TEXT – PHOTOS: Vivi Margariti
There are Greeks abroad who, no matter how far they live, never truly left their homeland. They work, raise families and build their lives in other countries, yet they keep Greece alive—not as a distant memory, but as a way of life.
Katerina Kalofyri Harti is one of them.
She migrated to Germany from Anilio, Metsovo, around 30 years ago, still a teenager, together with her siblings, in search of a better future. Her father had already paved the way, having lived and worked in Germany years earlier. There, Katerina met her husband, Thomas—German by birth, Greek at heart. Together they built a family and raised their two sons, who speak fluent Greek, just like Thomas himself.
Today, their home is in Hollenbach, Germany. That is where they live. That is where they belong. And yet, the moment you step inside, you feel as if you have entered a place somewhere between Metsovo and a Greek village that never learned the meaning of exile.
Greece… with snow outside
They welcomed us on a cold winter’s day. Outside, snow was falling, turning the landscape into something almost magical. Inside, everything felt warm—not just because of the heating, but because of the atmosphere. The entire family was there, gathered to celebrate their son’s birthday.
The hospitality was unmistakably Greek. A steaming bowl of mageiritsa filled the house with familiar aromas, while a traditional Metsovian pie baked in the oven—one of those recipes that seem to carry generations of stories within them. For a few hours, Germany disappeared. We were in Greece. And not just anywhere—in a village.
A courtyard full of symbols
Even before entering the house, the courtyard set the tone. An ancient Greek statue welcomes visitors, while in one corner of the garden stands a small chapel. Quiet, modest, yet powerful symbols, leaving no doubt: here, memory does not fade.
The “Metsovian” room
The greatest surprise awaited indoors. A room entirely dedicated to Metsovo—the so-called “Metsovian room.” Handwoven textiles warm the space—and the soul. Earthy, traditional colours dominate. At its heart stands a traditional Metsovian costume, displayed not as decoration, but as a treasured heirloom. A clear statement of identity, as if whispering: “This is where we began. And this is where we belong, wherever we may be.”
Homeland as a way of life
Katerina’s love for Greece is unquenchable. Like every Greek living abroad, she counts down the days until summer. Until the return. Until the village. Until that land which, even if it does not host you every day, never stops raising you.
In this home in Hollenbach, Greece is not nostalgia. It is the present. It is a table set with care, a language spoken daily, a costume honoured, a chapel standing quietly, a pie baking in the oven.
And that is when you realise: homeland is not always a place. It is people. It is memories. It is heart.
A warm thank you
We warmly thank Katerina, Thomas, Lucas, Dimitris, Fani, Dino, Margaret, Tolis, Angeliki, Efi, Stefanos, and all their children for their heartfelt Greek hospitality.
