This year marks the 20th anniversary of his death Dimitris Luke Komis. A man I had the honour to meet when in 2001, together with Tsirigotis and Tsirigotes we founded the Youth Union of Kythera - «Porphyriz». Dimitris Komis passed away on April 5, 2003, leaving behind an important legacy for Tsirigo. A lot has been written about the life, personality and work of Komis. I will dwell on some of the important things that Komis did during the years we knew him, and shortly before, which I believe teach us all what it truly means to be a patriot and to put your love for your country into practice.
It is very easy to declare your patriotism by raising the blue and white flag one afternoon at the lighthouse of Moudari, with fiestas and chirimonias. But it is very difficult to respond with deeds to the needs of an era when the homeland is shrinking, the cost of living prohibits people from dreaming, social goods are being commodified and «well-paid» jobs exist only in the guise of political proclamations.
Young people, faced with difficult historical circumstances, are at the centre of the vortex of these situations. In Kythera, the population is declining, while labour is lacking in agricultural work, construction and tourism. For many years we have heard people talk about attracting young people and families to the island, about improving the quality of life, about new activities that will keep Kythera alive all months. But it turned out that those who announced them failed to implement them.
Similarly, the situation is bleak in education and culture, where interest is limited to the obligatory and the «necessary». The central and local states are in retreat, benefactors and charitable institutions have disappeared. The exception to this shrinkage is a number of private initiatives that fill only part of the gap.
In any case, without young people, without quality education and cultural work, we live every day in fear of losing a small part of our identity. In the face of a massified way of life, the absence of the above from Kytheraiki Life predicts a future without colour, without particularities, without new creation, without «squeaky lilies».
History teaches us that when we draw strength from our roots and care for the future, i.e. the younger generations, then we can have a strong identity. We give it branches that will grow, blossom into progress, creation, prosperity and embrace more people. If we serve this purpose, then yes, we are certainly talking about a purely patriotic act.
The Count, a leading figure in the Trifilio, served in every way the aims not only of the institution but of Tsirigos as a whole. The Count, knowing our club, showed interest from the very first moment. He supported us in every way, informed us about the Kytherian events, integrated us into the neighborhood of Themistokleous by offering hospitality in the main building of the Foundation.
But beyond his contribution to us, we observed at that time a man who cared for the future of the youth of Kythera. A simple proof of this? To study the magazine «Kytheraika Youth». A magazine that was the annual review of the life of young Tsirigoians on the island, in the Athens-Piraeus community as well as abroad. Educational papers, literary texts and news of the student community were published there. And also almost all the activities of the young Tsirigotes. Many of them, one can realize, were under the auspices of the Triphyllion Foundation and the personal care of Dimitrios Komis. The Triffyleion helped in the educational work of the schools. The Trifillion is the main sponsor, together with the Municipality of Kythera, in the organization of the Pancythira Student Athletics Games. Sports performances to all students, sponsored by the Foundation. Support to the physical education teacher Vassilis Dafopoulos who had initiated this activity. Support for the Kythera Cinema Club. Support for the Pancythiraikos Athletic Association. Dimitris Komis was also a pioneer in the support of archaeological excavations in Kythera (Housti, Paliokastro etc.) and Antikythera, through the Kytheraic Studies Society. The excavations were financed from 1999 to 2003, covering the food and accommodation of the archaeological students.
With his support for the actions of young people, education and culture, the Count invested in the future of Tsirigotes. He was opening new chapters for Kythera and Antikythera, infusing the younger generations with hope and vision.
With his work and his contribution, the Count did not want to show who he was, but showed us who we should be. And that is how we should walk. To support the future of the country. Our children. Our pupils and students.
This should be the primary purpose of local institutions, local government, charitable institutions and private institutions. Kythiraika Niata is not just a magazine that has been «forgotten on the shelf» for the last 20 years. Kytheraika Youth is our homeland and if we do not care about it, we will be wiped off the map as history decrees. Because a place flourishes when it can keep its people strong, and because there can be no homeland without people. So let us think of our patriotism in its essence and imitate men like the Count.
I will close by using some verses from Kostas Varnalis« »Hymn of Youth" as a tribute to Dimitris Komis in the hope that our homeland can grow again:
The Future Man
we are the youth. Oranges[1]
for the triumph of Truth
guided by Virtue.
—
[1] Oroti = upright, steadfast.
In a smoother homeland
without limbs, shame,
thought and reason
will and progress.
This is the real issue today.
adloje