Association of Pyrgioi, Book presentation of Nakis Avgerinos
PYRGIOI ASSOCIATION
Athens, 14 May 2009
Book presentation by Nakis Avgerinos
“MEMORIES FROM THE PAST
THE TOWER OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY”
Anna Karamanou
former MEP (Member of the European Parliament)
It is a particular honor for me to participate in the presentation of the book of one of the most prominent politicians from Ilia. For me, who had the chance to personally know the man whom my family “crossed,” the late Nakis Avgerinos represented the ideal of a politician and a person: Integrity of character, human dignity, simplicity, modesty, kindness, determination, vision for his place and the world, all these elements constituted a political personality rare for the Greeks (especially today’s).
data, as it is precisely highlighted in his “retrospective diary.”
Personally, I do not claim the laurels of a book critic, nor have I studied related literary schools and theories. However, I am able to appreciate the written experiential testimony of a politician, which is based on true events from a very interesting historical period of the 20th century.
The written language of Naki Avgerinos is simple, atmospheric, and concise, without unnecessary flourishes. A good master of the Greek language and a craftsman of storytelling, he manages to draw us into the adventures of his memory and imagination. The author does not judge or criticize. There are no symbols or allegories. He simply presents the historical facts, as well as his family activities, based on personal memories and experiences, allowing the reader to judge and draw their own conclusions.
I admit that many chapters of the book captivated me, particularly those that refer to critical political events such as: the political action of Eleftherios Venizelos and the circumstances of his death in 1936, the social and political situation during the interwar period, the dictatorship of Metaxas, World War II, the bombing of Pyrgos by the Germans and their raids on homes, the difficult years of occupation, the actions of the security battalions and ELAS, the battle of Pyrgos on September 8, 1944, and the popular tribunals that followed, the period of the junta and his personal adventures with imprisonments and restrictions.
I read with particular interest the participation of Nakis Avgeriou in the negotiation committee with the head of the EAM Ilia, Kostas Chronopoulos, who had camped with his group in Smila, in order to prevent the invasion of Pyrgos. That negotiation, unfortunately, failed, resulting in the burning of Pyrgos and the escalation of hostilities between the opposing sides. On page 153, it says: “Last of all, the old marble Town Hall of Pyrgos, which adorned not only the central square but the entire city, with its marvelous style and the five great marble statues that decorated the pediment of the roof – those of Hermes, Aphrodite, Apollo, Demeter, and Hera, which connected Pyrgos with the spirit and history of nearby Ancient Olympia, was burned by unknown and irresponsible arsonists. This irreplaceable Town Hall of Pyrgos was the creation of Tsiller, during the mayoralty of Petros Avgerinos…” As Nikis Avgerinos argues, “no one learned exactly the number and identity of the dead and wounded of the Battle of Pyrgos.”
However, beyond the wartime and civil war political events, the information it provides about the economic, social, and cultural life in Pyrgos during the interwar period and in the subsequent years is extremely interesting. In the industrial development of Pyrgos, the Karavasilis Tobacco Industry holds a prominent position. As stated on page 202, “ The creator and contributor of both the Tobacco Industry and later the Karavasilis Bank, Vasilis, once started in the early part of the century from a small mountain village of Gortynia, Monastiraki, opposite the Ilian Divre and, as was rumored, likely came to Pyrgos on foot in search of work. With his intelligence and hard work, he succeeded in gradually creating a large industry and later an important bank, so that for many years it dominated the economic life not only of our region but also of the broader Greek area….”
The list of local industries is nearly complete, as it includes: The flour mill “Dimitra-Alfeios”, the olive machinery industry “Char. Theocharis”, the confectionery of Tsianzi, the pasta industry of Iraklis Dairoploulos, the olive oil production and the tomato paste industry of the Kystri Brothers, the processing industry of raisin seeds of the brothers Ch. Sorvatzotis, the “Refrigerators and Ice Factories of the Kouris Brothers”, the carbonated drinks of Doas and Moustakis, the flour mill Laina, BIAMAX, the resin industry “Afoi Michalopouli” and in recent years the porcelain production company of G. Maratzanas and D. Liropoulos. Also noteworthy is the special mention made of the trade and circulation of black raisins, which had a significant contribution to the economic development of Pyrgos after World War I, as well as to the raisin rallies.
The spiritual life of Pyrgos could not be absent from the retrospective diary. The protagonist, of course, of the Pyrgian spiritual movement of modern times is the unforgettable Takis Doxas. “Doxas contributed significantly to the spiritual development and promotion of Pyrgos. As the director for many years of the Library, as a journalist, mainly from the columns of Avgi, and as an active social figure. He wrote and published several literary books, short stories, poems, and historical works, of which I have almost all in my library, with handwritten dedications. He co-wrote the wonderful Olympic Hymn that had worldwide resonance…” References for their contribution to intellectual development also exist for Andreas Karkavitsas, Dion. Kokkinos, Thodoros Xidis, Takis Dimopoulos, Takis Sinopoulos, Konstantinos Karalis, Koulis Kapoyannis, Alekos Kazoglis, Giannis Papagiannis, Nionios Korkolopoulos, Apostolos Iliopoulos, Nikos Fragkogiannopoulos, Efthemia Strati, Th. Spyropoulos, Fani Papageorgiou, Nina Kokkaleidou-Nahmia, Dionysios Chionis, Iosif Argiriou, Ilias Papadimitrakopoulos, Andreas Tsouras, Andreas Boutsikas, etc.
The Philharmonic Society of Pyrgos “Apollo” is also highlighted for its significant contribution since the early 20th century, particularly the role of its president in recent years, Polychronis Papadopoulos, as well as the earlier contribution of Georgios Papaschinakos, along with the prominent teachers-conductors Paridis, Belik, Matharikos and the excellent musicians Dion. Gousetis, Vasilis Gaspalis, the Antypa brothers and Gaspalis, K. Benetatos, Ch. Gkinis, etc. It is worth noting that Nakis Avgerinos himself served as President of the Philharmonic after the war and contributed significantly to its reorganization.
However, beyond public life, I read with great interest about the beaches of Katakolo, the holidays in Lala and how one would get there, about the Anthesteria, the first cinemas, the summer resorts and taverns, about the night owls of Pyrgos, the Prefecture, the shops, the confectioneries, the café, tourism, the walks and the newspapers that were published, the social and cosmopolitan life. I also had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about the position of women in society at the time and in the educational system. In the photograph of the graduates of the School (p. 18), among the 50 boys, I did not discern any woman. The attendance in the gymnasiums and generally in Secondary Education was mixed. Far fewer girls attended. I remember that in the 4th Gymnasium, which was the last, there were 20 girls, who occupied the first desks, strictly separated from us, about 40 students”. Later, in the Law School, it is noted that there were only 12 female students in total, “brave girls,” as the professor of Roman Law K. Papoulias called them. Moreover, the chapter with the travel memories, mainly from Moscow and Berlin, also arouses great interest.
I would like to conclude with an excerpt that shows the greatness of man, who is not limited to his microcosm, but contemplates embracing the globality: a summer morning in Sikyon of Xylokastro, 22.7.1982 (p. 167).. “A summer day that could be calm, good, pleasant, and hopeful for everyone. Nevertheless, everywhere and in both hemispheres there are many centers of misery and horrific human dramas. One billion human beings across the earth, especially children, are starving and dying from deprivation and diseases without any provision or help. Thousands of innocent prisoners and exiles in camps for their political beliefs and ideas. Many civil wars, primarily conflicts in many places on earth, continuous and heavier armaments, and many dangerous situations on the international horizon…”
On November 6, 2002, he was buried in his hometown of Pyrgos, Ilia, indeed the last nobleman. A politician of prestige and noble character, a genuine democrat, with great contribution to his place.