08/31/2026
What was Dr. Chris Coggins, Faculty in Geography and Asian Studies, up to this summer?
Dr. Coggins shared about his field research on village sacred forests in northwest Greece:
"I was lucky to spend June 14-19 in the Zagori Municipality in Epirus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pindus Mountains of northwest Greece. My wife, Tanya Kalischer, and I were fortunate to work with Kalliopi Stara, a cultural geographer and ecologist, and her husband Rigas Tsariakis, an ecologist, forester, and ornithologist - the two primary specialists on village sacred forests and ecological transformation in the Zagori Region. I also gave a talk on the sacred forests of Asia in the village of Kato Pedina, Kalliopi's ancestral village for seven generations. This was my first research experience of field research on village sacred groves in a Mediterranean climate and the associated biome - sclerophyllous vegetation dominated by oak, pine, fir, and sycamore. I am making a short film on these sacred groves and will use this and other materials for teaching. I hope to collaborate with Kalliopi and Rigas in the future."
Photo 1. Tanya, Kalliopi, and Chris next to a well in a sacred forest at Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas) - a remote and ancient church.
Photo 2. Kalliopi at Greek Orthodox shrine at the outer boundaries of Papingo Village, an "entrance" zone where one typically finds shrines, shrine trees, and groves.
Photo 3. Tanya beneath a sacred sycamore near the remains of a shrine on the boundary of Elaphotopos ("Place of Deer") Village.
Photo 4. Elaphotopos Village - a classic Zagori village with stone houses, very few tourists, and dwindling populations.
Photo 5. "Crossed tree" - a sign indicating a vow to the local guardian saint that helps protect the area from lightning and other calamities.
