The remote Greek village of Furna seeks families to revive local life
The depopulating village of Furna in central Greece is looking for new families with children. The settlement in Evrytania offers accommodation, employment (at least for the husband), and funds for initial expenses in the new place.
The announcement was posted on Facebook by a teacher and priest from the Orthodox Church in the village of Furna. He encouraged families with children to move and enrol their kids in local schools. "A village in Evrytania is looking for one (or possibly more) families with children who want to move to the village and enroll their kids in the schools" – was written on Facebook. The initiative aims to revitalise the village, located at 840 metres and surrounded by forests.
Since the publication of this announcement, local authorities' phones have not stopped ringing. One family has already decided to move to Furna. A Greek couple with six children left Germany and moved to Furna.
I saw the advertisement on Facebook, and when I discussed it with my wife, we immediately agreed to change our lives for the better. We decided to leave Germany, where we lived and had our jobs, and return to nature, which we love so much – said Stefanos Kostopulos to the portal Protothema.
The village may come to life again
The residents of Furna, involved in the action, reported that they are expecting the arrival of two more interested families. Interestingly, over 100 families have expressed interest in moving to the small Greek town. They were tempted not only by the promise of a home and job but also by the desire to be close to nature, which is at your fingertips here.
Our village has come to life again. We started with two families, and now over 100 families are seriously interested in coming here. I am very happy. Last year at the blessing, I wanted to cry because I knew what would follow. At least now, our schools will be sustained. The authorities and the region have committed to helping us. In recent years, our village had become lifeless, and from 158 permanent residents, we dropped to 118 in three years. I hope we will grow more – announced local clergyman Konstantinos Dusikos, the initiator of the campaign.
