Evros is a region with constant developments, but how much do we really know about the lives of its residents beyond what the news broadcasts convey? iMEdD organized an open discussion inspired by the podcast Evros Behind the Fence, bringing to the forefront the stories of the people who live there.
The event took place on Sunday, February 16, at the Dionysos Theater in Orestiada, a symbolic venue for the wider region. The main goal was to return to the area after the journalistic research to witness firsthand how the situation is evolving and to encourage a meaningful dialogue within the local community. Local stakeholders, members of associations, and residents of northern Evros participated in the event, sharing their experiences, concerns, and thoughts about the region.
Panagiotis Menegos, Journalist and Content & Production Manager Podcasts at iMEdD, and Apostolos Staikos, journalist and creator of the podcast, moderated the discussion. They were joined on stage by Chrysa Demiskidou and Fotini Venetidou, residents of the area and speakers on the podcast.
The discussion covered issues such as population decline and the depopulation of villages, with inputs from the mayor of Didymoteicho, Romylos Chatzigiannoglou, and residents from the villages of Trigono, emphasizing local initiatives aimed at reversing this trend. The economic prospects of the region were also discussed, from industry to agriculture, with contributions from local government representatives and professionals. Furthermore, participants exchanged views on the fence along the Evros River and its social implications, exploring its role in shaping the local reality. Margaritis Petritzikis, head of the UNHCR Evros office, emphasized that the Evros River existed long before the artificial barrier.
The event also aimed to examine the role of journalism, both locally and nationally, in capturing the challenges of the region. The need for continuous journalistic coverage, the spotlight on new issues, and collaboration with communities for more substantive reporting was highlighted. This was also emphasized by Dora Skartsi, a forester and head of the Environmental Protection Society of Thrace, who spoke about the environmental destruction in Dadia.
You can listen to the podcast Evros Behind the Fence at podcast.imedd.org.
