ANAKARA: an introduction to the cultural association that brings life to the town of Lixouri

Upon entering the ANAKARA Association's premises, there was a beautiful, warm atmosphere, offering a sense of hospitality. In this spirit, we had an extensive discussion with representatives of the "Anakara" cultural association. We met the president of the Association, Nikos Mourelatos, as well as the members of the Board of Directors, Gerasimos Spyros Vitoratos and Foivi Rizou, who welcomed us to their space, guiding us through the team's journey to date. The interview highlights the importance of the "Anakara" association as a vehicle for promoting culture and creativity on the island, as well as the ambitions and challenges it faces in its work. It is an opportunity to get to know the association, as well as to be inspired by the activity and commitment of the people who dedicate their time to creating a creative environment in the community of Lixouri.

1. What was the main inspiration for the creation of the team and the initial idea?

The creation of this team goes back many years, in many conversations, with many people something was always an obstacle, for some reason it never started. At some point, all this came to a standstill and we decided to create a team, to unite many teams to be able to create something, since we were a minority. 

I (the president) first took on the theatrical group, which was quite large, they had serious space problems, there was a lot of bureaucracy. The theatrical group started as the theatrical group of KE.DI.KE and the unified municipality and then of the municipality of Lixouri, but there were no spaces and with the pandemic it was essentially abandoned, so it was a dismembered group that already existed. There was another group for voluntary exercise, which also had a space problem, and so the president of Anakara rallied these two groups and people from other forms of art. We tried to cover as many pieces of art as possible, to create a group that would be active across the entire cultural spectrum, in all art forms if possible.

As for the initial idea, it is certainly not something uniform for everyone. Personally, in my mind, this whole endeavor was a political move, as nothing else had progressed and I believed that through art a step could be taken for all of us to become better. This is my own impetus and my own perspective on the matter. To be able to create something that we didn't have when we were young and teenagers.

1. When did its implementation begin?

               The official establishment of the association was at the end of May 2022, so we will be celebrating 2 years, and the space here has been operating for fifteen months. We carried out some outdoor activities before managing to secure the space and then we took on the challenge of creating a space where all these activities could be housed. We were fortunate to discuss this building with the Ionian University, which still managed the buildings at the time, it granted us the space and we began to create this multi-purpose space, which opened to the public in January 2023, and various activities have since been held there.

1. How did the name come about?

The name was completely random, we had thought of other names, but along the way, we discovered that other groups had them. Essentially, we were looking for something Kefalonian, Ionian essentially, and we found this. Most people don't know what the word means, not even that it's Greek, it's a very beautiful word, it means something very nice and the team agreed because I think it fits the endeavor very well. It means awakening, uplifting of soul and body, courage, it's like a new beginning.

It comes from 'ana' and 'kara', meaning 'head up' or 'ana' and 'karo', meaning 'wake up from sleep', 'recover', and this was essentially the purpose of the association, to collectively recover.

1. What are the main activities carried out by the team?

Generally, we are active in many categories, there is the cinema sector, where we organize film screenings, either year-round or during the summer months or in festival format, theatrical performances, some concerts, some musical events, with artists we bring, and then a large chapter is the workshops we have started this year. We have set up a space as a small indoor gym, where improvisations and other activities also take place. Last year we also held some seminars, but this year the workshops are mainly taking place, operating all year round, on a weekly basis.

Specifically, we have the fitness sector, a mobility and wellness department, i.e., exercise for everyone. Also, a workshop for teaching Greek sign language, which does not grant a degree but is purely and solely to get a glimpse into this world, to understand some things and then to take official lessons. There is a collage workshop, theatrical improvisation classes for teenagers and adults and theatrical play classes for children, a visual arts workshop for children, puppet theatre, a weaving workshop, open to all ages, a creative writing workshop and a sound therapy workshop with crystal bowls. Finally, there is a comics reading and analysis workshop.

1. How do you encourage the community to participate in your activities?

Our first year was very difficult, we didn't have many people in the club, at least in Lixouri, although we had quite a large participation from other parts of Kefalonia. This year, with the workshops and children's films, people are encouraged, they come, and they are warm towards the endeavor, they support us, they help us and they are by our side. We thought it was a means in itself but it wasn't.

Also, a big opening was made, which we advertised in every way we could, through social media, posters, etc., to get people to come and see the space and participate. The workshops had the biggest response. We try to spread the message with our personal inclination and conversation in the social environment.

1. To whom do you appeal and what ages do you target?

We appeal to all ages, from 3 to 103. The workshops are for everyone, we have the children's drama workshop where even three-year-olds come, up to the weaving workshop where older people come. There are no restrictions.

The original goal was to create something unconventional, to appeal to everyone and to be an inclusive space where diverse groups can coexist harmoniously.

1. What is the public's reaction to your actions?

We have received everything from the worst to rave reviews. We had received little poems with inaccuracies and lies, to truly ecstatic comments from people who have been moved simply by the creation of the project; it has an enormous range. We keep the positives and the negatives that can make us better.

1. What are the biggest challenges you have faced?

The most serious challenge is the lack of people who are genuinely interested in actually helping, in practice, meaning we need hands, because we are literally counted on the fingers of one hand, those who organize the activities. Certainly minds too, meaning we would like other groups to come and create together, with new ideas and actions.

Also, there is no stability with the space, we don't know how long we will be here. We have dedicated a lot of effort and time to this space, many people have donated many things here, the entire space has been created with donations from the public and our endeavor certainly needs a space. At the moment it is not certain if we will stay here, as the concession was made by the Ionian University, but these buildings are gradually becoming the property of the Municipality and we do not have any safe assurance from them that our activity is something worth continuing, so we are at a crossroads right now.

1. How is the treatment from the political local government?

We want to believe that there is cooperation and that they do whatever they can for us. We have cooperated many times and they have helped with many things. Therefore, we believe that things will be even better in the future, the more we grow, the more the help will grow.

1. How do you handle disagreements and different perspectives within the team?

It's normal for us to argue, it doesn't happen often, but a solution is always found at some point. In general, we try to plan better and improve so as not to disagree. Certainly, the tasks are many because we are few people, but we always find a solution, we always review to become better. It is a difficult endeavor to be legally valid, financially sound and practically effective and functional, and we learn from experience.

1. What are some achievements you have accomplished over time?

We are proud of this year's program and that we have gathered people who want to contribute, and that people are actively participating and enthusiastic. This year, the original purpose of the association, which was to gather people and do things that could not be done in any other way and to be creative, began to become more apparent.

We will be proud when this endeavor is creative in itself and can produce art, besides the theatrical group, and when we can be essentially creative and not mainly concerned with practical issues.

1. How can one join the team or participate in its activities?

It's very easy; one can send a message anywhere on social media or via email, or come here. We are open to everything, and there are no restrictions on participation in the workshops. The space is open every day for anyone who wants to participate or create their own workshop, as a workshop facilitator.

1. What are the core values and principles that guide the team's operation and decisions?

The core values are cooperation, collectivity. Certainly creation, dialogue and action. And finally, of course, freedom and humanity.

1. What is the team's main source of funding?

The main source of income for the association is member subscriptions and any revenue we get from our events, most of which are free. We also have donations and the refreshment bar that exists for events.

1. Finally, what are your ambitions for the future of the team?

We want the endeavor to grow, to become more widely known and to bring together more people. To all become a little more human together and, of course, to have ANAKARA.

Through this interview with the cultural association "Anakara," the importance of its activities in the local community is highlighted. Through the dedication and passion of the association's members, a very beautiful endeavor is created that only has positive things to offer to the community of Lixouri, and more broadly to Kefalonia. Let us support and encourage their work, so that we can all together help this endeavor grow and continue to contribute to the island.

 

To contact ANAKARA:  

• Facebook anakara
• Instagram anakara 
• anakara.society@gmail.com