19/10/2007
KIMMERIA VILLAGE

POSTSCRIPTUM © FOUNDATION OF THRACIAN ART & TRADITION

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The village of Kimmeria in the Municipality of Xanthi is of particular interest for its history, culture and natural beauty. With the sole exception of one recently published book (by A.Z. Domtzides and N.T. Kokkas) the region has not been showcased promoted and studied to the extent it deserves. The ancient fortress of Kimmeria, the foundations of the Byzantine church of Ayia Marina, and the foundations of the church near Pigadia in the region of Neapolis are evidence of the rich past of Kimmeria, despite the fact these monuments have been damaged by illegal excavations. The village?s population mix, with the peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims and the presence of Rom, provides an interesting multicultural environment with a popular culture covering a wide range of customs and activities. Pomak songs have recently been recorded and released on a CD of traditional demotic songs, a small section of which was recorded in 1961 by S. Imellos during a folklore survey by the Hellenic Folklore Research Centre of the Academy of Athens. These provide a small musical sample, which in combination with local stories, customs and place names, are elements of the cultural heritage of Thrace.