Cultural Routes and Heritage Education in Zagori Ecomuseum
Where we are
Zagori Ecomuseum is located in the village of Ano Pedina in western Zagori, a breath away from Vikos gorge, a natural wonder of Epirus region and part of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) of Vikos-Aoos. It represents a pre-industrial social economy in which natural hazards and limited resources formed a self-sustainable community. The cultural identity needs not only to be safeguarded, studied, and promoted but also redefined in contemporary terms towards an inclusive and sustainable revitalization.
Territory
The rural territory of Zagori represents a pre-industrial social economy model in which natural hazards and limited resources formed a self-sustainable nomadic community of breeders and merchants. Its landscape is among the most diverse in the Balkans, with unique geological formations, pine-forests, abundant biodiversity and numerous traditional settlements.
The last decades, being a border marginalised unit, Zagori with its 46 villages, is being plagued by gradient depopulation and loss of memory and intangible heritage, resulting in unexploited and detached development potentials from its present reality.
Rural Heritage
The powerful interconnection of nature and culture has for long shaped the mountainous civilisation of Zagori. Local crafts, architecture, and intangible heritage (traditional music, gastronomy, beliefs) all emanate from a shared value system. Its rich cultural identity including that of transhumance and pastoral breeding, not only needs to be safeguarded, studied, and promoted but also redefined in contemporary terms towards an inclusive and sustainable revitalisation model and sustainable tourism product.
Through educational and capacity building programs, EcoMuseum Zagori offers a holistic landscape experience through which, local heritage is interpreted and enjoyed in close dialog with nature in tandem with the local community.
