By Nicolas Bard

In the mountain range of Rodopi, in dense forests of deciduous trees, there is a small traditional settlement, the picturesque Kotani, which measures only 5 permanent residents.

Summer is 10, but most have migrated to other areas. The road leading to the village is not asphalt and seems to be cut off from the rest of the world.

In this well -hidden village there is a traditional tavern serving local cuisine, with plenty of love and love. There you can try authentic Pomaki cuisine and unique oriental flavors. The reason, of course, for the Jamil tavern, also known as “Kotani Tavern”.

It is a special tavern, where Mr. Gemil Halloglou and his wife Musjen cook delicious dishes serving the area’s visitors. High quality local meats have their honor, as well as traditional pies and roasted eggplants with cheese. There, however, beyond the tavern, you can also see a small folklore museum made with love and patience both of them all these years in a two -storey 200 -year -old building! Traditional costumes, textiles, carpets, black and white photos and various family relics are some of the exhibits of this museum, giving us a clear picture of the Pomak culture.

Speaking exclusively to his camera where Greece exists in SKAI, Mr. Jamil expressed his great love for his place and his anxiety for the future. He does not want the tavern to close, and hopes that, if his children are not finally working, they will have it open to the world, go there to rest and learn about the culture of the Pomaks. So does Musjen, she loves her village and her work so much that she can’t imagine her life away from there.

As she says, “if you don’t love the place, you can’t stay.” And the truth is that despite its beauty and authenticity, the village has many problems …

The main problem is the dirt road that leads to it.

Despite the calls of the locals to the state, no work was done to improve the road network and to open the road to the village, which so much needs. A new road involves more traffic, which will of course greatly benefit the local community and economy. The virgin natural environment of the area, the distinctive architecture and the Pomak tradition can highlight the place to a new tourist destination, again giving life to this remote corner of our country. The only sure thing is that if you go to this area, the few residents will warmly welcome you, open their homes and make you local dishes.