TisF Finds The Meaning Of Nature At Eumelia.

We caught up with President and Managing Director of Eumelia ("melody" in ancient Greek), Frangiskos Karelas.  After many years of studies and traveling around the world, Frangiskos returned to his favorite place in the world the place he was born, Greece. Wishing to share this love and enthusiasm about this very special place and the important role it can play in an interdependent world, he searched to find a way to communicate with others and to bring people closer to the essence of what is Greece. This essence is the beautiful and diverse nature, the historic importance and dialogue with other cultures throughout time, the imbedded freedom of spirit in the Greek people as well as the optimism for the future that is derived from the long historic experience.  With this aim he created Homeodynamic Development. S.A. (in ancient Greek it means the power of potential), a company with the intent to create sustainable development projects that would place nature and human relationships at the center stage.

Frangiskos says "Eumelia is a sustainable development organic agrotourism/agri-tourism farm created by Homeodynamic Development S.A. in Greece at the prefecture of Laconia near the village of Gouves. Our organic farm is designed on the principles of Homeodynamic/Biodynamic agriculture. Our hotel facilities are created using eco-friendly material and technology such as recycling, compost, geothermic heating/cooling and water recycling. Our activities include participation in agricultural activities and seminars."

The apartment hotel is located at the heart of the organic farm surrounded by perennial olive trees, fields of herbs, fruit and vegetable gardens. The farm is located about 2 km from the village of Gouves in a traditional farming area surrounded by the mountains Taygetos and Parnonas, and about 13 kilometers from the beautiful Lakonikos Gulf a scenic stretch of waterfront. They have designed the hotel with environmental friendly building material, ecological technology and take great care to recycle. The hotel is a wonderful and serene retreat with many interesting activities for the visitors. There are many great walks around the farm area in the middle of a vibrant nature, mountain bikes with different trails. You can participate in the farm activities, picking olives, grapes, herbs, fruits and vegetables or you can relax and enjoy the Eumelia hospitality.

Feeling the need to approach their relationship with nature with respect and a new ethos, not simply wanting to receive from her but to provide an atmosphere where they give back or at least create the ground where nature can replenish and heal herself, they began to create an organic farm. They proceeded with this in mind during the design period, they wanted to create a dialogue between the plants themselves as well as the humans working there and visiting. Frangiskos' wish was to cultivate a farm and create products in a way that it was both beneficial to our human needs as well as the needs of the soil and the plants.

Having knowledge of the medical approach of homeopathy, Frangiskos felt it was necessary to create a farm that was a complex organism just as the human body is and to view the needs of the farm from a holistic point of view. They planted almond trees along with olives trees in order to create a communication that was beneficial to both of them, and they strengthened this dialogue by introducing pine and cypress trees as well as grape vines. Each type brings a positive element that alleviates the stress on a monoculture by introducing organisms beneficial to each other as well as minimizing the risk on a single type from an attack. The herb fields were also designed in a similar way by including plant walls with mixed herbs that brought positive forces as well as introduced the necessary pluralism. Frangiskos says, " In order to support our plants and trees we use homeopathic products created for the use in homeodynamic agriculture a method based on the principals of biodynamic agriculture."

What is your idea of Fabulous?
FK: Fabulous is when harmony is reached, whether it is in people, when their amazing interior world meets their exterior beauty and harmony appears. Whether it is in architecture, where something that is designed to be christic (useful) and has an exterior that elevates its surroundings then we have harmony. Nature on the other hand is able to reach harmony when left alone without human intervention with an ease that cannot be matched.

Who is the most Fabulous person you know?
FK: I do have to say that it is my mother. The miraculous nature of the female presence, which gives birth and continuance to human nature is an amazing concept. I must split my decision by adding my grand father, his daily philanthropic nature inspires me everyday.

Which Fabulous word do you use most?
FK: More and more I refer to nature

What is your greatest (most Fabulous) extravagance?
FK: I think that it is my instinct, which leads me to do things in a way that I will not regret not having done them in a way that is natural and agreeable to myself

Where would you like or prefer to live your Fabulous life?
FK: Without a second thought, Greece. What attracts me, is the beautiful and diverse nature, the historic importance and dialogue with other cultures throughout time, the imbedded freedom of spirit in the Greek people as well as the optimism for the future that is derived from the long historic experience

What do you consider your greatest (most Fabulous) achievement?
FK: My education and interest in everything that surrounds me, especially different cultures.

What is your (Fabulous) motto?
FK: Do what feels natural to yourself and helps you develop your human nature and spirituality.

Eumelia is a Fabulous place and a must see if you love nature!

For more information about Eumelia please visit: www.eumelia.com

Photography courtesy of Eumelia.

Tags: Greece, Agrotourism, Organic Farm