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JOYFUL EXPLORATION I PAROS

The Voice of Stone

Beneath the bright sun and

whitewashed charm of Paros, one

man listens to the ancient voice of
marble—Emmanuel Fokianos, a self-

taught artisan whose hands carry the
legacy of an island carved in stone. Working entirely by hand with

monumental blocks of marble, THE LEGACY OF PAROS RUNS THROUGH HIS HANDS
Emmanuel Fokianos reveals the raw Parian marble is not just famous—it’s mythical. Used in
power and hidden beauty of the the Venus de Milo, the Nike of Samothrace, and countless
stone—through a slow, demanding,
and deeply contemplative process. classical masterpieces, it is one of the most prized marbles
in the world. And for Emmanuel Fokianos, that legacy is
personal. “Every piece of Parian marble holds a story. It’s
like it was already sculpted by nature. I’m not trying to
‘make’ something—I’m trying to listen.” This philosophy is
deeply aligned with the ancient Cycladic spirit: minimalism,
purity, form. His technique is subtractive, intuitive, and
emotional. At times, he even works with enormous marble
blocks over three meters long—completely by hand. “You
can’t rush marble. These works take months, sometimes a
year. It demands respect. Patience. Presence.” Fokianos'
work is not isolated—it is part of a wider cultural revival
that is bringing renewed attention to Paros' unique marble
tradition. Across the island, there is a growing movement
to honor and preserve this ancient craft, highlighting the
artistry of local creators, the historical quarry sites, and the
deep roots that link Paros' past to its contemporary creative
life. Through guided experiences and cultural initiatives,
visitors can explore the underground marble galleries of SAFEGUARDING A WORLD-CLASS HERITAGE
Marathi, learn about centuries-old quarrying techniques, BENEATH PAROS
and discover how the “soul of the island” continues to inspire As part of a major cultural preservation initiative,
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF walking along the sun-warmed growing up on Paros, he was drawn to nature more than new generations of artists. “Paros gave the world marble that the NGO Paros Ancient Marble Quarries Park, with
hills of Paros or wandering through its ancient paths, you anything else. “I would walk the mountains and coastlines, sculpted gods,” he says. “I don’t aim to do the same—I just the support of the Cycladic Identity Initiative and in
may feel the island speaking to you—not in words, but collecting pebbles shaped by the wind and the sea. I saw want to keep the conversation going.” If you find yourself in collaboration with the Museum of Cycladic Art and the
through its stone. And if you listen closely, you’ll hear one something in them—forms, textures, memories—that others Paros, take the time to explore this living tradition that still Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, completed
voice louder than the rest. That of Emmanuel Fokianos, a didn’t.” What began as a hobby, slowly became a calling. pulses beneath the surface of the island. Walk through the the first geotechnical stability study of the ancient
self-taught stone carver whose hands carry forward the After work, he would go home and carve—first pebbles, then ancient marble quarries of Marathi, where silence and stone marble quarries in Marathi. This 15-week program
soul of Parian marble—one of Greece’s most iconic and stone, then marble. “When I picked up my tools, it wasn’t to hold centuries of history. Seek out cultural initiatives like the marks a critical step toward restoring access to the
storied materials. force a shape onto the stone. It was to uncover what was Cycladic Identity programs, which shed new light on age- historic underground tunnels of Nymphon and Panos—
already there.” Encouraged by Dr. Apostolos Polyzoidis, old techniques and the people who keep them alive. And if unique monuments carved since the 7th century BC.
A JOURNEY BORN IN SILENCE AND NATURE who recognized his talent, Fokianos dared to present his you’re lucky, you might come across the humble workshop The study sets the groundwork for future stabilization
“I never studied in an art school. I studied the stoneitself.” work publicly. Since then, his path has been one of pure of Emmanuel Fokianos. You won’t find flashy signage or works, aiming to ensure safe visitation while honoring
Emmanuel Fokianos didn’t begin his career with chisels and dedication—not only to his craft, but to the very essence a grand studio—just a man, alone with his tools, shaping the global significance of the Parian marble legacy.
exhibitions. He began with quiet walks. As a young man of Parian marble. marble slowly and deliberately, one patient cut at a time. •

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