«TΡΑΓΟΣ” [pron. “TRAG(h)OS”], the Billy Goat in Greek, has been an inspiration to us.

It is probably the animal most strongly associated with Greece as it has been present here as a domesticated animal for around 8000 years. The mostly mountainous terrain of the country as well as the vegetation thereon are unsuitable for cattle and sheep, but ideal for this agile climber. So, it was the goat that thrived and nourished the populations here throughout the millennia. Its significance has been enormous.

In our mythology, ΤΡΑΓΟΣ was seen as a symbol of strength and fertility; of the power of nature so to say. Pan, the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks and rustic music as well as loyal (sic) companion of the nymphs, had the hindquarters, legs, and horns of a Billy Goat. So did Fauns and Satyrs. The Billy Goats were also closely linked to the worship of Dionysus, god, among others, of grape-harvest, winemaking, vegetation, fertility and religious ecstasy and possibly it was in this context that (the theatrical genre of) the “tragedy” emerged, as the word itself indicates.

ΤΡΑΓΟΣ however does not only stand for strength and fertility; he also stands for good taste! Goats are very selective eaters and will avoid certain foods. They prefer to browse on – ideally young and tender – leaves, twigs, and other vegetation and will do whatever it takes to get to them. This is exactly what our project is about!

So, under the sign and auspice of ΤΡΑΓΟΣ we go!