The program “Common Ground” on Voice of Greece took listeners on a journey to Krania village in Aspropotamos, one of the most renowned Vlach villages of the Trikala region.
Built on a lush mountainside of Mount Tringia, on the southeastern edge of the Pindus mountain range, Krania is steeped in history stretching back some seven centuries. The village is also home to a rich cultural heritage closely linked to the centuries-long presence and migration of Vlach populations throughout Greece.
Today, only a handful of permanent residents remain during the winter months, as both internal and international migration have left their mark on the community. The village has also faced significant challenges from recent natural disasters, particularly Storm Daniel, from whose consequences residents are still awaiting full recovery.
Guiding listeners through the village’s history, religious landmarks, and natural monuments were Dimitris Konstantinidis, educator and author; Nikolaos Sotiriou, President of Krania; Fani Smixioti, President of the village’s Cultural Association and curator of its Folklore Museum; and Aspa Papazacharia, an architect living in New York who returns to her hometown as often as possible with her children—second-generation Greek Americans who speak Greek and have developed a deep affection for their mother’s village.
Produced and presented by Prokopis Agelopoulos