Episode 19 - The Last Castle

Once thriving settlements, many of Epirus' villages have suffered from depopulation. However, today we are joined by 'High Mountains', a Social Cooperative Enterprise, committed to supporting local communities and enhancing the revitalization of mountainous areas. Join us today as we learn more about the important work these guys do, encouraging people back to their villages and giving these places a more dynamic future.

Welcome to a new episode of Epirus Falls all about the environment. Today, we're traveling to the village of Kalohori, to speak to a representative from the action group Epirus Against Oil and Gas. Stavros Zotos has become a representative for his local community, challenging such proposals, whilst also coming up with some pretty innovative ideas to bring life back to his village.To learn more about and support Stavros' initiative to save his village, please go to the 'Reviving Kalohori' fundraising page. Donations are very much appreciated.https://4fund.com/reviving-kalohori-returning-to-our-roots-reconnecting-with-nature

Have you ever wondered about the creative community here in Epirus? Well, on a recent trip to Ioannina, I came across a workshop in the centre of the city with a window full of puppets, toys and all sorts of creations.In the latest episode of Epirus Falls, we talk to wood craftsman Paraskevas Tsikouras. He tells us all about his profession, how he makes ends meet and also offers some sage advise to anyone considering a similar career in woodcraft.

Tzoumerka, an area within Epirus that stands out because of its vast mountain ranges and gorges is a place I have been encouraged to discover since the beginning of my travels in the region!In today's episode I catch up with two locals who teach me all about the spirit of the place. Welcome to a new episode of Epirus Falls about Tzoumerka!

I promised that this podcast series would eventually move beyond the borders of Epirus and so we begin series 4 in neighboring Albania.In today's episode, I'm visiting an old friend in the city of Tirana. I'm be chatting to Brian Gega about his life as an interpreter, in a place that has drastically changed since I last visited.

We are rounding off series 3 of Epirus Falls with Ioannina born, singer-songwriter Vaggelis Kosinas and producer Panos Papakostas. In this episode we discuss their friendship, the music scene in Epirus and Vaggelis plays us out with two acoustic performances.

Epirus has its own foraging culture but it isn't easy to access. Join us in the latest episode of Epirus Falls to learn more about this somewhat hidden community and find out why the climate in the region is perfect for mushroom cultivation and maybe, if you are lucky, discovering the odd truffle…the size of a grapefruit.

There are currently two organic farms in Zagori. One of those farms is owned by our friends Vaso and Kostas in the village of Tristeno and the other is run by siblings Panaiotis and Fotini Georgiou in Baldouma. In this episode of Epirus Falls, we spend the morning with Georgiou family, to learn more about the farming industry in Epirus and their ideas to encourage people back to the land.

Last year, I spoke with chef Thanasis Tassos about his restaurant Thamon in Ioannina. He suggested we took a trip to the town of Konitsa near the Albanian border, where his family run an environmental park, hotel and restaurant. When we arrived, we were shown around by his uncle Giorgos Tassos. Giorgos has dedicated his life to the unique flora and fauna of the area and brings new people to the region to explore its rich biodiversity. In this new episode of Epirus Falls, Giorgos talks to us about the history of the region, his love of wildlife and his hopes for a bloom in tourism once the new section of motorway linking Italy with Greece through the Balkans is finally completed.

Welcome back to Epirus Falls, a podcast series all about my love of North Western Greece and its people.In todays episode, we’re going to the very special village of Zitsa, a village that’s as well known for it’s wine, which it now exports around the world, as it it a unique love story. This love story took place at the ‘Bakery of the Village’, a place I first discovered in the spring when owner Kostas Karamichos and his wife Anna Ellis made me the most delicious lunch, made of fresh bread, wild garlic and home-grown tomatoes. Over the past few months, I’ve dreamt about returning to this bakery and was thrilled when they agreed to be part of this new series. So let’s go baking, in a brand new episode of Epirus Falls.