Vasiliki Rigopoulou - Mouriki

Vasiliki Rigopoulou-Mouriki was born in Meligalas, Messinia. After spending many years living in Athens and Thebes due to her husband's work, she is now permanently settled in her hometown. Alongside working in her family's private business, she is also involved in collecting folklore material and engaging in other cultural activities. She writes children's poems, short stories, and tales related to the natural world. Her folklore articles are published in the newspaper "Ta Nea ton Meligalaion." Her poems and prose have been featured in newspapers and magazines such as "Ekfrasi," "Messiniakos Logos," "Pammessiniaki," and "Foni ton Astynomikon." Her short stories have also been published in the Messinian Writers' Union's editions "Messinian Creations" and in the "Messinian Calendar" by author and publisher Christos Reppas. She received the First Prize for Parental Poetry from the Salamina Cultural Organization "Kafeneio Ideon" for her poem "To My Grandmother" (on December 9, 2007), and the Second Prize from the International Society of Greek Writers for her children's book titled "In My Grandmother's Yard." From her book of poems dedicated to mothers, the poem "The Sacrifice of the Mother" was set to music by music teacher Mr. Takis Loukareas. She has also published the poetry collection "Drops of Life" and the folklore narrative collection "Images of Another Era." She is the founder of the Folklore Museum of Meligalas, a founding member of the Meligalas Women's Association, a member of the Messinian Writers' Union (EMS), and a member of the International Society of Greek Writers (DEEL).