In Karya, 14 km west of the country, is the "Maria Koutsochero" Folklore Museum. It is housed in a traditional rural building from 1890 which was the residence of the Katopodi family. In 1912, it housed the School of Embroidery Art founded with the mediation of Queen Sofia. Maria Stavraka "the Koutsohero" taught at the School (until her death in 1948). The Folklore Museum was established on the initiative of Theodoros Katopodis, dance teacher of the Karyas "O Apollon" Musicological Club, who gave the Museum the name of Maria of Koutsochero, his mother's teacher. Maria Stavraka was called "Cripple" after the loss of her right hand. Despite her disability she continued to embroider with only her left hand and ended up teaching the art of embroidery establishing a unique technique, that of the "Karsan" stitch. In the Museum, which was founded with the aim of preserving the folk art of Lefkada, the interior of the Lefkada house, the art of the loom, the art of embroidery are represented and many objects and utensils of daily use are exhibited.
Editor: Niki Kalopaidis
