Historical anniversaries are critical factors for encouraging a re-examination of the past. By powerfully reintroducing these events into the memory of people today, we aim to draw necessary lessons for the future of those who are the biological and national heirs of the original participants. The organisation of these anniversary events—when enriched with essential elements that show both continuity and adaptation to modern changes—helps cultivate a sense of timelessness in the consciousness of today’s audience.
More than 200 years have passed since the outbreak of the Revolution of 1821, which was subsequently rewarded with the establishment of the modern Greek state. We are already a few months away from the completion of 200 years since the three Maniot victories (at Verga, at Diros, and at Polyaravos) over the Egyptian troops, when they attempted to invade Mani and conquer it, with the aim of a) their complete domination over the Peloponnese, b) the establishment therein of an Egyptian administration as had been agreed with the Sultan, and ultimately c) the suppression of the long-standing effort for the awakening and rebirth of the Greek Nation.
The bicentennial commemorative events for the three Maniot victories over the Egyptian forces, represent an ideal opportunity to highlight their importance and to cultivate, through works and actions, elements of timelessness that remind of their significance for our entire nation and serve as instructive models of patriotism for the younger generations.The qualitative upgrading of the sites where the battles were conducted, and the provision of easy accessibility to them, constitute elementary obligations of the state, regional, and municipal administrations responsible for the three areas. The parallel establishment of annual athletic and cultural events centered, in rotation, on the three areas of the battles, would constitute an element of continuous rekindling of historical memory and of the messages it generates. The production of digital material connected with the battles and the victories of the Maniot arms, and the creation of free access to it through widely accessible online platforms, would constitute a strong contribution to the desired timelessness of historical memory. A year ago, in view of the bicentenary, MANIOT SOLIDARITY, the newspaper and the association that publishes it, considered it appropriate to underline the obligation of all of us, and especially of those responsible for the upgrading of the celebratory events for the most critical of the three battles, the battle of Polyaravos. We think that the road connection of the admittedly difficult spot, 300 meters up to the settlement where the battle took place, and the restoration of the damages to the parish church of Saints Constantine and Helen, constitute a due obligation to our ancestors who fought and saved Mani, and perhaps the whole Peloponnese, from Egyptian conquest. In addition, the other two battle sites also require substantial upgrades.
The expansion of the surface area and the qualitative upgrading of the site where the anniversary events are held at Verga, combined with the possibility of highlighting and making accessible the wall where the Maniot warriors entrenched themselves and where the decisive battle took place, constitute our elementary obligations.
Regarding Diros, the relocation of the events to the main site of the decisive battle, to the bay where a statue of the scythe-bearing Maniate woman was placed years ago—the gift of a compatriot—would represent a better approach to and reconstitution of the historical memory of the events of the battle against the Egyptian forces. These troops initially disembarked there and eventually, being pursued, attempted to re-embark on their ships in order to be saved.
On the website of our association: www.maniatiki.gr, a special section has been created with the title: “Where and how will the bicentennial of the Μaniot victories of 1826 (Verga, Diros, Polyaravos) will be celebrated?” [https://maniatiki.gr/wp/?cat=442]. By opening it, visitors to the website are presented with our views and our interventions to those responsible, with a focus on matters regarding Polyaravos. We hope that our proposals will be taken into account by the recipients of the letters during the few months that remain until the completion of the bicentennial of these battles.
In our era, an era dominated by the glorification of the image and of the two-dimensional situations it produces, our own approach to historical memory may perhaps seem out of place. We wish the historical memory to take on three-dimensional as well as intangible forms, closely linked to space as well as to emotion, which will not be just for one-time or for personal exploitation, but will permeate us, imprinting strong messages in the psyche (θυμικόν), which in turn will be transferred into our way of life. However, this is our way of thinking and the attempt to express it through the columns of MANIOT SOLIDARITY, in its printed and digital form, for 28 years…
THE EDITORIAL BOARD