Interdisciplinary art • site-specific projects • art–science collaboration • cultural initiatives
We design, curate and deliver cultural initiatives that connect research, creativity and place.
KALLIERGON syn seeks to leave a lasting imprint on culture by opening paths of thought, creation and collaboration, paths that remain open and continue to be walked
Because creation begins with syn, together
1st Day of Tribute to the Memory of Kallimartyres of Yesterday and Today
About the background photo of the poster
The photo shoot was originally conceived with this image in mind as the cover of Christina Tzialla’s book, OUI: Tropaea ApoTropaea | Epic Fantasy Stories. Christina herself is portrayed in the photograph. The concept and direction are by Stefanos Papazapraidis, who drew inspiration from her literary work.
The image was also used as the background for the poster of the two-day tribute commemorating the “Kallimartyres” — a group of women from Ioannina who were drowned in the lake in the early 19th century, on the orders of Ali Pasha, together with the historical figure of Kyra Frosyni.
The same photograph now forms the cover of OUI: Tropaea ApoTropaea | Epic Fantasy Stories, published by Aparsis Editions.
Some samples from different versions of the portraits,
until the selection of 17 models for the final photo shoot.
Photoed by Nikos Dalezios
Directed by Christina Tzialla
The jewelry was created by visual artist Vasiliki Kateri, based on Christina Tzialla's innovative idea, for the purpose of Pamvotis Lake Project.
The jewelry is made from silver-coated candies, a type of candy featuring an edible silver coating that is traditionally and exclusively used to decorate "kollyva'", the offerings placed at memorials during Orthodox Christian ceremonies.
The jewelry refers to women. Its silver color evokes the famous silversmiths of Ioannina. The fact that it is crafted from silver foil alludes to prematurely and unjustly lost women, victims of femicide.
* The most models are volunteers from Drosochori village and e few from Ioannina city.
* The photos of the little girls have been posted on our page after signed parental permission.
Special thanks to all
With Lake Pamvotida as its protagonist, this project seeks to move people, capture their interest, awaken human consciousness, reaffirm the need to respect human rights and, more broadly, contribute—even in the smallest way—to helping our world move towards an increasingly healthier path.
The first part of the project was dedicated to the women who drowned alongside Kyra Frosyni, known as the “Kallimartyres” — literally, the “Martyrs of Beauty” — according to the official designation given to them by the local Metropolis at the time. Through this reference, the project highlights the ongoing struggle for women to claim and preserve their rightful place in society: not on its margins, not at the bottom, but as equal and free participants at every level.
At the same time, the project was dedicated to the “Kallimartyres” of our own time, as a commentary on gender-based violence and femicide. Because history, even when it disappears into the depths of centuries past, returns and repeats itself—in different ways, for different reasons, through different lives.
May the legends written in the future carry only a joyful spirit. And may the waters of the lake never again have to be stirred by those who are forced to fight for what should already be self-evident.
January, 21 & 22 2023
A tribute to the memory of the "kallimartyrs" of yesterday and today
A prelude to "Pamvotis Lake Project"
Organized by Kalliergon and the Cultural Association of Drosochori
on the occasion of the drowning of 17 women, together with Kyra Frosyni, in Pamvotis Lake of Ioannina, 222 years later, on January 11, 1801.
Under the auspices of the Municipality of Ioannina
Action coordinators: Vasiliki Kateri & Konstantinos Staikos
Voluntary Participation: Club of Pogoni Polyphonic Song
The musicians Nikos Chalkias (clarinet) and Miltos Diamantis (accordion) also voluntary participate
The digital recording is done, voluntarily, by Konstantinos Markou. Also, special thanks to Vasso Miliou and Nikos Konstantuleas for their photo picks.
Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 19.00 – 21.00 | Hall of the Cultural Association of Drosohori
Sunday, January 22, 2023 | 12.00 – 13.30 | meeting point: Mavili Square
Special thanks to the sponsors and supporters! We are especially honored by this support !
DETAILS ABOUT THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIBUTE
On Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 19.00 to 21.00, in the hall of the Cultural Association of Drosochori, was inaugurated the Photographic Exhibition of Women's Portraits "Kallimartyres" curated by Vasiliki Kateri.
Women living in the village volunteered to pose for this purpose. The photography was done by Nikos Dalezios, directed by Christina Tzialla. A common feature in all the portraits was the "jewels" worn by these women. Those "jewels" was made from sugar candies covered with edible silver coloring as a coating. These were crafted by Vasiliki Kateri, based on an idea Christina Tzialla.
Women and men "embroidered" splashes with silver cups. These cookies were a kind offer of the local family business "Meligiotis" and were offered as a "forgiveness" to those attending the following day's action. The dough was from a traditional Ioannina bagel recipe.
In the meantime, Christina Tzialla was recording statements from the attendees regarding the theme of the event, capturing a wide age range. These statements included very interesting perspectives and opinions from both men and women of the village, as well as from the visitors.
Jewelry made from silver colored candies is permanently exhibited in Ali Pasha Museum and Revolutionary Period, on the island of Ioannina, at "Kyra Frosyni" room.
Click on the logo images and follow the links.
Antonis Konstantis, following the idea and suggestion of Christina Tzialla, has made -in January 11, 2023- the day of the drowning of the "Kallimartyrs", a unique cocktail inspired by that event and makes it available to our organization. Christina named the cocktail "OÚI" ("OUYI"), like the title of the same name in her recent literaly work, the fourth book of hers, which is under publication. The logo is designed by Vasiliki Kateri. OÚI cocktail was officially presented, as part of the 1st Pamvotis Festival.
The recipe of the cocktail is available to any interested company that wants to use it in Ioannina and the wider area, after contacting us.