On the findings of Hippolytus

Our dear Hippolytus, in journalistic spirit and under the headline: «Livadi “Takes Off,” Chora and Potamos Lose Ground,» makes some observations—in good faith, I believe. As someone considerably older, allow me to point out to him that even good intentions can be misunderstood if they are not presented in the appropriate manner. Ippolytos’s article “upset” people and sparked reactions. Kythira is a unified community, and every project or new business venture benefits our island as a whole. The commercial development of Livadi brings joy to all Kythirians, and all the villages benefit from it—especially Chora, which is so close by. I would say that this development was to be expected and has its roots in the perseverance of the late former President of Livadi, the late Gavrilis Haros, who 100 years ago convinced his fellow villagers to cede portions of their fields so that Livadi could have a wide main road. This road brought development. Shops were built and thrived on both sides of the road. Chora, with its picturesque, old-world architecture—a jewel not only for our island but beyond—was bound to find another path to growth. Tourist shops, accommodations, and charming little bars and cafes suit it perfectly. It complements the magical Kapsali, and together with the Castle in between, they form an unbeatable ensemble that simply cannot fall into decline. Of course, the town’s urban fabric also includes a wide range of shops selling everyday consumer goods. The development model that best suits Chora is, par excellence, tourism, and this is the path it is following. Cruise tourism, as the past has shown, is what suits it best of all. Efforts must be made to revive this sector. And Potamos must be considered alongside Agia Pelagia, as the two complement each other. It should also be noted that, due to its large size, the commercial enterprises operating within its area begin at the Agricultural Cooperative, which has significant commercial activity throughout the year, and extend all the way to the intersection leading to Agios Theodoros. Businesses are found along kilometers of road; taken together, they reveal the commercial and entrepreneurial dynamism of Potamos. The automobile has changed things. Businesses are relocating along the main streets. Thanks to the car, the relocation of the hospital to a more suitable building caused no discontent among the residents of Potami, nor did they feel any sense of alienation from it. Moreover, Saint Theodore and his site are familiar to all residents of Tsirigo, and especially to those living nearby in Potami. The more central location of the new hospital was generally well-received. The bank closed as part of a nationwide strategy, given that most banking transactions are now conducted via cell phone. With the help of Charalambos Michalakakis, ever-vigorous in body and spirit, I am cataloging the shops along the River to restore what our beloved Hippolytus wrote, likely out of ignorance. The lower section of the main street is home to unique businesses, such as shops selling: hardware and lumber. Bicycle rentals. Fishing and marine goods. A pharmacy. A barbershop. An eye clinic. An optician’s. A bookstore—newspaper and electronics store. Coming soon: an electronics store. Paint store. Pastry shop. Two architectural firms. Civil engineering firm. Agricultural supplies. General merchandise store. Jewelry store. Tourist goods and folk art shop. Electrical goods store. K.E.P. (Municipal Public Enterprise) of the Municipality of Kythira. Refreshment stand. These alone are located up to the Ilarioissa area. Therefore, Hippolytus’s observation that ’half the commercial street from the pharmacy to Ilarioissa remains vacant almost all year round’ should be revised. From there onward, there are: a supermarket, cafes, restaurants, grill houses, a fast-food joint, shops selling tourist items and clothing, a bakery, a butcher shop, a photo studio, a post office, an insurance agency, three tax offices, a notary’s office, two hotels, vacation rentals, a general practitioner’s office, a dentist’s office, and a few others. Around the river, we find: a nursing home, an elementary school, two gas stations, a plumbing supply store, an ice factory, a martial arts gym, a café, workshops for iron, aluminum, and woodworking, as well as furniture-making, auto and motorcycle repair shops, and agricultural machinery repair shops, a winery, Building materials yards, and a construction company producing concrete, rebar, and asphalt. Of course, let’s not forget that Potamos is home to the Philharmonic Orchestra, and every Sunday the traditional Potamos Sunday Market takes place, whose reputation extends far beyond the borders of our island. We may have forgotten something, or perhaps we’ve exaggerated a bit. But this is the truth. Let’s help our entire island thrive. Every community should support the others. Every new business is for the good of our entire island. A substantial improvement to the main road network will bring us closer together. Let’s keep that in mind.

Author of the article:

Kosmas Megalokonomos