Developments surrounding the «shutdown» at the Cine Portokalia. Following the public statements, the «Portokalia» Association of Karava is speaking out again with a statement in response to the municipal authorities.
The Association emphatically states that it is not engaging in petty politics nor is it opposing Mayor Charhalakis. At the same time, it highlights the absurdity of invoking the Piraeus Urban Planning Authority —since the lack of a relevant structure on the island risks keeping the site closed forever—and reveals that the anonymous complaint is based on false claims regarding exposed wires. In light of this, the Association is extending an official invitation to the Mayor and the Technical Department for a joint on-site inspection in Karavas, so that safety measures can be agreed upon and screenings can begin immediately.
In order to accurately reflect the Association’s position, the Kythera.News publishes the full announcement:
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PORTOKALIA ASSOCIATION
Friends,
Our last post sparked an overwhelming outpouring of support from all of you, and we thank you so much for that. The comments we received on our cell phones and online were numerous and touching, and at the same time prompted some action on the part of the authorities, as they began to respond.
However, even as we speak, our association has not received any official information. Whatever you know, we know. Whatever was written in your discussions with one another. And since some of the comments posted by citizens, mayors, and deputy mayors are distracting us from the issue at hand, let’s set the record straight.
Our association does not engage in politics or petty politics. We state this openly and clearly. The Portokalia Karava Kythira Association does not oppose any municipal authority, neither now nor in the past. Each of us has our own opinions and will not hide them. As a collective, however, we have decided to operate outside of political confrontations. Our decisions are made through our established procedures and are guided by the values set forth in our bylaws and declarations. Therefore, for those who believe that Portokalia is a pillar of opposition to Charhalakis—or any other figure like him—we state plainly that this is not our role.
Let's get down to business.
We read that the prosecutor, apparently, has asked the Urban Planning Department to let him know whether the school in Karava is able to host screenings in its courtyard. If the Urban Planning Department doesn’t respond—which, logically, it won’t, since we don’t have an Urban Planning Department—the matter will remain unresolved forever. No one will be able to answer, and so the school won’t host anything. And all of this because someone—anonymously, of course—filed a complaint claiming there were exposed electrical wires and other false allegations. If this anonymous person reports the town square as dangerous, will baby strollers and elderly people out for their evening stroll be barred from the area until the Urban Planning Department shows up? Has the Urban Planning Department issued permits for the hundreds of summer film screenings across Greece? Are they all illegal?;
If all the statements about the Municipality’s love for culture and recognition of our work are truly sincere, we call once again—in yet another effort to reach an understanding—to meet at the school together with the Mayor, the head of the Municipality’s Technical Services Department, and any other relevant officials, to show you the site and agree on the necessary safety measures. And if everything we’ve done over the years isn’t enough, let’s do more. Let’s do whatever is possible to ensure that screenings in this wonderful venue don’t come to a halt.
We await this with sincere anticipation and hope that our next post will be the—albeit truncated—summer program for CinePortokalia 2026.
Portokalia Karava, Kythira
