After the fire, a new beginning for Palia Skala

Help us rebuild Palia Skala after the wildfires of 2021 in Evia, Greece.

This project aims to help a family of five start rebuilding their lives after Palia Skala, their eco-farm, home and workshops, were all completely destroyed at the beginning of August 2021 by the wildfires that burned over 123,500 acres of pine forest in Northern Evia, the second largest island of Greece.

With this in mind, our initial goal is to raise 10.000€ as a first step. With this money and with the help of friends and family, Elena and Silas can start rebuilding the two workshops and generate income to live on and recreate what was lost.

Please, help in supporting this family and keeping the spirit of Palia Skala alive.

THE STORY OF (UPPER) PALIA SKALA

Silas, who had spent his childhood and youth in Athens, came to Evia in 1982 with a group of friends, looking for a different way of life; self sufficient, sustainable and in harmony with nature. They bought a piece of land in a clearing in the pine forest, in the area of "Palia Skala", and there with help of like minded young people, Silas used his skills to build an off the grid house made of stone and wood. In a few years it evolved into an eco-farm with fruit trees, a vegetable garden and animals.

The farm at Palia Skala saw various of its residents come and go over the years, and its visitors were countless, since its doors were always open to Greeks and foreigners alike. Here one could find free accommodation, a space to meet, to communicate, to exchange, to rest, to create, a space of empowerment. Improvised discussions, lectures, meals, celebrations and music events took place all year round, quite often lasting till sunrise.

In 1998 Silas met Elena. Elena originated from northern Greece and she liked to travel, but she was enchanted by what she found here and decided to stay. Adding her own magic and energy she enriched the farm of Palia Skala with new skills and three new residents, Efi, Dimitri and Vassili, her children with Silas, who were born and raised in the forest.

Silas is a thinker, musician and carer of people, animals and plants. He is also a self-taught carpenter and in 1997 he set up a great carpentry workshop in the nearby village of Tsapournia. Elena, in addition to her outstanding skills in organizing the house and all kinds of ceremonies in and around it, was also involved in aromatic soap making and in the production of herbal remedies.

Elena and Silas both combined their parental mission with their professional activities and with the creation of a blissful atmosphere in their home, which was a cultural oasis of readings, discussions, songs, dances, exercises, games, delicacies and all kinds of delights that were generously shared with each visitor.
The couple was also actively engaged in the local community of Vassilika. They participated in the parents' association, in local cooperatives, in every collective initiative and all kinds of efforts to keep the village alive and thriving.
That’s how the family of Silas and Elena settled here, spending their time between their farm at Palia Skala, their workshops in Tsapournia, the village of Vasilika where they met with the local community, and the beautiful Psaropouli beach. A large number of people who came to visit this unique paradise and developed a connection with the local community and the surrounding environment owe it to this very family.

In the summer of 2021 came the fire. It burned the house to the ground with everything in it. The whole farm, the plants, the animals, all turned to ashes. Both the workshops and all their equipment were also completely destroyed. No other family in the region experienced such great loss.

The residents of Vassilika showed great compassion and solidarity with Elena and Silas. They offered them immediate support of all kinds and a temporary place to stay in the village. The next step for Elena, Silas and their children is to slowly start rebuilding their life, their farm and their workshops.

We set a goal of raising 10.000€ as a first step. With this money and help from friends and family they will be able to start building, planting and embarking on the long journey of regenerating all that the fire did not respect.

Let’s all help keep the spirit of Palia Skala alive!