An educational initiative for elementary schools in Kalambaka and an innovative contest for the “EGN Fossil of the Year 2027”
To mark International Geodiversity Day on October 6, the Meteora–Pyli UNESCO Global Geopark invites people of all ages to learn more about the region’s geological heritage and discover the stories hidden within its rocks and fossils.
Geodiversity is all around us. It encompasses rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, and landscapes, and serves as a valuable “window” into Earth’s past. Through it, we can understand how the natural environment was formed and evolved, and why protecting our geological heritage is important for the future.
“The Geopark’s Rocks Through the Eyes of Children”
At an event to be held at the 1st Elementary School of Kalambaka on Tuesday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m., students from Kalambaka’s elementary schools will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at the world of geology and the Meteora-Pili Geopark. Through a presentation tailored to the children’s ages, the Geopark’s geologist, Dr. Sot. Valkaniotis , will introduce students to the rocks of the Meteora–Pyli Geopark, how they were formed, and the valuable information they provide about the region’s geological history.
The goal is for children to understand that the rocks they encounter around them are not simply part of the landscape, but “tell the story” of events spanning millions of years and help us decipher the history of the Earth.
“EGN Fossil of the Year 2027 Contest – Geological Heritage Becomes Art”
At the same time, the Meteora–Pili Geopark, as part of a related initiative by the European Geoparks Network (EGN), is organizing a unique art contest titled “EGN Fossil of the Year 2027”. Contest participants are invited to select a fossil from the Geopark area and depict it artistically in their own unique way. They may use painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, digital art, or any other form of artistic expression.
The contest is open to everyone. Children, teenagers, and adults are invited to observe, draw inspiration, and offer their own creative interpretation of the area’s paleontological heritage.
Entries must be submitted online at info@meteorapyligeopark.gr, from October 6 through December 31, 2026.
The winning entry will represent the Meteora–Pili Geopark in the European Geoparks Network’s “EGN Fossil of the Year 2027” competition.
So, anyone are looking for a fossil that will inspire them can start with a visit to the Museum of Geological Formations, where they’ll get an up-close look at the region’s rocks and fossils and discover the stories they tell about the area’s distant past.
