People destroy faster than nature forgets. I visited the old summer camp in Kokkini Hani yesterday, and it stands as a witness to both. Forgotten, abandoned, but also vandalized brutally, it stands as a forgotten promise to happiness. Laughter from children still echoed from the past; and I hoped I was the only one to hear them there.
What i did was trespassing yesterday, but I do think it was something wrong. Especially after seeing all the destruction done to this beautiful piece of property owned by our municipality.
A large property, that lands directly on a sandy beach.
I visited a place that once held joy, laughter, and carefree summer days.
Now, the (not so) old summer camp lies in ruins. I was sorry to realize that vandalism was evident throughout the place; I read that people addicted to drugs had been there, and this made me very skeptical about leaving the place very soon.
The first thing I saw when entering from a secret, hidden and open spot, was small hills full of flowers and happy bees flying around!
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Bees were buzzing and tamarisks were generously offering their shadow to the unseen ghosts of the past
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I felt the calmness and the serene wonder of nature's silence.
I wondered around, without knowing what I would see next.
Many of the people I know had visited this summer camp (not me)
I wanted to visit this place for sometime now, but the reason I did it yesterday, I think, was because of these cloud formation.
The first building I noticed was this one. It immediately caught my attention as it was burnt out and I could clearly see that there were no windows and no roof. I made sure to visit it later and moved on.
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I started to smell nature and at the same time see details that go me worried.
Broken lamps, trash on the ground, broken glasses at the buildings around...
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All buildings were open, their windows were broken and it seemed as if everything inside was either broken or stolen.
I went forward towards a small forest that I saw in front of me. I was wondering if anyone else was at the moment there; Should I be afraid? The road was far away so I dont think that I could protect myself if someone would come to steal from me
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I left the bad thoughts as I heard the birds singing, but I could not help sensing the sadness left in that place; It craved for life, for laughter and for love.
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More and more buildings seemed empty and destroyed
And I decided to move on
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I had noticed two more buildings on the left, with some cute art on them
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I am sure that these buildings were for the little ones
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Summer, love, children, laughter
The saddest part for me was when I went near the burnt house
It was a sleeping house and it looked as if so many children dreams were left to ruins..
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But I needed to see hope.
I searched and read that this place closed during Covid. So not so long ago
But for the place to be operational again, about 1 million euro is required as per the first estimated. And it is not easy for this amount to be found.
So, until this is fixed again - if ever, maybe we can let the empty football courts to become one with nature.
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Thank you for joining me at this virtual trip
It may never return to what it once was, but perhaps this space can still be reborn — not as ruins, but as a nature-friendly haven for all to enjoy. In harmony with nature, for everyone...
Links in Greek: https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/2010824_sto-eleos-toy-hronoy-kai-tis-egkataleipsis-oi-kataskinoseis-sto-kokkini-hani-pics-vid
https://flashnews.gr/post/760795/ektos-leitourgias-kai-to-2024-oi-paidikes-kataskinoseis-stou-kokkini-chani-ti-anaferei-i-anakoinosi-tou-dimou-chersonisou/