| Rock Solid Rocking KastellorizoThe much anticipated Rock Solid Trail Run was a resounding success. More than 160 runners from other parts of Greece, Italy, England, France and the local community, participated in the first ever international sporting event, The Rock Solid Trail Runs.Thirty children ran in the 1.3km race, 75 adults in the 5km race and 52 adults in the 10km race. Savvas Potsos from Rhodes won both distances. However, everyone was a winner in this popular event as parents cheered on their children, as well as children who cheered on their parents and teachers; the community spirit was euphoric over the 11th & 12th June weekend.The creators of this race, Vassilis Kanakaris and Margarita Kannis, already have sponsorship enquiries for next year’s event which is scheduled for June 3 & 4. Local runners have already started training programs. Two members of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, including the General Secretary will visit the island in July to discuss other potential sporting events for Kastellorizo.People all over the world were able to watch the event LIVE. If you missed the live races, click here to view the highlights. The highlights of the 10km race will be available soon.Click here to view all results.If you would like to be part of Rock Solid 2023, keep your eye on the Facebook page, Rock Solid Island Trail Run. | |
Rock Solid Winner The Men’s 10km trophies were presented by Enzo Monteleone, the screenwriter, for the feature film, Mediterraneo, which was filmed on Kastellorizo in 1991. This photograph shows Enzo presenting the first prize trophies for 2 events to Savvas Potsos from Rhodes.A big thank you to Brian Tanner who donated the trophies that he carved from recyclable materials. Beyond Borders Documentary Film Festival A total of 30 documentaries will be competing this year in the international documentary film festival held between 21 – 28 August.There will be a collection of magnificent films dealing with historical, cross-cultural events, trends and personalities that have shaped our countries, peoples and civilizations.Click here for information about which documentaries have qualified for this year’s documentary festival. Santrapeia School Restoration Funding The South Aegean Region is proceeding with the restoration of the historic buildings of the Santrapeia School and Girls’ School of Megisti supported by a budget of €750 000.The Regional Governor, George Chatzimarkos, from the Directorate of Technical Works of the Dodecanese of the South Aegean Region announced an open tender for the selection of a contractor for the restoration works of Santrapeia Urban schoolThe buildings of Santrapeia Urban School and Girls’ School are located in the area of Chorafia, next to the church of Saints Constantine & Helene. They were built in 1903 and functioned as an eight-grade boys ‘and girls’ school with more than 300 students, until the Second World War. After the war they reopened as a peer-to-peer school. The buildings and surrounding area require urgent attention due to lack of maintenance over the years. The deadline for the completion of the project is 12 months from the day of signing by the contractor.The project is funded by the Public Investment Program (PDE), P.E. Dodecanese of the South Aegean Region. Megisti Development Funds Megisti (Kastellorizo) is listed as one of 42 small Greek Islands with less than 5 000 residents to benefit from monies allocated for development by the National Strategic Reference Framework.The Prime Minister, Mr Mitsotakis, set out the framework for implementation of the project for these less populated islands.“We must continuously strengthen our islands with new infrastructures, with new jobs for young people, by improving public transport and also local health and education facilities.”Click here to read the article from Neos Kosmos. Designers Room Kastellorizo (Sponsored Item) Something new is happening on the island.Kastellorizo welcomes a new Concept Store this summer featuring classic pieces by Greek fashion designer, Daphne Valente, inspired by mult-faceted artist Mariano Fortuny, alongside paintings by the great Alekos Fassianos, designer sunglasses, and together with the stunning silk Mandilis reminiscent of the traditional Kastellorizian costume. Filia Magazine Paid members should have received the Summer edition (Northern Hemisphere) of Filia this month.Nick Pappas continues to provide articles that fascinate and impress our readers. Edition 52 features the translation of Achilleas Diamantaras’ account of the rituals of marriage on Kastellorizo in 1878. Nick also provides a commentary on the customs from the highly regarded historian and educator.Have you ever wondered if there are any dangerous snakes on Kastellorizo? Robert Moorhead begins a new series to be published about the natural history of Kastellorizo.Click here to read both articles. Friends of Kastellorizo would like to thank Victor and George Kailis for sponsoring this edition.Friends of Kastellorizo would like to thank Palasis Atzemis, our graphic designer, who has provided the artwork for Filia since our first edition in 2009. The quality of his design work contributed to the visual aesthetic of our highly acclaimed publication. Palasis is moving on from graphic design work and we wish him well in his other endeavours. Music Festival of Metisses Click here to view this haunting rendition of the song ‘Kastellorizo’ by Franco-Greek artist Dafne Kitharas. Navy Vessel The island is expecting a bumper year, with tourists from Australia, Turkey and Europe visiting over the summer months. Friends of Kastellorizo wish all businesses on the island a prosperous tourist season.You will be pleased to know the Hellenic Navy boat docked in the harbour won’t be interrupting your sleep this summer, as a team of electricians is increasing the wattage which will allow the vessel to be connected to a generator. It won’t be long before the quiet dulcet tones humming in the evening will replace the cacophonous sounds of the past.A happy, peaceful summer to all. Trips to Kas,Turkey There are ferry boats every day from Kas to Kastellorizo, the Meis Express and the Kharamanlar. Usually you will need to stay overnight, to be able to return on the next ferry. Both boats have implemented a service on Friday, market day, which departs Kastellorizo around 10.15 am and returns around 4pm.You are not permitted to bring back meat or dairy. You can bring in goods to a value of €175 without paying taxes. Between €175 – €450 you will pay a small tax.You must have receipts in Turkish Lira.You cannot shop for others; all shopping must be accompanied by the traveller.Advice is to pay in Lira (cash). Paying by card, for example, at the supermarket, attracts a hefty commission. Kastellorizo to Kas Swim There were approximately 100 participants this year in the annual Kastellorizo to Kas swim which took place on 26 June. Only Turkish people were permitted to participate in this year’s event. The physical endurance to swim the 2.7 km distance is inspirational and as seen in the Gallery photos below, the event added a colourful spectacle for tourists and locals of the island.The Mayor of Kas, Turkey was on the island for the event and met with the Mayor of Kastellorizo in an act of goodwill and fellowship. Memorial Service For Hero ANGELO BARBOUTTIS – THAT MAGNIFICENT GREEKAt the Australian War Memorial on the evening of 11 June, 2022, the Last Post was played for Lance Corporal Angelo Barbouttis.Wreaths were laid. Friends and family travelled from across Australia and hundreds packed the Memorial’s galleries to witness this moving event.Angelo Barbouttis was a hero. In extraordinary circumstances in 1943 during World War II, he gave his life to save the lives of the crew of his patrol boat in the waters of New Guinea. As one of the survivors wrote:’Barbouttis was up there in the bow of our boat. It’s hard to describe a man like that, or how he looked or what he did. He looked magnificent. He did everything so smoothly and with cold efficiency, and he was the most savage spectacle I’ve ever seen’.Angelo Barbouttis’s name was projected onto the exterior of the Hall of Memory for a day in the months of January, April, and July, and will be again on 18 September, 2022. Although Angelo was ‘mentioned in dispatches’, inexplicably no medal has been awarded to him. However, it was fitting to have him so honoured, this month, in this place of remembrance.The next edition of Filia will cover this touching ceremony and the story of this Kastellorizian hero. Connecting Across Cultures Some of you may remember the Filia article, “The Jackomos Story – it’s in the Blood” written by Connie Gregory that featured the story of Andrew Alick Jackomos who is an indigenous Australian and who also treasures his Kastellorizian heritage. He is one of Victoria’s most senior and widely respected indigenous administrators.Florence Livery who is an Archivist for the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria attended the event and provided the following report:Andrew spoke at a conference in Melbourne on 15 May 2022 at the Greek Orthodox Centre that celebrated the connections between Ancient Greeks and Indigenous Australians, focusing on the Wurrundjeri people, as the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) building is located on their traditional land. Through humour and passion, he urged us to be brave about Reconciliation, as he proudly spoke of his dual heritage, maternally Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara and paternally Kastellorizian and their common threads.The occasion was a great success and initiated by Manos Tzimpragos, former Principal and Education Officer, GOCMV Language and Culture Schools. He made the connection between an Aboriginal Dreamtime story of the Wurrundjeri people about Crow who stole the fire and its similarity to the Ancient Greek myth of Prometheus. Manos thought that the GOCMV should do some further investigation and teach their students about other similarities between the two cultures.The Education Team plan to continue their regular consultation with the GOCMV Board and construct a respectful curriculum for their schools and hopefully, other Greek schools.The GOCMV Board on 28 January 2021 adopted the following motions unanimously that was also endorsed by the broader Greek-Australian community in Victoria: Permanently raising the Australian, the Greek and the Aboriginal flags at the Greek Centre. Endorsing and adopting in its entirety, the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Click here to read more about Andrew Jackomos. Membership Renewals: 2022 – 2023 Many of you will receive your invoice via email this week to renew your membership for Friends of Kastellorizo for the next financial year beginning 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023.You can make payment via our website by Direct Deposit or PayPal. Click here to make a payment.Thank you for your support. |