We caught up with Krysta Paramithi at Bamboo Vegan a few hours before she returned to Lemnos. The optimistic co-organiser of the Vegan Life Festival seems to have answers for everything. But let's take things from the beginning. After all, why is everyone asking her about… tofu?
Krysta Paramithi is a real (vegan) revelation. She is kind, bright, and warm-hearted. Her name is well known on social media: on the one hand, she is a well-known influencer, and on the other hand, she is the co-organiser of the Vegan Life Festival, the first festival with producers aimed exclusively at vegans.
If you call yourself a foodie and a vegan, this is probably your taste heaven.
How did the idea of the first Vegan Life Festival start?
"In 2015, through a vegan Facebook group. Elli, who later became a friend and collaborator, came up with the idea, and it seems that we had the idea of creating a vegan festival with other people at the same time. This discussion created a group of six people with a common vision: a festival where the public could come into contact with the vegan lifestyle, ask questions about practical issues, socialise, and act. In 2024, we are planning other surprises apart from our festivals,” she tells me enigmatically.
The transition from ego to we
Her first contact with veganism came at the age of 16 after a discussion about animal rights. She read everything that was available at the time and watched all the documentaries on the state of the animal food industry.
“I knew that if I continued to participate with my daily choices in animal exploitation, I would be a big liar. Ideologically speaking," she said.
What is the biggest challenge in veganism?
"In veganism, as in life, the most difficult thing is our relationships with other people. It's heartbreaking not to be able to connect and communicate meaningfully with people close to you about your deepest insights. In our time, there is a need for a change from the ego to the we. So surely younger people, with a genuine interest in eliminating discrimination, better understand the injustice experienced by animals."
Are all her friends vegan?
"In my friendly and family environment, I have vegan and non-vegan contacts. I am lucky because, through the vegan community, I have met excellent people who share the same values. Still, also, the non-vegans in my environment are mature people who coexist with mutual respect."
Myths and misunderstandings
But why are people still confused? What is the biggest myth surrounding veganism?
"Even plants feel pain. It's funny because we all eat vegetables, cut down trees for paper and heating, trample the grass and decorate our houses with flowers. But suddenly, a sensitivity to plants' feelings appears out of nowhere when the conversation turns to veganism. My answer always to this discussion is that even if, at some point, it turns out that plants feel pain, I will continue to apply my philosophy in life, which is to do the least possible harm and only eat plants. That way, I will have taken away the life of only the plants I need to feed on. Not the life of the thousands of plants the animal ate to grow."
What's going on in social media?
Through her Instagram account, she recommends books, recipes, products, food items and restaurants she visits "to share with her followers what she finds useful for their vegan journey".
What comments does he get on social media the most?
"They ask me what tofu is! Indeed, this is the most frequently asked question. Of course, I'm often asked to recommend a vegan nutritionist, and that's good because it means they take their diet seriously and don't want to make mistakes."
Are there affordable options in stores to shop for vegan products?
"As demand and competition increase, prices also decrease. Years ago, vegan products were also organic, so their price was increased. Now, you can easily be vegan on a budget. On the other hand, it is certainly a problem that some vegan products, such as 'milk' and "cheese" are not considered necessities like the corresponding animal products and, therefore, have an increased VAT rate. But that will change. However, our diet is mainly based on legumes, vegetables and fruits, which, especially if we buy them from the supermarket, can be quite economical," she continues.
What are her vegan haunts? What does she choose to buy or eat there?
“My favourite is Bamboo Vegan for coffee and sandwiches. At Holy Llama, I love the scrambled tofu. When I visit Thessaloniki, there is no way I won't visit Roots for the Buddha bowl and its sweets, but also Tarantula."
Addresses:
- Bamboo Vegan, Zoodochou Pigis 36, Exarchia, Athens, tel. 210 330 0018
- Holy Llama, Nikis 23, Syntagma, Athens, tel. 210 3318913
- Roots, Balanu 4, Thessaloniki, tel. 231 0268063
- Tarantula, Olymbou 127, Thessaloniki, tel. 231 1218190
Photos: Sissy Morphy
Lefteris Trigas is a columnist for Olive Magazine. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
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