Preserving the Folk Culture of Xylokastro: The Folklore Museum

Throughout history, every people has developed its own culture and popular tradition, which gives them a unique identity. Preserving popular culture is essential for the historical continuity of a community. In 2011, the Folklore Museum of Xylokastro was established to save some elements of the ancestral wealth that are fading away. This initiative was led by Mr. Thanasis Nulas, who worked as the Headmaster of a local elementary school and recognised the need to house objects used in various aspects of people's daily lives.

Discovering the Treasures of the Museum

The Folklore Museum of Xylokastro is located on the coastal road of Kamari, just after the church of Agios Dimitrios, on the road to Derveni. Its collection includes traditional costumes, everyday utensils, professional tools, traditional decorative textiles, embroidery, and many more objects that tell the story of the local inhabitants' lives. Visitors can see woven textiles, old bedding, looms, school objects, cooking utensils, period photographs, and much more.

Bringing Traditional Greek Family Life in today’s era

Domestic and family scenes are brought back to life with grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, and children around the sofa or huddled around the fireplace on those difficult winter nights. The museum's showcases display both men's and women's traditional costumes.

The Future of the Museum

The museum's continuous enrichment with objects collected by locals is a priority, and the biggest goal is to move it to the house of Prime Minister Tsaldaris (find info below), located in Kamari. The rich exhibition material provides future scholars and researchers with valuable information about the life of the local inhabitants, the relationship between costume and tradition, the adventures of the place, and foreign influences. Visitors can admire the household utensils, as well as many objects of agricultural and pastoral life, such as plowshares, yokes, dowels, wattles, bells and cymbals of various sizes, sheepskins, saddles with balustrades, trays with all-round bells, weavings, and much more.

Xylokastro's Folklore Museum: A Treasure Trove of Greek Culture

The Greek region is still alive with all the elements of its popular face, from its traditions, proverbs, songs, myths, legends, and stories to its embroideries, weavings, woodcarvings, and ceramics. The Folklore Museum of Kamari represents a valuable initiative to keep this culture alive and to educate future generations about their heritage.