{"id":2345,"date":"2026-01-28T09:50:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T08:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ksk.gr\/web26\/?page_id=2345"},"modified":"2026-03-12T21:28:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:28:45","slug":"solidarity-christmas-village","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ksk.gr\/web26\/projects\/solidarity-christmas-village\/","title":{"rendered":"Solidarity Christmas Village"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Solidarity Christmas Village<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A non-commercial celebration built on giving, volunteering, and community spirit, where solidarity replaces consumerism.<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What\u2019s it about?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The „Solidarity Christmas Village,“ held every December in Katerini, is a unique project blending sustainability, community, and inclusion. Since 2014, this event has established a traditional German-style Christmas market in subtropical Katerini, offering visitors food, games, concerts, and other performances \u2014 with an important twist: Visitors can leave their wallet at home! Instead of paying money, adults are encouraged to bring 2kg of groceries, while children donate books. The collected food supports the \u201cSocial Goods Distribution,\u201d aiding those in need, while the books are gifted to local nursery schools. This circular economy model ensures that all donations are put to good use.<\/p>

A significant focus of the event is the participation of elementary schools. Last year, the Christmas Village hosted 6,000 schoolchildren, making it the largest component of the event. This creates an unforgettable experience for young students, allowing them to immerse themselves in a festive and educational yet sustainable environment without any financial burden. The Christmas Village serves as an alternative school excursion, offering both fun and learning opportunities in a socially inclusive atmosphere.<\/p>

The event is designed with sustainability at its core, with decorations and materials made entirely from eco-friendly material such as wood, straw and glass, avoiding one-use plastics.<\/p>

Local as well as cross-border volunteers play a critical role, helping with everything from setting up the market to working in the event and of course, campaigning with Christmas carols. In return, they gain the opportunity to learn, share their own traditions, and engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences. Local businesses also contribute by donating goods, emphasizing the event as a collective effort. The „Solidarity Christmas Village“ promotes social inclusion, ecological awareness, and the spirit of volunteering, making it an exemplary initiative that aligns with the broader goals of the European Solidarity Corps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What are the exact dates of the activity?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This year\u2019s \u201cSolidarity Christmas Village 2026\u201d will last from the\u00a0<\/span>24. November 2026 to the 27. December 2026<\/b>, with 23. November and 28. December being designated as travel days.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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How is it organized \/ What do I do?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The project encompasses a wide range of tasks that are essential not only to the successful organization of the Christmas Village but also to creating a meaningful and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Volunteers play a crucial role in every aspect of the project, from preparation and execution to dismantling and processing of the results.<\/p>

Tasks include campaigning activities (for example singing Christmas carols in the city), as well as the physical set-up and maintenance of the Christmas Village. This might entail spreading hay, decorating the event spaces, and crafting decorations, often out of used materials. During the Christmas Village itself, volunteers take active part in running it, which may involve supervising children, distributing food and beverages in one of the huts, as well as cleaning and repairing tasks.<\/p>

Another important part of the project is the collection, selection and management of resources, such as books, food items or medical material for the Social Pharmacy and Social Goods Distribution, ensuring they are distributed efficiently to those in need.<\/p>

Throughout the village, every day a group of four volunteers will contribute to the maintenance of the team by taking over the role as Stewards. This group assists with cleaning, preparing and setting the meals as well as taking responsibility of the shared spaces and tasks (for example taking out the trash on certain days).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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When and how many hours do I work?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The working schedule of the volunteering team corresponds to three different phases of the Solidarity Christmas Village:<\/p>

Set-up (before the village starts)<\/strong><\/p>