Ayiasmos (blessing) of the New Park in Avlemonas

The Claudianos family: Charles, John, George and their mother Marika, with Avlemonas local mayor Bubby Petrohilos (centre, back)

Kytherian-Australian, John Claudianos has spent many years restoring and renovating the landmark Cavallini residence in Avlemonas. It’s also known as the house with a sun-dial, a heritage listed building which took about a decade of permissions and hard work to restore.

Taking philanthropy to a new level, John recently gifted land behind the Cavallini residence to the community, in the form of a public park and lookout.

John financed the landscaping and construction, turning the vacant land behind the Cavallini building, next to the Agios Nikolaos church in Avlemonas, into a place for the local community and visitors to enjoy.
Using architectural elements of wood, stainless steel and stone, the park and lookout is very pleasant and modern, with a feeling similar to that of the Bondi to Bronte walk in Sydney.

An ayiasmos (blessing) took place in July by Kythera’s Metropoliti, Bishop Seraphim, attended by a broad cross-section of the local community and members of the diaspora. Local children performed traditional dances at the end of the ceremony, dressed in spaletta made by parents from Avlemonas.

Providing Avlemonas (and Kythera) with a new park is a very noble and selfless gesture, and for that John Clau-dianos deserves a great deal of thanks.