This year, decorating our Christmas tree had a very special meaning. The proceeds from the decorated ornaments were donated to «Elpida,» the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer.
On every branch, we placed a feeling, an emotion, a heartbeat. We colored it with joy, adorned it with hope, illuminated it with serenity, and placed a shining star at the top. LOVE!
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Anagennisi Conservatory of Kythira for the impeccable organization, and especially to Ms. Eleni Kokolaki, who, with her tireless dedication, embraced my idea from the very beginning, and together we have been preparing for this event for the past year.
The award-winning «Keuthos» choir and its wonderful conductor and artistic director of the Conservatory, Mr. Timotheos Lignos, for their participation.
Angeliki Leontaraki and Kyriaki Psarra for their multifaceted contributions to the organization, preparation, and execution of the event—they truly devoted themselves body and soul to ensuring its success.
Yiannis Sklavos for accompanying the choirs on the piano.
Vrettos Samios for sound engineering.
The Kythira River Philharmonic and its conductor, Mr. Panagiotis Lefteris.
Eirini Pergamian for coordinating the Conservatory’s children’s choir.
Konstantinos Kontoleon for his contribution to the traditional songs of Kythira.
Thodoris Gatzelia for his role as Santa Claus
To Toula Sklavou Magonezou for the uniforms.
The Kythira Association and the Municipality of Kythira for providing the venues free of charge.
Ippolytos Prekas for creating the models, publishing them in *Kythiraika Nea*, and promoting them in the Kythira media.
Tina Tamvaki for her volunteer work on social media and for photographing the event.
Valerio Kalokairinos and Renata Pantazidou for providing free video and photography services for the event.
Despoina Frilingou and Nikoleta Kontoleon, who helped decorate the halls.
Panagiotis Kominos for donating the sound systems.
The «Kampos Chios» production company for providing juices free of charge.
Eustathios Souris for providing the sweets free of charge.
Dimitrios Pallis for his generous contribution and work.
Iphigenia Vogiatzaki for the narration.
Panagiotis Kalligeros for building the sets free of charge.
First and foremost, however, I would like to thank my husband, Yiannis Kalligeros, for his support, and my little daughter, Areti, whom I hope will inherit the values of selfless service, and may the Tree of Love serve as an example for future generations.
The funds raised from the charity event will be deposited with the «Elpida» Association, and the receipt will be posted publicly, along with a letter from the Association.
Finally, I want to thank everyone for the trust you have placed in me and for your support! May abundance, kindness, harmony, happiness, health, and love be the gifts of the God-Man in your home!
Eirini Vlachou
