26/06/2018 - 13:18The wind burials of Ikaria

In ancient Greece the winds were considered to be Gods - or at least demonic creatures - that, in order to be placated, demanded sacrifices of some sort. Their divine nature is described in Iliad, in the myth of Typhon and Aeolus, but also in our traditions, that have their roots in antiquity.

19/06/2018 - 12:28The figs #ikaria

Honestly, if I asked you to choose the one true flavor of summer, what would come first to mind? For me, it would be figs. Why not the watermelon, you might ask, or even melons, peaches, or grapes? Or so many others… well, yeah, ok.

06/06/2018 - 12:17When Ikaria mothers me

There are times in life when I want to shy away from everyone and everything. When there is no energy left, head empty, bones too heavy to move. When I was a child I could hide myself from the world by wrapping my arms around the neck of my mother or grandmother, closing my eyes and diving into their smell, feeling warm, cosy and protected. The world was forgotten immediately.

30/05/2018 - 11:15Giorgis’ confession

Father Lias Karapetis from Pezi used to deliver mass from 1850 to 1865 at the church of Aghios Taxiarchis. Every Saturday night he visited Magganitis. At some point the Bishop of Samos appointed him as confessor. Amongst all the instructions, the Bishop also explained the canon (punishments) depending on the gravity of the sins.

24/04/2018 - 10:51There, at the Ikarian yards

I envy those 80-year-old grandmothers. The grandmothers that sit on balconies, and yards, that sip their coffee and peel almonds. They offer you a handful. I don’t envy all of them. I don’t much care about their actual age, either. I only envy those that seem full. Full of stories, of hugs, of dance.

Easter was never my favorite holiday. I have always had an aversion towards meat, for as long as I can remember.

Andreas Karkavitsas was a military doctor and author. He used to travel all over Greece, meeting people, seeing new places, learning about old traditions. And then he would write novels of the land and the sea, relaying the richness of his stories with simple and intelligible words.

I grew up into the arms of 4 Ikarian sisters. My 4 aunts, ageless, in a state of perfect equilibrium of strength and femininity.

Some time ago I wrote down my "bucket-list". On this list, "sky-diving" and "picking olives on Ikaria" are among the priorities. For several reasons, I have been good at postponing both, but this summer I spread the word on the platia that I would be back for the olives.

21/02/2018 - 11:52Sushana

Sushana, you see, was a ghostly figure that lived inside the mind of one countryman of ours, from Plagia, during the previous century. Any time a Saint was being celebrated, her inspirer took her with him, on foot, to the festival to introduce her to the villagers. Soon, everyone had heard of her, loved her and anticipated the time when they could see her again.

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