An open letter of concern to his fellow countrymen from a prominent scientist from Tsirigoti: Kythira, he warns, this small Mediterranean ecosystem which, like other islands, in their simplicity have enjoyed the opportunity for a peaceful and orderly life, is in danger of losing its soul as it approaches the crossroads of (unregulated) development.
The text follows:
«We're grown-ups now. We're well into our seventies.".
It seems like just yesterday that, between Kyriakos’s coffee shop, Bobou’s department store, and my late father’s small, troubled little shop, the «Laiki Agora,» we’d play soccer, ride our roller skates, and later, compete to see who had the best bike. Olympic versus Bauer!
We grew up happily and innocently, because our minor and normal disagreements were, without a doubt, characterized by what we might call “acceptable.” Moderation and good character. All right, may Nikos Plastis forgive us, in heaven, if we hung his armchairs from the eucalyptus trees on those August evenings just to have some fun at his expense the next day. There was no hint of mischief, bullying, or malice in these acts. They were simply the spice of our little fun.
Then came the years of maturity. Both those who had studied at universities and our friends who had not studied, but who made sure to distinguish themselves in various ways, succeeded and raised families grounded in principles and ethics—qualities that have always defined Tsirigotis. Theft, vagrancy, vandalism, crime, and feuds—that is, the very things that poison the lives of many villages in our country right up to the grave—were unthinkable to us, even as mere possibilities.
Tsirigo, in all its humility, isolation, and rugged, scarred reality, offered us all the comfort of an open door, simplicity… and the Tsimara orchestra, to give voice to our joys.
The eucalyptus trees in Livadi, the “Hollow Rock” in Myrtidia, Sparagario in Kapsali, the valleys of Mylopotamos and Amir Ali—all provided us with the principles and foundations for our great journey. And, of course, our families as well.
I, in all humility, have endured anxieties, hardships, and heartaches—which I hope no one else ever has to experience—so that I might rise up and, to the best of my modest abilities, to give back and to meet my friends in Tsirigo—all the people of Tsirigo—and to feel that they hold me in high regard. You can see that in their eyes.
Because for me, my fellow villagers, there’s nothing more than your appreciation. That’s the greatest reward.
Friends of Tsirigotes,
Today we’re navigating the constellation of growth. A captivating word—at once progressive and insidious—that everyone interprets in their own way. At the end of the day, it’s all about revenue, profits, and the prospects for even greater gains. But is it possible, one might ask, for anyone to be against growth? Certainly not. However, there are many of us—and fortunately, I believe we are still the majority—for whom development implies laws, rules, respect for timeless values, and the environment.
Because “development” also refers to extreme and bottomless capitalism, where the climate, the oxygen we breathe, and inequalities among people take a back seat. Unregulated development and unbridled capitalism are synonymous with our demise.
I would like to emphasize once again that development—especially in a small ecosystem like Tsirigo —means well-structured rules and a meaningful presence of those who have decided to govern the island, as well as those whom the state pays to be visible, active, and present, honored guardians of our island.
There are many models of development: those of Northern and Central Europe, those of the Balkans, and, further afield, those of South America. I want to emphasize that, in my view, Tsirigo never had the characteristics of a Balkan anarcho-autonomous reality.
On the contrary, this small Mediterranean ecosystem, like other islands, in all their simplicity, offered the opportunity for a peaceful and orderly life—one that even our disciplined Bavarian or Swiss friends would often envy.
Friends and fellow townspeople,
Today, before control is completely lost, before land encroachment, unregulated construction, and the destruction of nature become the norm, we must accept that our living space is governed by laws and rules.
Summer behaviors even more so.
It is interesting that throughout Europe today, even the injury of a single animal makes headlines on television and results in penalties. Quite rightly so. But if this is the case with animals, what should our attitude be toward other timeless entities, such as trees, caves, mountains, and beaches? I firmly believe that everything that has existed for millennia is emblematic and deserves respect and protection. It is sad that the day before yesterday in Livadi, right before our very eyes, the ancient eucalyptus trees were cut down. We found them 70 years ago, just as tall, standing symbolically in the center of our village.
This year, they were torn down in the name of development by a certain individual. A similar action in any village in Germany, France, or Switzerland would require informing all neighbors and local authorities. Above all, it would require presenting the main rationale justifying that specific decision.
They claim, as it were, that traffic is a problem at this particular spot. These hypocrites don’t mention that they want to turn the area into a parking lot. Remember that ten years ago in Livadi, everyone was talking about revitalizing the village. Money was allocated.
Today, during the summer months, Livadi is a scene of chaos due to parked cars, despite the admittedly generous gesture by a well-known businessman, who offered dozens of stremmata for parking, fifty meters from the main road. Quite simply, no laws or rules are being followed. It’s that simple.
Furthermore, my friends from Tsirigota, since we’re talking about development, I invite you to immerse yourselves—even if only in your imagination—in the aquifers of our island and feel their depth, that little bit that remains. Also, ask the ridges of every small mountain from Mermigari to the north of our island about the wind turbines they want to load onto them. Ask, too, our fellow islanders who write in favor of wind turbines—whether this is their ideological choice, which is entirely legitimate, understandable, and legal, or whether it has to do—though I have not the slightest indication of this—with their own interests stemming from their shareholdings in the energy companies behind these projects.
Talk to your young children—at least those who have remained untouched by a culture of hatred and imitation— if they want to live in a future society where, in the name of development and certainly without any fear of punishment, gradually over the next 10 to 20 years, five to ten thugs will rule over their lives and their homeland.
This is the reality to come. The behaviors in Livadi are not merely isolated symptoms. They are the beginning of what is to come and of a future whose nature and potential brutality no one can foresee. A reality in which the word “ethos” sounds completely obsolete.
Finally, take a look at some of the other islands of the Ionian Sea—proud of their serenades—and see how they’ve fared over the past twenty years due to unregulated development.
Friends of Tsirigotes,
I’m wrapping up this piece without having addressed the other, existential dilemmas facing our island regarding development. The most important one? The human resources that will drive that development. It is a huge dilemma, one that deserves to be presented in its true dimensions at some point.
I conclude this essay by saying that I wrote it as a duty to all those who call for responsible voices and distinguished academics to speak openly and unequivocally. I also wrote it as a duty to my own history and my love for the island, without harboring any other ambitions, my dear friends. I dedicate it especially to our compatriots around the world, and particularly those in Australia—those who see the island of their grandparents as the Promised Land.
With respect to all of you,
Professor Panos E. Vardas
Head of Strategic Planning at the European Society of Cardiology in Brussels. Coordinator of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery for the hospitals of the Ygeia Group.»
