The second episode of the audio documentary “Evros behind the fence”
How did the closure of the Hellenic Sugar Industry bring northern Evros to its knees? What does it mean for a major business to be headquartered at the borders, and how did a small cooperative manage to dominate the Greek garlic market? What are the sharply contrasting views on the military—not just as an institution guarding the region but also as the most popular career path for young people in Evros?
In this second episode, we explore the region’s economy. We also follow the steps of 1,500 dancers who came together in Orestiada.
Interviews-Episode 2
Petros Hasanidis, customs officer (former employee of the Hellenic Sugar Industry)
Christos Papazilakis, CEO of Evrofarma
Panagiota Bonia, employee at Evrofarma
Vasilis Chantiridis, Agricultural Cooperative for Garlic Production, Processing, and Trade
Spyros Stratos, teacher, musician, and founding member of Evritiki Zygia
Florentia Chatzopoulou, member of the Trigoni Association
Stratis Vasileiadis, farmer and President of the Ormenio Community
Christos Tsobanidis, President of the Association of Professionals and Craftsmen of Orestiada and the Region
Christos Kissoudis, President of the Metaxades Community
The Audio Documentary
Journalist Apostolos Staikos and sound engineer Giorgis Sarantinos embarked on a journey through the villages of northern Evros, exploring what life is like behind the fence. They uncovered a region left in the shadows once the media spotlight fades, grappling with demographic collapse, abandonment, unemployment, and lack of opportunities. At the same time, they met the resilient residents of this borderland—stepping into their homes, listening to their songs, tasting their local cuisine, and hearing their perspectives on issues often discussed on their behalf by others. Crossing to the other side, they also visited Edirne, to draw comparisons.
Evros is not just the few days each year when it dominates the headlines—whether due to another migration crisis, heightened tensions in Greek-Turkish relations, or the devastating wildfires of recent summers. Evros is certainly not just the fence, a symbol of an era for the whole of Europe. Get to know the people living behind it…
Evros Behind The Fence is a three-episode audio documentary produced by the nonprofit journalism organization iMEdD. The next two episodes will be released on January 23 and January 30.
Research, script, narration: Apostolos Staikos
Sound recording: Giorgis Sarantinos
Sound mixing and design: Aris Athanasopoulos
Art direction: Evgenios Kalofolias
iMEdD Podcasts Content and Production Manager: Panagiotis Menegos
