FAMOUS PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF ZAKYNTHOS
Many people say that there is a natural energy here in Zante which
is known to stimulate creativity. Little wonder that Dionysis Solomos,
the famous Zakynthian poet, was inspired in Zakynthos, on the hillside
of Lofos Strani, overlooking Zante Town, in 1823 to write what was to
become the National Anthem of Greece, ‘Ode to Liberty’.
There are a number of other famous people in the history of Zante and
Zakynthos today still has that same ability to inspire a whole new
generation of people, drawn to the island from all over the world.
Saint Dionisios
Saint Dennis, as he is known in English, is the Patron Saint of the
island of Zakynthos. He was born in Zante in 1546 into the Venetian
ruling class – but all reports suggest that from an early age his
character was very kind and he refused all of the advantages of his
class.
After the death of his parents, at the age of 20 years old, Saint Dennis
donated his fortune to his brother and became a monk in the monastery of
Strofades, in the south of the island of Zakynthos.
In 1577, Saint Dennis left Zante to become the Archbishop on Aegina
island. Two years later health problems forced him to resign and return
to his homeland, where he stayed as an abbot in the monastery of the
Strofades.
One rainy night, a desperate man came to the monastery and asked for
help. This man had just committed a murder. Saint Dennis discovered that
this man had killed his own brother. Despite his personal sorrow, the
monk provided a shelter to the murderer and even helped him to escape
the island, saving his life in order to prevent another crime taking
place. Local tradition suggests that the murderer later returned and
became a monk in that same monastery.
The monk died in 1622, at the age of 75 and was buried in the church of
Agios Georgios in the Strofades, where he was ordained a priest.
Three years later, when he was exhumed, his body was found intact and
remains intact still today. The Saint’s body is displayed in the church
of Saint Dennis in Zante Town, where many pilgrims come every year to
pray.
The memory of Saint Dennis is celebrated on December 17th, the day of
his death, and on August 24th, the day his body was transferred to
Zakynthos town and laid in the church. Both celebrations are important
days for the island with parades through the town of many Orthodox
Priests and worshipers.
The story of Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis in Zakynthos
Aristotle Onassis was one of the smartest businessmen in the history
of Greece. The immigrant from Smyrni, made his first million at the age
of 23.
Onassis’ advice on being successful: "To be successful, keep looking
tanned, live in an elegant building (even if you're in the cellar), be
seen in smart restaurants (even if you only nurse one drink) and if you
borrow, borrow big."
Maria Callas, the famous opera singer, was considered the main love
of his life – and during their time together they enjoyed a trip to
Zante!
In 1962 on Easter Sunday, the yacht "Christina" docked in Zakynthos
Harbor on its way back from the Strofades Islands, where Maria Callas
and Aristotle Onassis had spent Easter.
As soon as the famous duo set off for a walk in the streets of
Zakynthos, the city’s residents immediately recognized them and
applauded them through the streets of the town.
Onassis openly praised the courage of the Zakynthian people and the
strong will they had displayed in restoring their everyday lives,
following the earthquake in 1953, which had changed the face of
Zakynthos forever.
He also stressed that the island had all the pre-requisites necessary to
become a major tourist destination. He promised that as soon as
Zakynthos had developed an airport, that he would include the island
within the Olympic airlines travel route.
Onassis was keen to experience Zakynthian night life while he was
here. He and Callas headed South with their party of friends, to Argassi.
They made a short stop at Mimosa Taverna before moving on to Granada
Taverna. They watched the Zakynthian Sampsarellou Orchestra at the
Granada Taverna, who played, among other melodies, the well- known
“Mandolinata of Zakynthos”.
During her visit with Onassis, Maria Callas was overwhelmed by the
exceptional artistic level of Zakynthian musical composition. She
requested the Sampsorellou Orchestra to play “ Nabouko” of Verdi for a
second time that evening.
Callas revealed that she was planning to revisit Zakynthos the same
summer. Indeed, in the August of 1964, Onassis and Maria Callas did
visit the island again.
On this second occasion they were accompanied by friends. On one
evening, they chose to entertain their party at “Uncle Gianni’s Shack”,
located on the promenade at Krioneri. After the devastating earthquake
of 1953, several rough shacks had been established in Zakynthos Town,
close to the sea.
According to press releases at the time, when Onassis and Callas
appeared on the promenade at Krioneri, both the promenade and the roads
were completely blocked due to the huge number of fans. The crowds that
had gathered were so overwhelming, that two tourists had even ventured
out to see what was going on in their night gowns! Later that evening,
before the yatch Christina set sail for the northern shores of
Zakynthos, Maria Callas signed an autograph for Uncle Gianni on a white
linen towel.
Takis Feradouros, who was 18 years old, had been the waiter who
served Onassis and Callas at the Granada Taverna in Argassi. When
interviewed by Libro magazine, Mr. Takis was asked whether he could
recall what Onassis, Callas and their company had eaten for dinner? “It
was Easter” he explained. “They ordered lamb on the spit. They left a
very good tip!” When asked by Libro Magazine just how much money Onassis
had left him, Feradouros replied: “Personally for me, they left five
thousand Greek Drachmas.”
According to the time, this meant a tip equal to five monthly salaries
for a public employee! In the early 1960’s the average monthly salary
for a public employee was one thousand Greek Drachmas.
When Feradouros was asked how the other customers had reacted to such
exceptional visitors, he responded: ”With enthusiasm! They even stood up
and applauded the party as they entered the taverna.” he explained.
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