Santorini, the wild bird of the Aegean that has the compass of the storm on its wing, is the most famous island in the entire world because of its rich history that dates back to prehistoric times.
Santorini owes its unique beauty and destiny to the eruptions of its volcanoes that took place in ancient times. Its volcanoes resurrected it, made it fruitful, enriched it and destroyed it again. The eruption of the volcano of Thira, the largest ever known to humanity, destroyed the Minoan civilization and caused the collapse of the central part of the island, creating the largest and most emblematic caldera on the planet.
The underwater volcano of Columbo gave in 1650 AD a very significant eruption that created an island of lava that collapsed due to the waves, causing a tsunami of 150 km. The locals called this eruption the "time of evil" because in addition to the first 70 victims, the gases that were released for months caused a large number of human and animal deaths.
The archaeological dig in Akrotiri has brought to light the prehistoric city of Akrotiri, which is literally breathtaking and causes immense awe.
The history of Thira also shaped the character of its inhabitants, who learned not only to survive such difficult challenges, but also, very importantly, to break the inner stone of the soul and produce culture as simply as extending a hand to the sun. It is no coincidence, then, that Santorini, the most beautiful of the gods, is the world's number one tourist destination.
On the occasion of the island's new ordeal with the seismic swarm that lasted two months, we speak with our distinguished guest, Ms. Flora Damigou, about all this and much more that concerns the island today.
In the last two months, the island of Santorini has entered a state of emergency due to a seismic swarm that seems to be decreasing in recent days and which has given rise to over 20000 micro-earthquakes and some larger ones (up to 5,1 R), naturally causing fear and insecurity among the residents, which insecurity is also fueled by the public controversy of scientists regarding this specific phenomenon. How do the permanent residents of the island experience this situation? What are the dominant emotions, what anxiety is besetting them?
We live in a place that owes its incredible beauty to its special geological structure due to its volcanoes. It is natural that sometimes it crosses our minds that there could be a strong earthquake or a volcanic eruption, but we are not afraid of this possibility because we grew up listening to stories from our parents about the earthquake of 56 which was devastating with 53 dead and almost leveled the island, but our parents with enormous mental strength and stubbornness did not abandon it, they stayed here and fought against adverse conditions and...resurrected the island. We owe a lot to our elders, we are inspired by their resilience and strength and we do not become victims of fear. In 2011, when we had seismic activity again, not as intense as now, we believed, when the phenomenon passed, that the mayor of Thira would finally start, with the assistance of the state, the important projects on the island, such as a normal port, which is the first requirement, because Athinios is a bay and the old port of Fira and Ammoudi cannot cover the needs of the island at all because there is a risk of landslides. A normal port and escape gates in case of emergency. Unfortunately, none of this happened and 14 years later we are in the same situation. As you can understand, there is enormous anxiety and the feeling of abandonment is dominant.
Santorini, the wild bird of the Aegean, has two active volcanoes with known activity over the centuries. I would say that its History is what defines the Place and the borders to this day and leaves the doors of the Unknown ajar! Its Past, engraved on its rocks, bleeds and teaches. Has anyone learned the lesson or, as happens on almost all our islands, time is instantly translated into money, creating a security deficit at all levels?
The island currently has 30.000 permanent residents. To complete something I omitted in your previous question, the majority of Santorinians did not leave the island, they stayed here to help those in need since the State did not even take care of the basics. Think about the fact that there has not even been a registration of permanent residents with disabilities so that we know where to find these people in case of immediate need. Now I regret saying it but no one has learned their lesson. After the earthquake of 56 foreign businessmen bought land from the displaced elderly residents of the island, convincing them that no one would come to live on a volcano!!! They came, they built their businesses, some proceeded with arbitrary constructions on the edge of the caldera since impunity tends to become the rule here. Even now that the phenomenon has not completely subsided, foreign and local businessmen are pushing for a complete return of Santorini to normality, in order to catch the season. Understandable to a point, but the projects must also be carried out. Safety is above all and concerns us all.
A few days ago, the Naxos First Instance Prosecutor's Office sent a document to the competent services of Thira, Anafi and Ios with the characteristic expression ENTELESTHE, pointing out that controls and autopsies concerning construction work without a permit must be intensified, even in areas where construction is prohibited and must be completed immediately, because there is a risk of the statute of limitations for criminal offenses with all that this entails. It is known to everyone that the continued uncontrolled construction of the island not only destroys its style, aesthetics and environment, but also creates problems of stability given the composition of the soil in some parts of the island. The question is who allowed the "extreme development" for the sake of the rapid tourist demand, willingly blinding themselves to the obvious and who is affected by this vicious circle of business Greed.
Unregulated and illegal construction is the dominant multifaceted problem that literally “grinds” the island and its sanctity. One wonders if we would have reached this point if all those who act with a cruel commercial logic did not have their high-ranking friends behind them who turn a blind eye? How else? It is important to note that the Urban Planning Department of Santorini has only two employees, so where and what should they look first. In recent years, all the permits issued by the Municipality are approved by the Region and while everyone disapproves of the arbitrary, they are happily allowed to multiply on the edge of the Caldera (“Santorini can't take it anymore. The hard times are starting now and time is running out. In addition to the issue of landslides and infrastructure, everything that we have been hiding under the carpet for the last 25 years must be addressed."seismologist Efthimios Lekkas emphasized in an interview. The conclusions are yours.
(In order to avoid having aftershocks bigger than the earthquakes, we must return to normality, the mayor of Thira told Santorini Magazine.) Does this mean that through the emergency procedure, things that haven't been done in years will be done? Yes! Time is rubber!
The question is whether, in the last five days of the tourist season, the immediate works on the slopes of the caldera can be carried out to reduce landslide risks and ensure the safety of visitors? Can the construction of a new port begin, under the pressure of the seismic condition, and at the same time, the construction of a sea escape gate in Vlychada begin and, above all, the full staffing of the hospital, which is currently under-functioning. Let's see! What is your opinion on the return to normality without the conditions that certify it being complete? Should the seismicity in this overworked place ultimately become the great opportunity for a complete reorganization of the island on other stable bases for safe and quality functionality for both residents and visitors, as well as for healthy entrepreneurship?
You have many questions and I will answer as briefly as I can. No, it is not possible to run projects that the region is supposed to have done for fifteen years, especially for the slopes, because bad lies, in addition to earthquakes, also have an issue with heavy rainfall, resulting in rock falls in the caldera and on the Athinios road. We have mentioned it many times but who listens! Now that we are at five, what should they build first? We have reached 7/3 and nothing has started, only a visual inspection was done in the schools!
As for the construction of the port, as ND MP Phil. Fortomas stated on volcano TV, there was a proposal some time ago to assign the port infrastructure of the Thira unit to TAYPED. It did not proceed because it encountered some reactions. The issue is that the port should be fast-tracked in some form, many services should be run simultaneously and in TAYPED it could be done faster after a dialogue with the competent bodies and services of Thira, Mr. Fortomas emphasized in closing!
Does anyone wonder why an island like Santorini, which generates 5,5 billion every year, cannot have its own port? Should we privatize this too as a field of shining glory, creating an identity problem for the flagship of tourism?
Now regarding the escape gate in Vlychada, the reasonable question arises as to whether it can be done because it is a shallow sea and the waters need to be deepened, it is classified as Natura so it is difficult to do some work and thirdly, very importantly, the road that leads there is narrow and in the summer there is a lot of traffic. Think about the need for something that everyone is avoiding, to move thousands of people there. The second gate that will be built in Monolithos by the Municipality and the port authority will also need depth because it is shallow and will be ready in two months, they say... Let's hope that it will be done in a safe way and not in a hurry to catch the cruise. Look, we all want to return to our daily lives, provided that some work has begun, especially the escape gates.
Santorini has a registered population of 5.000 children. Many of its school buildings have been built with materials such as sand, gravel and pumice and are very old. The Fira high school is 100 years old. While the Fira EPAL has suffered subsidence and cracks from the base. Without a static control in all schools and without a signed document for the control of the buildings by the competent bodies, which parent can trust their child to take a lesson with 200 others and not be afraid that with a six they will not have a problem. Who takes responsibility? And yet! Instead of the document requested by the parents and guardians' association, the mayor sent an email to the parents, almost like blackmail, that if the children do not go to school they will be absent from school! Five days have passed since the opening of schools and not even one hour of educational lessons were given to the children despite Mr. Kikilias' commitment that instructions would be given by the teachers to the children so that they would know how to react in the event of an earthquake and not crowd in panic at the exit with the risk of an accident. He himself stated in his announcement verbatim, the version of a stronger seismic vibration has not completely disappeared. Sorry, but with this statement only the ministry is covered.
I should also add that while pre-school classrooms are prohibited on the island, there are two to three in each school, because regular classrooms are not enough. Where? In Santorini in 2025, in the first global tourist destination, schools are not a priority. And now let's move on to the issue of our hospital, which is under-functioning, does not have basic doctors such as a pathologist, cardiologist, ENT, does not have a permanent pediatrician for our 5000 children, does not have sufficient nursing staff and has only 2 ambulances, but does not have drivers for all shifts. So why exactly are we talking in view of the start of the tourist season? We are probably kidding ourselves.
We live in dark and raging times where moral codes, fragile threads of another era, have ended up in shambles and corruption in all sectors has increased dramatically, since even in politics, or especially in it, everything is precarious and marketable.
In this struggle of individualism, our concepts, values, cultural roots, and everything that constitutes them – the gaze and the crack – have been abandoned – you remain silent and die in humble obedience – What world do you, Mr. Damigou, dream of for your children?
I am an incurable dreamer. For my children and the children of the whole world, I dream of a beautiful and peaceful world where they can express themselves freely, laugh, make plans, communicate their Truth without the fear of... stone-throwing, as is the case these days, where anyone who dares to speak the truth is disapproved of, ridiculed and isolated.
I dream a lot for my children. That they don't have to work from morning to night to make ends meet as is the case with most families, that they have time to travel to see the world, to broaden their horizons, wherever they choose to stay, that there is security, that our parents don't get in their way, TEMPI. I want them to know that there is Justice despite its obvious collapse and that no matter what happens, they will be able to find their way! I dream of a world without exploitation of the weak, without police power in place of Democracy, without wars, without the crime that has become a scourge, without the deceit that parasitizes in the courtyard of civilization, imposing its power as a source of justice. I was born on the most beautiful island in the world, my father used to let me play freely in the square of Fira, now I can't let my children play freely even on the beach.
In the huge rally for TEMPI that took place a few days ago and united all of Greece under the word JUSTICE, Santorini also participated dynamically despite the difficult conditions it faces. This movement is particularly moving. Personally, from the rally I keep the pulse of an incredible crowd and the image of the girl who stands courageously against the winds. The new generation, so slandered as the generation of technology, took the baton and proved in the most shocking way that technology is not capable of depriving it of clarity of thought, sensitivity and militancy when this is the only way out – Solidarity is the ultimate language – Which image from this magnificent gathering did you keep as a helper for the difficulties that are coming, against the government's television dealers who are attempting to "lobotomy" the crisis and perception of citizens?
For the Tempi rally, I took my children and we went down to Athens. I wanted to be there, to join our voices with the thousands of people gathered. I keep the image of this sea of people that overwhelmed everything, something that had never happened before, I keep the emotion that was evident to everyone, the humanity when they threw the chemicals for no reason and we helped each other, the image of the old grandmother who was standing on her balcony clapping and crying and because I went in the evening, the image of the people who were singing while letting 57 balloons rise. I feel anger and despair because they threw tear gas at that moment without us having done anything. I am angry that Democracy is an elusive dream in the place where it was born, I am angry that our politicians are unable to function as elected politicians for the interests of the people, but serve their own selective interests perfectly. They are not capable of providing a sense of security, prosperity and stability to this blessed country we live in and to its citizens. The only thing they are capable of is inciting terror for their own benefit.
You are the president of the Association of Three-Child Families of the Province of Thira and while the Association has only been in existence for a few months, you already have over 400 families from Thira, Anafi, Io, Sikinos, Thirasia and Folegandros. An impressive initiative and well done to you. Tell me how the idea of the association began, what problems did you face until its implementation, the goals you have set, and what was its acceptance by the Municipality of Thira?
You know there is a myth around Santorini. Everyone is a businessman, everyone has property. It is not true. Santorini is an island with a very expensive standard of living, as a result of which many families have difficulty making ends meet, as is the case in almost all regions of the country. I am also a mother of three children and at one point, while searching for information on the internet about various clubs, I came across some clubs for three children that are active in Athens. I thought why not here too since I know the families who are having difficulty. I called for information but I couldn't find any. In the winter of 23 I went up to Athens and met the general secretary of the Panhellenic Federation of Three-Child Families, I explained to her what I wanted to do and she gave me a list of papers that I had to gather, you know the bureaucracy and she encouraged me to implement it since the federation of three-child families is running the issue and she explained to me about the benefits and privileges that these families would have. Returning to the island I told some friends about my idea and we agreed to start it. Months passed with running around but it was worth it. Our joy was enormous seeing the response of the people. Many families need help, with the result that from 20/10/24 to 21/1/25 we had 400 families registered. Our goal is to help families as much as we can with discounts at supermarkets and local shops and it is truly commendable that the island's businessmen, the Municipality and the Region embraced this move by already regulating a reduced price for municipal fees and DEYATH fees. They even gave us an office space in Kamari and we expect the continuation! One of our actions is to collect things from families who are renovating their homes and donate them to us and we in turn give them to families with three children who need them. Now with the seismic swarm in progress, there were families who had come into great financial difficulty, we offered them food, medicine and everything else a home needs and we are by their side until the storm subsides. I am the temporary President of the association, we were going to hold elections in February, we would also cut a pie symbolically but unfortunately everything was postponed due to the earthquakes. Now we will start again and we will include other activities. Our goal is for all children on our beautiful island to grow up calmly and happily. This means that no child is allowed to be deprived of the necessities for their growth. If you ask me why I did it, that I found time, while also working in tourism, with three children, I will tell you that my generation is the generation that grew up with the stories of the '56 earthquake and understood from its infancy the value of human contact and the greatness of mutual assistance.
Thank you very much for this interview, for giving me the opportunity to call things by their proper names.
PS. I would like, if possible, to send my love and greetings from here to the other side of the Atlantic, to beautiful Florida, to my uncles and cousins Renieris and Antonatos and tell them not to worry about us, we are enduring and just as they left for a better life and found it in their new homeland, so too we here are fighting tooth and nail to improve our island and the future of our children.
photo source: Georgia Daliana
