Interview with the Mayor of Amorgos,
κ. Lefteris Karaiskos
An island of endless blue, with unparalleled beauty and rich tradition. The Mayor of Amorgos, Mr. Lefteris Karaiskos analyses in grtraveller why Amorgos is the place to live!
Mr. Mayor, Amorgos is one of the “covid-free” islands. How did you manage to protect your island?
We have indeed succeeded and remain covid free, even a year after the pandemic emerged. From the very first moment the Municipality of Amorgos, through its Civil Protection Department and in cooperation with the Health Centre, the staff of the Coast Guard and the Police Station, the staff of the Municipality and voluntary groups active on the island, took the initiative to inform and sensitize the residents to the correct observance of the measures. At the same time, it procured the necessary equipment, equipment and services to deal with the pandemic. People have responded by respecting the measures, reducing travel and implementing the protocols to restart the economy whenever possible, such as last summer. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all my fellow citizens for their exemplary attitude and behaviour. We have been deprived of many joys in our lives all this time. From the contact with our own people, our closed schools, our churches, to the expression of our culture and tradition because of the ban on our festivals. At the same time, the economic and social consequences cannot yet be assessed. But we came out victorious and we hope that soon, optimistic and healthy, we will get our lives back and welcome the thousands of friends of the island.
Is Amorgos a safe tourist destination?
During the pandemic we managed in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the South Aegean Region, institutions and valuable supporters to shield our island and we continue to strengthen and upgrade the primary health care services through equipment and staff training. In addition, the island’s residents and professionals have the knowledge to act responsibly when the economy is restarted in order to protect public health! Amorgos is a safe and attractive tourist destination, an ideal destination for those who want to avoid mass tourism and choose relaxation and privacy on their holidays. I hope we will soon be a covid free island because of the vaccination.
We have been deprived of many joys in our lives all this time.[…] But we have emerged victorious and we hope that soon, optimistic and healthy, we will get our lives back and welcome the thousands of friends of the island.
Is Amorgos participating in the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Revolution?
It is a great honour for Amorgos to participate in the “Greece 2021” celebrations. In Chora Amorgos, one of the first schools of free Greece operated. in this space we will house the Municipal Library of the island. The Amorgos Gymnasium of Amorgos, donated by the Holy Monastery of Chozoviotissi, the contribution of the clergy to the uprising of the Nation, the timeless struggle for education and the education of the youth of the island and the Amorgian heroes of the Struggle will be presented and honoured in a series of events that will leave a historical imprint for the younger generations.
Recently the Municipality of Amorgos was awarded at the Best City Awards 2020. Is it a reward for your work?
This is an important distinction and I hope it is the first of many for our Municipality. This is the “Redevelopment of Aegiali Bay Square”, a project funded by the South Aegean Region and the Amorgos Port Fund. It is the reward for our efforts to upgrade the everyday life of the residents and visitors of our island and our policy to highlight the traditional Amorgian architecture through the upgrading of the aesthetic appearance of the settlements, where required. In this context, we are planning many redevelopments of municipal spaces and the restoration – utilization of emblematic municipal buildings.
In Chora Amorgos, one of the first schools of free Greece operated. in this space we will house the Municipal Library of the island.
What actions have been taken to promote Amorgos for the “enigmatic” summer of 2021?
We have made a dynamic promotion taking advantage of the fact that our island has responded very well to the management of the pandemic and we hope that the vaccination course will give an “air of freedom” to visitors and put Amorgos at the centre of their choices. We participate in many international tourism exhibitions, we have a dynamic presence in all media, both domestic and international, and we have developed a Tourism Promotion Plan. It is clear that the qualitative, economic development of Amorgos passes through tourism. We are ready to face the challenges of the new tourist season.
…simplicity and authenticity
in its environment, its picturesque villages,
the hospitable people and of course the tradition,
the culture and gastronomy that
will blow you away.
Where is the development of sports tourism in Amorgos?
Amorgos is the ideal “arena” for the development of sports tourism. All surveys reinforce the dynamic profile and tourism potential of people travelling to a sporting event. In addition, sporting events are an incentive for sport and youth participation and the development of volunteering. In Amorgos we have two events at the moment. The Amorgos Trail Challenge, a running event that highlights our unique beauty trails and has hundreds of participants and the Authentic Big Blue, an international freediving tournament that attracts the top athletes in Greece and abroad.
Why visit Amorgos at any time of the year?
Amorgos is one of the few islands that has retained its authenticity. It is not only the endless blue that advertises us worldwide. It is the simplicity and authenticity of the environment, the picturesque villages, the hospitable people and of course the tradition, culture and gastronomy that will fascinate you. It is a big bet for us as the Municipal Authority, through our planning to make Amorgos a year-round destination, and we will succeed.
