A Living Expression of Dignity and Freedom 7 May 2008
Our first thoughts were troubled by doubts. Doubts about the sincerity of the intentions stated in the first email. Doubts about the ability of a small group of people to carry out the difficult task of setting-up a vet clinic in one of the hard-to-reach Greek islands. Doubts about our own ability to steer and support this task from a distance.
The next thoughts were marked by surprise. Surprise at the enthusiasm shown by the members of FAROS to our initial response. Surprise at the subsequent speed and accuracy when setting up the clinic. Surprise at their eagerness not to compromise with sloppy and temporary solutions.
Arriving on Symi, we were impressed. Impressed by the beauty of this little island, the dynamism we saw in our first glimpse of it, picturesque from the very first moment. Impressed by the hospitality that the members of FAROS showed us from the moment we set foot on the harbour. Impressed by the high standard of the clinic that had been set-up. Impressed by the response and hospitality of the islands’ residents.
Over and above the provision of veterinary services to the island, a main aim of our visit was to raise awareness among the residents about the care of the stray animals that live among them. In modern Greek societies, like the one on Symi, strays are a reality that shouldn’t be ignored. The effort to reduce their numbers as well as the medical care of these animals express the sensitivity, feelings, and the type of civilisation of the society we live in. Animal-loving is nothing more than an expression of humanity and respect towards nature, in other words towards the creation in which we are born and evolve. The animal-loving person, in contrast to the common perception, is not necessarily someone who is a member of an organisation nor someone who takes care of an animal on a daily basis, but someone who recognises that he or she is part of nature, a living organism that is more complicated than the human mind can understand. Nature is not against us. Nature is us, together with millions of other plant and animal species that live among us. Each of these species has unique attributes that differentiate it from the rest. Such is the advanced intelligence of the human being. This attribute can create but can also destroy while its main characteristic is the ability of choice. Nature, having provided us with this ability, deserves something better than our aggression. Aggression towards nature is nothing more than an expression of self-destruction as well as a lack of self-respect and self-control.
We hope that the initial response of the people of Symi to the efforts of FAROS will encourage many more on the island to embrace this initiative. Together with the municipal authorities that can play a leading role in the supply of care towards the stray animals, the message should be passed to locals as well as foreign visitors that Greek civilisation is a lot more than beautiful beaches and high temperatures. Greek civilisation over and above marbles and memorials constitutes a living expression of dignity and freedom, a display of the real and the beautiful. And what is uglier than wretched animals dying among us?
We left Symi with sweet memories and the hope that we have helped to foster a new relationship between the island’s residents and the animals, the creatures that in contract with humans, give plenty and ask for hardly anything in return.
The article is also available in Greek by visiting Christos Nikolaou personal blog.
The next thoughts were marked by surprise. Surprise at the enthusiasm shown by the members of FAROS to our initial response. Surprise at the subsequent speed and accuracy when setting up the clinic. Surprise at their eagerness not to compromise with sloppy and temporary solutions.
Arriving on Symi, we were impressed. Impressed by the beauty of this little island, the dynamism we saw in our first glimpse of it, picturesque from the very first moment. Impressed by the hospitality that the members of FAROS showed us from the moment we set foot on the harbour. Impressed by the high standard of the clinic that had been set-up. Impressed by the response and hospitality of the islands’ residents.
Over and above the provision of veterinary services to the island, a main aim of our visit was to raise awareness among the residents about the care of the stray animals that live among them. In modern Greek societies, like the one on Symi, strays are a reality that shouldn’t be ignored. The effort to reduce their numbers as well as the medical care of these animals express the sensitivity, feelings, and the type of civilisation of the society we live in. Animal-loving is nothing more than an expression of humanity and respect towards nature, in other words towards the creation in which we are born and evolve. The animal-loving person, in contrast to the common perception, is not necessarily someone who is a member of an organisation nor someone who takes care of an animal on a daily basis, but someone who recognises that he or she is part of nature, a living organism that is more complicated than the human mind can understand. Nature is not against us. Nature is us, together with millions of other plant and animal species that live among us. Each of these species has unique attributes that differentiate it from the rest. Such is the advanced intelligence of the human being. This attribute can create but can also destroy while its main characteristic is the ability of choice. Nature, having provided us with this ability, deserves something better than our aggression. Aggression towards nature is nothing more than an expression of self-destruction as well as a lack of self-respect and self-control.
We hope that the initial response of the people of Symi to the efforts of FAROS will encourage many more on the island to embrace this initiative. Together with the municipal authorities that can play a leading role in the supply of care towards the stray animals, the message should be passed to locals as well as foreign visitors that Greek civilisation is a lot more than beautiful beaches and high temperatures. Greek civilisation over and above marbles and memorials constitutes a living expression of dignity and freedom, a display of the real and the beautiful. And what is uglier than wretched animals dying among us?
We left Symi with sweet memories and the hope that we have helped to foster a new relationship between the island’s residents and the animals, the creatures that in contract with humans, give plenty and ask for hardly anything in return.
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Christos Nikolaou
DVM, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
Anastasia Papastefanou
DVM, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
The article is also available in Greek by visiting Christos Nikolaou personal blog.
Updated 07 May 2008, 23:13 // 208 hits