We have become accustomed to referring to small and large homelands and loving them equally. This perspective carries emotional undertones and forms a harmonious relationship between the two homelands. Unfortunately, in many cases where an economic aspect is involved, harmony breaks down, and elements of competition emerge. This is the cause of the emergence of regionalism, defined as attachment to the interests of one’s particular homeland or region and indifference to the interests of the broader area. The background of localism can be traced to the traditional relationships of individuals within families and small settlements, where complementary productive and economic activities were developed, forming the basis for shared understanding and emotional interconnection. However, growing economic needs and the search for safe living conditions against external dangers led individual areas to seek joint actions with neighbouring regions, in order to establish a magnitude that could meet needs and neutralise risks. These processes involve the whole wide spectrum that corresponds to the concept of “place”: villages, provinces, countries, and transnational associations. A problem arises when the economic aspect prevails over the emotional one, leading to competition and the rise of localism.
In our region, Mani, the concept of localism, like many other concepts, has taken on specific characteristics. These can be expressed by a single sentence: love for one’s village of origin, but also a willingness to collaborate in a wider area when high-level security issues are at stake. These tendencies have strong historical backgrounds. They are based on the patrilineal formations of families and settlements and the strong cohesion among their members. The competitive tendencies between neighbouring families were related to the productive utilisation of the generally limited land resources. However, these competitive tendencies disappeared when their security was threatened by an external enemy. Cooperation then transcended competition and local rivalries. These specific characteristics led to significant historical events during the four centuries of Ottoman rule, of which we, their descendants, are proud. The question today is, what are we doing in this era? Are we going to let the extensions of localism, based on customs or genetic heritage, dominate us, or will we recognise the enormous changes that have occurred since the old times and rally to win the battles of modern life as well? There is an urgent need to closely link individual interest with social interest, family progress with wider social, and, more generally, national progress.
Specifically for our region, Mani, which is rich in historical memories, it is essential to have as a starting point the rallies of our ancestors, which significantly contributed to the liberation of the country in the 1820s. Note, for example, that the bravest warrior at the Battle of Verga, at the extreme northwestern point of Mani, was from Skyfianika in Lower Mani. He fought voluntarily for the unified homeland, Mani, and for the preservation of its autonomy and freedom.
In modern times, the need for security, which used to lead to alliances for joint actions, has receded. However, there are now other strong reasons that compel joint actions. Addressing the marginalisation of our region in the distribution of state subsidies and assisting the developmental trend that emanates from the natural, climatic, and cultural characteristics of the unified Mani region are strong motivating factors. The reshaping of local governance, with the creation of only two mayoral centers, is a positive starting point for discussions that would have been impossible with the previous fragmentation into more than a hundred autonomous local administrative units that existed until the end of the last century. Another important factor is the unified ecclesiastical expression, the Diocese of Mani, which, even by its name, points to actions for forming a unified character for such endeavours. Of course, the maturation of conditions leading to a unified plan for joint actions requires conscious will, effort, and selfless, emotional efforts. The representatives of the three institutional expressions mentioned earlier (the two mayoral centers and the Diocese of Mani) have the main responsibility to start this process through their initiatives and actions. It is certain that if this begins and all the benefits that can arise from the completion of such plans become apparent, localisms will gradually recede, and more of our compatriots will support these initiatives. And our ancestors will rejoice, knowing that their descendants are proving themselves worthy of them.
THE EDITORIAL BOARD