A video from Sikinos has moved thousands of viewers, showing the island’s mayor, Vasilis Marakis, bidding farewell — with open arms — to the students who traveled to the island to take part in the October 28th parade alongside the local children.
At the center of the scene is Mayor Vasilis Marakis, a man well known to both locals and visitors for his warmth and hospitality. Those who know him say that he personally welcomes and bids farewell to everyone who arrives or departs from Sikinos, as an expression of his love for his island.
The touching footage, captured by Stamatina Erofili Gliati, shows Mr. Marakis waving with open arms to the students of the 2nd Gymnasium of Elliniko as they board the ferry. The children and their teachers had visited Sikinos, the small Cycladic island nestled between Ios and Folegandros, to participate in the October 28th national holiday celebrations.
The mayor’s gesture is more than just a farewell — it is an act of gratitude. With open arms, he conveys his happiness and emotion at the togetherness of the visiting students and the 14 local pupils, who jointly organized the school event and parade that united two communities in a shared celebration of history and pride.
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