NYMPAION

Παρουσίαση

Ι am writing this note as a foreword (though none is really necessary) to a lovely book about Nymphaio. It is unnecessary, because I have nothing to add to the story of Nymphaio and to the history of the Vlachs. That history is covered more than adequately in the pages that follow. Nor can my words improve on the beauty of the region, so wonderfully portrayed by the photographs that grace this volume.
I am writing because I have great respect and sympathy for the Vlachs of Greece, because I am fond of Nymphaio, and because for long years I have been friends with Nikos Mertzos, the worthy President of the historic Commune of Nymphaion, to whom the present-day Nymphaio owes so much.
From days of old the Vlachs have done great things for Greece. This is so well known that I need not even mention, for example, the names of Vlachs who have been Great Benefactors of the Nation. Today the Vlachs are doing still more by being part of the synthesis of Greek society. Most of them are no longer shepherds living in their renowned villages but have become townsfolk in Greek cities, rapidly distinguishing themselves in learning, commerce and other fields.
They are a valued part of the Greek people and the part they play makes me greatly attached to them.
As for Nymphaio, it is a great name in the annals of war and peace. Let me not dwell on war -about which the reader will find much written in this book- but on peace. The arts of peace are those of the goldsmith, the stonemason, and peaceful also are the village's rich folklore, her education, and her culture as a whole. But the visitor to Nymphaio will be able to see all this, and it will make him -or her!- a friend for life.
Like all important places, Nymphaio deserves a book of text and photographs to herself. She deserves it and it does her proud - just as she deserves to go forward and to put her beauty on show. (Constantine Stephanopoulos, from the publisher)