The state should give opportunities and not punishments to “invisible” people, solidarity should be blind to discrimination, and homeless people should have dignity: these were the main conclusions that emerged from the presentation of the book “Invisible People: Life Lessons from the Homeless Michalis Samolis” by Tonia Tsakiri, from Papadopoulos Publications, held on October 17 -World Day for the Fight Against Poverty.

The book was presented by Pavlos Geroulanos (MP), George Stamatis (MP and former Secretary General of Social Solidarity and Poverty Alleviation), Christos Alefantis (founder of Σχεδίa), Michalis Samolis, the author Tonia Tsakiri, while the discussion was moderated by journalist, translator and poet Krystalli Glyniadaki.

Pavlos Geroulanos referred to his acquaintance with the homeless man Michalis Samolis, whose shocking life the book deals with, who reminds him of his father who taught him love for every human being. He also stressed the life lessons one can learn from Michalis Samolis and other homeless people and urged all Greeks to talk to “invisible” people in order to become visible.

Christos Alefantis said that the solidarity of Schedia Street magazine is blind to discrimination, while he also referred to the needs of the homeless, which do not stop at just shelter and food. The homeless need discussion, attention, and contact with culture and sports in order to be fully integrated into our society.

George Stamatis pointed out the necessity for the state to provide social housing for the homeless elderly, stressing that the book passes messages to the state, which should give opportunities to “invisible” people and not punish them. It has a responsibility towards them, many experience stigma with dignity.

A few words about the book:

Can a homeless person be happy? “Yes,” answers Michael Samolis, a man next door, who one morning in a time of crisis put his whole life in a suitcase, found himself on the street, but found the strength to stand on his feet. His purpose in life now is to help people overcome their difficulties, achieve what they want, and find their own mission.

This is the book of a man who plummeted without stopping, who was shattered beyond the limits of human imagination, but then found the courage to make his way back to the surface. He challenges the reader to experience his personal, compelling stories, learn from the life lessons of the road, and find a way out of every problem. Can you bear it?

Michalis Samolis tells his shocking story, which is a source of inspiration and an example for all to follow, while journalist Tonia Tsakiri records it. What is amply demonstrated in the pages of the book is that it is never too late to make a new start in life.

Today he lives in a homeless shelter and is a salesman for the street magazine “Raft” and a guide for “Invisible Routes”, while his life motto is that happiness is found in the little that is great and not in the much. At the same time, he has given interviews to channels in America, China, and the BBC, and has appeared in theatre performances at the National Theatre and the Lyric Stage and nothing stops him.