of the island.
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Mandraki, the Other Port of Kastellorizo
Mandraki → Kastellorizo → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
Beyond Megisti’s famous waterfront lies Mandraki, Kastellorizo’s smaller second harbour, where the coastline, cemetery and small chapels create a quieter edge of the island.
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Films

Field film · YouTube
I took this photograph back to a greek island
Chios
This cinematic documentary follows my journey by ferry from Piraeus to Chios for the opening of Caryatis Delta | Chios, an exhibition of my black-and-white photography at the Chios Mastic Museum. Before the opening, I returned to Pyrgi and stood at the exact wall where the photograph featured on the exhibition invitation had been created. From there, the film follows the final installation of the framed prints, the opening night and the moment the photographs stopped belonging only to my screen, my archive and me. For a long time, a photograph exists as a digital image. It can be selected, edited, moved and forgotten. But for me, it is not fully complete until it acquires paper, scale, surface, weight and a physical place in the world. Inside an exhibition, the photograph must live alongside architecture, light, neighbouring images and the people who move past it. It is no longer protected by the screen. It has to survive the room. This film is about the making of a photography exhibition, but also about Chios: its villages, landscape, architecture, traditions and the relationship between an image and the place that created it.
Watch on YouTubeSound & place
Music
Sound & place
De thelo na douleveis
Chios → Northern Aegean → Aegean
Listen & exploreSound & place
Tzivaeri
South Aegean → Aegean
Listen & exploreSound & place
Anathema ton aitio
Lesvos → Northern Aegean → Aegean
Listen & exploreSound & place
To Aroma
Leros → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
Listen & exploreSound & place
Archontes Tron kai Pinousi
Olympos → Karpathos → Dodecanese → South Aegean → Aegean
Listen & explore