 |
| Andronikos Sakkatos Athens has many attractions... but for me, this time, perhaps the greatest was to meet again with Andronikos Sakkatos, the archaeologist and passionate Odysseist, whom I encountered by pure chance last year in Ithaca at the end of my own odyssey [see this blog, An Odyssey in the Year of the Plague – 13: 29 September - 4 October 2020]. We met this time at a café near the Acropolis, and Andronikos spoke for the best part of two-and-a-half hours about his hopes for Ithaca to start making the most of its Homeric heritage. Much needs to be done. The archaeological site of the Palace of Odysseus must be secured and made visitor-friendly, hundreds of still unsorted artefacts have to be put on display, and the island needs a new cultural centre focused on the importance of The Odyssey to the whole world. This is the message of Andronikos – a modern-day Homer who seems capable of singing the praises of Odysseus forever. He didn't even take a break for a second cup of tea or a snack – "I can't eat when I am being passionate," he explained. "I am a machine!" He may be a machine but he also has a huge heart – a truly great man and a real Ithacan hero. |
No comments:
Post a Comment