Elisabeth Rodopoulou returned from abroad to her village to pursue a dying art: traditional Tsakonian weaving. Her thoughts often turn to her grandmother, who began weaving on a loom when she was just nine years old.
*By Dimitris Kyriazis
THE WEAVING ART of the standing loom is inextricably linked to Tsakonia and constitutes one of the most distinctive features of the cultural heritage of this very special region. Elisavet Rodopoulou, although she spent many years abroad, in places with enough potential and opportunities for professional development, realized that her connection with the family tradition in the Tsakonian weaving art was her most characteristic feature.
Somehow she made the decision to return to Tyros and take over the family business, the last traditional workshop. As she told us characteristically: “I left behind another life and found myself facing challenges that posed to me a disappearing art and a place that tests you”. She then recounts her journey:
“Tyros is a small, seaside village of Arcadia in the heart of Tsakonia. It is located between the blue of the Argolic Gulf and the green mountains of Parnon, in a landscape that enchants with its authenticity. The region is known for both its rare natural beauty and its deep tradition. Tsakonia is a unique region in Greece, a place with a strong cultural identity and rich folklore heritage. Here, every corner has its own story, with deep roots and a living memory.
“To someone thinking of living in the countryside, I would say to do so with an open heart but also realism. The countryside requires patience, perseverance and love for the place. If you have these three, you can build a life full of beauty, simplicity and authenticity.”
The Tsakonian dialect is a living remnant of the ancient Doric dialect and is very different from the Greek we speak today. It is spoken mainly by the elderly and has been limited to the daily conversations of a smaller circle of people. Over the years, remarkable efforts have been made to revive it. Thanks to initiatives, it is taught to young people, so it remains alive and continues to have a place in our everyday lives. The Tsakonian dialect is not just words, it is part of the identity of the people of the place, a means that connects us with our tradition and history.
It was always so deeply rooted in the lives of the locals that the children grew up hearing only it at home from their parents and grandparents. It was the only language they knew. So, when they started school, they had difficulty adapting to the modern Greek that the teachers taught them.
When I left for abroad, I felt like a new, unknown world was opening up before me. I lived in big cities, studied, worked, met people from different cultures and civilizations. It was a period of deep self-knowledge and maturation, full of challenges but also unique experiences that shaped me.
Wherever I am, the connection with our family tradition in the Tsakonian weaving art was and remains my most characteristic feature. The weaving art, which was transmitted to me almost naturally from a young age in the home, has been a point of reference for me. At every stage of my life, even when I was far away, it reminded me of who I am and where I come from. And I think that this balance is ultimately the most valuable thing I took with me from this experience.
The decision to return was a result of circumstances and the need to redefine myself and my life. I was often concerned about the fact that our workshop is the only professional weaving workshop in the wider region of Tsakonia. The identity of a traditional art is often misunderstood in Greece, as it is considered to carry the weight of the old and the difficult, while in reality it hides a perpetual, dynamic and ongoing evolution.
This was one of the reasons that for a long time I was thinking about how I could combine my experiences from abroad with the tradition of Tsakonian weaving and highlight it through more modern creations. So, I returned and went to Athens, to the “Askardamykti” school, to specialize in leather craftsmanship with the aim of designing a collection that combines two traditional techniques, creating utilitarian objects with a more modern aesthetic. Through this combination, I sought to give new impetus to the Tsakonian weaving art and bring it closer to today’s way of life, while maintaining its authenticity.
This decision was decisive. From that moment on, my life took a new path in the creative part but also in continuing the tradition of Tsakonian weaving through teaching. In 2018, I took over our family workshop “Tsakonika Ifanta” in Tyros and this meant many changes for me.
I left behind another life and found myself facing challenges in relation to a disappearing art and a place that tests you. My people accepted it with mixed feelings, some with enthusiasm and others with concern. The transition was not easy, but it was worth it.
The decision to take over the family workshop had both positive and difficult points. Previously, I lived in a more organized environment, with a wider professional network and better opportunities. The city’s dynamics and opportunities for professional development were clearly greater. However, the connection to my place and to the tradition of Tsakonian weaving was always something that interested and fascinated me.
Living in the countryside offers me, without a second thought, a better quality of life. The fresh air, the sense of community, the connection with nature and the tranquility of the place give me the opportunity to enjoy the simple joys of life, they fill me with inspiration, they allow me to reconnect with my roots and to work more authentically. The fact that our art is inextricably linked to the history of Tsakonia reinforces the feeling that I am working on something unique. This was already reflected in a recent important milestone for our work with the representation of our workshop at the EUIPO international conference on the protection regime of handmade products with geographical indications. This recognition proves the value of the product produced here and gives me the opportunity to offer something substantial to my place of origin. It also reinforces my belief that there is hope and opportunity for someone to engage professionally with their art in their region, as long as they have vision and perseverance.
On the other hand, the limited opportunities and choices, especially for young people, are a reality that we cannot ignore. Social isolation is perhaps one of the most difficult parts. From the vibrancy and constant interaction of the city, I found myself in a place with less stimulation, more limited daily contact with people with common professional interests and without the opportunities for chance encounters or creative collaborations. At the same time, there is always the financial insecurity that accompanies any private endeavor of a local business in a small place. The circles are limited, the possibilities often depend on seasonal visitors and the survival of such an endeavor requires a daily struggle and a constant reminder of the reason why you started. Nevertheless, I feel that this decision brought me closer to what has real value for me and gave me hope that something small can have a big impact when done with love and consistency.
Yes, without a doubt I feel vindicated by my choice to return. As a third generation weaver, I feel vindicated by my involvement in weaving in my place. Every day I feel blessed because I am involved in something that I truly love, something that has value both for me and for my region.
What I miss is direct access to cultural events or some services. I balance it by traveling and organizing cultural activities here with the aim of bringing creative stimuli and new perspectives to our everyday lives.
The rich natural beauty of Tyros is no secret, it spreads generously before everyone’s eyes. But what I would also like to get to know better is the unseen world that lies below the surface of the sea: an underwater treasure full of mystery. It is one of the most unexplored secrets of Tyros, waiting to be revealed with the completion of the diving park.
When I think of a special person from Tyros, my thoughts immediately go to my grandmother Angeliki Psarrologos, the beloved “Ko”, as everyone called her. Born in Tyros, she began weaving at the age of nine, learning the art that would accompany her throughout her life. Her loom was set up in a café, an original meeting point for those passing by. People would stop not only to drink coffee but also to watch her weave with her talented hands and to listen to her tell stories from the old days about the people and customs of Tsakonia. She was so well known for her stories that many would stop by just to listen to her. At the same time, she did not keep her knowledge of weaving to herself. She taught many students the art. My grandmother was more than a weaver or a teacher. She was a living bridge between the old and the new Tyros. And of course, her coffee had its own reputation: strong, aromatic and full of care, just like she was.
I would like there to be more opportunities for young people to stay and create their future here, to develop the community with innovative ideas, without having to leave to find a perspective. It would be great to create an environment that encourages them to invest in the region, supporting the development of their talents, creating new professional opportunities and strengthening the local economy.
To someone thinking about living in the countryside, I would say to do so with an open heart but also realism. The countryside requires patience, perseverance and love for the place. If you have these three, you can build a life full of beauty, simplicity and authenticity.
Source: lifo.gr
