Sun, Sand, and Silence: Exploring Kokkini Hani’s Forgotten Camp

People destroy faster than nature forgets. I visited the old summer camp in Kokkini Hani yesterday, and it stands as a witness to both. Forgotten, abandoned, but also vandalized brutally, it stands as a forgotten promise to happiness. Laughter from children still echoed from the past; and I hoped I was the only one to hear them there.

What i did was trespassing yesterday, but I do think it was something wrong. Especially after seeing all the destruction done to this beautiful piece of property owned by our municipality.

A large property, that lands directly on a sandy beach.

I visited a place that once held joy, laughter, and carefree summer days.

Now, the (not so) old summer camp lies in ruins. I was sorry to realize that vandalism was evident throughout the place; I read that people addicted to drugs had been there, and this made me very skeptical about leaving the place very soon.

The first thing I saw when entering from a secret, hidden and open spot, was small hills full of flowers and happy bees flying around!

https://youtube.com/shorts/M6OhoSqLsuE

Bees were buzzing and tamarisks were generously offering their shadow to the unseen ghosts of the past

I felt the calmness and the serene wonder of nature's silence.
I wondered around, without knowing what I would see next.

Many of the people I know had visited this summer camp (not me)

I wanted to visit this place for sometime now, but the reason I did it yesterday, I think, was because of these cloud formation.

The first building I noticed was this one. It immediately caught my attention as it was burnt out and I could clearly see that there were no windows and no roof. I made sure to visit it later and moved on.

I started to smell nature and at the same time see details that go me worried.

Broken lamps, trash on the ground, broken glasses at the buildings around...

All buildings were open, their windows were broken and it seemed as if everything inside was either broken or stolen.

I went forward towards a small forest that I saw in front of me. I was wondering if anyone else was at the moment there; Should I be afraid? The road was far away so I dont think that I could protect myself if someone would come to steal from me

https://youtube.com/shorts/rvzkZZxkydM

I left the bad thoughts as I heard the birds singing, but I could not help sensing the sadness left in that place; It craved for life, for laughter and for love.

More and more buildings seemed empty and destroyed

And I decided to move on

I had noticed two more buildings on the left, with some cute art on them

I am sure that these buildings were for the little ones

Summer, love, children, laughter

The saddest part for me was when I went near the burnt house
It was a sleeping house and it looked as if so many children dreams were left to ruins..

But I needed to see hope.
I searched and read that this place closed during Covid. So not so long ago

But for the place to be operational again, about 1 million euro is required as per the first estimated. And it is not easy for this amount to be found.

So, until this is fixed again - if ever, maybe we can let the empty football courts to become one with nature.

Thank you for joining me at this virtual trip

It may never return to what it once was, but perhaps this space can still be reborn — not as ruins, but as a nature-friendly haven for all to enjoy. In harmony with nature, for everyone...

Links in Greek: https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/2010824_sto-eleos-toy-hronoy-kai-tis-egkataleipsis-oi-kataskinoseis-sto-kokkini-hani-pics-vid

https://flashnews.gr/post/760795/ektos-leitourgias-kai-to-2024-oi-paidikes-kataskinoseis-stou-kokkini-chani-ti-anaferei-i-anakoinosi-tou-dimou-chersonisou/