The communities of the Greek Archipelagos are developing and evolving in the context of spatial isolation imposed to them by their insular character, while at the same time forming active networks of communication between them. The rapid touristic development is reinforcing the ever growing search for the ideal, as a projection of prefabricated needs and desires. The local residents are themselves adapting to the requirements of this new reality, contributing in turn to the reconstruction of the new island experience. Economic activities are based almost exclusively on the tertiary sector. Landmarks that used to be core elements of the social structure, now form the backdrop of the new imaginary narrative, while crowds of tourists regulate the new reality.
Wishing to further explore and understand the social relations developing between the borders of insular units, we compose a proposal regarding the creation of a new local festival. Traditional festivals (Panigiria), as the main locus expressing the unfolding of social relations, communicate even today the need for meaningful interaction within the community. Could a new form of ritual contribute to the reconstruction of the community and define once again the interpersonal relations within it?
People being the main focal point become active participators instead of merely observing consumers. The cause of celebration is food gathering, which results in the reevaluation of the inhabitants’ relation with the surrounding natural environment, especially during the winter months. At the same time, the use of the previously mentioned practice aims at redefining specific landmarks as elements interconnected with the function of the community as they welcome and host the new celebration.