Dry Stone Week on Tinos Island, organised by the Assocation “Ambassada”

From 24 November to 1 December 2024, we attended the week devoted to the Dry Stone Craft, organised on the island of Tinos by the Association “Ambassada”. 

The week started with apprenticeship on the site, on the ancient rural road in “Gastria”, where partial restoration of the walls along the path took place. 

From 25 to 28 November 2024, the primary and secondary pupils of the island took part in various events. The pupils showed particular interest and had the chance to learn about the importance of dry stone structures and the role they play on their island.

The main event, the Dry Stone Workshop, was realised from 29 November to 1 December 2024 and included building apprenticeship, restoring fallen sustaining walls along the path that connects the villages of Loutra and Smardakito. Under the guidance of local masons, we had the chance to learn part of the dry stone craft of Tinos, to listen to what its preservation means for them, but also share the masons’ memories from the past.

In addition, on 29 November 2024, a Round Table Discussion took place in the Municipal Hall of Culture and Education of Tinos (“Moschoulios School”), on the topic of the creation of a certified Dry Stone School in the Cyclades. Participants included organisations that are involved in the education of stone crafts and traditional building methods, the Ministry of Culture, as well as the Preparatory School of Fine Arts of Panormos, Tinos Island.

On Saturday 30 November 2024, in the village of Komi, a collective kitchen was organised by the Association “Ambassada”, with locals baking bread in the traditional wood-fired oven and participants cooking in a festive mood. The week was concluded with the completion of the works on site on Sunday 1 December 2024.

We are always happy to take part in such ventures! We thank the organisers for the invitation and hospitality and we hope that similar projects are firmly established in all Cyclades.