Following the successful recording of local stories from the town of Naoussa, which took place in 2024, the non-profit organization EDUQUEST has been approved for funding again this year, with the settlement of Rodochori as its area of implementation. The new project, which will be implemented in 2025, focuses on documenting and recording oral histories of descendants of Pontian refugees who settled in Rodochori, Imathia. Beyond its historical and cultural value, the new initiative aims to contribute to the recognition and promotion of the cultural identity of Rodochori, strengthening the social and tourist role of the settlement as a living monument to refugee and Pontian heritage, intergenerational learning, and the preservation of the knowledge of the elderly.
Along with the recording of local stories, a short handbook on recording local stories will be produced and a digital platform will be developed where the testimonies recorded in the area will be posted. The platform will be hosted on the EDUQUEST website in the form of an interactive map, indicating the area where each oral testimony was recorded.
Preserving intangible cultural heritage is not just a matter of historical memory. It is a tool for cohesion, knowledge transfer, tourism development, and social empowerment. Through this project, we want to create a new movement of local ambassadors who will present authentic stories of our region to visitors and younger generations.
The action is co-funded by the Ministry of Culture as part of the “Creative Greece” program.