The photo of Manolas, with his impressive moustache, intense gaze and his sariki, accidentally became the image of Greece abroad for decades
THE Manolas of Pserimos, with his impressive moustache, intense gaze and his sariki, without knowing it, was the image of Greece abroad for decades.
A photographer happened to see Manolas Trikilis sitting on the side of the road in Pserimos and photographed him. His image became a postcard and traveled around the world as a distinctive, traditional Greek figure.
His grandson Giorgos Trikoilis, speaking to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency, explained that, this particular photo is from the 80s. “My grandfather,” he said, “sat in the street, opposite our tavern—he was a very picturesque and intense figure. A journalist passed by, saw him, was impressed and took a picture of him, without notifying him. The photo became a postcard, he sold it in tourist shops all over the world.”
Yes, as he said, when his grandfather was informed that his picture had gone around the world, he did not show the slightest interest! “All he was interested in was having close friends, his animals, enjoying his retsina, his mezes, his cheeses and everything good. He was a simple man, strong character, tough and a very good shooter. They had come to the island and were looking for him the Germans wanted to kill him because they had learned that he was a very good marksman” he said characteristically.
THE George Trikilis lives and works in Pserimos, which counts only 20 permanent residentsand maintains it “Manola’s Tavern”, one of the best on the island, visited by thousands of tourists every summer. There he has created a corner, where there is this characteristic photograph of his grandfather, along with other photographs and objects that they capture the history of his family.
In 1992, Manolas Trikilis passed away, but his photo is still circulating today. “We’ve seen her in Monastiraki, we’ve even seen her in Australia, they have her in a cafe where all Kalymnians go,” pointed out Giorgos Trikoilis.
As he jokingly described, there are not a few who “claimed” the origin of Manolas. “On a trip with my family to Crete, when we saw in a shop with tourist goods this particular photo of my grandfather, with a mustache and a sariki, I asked who he was. The answer I received was that he is a Cretan, very important, who fought in Sfakia. I, for my part, assured them that this is not the case, as this man is not from Crete, but is my grandfather, Manolas, who lived and died in Pserimos. Those years, the most islanders had mustaches and wore sarees, not only the Cretans had this appearance” write down.
Source :Skai
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
