The Kythira Beautification Association of Alimos, «Myrtidiotissa,» announced the need to complete the Kythira Cultural Center in Alimos, a project that began with the vision of promoting the island's cultural heritage. Despite secured funding, the project remains unfinished. The Cultural Center, next to the church of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, will include an amphitheater, a folklore museum, and other cultural spaces. The Association calls on all Kythirian communities to work together to complete the project, preventing the demolition and conversion of the site into apartment buildings. Read the information bulletin below.
SUBJECT: INFORMATION ABOUT THE KYTHIRI SPIRITUAL CENTER IN ALIMOS
Wherever we went, in Greece and abroad, we always carried with us our love and nostalgia for our beautiful island.
The first Kythirians who came to Alimos dreamed of establishing a Kythira Cultural Center in Attica to promote our customs and traditions, promote our island, provide public services to our fellow citizens, and maintain our standard of living in our new home, where we settled and put down roots.
Thus, the Kythira Building Cooperative in Alimos allocated three (3) adjacent building blocks, one for the construction of the local school, as was done, one for the construction of the magnificent Holy Temple of Panagia Myrtidiotissa, as was done, and one for the construction of the above-mentioned Cultural Center.
On this plot of land, covering an area of approximately 3,500 square meters, the Cooperative and the residents of Kythira began construction of our Cultural Center after selling five (5) other plots of land belonging to the Cooperative that had been purchased with the savings of the Kythira shareholders. Thus, our Building Cooperative issued a building permit and began construction of the building, with an area of approximately 1,500 square meters, completing the concrete framework of the entire building.
This building is located next to the magnificent Holy Temple of Myrtidiotissa in Alimos and a short distance from the Elliniko investment. It will house an amphitheater and event hall, a folklore museum, a reading room, a library, and a youth and student center, i.e., spaces for social contribution and cultural activities.
In 2004, after the building had already been concreted, the Building Cooperative donated the property to the Trifyllio Foundation by means of a notarized deed, on the express condition and categorical prerequisite that it would be completed and operated as the Kythira Cultural Center. The donation was made in the above manner with the possibility of revocation in the event that the above Foundation did not complete the Cultural Center.
In order to secure the funds for its completion and operation, the Building Cooperative donated another five (5) plots of land, which had also been purchased with funds from the Kythira community, currently valued at approximately €2,500,000, to be sold and the proceeds used to complete the building. Thus, the completion of the Cultural Center is fully guaranteed, without the beneficiary Foundation incurring any expense.
For this reason, in every decision made by the Board of Directors of our Cooperative and Association, in every judicial or extrajudicial, notarial and non-notarial act of the donor Building Cooperative, the residents, both the Municipal Authorities of Alimos and Kythira, the will to complete and operate the unfinished Cultural Center is expressed.
The idea was embraced and promoted by all the Kythirian associations and collectives, all the municipal authorities of Kythira, over time, and all the Kythirian media, both print and electronic.
In 2010, the International Symposium on Kythira Studies was held in the courtyard of the building, the church, and the school, with the participation of Kythirian associations from Australia, Canada, the USA, South Africa, and New Zealand, with the participation of, among others, the President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad and the Consul of Australia.
In 2021, the municipalities of Kythira and Alimos became sister cities, with statements from both mayors regarding their cooperation on the completion and operation of the Cultural Center.
Consider a Kythira folklore museum and an amphitheater showcasing our island, Tsirigo, next to the old Elliniko airport, which is the largest tourist investment ever made in Greece. A center for promoting and showcasing us, not only throughout Attica, but across the globe, as the area will now be an international tourist hub. What Kythirian wouldn't want that...
In light of the above, it is evident that:
· The costs of completing and operating the Cultural Center are fully covered.
The Trifyllio Foundation does not lose ownership of the property, as it is and will remain the owner of the property. On the contrary, violation of the terms of the donation will result in the revocation of the donation, resulting in the loss by the Trifyllio Foundation of both the Cultural Center and the other five donated plots of land.
· The operation of the Kythira Nursing Home is not affected in the slightest, as has been rumored. This property was never given for the needs of the Nursing Home. There is an explicit provision in the donation that any income from it cannot be used for any other purpose than the completion and operation of the Cultural Center. The Kasimatio Nursing Home and the Trifyllio Foundation own movable and immovable property in Greece and abroad, which, when utilized, cover the charitable work of the nursing home, which also enjoys the enduring love of Kythirians everywhere, a recent example being the renovation work financed by new donations.
All stakeholders, municipal authorities, residents, and especially the Trifyllio Foundation, are facing a pivotal historical choice and challenge:
‘We will complete and operate the Kythira Cultural Center in Alimos, as a bridge of culture and international promotion for our island.,
Or we will allow the property to become embroiled in a never-ending legal battle, with the immediate risk of either the revocation of the donation or the construction of dreary apartment buildings-apartments on the property, mostly owned by the contractor who gets three (3) buildings and a 63.81% share in exchange for one (1) building and a 36.21% share given to Trifyllio.
As the Association of the Kythira area of Alimos, we are fighting for the completion of our Cultural Center and against plans to demolish it and build apartment buildings. Because, along with the building, the vision, the efforts, and the opportunities it represents for us, the people of Kythira, and for the area will also be demolished.
We also call on every Kythirian community in Greece and abroad, every association, foundation, municipal authority and political party, every Kythirian media outlet and every Kythirian to work together to realise what the Alimioi Kythirians planned and dreamed of.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the Cultural and Beautification Association
Kythira area of Alimos «Myrtidiotissa»
