Dear Stavros,
Yes, it is a democratic setback (at best) to silence an entire island of love, generosity, and solidarity with the oppressed, solely to declare submission to the friends of the world’s greatest criminals. But are you unaware of the reasons that dictate* and the reasons that permit** this retreat?;
The prevailing political mindset is one that wants everyone to look out for their own little island***, their own little home, their own family—and ultimately, only themselves. «Every man for himself»—and let the refugees drown on our shores, let the elderly leave their pensions in taxis, let other people’s children leave for foreign lands, let the banks take away other people’s livelihoods, let other people’s olive trees burn. Until, of course, misfortune knocks on our own door—the very misfortune foreshadowed by our own indifference to the plight of others. For the fairy tale of considering ourselves privileged always betrays us. And then we wonder why the «slightly better-off» betrayed us to save their own homes from the fire or to have their own islands, ships, airplanes, slaughterhouses, schools, and jobs.
Yes, any resistance to servility is very important, but personally, I think you’ve placed too much value on the post by the proud painter. It brings nothing new that would require a new political response, nor does it deserve anything more than what the servile deserve when they cackle on behalf of their masters.
Dear commenter,
Doesn’t it occur to you that those who today cloak themselves in the flag while allying with the butchers are the political—and sometimes biological—descendants of those who sold out Cyprus? Are you accusing Stavros of a lack of patriotism? Don’t you understand the difference between patriotism and exploiting one’s homeland for personal gain? (Patriotism: love for one's country and fellow citizens. Patriotic Exploitation: the exploitation of the flag, the nation, or national symbols for personal gain, to cover up corruption, or to abuse power).
Have you read P.D.«s »The Fairy Tale Without a Name«? Have you heard Savvopoulos’s »The Flag« or Loizos’s »The Road«? Have you seen the movies *A Hero in Slippers*, *The Thief Cries Out*, and *Is There Such a Thing as Honor*? To you, are these outdated messages from bygone eras, or prophecies that concern you? And ultimately, for you and those you’ve loved, what does the blue-and-white flag symbolize? The occupation of your homeland by the Black-Coated Ones, or a passion for freedom that lasts until death? That passion today, right now, is being written in the blood of the Palestinian people, just as it was once written in the blood of our ancestors. Yes, the graffiti next to the beautifully painted flag was crude; most likely, the person who painted it felt informers breathing down their neck, just as they did during the Nazi occupation. But don’t be fooled—it’s the message that’s troubling, not the aesthetics.
Andreas Mariatos
Kythira, June 27, 2027
* When the anguished voices speaking out against the ongoing genocide are silenced so as not to disrupt the narrative of the «successful season» of Kythira Pass, you realize how easily those same people could sell out everything—perhaps even to the murderers themselves. As food for thought, I’d like to mention last year’s «coincidence» of three events: 1. The mayor’s refusal to allow the City Council to debate a resolution against the genocide, 2. the invitation of specific individuals (businesspeople and elected officials) to the well-known panel at the farcical conference on tourism, and 3. the simultaneous behind-the-scenes attempt to legalize the construction of hotels on the Engchoria site on the Paleopolis beach (I don’t know if any of the above came to your attention; I didn’t see any corresponding post from you).
** What is the election law, who was exposed, who supported whom, and who voted for whom? No one is free of responsibility—and perhaps the last person from whom it makes sense to have expectations is a mayor who saw an opportunity and jumped in.
*** One year ago, ’Free Kythira” submitted a proposal to the president of the Municipal Council to adopt a resolution expressing solidarity with Palestine. The draft resolution was deliberately as inclusive as possible, limiting itself to endorsing UN resolutions, so that anyone who simply does not support genocide could sign it. At the mayor’s behest, the president of the City Council rejected the request and did not include it on the agenda for discussion, citing the following rationale:
Andrea, no matter how hard you try to give food for thought to people who are blind to reality and act like little dogs licking the bloodstained hands of their masters, there is no hope. But we will continue until the Palestinian people are victorious.