ZEIT Online writes about “lesbian tourism” in Lesvos and specifically in Skala Eresou. Here are the main points of the article from DW….
“Lesvos is located on the borders of Europe, very close to the Turkish coast. In recent years, the island has become known more for its refugee camps than for cocktails at sunset. In contrast to tourist hot spots, such as Santorini or Mykonos, with their luxury resorts and parties, the atmosphere here remains more traditional and the nature is largely unspoilt.”
The editor of the German publication describes her visit to Skala Eresou, “where there are no archaeological monuments to visit, not even a trace of Sappho’s house.” But the famous poetess “is a ubiquitous “brand name” in the village – like Maradona in Naples or the Pope in Rome. Magnets, icons and other souvenirs are sold in her image, while she also gave her name to the highlight of the lesbian gathering: the Sappho Women’s Festival,” which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. “Two weeks of concerts, films and workshops, in which about a thousand women participated.”
As ZEIT reports, “as early as the 1970s, women from England, Holland, Germany, France, Italy and the USA were visiting Sappho’s birthplace […] They relaxed together on the beach, sunbathed naked, kissed in the streets, celebrated, flirted, had sex. They could be themselves, proud and openly lesbians, at a time when lesbian life was taboo.”
Source: DW
