On the afternoon of Tuesday, 22 September 2026, “Common Ground” on Voice of Greece introduced us to a beautiful village in central Greece that remains largely untouched by tourism.
Elati, Kozani, lies in the southern part of the Kozani region, near the lake formed by the Aliakmonas River and the historic Monastery of Saint Nikanor, also known as Zavorda. The village is distinguished by its beautiful surroundings and its livestock farming tradition, which continues to sustain the community.
Guiding us through Elati with their stories and descriptions were Ioannis Bountas, president of the local community; Mary Christodoulou, president of the village’s cultural association; Vangelis Siambanopoulos, who has researched the area’s history; Father Dionysios, representing the Monastery of Saint Nikanor; Kostas Garavelas, livestock farmer and poet; and Ioannis Manisiotis, who returned to his home village after retiring, having spent decades as an emigrant in Germany.