ANNIVERSARY
It was April 1999 when the first issue of our newspaper MANIOT SOLIDARITY was published. Tentatively and cautiously, we tried to find a path to shape the impulse that led us to this form of expression. Our vision for a Mani of the future, worthy of our heroic ancestors, was particularly strong. Thus, we gradually overcame the numerous obstacles, ranging from technical issues, passing through financial difficulties, and culminating in those that required rapid adaptation to the modern technology of print media. Year by year, we acquired the necessary know-how, which, combined with the personal processing of our source material, resulted in the form and content of the newspaper you now hold in your hands.
Our main goal was based on the idea that Mani is not only a place, but also a way of life. A way of life that we, the older generations, acquired through our upbringing and carry in our genes, passing it on to our descendants. This way of life is recorded in every issue of this publication, accumulated issue by issue, condensed into our books and other publications, showcased on our website, disseminated, and digitally stored so that it is available in future times. This content also contributes to the smooth integration into our land of many new residents who have settled in our villages in recent decades, much like the major population assimilations that occurred in the Mani region in past centuries.
On this anniversary, we deem it appropriate to analyse in detail the structure and content of each issue of our newspaper:
The smooth transition from the title to the content is achieved through the main article, which follows the title on the front page. We ensure that its content incorporates elements and nuances of SOLIDARITY, offering analyses of ideas and events related to broader social issues that emerge in current affairs. Page 1 is filled with news closely linked to our region, its developmental progress, or major milestones in its historical course.
The topics highlighted on pages 2, 3, 4, and 10 focus on history, folklore, nature, and culture in our area, as they have been recorded in the past and are evolving to this day. Special emphasis is placed on the farewell of Nikitas Nifakis, the first Maniot scholar and enlightenment figure, who is consistently featured at the top right of page 3 as a timeless inspiration for us all. We consider particularly effective the interconnection of the above-mentioned elements (history, folklore, nature and culture) that has been created in the three texts that are currently published in continuations in these pages.
Pages 6 and 7 are dedicated to showcasing development projects in our wider region, identifying their implementation methods and challenges in the process until their completion. Pages 5 and 12 cover opinion articles that also reflect the ideas of SOLIDARITY, as they relate to current events and circumstances. Pages 9 and 11 are devoted to recording small news items concerning our wider region, as they appear in current affairs each month. As our discerning readers may have noticed, from the very first issue, crime reports are entirely absent, as such publications do not align with the objectives of our newspaper and association.
On our website www.maniatiki.gr, a selected portion of the content from the print edition of MANIOT SOLIDARITY is uploaded each month, along with significant texts containing historical and geographical details about Mani and the settlements of its three major regions. The inclusion of translated articles in English enables second and third-generation compatriots in reconnecting with their ancestral homeland, as well as foreigners who have settled in our area. Additionally, incorporating advertisements entrusted to us by local professionals for the print edition enhances the visibility of their businesses or activities (information on the high traffic of our website is provided on page 3).
We believe that the continued publication and distribution of books and photographic albums about our region provide a strong boost to advancing the objectives of the non-profit association that publishes this newspaper. Particularly noteworthy are the following titles: PAGES FROM THE HISTORY OF MANI(in two volumes), TRAVEL ROUTES IN MANI(in two volumes), MANI IN FOREIGN-LANGUAGE BOOKS, and MANI – TIMELESS EVOLUTION OF 10 MAJOR REGIONS.
On the occasion of this anniversary, with the support and trust of our loyal subscribers, we wish to express our determination to continue this work for as long as our physical and mental capabilities allow…
THE EDITORIAL BOARD