TERRA: Celebration of Coexistence – Common Ground

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the event TERRA: Celebration of Coexistence – Common Ground took place, an initiative by Cultterra in collaboration with the Children Support Centre of Elefsina, Filiki Folia, held in the courtyard of the Centre. The event was created with great love, and the sharing that took place was truly genuine. The space filled with approximately 300 people from diverse cultural backgrounds, each individual contributing their unique presence.

A communal kitchen was set up where attendees had the opportunity to actively participate in the food preparation. Stalls featuring Albanian and Pakistani cuisine offered characteristic dishes from both countries, while the Panepirotic Association of Elefsina was also present as a local cultural representative. An open bar served refreshing drinks, perfect for the hot day, and offered watermelon to all. Children were creatively engaged in the playground with activities such as painting, crafts, and kite-making, coordinated by Stavroula Zarkadaki and Nikos Hana. Important information stalls were also present from the Palestinian Community of Greece and the Day Center of Western Attica (P.E.P.S.A.E.E.).

The event began with a greeting from Cultterra:
"We are children of the same earth — and that means our culture has no borders, it has depth and shared roots. Let TERRA become a starting point for building bridges, not walls. For encounters, not divisions. For friendship, not fear."

Following this, the Palestinian Community of Greece took the floor, emphasizing the importance of immediate support for the Palestinian people in the face of the ongoing genocide.

The artistic program began with a dance performance by the children of the Children Support Centre of Elefsina, Filiki Folia, who presented a Bollywood choreography under the guidance of educator Marikaiti Kapoua. Next came the presentation "The Albanian Language and Albanian Culture", which included poetry and songs, and the children showcased a banner reading "Stop the war, we want peace." The presentation featured students learning the Albanian language and culture at the Cultural Center in Renti, the 4th Public School of Aspropyrgos, and the 133rd Public School of Athens, guided by teacher Lefteri Metkaj, in collaboration with parents and the wider school community.

The Panepirotic Association of Elefsina then performed traditional dances, warmly inviting the audience to join the dance circle. The Pakistani Community of Elefsina, together with the Pakistani Community of Greece, concluded the artistic program by holding the Palestinian flag and expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people through Palestinian songs.

The event came to a festive close, with a music playlist that included Greek, Albanian, and Pakistani songs. All those present danced together, truly embodying the spirit of coexistence.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the representatives of each community, as well as to everyone who contributed and made the time to be there and support the event. All were volunteers, young and old alike.

We overcame the fear of being heard, of making noise, of showing that we exist here in the Thriasio Plain! We are not just laboring hands — we are a visible multicultural fabric that belongs to and shapes this place.