It's snowdrop season Everyone knows snowdrops. They are the first signs of spring. But did you know that there is an endemic species to Ikaria? Namely the Ikaria snowdrop (Galanthus ikariae). Endemic? True, as the movie “My Greek Fat Wedding” claims, of course all the words come from Greek :twisted: Endemic comes [...]
Ikaria in the first GEO season discovery booklet Ikaria was selected for the first Geo Season discovery booklet and the most exciting destinations for 2017! A trip to the island of free spirits... "The Greek island surprises with lush greenery, gorges, springs and free spirits who like to party. Far away from Athens, [...]
After the snow the rain Yes, that is Nas beach (Photo: Stamatis Melis) or rather, what is left of it. It must have looked something like this in ancient times when the pilgrim ships docked at the clearly visible harbor pier below the temple. We had an unusually dry summer in 2016, bad [...]
New Year's singing - Kalanda It's time for a repost again: The New Year's Kalanda. I am often asked: what is it actually like to live in Ikaria in winter? The Kalanda are a good example of our village's unbroken joy of life and sense of community. Kalanda is the traditional holiday song [...]
Interview between author Doris Iding and Ursula Kastanias I was interviewed by the author Doris Iding on behalf of the Peter Hess Center during her intensive training on Ikaria in June 2016 about the travel situation in GR and in Ikaria in particular. Here my answers... Doris Iding Greece was once [...]
Out and about in wild nature When you arrive on Ikaria, the first thing you notice is the bright clear light of the Aegean Sea and the aromatic scent. The salt smell of the sea mixes with a spicy herbal scent. You inhale it with pleasure through your nose. It immediately makes you [...]
As of May 2016 “€4000 donated to the sports club” Unfortunately, just because you don't read anything about the economic crisis anymore doesn't mean it has been magically disappeared. People here struggle with this every day and hopelessness is spreading everywhere. That's why I strive to support the children and [...]
In Ikaria the clocks tick differently. Ikaria is one of the Blue Zones, have you heard of it? These are places where seniors live with vigor and vitality into a biblical old age. Dan Büttner, an American health guru, coined the term Blue Zones and conducted several studies in Ikaria together with National [...]
This November I was again able to give a slide presentation entitled "Ikaria - Living and Dancing on a Greek Island" at the Hellasfreunde cultural association in Bern. I talked about our everyday life on the island, the olive harvest and of course about the famous dance festivals in Ikaria. My concerns were three: [...]
It's only gradually that I realize the power and reach of this website! It is my most useful tool and my strongest weapon in a crisis. It all started quite harmlessly. Since 1986 I lived in Ikaria, in a 300-year-old stone house, without electricity and without running water. A room for the whole family, [...]
