Congress of the European project “Ecotourism & Mushrooms” in Larissa

Within the European Programme for Lifelong Learning Leonardo Da Vinci (Lifelong Learning Programme-Leonardo da vinci-transfer of innovation) entitled: MYCOT.I.CO.N (MYCOTa Intereuropean Cooperation Network) – The recognition and sustainable exploitation of wild edible mushrooms in rural areas a Conference was held at the TEI of Larissa on 28 and 29 November 2013. The Neapolis University in Cyprus was represented by Dr. Julia Georgi, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director of European and Research Programs. An education visit to the laboratories of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition took place under supervision of Professor Alexander TEI Thessaly Papahatzis, Coordinator of the Program LIFE + 09 / GR / ENV / 000296 Adapt2Change. A scientific workshop on Recognition and Sustainable Exploitation of wild edible mushroom in rural areas and Ecotourism followed. Greetings where send by President of TEI Thessaly, Prof. P. Goulas and the Director of the School of Agricultural Technology, Food Technology and Nutrition Forum.

The Director of the School of Economics and Management of TEI Thessaly, Prof. P. Fitsilis spoke extensively on the progress of the program and its results. Dr. J. Georgi mentionted the Ecotourism and rural tourism, focusing in Myko-tourismo and the role it can play in the development of the economies of mountain and rural areas in Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. She made a specific reference to the effort made for the Myko-tourismo in Cyprus, which is supported by the Institute Mykitologiko in Cyprus, noting the relevant activities of Neapolis University in Cyprus. The Assoc. Professor C. Zervakis of the Agricultural University of Athens, referred to the on-going work of the AUA in both manuals issued through scientific and utilitarian content, in Greek, Italian, Bulgarian and English. Prof. G.Venturella, University of Palermo emphasized, inter alia, the legal framework concerning the collection and marketing of wild mushrooms in Italy. Dr. C. Denchev, Institute of Biodiversity Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, noted the actions that took place in Bulgaria. Mr. S.. Papaefthimiou by KEK Aegean presented the educational material MYCOTICON, result of collective effort. Dr. The. War, from the Agricultural University of Athens, referred to the Collection and Identification of Native edible mushroom. Mr. K. Kokkinos from Thessaly TEI spoke about the implemented application on mobile phones, which allows user-mushroom-collectors, to have access to direct information on the type of mushroom which he has in front of him. Dr. B. Gerogiannis, Assoc. Professor, TEI of Thessaly, explained the importance of e-learning & e-self assessment in MYCOTYCON. And finally, Mr. S. Michos, Chairman of the Group of friends of the forest and mykitochloridas Thessaly, highlighted the important role they play within the MYCOTYCON.

During the conference mushrooms where offered for lunch. For the menu worked Chef Mr. Eleftherios Koutsimanis, former lab assistant at the TEI of Thessaly and cooking teacher of the 2nd IEK Larissa who referred to the characteristics of the offered dishes.