On 26 and 27 September, the CorfuGen: Centre for Culture, Sustainability and Innovation / GENESTIA initiative took place in Corfu, in Kamara and Alykes Lefkimmi respectively, as part of the European Heritage Days.
Through two distinct actions, Corfu’s cultural, agricultural and natural heritage provided a starting point for discussion, collaboration and an exchange of ideas about the future of the island’s rural areas. From Kamara’s traditional café and centuries-old olive grove to the unique landscape of the Alykes, CorfuGen seeks to connect Corfu’s places and landscapes with the contemporary needs of local communities.
26.09.2026
Kamara Café & Kamara Olive Grove
On Saturday 26 September, Kamara’s central square filled with people who responded to CorfuGen’s open invitation. The traditional Kamara Café was at the heart of the event, with a focus on plans for its renovation and future operation as a space for culture and community gathering.
The plans for the Café were presented, alongside the vision for the future use of the Kamara Olive Grove as part of the CorfuGen / GENESTIA initiative. Mayor of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands, Mr Stefanos Poulimenos, addressed the event and expressed the Municipality’s support for the initiative.
Due to the weather conditions the previous night, the planned walk through the olive grove could not take place. The connection between the Café, the centuries-old olive grove and the wider landscape of Kamara, however, remains a key part of CorfuGen’s work.
Footage from the event, along with a short interview with Mr Laopodis, was broadcast live on ERT3’s “Perimetros” programme.
CulturePolis warmly thanks the Kamara Cultural Association, whose support was instrumental in making the event possible and in connecting the initiative with the local community.
27.09.2026
KEPEA Corfu & Alykes Lefkimmi
On Sunday 27 September, the action moved to the Corfu Centre for Environmental Education and Sustainability (KEPEA Corfu), focusing on the natural landscape and environmental heritage of southern Corfu.
The vision and plans of the CorfuGen / GENESTIA initiative were presented, while the collaboration between CulturePolis and KEPEA Corfu was highlighted, having already been formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Ms Stella Koulouri presented the educational and other activities offered by KEPEA, followed by a productive discussion on how the initiative can actively respond to the needs of the island’s rural areas and local communities.
The action concluded with a short guided tour of the Alykes Lefkimmi led by Ms Koulouri, offering participants the opportunity to experience first-hand a distinctive landscape of natural and environmental heritage.
CulturePolis warmly thanks KEPEA Corfu for its hospitality, collaboration and contribution to the action.
The two actions highlighted different yet interconnected aspects of Corfu’s heritage: the places and traditions of local communities, as well as the natural landscapes that shape life in the island’s rural areas.
Through CorfuGen, CulturePolis seeks to create new opportunities for bringing together culture, natural and agricultural heritage, sustainability and local communities. This marks a first step in Corfu and the first local node of the GENESTIA Euro-Mediterranean Network for Rural Regeneration, with the aim of keeping heritage alive and making it a starting point for new actions, collaborations and opportunities in rural areas.