Eleni and Antonis both studied agronomy, one in Thessaloniki, the other in Athens Plan your Athens food experience with Dimitris.
Eleni and Antonis both studied agronomy, one in Thessaloniki, the other in Athens. Eleni's master's degree concerns biodiversity conservation and aromatic and medicinal plants, while Antonis's is in environmental sciences. Their friendship, which began in 2004, brings them today to a project they both love, and each brings their own perspective and contribution to it.
Eleni and Antonis make handmade soaps and body products based on organic olive oil and have named them Malva, which is the scientific name for mallow. The third member of the group is Dinos, who deals with woodcarving and is the one who makes the molds in which they create the soaps.
Meeting at the Base of Meteora
We met them in the yard of Eleni's house under the Meteora rocks, in Kalambaka. It was almost getting dark when we arrived at the house. Ringing the doorbell of the gate, I wonder if this is a production that possibly concerns themselves and their friends or something bigger. Starting the discussion, and because time is limited since the sun will soon set, I suggest we proceed with the photos and talk afterward. The house is opposite a school, the facades of which are painted with colorful faces. A nice backdrop for some photos, and we head there. We return to the yard as Amalia continues to photograph the soaps in various spots while Eleni talks to me about the venture.
"Antonis, due to his interest in natural products and herbal therapy, started dealing with the preparation of soaps and other herbal therapeutic products from 2010. We started experimenting together in the preparation of similar products and cosmetics in 2017. A year ago, we decided to operate professionally in this field, essentially making our dream a reality." As Eleni tells me about the production process and requirements, I understand that it's not that simple and at the same time requires a balance in collaboration. "The distribution of duties and tasks occurs in a fair and equal way almost effortlessly," Eleni answers when I ask her about how work is divided.
The Malva Philosophy
"We create handmade soaps and body products based on organic olive oil. We use natural materials we select for their therapeutic and cosmetic properties and produce our products with traditional methods in our workshop," notes Eleni, while Antonis adds regarding the venture: "Love is the driving force. If there wasn't genuine and deep interest in the subject, we couldn't continue."
I ask them about the choice of name and the significance that mallow has in what they do. "Beyond the fact that we like the word in its sound, we chose this name since the mallow plant, endemic to the region where we live, has been known since antiquity for its therapeutic properties," Antonis answers, while Eleni gives me their perspective regarding the future. "Our ultimate goal with the establishment of 'Cheloni Koin.S.Ep' in which we include MALVA products, is the creation of products and services with a focus on environmental and biodiversity protection and raising awareness in the local community on environmental issues, reducing waste and refuse production at the local level, fair and solidarity trade, alternative and in the future thematic and soft tourism and agrotourism."
The Woodcarver's Touch
As we said above, this group with the creative perspective is completed by another link, Dinos, who deals with woodcarving and is the one who gives shape to the soaps produced by constructing the mold. Relaxed and calm, he wears a black shirt with the logo of a foreign company that deals with the construction of percussion instruments.
"Tell me, how did you come to deal with woodcarving?" I ask him, and he tells me: "I like to repair as well as create objects with my hands, so when the time was found, I decided to go to the Woodcarving School here in Kalambaka. I always liked wood as a material you can give shape to." The discussion continues, and we talk about types of wood and what's best to use.
"The suitability of wood depends on the final object we want to create. For example, for a wood carving, we will prefer a wood like ash which is easily carved, but for a turned object like a bowl, we will need wood with greater density like olive."
Dinos, beyond constructing the mold for the soaps, mainly deals with small objects, either toys or purely decorative. "This doesn't mean I don't also deal with small furniture, the basic characteristic of which is that they're made from solid wood and not from wood products."
Concluding our discussion and leaving this yard, it's clear to me that these young people's love for what they do and their cooperation yields results. All three want it equally, and it's certain that they will succeed.
Common Questions
Is Meteora worth staying overnight?
Yes, without question. The day-trippers leave by 5pm and the rocks transform completely. The evening light on the monasteries is something photographs don't capture. Stay in Kalambaka, have dinner at a simple taverna, and wake up early for the morning monasteries when you'll have them almost to yourself.
What should I eat around Meteora?
The mountain cuisine here is honest and excellent — lamb pies, roasted meats, local Thessalian wine. The town of Kalambaka has good options if you walk 10 minutes away from the main tourist strip. Anything near the monastery parking lots is for people who forgot to plan.
