” ΙΚΑΡΙΑ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ “
One hundred years since the Ikariotian liberation struggle and the founding of the Free State of Ikaria
On July 17, 1912, the Ikariot Freedom Movement managed to drive the Turkish guards off the island and thus free themselves from the Ottoman Empire after almost four hundred years of occupation.
The neighboring islands of Fournoi-Korseon joined Ikaria. Due to the raging Balkan wars, it was impossible for the leaders of the revolution to communicate with the other liberated Greeks and so the “Free State of Ikaria” was proclaimed.
Physician Ioannis Malachias was the short-lived nation’s first president. For five months Ikaria remained an independent state, with its own armed troops, state flag, stamps, stamps and anthem. Some of these relics can be admired in the small folk museum in Agios Kyrikos.
In any case, these five months of freedom were a difficult time. There were food shortages and residents were left without connections to the outside world and without regular transport and communications services. The island was also in constant danger of being swallowed up by Italian dominance in the Aegean. In November 1912, an agreement was reached with free Greece and the decision was made to immediately annex the country. Ikaria signed the treaty and became part of Greece for 100 years, according to the agreement.
This contract expired in 2012!
The dream of freedom!
Article as of July 17, 2012
Today is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the “Free State of Ikaria” and the liberation from the Ottoman occupation.
Many people mistakenly assume that today is the anniversary of the treaty with Greece and that after a hundred years, Ikaria is once again a free state.
I get a lot of letters with the question: “What’s next?” There are just as many speculations from outside…
- There should be a referendum (???) on the political future of Ikaria
- Ikaria would want to join Russia because of his communist past
- be annexed by Turkey
- be bought by the Saudis
- and the funniest thing: wanting to join Austria! That’s what the mayor would have said, according to an Italian(!) newspaper????
Yes, why not, that’s also an idea! I was even asked for an interview on this topic by the Austrian “Life Radio” under the title: Will the Greek island soon become part of Austria?
Maybe Ikaria should connect with Switzerland instead! At least the Swiss have the exact same flag in red…!!! There are lots of funny ideas, just like newspaper ducks in the silly season!
However, the question is:
What could a small island with so much freedom really do?
Today there are a lot of official cultural events to mark the anniversary, but unfortunately they all take place in the area of Agios Kyrikos, the capital on the south side of Ikaria! Since the merger of the three municipalities into one, for reasons of economy, of course, we feel as if the rest of Ikaria no longer exists or as if it belonged to another island!! Raches and Evdylos watch helplessly.
Luckily there are some panagyria today. At least everyone can celebrate hard! Because a Greek proverb says:
“Η φτώχεια καλοπέραση θέλει!”
“I ftochia kaloperasi theli!”
Loosely translated:
“Those who are poor should celebrate to forget their pain
!”