The “Tzoumerka Summer School 2026” was a festive hands-on workshop that served as the culmination of our multi-year work at the School in Frasta. This workshop is part of a comprehensive 3-week educational journey dedicated to traditional and sustainable building. The program is structured into three distinct thematic units: Stone during the first week, Timber in the second, and Mortars in the third. With the completion of the works, the School of Research and Education for Traditional and Sustainable Building in Frasta, Tzoumerka, officially begins its operation as a permanent educational structure.
The ECHOES project brings together three leading organizations: 4 Grada Dragodid (Croatia), Boulouki (Greece), and the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland (DSWAI) (Ireland) through a comprehensive framework of collaborative activities – Twinning and Cultural Activities (TCAs). These immersive events include international workshops, environmental summer schools focused on traditional crafts, and cultural festivals. These activities facilitate the direct exchange of knowledge between experts and local communities, culminating in exhibitions on sustainability and skill-sharing.
The festive workshop is guided by local craftspeople with local expertise, as well as specialized instructors from Ireland, Croatia, and the Boulouki team. This year, for the first time, craftswomen and craftsmen who have trained in previous workshops will participate as lead instructors. The 20 participants have the opportunity to get involved in theory and practice, actively contributing to the completion of the exemplary restoration of the building and its surrounding area.
The first week of the Tzoumerka TCA has successfully concluded, marking a vibrant start to a three-week educational journey dedicated to traditional and sustainable building. Focusing on local stone heritage, this opening week was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the preservation of historic building crafts, held in the framework of the ECHOES project.
The week brought together a diverse group of participants and specialized instructors, including partner teams. This international synergy highlights the shared commitment of Boulouki and its partners to the preservation and promotion of European cultural heritage through hands-on practice.
Highlights of the Week:
- Hands-on Restoration: Participants engaged in intensive practical work, including shaping an outdoor space with steps at the entrance of the school and restoring retaining walls in its courtyard. The workshop provided direct training in the selection and processing of stone, utilizing traditional drystone techniques.
- Knowledge Exchange: Theoretical sessions explored stone as a primary building material. Representatives from Greece, Croatia, and Ireland shared their respective projects and techniques, fostering a deep discussion on the role of traditional methods in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
- Cultural Exploration: A case-study walk along the historic cobbled path (kalderimi) leading to the Plaka bridge inspired participants to propose creative ideas for the promotion and reuse of such historic routes.
- Community Engagement: The week concluded with a collective walk towards Agios Vasileios and a festive certificate award evening filled with music and dance, celebrating the warm hospitality of the local community.
The Summer School is organized by Boulouki with co-organisers the Municipality of K. Tzoumerka, the Municipality of V. Tzoumerka, the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) of Epirus, and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Epirus. The project is supported by the Kokkalis Foundation, the Sahinis Family, the Technical Chamber of Greece, and AIGEAS AMKE. Oikos Dalkafouki supports the former apprentices and participants, who teach at the workshop as craftswomen – instructors. Under the auspices and the financial support of the Ministry of Culture.
The “Enhancing Cultural Heritage Skills Across Europe” (ECHOES) project, led by partners from Croatia (DRAGODID), Greece (Boulouki), and Ireland (Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland – DSWAI), is dedicated to the preservation, advancement, and promotion of European cultural diversity and heritage. The project is co-funded by the European Union, Creative Europe Program, action “European Cooperation Projects.
