EUTOPIA ART RESIDENCY
SEPTEMBER 2026
PORETSOU MONASTERY
MOUNT ERYMANTHOS, GREECE
As I make my journey home and move forward with new creative work, I hold with me a stance from Barbora Jamantaite’s poem: “Life Honours Life”. For me, this poem expresses a powerful way of being in a broken world. These words deeply resonate within me and not only carry empathy, understanding and compassion but most of all hope and possibilities for all:
“I don’t ask you where you’re coming from,
I don’t ask you what you believe.
You are breathing, you are thirsty
and everyone deserves to live.
No man owns another’s breathing.
no man owns another’s grief.
The earth was here before our hatred
and it will outlive belief.”
From daily powerful silent walks to observe the sunrise on the mountaintops across an untouched natural landscape to hiking in solitude and moments of meditation within the Monastery Chapel, Eutopia Residency’s “Nature and Perception” Program held at Moni Poretsou was an experience that is difficult to put into words. A truly visceral experience.
There was a deep seeded connection felt with other creatives. Representing nine different countries, each of us bringing our unique and diverse mediums together to inspire, encourage and support one another. I wish them well on their creative journeys as we leave this magical place but know it is: “Until we meet again…”
The dedication of cooks and volunteers, their passion and love was shown in preparing beautiful, healthy meals - you feel the connection between mind and body.
Our curator, Panayiotis Lamprou as a mentor first and foremost fosters communication skills deeply rooted in empathy and understanding. He possesses a true gift in asking the right questions allowing one to not only dive deep into the artistic process but gives one strength to look deeply inward. Panayiotis would provide regular check - ins and feedback about our daily practice and work.
His Assistant, Barbora Jamantaite - her passion for storytelling, music and authenticity was deeply felt by all. Her stories always inspiring, her beautiful smile, infectious.
Spyros, our host, his unparalleled hospitality, kindness and gift in deeply listening to others proves how one should walk the world.
The three of them cultivated a safe, non - judgemental space where the focus was on absolute freedom and discovery. I strongly believe here, is where the most powerful work can be created. Not just creative work but inner work.
The program fostered daily nightly openings or mini exhibitions to highlight our daily practice. There was no pressure to create but this was a fantastic routine to connect with one another and talk about our day, our thoughts and what inspired us to move forward with our creative practice. The ten - day experience culminated in a final exhibition entitled, “Beyond the divine ordinary, how can all this beauty be political?” where we focused on Integration and the mounting of specific pieces created during our daily practice. It was beyond celebratory - powerful connections were made and the creative act itself and inner growth - sacred.
If I could think of four things I am taking with me:
The importance of fostering understanding and respect through a deep seeded connection to our Earth, their inhabitants and all human beings.
The absolute trust in the creative process.
The conscious choice of forgiveness is crucial in order to create space for oneself.
Lastly, Presence. A very simple word. Presence.
I can not even put into words the feelings felt in observing a night sky of stars, slowly turning into morning surrounded by the majestic mountains that provide shelter and an unexplainable sense of safety. The earth wakes. The rooster calls, the dogs will bark to protect their herd and the goats’ bells of a lone Sheppard can be heard in the distance. The sun slowly rises, gratitude is felt and each day is always a new day. Presence.
- Karen Bagayawa -
Eutopia Art Residency
Moni Poretsou
