I was born in 1976 in Naxos, in Kinidaros, a mountain village with many groves, olives, fruit trees, but also with shady plane trees and oaks, because it has a lot of running water.

 

I studied Maritime at the University of Piraeus, traveled within and outside Europe, with a particular interest in open markets and outdoor vegetable stands. I chose to live in Syros, because it has mild tourism, is not deserted in winter and gathers interesting people from many parts of the world.

 

I was professionally involved in the organization and coordination of adult education as well as non-formal education programs for teenagers and young people. In 2020, I turned to organic farming, while the following year, together with Yannis Venetis (until 2024), we started the Viya estate, in Chrousa, Syros. Here with a lot of care, effort and love we focus on the production and direct distribution of agricultural products (without intermediaries) and on creating links between the people and the origin of the vegetables and fruits that are sourced and reach their table through our estate.

 

In addition, as a meeting place for children and environmental groups, the estate is ideally suited for educational synergies on the critical issues of ecology, climate change and sustainability.

 

At the estate I start every morning with a long walk to see the picture of the plants, the fruits, the trees, the moisture in the soil. Then we prioritize, because the to-do list is long, and get to work. Watering, carving, planting, sowing, weeding, fruit picking, pruning, thinning, cleaning, a thousand and two. The more effort and care we put in, the sweeter the fruit and our satisfaction.