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To help celebrate the last ten years of the Zakynthos Informer we thought we would report on some memorable stories from 2010 to 2020. The problem we found however, is that there have been so many and it’s really hard to know that to choose! To try and narrow it down to a list of ten is even harder, so in the end we decided to do it by year, with a number of highlights, so that we get as much in as possible! Enjoy reading!
What happened in 2010?
Our first year of operation saw some really interesting local issues affecting both Zakynthos and Greece. The age old discussion of All Inclusives was rumbling at the start of the season, with locals questioning if AI was killing the island trade? Elections were taking place and names of candidates were being released and locals were getting ready to vote in November. Further afield Greeks were angry at the price of fuel, large queues formed at petrol stations, and trucks and tankers protested in Athens. The development of Greek Tourism was discussed by the Government, who were looking at ways to develop tourism across Greece.
What happened in 2011?
This year there were positive signs for an increase to Zakynthos Tourism, Easyjet started flights to the island, and major British newspapers and American magazines highlighted Zakynthos as a place to holiday in 2011. Norwegian University Professors arrived on Zakynthos to study Waste Management at the Ionian Islands Institute of Technological Education (TEI), their project was looking at recovering water from household waste. Greece’s profile was boosted by a new TV series called Joanna Lumley’s Greek Odyssey. A special race was held by the Automobile Racing Club of Zakynthos to raise money for a 19 month old girl with cancer. It was announced that a New Health Centre for Argassi, Zakynthos had been added as a project to the National Strategic Reference Framework EU funding programme, it was hoped that improvements would also happen to the existing health centre in Katastari under the programme too. An AGM of the islands Animal Welfare Fund took place with positive outcomes, with assurances of the creation of a secure area for stray animals, a report that 117 dogs and 138 cats were neutered or spayed by the Fund during 2010, new homes were found for over 300 cats and dogs and plans were being submitted to the government for a sterilization programme for strays. The 1st Primary School’s Parent’s and Governor’s Association received gift of a bottle bank, made from used plastic bottles, by a British local Craig Weston, to help children be educated on the environment and recycling.
What happened in 2012?
This year Skai Radio and The Rotary organised a collection of left over medication for use at the local hospital. Austria recommended Greece as a place to visit urging its residents to take their next holiday in Greece. Zakynthos appeared in Hello! Magazine as part of an article about the Best Beaches in the World. The Annual Dog show took place with usual awards of Waggiest Tail, Musical Obedience, Best Fancy Dress, Best puppy and Best Groomed dog, to name a few. A children’s ceramic class lead by a kindergarten teacher and ceramic specialist, Hanne Mi took place at Play Away in Zakynthos Town giving children the opportunity to make Cups, mugs, sculptures and Christmas items. A cycle event took place, starting in Zakynthos Town, cyclists rode along the sea front, up by the river side and along Giatani road, up to Macherado, stopping there to admire the Church, and then to Pantokratoras and down to Laganas, before having lunch in Laganas and cycling back to Zakynthos Town. In the autumn, bad storms hit the island, during one three tornadoes caused damage to buildings, trees and a church.
What happened in 2013?
This year Zakynthos Informer reached 3000 members. The WW2 pillbox, built by the Germans in 1943, overlooking Kalamaki beach, fell to the sea when the cliffs collapsed during a storm. The Lidl store opened for trial Sunday trading with a view to continue trading on a Sunday if successful. The Bally Hoo sadly closed, stating the rise of All Inclusive as the reason they had to shut their doors. Huffington Post reports that a new project launched with the help of the Greek America Foundation, to make a short film about Zakynthos called No Man is an Island, about the Jewish community of Zakynthos during WW2. The National Student publication reports Zakynthos as one of the 10 reasons to visit Greece in the following year of 2014. The BBC TV Programme Sun Sex and Suspicious parents was filmed in Laganas. Jet2 announced expansion of routes, including new routes from Glasgow. A local Zakynthian diver discovered underwater ruins in the Alykes/Alykanas area, the find was highly talked about in the press and for the next few years experts argued over whether it was natural phenomenon or a manmade ancient site.
What happened in 2014?
This year the Zakynthos Informer group hit 7,000 members. Greek papers reported that Greeks pay more for their holidays than international tourists. Archaeologists reported on a dig at Amphipolis, releasing a video of the site, there was great excitement with many suggesting at the time, that it could be the final resting place of Alexander the Great. Jet2 announces they are further expanding routes to Zakynthos from East Midlands and Scotland. The Greek ministry approved 1.3million Euros for use for animal shelters. The Mayor of Zakynthos proposed that weddings take place at the Town Hall with only an iconic ceremony in another location. The new ferry boat, ‘fior di Levante’ arrived in Zakynthos harbour, greeted by onlookers. Kefalonia was affected by an earthquake, Zakynthos were quick to offer any help needed. Four missing British tourists took a boat out and ran out of fuel, off the Zakynthos coast, but were later found safe and well thanks to the coastguard. Mr Dionysios Mylonas, Deputy Head of Zakynthos passed away. There were many rumours throughout the summer season about shipwreck beach being sold off to investors.
What happened in 2015?
This year there was a new addition to the KTEL fleet of buses serving the Athens route. Grexit was a topic on everyone’s mind this year, after many in Greece struggled, because of the Greek crisis. Korean TV Programme Descendants of the Sun filmed scenes in numerous location across the island. UK newspapers reported that the new Greek Prime Minister wanted to get rid of All Inclusive holidays aimed at British tourists. Dimitris Stavolemos shot some incredible drone footage of the island, wowing Zakynthos Informer members with stunning aerial views of Zakynthos they hadn’t seen before. It was announced that Fraport would take over the running of a number of Greek airports including Zakynthos’. This was the year when a number of books set on the island were published, including Among the Olive Groves, The Homecoming and On Greek Island: A season in Zakynthos. Global Times report that Greece hopes to become a number on destination for Chinese tourists. After a lot of negative and misleading reports about Greece in the British Press, a British tourist packed her bags and went to Greece to prove that things were not as bad as the Press were reporting, and was proved right on arrival. Beloved islander, Syyros Zougras, a keeper of traditions and culture, as well Giostra Vice President, passed away. The film No Man is an Island sets up a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to make the film. Admin Chrissie Parker attends the Greece Solidarity Campaign in central London on behalf of the Zakynthos Informer.
What happened in 2016?
This year started with a bang when Zakynthos Informer reached 10,000 members! During the summer Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, and her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were spotted on their private yacht visiting the shipwreck. An update of Solomos Square was well underway, removing old trees and redoing the whole the square to update it. Tsilivi created new feeding stations and drop off points for strays. The island was hit by numerous issues with rubbish. Peter Andre arrived on the island to film a new programme called A Greek Odyssey. Five tourists were arrested on Zakynthos for using counterfeit money. The Foundation for Environmental Education awarded Zakynthos fifteen blue flags for its clean beaches. The Olympic Torch arrived in Zakynthos and a flame burned brightly in Solomos Square, island resident Penny Draper also volunteered at the Olympics flying the flag for Greece! Due to severe weather the procession of St.Dionysios was unable to take place, and he remained in the church. Local Zakynthian girl Denia fought a long battle with cancer and thanked members of Zakynthos Informer for their support. Long term Zakynthos Informer member, and local resident Helen King passed away.
What happened in 2017?
This year Bobby Gee interviewed Ms Kate Smith, Ambassador to Greece live on the radio, discussing a whole range of topics including Brexit, strays and tourism. Members were up in arms when local Greek papers reported that the EU were considering banning Gyros! The island was hit by bad wild fires, and a Fireman’s boots campaign was set up raise money to buy new boots for the Zakynthian fire service. In the summer Zakynthos Informer members increased to 15,000. Beloved island resident Alan West was tragically killed in an accident, sending shock throughout the community. Zakynthos Informer created a new blog site, for readers to share news and information. TV Programme Coach Trip to Zante was filmed in a number of different locations on the island. Greece gets EU Budget Approval after eight years of austerity. Volunteering on Zakynthos took off, with many getting involved in volunteer work such as cleaning beaches, taking down old signs and removing rubbish from places it shouldn’t be. The World Premier of Life Will Smile (originally called No Man is an Island), a film about the Jews in WW2, took place on Zakynthos. A world Record Challenge took place by Slacktivity, who walked a slackfline (or tightrope) from cliff to cliff over Navagio Bay. Lidl removes churches from Santorini crosses on food packaging. The plastic bag charge is implemented in Greece. Porto Azzuro is named most breathtaking beach in Cosmopolitan best beach article.
What happened in 2018?
This year Zakynthos Informer membership hit 17,000. The Times featured the island in a post about the best beaches in Greece. An Easter egg campaign was run to ensure underprivileged children received eggs. The world was shocked when terrible wild fires ripped though Athens and its suburbs. A food festival took place in Zakynthos Town, with food representations from many countries including Australia, Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. The island struggled with allegations of alcohol poisoning in a bar in Laganas, which hit the international press. UK TV channel E4 filmed a TV Programme called Club Rep Wars in Laganas. Residents were greeted by the combination of a blue moon, superman and total lunar eclipse. A campaign called Let’s Do it Greece, organised by volunteer groups, took place to clean up Laganas and Agios Sostis. A rockfall at Navagio beach was followed a month later by a large Earthquake, and tremors that went on for around six months afterwards. A story called the Zante Girl appeared in the press, about a photo of a 7yr old taken shortly after the 1953 earthquake, after some investigations, Zakynthos Informer team tracked her down. Fraport Greece announces two-year program to attract new international routes.
What happened in 2019?
This year the new Zakynthos Informer Website went live, allowing members to share links and stories as well as discover more bout the island. Bobby Gee did a number of important radio interviews this year including another with interviewed Ms Kate Smith, Ambassador to Greece, and with a seismologist, Giannis Kopanas, following the earthquake of the year before. We worked with other facebook admins to highlight a campaign called “pick up a piece” in order to get people to think more about discarding their rubbish correctly. A turtle was sadly killed and another injured in the Marine Park Bay, after being hit by boats. UK Tourist John Tossell went missing on the island while on holiday, last seen in Argassi, his disappearance has featured in newspapers and on TV, but sadly his whereabouts are still unknown. A new UK TV series called MY New Greek Life aired with one episode set on Zakynthos. A similar programme filmed on the island for Dutch TV company MAX TV. Flamingoes were spotted in Argassi. Work on the new theatre in Zakynthos Town finally finished and it opens its doors to the public. The travel company Thomas Cook sadly collapsed. It was announced that the Monastery of Strofades would get a facelift. Zakynthos Appeared on a programme called Drain the Ocean, where they looked into the underwater finds at Alykes/Alykanas in 2013.
What happened in 2020?
This year things changed dramatically for Zakynthos. The Zakynthos Informer membership has grown reaching almost 20,000 members and we are still working hard. Members who had been unable to see it at the cinema were finally given the opportunity to watch Life Will Smile online. Aldi published a photo of shipwreck beach in a magazine next to holidays in Turkey causing a public outcry. Through Zakynthos Informer Mr Baker was able to contact Zante Girl and they are now communicating with each other; a wonderful end to the story! Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson revealed that they will be part of the 200 year revolution celebrations planned for 2021. Sadly however, much of 2020 so far has been taken up by the international crisis; Covid. We know that things will get better though and are hopeful to get the season underway as soon as possible.
It’s been great for the team to look back at everything that’s happened in the group over the last ten years, to see all the amazing photographs, to be able to report relevant news and information and to be able to help tourists and residents out with a multitude of questions. Thanks for sticking with us and we are very much looking forward to the next ten years! If you want to learn more about the stories above just use the search box in the group to look for them.
