Angelina Helioti

Helmos Mountain Festival

Angelina Helioti 12 June 2023 No Comments

During the three days of the Holy Spirit, June 2-5, the Helmos Music Festival took place. At first I had heard about it but hadn’t gone through the process of buying a ticket so when SoldOut quickly happened I said goodbye to the idea of going. Afterwards I learned that my older brother Konstantinos had arranged to go with his company, and the truth is that I would very much like to be with them. A few days before the festival, Ilias, my good friend from the School of Silversmithing, told me that he had two free invitations and that if I wanted we could go together. Of course I accepted with great joy! So on Friday morning, we set off by car for Kalavrita, sharing the distance behind the wheel.

We were the first to arrive at the ski resort. I helped Ilias set up in camp1 which was in the fir trees far from the music stage and later I returned to camp2, where I would sleep with my brother’s company, Eleni, Michalis and Babis. The weather was hot and it was a bit tiring to carry a lot of stuff and walk long distances from one point to another, but that didn’t dampen our spirits at all!

Later, shortly after 20:00, the first concert started which I didn’t watch from the beginning with Novel 729 on the microphone, but of course I could enjoy his tracks from anywhere on the ski resort. The moon had made an early appearance over the mountain and I was looking forward to Sunday’s full moon. I stayed the whole time P. Pavlidis was singing and about halfway through G. Angelakas I decided to go back on stage, as it was a bit late for me.

Getting back to our tent was an ordeal. The tents until night were so many and in the dark it was hard to spot where “home” was… With a flashlight and my instinct for companionship though, I eventually found it. I got ready and fell asleep listening to Angelaka’s songs in the background with that little goth and dark element in his music and performance.

A few hours later my alarm went off at around 05:30. Eleni was not next to me… I quickly opened the sleeping bag and carefully not to wake the rest of the group I opened the tent. I had succeeded. I was up before the sun. I looked around and saw the entire slope that in February was full of skiers in the white snow, now green and filled with small colorful masses that looked like garbage bags. There were so many tents! I saw two figures walking, I was really one of the few awake at that time. I walked a little in the freezing air and a few meters away I stood to enjoy the sunrise. Integration. Beauty and grace flooded the space within the heart chakra, but also the rest of my body.

I headed towards the chalet where I met about a dozen sleepy people dozing or gazing at the sun. It was those few who hadn’t blinked all night, mostly because of the cold. Eleni was among them… That first morning I will not forget also because we met Christina, a beautiful young woman with whom we spoke directly from our hearts about those big issues that concern us all, relationships, self-love, acceptance and ultimately self-awareness. That conversation was just the beginning…

Later, when the whole camp woke up the sun was burning everything and the scene was reminiscent of Woodstock ’69. Lying on the grass, eating their breakfast outside the tents, reading books, walking their dogs, people enjoyed the mountain breeze all over the horizon. Savina and Moscow were studying for their PhD and Masters and gave me the feeling that they were lying on some beach in the middle of summer. The two girls were connected to my group through acquaintances and friends, yet I was meeting them there for the first time.

At noon I went down to the grass next to the parking lot with Ilias. We relaxed listening to the sounds of nature and the rehearsal of the musicians, under the vast sky. For a moment I felt like I was in heaven. People were walking slowly and calmly around, dogs were running happily… It was a powerful moment.

But soon we took refuge in the chalet, as rain was coming from Kalavryta. In a few minutes the building area was suffocatingly full of people and luckily I had found a place to sit down and enjoy a Krishnamurti book and my snak. It rained for a long time (thankfully not torrentially) and the chalet was full, inside and all around the perimeter balcony, while a few took shelter in their tents, like my brother and the rest of our group.

I think that was where many of us were tested psychologically, I felt that even if I left now for Stemnitsa, I wouldn’t mind at all… We were all forced to stay in our places and wait for the rain to stop. Fortunately, at least there was a stand up comedy show that kept us warm by making us laugh, giving us a feeling that we will endure and the 20:00 concert will take place as usual.

Shortly after the show ended, the rain stopped and what happened was a reward for all of us. A clear sky with peach and purple hues, just in time for the concert to start, throughout which it was overcast.

The program had Hatzifragetas, Isvoleas and Th. Papakonstantinou. It was a very high energy night with the moon making an appearance behind the stage and the artists communicating very well with the audience during their performance. Thanks to my brother, it was my first time someone lifted me on their shoulders and I could see the whole crowd from above and enjoy the moment much more vividly, a feeling I will never forget.

Sunday had something special. Ilias and I decided to visit the Tsivlou lake and do canoe kayaking. A few kilometers outside the ski resort we met a large herd of cows with their babies. The sight was unique. When cars approached the animals ran deeper and deeper into the meadow and were generally cautious. That’s why we preferred to admire them from a distance.

On the way we listened to Haroulis and Malamas to get in the mood for the concert that would follow in a few hours. It was generally quite warm although as we approached there was loud thunder from the distance and a dark cloud flirted with the lake.

But in the end it turned out to be the best weather it could have with thin clouds, good temperature and a gentle breeze. We enjoyed the sport, the beauty of the lake and the surrounding landscape. We worked out and relaxed.

That place was truly a corner of heaven. Blue-green waters wrapped by mountains with firs and pines. I could stay there for several days, as the peace offered, the beauty and the comfort for me surpasses even a 5-star hotel. We don’t need many things to feel well. Nature offers a lot in itself.

I won’t describe anything more, I think the pictures speak for themselves. I’ll just say that for nature lovers, I highly recommend Lake Tivlou and you can ask about the kayaking there.

Around six in the afternoon we made our way back to catch the last concert of the festival. From early this time Konstantinos and I stood quite close to the stage (as usual) and later all our other friends gathered there. As the last light of the day faded, we watched S. Grammenos, who warmed us up with his pleasant performance.

All the artists had a great energy and lifted the audience with their performances, although I was a bit happier listening to Haroulis. That night the ski resort had the most people of the whole three days. Several thousand people of all ages danced, sang or drank while watching the concert from afar in the chalet. Once again I didn’t stay until the end due to fatigue and cold. I headed towards the tent, said goodbye with a smile to the full moon above Helmos and fell asleep to the voice of Iulia Karapatakis and Sokratis Malamas.

The next day, before noon the ski resort was almost empty. We were among the last to pack up, being careful not to leave any trash behind. From what I saw, the place was kept very clean and I heard that there was a cleaning action with volunteers that morning, but I was not able to participate in it. In general, for their first year, the organizers of the festival did very well and I hope that it can be held again next year. Nevertheless, the issue of sanitary facilities and easy access to morning coffee needs to be resolved.

Most of the people from the festival went down to Kalavryta, where a feast was held on the day of the Holy Spirit. Under the hot sun we danced traditional dances and sang to the music of Gidiki and the voice of Karapataki.

Earlier, that last dawn on the mountain, I was one of the first back down to the chalet. There I met Despina, a girl who came from Thessaloniki, with whom we had a heart-to-heart conversation and thanked each other for the acquaintance and company. And later I sat down with Savina and Moscow in their tent for breakfast, where we also discussed relationships, spiritual development, and more. And ultimately this is one of the most important things I keep from the festival. That the people I met and spent some time with were people who wanted to have meaningful conversations and were grateful that we crossed paths.

We exchanged our truths in a healing way, and perhaps we had gone there, even without realizing it, to get in touch with ourselves in search of answers to personal questions. So yes, actually making strong contact with people was something that happened to me in Helmos, and I think I wasn’t the only one.

After the party in the square, I said goodbye to my company and Ilias and I returned to Stemnitsa. In the car, music was playing loudly with summer vibes and nostalgia that lifted my mood. It is a fact that I came back different after this experience. I came in deep contact with people and had the opportunity to spend quality time in nature and I can only feel joy and gratitude for that.

Helmos Festival is something I will never forget, so I hope to renew my appointment for next year!

In the video below you can see in footage more or less what I described above.

Hiking in the plain of Piana

Angelina Helioti 6 June 2023 No Comments

For the past three weeks the weather pattern has been sunshine and a bit of heat until midday and then cloud and rain. It was a pattern that didn’t sit well with most here, as we are finally looking forward to warmer days and good weather for forays into the flowering forest. Nevertheless, I am happy about the water that has poured lately because it is very useful and important for nature, just before summer. One of these sunny mornings Athena and Ilias and I decided that we needed a walk in nature and an exploration of the wider area.

First stop, Roino, a village which is located below the Aydin peak and which we later realized should not have more than 30-40 inhabitants. The name of the village is a sonorous anagram of the word Oreno. It is located at an altitude of 1100 meters and is 4 km from the main road after Vytina and 19 km from Tripoli. We stayed there very little as the village looked deserted and the cafe in the square was closed.

The square was very sweet and under the big plane tree there were two big signs with directions for the hiking trails that go through there. I really want to go back to this village and walk the path to Aydin peak and other places I marked on the map. Mainalo is so beautiful and I think its exploration can never stop, there is always something new and that something is different every season of the year!

Next stop a historic village, Piana, which is located near the ruins of the ancient city of Dipia. Her name is associated with the mythical god Pana. The square is dominated by the church of Saint George, which is in the architectural style of a three-aisled basilica with a dome and has two imposing stone bell towers. Its perimeter courtyard offered us a panoramic view of the natural landscape.

In the square, the owners of the “Panas” tavern told us a few words about their village and encouraged us to walk the beautiful path in the plain of Piana that reaches the sources of the Elissonas river. The so-called cave of the god Pana is located on the mountain above the springs of Elissonas and which bears the name “Pianovouni”. This area of Phalanthos takes its name from the indomitable and fertilizing god of vegetation and life. The local legend says that the cloven-footed God Pana resides in this cave and with his torch fills the beautiful ravine of the springs of Elissona with sounds.

Starting for the sources of the river we thought it would only take 20 minutes, as we had been told, but in the end it was more, around half an hour. The waters of Elissonas spring from the springs at the foot of Pianovouni and give life to the few inhabitants of the area who cultivate the land or raise their animals. A significant part of the water of the Elissons springs is utilized for the water supply of the residents of Tripoli. Around the middle of the plain of Piana, the waters of the river disappear into the earth and it is believed that they reappear in the area of Megalopolis. Twelve stone watermills for grinding grain and six watermills for washing clothes used to operate along the beds of the Elissonas river. We came across some of these buildings, some in good condition and others in dilapidated condition.

The tavern dog kept us company throughout our hiking trip, although he seemed to have trouble stepping on one of his feet. We didn’t know his name, so we called him Zeus. He was a really reliable mountain companion, he stopped when we stopped to rest and kept a good tempo the whole way and of course he knew the trail. The vegetation was mostly scrubby and various scents of herbs and flowers wafted through the air.

When we reached the springs we enjoyed the coolness and the sound of the river. Elias and Zeus took a dip while Athena and I rested on the rocks. And that’s when it started to crumble. We didn’t sit there long as we were worried about the rain getting heavier. The vegetation near the river was more like a rainforest and the light rainfall made this feeling even more intense. Little blue butterflies danced flying around us at that point.

On the way back we decided instead of crossing the path, to go through the dirt road that is for cars. There, after sadness and anger, I can say we faced large amounts of garbage thrown on the slope next to the road. I couldn’t believe my eyes! How is it possible that the inhabitants of the area thus pollute their very place, which beautifies their lives and nourishes them?

We then met a couple driving down the road and I stopped them to ask them questions about littering and express my disapproval of the phenomenon. They explained to me that in the last two years this habit has stopped and the truth is that they didn’t look proud at all…

I think there would be some value in getting a group of citizens together to pick up the trash. Although the most ideal thing would be for the municipality of Tripoli to do something, as it is difficult to drive there for pedestrians and only a few vehicles do not arrive to collect the garbage, and moreover I can understand that this is not the only point on the mountain that the residents they act this way…

While we were caught in the midday rain, a few minutes before we entered the village the sun was testing our endurance and we stopped in the shade provided by the trees, had a drink and talked. When we reached the square we went straight to the fountain for cool water, and sat in the shade created by two over-aged plane trees.

All this happened last Thursday, before the three days of the Holy Spirit, during which I had another unique experience… But you will read about that in the next article, very soon!

Until then, hugs to everyone!

Exhibition of young creators

Angelina Helioti 27 May 2023 No Comments

In mid-May I participated in an exhibition for young creators with the School of Silversmithing. The NGFL exhibition was held in Zappeion, in the center of Athens. There we had the opportunity to watch catwalks with creations of young designers and graduates from IEK fashion design, paintings, jewelry, sunglasses and bags.

The feel of this exhibition was completely different from other trade shows I have participated in. Exhibitors and visitors were lighter and more inclined to buy something or just look at the art on display.

All my fellow students had brought very beautiful and sophisticated jewelry and I admired their work. I participated with some pieces from my collection. I’m currently working on a few more designs and in mid-June I’ll be showing you more completed jewelry.

It may be a luxury to wear designer clothes or jewelry, or to have a designer piece of art in our home, but ultimately every design since it has a specific creator has something of its inner world. Each piece has its own story and ultimately this is what we carry when we wear such already “luxury”, its story as well as ours. The jewelry and clothes we choose, from the fabric, the metals, the methods and conditions in which they are created, the colors, the styles, etc., all those things that frame our choices, complement our personality and are a way of expression and placement in society.

This particular visit to Athens was perhaps the first I have enjoyed in the last two years. I saw it more as a pleasant excursion than a necessary business-related trip. The only bummer is that I caught a cold and am now closing in on the second week of a bad cold (hence the delay here on the blog). I see this cold as a message from my body that it needs to rest and I know that it will soon pass and I will be back to all my activities with more energy.

Until the next article, I hope you have a great time!

Opening to spring

Angelina Helioti 10 May 2023 No Comments

One of the most beautiful things I can do in nature after the cold winter is to lie on the ground when it is full of flowers, while the sun warms my face. This past weekend, the weather was wonderful and I had the opportunity to enjoy the spring wonder all around me both in Mainalos and Parnonas, as I took a short trip there.

Another thing I enjoy is collecting various things from the forest. In the last few days I have devoted several hours to learning mushroom picking from Panos. Now is the season of morchella, an unusual mushroom, which has a great flavor and is rich in PRO-vitamin D. We picked quite a few, mostly of the morchella elata species. It’s incredible how many useful things nature offers here, next to my house!

They have now bloomed beautiful flowers in various colors and I would love to have a vase or more around the house, but something is stopping me from cutting them. The thought of them dying once cut makes me keep putting it off until the next time I’m in the woods…

The birds are singing, each one its own song. When I meet them with my eyes I get great joy. In Parnonas, as we were walking on the path outside of Vamvakou, a tree nut stood on a branch in front of us. Of course I didn’t get to take a picture of him, he was gone as quickly as he appeared. But I don’t mind because sometimes when I’m in nature I don’t want to take pictures at all. In those moments I am completely calm and prefer not to do anything.

The hours on the mountain pass very strangely. When I sit for a long time in the forest and allow nature to “speak” to me in the only language it knows, silence, then I feel that time is distorted. It’s very strange, it doesn’t just feel like time is slowing down, it’s more like it’s stopping, or even more specifically, I’m completely forgetting that time even exists. I don’t care what time it is and where I have to go next. Only when it inevitably gets dark do I realize that something is changing. When I’m in the forest, everything melts… I melt and my boundaries begin to fade. I don’t know where I end and the forest begins. It’s a really unique feeling, and it might sound a little crazy, but those of you who spend a lot of quality time in nature, I’m sure you understand.

Until the next article, I hope you have a great time!

See you soon.

Hugs!

A new activity

Angelina Helioti 5 May 2023 No Comments

Good morning and happy May!

The last few days in Stemnitsa has been very strange and bad weather. The temperature varies between 7 and 10°C, it is windy, it rains and heavy fogs surround the village from morning to evening. Nevertheless, in the last few days I try harder than any other time of the year to follow a schedule of waking up at five in the morning, a few yoga exercises and other specific activities every day of the week. One of the activities is horse riding training, with the aim of taking on lessons for children in the near future.

My teacher and his wife, Vassilis and Titika, are very good to me and I have slowly started to get familiar with horses and especially with riding them. Now I only train with Nara, but at some point I will train with the rest of the horses so they can get used to them and train them too. Nara is an excellent horse with a very good character. Many times I notice her on other people who come for lessons or even on me that she looks out for the riders. That is, she understands if they are not experienced and watches her steps. She is very sweet and calm in our cooperation.

As for the benefits of horse riding I have spoken again in another article of mine. It is a very good sport that exercises all muscle groups and helps to improve body posture, while at the same time improving mental health, through the relationship that develops with the horse. If you find yourself in Stemnitsa, don’t hesitate to ask about the horse stable located here.

At the same time, I deal with many other things related to the school of silversmithing. But I will tell you about them in the next article.

Until then I hope the weather has improved and I can enjoy the flowers that have bloomed in the meadows.

Have a nice weekend!

Colors, awe and memories

Angelina Helioti 2 May 2023 No Comments

Good evening my dear readers! Easter was spent with him all those moments of joy with family and friends. For the last week I am in my hometown, Laconia, at my parents’ house. This year’s Easter was somewhat different. I was not able to see all my family members, but still I tasted at least a little of the warmth of the house and relaxation around the festive table, I met friends I had not seen for a long time and rested. It’s a fact that I haven’t taken many pictures with the camera, lately I have to admit that I’m not as inspired as I used to be. But one thing I can’t resist is the light at dusk here.

From the balcony of the house, through a few tree branches and some PPC cables, I can see far away the peak of Taygetus and a large part of its mountain range. It’s one of the reasons I love summer mornings and evenings here on this balcony. Those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time may have an idea how much the mountain means to me. I don’t know why, but it has always caused me awe and especially since last September, when I managed to climb to its top and witness the mysterious phenomenon of the pyramid. For those of you interested in learning more, I have written two articles about my climb there and you can read them HERE and HERE.

When I arrived in Vlachioti a week ago the snow on the top was noticeably more, but in just a few days enough of it has melted, due to the very good weather. This very view reminds me of the one when I was below the peak, near the shelter. Wow, I shudder just at the memory! The photo below was taken that September evening, a few hours before I summited. It was a beautiful afternoon with a bright blue and pink in the atmosphere. As I beheld this view of Taygetus, I felt within me a great sense of strength and joy!

After going out with the telephoto lens to capture the view from the balcony, there was no way I was going to stay on it alone. With the photo it’s up to me to start! If I get the camera in my hands, then I get lost in it for hours, or at least until it stops having interesting lighting conditions. And telephoto portraits are one of my favorite subjects! The easiest victims of my target were the neighborhood birds of course…

The bird in the pictures below was carefree as he was standing away from me on the power lines, but I don’t know what happened and he suddenly turned and looked at me, right into the lens!

Tomorrow I will return to beautiful Mainalos and my daily life there. As spring approaches I have a craving to create again and I think my inspiration is coming back again! She also makes her circle along with the seasons…

I will be there very soon.

Hugs to everyone!

Exploration and jewelry photography

Angelina Helioti 9 April 2023 No Comments

In Mainalo mountain there are really many dirt roads to explore and many corners to discover. So on Friday when there was some sunshine after a streak of bad weather, I decided to go for a walk in the woods with a fellow student, Ilias, who also likes photography. I drove up to half of the way and then he took the steering wheel, so I can keep my mind on various points, on the side of the road, that were worth stopping.

At the first stop we walked down a dirt road, which I had had my eye on for months, but in the end it wasn’t long and didn’t lead anywhere, except through the fir trees… I was completely camouflaged as my clothes were the same colors as the landscape. Even if it didn’t lead anywhere, as the path was short, I still learned something about the point I had been thinking about for a long time. This is also a conquest.

Then we passed Rapouni and turned towards Elati. It’s a magical place. Whatever I say is little. Beautiful fir trees, clearings and small meadows stretch by the side of the road, the chirping of birds gently enters through the open window… At some point a stream began to stretch to our right. I knew we would stop there as the spot had caught my interest from previous times I had driven past.

We sat on the banks of the stream for a few minutes and listened to the surroundings. Then the photoshoot began! I had taken my new jewelry with me just in case. And, although the lighting was not ideal, finally satisfactory conditions were found for photographing jewelry, which turned out to be tiring, but I was glad of it. I didn’t expect to like it so much! In a few photos I had my hands in the water and combined with the stillness, after a while I froze so much that it hit my head a bit… But I was so glad I finally did it. I don’t have all the clicks I need, but there’s at least something.

Here is a small sample of the jewelry photos, to give you a taste. Everything will be uploaded in the next few days on my Instagram profile: angelinaheliotijewelry. You can find me there in case you wish to place an order.

I hope you are all well inside and outside. Until the next article, have a great time.

Sending you hugs!