“Allaximaria”: Open call to a standardised dry stone workshop

2025 is a special year for the Mitato of Amorgos. Following the three highly successful dry stone workshops “The Amorgian Craftsmanship”, organised between 2021 and 2024 on the island of Amorgos, and networking with associations and people working on similar causes, this year we go one step further.

Realising the ever growing number of dry stone workshops, particularly on the Greek islands, and their great potential as a response to local needs for dry stone training, we decided to create a solid and efficient framework for the organisation of such projects.

Thus, in cooperation with other groups and associations, we have launched the project “Allaximaria: Design and implementation of a standardised dry stone workshop”.In the local Amorgian dialect, the word “allaximaria” refers to the exchange of goods and services without a monetary transaction. Inspired by this traditional financial and societal form, this year we are meeting with other associations, exchanging experiences, thoughts and ideas, in order to design a standardised dry stone workshop, which will be able to be reproduced, ensuring quality and educational specifications.The ultimate goal is to incorporate this standardised model in a wider and institutionally secured training and certification scheme, which will cover this imperative need, particularly in remote areas.

Groups from Tinos, Sifnos, Naxos, as well as the team of Boulouki, have responded to our call for cooperation. After the first online meetings, where the general scope of the work was set, examples from abroad were considered and the direction of the current work was decided, the working group, comprised of members of the Mitato of Amorgos, the Association Ambasada (Tinos Island) and Boulouki, met on the island of Sifnos from 30 May to 1 June 2025. On 26 and 27 June 2025, we visited the island of Iraklia, for a first research for the pilot dry stone workshop which will take place there in October 2025, implementing the designed standardised workshop. Currently, the working group is working on research and the final design of the model, aiming at completing this theoretical stage by the end of the summer.

—–: ̗̀➛ As a result of the above works, we are extremely pleased to announce the organisation of the pilot dry stone workshop of “Allaximaria”, from 8 to 22 October 2025, on the island of Iraklia , and we invite you to participate in one of its two events:

• The dry stone apprenticehip, addressed to craftsmen, students and any related professional who wishes to gain a deeper knowledge of the dry stone technique. Participants of the apprenticeship, taking place from 8 to 22 October 2025, will receive a daily wage, while their transportation, accommodation and boarding expenses will be covered. A reduced number of apprentices is available.

   

• The dry stone workshop, open to anyone interested, taking place from 13 to 18 October 2025. Participation to the workshop is free of charge. Transportation, accommodation and boarding expenses are not covered but there will be special rates and discounts offered by the organisers. A snack will be offered on the working site daily.

Both events will involve practical training on site, led by local masons, as well as theoretical classes. The practical training site is located at the beginning of the path leading to Merichas cliff, very close to the capital of Iraklia island, Panagia. The field works will involve restoration of free-standing and sustaining dry stone walls.

More details regarding the daily programme will be announced later.