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Tag: Community

Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou

From 14 to 17 July 2026, Melanydros welcomed artist Artemis Xeniou for a Creative Painting Workshop for children and adults — and Neochori filled with colour.

Using coloured pencils and paints, participants explored the elements of their own personality that leave a mark on paper. From individual expression the group moved towards collective creation, learning techniques, discovering the possibilities of colour and building an imaginative open-air exhibition.

Artemis Xeniou is a visual artist and a student at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague. She has studied in Greece, Lithuania, Hungary and London (Central Saint Martins), and has shown her work and performances in Greece, Iceland, Germany and the Netherlands. The workshop took place at the school in Neochori and was free to attend.

Impressions

Painting created at the Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou in Neochori (1)
Painting created at the Creative Painting Workshop with Artemis Xeniou in Neochori (2)

A cleaning day at the Melanydros spring

The Mavroneri spring — Melanydros in old Greek — in Neohori remains a living memory and a historic feature of our village. However much the undergrowth around it grows back, we keep caring for it and using it.

On 27 May 2026, volunteers and residents cleaned the area, shared stories and felt again how much the spring has meant, and still means, for our village and our community. Ourania took care of breakfast and Antonis treated everyone to pasta at noon.

Our thanks go to the Solidarity Trails and to Ioanna Livitsanou.

Text and photos: Maria Mitsou

Impressions

Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (1)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (2)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (3)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (4)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (5)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (6)
Volunteers cleaning the Melanydros spring in Neochori (7)

Musical evenings with Helmut Strack — Neochori & Agios Petros

The Melanydros association and the association of Agios Petros came together for two musical evenings dedicated to community, singing and the bonds of friendship between our villages and their people.

On Saturday, 16 May 2026 at 19:00 we met in Neochori, at the old school, and on Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 19:00 in the square of Agios Petros — two evenings full of music, companionship and the authentic spirit of Greece.

Led by Helmut Strack, a member of Melanydros, and accompanied by his accordion, we came together to share songs and moments under the same sky. Anyone who wished could bring an instrument, or simply the joy of singing. Participation was free and open to all.

We sang songs by Theodorakis, Hadjidakis, Vamvakaris and other great composers — folk and traditional songs that remind us that music knows no borders.

“…for we do not sing to set ourselves apart from the world. We sing to bring people together.”
Giannis Ritsos

Impressions

Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (1)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (2)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (3)
Impression from the musical evening with Helmut Strack in Neochori and Agios Petros (4)