An exhibition showcasing the results of the Periplus research laboratory—focusing on the circular economy, sustainability, and folk culture—was successfully held at the Environmental Education Center – Estia Anogeion, with the support of Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark and the Municipality of Anogeia.
The exhibition presenting the results of the Periplus research laboratory—which approached Crete’s material culture through a fresh, creative lens, combining it with the circular economy and folklore—was a success; it took place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in the welcoming setting of the Environmental Education Center – Estia Anogeion.
Based in Anogeia and moving within the broader area of the Psiloritis Geopark, an international team of 30 talented product designers, architects, and artists—selected from 25 of the world’s leading universities*—came to Crete to explore innovative possibilities rooted in a genuine circular economy. Their work focused on creating novel materials from by-products of local livestock and agricultural production, neglected natural materials, and waste. The initiative aimed to foster an experiential realization that the material world surrounding us is not inexhaustible, yet—through different mindsets and approaches—can offer new material and entrepreneurial prospects. In doing so, it expanded knowledge regarding the potential of the place we inhabit and the significant challenges we are called upon to address.
The workshop was organized by the non-profit organization The Periplus Project—with the multi- level and systematic support of the Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark, the Municipality of Anogeia, the Anogeia Weaving School and Weaving Center, the Anogeia Gymnasium and Lyceum, as well as numerous local businesses and residents—and aims, through innovative activities, to promote to a broad audience the limitless possibilities that creativity offers for intellectual and professional development.
As part of the Summer School’s parallel activity—which involved students from the Anogeia Junior High School and High School— the exhibition also showcased the experience the students gained through hands-on engagement with these new approaches of exploring their local area's potential. 
For any further information regarding this initiative—which is truly pioneering for Greece and operates with an open approach towards all interested parties—you may contact the project lead in Crete, designer Dimitris Skourogiannis, at dskourogiannis@gmail.com.
* Like the Royal College of Art (UK), Central Saint Martins (UK), UC Berkeley (USA), TU Delft, National University of Singapore, ETH Zurich, Pratt Institute New York, Carnegie Mellon University (USA), University of the Arts London, Bauhaus University (Germany), The University of Sydney, Yale University (USA), RMIT Melbourne, London College of Communication, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), Istituto Marangoni (Italy), Camberwell College of Arts (UK), National Institute of Design (India), and others.