Every single year the same things happens in Greece, every damn summer our country is burned, people lose their houses and families, then no one cares and the cycle repeats.
Its not just a weather issue, there is always a greater evil hidden behind all of this and nothing changes.
Last year my house almost burned, we were lucky on the last minute but I can still remember the fear of the people around me, running around and trying to help, the panicked animals and the sickening anxiety that I might lose my house and my cat.
Funny how when people think about Greece all they talk about is our economic crisis and shitty politicians (and even dare to act like they know everything about those matters), yet for some strange reason, when it comes to the refugee crisis, the tensions with Turkey or the fire catastrophes, silence ensues.
I’m positive that if it were a stronger country or a “popular” one getting burned, everyone would magically transform into Mother Teresa and pray, cry and reblog everything they can.
But no, this is Greece, the “joke of Europe”, or, as all fandoms here know it, “that one ancient country with the really cool mythology and gods”. No future or innocent people to worry about, right?
This is so true. I did a test yesterday: I reblogged posts about the Fire in both my blogs (one of them being a Greece travel blog, fancy that), overall potential of 6000 followers. The number of reblogs I got was disheartening. And the vast majority was from Greek followers.
Had I reblogged something pale in comparison about USA, or at least UK or at the very least France, people would be all over it.
Had I reblogged an idiotic headcanon about Apollo or Athena or an 100% accurate analysis of
Achilles and Patroclus’s relationship, people would reblog like crazy “oh wow how cool that is” .
I had photos of Santorini island and Ancient temples in my queue and they were posted, obviously getting more attention than the people and houses being on fire, right NOW. Because bucket list goals, duh.
Speculations about if it’s Alexander’s tomb found in Egypt these days got like 300000 notes.
No one gives a shit about Greeks nowadays. No one gives a shit about small or weak countries. No one gives a shit about something that doesn’t affect them personally. I saw a Portuguese person reblogging the post because they said last year when Portugal was on fire, nobody cared and they didn’t want the same thing to happen to Greece. I feel terribly sorry and I salute that person.
And one more thing: those of you who claim you love Greece, Greek mythology, you are Philhellenes, you can explain in detail how Leonidas’ sacrifice affected the invasion of the Persians in the European continent or you even eat Gyros and dance Syrtaki, here’s a secret, you don’t know shit about Greece. Literally nothing.
Many of you might wonder “okay what is this sudden outburst, where did all this come from”. But I don’t care if it seems out of place. I know where it comes from and fellow Greeks know where it comes from. And that’s enough for me right now.
And you might wonder: “Ok are we obliged to love Greece?”. Of course not. You don’t have to love Greece. So don’t claim you do either because you do not really know shit about her. (it’s a she.)
In case anyone cares, there are more than74 people dead, over 150 severely or critically injured and more than 600 houses burnt to the ground.
I mean this as a honestly legit question from a non-greek European to you, the people affected by it:
What do you think are the best ways to help?
Other than simply caring (although what I get from your posts is that this too is a rare thing and I’m sorry to hear that). Because, caring about something is important and good, but for me what matters most are the actions caring leads to.
So, what actions can I take that would help you and the wildfire situation?
reblogging for the second reply. here’s what can you do:
If you live abroad
Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World)
Use your web banking for a wire transfer to their Greek accounts :
National Bank of Greece IBAN: GR27 0110 1410 0000 1412 9611 217
Alpha Bank IBAN: GR06 0140 1990 1990 0200 2002 401
Piraeus Bank IBAN: GR03 0172 0180 0050 1800 5706 640
Hellenic Red Cross
The Hellenic Red Cross has opened an account where people can donate.
Eurobank IBAN: GR64 0260 2400 0003 1020 1181 388
Municipality of Rafina-Pikermi
The municipality of Rafina-Pikermi, one the zones hit hardest by the fires, has announced the opening of an account in collaboration with Piraeus Bank, accepting donations for those wishing to contribute.
Piraeus Bank ΙΒΑΝ: GR20 0172 1860 0051 8609 2291 418
Donate basic items (London)
St Mary’s Hospital — Praed St, Paddington, London W2 1NY — Maternity Ultrasound Reception — Cambridge Wing
Queen Charlotte Hospital , Du Cane Rd, White City, London W12 0HS- Maternity Ultrasound Reception
If you live in Greece, there are certain places appointed where you can donate food, medicine and clothes.
Can confirm that those are the drop-off points for London, UK – this tweet thread has more info on what items to donate, and where and when to leave them
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