GREECE

STELLA BOUFIKOU

A storm suddenly changed the lives of people in an agriculture village in Greece, destroying crops and replacing them with remnants of devastation.

“Where there was a green, flowery landscape, now there is only mud.” In Falani, Larissa, Greece, Stella Boufikou grapples with the aftermath of Storm Daniel that wreaked havoc on her tight-knit community.

During the initial days, an overpowering smell of oil permeated the air as over 10 tanks from the gas station flooded the river. The emptied tanks spilled their contents into the river, causing a catastrophic surge in water levels. The river from Ampelonas burst its banks, inundating Falani and leaving destruction in its wake.

This agricultural community, relying on the cultivation of cotton, wheat, barley, corn, and clover among others, now stands devastated. The once vibrant landscape, adorned with crops, trees, and beehives, succumbed to the disaster, leaving Stella and her neighbours in shock. The repercussions extend beyond the immediate environmental impact, as the community now grapples with the daunting task of cleaning up the oil spill’s aftermath, collecting glass bottles, and managing the endless influx of garbage.

Object of Memory

Stella’s uncertainty about returning to normalcy echoes the collective sentiment of Falani. The road to recovery seems obscured as the village confronts the challenges of environmental restoration and rebuilding shattered livelihoods.

The resilience of this community is tested as they navigate the uncertain path ahead, hoping for support and a gradual return to the life that once defined Falani.