Arts and Crafts Village in Crete Seeks New Residents by Nikoleta Kalmouki – The arts and crafts village of Verekinthos in Crete, Greece, is in search of new residents. Craftsmen and artists are invited to settle permanently in the village or rent the laboratories that are currently empty.
The village is located in the Industrial Park between Souda and Tsikalaria, at the eastern gate of Chania. It has 35 laboratories of which 20 currently operate for ceramics, sculpture, glass making, hagiography, painting, masks, mosaic, leather, decorative objects and traditional Cretan knifes. Of the remaining laboratories, about 10 are empty while others have been converted into houses.
All laboratories, from 40 to 100 square meters, can also be used as residencies since they have a loft and are equipped with toilet, kitchen and fireplace. The rent for the small laboratories is at 200 euros while for the bigger ones is at 300 euros.
So far, more than 150 people from all over Greece have expressed interest. According to decorator Eleni Mavrogenis who lives in Verekinthos, the majority of those interested are young people, single or couples, but also families affected by unemployment.
She notes that many people choose the village as they want to escape from the big cities and find better living conditions. Others, largely hit by the Greek crisis and unemployment, see the village as a solution to their problems.
