Iniades Οινιάδες / Katochi, Messolonghi, Greece
Our Greek Sister City of Iniades (Οινιάδες, pronounced “Ē-nē-AH-thes”) is one of several small towns within the municipality of Messolonghi, the prefecture capital with approximately 13,000 inhabitants. The Ancient City of Oiniades is rich with history and mythology. It is mentioned in many ancient works, including the play Women of Trachis by Sophocles. Established in 6th century B.C., Ancient Oiniades was an island famous for its wine; the ancient Greek word for wine is oinos (οίνος), hence the name. Eventually, the sea filled with soil, attaching modern-day Iniades to the mainland. Because of those rich soil deposits, the entire area is now known for agriculture. The village of Katochi, nearest to Ancient Oiniades and its famed theatre, hosts a summer theatre festival.
Our Partnership
The Lawrence - Iniades partnership is relatively new. Its full potential is yet to be realized by enthusiastic leaders both here and in Iniades. Several adult delegations have visited each other’s city. The newly-established student exchange began in 2019 when eight Lawrence youth and a chaperone visited Iniades. Their counterparts were scheduled to visit Lawrence in April of 2020, but the Covid-19 Pandemic delayed that trip. Since the ancient site of Oiniades and nearby village of Katochi are part of the municipality of Messolonghi, discussions have begun about broadening the agreement to include the larger municipality. Work on that possibility continues.
Exchanges
Lawrence area teens, grades 8-10, were recruited for the first youth exchange with Iniades in late 2018. Eight participants were chosen and a parent meeting was held in January of 2019. They participated in six orientation sessions with the chaperone, Amy Meyers, Latin teacher at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence. In July they flew to Athens, then traveled by bus to Katochi. They lived 6 days with host families in Iniades, Kathochi, and Messolonghi. Excursions included stays on Corfu and in Athens.
To reciprocate, 8 students and 2 chaperones plan to visit Lawrence for about 10 days with homestays. Their itinerary will include a welcome party, a visit to the city commission, a trip to Kansas City hosted by the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA), visit Greek Orthodox services, a day-on-the-hill (KU) and visit to Allen Field House and the DeBruce Center.
Every two years University of Kansas theatre students travel to Greece through a KU Study Abroad Program led by Prof. Dennis Christilles. They live in an elementary school in Katochi for six weeks. This includes dormitory-style sleeping quarters set up in classrooms, use of the kitchen and dining room for meals prepared by local cooks, shower facilities, and rehearsal space. The program’s culminating production is performed in Greek and English with the aid and participation of Dimitra Pitsikou and students of her language school.
For more information: KU Summer Theatre & Dance in Oiniades https://theatredance.ku.edu/summer-theatre-greece and https://studyabroad.ku.edu/theatre-greece
Internships
Individual interests are the basis for developing internships. Potential themes for internships in Iniades include agriculture, history, architecture, anthropology and archaeology. Other potential areas of involvement could include amazing Greek and Mediterranean cooking, travel to nearby Greek islands in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Leaders in Iniades are ready to assist with making contacts between people of similar interests. To reciprocate, people of Iniades will seek typical American and/or unique Lawrence experiences, in order to know us better. The Friends-of-Iniades and Sister City Lawrence are prepared to reach out to the Lawrence community to make appropriate matches, similar to those fostered by other sister cities.
Delegations
Citizens should use this opportunity to culturally enrich themselves, meet new people, and make new friends. Delegations are created in either Lawrence or Iniades for occasions that will further the Sister City relationship. Interested parties wishing to participate in delegations should join Sister Cities Lawrence, contact the Chair of Friends-of-Iniades or a SCL Governing Board member to declare one’s interest, agree to pay one’s own travel expenses, and participate in orientation meetings.
Resources
History of Friends-of-Iniades
In 1986 a theatre symposium conducted at the 4th century BC Oeniades Ancient Theatre by Professor Emeritus Andrew Tsubaki of the University of Kansas marked the re-opening of the theatre for performances. Performances have continued biannually through the KU Summer Theatre & Dance in Oiniades program, for more than thirty years. Since the plays are conducted partly in English, partly in Greek, and include locals in the chorus, they provide community and tourist entertainment.
During July and August 2008 numerous meetings were held between leadership in Lawrence Sister Cities, Iniades representatives, Lawrence city officials, KU Theater and Film faculty, and students who had participated in KU summer programs. Discussion was centered around a letter of interest from the mayor of Iniades for creating a Sister City connection. Consequently the Friends-of-Iniades group was established in November 2008 in Lawrence. A sister cities agreement was approved and signed October 20, 2009 by Lawrence Mayor Robert Chestnut and Iniades Mayor Adonios Aletras.
View the timeline of the Iniades/Lawrence relationship here >
About Friends-of-Iniades Committee
Contact the Chair of the Friends-of-Iniades Committee, Bob Schumm, (schummfoods@gmail.com), for information about meetings. Volunteer for this committee on your annual SCL membership renewal. Suggest your own area of interest for hosting or initiating an internship in Greece.
