KOUZINA 2024 highlighted the gastronomy of Eastern Halkidiki, linking culture and tourism in a cycle of sustainable development.
With the participation of 182 tourist companies and 26 social organizations, Aristotle Municipality and on Chamber of Halkidiki they bid him farewell KITCHEN 2024 which this year lasted for 4 months, highlighting all forms of tourism that are developing in Eastern Halkidiki.
During the award ceremony (8.9.24) the report on the work of the organization, which is already a leading national institution and a practical proof of “how gastronomy becomes a means of tourism development in modern tourist destinations”, was presented.
“Among the goals for this year”said Mayor Aristoteli, Mr. Stelios Valianos“was the strengthening of the extroversion and international connections of the Municipality of Aristotle, which manifested itself mainly during the international symposium entitled Following Aristotle: 9 of the 11 networked (with the Municipality) European megacities presented their connection with Aristotelian philosophy and Athonian culture”.
Through the work of hundreds of people who have been honored for their participation and contribution to the organization, COUSIN is associated with ARISTOTLEIA, which are festivals of the Hellenistic years dedicated to the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
At the same time, CUISINE highlighted the use of 33 local products in cooking / confectionery, as well as the work of the respective producers, who year after year integrate their products into the local catering business, gradually creating a destination whose gastronomy is a circular economy model.
KOUZINA is based on a promotional plan where 5 top artists prepared its main theme.
The event was special, where “Aristotle’s Tale” describes (through historical quotations) the daily life of Stanos and Paleochori – from Hellenistic times to modern times, setting it Alexis Zorba for navigating the mountain routes of Kakavos and Mount Aristotle. Times, Sunday Times, The Sun, Express.co have described this connection in a unique way while highlighting all the archaeological sites of Eastern Halkidiki.
During KOUZINA, the municipality of Aristotelis connected with the municipality of Banja Luka, continuing the organized opening to the Western Balkans, while devoting a whole thematic section to Sicilian cuisine and the Sicilian cities connected to the municipality of Aristotelis: Palermo and Messina. In 2025, the Aristotelian Partnership and Fiavet Sicily organized the First Symposium on School Tourism in East Halkidiki with the participation of approximately 100 Sicilian students.
A revered European destination was Malta, to which an entire culinary fortnight was dedicated, and the cultural and culinary tribute to Kazakhstan was special.
A respected Greek destination was Florina, which fully recognized the choice of CUISINE. Three whole days dedicated to Macedonian brass music and the city’s gastronomy were the occasion for a celebration in Golyama Bogoroditsa, Arnaya and Ierissos.
This year’s program of activities concludes on Sunday, September 15 at Arnaia, where the Marriage of the Lamb is re-enacted: a step-by-step record of culture included in THE ARISTOTLEIA, which will be held annually starting this year.
