2024-05-08 14:07:20
The Municipality of Ioannina, in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Crafts of Ioannina (KE.PA.VI.), the Silversmiths and Metallurgists Association of Ioannina, presents a network of actions aimed at highlighting the registration of Ioannina Silversmithing in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece in 2023. The Art of Ioannina” and the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Group (PIOP) with its Museum of Silversmithing, with the support of the Department of Newer Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture.
The aim of the initiative, beyond highlighting and strengthening the art of silversmithing in Ioannina, is to record issues that concern the modern silversmith, the resolution of which is deemed necessary to ensure the viability of the profession.
In this context, May is henceforth declared the “Month of Gianniotiki Silversmithing” and the cooperating organizations are organizing, starting from this year, various activities and actions.
The month will begin with the main festive event at the “Dimitris Hatzis” Cultural Center on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 pm. The event includes greetings, screening of audio-visual material, a speech on behalf of the Directorate of Newer Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture on the importance of the registration of Ioannina Silversmithing in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage, presentation of a certificate of registration by the director of Newer Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, Stavroula-Villi Fotopoulou and a musical program with the string ensemble of the Municipal Conservatory of Ioannina in works by Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis. Vasso Arletou (violin), Spyros Zapantis (violin), Marianthi Kapsali (viola), Apostolos Papapetros (double bass)/ Irini Zagli (piano) are participating.
The actions for the Month of Gianniotiki Silversmithing also include:
- Series of interviews with silversmiths and interventions by representatives of competent bodies, who will speak on the Municipal Radio of Ioannina about the silversmithing of Ioannina and the importance of its registration in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The interviews will be broadcast during the morning news shows, the midday magazine and the evening talk and art shows of Municipal Radio 98.7 FM.
- Open workshops and demonstration of traditional Ioannitian silversmithing techniques by silversmiths at KE.PA.VI.:
• “Casting in the soil”, demonstration by Christos Siapatoris, on May 10 and 17 (at 6:00 p.m.), in the Interactive Art Hall of Ioannito Silversmithing.
• “Techniques for representing designs and patterns in metal” by Dimitris Pantazis and Ilias Harito, on May 11 (11:00 am), in the Interactive Hall of KE.PA.BI.
• “Manufacturing of silver jewelry. Preservation of tradition with modern means” by Nikos Gola, on May 16 (10:00 a.m.), Workshop 208 KE.PA.VI., 1st floor.
• “Parametric design and digital manufacturing of jewelry with 3D printing” by Evangelos Pantazis and Jason Pantazis (Topotheque/ FabLab), on May 18 (12:00), Laboratory 119 KE.PA.VI., ground floor.
• “Wired Technique” by Konstantinos Zervos, on May 20 (5:30 p.m.), in the Interactive Hall of the KE.PA.VI.
• “Ecclesiastical Utensils” by Leontaris Zidros, on May 22 (at 11:00), in the Interactive Hall of the KE.PA.VI.
• “Demonstration of making a handmade piece of jewelry from start to finish and creation of a 925 silver alloy plate” by Georgios Zaravellas (Cyttaro), on May 23 (at 19:00), Laboratory 220 KE.PA.VI., 1st floor.
• “Wired Technique” by Phaedon Ilias, on May 25 (at 11:00), in the Interactive Hall of KE.PA.VI.
*A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 participations are required to conduct all workshops. Those interested in participating in the workshops and the demonstration should contact no later than two days before the corresponding date, as they have been announced, on the phone 2651027650 (Monday and Wednesday 9:30-17:30, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 9:30- 14:30 and 17:30-20:30, Saturday 9:30-20:00).
- Conference on the issues that concern silversmiths today, with the participation of representatives from the co-competent ministries, the local government and other institutional bodies. The aim of the conference is to raise the needs of the sector in terms of institutional framework, training and entrepreneurship by the silversmiths themselves. Detailed information on the date of the meeting and the detailed program will be announced soon.
- Production of a documentary on the theme of Ioannito Silversmithing. Through this audio-visual recording, the relationship between art and the history of the city will be highlighted, while particular emphasis will be placed on the present, on the new data and perspectives of the profession.
- Free entry to the Silversmithing Museum, on Sundays 12, 19 and 26 May, and activities from PIOP, for young and old, throughout the month. The program is as follows:
• “When fire met metallurgy”-Educational program for Kindergarten and 1st-4th grade students (every day, except Tuesday, after prior consultation with the Museum, tel. 26510 64065).
• “Silver Ornaments”-Educational program for 5th-6th graders and high school students (every day, except Tuesdays, after prior consultation with the Museum, on tel. 26510 64065).
• Digital application game “Hunting for lost treasure: Pasha’s rocket” for 4th – 6th graders and high school students (every day, except Tuesdays, by prior arrangement with the Museum) and for families with children, 9-15 years old, at 11 & May 25, during the visit to the Museum (priority order will be observed).
• “The art of wire making” – Creative wire jewelry making workshop, for adults, by silversmith Christos Tsoumagas, on May 8 & 9, at 4:00 p.m. (after reservation, tel. 26510 64065).
• “Silver memories” – Closed cycle of creative employment workshops for people with mild dementia, in collaboration with the Dementia Day Center of Ioannina (15/5, 29/5, 12/6, 26/6).
See in detail all the actions included in the Month of Gianniotiki Silversmithing here