ΑΝΑΚΑΡΑ: μία γνωριμία με τον πολιτιστικό σύλλογο που δίνει ζωή στην πόλη του Ληξουρίου

Stepping into the premises of the ANAKARA Association, there was a beautiful, warm atmosphere, offering a sense of hospitality. In this setting, we engaged in a comprehensive discussion with representatives of the cultural association "ANAKARA". We met with the president of the Association, Nikos Mourelatos, as well as members of the Board of Directors, Gerasimos Spyros Vitoratos and Phoebe Rizou, who welcomed us into their space, guiding us through the journey of the group up to the present day. Through the interview, the significance of the "ANAKARA" association as a promoter of culture and creativity on the island is highlighted, along with its ambitions and challenges. It is an opportunity to get to know the association, as well as to be inspired by the action and commitment of the people dedicating their time to create a creative environment in the community of Lixouri.

What was the main inspiration behind the creation of the group and the initial thought?

The creation of this group goes many years back, through many discussions, with many people, something was always an obstacle, always for some reason it did not start. At some point, all this reached an impasse, and we decided to create a group, to unite many groups to create something, since we were a minority.

I (the president) started with the theater group first, which was quite substantial, but had serious space problems, there was quite a bit of bureaucracy. The theater group started as a theater group of the KE.DI.KE and the unified municipality and then the municipality of Lixouri, but there were no spaces and with the pandemic it was essentially abandoned, so it was a floating group that already existed. There was another volunteer group, which also had space problems, and so the president of ANAKARA brought together 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 acts across the entire cultural spectrum, in all genres of art if possible.

As for the initial thought, it certainly is not something unified for everyone. Personally, in my mind all this endeavor was a political move, since anything else had not progressed, and I thought that through art a step could be taken for all of us together to become better. This is my impetus and my perspective on the matter. To be able to create something that we did not have when we were young and teenagers.

When did its implementation begin?

The official founding of the association is at the end of May 2022, so we will be celebrating 2 years, and the space has been operating for fifteen months. We did some outdoor activities before we managed to secure the space, and then we threw ourselves into the challenge of creating a space where all these activities could be accommodated. We were fortunate to discuss this building with the Ionian University, which then managed the buildings, and they lent us the space, and we started to create this multipurpose space, which opened to the public in January 2023, and various activities have been taking place since then.

How did the name come about?

The name was completely random, we had thought of other names which we later found out other groups had. In essence, we were looking for something Cephalonian, Ionian basically, and we found this. Most people do not know what the word means, not even that it is Greek, it is a very beautiful word, it means something very nice, and the group agreed because I think it fits very well with the project. It means awakening, uplift of the soul and body, courage, it is thus a new beginning.

It comes from the Greek words "ana" and "kara", meaning high head or awakening from sleep, to take control, and this was essentially the purpose of the association, for us all to take control together.

What are the main activities carried out by the group?;

Generally, we are active in many categories, there is a cinematographic sector, where we have film screenings, either all year round or in the summer months or in the form of festivals, theatrical performances, some concerts, some musical events, with artists we bring, and then a big chapter is the workshops we have started from this year. We have set up a space as a small indoor gym, where improvisations and other activities take place. Last year we also did some seminars but this year mainly workshops are held, which operate all year round, on a weekly basis.

Specifically, we have the sports sector, a mobility and wellness department, i.e., gymnastics for all. Also, a Greek Sign Language teaching workshop, in which no diploma is given but it is purely and solely to enter this world, to understand some things and then to officially take lessons. There is a collage workshop, improvisation theater classes for adolescents and adults and theater play classes for children, a visual arts workshop for children, puppet theater, weaving workshop, open to all ages, a creative writing workshop and a sound therapy workshop with crystal bowls. Finally, there is a comic book reading and analysis workshop.

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

Our first year was very difficult, we did not have so 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 enthusiastic about the project, they support us, they help us, and they are with us. We thought it was a medium by itself, but it was not.

It also made a big opening, which we advertised in any way we could, through social media, posters, etc., to get people to come and see the space and participate. The workshops were the ones that had the biggest response. We try to convey the message also through our personal inclination and conversation in the social environment.

Σε ποιους απευθύνεστε και Who do you address and what age groups do you target? ποιες ηλικίες στοχεύετε;

We address all age groups, from 3 to 103. Our workshops are for everyone, from the children's theater workshop attended by three-year-old children to the weaving workshop attended by older people. There are no restrictions.

The initial purpose was to create something non-trivial, to appeal to everyone, and to be a space of inclusion where various groups harmoniously coexist.

What is the reaction of the community to your activities?

We have received comments ranging from the worst to enthusiastic praise. We have received poems with inaccuracies and lies to genuinely enthusiastic comments from people who have been moved simply by the creation of the project. The range is vast. We take both the positive and negative comments that can make us better.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced?

The most serious challenge is the lack of people who are genuinely interested in practical help, hands-on support, because we are literally few in number, the ones who organize the activities. Certainly, we also need minds, meaning we would like other groups to join us, to create together, with new ideas and actions.

Also, there is no stability with the space; we do not know how long we will be here. We have dedicated a lot of effort and time to this space; many people have contributed many things here, the entire space has been created with donations from people, and our project definitely needs a space. At the moment, it is uncertain if we will stay here, as the space was provided by the Ionian University, but these buildings gradually pass into the ownership of the Municipality, and we do not have any secure assurance from there that our activity is something worth continuing, so we are at a crossroads right now.

How do you perceive the response from the local government? είναι its αντιμετώπιση από την πολιτική αυτοδιοίκηση;

We want to believe that there is cooperation and that they do whatever they can to help us. We have collaborated several times, and they have helped in many things. Therefore, we believe that things will be even better in the future, as we grow, so does the assistance.

How do you handle disagreements and different views within the group?

It is normal that we argue; it does not happen often, but at some point, a solution is always found. Generally, we try to plan better and improve so that we do not disagree. Surely, the tasks are many because we are few people, but we always find a solution, always make assessments to become better. It is a difficult endeavor to be legally valid, economically sound, and practically effective, and we learn from experience.

What are some achievements you have accomplished over time?

We are proud of this year's program and the fact that we have brought people together who want to contribute and actively participate. This year, the initial purpose of the association, which was to bring people together and do things that could not be done in any other way and to be creative, has started to become more apparent.

We will be proud when this project can be creative on its own and able to generate art, beyond the theatrical group, and when we can be essentially creative ourselves and not primarily concerned with practical matters.

How can someone join the group or participate in its activities?

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

What are the core values and principles guiding the group's operation and decisions?

The core values are cooperation, collectivity, creation, dialogue, action, freedom, and humanity

What is the main source of funding for the group?

The main source of the association's income is the membership fees and any income we have from our events, most of which are free. We also have donations and the refreshment stand for events.

Finally, what are your ambitions for the future of the group?

We want the project to grow, to learn more, to bring more people together. 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 actions in the local community is highlighted. Through the dedication and passion of its members, a very beautiful project is created, which has only positive contributions to offer to the community of Lixouri, as well as to the wider Kefalonia. Let's support and encourage their work, so that together we can all help this project grow and continue to contribute to the island.