Monthly Archives: July 2007

Fire on Hydra!

Published July 24, 2007 | By Jennifer

The fires are out, but the debate continues…

SHAME …

Fire approaching Kamini

It was our plan to present things in humorous light, articles that would show the lighter side of life on our little Rock. But there is nothing funny about this: in fact, even any humor in the initial rhubarb in which conspiracy theorists claimed that one of the contestants in the ongoing mayoral dispute of 2006/2007 was to blame has paled with the smoke-screened sun.

Fires above Hydra town

Yes, our duelling “mayors” were in Athens in court on July 25 (our future-former-post-almost mayors), and the rumor that one of their “henchmen” had deliberately set the Mandraki dump alight in order to embarrass the other is now yesterday’s bad joke.

Fire encroaches upon Hydra town

Our poor island has never seen the likes of this fire: neither the great fire of ’85 in which three brave volunteers died nor the three-day blaze in ’87 subdued Hydra like this.

It’s akin to a war zone. Helicopters, fire planes, and the navy have shown unbelievable skill and courage in fighting this blaze from dawn till dusk for two days now.

Helicopter bringing water around Kamini

Our headline could have been anything from “Fire Fight for Survival” to “Brave Pilots Fly Every Daylight Hour to Save the Town.” But we have simply called this one “Shame.” Shame, because this should not have happened, and it’s about time we stood up and said so.

Fire raging behind Hydra town

It could well be diplomatically correct to point out that with literally hundreds of wildfires raging across the country as a direct result of record-breaking heat wave temperatures, this was an inevitable result and yet further proof that this global warming stuff is for real. But the truth is that our island is on fire because of a simple lack of foresight, which is a polite way of saying stupidity.

It’s not like we didn’t have fair warning or time to plan for this disaster, as both previous serious fires started at the garbage dump, and already this summer two minor fires were extinguished in the same location.

Fire early day two from a boat

So why shame? We are not experts in municipal economics, but it doesn’t take much logic to understand that the cost of the capsized and unsuccessful Miaoulis fireworks boat could have saved us from this.

How? A pump and/or small reservoir at the “skoopethia” landfill could have stopped the fire in its tracks long before it spread. Now, our beautiful isle looks like it has been blitzed. In a way it has, and the cost cannot be tallied in terms of cash loss.

Plane fighting fire behind town

Why does it always take a disaster to make folks shout for what is right? In their efforts to gain favour with the popular vote, our “authorities” have advocated such wonderful schemes as paving and illuminating a road to Vlichos, spending thousands on the placement of pretty little benches and other artistic paraphernalia to enhance Hydra’s unique landscape. Grand ideas to be sure, but shouldn’t somebody have reserved just a few coins for the unattractive but practical project of ensuring that the repetitive source of fire could be combated before it became an island emergency?

It is too easy with hindsight to point fingers and lay blame, but come on chaps …

Plane going into the smoke

One would assume that now, maybe, something will be done to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring in future. But then, we said that in ’85, and again in’87, and heard it murmured about after several small-fire near misses subsequently.

Helicopter picking up water

In closing … absolute kudos to and admiration for the firefighting pilots and volunteers who have fought so desperately to save our island from total incineration.

Perhaps now, with Mr. Anastopoulos’s uncontested reinstatement as mayor, we can focus on serious matters.

David and Jennifer took the following pictures of the fire’s aftermath
during a boat trip around the island.

An entire valley destroyed on the back of Hydra Island

The new forest destroyed

Beautiful Limonitze bay blackened

More evidence of devastation on the back of the island

Fire devastation down to the water’s edge

Fire devastation down to the water's edge

A coastal chaple saved

A coastal home destroyed

Thanks to Jan McGiffin for sharing her photos from the days of the fires and from a hike to Episcopi showing the aftermath.

Fire on approach to Hydra town seen from Kamini

Fire bombing over Hydra as seen from Kamini

Night fires in Mandraki seen from Kamini

Night fires heading toward Vlichos and Episcopi seen from Kamini

Fire devastation along the coast of Hydra island

Fire devastation around an inland chapel

Fire devastation around an inland cottage

Fire damage right up to the door

https://davidfagan.org/images/ArchiveImages/Fire%20devastation%20on%20the%20back%20of%20Hydra%20Island1.jpg

What Is a Carbon Footprint?

Published July 1, 2007 | By Jennifer

Essentially it’s about how much fossil fuel an individual consumes in his or her daily life, or in layman’s terms, how much carbon dioxide one’s lifestyle generates, therefore contributing to polluting the planet.

How ’bout a Donkey Print?

Hydra’s donkeyprint

On Hydra, we pride ourselves that we are amongst the world’s leaders in the fight against global warming just by living here. Neon signs are banned. We don’t catch buses, drive cars, or even have the ability to commute by moped if we wish. For anything heavier than a shopping bag, one requires a donkey for transport, and in extreme cases for long distances, a water taxi, though this is hardly the norm. Even bicycles are banned (except for those under the age of 14, in which case, the vehicle is considered a toy).

Nor in fact does our terrain merit anything more than burden-baring four-footed friends, given that Hydra is basically a rock with few level paths (try riding your bike up and down cobblestone steps). As one of the last bastions of unmotorized transportation so close to a major European capitol, Hydriotes can pride themselves on being pioneers of an old technology in the 21st century: foot travel and expedited delivery by donkey.

Hydra’s footprint

However, it would be too easy to rest on our laurels and assume we are therefore ahead of the global warming game. There are new and equally treacherous avenues along which even us c-footprint-light types can misstep. Air-conditioning, washing machines, the occasional trip by hydrafoil, and other new technowizardry, especially if used without due regard to energy use, all contribute to an increased footprint.

Take simply leaving lights on. We are not just talking about home owners’ leaving their garden lights on all night, but about the illumination of Hydra in general. Some back streets of Kamini and upper Hydra have brilliant new spotlights a-shining until gone dawn. There are even blueprints to pave and light the road to Vlichos our sources tell us, which will mean no more donkey prints along what is now a pristine footpath.

A rhubarb and debate have already erupted, making this an issue with no simple solution. “All those in favor of a yaya (grandmother) not falling down some steps in the dark, say aye,” gets a majority vote. “All those who oppose having their quiet, simple village night sky and luminous tranquility invaded, say aye,” gets the taxpayer vote. It’s a political standoff.

Statistics (read rumors) indicate that most are in favor of the first proposal, and yet home owners are dead against having an all-night spotlight illuminating their backyards, bedrooms, and terraces. This could involve years of legal wrangling.

Going lighter?

So, why not try something radical, something we are sure could be implemented by simply asking the relevant house owner who is in proximity to a newly proposed street light to sponsor a motion detector. At approximately 30 euros apiece, not only would they save the island a fortune in electricity (even with the low-energy lamps currently installed), but they would lead the way in maintaining our energy-friendly environment.

And there would be extra savings on top. There have been recorded instances of newish municipal lamps succumbing to accident sooner than their extra-long-life projections. Our lower-energy lamps might last longer if they only popped on when a person was within range, which would obviously translate into less “damage-control” expense for the Demos.

Creative Kamini

Published July 1, 2007 | By Jennifer

Alexis Averbuck

Alexis Averbuck, Hydra Island Greece

Painter and writer

Having relocated to Hydra in 2007, Alexis recent painting works to capture the specific luster of the island’s colors, moods, and natural environment. Learn more.

Alison Leslie Gold

Writer

Award-winning author Alison Leslie Gold has published fiction, nonfiction, and journalism, as well as written for radio and television. She presently divides her time between New York City and Kamini, Hydra. Learn more.

Ann Rivers

Ann Rivers, poet, Hydra, Greece

Poet

Poet Ann Rivers has lived on Hydra for nearly four decades. Learn more and more.

Bill Pownall

Painter

English painter Bill Pownall has been living and working on Hydra for decades, transforming its scenery into a symbolic language in his abstract paintings and creating evocative landscape collages. Learn more and more.

Brice Marden

Brice Marden on Charlie Rose

PainterAmerican painter Brice Marden and his wife, Helen Harrington, first visited Hydra in 1971. Since, they have returned annually, and the island is said to have greatly affected Marden’s work. Learn more and more.

Charles Young

Writer

American novelist Charles Young lives part-time on Hydra. His novel Clouds over Hydra (1996) is set on the island. Learn more.

David Fagan

David Fagan returning to his African roots

Writer

David Fagan spent his formative years in Africa. After lunch on a Greek island day trip in 1983, he opted not to reboard the cruise boat but stayed, living and working on Hydra, pursuing his alternative lifestyle, publishing his first collection of stories about the island in 2003. Learn more.

David Irlam

Sculptor and writer

David has been living on the Greek island of Hydra for over twenty years, during which time he has developed a keen interest in making items of art from the native Olive wood. Learn more.

Demetri Gassoumis

Painter

Born of an Hydriot mother, Demetris Gassoumis splits his time between the island and the States. Hydra landscapes make up the vast majority of his painting, and he also makes stunning shadow sculptures out of white paper. Learn more.

Don Lowe

Writer

Don Lowe has spent the last four decades on the island and has penned multiple works of fiction. He often entertains the locals with readings from his writings. Learn more.

Francesca

Poet

Update to come!

Jacqueline Savidge

Painter

Jacqui came to live in Greece nearly 25 years ago. After living in Athens for two years she moved to Hydra, which has been her home and source of inspiration ever since. Learn more.

Iris Kharami

Painter

Descended from an old Hydriot family, the self-taught Iris Kharami has been painting for thirty years. She has had seven one-woman shows in Athens and two on Hydra, and her work captures island’s “grandeur and austerity.” Learn more.

Karolos Voutsinas

Composer and pianist

Greek-English musician Karolos Voutsinas has enjoyed a successful career in Greece and internationally as a composer, arranger, pianist, and vocal performer, among a myriad other roles. He made Hydra his home in 2008. Learn more.

Leonard Cohen

Writer and musician

Canadian poet, novelist, songwriter, and singer Leonard Cohen spent many years on Hydra, which features prevalently in or has otherwise influenced much of his writing. Learn more.

Mary Gladstone

Painter

Mary Louise Coulouris

Mary Louise Coulouris, Hydra Island Greece

Painter and printmaker

Mary Louise is a printmaker, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Printmakers, painter, and public artist. Imagination, creativity, and design sense are central to her work. She spends most of the year on Hydra. Learn more.

Michael Lawrence

Painter

Michael Lawrence has lived and worked on Hydra since 1992, painting landscapes and portraits, as well as whimsical interpretations of idea and experience, some inspired by the island itself. He exhibits annually at the Maria Mercuri Gallery on Hydra’s port. Learn more.

Michalis Maniatis

Writer and actor

Update to come!

Natacha Best

Natacha Best and Hart Porsche at Kamini's Varena Foundation

Painter

French watercolorist Natacha Best divides her time between Paris and Hydra, taking the landscape as the inspiration for most of her paintings. She has exhibited for more than twenty years throughout France, Spain, and Greece. Since 2006, she has served as vice president of Kamini’s Verena Foundation. Learn more.

Panayiotis Tetsis

Painter

One of Greece’s most eminent painters, Hydra-born Panayiotis Tetsis takes the island as inspiration for many of his land- and seascapes and still lifes. Learn more and more and more.

Pauline Keaney

Pauline Keaney in her studio

Painter

Pauline Keaney lives permanently on Hydra, whose landscape and scenery are sources of inspiration for her abstract paintings. Learn more.

Roger Green

Roger Green in Kamini, Hydra

Poet

English writer and poet Roger Green lives and works full-time in Kamini, regaling the locals with his parodic verse. Learn more and more.