Interview - Evropi

Ευρώπη Μοσχονά Καρκαβέλα Μαραγκάκη

Evropi Moschona Karkavela Maragaki

Παλή Κεφαλονιάς

Paliki

year born

1946

έτος γέννησης

Συνέντευξη: Σπύρος Μοσχονάς

Interviewer: Spyros Moschonas

Προσωπικές Πληροφορίες

Personal Information

"I was born in 1946. A difficult time between two unfortunate historical events, the kind of events that bring destruction, death and misery, as Thucydides says: WWII and the Civil War. On top of these events came the earthquake of 1953, a landmark event, and ever since we talk about time in Kefalonia using the terms “before” and “after” the earthquake.

In this village I lived the first seven years of my life. In September 1953 we moved to Argostoli, where I continue to live. I was away some years for my studies and returned here. I worked for 36 years in Secondary Education.””

Καθημερινή Ζωή

Everyday Life

"In every house, big or small, living was simple… bread was baked in the ovens every 15 days or so. The clothes were washed by our mothers in the river and, often, children would go along. In general, we participated in all activity…The children owned very few things... but we also felt happy with small and insignificant things, like a pencil. We created our toys and games by ourselves. But we played… we played a lot. The neighborhoods were buzzing with our happy laughter.”

Αξιομνημόνευτες Πρακτικές

Memorable Practices

"People lived off agriculture and animal husbandry. We, the children, participated in the struggle for survival throughout the year, with each season presenting its own needs and opportunities (planting, plowing, sowing, harvesting, threshing, etc.). This was a gift of life from nature because we took not only the first lessons of survival, but also our first knowledge, and cultivated skills that later proved valuable to us.”

Περιφερειακά Όρόσημα

Regional Landmarks

"My village was then the second [largest] in Kefalonia in terms of population... churches, such as Sotiras and Panagia, and the small chapel of Ag. Spyridonas on the mountain, as well as the large, well-designed elementary school, at that time with as many as 80 to 100 students, they all played a big role in what we call the cultural life of a place.”

Προσωπικά Άνέκδοτα

Personal Anecdotes

"A young girl, Barbara, was holding the knitting needles and a tangle of turquoise wool that I had been watching and envying for days.
I remember I said to Barbara:‘Since we are going to sink, what are you going to do with the wool?’

And without second thoughts she gave it to me. I slept in our yard under the stars with the wool in my hand. The earth groaned all the time, no more fear existed in me. After praying in the evening... serenity. The earthquake was over. Or, so I thought..”

Περιγραφή της 12ης Αυγούστου

Descriptions of August 12

“At about 11 o'clock, after we had enough of play, we climbed on a large mulberry tree that was in the middle of the yard. This used to be a special experience, because the movement of the branches offered us as sense of freedom. It was as if we could fly. And we played for long on that day. It was 11.30 am when the earthquake happened. We felt our tree as if it was going up and down again, and up and down…

...The time that the earthquake lasted seemed like a century. At some point the earth calmed down and we came down the tree. We heard voices, shouting, the dogs barking. We could not make out the mountains. Had we sank? This thought frightened me. And my mother, where was my mother? And my father, where, where was he?”

Ατομική Έμπειρία

Individual Experience

“Sunday 9, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12, August. A ‘seismic trilogy’ on the stage of the world, space and time… I remember our house as if it was dancing, I saw the candle hanging in front of the icons, jumping and the oil pouring onto the bed.”

Επιβίωση και Άνθεκτικότητα

Survival and Resilience

“I remember the grown-ups, parents, acquaintances, friends who sat together in the evening. We lit a fire, warmed the bread and dined with just a few means. Cheese, some tomatos and sardines. People drank wine and shared stories. The sense of solidarity and support is vivid in my memory, the understanding and tolerance. I keep in my heart many friends who no longer live.”

Βοήθεια αρωγής

Relief Aid

“During these years, Argostoli slowly began to get rebuilt with a collective effort. The aid given by various countries has been considerable. I remember well that Finland and Sweden offered a very large number of wooden houses that were placed in the area that was the hospital complex above the swimming pool. The donors came over to put them together by themselves. It is in one of these houses, on Spetson Str. where I lived since 1958. Sweden offered money for the children’s hospital on Harokopou Street as well as the general hospital at the lower part of the city. The halls of these complexes are still preserved.”

Επηρεαζόμενα Mνημεία

Monuments Affected

“I would have liked nothing to have been lost, because a whole world disappeared with its own practices, its own physiognomy, beauty and identity, but also its own values and morals. I would have liked the houses and their yards, the wells and the cobble streets to have survived.”

Βραχυπρόθεσμος/μακροπρόθεσμος Άντίκτυπος

Short/long term Impact

“A few days later, we camped at the olive grove in Langada. Under every olive tree camped one family. Things became very difficult. It was impossible to go back to our houses. Fear, terror! We lacked bread, water, everything. The wells were destroyed. The cisterns were broken and emptied. The ovens were inaccessible. Help came from the sky. Planes would fly low and throw sacks of bread. Then for the first time I saw white bread, in a rectangular box cut into slices. As the plane was coming, both young and older people ran to catch the sack and share the bread. Cans of water were also thrown to us. A precious commodity. Sometimes the cans would break and the water poured. That was a great misfortune. The days passed and we would only eat plain dry bread with tomato paste that was sent to us in clay pots. Some people left the village, to Patras and Athens, others to Germany and the USA. The village then started to get abandoned. The whole of Kefalonia would empty.”

Σκέψεις για την Άνασυγκρότηση

Reflections on Reconstruction

“The events of 1953 do not only inspire, but also allow for reflection and critique. My village, as I said, was shaken to its foundations but was not demolished. The state rushed to demolish some old, wonderful houses, mainly in the upper neighbourhood, instead of rebuilding the traditional community. These new blocks are made of cement, but are not fully earthquake-proof and were built low. The old neighborhoods are almost deserted.”

Συμβουλές για τις νέες γενιές

Advice for new generations

“Study and get acquainted with the phenomenon of the earthquake. Exercise on the basis of a program in taking protection and self-protection measures. Remember that our composure, good coordination, mutual protection and care protect and save lives. I wish you good progress. Thank you for having me. You gave me joy!”