“Kalymnos Is Waiting for Answers”
Giorgos Mavros, head of the municipal group “I Kalymnos allazei” (“Kalymnos Is Changing”), has sent a letter to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, calling for immediate action on several outstanding issues concerning the island’s cultural heritage.
The letter notes that while the Culture Minister has recently been visiting different parts of Greece to inaugurate major cultural projects and officially hand them over to local communities, Kalymnos is still waiting for answers regarding its restored monuments and important archaeological finds.
No new date for the Chrysocheria inauguration
A central issue raised in the letter concerns the restored windmills of Chrysocheria. Their official inauguration was scheduled approximately one year ago but was subsequently postponed.
According to Mavros, no official explanation has since been provided for the postponement, nor has the Ministry announced a new date for the ceremony.
The Chrysocheria windmills are an important landmark associated with the history and cultural identity of Kalymnos. The municipal group argues that the restored site deserves to be formally presented to the island’s residents and visitors.
Call for the return of the Ruler’s Head
The letter also focuses on the ancient bronze head known as the “Ruler of Kalymnos,” which was removed from the island for conservation work and participation in an international exhibition.
A decision was later made for the artefact to remain in Athens, with plans for it to be displayed at the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities.
The municipal group maintains that the important archaeological find should be permanently returned to the Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos.
“The Ruler’s Head is an inseparable part of Kalymnos’ cultural heritage. It was found in the waters of Kalymnos, is directly connected to the island’s history and naturally belongs in the Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos,” the letter states.
It also stresses that major archaeological finds should not be showcased exclusively in Greece’s central museums. Their display in regional museums strengthens cultural decentralisation, respects their place of origin and supports more balanced regional development.
Restoration of Chora Castle also raised
Mavros proposes that the Culture Minister’s anticipated visit to Kalymnos should include a special meeting of the Municipal Council and discussions with local organisations.
Such a meeting, he argues, would provide an opportunity to address the island’s broader cultural priorities, including the restoration of Chora Castle.
The letter specifically calls for:
- An official date to be set for the inauguration of the restored Chrysocheria windmills.
- A clear commitment to the permanent return of the Ruler’s Head to the Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos.
- A meeting with the Municipal Council and local stakeholders to discuss the island’s outstanding cultural issues.
“Kalymnos is not asking for privileges. It is asking for what should be self-evident: the same respect afforded to every region of the country,” the letter concludes.
