Athens, 2019
Life in Ioannina was so beautiful…
My name is Eftychia. Batinou is my maiden name; Ezra is my married name. We were six children in the family and I was the youngest. I was twenty-two years younger than the eldest in the family. Being the youngest one I was very spoiled. All my sisters were married and I would get them to give me many presents. Life in Ioannina was so beautiful; I had my parents, my siblings, my brothers-in-law, all wonderful people. I was very connected with both the Jewish and Christian community, because I had attended the Gymnasium [Highschool] at a time when many children wouldn’t attend and I had many classmates. I still remember the beautiful Gymnasium years, which were followed by rough times, first the Occupation, and, after the Occupation, the Holocaust, when we were taken away. One Saturday morning they came and we were all gone… Memories from Ioannina, both lovely and unpleasant. That’s how life always is.
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There is nothing more beautiful than love and love is not just about taking it, it’s also about having the strenght to give it. Love can not be counted, no way. Love, give your love children. It’s a very nice thing. Material things vanish, they are gone… If you give someone five-ten drachmas, they spend it and it’s over;; if you give someone a nice dress, nothing will be left. Love is an emotion, it’s, it’s… something that stays on forever and this is something that we always remember and we all seek this love, but at the same time we need to give it with open arms. At least I give love with open arms.