Ursula Kastanias – bridge builder between two cultures

Where love leads: 30 years ago she packed her suitcase and emigrated from St. Gallen to the Greek island of Ikaria. The island is as big as Lake Constance and is located north of Samos.

Ursula Kastanias

It is different from all other Greek islands, which are often rocky and barren. Ikaria is green and rich in water. You can even find thermal springs there. It is a paradise for hikers, says Ursula Kastanias.

She runs the 300-year-old family farm together with her Greek husband. Ursula Kastanias defies the prevailing economic crisis and is strongly committed to the school and health system on the island. “I see myself as a bridge builder between Greek and Swiss culture and try to make people aware of the island with few tourists.”

Ursula Kastanias goes on cultural trips and organizes fundraising events so that the school and healthcare system can make ends meet. Greek dance culture is her great passion. The trained dance teacher has been offering traditional folk dance in her seminars in Switzerland for years. “The Greeks have a strong sense of togetherness and express it in folk dance.”

Moderation: Regula Sager, Editor: Pascale Folke

Broadcast Portrait

676,000 Swiss people have their permanent residence abroad. They live in over 65 countries.

In this show they provide information about their everyday lives. They are people from Swiss families, clubs, company representatives, employees of aid organizations, members of embassies and consulates.

Every Sunday at 11:40 a.m. on Radio SRF 1

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