Lord Guilford

Lord Guilford (Frederick North, fifth Earl of Guilford, 1766-1827) founder of the Ionian Academy.

The first Greek University started in his house in Metropoleos Street in 1823. It later moved to the Old Frourio and to the famous Ionian Academy building in 1840/1841.

Although there is a plaque outside the Academy building stating that the poet Andreas Kalvos "taught here", I'm not so sure that he did, as he had resigned his professorship before the Academy itself had actually opened in that building after its move from the Old Frourio. He did of course teach at the Academy.

Who is it? Where is it?

It's not Corfu!

Could it be Bermuda?

Could it be Spanish Point?

Could it be John Lennon and his son, back in 1980?

I was standing at the very same spot last October.

John was inspired to write a number of the songs on "Double Fantasy" during his holiday on Bermuda- a wonderful island.

I did a double take when I saw it.

In Stockholm, Yoko signed my "Double Fantasy" CD.

Tsiknopemti: Shrove-Thursday Carnival Event

An enjoyable carnival evening outside Corfu's Town Hall in Porta Remunda.

Free souvlakis were one of the attractions, and people loved the carnival-court satirical trial played by "drunken" masked actors. I enjoyed the kantades, especially the harmonious rendition of Solomos' poem "I Agnoristi". When the poet first settled in Corfu in 1828, he lived for a year or two in the house of Polylas, just above the spot where the "folk-troubadours" did such credit to his poem:

Poia einai touti
Pou kataivainei
Asprodimeni
Och to vouno?

...

Kai ton mallione tis
T'oraio plithos
Panou 's to stithos
Lambei xantho.

Echoun ta matia tis,
Opou yeloune,
To chroma pou 'nai
'S ton ourano.....

Maybe Solomos was back there in spirit this Shrove-Thursday, smelling the smoke of the souvlakia grilling on the charcoal: Tsiknopemti!

Details in Greek:

6.30μ.μ. «Κορφιάτικα Τραγούδια» από τους

Κερκυραίους Λαϊκούς Τροβαδούρους

7.00μ.μ. «Κρασοδικείο» Θέατρο Δρόμου από την

Ομάδα Σατυρικού Καρναβαλιού

See www.corfuland.gr for the rest of the carnival programme.

Simon Baddeley on the British Protectorate

Simon Baddeley gave a fascinating and provocative talk about the Lords High Commissioners and their relations with the Ionians, at the Durrell School of Corfu on Wednesday evening.

Many members of the audience wished Simon's talk could have been twice as long. That's the sign of a good communicator.

A hard act to follow!

Porta Remunda/ Porta Raimonda

This is a detail from the map by Giovanni Battista Bragadin, "Dissegno topografico della citta di Corfu", mid eighteenth century (c. 1755?), dedicated to Andrea Tron.

They have a copy at the Society of Corfiot Studies (Solomos Museum).

Who was Raymond?

Demetris Konidaris and Demetris Lappas (Kerkyra - Polis Perigysi, 2015) suggest that the name has nothing to do with someone called Raymond, but that it derives rather from the Italian words "rai" and "mondo" (see page 104).

Villa Rossa, Corfu - Η ΒΙΛΛΑ ΡΟΣΣΑ ΣΤΗ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

It must be one of the most melancholic and deeply depressing sights in Corfu, the derelict red mansion called Villa Rossa, which really looks much grimmer than an utter ruin.

Building of the splendid mansion had begun in 1864. It was probably the first house in Corfu to benefit from electricity, generated for the Aspioti factory. It became one of the most prestigious centres of social life for the high society of Corfu at one time, with grand receptions, sometimes attended by members of the Greek Royal Family and visited by the King of Greece, according to Tasos Papanastasatos (in his tribute to Maria Aspioti, Porfyras, January-March 2002).

Writers, artists and intellectuals were also warmly welcomed there.
It was owned by the Aspioti family. Maria Aspioti (1909-2000) lived there and entertained many British visitors, friends and colleagues like Francis King and Lawrence Durrell. As Director of the British Council Corfu branch from 1945-1955, Maria (or Marie) was in contact with leading figures of the British arts world throughout that decade, and later.

It is probably far too late now for the restoration of Villa Rossa, although extensive studies and surveys have been made, and although the building was bought by the Greek state in 1997; it is the responsibility of Corfu Prefecture, as far as I have understood the somewhat complicated situation.

The online “Corfu Today” reported in September 2008 that “abandonment has led to the situation that we all see today. Outside the wretched image is visible to everyone, while the internal situation is much worse for those who know.”

The catalogue of neglect is appalling. The building is rotting and about to collapse, which is presumably why it is now propped up and surrounded by supporting iron girders.

The responsible authorities talk of the ‘immediate restoration’ of Villa Rossa as their prime concern.

Much data has been collected. Worthwhile and functional uses have been proposed for the building, if and when it is restored.

There are other unsafe and melancholic sites in Corfu, such as the Olive Oil Factory in Mandouki. I am sure readers can suggest many more.

There may be competing priorities in this difficult economic climate, but somebody should surely do something!

Report in Greek Η ΒΙΛΛΑ ΡΟΣΣΑ ΣΤΗ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ

Update July 2011, by John's Corfu World

Update 16 June 2012. The local Corfu press (Enimerosi, Epikairotita, Ta Kerkyraika Nea) reports at length today that a committee decision has been made (14 June) to convert the abandoned Villa Rossa into a Museum of Corfu Town. See ERT


Let's wait and see.