The guys from SEED ACT movie at the entrance of Peliti Land
My first trip to Peliti was in July 2013. That’s how I learned about the Peliti festival. My next goal was to visit the next edition. I met great people and had 2 amazing days at the end of April. One of these bright personalities was Elena Gogou – coordinator for the event for Athens. In this interview Elena give an answer to five interesting questions.
Where you come from?
A: I was born in Athens, but far from the city center, and my parents were both academics. I went to school and university in England, to study literature and media. After I came back to Greece I worked as a teacher, translator, and photographer. At the same time I started studying alternative healing. For 12 years I worked as an Investigator for the Greek Ombudsman (the last 7 years in the Children’s Rights Department). Now (for the last 4 years) I am working full time as a healer and flower therapist. Three years ago, with a group of friends interested in bio dynamic agriculture, we started the Halandri Urban Farm in the north of Athens. Apart from Bio dynamics, I have also become interested in Permaculture and seeds. I believe that the healing of humankind goes hand in hand with the healing of the earth.
How did you find Peliti?
What did you learn this year on the Peliti seed exchange festival?
A: One thing I learned about seeds this year is that they possess a personality of their own. No seed is alike, even if it belongs to the same species, even if it came from the same plant! There is great depth in the meaning of the word biodiversity.What did you enjoy mostly?
A: This year in Peliti I enjoyed interacting with the people – people I had met in past years but never had a chance to really get to know them. But this is what I enjoy most every year!… I also enjoyed the atmosphere: there is an atmosphere of joy and sharing, which I believe is what paradise is made of… The other thing that stands in my mind is the biodiversity of the region – walking along the main road you see 2-3 different species of wild orchids, fields full of wild chamomile, and the birds never stop singing even during the night.
“…atmosphere of joy and sharing…”
What’s you message to those planning to visit the festival next year?
The end of the festival turned into beginning of the seed caravan – a 10 days caravan trip to France. Expect more info about this trip in some of my next blog posts.
