Objective:
Over the last 20 years, an unprecedented phenomenon of micophilia is recorded in Greece, accompanied by remarkable social, economic, cultural and research activity. The focus of this activity is Grevena, a small town of 13,500 inhabitants at an altitude of 530 meters at the northeastern end of the North Pindos National Park, in Western Macedonia. In recent years Grevena has been considered in the consciousness of the Greeks as synonymous with mushrooms and it is recognized today as the undisputed mushroom capital of the Balkans.
Context:
Grevena and W. Macedonia have a long tradition in wild mushrooms collection. Cooking recipes, conservation techniques, folk names and beliefs about mushrooms are part of local history and folklore. The inhabitants of the region during WWII consumed tons of wild mushrooms picked in the nearby oak woods. The mushrooms were gathered in the square of each village, scalded in large cauldrons and distributed to village families in the form of a ration. The appreciation of mushrooms can be seen from an 1889 letter whiten by a migrant mason who asks his wife to make him a cape, fill the pockets with dried mushrooms and send it to him.
Contacts:
Giorgos Konstantinidis, manitarock@hotmail.gr, http://www.mycohellas.gr/mc/
Kalliopi Stara, kstara@uoi.gr, http://eco.bat.uoi.gr
Euangelia Kotlida, euangelia.kotl@gmail.com, http://www.mycohellas.gr/mc/
Further information:
Konstantinidis G., 2000. Mushrooms. A fairytale microcosm, Development Society of Grevena & Prefectural Administration of Grevena (in Greek).
Konstantinidis G., 2004. Mushrooms. Mushroom Picker's Guide, self-publication (in Greek).
Konstantinidis G., 2006. 1000 Mushrooms of Western Macedonia", MUSHROOM LOVERS OF WESTERN MACEDONIA (in Greek).
Konstantinidis G., 2009. Grevena, the mushrooms town", Municipality of Grevena (Greek-English).
Konstantinidis G., 2014. Mushrooms. Photo guide mushroom collector, 2nd edition, self-publishing (in Greek).
Konstantinidis G., under publication. Mushrooms. Photo guide of the mushroom collector, 2nd volume self-publishing (in Greek).