3rd Dry Stone Workshop "The Amorgian Craftsmanship" 16-20 October 2023

The Mitato of Amorgos is pleased to announce its organization 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”, taking place from 16 to 20 October 2023.

The project is the continuation of the 1st and 2nd Dry Stone Workshops “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” which were successfully realised in October 2021 and 2022 respectively, under the auspices of the Municipality of Amorgos and financed by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Secretariat-General of the Aegean and Island Policy and the Cyclades Preservation Fund.

This year, the Workshop coincides with the celebrations for the completion of 20 years since the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003)In this context, we are given the opportunity to appreciate the manifestations of intangible cultural heritage that remain alive, to honour them and reflect upon the actions taken towards their safeguarding and management, as well as the efficiency of these actions. Therefore, continuing the highly successful Dry Stone Workshops “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” realised in 2021 and 2022, the Mitato of Amorgos is organising the 3rd Dry Stone Workshop, expanding the field of action in other areas of the island.

The 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” will be realised on three axes:

• The restoration works of sustaining walls and the creation of cobblestone path in the area between Agios Nikolaos and Vigles in Kamari-Vroutsi area.
• The practical part of the main project, the Dry Stone Workshop held from 16 to 20 October 2023, which will involve the main restoration and construction works. These will be led by two local stone masons and will be implemented with the participation of apprentices and visitors. More specialists from other areas of Greece will be present, such as the experienced mason Mr Dimitris Lagos from the region of Epirus, and the younger masons Mr Andreas Polizois and Mr Tolis Nakos from the areas of Aetoloakarnania and Peloponnesus respectively.
• The theoretical part of the main project of the Dry Stone Workshop, supported by the occasion of the 20-year anniversary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003). Cultural representatives and artists have been invited, as well as representatives from the dry stone community of Ireland. In addition, this year, a round table discussion will take place, giving the opportunity to local and guest stone masons to express their points of view, their concerns and other issues. The lectures will be held in the afternoon hours and will be open to the public.

Similarly to the previous years, the aim of the Workshop remains the transition of knowledge of the dry stone craft from the older generations to the younger ones, raising awareness among the general public and familiarising them with the dry stone structures, their cultural and environmental value, as well as the deeper understanding of the island landscapeas this has been shaped by such manmade elements. Furthermore, the project is promoted abroad through the network and collaboration established by the Mitato of Amorgos with bodies from other countries. This year in particular, following the procedure of incorporation of five new countries in the Dry Stone listing of the UNESCO Tentative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Workshop will welcome representatives from one of these countries, Ireland.

The 3rd Dry Stone Workshop “The Amorgian Craftsmanship” will be realised in the area of “Kato Meria”, the southwestern part of Amorgos Island. This area remains predominantly rural, retaining alive many of the traditional manifestations of everyday life and the active presence of local stone masons. The 3rd Dry Stone Workshop aims at promoting the traditional way of life in the area, recognizing the value of traditional crafts and the people practising them, as well as involving the general population of Kato Meria, through the supporting functions of the project. The goal is to offer the residents and masons of the area the same opportunities for familiarisation and recognition that were given to the residents and masons of Langada village the previous years.