In the editorial of the previous issue of our newspaper, we concluded: Two key actions (the ecclesiastical unification of the entire territorial region under the name of the Metropolis of Mani in 2010 and the determination of the will for cooperation across all areas for common developmental purposes through the establishment of the Mani Development Company in 1995 as a corporation with all local communities as shareholders) created a strong combined dynamic. This dynamic could serve as a starting point for generalised mobilisation of all the micro-societies of the Mani region and its cultural expressions. In particular, the unifying force, which exists as a possibility in the local ecclesiastical expression, could mobilise all the human resources of the region and our compatriots, both in Greece and abroad, in order to promote common goals of restructuring and development. The formulation of such a roadmap, and only this, could give substantial meaning to the concept of “Unified Mani” that we all advocate.
The forerunner of this idea, a sensitive and resourceful compatriot of ours, the philologist-historian Sarantos Kargakos, who is no longer with us, had already articulated this vision as early as 1996 in an article in the newspaper “Eleftheros Typos” titled “Mani, the Wronged”. We transcribe the main part of it below, as it was recently reintroduced in publications by the always active journalist Ilias N. Christeas:
“As a Maniot, I experience a psychological split. It is difficult to define myself as either a Laconian or a Messinian. This is because Mani was divided, with one part, Aposkiaderi (Western Mani), annexed to Messinia, while Prosiiliaki (Eastern Mani) and Mesa Mani were annexed to Laconia. Thus, Mani, which should have become a separate prefecture covering the entire Taygetos up to Alagonia, lost its autonomy. Unfortunately, the administrative fragmentation, which certainly served the ambitions of some Maniots (MPs in Laconia — MPs in Messinia), harmed Mani as a region. Its population shrank. However, the administrative division did not lead to a psychological one. A Maniot is a Maniot, whether residing in Messinian or Laconian Mani. Maniots retain their most solid characteristics, even in their appearance.
However, this division constitutes a great injustice. Mani has done a lot for Greece. Some of it was negative, like the assassination of Kapodistrias, even though Kapodistrias treated the Mavromichali family unjustly. Except for some areas of Macedonia, no other region has honoured Mani’s contributions.
I would like to propose something simple: The conditions are now ripe for Mani (Messinian and Laconian) to become a unified prefecture: Nομός Μάνης. This would rectify a great historical injustice. It is the least Greece owes to Mani. The elevation of Mani to a prefecture would offer immense opportunities to the region, first of all creating a solid number of prefecture employees. As a prefecture, Mani would have the ability to participate in the European Community’s development programs, absorb its own resources, and no longer be the poor relation of Messinia and Laconia, which supposedly lives off tourism, while in reality, it lives from the sale of land and towers to foreigners. Within a single Mani prefecture, Maniots would continue – despite their eternal differences (after all, what kind of Maniots would they be otherwise?) – to maintain the unique cultural characteristics of their lineage. As for where the prefecture’s seat would be, today with the progress in transportation and communication, these are trivial problems.
Mani, in order to avoid being destroyed as a region – i.e., to avoid becoming a German “Kreis” (meaning an administrative region with a majority of foreign residents) – needs all its villages. Maniots once declared: ‘When Mani is united, it raises great warriors.’ That is, when Maniots are united, they are invincible.”
Not much can be added to what was expressed around 30 years ago. We will focus on three points: 1) The Metropolis of Mani is now a reality and could become the nucleus of developments leading in this direction. 2) Given the restricted development potential of the country through the administrative framework of the existing Regions, there is often talk about reducing their numbers and reshaping them so that they consist of Sub-Regions (περιφερειακές ενότητες) with homogeneous traditional characteristics, territorial, demographic, and genetic. (It should be noted that this last element was the main argument for the joint proposal by the local government bodies (αυτοδιοικητικοί φορείς) of Mani for funding of 2 billion drachmas through the European Community Initiative LEADER II in 1995). 3) On the central political stage, there is at least one compatriot who is driven by the same emotional connection to the land and our ancestors as expressed by Sarantos Kargakos.
It remains for us to focus on the unification idea and unite. The rest will come because “when Maniots are united, they are invincible.”
THE EDITORIAL BOARD