Between Koukouritsa and Akleris – Stelios F. Gramménos 

Stelios Gramménos was always an active member of the communities of the two villages of his family origins—Sinarades and Korakiana—devoting every opportunity available to him to serving their common goals and aspirations and contributing to progress in the villages. 

By way of example, it is worth mentioning that he was the driving force behind the establishment of the Association of Sinarades Residents of Athens and served as its first president. He was also the person who, while serving as an official of the Prefecture of Florina, arranged for the newly established Philharmonic Band of Korakiana to be invited to Florina, on what was both its first such appearance and its inaugural establishment as a travelling ensemble. Its impressive performance in Florina filled everyone with optimism and marked the beginning of its subsequent successful course. 

At the same time, drawing upon his talent for the written word, he periodically published in Corfu-oriented newspapers and other publications highly characteristic texts that primarily recorded events and aspects of everyday life, traditions, customs, and activities in our villages that have now disappeared. In doing so, he brought nostalgic memories to life for older generations while opening a window for younger ones, enabling them to understand not only what was distinctive about, but also the everyday life of, the people of the generations that came before them. All this was expressed in a flowing language, like the water of a spring, enriched with words and expressions from our local dialect. 

In this publication, the author presents a selection of previously published texts, together with others appearing in print for the first time, all dealing with the same subject matter. These texts bear the distinctive mark of his many gifts as a writer, as well as the richness of his expression and the ease and confidence with which he handles the written word. 

(…From the Preface) 

“What remains particularly noteworthy in my memory, as an expression of the need for communication among relatives from both sides, is the group gatherings that were planned, organised, and held once, or even twice, a year. They took place at a designated spot in the Ropa plain, approximately halfway between the two villages, Korakiana and Sinarades. 

As I now understand it, these gatherings were the event of the year for both communities. They brought a special dimension to the everyday lives of those people, and were attended not only by close and more distant relatives, but also by neighbours and friends from both villages.” 

(…In Place of a Preface) 

Konstantinos D. Karamoutsos 

He was born in 1941 in Afra, Corfu. He studied Philology, Journalism, Public Administration and Public Relations in Athens. He worked as a reporter for the Athenian press. From 1966 to 1997, he served as a secondary-school teacher. 

He was fortunate to establish and develop the Gymnasium–Lyceum of Agros, Corfu, as well as the Corfu Music School. 

He published the following books: Ten Florias: His Artistic and Scholarly Work, Corfu, 1997; Corfiot Aristocratic Country Houses, Vol. I, Municipality of Parelioi, Corfu, 2006; and Genealogies of the Souliotes, Corfu, 2007. 

As a photographer, he held the following exhibitions: in Athens, at Ekfrasi 1, Trees (1963), and at Ekfrasi 2, My Teachers(1964). In Corfu, he presented The Vernacular Architecture of the Village of Sinarades (2005), a five-volume work deposited at the Museum of the Historical and Folklore Society of Sinarades, Corfu. 

He married Mary P. Georgiou, and they had two children, Takis and Rozanténia, and a grandson, Theodoros Tsirigotis. 

His Death as Reported in the Press 

The distinguished Corfiot philologist, historical researcher and writer Konstantinos D. Karamoutsos died tragically yesterday, Friday, 4 November 2011, in Corfu. He was struck by a private truck and died three hours later in the hospital to which he had been taken. 

The Cultural and Environmental Association of Sinarades “I Keradikia” and the Historical and Folklore Society of Corfu (Sinarades Museum) extend their deepest condolences to the family of Kostas Karamoutsos. 

His unexpected death saddened all the people of Sinarades, as he was a scholar and a man whom we had known personally and who had demonstrated his genuine love for our village. 

His 2005 photographic exhibition, The Vernacular Architecture of the Village of Sinarades, which was presented both in the village and at the Municipal Theatre, while the entire collection was donated to the Sinarades Folklore Museum of Mesi, was a landmark event in the history of our village. 

The album Corfiot Aristocratic Country Houses of the Municipality of Parelioi was another important contribution to the entire area of Central Corfu. 

The loss caused by the death of this tireless researcher of our local history is irreplaceable. His work and contribution will never be forgotten. 

On behalf of the Boards of Directors of the Associations 

Ioannis Borbotis
President of the Cultural and Environmental Association 

Fontas Alamanos
President of the Historical and Folklore Society of Corfu 

Georgios H. Sourtzinos 

Autobiographical Note, 5 April 2014 

Georgios H. Sourtzinos was born in Corfu in 1943, where he completed the six-year secondary school of the time. After serving as a reserve non-commissioned officer in the Royal Hellenic Air Force, he joined the City Police, where he served for eight years in Athens. 

At the time, the legislation concerning local residency did not allow him to serve in his homeland, which he loved dearly. For this reason, he resigned from the police force and returned to Corfu, where he pursued a career in the private sector. 

From his final years of secondary school, he had developed a particular interest in depictions of Corfu from past centuries, as he recognised in them the history, traditions and folklore of his island. 

While serving with the City Police in Athens, he had his first opportunity to begin searching for the well-known engravings depicting Corfu—woodcuts, copperplate engravings and lithographs. From then on, he began collecting prints whose subject matter was exclusively related to Corfu. 

Today, his collection comprises more than 300 authentic prints, dating from 1486—the earliest known depiction of Corfu—to 1962. 

This collection inspired him to undertake research into and study the history of Corfu. 

In 1998, he published his first book, entitled Corfu: Journeys Through Time. The book was translated into English and German, and is currently in its third edition. 

In 2006, he published his second book, entitled Toponyms: Linguistic Testimonies in the Historical Course of Corfu. The book is currently in its second edition. 

In 2011, he published his third book, entitled Roptra of Corfu (door knockers of Corfu) 

In 2022, he published his fourth book, entitled Corfu in the Interwar Period, 1918–1939. 

Part of his collection of prints was exhibited in 1998 and 2012 at the Municipal Gallery of Corfu, as well as at the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina in 2014. 

For many years, Georgios H. Sourtzinos served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Historical and Folklore Society of Corfu. 

Under the title Toponyms, Linguistic Testimonies in the Historical Course of Corfu, Georgios H. Sourtzinos presents his latest scholarly work, published by the Historical and Folklore Society of Corfu. 

The book provides a detailed record of the names of various villages, sites, locations, and areas of Corfu. As the author explains, the term toponyms refers to distinctive and specific names given to places and areas within a particular region. 

Every toponym contains information of a social, religious, topographical, geographical, folkloric, and other nature. These toponyms are scattered throughout the city and the surrounding areas of the island. They are connected with the history of Corfu, its traditions, customs, language, and even with particular historical events. 

Thus, we encounter names such as Saroko, Spilia, Mouragia, and Spianada, Kampielo, among many others. 

Toponyms may be classified as historical, environmental, anthroponymic, hagiotoponymic, and patria-toponymic. 

Corfu: A Journey Through Time – Georgios H. Sourtzinos 

Historical and Folklore Society of Corfu
Third Edition 

History, Monuments, Museums, Historical and Archaeological Sites, Prints 

“My work on this publication was prompted by thirty years of searching for, collecting, researching and studying Corfiot prints, as well as by my love, interest and sensitivity towards Corfu and towards everything that has survived, both in the city and throughout the island, from the invaluable heritage of so many cultures over the course of time. This book aims to provide the reader with a general overview of Corfu and of all those elements that make up its history, monuments, architecture, and long-standing intellectual and cultural heritage.”
[…G. Sourtzinos] 

This book, with the subtitle “History, Monuments, Museums, Historical and Archaeological Sites, Prints”, which gives an indication of the breadth of its contents, constitutes a new and valuable addition to the bibliography of Corfu. Its 108 thematic sections are presented through a rich selection of carefully chosen colour images, accompanied by concise and economical descriptions. 

In addition, the book contains various mythological and folkloric elements that further enrich its content. The author introduces an interesting innovation: he has organised the material according to geographical rather than chronological frameworks. This makes the book particularly accessible to read, as it is essentially a photographic album, rich in images and engravings spanning different periods. 

[…From the Preface by Avgoustos Sordinas] 

Roptra of Corfu 

A new illustrated volume by the renowned researcher of old Corfu, Georgios Sourtzinos, focusing on a detail of local art that reveals remarkably interesting information about the social standing, financial status, and even the artistic preferences of the people of old Corfu, as reflected in the choices they made when selecting the door knockers they placed on the entrances to their homes. 

Subtitle: Forgotten Folkloric Ornaments on Front Doors