The first group of volunteers from the ANIMA TERRA initiative, organised by ‘The Olive Tree Routes’, sets off from Katakolo (Greece)
At the 13th Port Festival, held from 31 July to 2 August in Katakolo Park, ‘The Olive Tree Routes’ presented the ANIMA TERRA initiative, which aims to highlight and document the cultural, natural and productive heritage of rural villages in Greece and the Mediterranean that are threatened with desertification.
As part of the Festival, a new mission to document the cultural heritage of villages in Western Greece was announced, and members of the public were invited to take part as volunteers. The first 50 volunteers will carry out field research in September in six communities in Western Greece: Koliri (Municipality of Pyrgos), Pteri (Municipality of Aegialia), Platanotissa (Municipality of Kalavryta), and Kallithea, Kyparissos and Ano Kerasovo (Municipality of Agrinio). They will talk to residents and producers, complete questionnaires and document aspects of the local heritage through photographs and videos.
The programme is open to anyone aged 18 or over, with no prior experience required. Training will take place in Kalamata (5–6 or 12–13 September), followed by two one-day visits to one of the villages, with fieldwork commencing on 19 September. Travel and meal expenses will be covered, and a certificate of participation will be provided. Applications remain open until 31 August (Contact person: Dimitra Filipopoulou, info@animaterra.org / (+30) 27211 81631)
Throughout the Festival, the slogan ‘Vibrant villages, fewer fires’ highlighted the core idea behind the initiative: that the revitalisation of the countryside, the preservation of productive activity and vibrant local communities act as an effective shield against abandonment and help prevent forest fires.
At Rail Talks Katakolo 2026, the chairman of ‘Olive Tree Routes’, Yiorgos Karabatos, highlighted the role that the Peloponnese railway can play in connecting monuments, landscapes, local produce and communities. As he pointed out, the functioning of the Pyrgos–Katakolo route during the festival demonstrated that culture can breathe new life into a historic route. “My dream is to hear the train whistle again and to see the village squares bustling with life” he emphasised.
‘The Olive Tree Routes’ Foundation would like to thank the organisers of the 13th Port Festival, and in particular the artistic director, Mrs Iro Riga, for the invitation and her contribution to the success of the event. This year’s theme, dedicated to the reopening of the Peloponnese railway, highlighted in the most meaningful way the connection between culture, transport and sustainable development.
