In October, a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course in a small village in northern Greece sparked reflection.
The course was organised within the framework of Interpret Europe’s Learning Landscapes Initiative, supported by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (Venice Office).
Eastern Zagori is a remote and often overlooked region, where the gradual depopulation of villages has allowed forests and wildlife to reclaim much of the land. It is also a place where the scars of the Nazi occupation remain visible, adding a layer of historical depth to its rich natural and cultural landscape.
The course attracted 18 participants from nearby villages as well as urban areas. Among them were both young and older individuals, experienced guides, and newcomers to the field. Together, they created a shared space for learning, exchange, and personal growth through heritage interpretation. During those days, the village of Greveniti came alive once again. After the training sessions, participants would gather in the three cafés, where fireplaces were already lit for the season, and share conversations and experiences.
Autumn in Zagori brings change. As villagers were preparing to bid farewell to the summer, the presence of the group seemed to spark new reflections. Mr. Vassilis, an elderly resident and owner of one of the cafés, was inspired to tell participants about his family’s long-abandoned watermill. He eventually opened its doors for the first time in many years, expressing the hope that perhaps it could be preserved and revitalised in the future.
As for how the course unfolded, it is best described in the words of Georgia, one of the participants: “Some experiences cannot really be captured in words… And yet, during the Certified Interpretive Guide course, that’s exactly what we explored: how to let objects speak, how to listen to the whispers of the world around us! How a single stone, a leaf, a sound can tell stories, stir emotions and reveal new meanings through each person’s unique perspective. Days wrapped in mist, autumn colours and sounds became part of a shared story, revealing that interpretation isn’t just about knowledge – it’s a way of connecting with places, people, with life itself. Days full of learning, inspiration and true connection. Every activity, every conversation, every shared moment was an invitation to turn the world around us into experience and emotion. I’m grateful for everyone who shared this journey – for the knowledge, the support, the warmth, and the joy of co-creation. A glimpse of a week that reminded me how the simplest things – an object, a landscape, a sound – can become bridges to something deeper… to caring for and protecting our natural and cultural heritage.” (Georgia Pirovoli)
Penelope Gkini is an interpretive guide and Interpret Europe trainer for the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course. She can be contacted at: porizocrete@gmail.com.
To cite this article: Dimitrovska, Vasilka (2025) ‘Hands-on with the Romans: Re-imagining Stobi through live interpretation’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 3-2025, p. 17.
Available online: Newsletter autumn 2025
