Figures standing strong against the passage of time, their gazes profound, wander silently around the village’s small port. They stare at the sea in a way only they know. It is as if they share a well-kept secret between them. Eager to maintain their connection to the water, they keep a small boat anchored, ready to take us—the passersby—to the open arms of the Aegean.
Anchors carved with blossom patterns adorn the front doors of houses. Marble family crests with stormy seas are on the facades of buildings. And on the port’s edge, the small church of Saint Nicholas evokes the agony for a safe return home.
All of the above are evidence that you have found yourself in one of the many villages in Chios that carry a long nautical tradition.
The third issue of KEOS magazine sets off to explore this particular tradition through images and tales. The places and the people that dedicated their existence to the sea told us stories of worthiness and prosperity, mourning and separation. Captains, sailors, radio operators, and their family members have shared their experiences and bared their souls to help us grasp this never-fading myth. Is there, one can’t help but wonder, specific coordinates that can guide us toward an understanding of the sea, or is the sea made to take us on a journey that never ends?
At the heart of this issue, you will not just find facts and details of the nautical trade, but you will discover its cultural impact on the island of Chios, whose identity and history were forged by its enduring maritime tradition. We hope that these pages will take you on a journey of the mind, similar to the one we took through the stories of the people who called the sea their home.
