After the statement - accusation against the mayor of the combination «Kythira - Antikythera, We live here» regarding the Bazaar in Potamos, the representative of the party, Manos Trifyllis returned, speaking to Kythera.News for the partial withdrawal of the mayor, the new actions of the minor minority but also for the general consideration of an issue that has been in the news consistently for over 60 years, always through the same actors and against the background of an agenda unchanged in time.
Mr. Trifyllis informed us that yesterday, Thursday, 04/03, the mayor of Kythera, Efstratios Harhalakis, gave in to the pressure of the opposition, sending a revised draft of the operation regulation of the Bazaar, in which the position of the minority for the possibility of selling small processed products (jams, spoon sweets, pickles, handmade pasta), as well as eggs, is satisfied, but excludes the sale of Sempreviwa from it.
Subsequently, the combination «Kythira - Antikythera, We live here», sent to members of the Economic Committee, draft regulation, which includes the following:
- Deletion of the current provision of the regulation, according to which, in case of an emergency (execution of works etc.), the possibility is given to move the Bazaar inside or outside the River. The position of the faction is clear and speaks only of temporary transfer in such cases.
- Whatever is not regulated by the ordinance should be regulated by resolutions of the city council, not through a finance committee.
- Allow the sale of handicrafts and art. On this point, Mr. Trifyllis was absolutely clear, stressing that the visitor is primarily seeking contact with the special soul of a place, i.e. the traditions and culture, and this is ensured by authentic artistic creations. «This continuity cannot be provided by a “Chinese product” of mass production", said Mr. Trifyllis.
This continuity, for Mr. Trifyllis, permeates the overall character of the Bazaar. Continuity, not only of traditions but also of the natural flow of the week, hence its establishment on the holiday, the seventh day, Sunday. Because it is Sunday that links the Christian feeling of the local people with tradition, which is carried over from the Divine Liturgy to the fermentations that take place around the stalls of the Bazaar, which are not only places of sale but also interactive hives of cultural osmosis between the members of the community. A process that strengthens the bonds between them and is reflected in the interaction with visitors.
That is why it is incomprehensible for Manos Trifilli, the fact that over time the strongest voices pushing for the Bazaar to be moved to another day come from the Church. «This would not only change the character of the institution, it would abolish it completely», argues Mr. Trifyllis, who in a post on his personal Facebook account, the Declaration of the «Committee for the Preservation of Tradition», which dates back to 17/05/61, underlines exactly this role of the River Bazaar. The continuity and continuation of an institution with a «festive, Christian character». A character that is above all human, we would add. After all, Sunday is as much God's day as it is man's.
Finally, I see no disagreement on the need to formulate a modern regulation for the bazaar, nor a willingness to «leave it as it is». Perhaps Mr. Mayor has not correctly understood the objections raised. In that case, Ek Trifilli would do well to act as much as humanly possible to explain it to him.
It seems that there has been convergence ( with respect to the original proposal) and bravo, and the disagreement is on the 3 points developed by Mr. Trifyllis (deletion of the possibility of transfer out of the River, decisions by the Board and LOCAL craftsmanship). I personally see them as perfectly reasonable and useful. Especially the first point, which the Mayor does not intend to remove, would be simple to remove.
I wonder. How hard is it for the majority of the City Council to agree on these 3 key proposals and show a willingness to be united instead of adversarial and move forward united on the (several) challenges we have anyway
PS. The opinion obtained by the Municipal Authority from the Ministry of Finance is positive, which allows on its traditional basis, the marketing of fresh produce in the bazaar. She is being recognized by all, well done. Let her take the final step of convergence for the good of our land.