Experiential, open to ideas, races and languages, full of rhythm, sounds and sea adventures, a "dip" in the joy of music, this is the Artventure Camp of Petrou Kourtis, which brings people together and this year is organized from 25-31 August with departure from Lefkada and destination the Ionian islands.
An original program of alternative tourism for the 6th consecutive year, a seven-day sailing trip, an alternative artistic Odyssey, with lessons and activities that take place on boats, on beaches, schoolyards and picturesque villages. Instructors from Greece and abroad lead the participants to discover themselves through artistic, educational and environmental activities, to make music with natural materials and with their own body.
Petros Kourtis, one of the best percussion musicians in our country, who in 2004 had impressed the world with his participation in the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games spoke to newsbeast.gr about the Artventure Camp that won the Gold Award in Greek Tourism Awards 2019.
- What was the source of inspiration for Artventure Camp?
7 years ago and through my experience with outdoor activities, I started thinking about the beneficial properties of education in natural environment, mountain and sea, gorges, waterfalls, old monasteries and general places that had natural beauty and special energy. Lefkada is the place where I was born, the Ionian and my relationship with nature, the mountain, the sea and sailing, was the flame and then the canvas to start drawing, writing and extinguishing, since I do not there was a precedent.
- What exactly happens during the days of the event?
The days at Artventure Camp are spent with a lot of sea, a lot of music, four scheduled classes - masterclasses - workshops per day (2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon), enough free time for relaxation and rest, visits to different Ionian islands, artistic activities, Jam sessions. The title itself identifies the profile of the participants. Artists and non-artists can take part. Artistic people who respect nature, love the sea, art and adventure. People who know how to share, inspire and be inspired, people who want and know how to create human relationships. Also, anyone who wants to experience a unique experience, next to special trainers-artists and in an environment such as the islands and the waters of the Ionian that will definitely help to bring to the surface the most positive side of their character. The event deals with, teaches and shares knowledge and feelings about human contact, music, inner rhythm, voice and body, the mood to overcome ourselves, to share and of course to enjoy unique vacations, at sea in the sun and the Ionian Islands.
- With what "supplies" should one get on the sailing boats of the event?
First of all to be healthy, to know how to swim, to love the sea and not to be afraid of it, to love people and to enjoy sharing things with them. Want to learn and be willing to help with simple things on the boat. Have confidence in the organization, the Camp skippers and the production assistants on each boat. A good supply is also the sunscreen, the hat, the sunglasses and of course a camera that even if it is underwater, even better…!
- How easy is it for someone to open up and become one with others? How does art help with this?
Very good question. Art and nature work redemptively and essentially in the part of both direct communication and the positive attitude of people in the face of the unknown, the foreign, the new. I have to admit that in a magical way all the participants, all these years, show each other their sympathy and willingness to share things together, from the very first moment, before they even get on the boats. The amazing thing about the sea and the symbiosis of sailing is that they bring you very close to a very basic truth that we humans consciously or unconsciously forget. Who is she; The need to smile out of joy and not out of a joke. This is what art does, it becomes a cause of joy, union, sympathy, coexistence of good and positive intercourse. Together with the amazing nature of the Ionian, the sun and the sea we have a perfect combination, a special one and believe me with a very intense experiential experience which is based purely on emotionality. Perhaps all of the above is the reason why many participants return to the Camp and make sure to communicate it to those around them.
- What would you like the participants to gain?
Love and respect for nature, art in all its forms, the sea, Greece. Music, dance, poetry, light, colors, body and spirit to become the means of a better and more quality life for each of us.
- You are one of the most important percussionists, have you included this element in Artventure?
I could not not include in my own event my heartbeat. I make it visible in a different way than someone who knows my career as a musician and teacher might expect. The inner rhythm and its importance to harmonize with the rhythms of life and of our fellow human beings is something that I work on and I actually teach in my own presentations-lessons. The ways in which sounds from objects, the environment and the human body function as musical instruments to express emotions is something that travels with Artventure Camp, with me of course navigating, every year. It is something that teaches and develops me, through the reactions, views and directions that the participants themselves reveal to me.
- Do people from abroad also come to travel with you?
Especially in the first years we had more participations from abroad. In the last three years the percentage of Greeks has increased and this acceptance makes me very happy. Germany, Finland, France, England, Israel but also Singapore, India, Russia, Turkey, are some of the countries where remarkable artists traveled to take part in the Artventure Camps of the last 5 years.
- Do you remember a special incident from all the years of operation of Artventure Camp?
There are many moments and incidents. But what is repeated every year and always shocks me, are the hugs of people and their smiles on the day of farewell. It is also the moments when I walk away and see all these different people working together and collaborating as if they are connected by an eternal friendship and a common path.
- This year you received an important distinction (Gold Award at the Greek Tourism Awards 2019). What does this distinction mean to you? Does it fill you with greater responsibilities?
I definitely feel proud and even more confident that I am on the right path that has a lot of evolution and development. It means that I can dream for the next day, for invitations to important trainers from all over the world for the coming years, more confidence from our sponsors and perspective for new sponsors since the structure of the action presupposes quite a high production cost and the goal our participation cost is to remain low. The responsibility is one and it is huge. Pure and honest relationship with art and people. All other responsibilities related to the organization, the safety of the people and the highest possible level of benefits, are things that concern us every year and every year we make sure to upgrade.
- Are there any other ideas for new alternative tourism projects?
Many thoughts and ideas, with the first and strongest to transfer the Artventure Camp to other seas and other countries as an Artistic Odyssey that travels with the aim of experiential experience and personal development, through art and nature.
- A wish for this summer
Only one… Have good weather on our trip. This is all we need, everything else is taken care of by us, Music and the Ionian.