FLOATING THE IDEA OF A POP-UP FESTIVAL ON PAROS (or anywhere else)

Last autumn, a conversation with my good friend Matt Coldrick culminated in our agreeing  "Wouldn't it be good if Paros had a Winter Festival?" 

This got us talking and sparks ignited. So we decided to float this idea out into the ether and see where it went and who picks up on it...

In December 2023 we said "Our idea is that we would invite people to open their homes over a period of eleven days as winter comes in. Each offering would be entirely community based and also reflect an increasing awareness of and interest in subject matter such as health, wellbeing, local heritage, music or conversation. Each gathering would bring together friends old and new around quality home-cooked food and some key interests that may also be likely to attract visitors to the island out of season, whilst also appealing to islanders who might be bored with what's on offer in terms of winter entertainment options."

As each participating person confirms their interest and their date/s, we combine the events into a calendar which becomes a unique and original winter festival, staged in peoples' home (or nearby venues)

This year we are thinking of inviting Paros folks to do their own event as part of a ‘prototype’ later in November, with a Beacon lighting ceremony on Friday 15th (full moon) as the spark to initiate further emergent possibilities across the island.

Here's the gen:

We all invite people to do at-home style ‘pop up’ events in their home or village / town. These might be talks or how-to sessions, making, arts and crafts, music performance, wellbeing or exercise sessions, fireside meditations, peace vigils, guided walks, writing sessions, visits to places of architectural or historical interest, film nights, fireside meditations, workshops, cookery sessions, gardening and permaculture, quiz nights or anything that takes your fancy.

Think of it as inviting friends round, even if they are friends you may not have met yet...

If you’d like to offer something, please email me pete.lawrence@campfireconvention.com and will will add it to the calendar. If we get enough response the first (prototype) Home Cooking Paros Winter Festival will be born this year...

Όσο ζεις, λάμψε ! Με χάρη (“While you live, shine!”)

φιλοξενία  (phílos, "friend" and xenos, "a stranger") – properly, warmth (friendliness) shown to strangers; (figuratively) the readiness to share hospitality (generosity) by entertaining in one's home, etc.

Keep it Lit!

Pete Lawrence, September 2024

CHECK OUT OUR 2023 GALLERY

LIGHTING THE PAROS BEACON FOR WORLD HARMONY NOVEMBER 2023

Friday November 24th 2023 19:00

Last week,  a random group of people ended up around my dinner table and we agreed that we would like to invite a small group of like-hearted friends to symbolically light the first Paros Beacon at 19:00 on Friday November 24th. 

The Paros Beacon was then be lit as:

1) A iconic symbol for connection and a proactive gesture towards world harmony.

2) A synchronistic vibration-raiser amongst friends around the world on the same timeline.

3) An opening salvo to inspire a new type of pop-up festival on Paros island.

The Paros Beacon was lit in a shamanic fire ceremony by Jessica Mallock, an Artist, Shamanic Practitioner, TRE (tension & trauma release exercise) Provider, Mentor, Creative Guide and Grandmother.

“We gathered together to make a fire as a community. Calling in sacred space, the ceremony is a movement meditation and a simple and beautiful way to let go of anything that is getting in the way of you stepping into your life. As we stood in circle we also made an offering to pacha mamma, mother earth who’s belly we live on, the fire then became The Children’s Fire. This is where we dream a new world into being around world harmony, one not informed by the past but informed by who we are becoming. So we leave something more life enriching and beautiful for the future generations.”

We invite you to send invitations to friends you know around the world at solstice and equinox to join us by lighting a small fire or a candle at the same time. 

THE BEACONS IDEA

It’s high time we reclaimed the idea of Beacons. Instead of using them merely for the celebration of royal occasions, anniversaries or such other star-spangled ceremonials, let’s re-ignite them as signals for significant connection and celebration, of the universal desire for more harmony and peace in the world. The Beacons will bring light to this sense of connection and universal commonality between us all, whatever the beliefs, borders or prejudices.

May the Beacon lighting around the world be a spark for global connection.

Most of all, it's a prayer for World Harmony. Here is Lucy Hill singing her prayer

Paros resident Boho says :

"On the enchanting island of Paros, we came together to host a truly special event—an intimate gathering of souls for the inaugural "Light a Beacon" Together for Peace and World Harmony. This unique assembly featured its first-ever shamanic fire ceremony. Our collective intention was to bring forth a new world—a realm where people step out of their homes and into a space of unity, prayer, and vision for a better tomorrow.

The night was rich with magical conversations, open hearts joining together in the enchantment. This experience marked the first of its kind on Paros, with many more magical gatherings to follow. Follow the magic within.”

2023 Events

November 17 Ambient Musical Journey with Pete Lawrence

November 24 Lighting the Paros Beacon

December 1 Total Immersion Music Night: Matt Coldrick Chakra meditation and Music Selector evening

See you around the fire,

Pete Lawrence, Campfire Convention Firestarter 

SEPTEMBER 18-23 IRAKLIA GREECE 

After last year's Paros Gathering and this summer's UK Campout, we happy to announce that we are heading back to the Cyclades for a Five-Day vacation retreat on the wonderful island of Iraklia. This September, we are inviting you to join us to explore Cycladic serenity, island heritage, local food and drink,music, art, conversation, swimming, wellbeing, connection and transformation.

BOOK TICKETS NOW

Iraklia is stark and beautiful, the most westerly island of the Small Cyclades, one hour south of Naxos. It’s quiet and traditional, unspoilt and an ideal destination for walkers and meditators alike. 

Leave behind the more hectic urban environment and bustling islands in favour of a relaxing few days enjoying the simplicity of small island life.

There are two settlements on the island, the tiny port of Agios Georgios and Pangaea, 4.5Km apart. Our accommodation is just ten minutes walk from the port and offers pretty much the best Cycladian sunrises you could ever wish for. 

The Five Day Programme will be very emergent include morning well-being activities such as meditation, yoga or Qigong.  We have an option to organise boat excursions (additional fee) to the island’s hidden beaches and coves, walks on traditional paths, imposing mountains, outings to stalactite caves and ancient ruins. We will immerse ourselves in local nature, history, myths and customs as we delight in the wild herbs, encounter goats living free in the mountains and and watch birds of prey circling. We will enjoy sharing stories, conversations and local fresh food and drink, cooking communally or at the local tavernas. 

Last year's Paros Gathering slide show / video will give an indication of the vibe...

Full details and photo gallery on the Campfire Network