Prespes at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
September at Athens International Airport was dedicated to Prespes. The area was the ninth destination of the Fly me to the Moon-Sounds Greek to Me! program, culminating in the event on Friday, September 27th!
The airport was dressed in Prespa attire with local costumes, traditional music featuring the sounds of brass instruments, and even a traditional wooden boat fully equipped with nets and reeds from the famous wetland of Prespa.
The dance ensemble of the Vigla Pisoderi Athletic and Cultural Association showcased the dance traditions of Prespa. For over four hours, wearing the village’s traditional costumes, the association members set up a Prespa-style celebration, enticing less hurried travelers to dance to local rhythms from all cultural traditions of Prespa.
The tireless musicians of the Presband group played music: Konstantinos Terpsopoulos – trumpet, Athanasios Kostopoulos – saxophone, Anastasios Patseas – clarinet, Athanasios Providas – clarinet, Raphael Nalpantidis – Pontic lyra, Stergios Vasiliadis – percussion, Stavros Gougie – keyboard.
At the same time, visitors had the opportunity to sample the flavors of Prespa with Giant beans cooked by Theodoros Fatsis and Konstantinos Kopatskas, the Head Chef of the OAED Florina cooking school, served by students of the school, along with roasted Florina peppers.
The products were offered by Dimitropoulos family business and the “Pelekanos” bean producers cooperative.
“We continue promoting our region and its products,” stated Prespa Mayor Panagiotis Paschalidis. “After last year’s event in Thessaloniki, we came to Athens this year and, through the airport, to the whole world. I want to thank all the organizations that participated and contributed to the success of the event and, of course, the ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ airport and the elculture platform for the opportunity they gave us.”
“Fly me to the Moon” is a collaboration between Athens International Airport and the cultural platform elculture. The Municipality of Prespa’s participation in the event was supported by the Poliprespa program, implemented by Prespa entities with a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and co-financing from the participating partners.
Photos from the event here.
For more: Οι Πρέσπες στο Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Αθηνών «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος» (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ) – ΗΧΏ Φλώρινας (echoflorina.gr)