Melekouni is the most traditional sweet of Rhodes, which is offered at weddings, engagements and baptisms.

The couple's families and relatives used to prepare Melekouni, following a process that lasted almost a week.

Sesame seeds, honey, almonds, grated citrus peels, spices, all combined harmoniously to compose the unique sweet of Rhodes. Honey symbolises health and sesame (seeds) abundance, which together gave the promise of a long, happy life to the newly married couple.

This sweet and the process of preparing it was passed down from generation to generation and still exists today.

It is a sweet of the village of Koskinou and Rhodes, enjoying both pan-Hellenic and international recognition. Thus, Melekouni, starting as a standard sweet for weddings and baptisms, today is a cultural product of intangible cultural heritage, a representative of both our village and the whole of Rhodes.

Dimitrios MOUSTAKAS

President

CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF KOSKINIANS "KALLITHEA"

I learned about the Rhodian sweet "Melekouni" in 2017, when I moved permanently from Patras to Rhodes, more specifically to the village of Koskinou.

Two things excited me about this confection: its authentic taste and the tradition it carried.

As an employee of the Ministry of Culture, I had heard about the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the idea was born for me to include Melekouni in it.

In 2019 I discussed my idea with the then President of the Cultural Association of Koskinians ¨KALLITHEA¨ Mr. Photios BARDOS and he gave me the green light to start the inclusion process.

The effort was demanding, but also so sweet, that it was worth it...

In January 2022, our labours were rewarded. With Ministerial Decision No. 17279/17.01.2022, the local sweet of Rhodes "Melekouni" was inscribed in the National Index of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece.

We are very pleased to hand over this culturally certified traditional product to future generations to enjoy both at their social events and family celebrations.

Charalampos MARNERAS

Author of the file of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Element "Melekouni of Rhodes"

With this letter, I confirm my interest for the proposed project "SWEETEN YOUR HERITAGE" which aims to promote and preserve the element of intangible cultural heritage "Melekouni".

I believe that the project will promote the interface between local authorities and other entities within the cultural community of Melekouni, experts and administrators alike, and will thus create significant cultural value both within and outside Greece.

Moreover, thanks to this project, the prospect of Melekouni being included in UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage elements will be strengthened.

Therefore, I will happily receive and disseminate the project's results and deliverables (e.g. videos, newsletters etc.) to my students and networks. I wish you every success in the innovative project "SWEETEN YOUR HERITAGE" and looking forward to its implementation.

Prof. Matthew Gorton

Professor in Food Marketing Newcastle University Business School

Bees and beekeeping embody unique natural, tangible and intangible elements of culture.

The society of Rhodes chose to elevate the traditional sweet "Melekouni" to an element of cultural heritage. The dominant ingredient in Melekouni is an unsurpassed creation of Bees and nature: honey. In the initiative SWEETEN YOUR HERITAGE, our aim was to contribute to the promotion and preservation of Melekouni against the general tendency towards homogenisation of cultural goods. Secondly, to promote the Mediterranean diet and generally healthy diet and the avoidance of sugar consumption.

The heritage of Melekouni is not seen simply as a cultural manifestation or product, but, rather, and primarily, as processes of generating meaning and culture through knowledge, skills and practices transmitted from generation to generation. Its value lies in enhancing social cohesion, encouraging a sense of identity and subsequently preserving cultural diversity. Highlighting Melekouni as a cultural asset highlights the historical wealth of Rhodes, fosters sustainable development, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life.

We are particularly pleased that SWEETEN YOUR HERITAGE showed us new possibilities for sustainable management, and generated ideas for new routes on Beelosophy's Cultural Path.

Dr. Angelos KARAGIANNIS

Beelosophy Ambassador