Giannis Antoniou Cheilas, Head of the Kalymnos Nautical Museum, has authored a sponge-diving essay entitled “Departures & Farewells of the Sponge Divers in Kalymnos” to keep the memory of the island’s sponge-diving tradition alive.
Mr. Cheilas takes the reader back to old Kalymnos, guiding them through all the stages of preparation for the crews’ departure, and how this preparation involved the entire island community. The essay’s illustrations are based on paintings by renowned Kalymnian artists, as well as archival photographic material.
This is a work that should not be missing from any Kalymnian home, whether on the island or abroad. Copies are available at the Kalymnos Nautical Museum.
