The Foss-Radich Foundation for Gavalochori was established to support projects that enhance life in the village of Gavalochori, Crete. Created by long-time Gavalochori residents Sonja Foss and Anthony Radich, the Foundation invests between 30,000 and 60,000 euros annually in initiatives that benefit the village. It works on projects in close collaboration with village leadership and the Cultural Association of Gavalochori. The Foundation has two components. One is a United States arm that is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by the US Internal Revenue Service. This entity manages investment strategy, final approval of major projects, and assessment of completed projects. The Greece-based nonprofit—recognized by the Greek government—facilitates local partnerships and accepts contributions to directly fund projects in Gavalochori.
The Foundation was formed after Sonja Foss and Anthony Radich saw the value of a small-scale project they initiated in the village. The project was the replacement of a large plane tree in Platanaki, a village square adjacent to the Arismari Taverna. The very old tree was important historically in the village because in the late 1800s, a meeting was held under it to plan Cretan resistance to Turkish military forces. Although healthy for more than 100 years, by 2018, the tree had died and was decaying in place. Sonja and Anthony approached Anastasia (Tasoula) Kazoyli. who was then the owner of the taverna in the square, and she was enthusiastic about the prospect of replacing the tree. Under her leadership, in January, 2019, the old lifeless tree was removed, and a new plane tree was planted in its place. The project was funded by four of Sonja’s former doctoral students who, as a retirement gift, presented her with funds to plant a tree in Gavalochori. Through the realization of this project, Sonja and Anthony saw how a modest amount of money could stimulate further giving and volunteerism in the village while making a meaningful positive impact. Out of this experience, the Foss-Radich Foundation for Gavalochori was born.
The Greek-based Foundation is administered by Anna-Chrysa Rutter, who is a resident of the nearby village of Douliana. A fluent Greek and English speaker, Chrysa manages the implementation of all local initiatives. The US arm of the Foundation is administered by Gordana Lazic, a university professor of communication in the United States who is originally from Belgrade, Serbia. Her primary role is the overseeing of major foundation projects, the implementation of the 20-year plan, and management of the US-based governance and investment strategies of the Foundation. In Greece, the Foundation is also advised by Rosalyn Benjamin, who is a seasoned foundation and nonprofit administrator who lives in Athens. Rosalyn helped organize the December, 2024, conference in the village sponsored by the Foundation and is currently conducting research for future major Foundation projects. In addition, she attends conferences across Europe that provide information and contacts for the Foundation’s work in Gavalochaori.
Since its founding, the Foundation has supported a number of projects in Gavalochori. Some of the projects were fully funded by the Foundation, while others were completed in partnership with donors and volunteers. Among the projects the Foss-Radich Foundation has fully or partially supported are:
In May of 2023, the Foundation launched GavalochoriGreece.org, a website designed to serve both local residents and visitors. The site contains a wealth of accurate and often difficult-to-find information about the village’s history, culture, and community. It offers extensive, accurate information on everything from local landmarks and businesses to the flora and fauna of the region. On the site, visitors can dive into fascinating profiles of Gavalochori residents, explore the area’s storied past, and find practical information about life in the village. One of the most valuable features is the archive section, which houses hard-to-find documents and rare original texts. With a growing Instagram following and an active presence on Facebook, GavalochoriGreece.org is becoming a central communication hub for the community. The development of the site, its continual updating, and the costs of hosting the website are entirely underwritten by the Foundation.
Every winter for approximately a month, the Foundation enlivens the village through its sponsorship of the Gavalochori Light Festival. The festival is a display of holiday lights that illuminates the village’s major public spaces. The lights are officially switched on in early December during a village celebration that includes music, children’s activities, food, drink, and a fireworks display. First launched in 2019, the festival constitutes the beginning stage of a long-term effort to create a major attraction based on a celebration of light. Current displays feature traditional holiday lights; however, the vision for the festival is eventually to showcase artistic, creative light installations designed by artists. In October, 2024, Sonja and Anthony traveled to China to meet with officials from the Xi’an light festival to explore the potential for a partnership that could bring innovative light designs from this world-famous festival to Gavalochori. The festival is entirely underwritten by the Foundation.
On December 7, 2024, the Foundation hosted a conference focused on revitalizing and sustaining small Greek villages. Designed to spark thoughtful discussions about how to address the challenges of building a thriving and resilient village community and to guide future decisions on how best to allocate Foundation funds, the event brought together a diverse group of 65 residents, leaders, and activists from Gavalochori and nearby villages. Speakers were sourced from Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, and the United Kingdom. Simultaneous translation between Greek and English was provided by Vassiliki Dadavassili and her Liaison translation company from Kalamata. Presentations covered subjects ranging from successful village regeneration to the empowerment of entrepreneurs. Also discussed were ways to develop local agrifood businesses, the role of culture and creativity in fostering long-term village development, microfinance, decentralized waste management, and sustainable tourism. The conference was funded and organized by the Foundation with contributions of food and lodging provided by local businesses.
The Foundation organized and funded a project to enhance the visitor experience in Gavalochori by designing and installing identifying signage at each of the village’s 12 churches. Most of the churches lacked signage, leaving visitors unaware of their names and historical significance. The new signs were installed in January, 2025, with each displaying the church’s name in both Greek and English. In addition, every sign includes a QR code that takes visitors to a dedicated page on the Gavalochori website where they can dive into stories about and the history of each church. The signs were crafted in the style of standard Greek archaeological signage, making them visually consistent with standard Greek markings for places of historical import.
By the spring of 2022, the Folklore Museum in Gavalochori was showing its age, so the Foundation stepped in to co-fund the installation of new windows, shutters, and doors. Once the updates were complete, the entire museum received a fresh coat of paint, restoring its charm and ensuring it once again felt like a place of pride, preservation, and welcome.
In the spring of 2021, plans were prepared to upgrade Gavalochori’s main square. The project’s goal was to create a more inviting space through the installation of planter boxes, the planting of numerous shade trees and native plants, and the construction of benches. The Foundation, along with two other American residents of Gavalochori, Holly Morris and Renee Holoien, funded a significant part of project. By the beginning of summer 2021, the transformation was complete. The renovation of the square not only enhanced its beauty but also reflected a deeper commitment to preserving the village’s charm.
Between the main square and the Folklore Museum runs a street that draws a great deal of foot traffic both from local residents and curious tourists. In recent years, the buildings along the street had evolved from “shabby chic” to “shabby.” To ensure that the buildings along this route reflected the same warmth and pride as the village itself, the Foundation spearheaded a project to repair and repaint several facades along it. The first transformation began in the fall of 2022, and by the spring of 2024, the final building had received a fresh coat of paint. Now, each building along the way better reflects the same warmth and pride as the village itself.
In the summer of 2024, Anthony and Sonja had the opportunity to meet with Aggeliki Charalambaki, the editor of In Town magazine in Chania. She was interested in publishing an article that would spotlight the vibrant art scene in the prefecture of Apokoronas, with a particular focus on the village of Gavalochori. To bring the story to life, the Foundation hired several local residents to research, write, and photograph the many individuals shaping the local arts scene. The result was the article “Apokoronas Art + Culture,” published in the summer of 2024. The piece celebrated a diverse array of local artists and cultural promoters ranging from those leading music associations and interior design projects to the passionate presidents of village cultural groups. It highlighted an eclectic mix of individuals, including a beer-bottle collector, the artisans of kopaneli lace—a craft with deep roots in Gavalochori, the owners of artisan shops, a clothing designer, a glass-blowing workshop, a stone sculptor, and a potter.
In the summer of 2024, the Foundation embarked on a project to create a new playground in Gavalochori that provides a comfortable and accessible space for families to play and relax. After consulting with village leaders, a location was chosen: the pine forest next to the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, where in earlier years a playground had been located. Collaborating with architect Christina Balomenaki from Chania and the Gavalochori Cultural Association, a detailed design was developed that includes modern play equipment and also provides space for community activities such as theater performances, summer cinema screenings, and shadow theater. The playground, which will meet all the strict governmental certification requirements, will include a swing, a slide, a seesaw, a balance beam, and an interactive xylophone designed for children with disabilities. Other amenities will include a winding path, lighting, a tap with fresh drinking water, waste bins, and benches. Fundraising for this community-focused project will begin once final approval for the playground is granted by the Apkoronas mayor’s office.
The Foss-Radich Foundation for Gavalochori is actively advancing a range of projects to be introduced over the coming years. Key initiatives include:
These and other initiatives will be outlined in the Foundation’s 20-year strategic plan, currently in development. Once finalized and approved, the plan will be published on this website.
