EuropaNostra’s «7 Under Threat» Program visited Kythira

In a press release, the Kythira Citizens’ Movement provides an update on the latest developments regarding the issue of industrial wind farms, which is a hot-button topic for the island. Read below.

PRESS RELEASE-CITIZENS' MOVEMENT OF KYTHERA

Five islands in the South Aegean—Amorgos, Kimolos, the Kythera, Sikinos and Tinos—are among the 7 most endangered cultural heritage sites in Europe for 2021, as announced by the EuropaNostra, due to the threatened construction of industrial wind farms and, consequently, the complete destruction of their landscape, which is a unique natural and cultural feature of the islands.

The «7 Under Threat» Program is administered by the EuropaNostra, the pan-European organization for cultural heritage, which is composed of civil society organizations working to preserve Europe’s cultural and natural heritage, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank Institute. On Europa Nostra In Greece, it is represented by the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture (ELL.ET)

On February 28–2, 2022 Representatives of the organization visited Kythira Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, of EuropaNostra and of European Investment Bank Institute in order to see for themselves the danger facing the island of Kythira due to the construction of the seven industrial wind farms that have been built so far.

In this context, a series of visits were initially conducted together with representatives of the Kythira Citizens' Movement:

1.       in Paleochora, which is at risk of total destruction from the Krotiri-Kefalakia industrial wind farm, a project in which the Ellaktor Group has a stake.

2.       On Mount Mermigari, where an industrial wind farm owned by the Kopelouzos Group is located just a short distance from the Venetian castle of Mylopotamos, the traditional village of Mylopotamos, the village of Lazarianika, and the Leska archaeological site—a site of exceptional importance that has been officially designated as such

3.       At the castle of Mylopotamos, which is threatened with destruction by the wind farms on Mount Mermigari and at Krotiri-Kefalovouni, a project of the Ellaktor Group.

4.       In the Foinikies area, where 21 wind turbines owned by the Kopelouzos and Terna groups are located. From this area, the remaining three sites designated for industrial wind farms in the northwestern part of the island are visible.

In addition, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, a meeting was held at the Potamos Cultural Center to provide information and exchange views. Representatives of the island’s productive sectors, the cultural sector, tourism, and institutional bodies. A very fruitful dialogue took place, during which the islanders’ anxiety about the future became clear, as did their willingness to propose a reasonable and  sustainable solution for the island.

Finally, on Wednesday, February 2–3,-2022, a meeting was held between the cross-party committee established to monitor the issue concerning the island and representatives of the three organizations. There, in an exceptionally positive atmosphere,the island’s problems and concerns regarding the haphazard siting of industrial wind farms, as well as the proposed solutions.

The delegation’s arrival on the island was preceded by a meeting in Athens at the offices of the Kythira Foundation for Culture and Development (K.I.P.A.)

As they departed from the island, the representatives of the Europa Nostra, the Hellenic Society and the European Investment Bank Institute congratulated those involved on the manner and scope of their efforts and pledged to expand their cooperation.

We would like to thank the Apesperides Hotel and Mr. Yiannis Fatsas for their support and hospitality toward the representatives of these three organizations.