Once upon a time in Lavrio, in the crowded port of Attica, with fragrances from all parts of the world, exotic goods, and all kinds of precious commodities. People flocked to trade, craftsmen from all corners of Athens visited this port to obtain the raw materials for their works, and somewhere there…

but to see better…

Oh yes! She is the young Ioli, a young teenager living in Athens and especially in Keramikos. But what is she doing here, all alone? But this is how it is explained, of course, her father is also here Archelaos, the antiquary.

But she seems abstract, what is she about?

“But how is it possible that the father prefers the port of Piraeus, all the magic is hidden here. For me there is nothing like it, the smells are unique, and the people are so friendly, but even those who are more somber will surely get a good mood here. Fortunately, my mother let me accompany my father, who wanted to get metal and copper fittings for his workshop.

Last night I heard the parents talking about the war with Sparta. A war had just broken out between almighty Athens and mighty Sparta, threatening to deprive both cities of worthy and capable young people. Here in Lavrio, silver is mined, used to make coins, and finance the Athenian fleet. But why do they fight, what do they have to separate them? How can I dream my future, in a present soaked in the poison of war? Everywhere you look, every family has lost someone.

But also yesterday I saw in the theater the play “Helena” by Euripides. My God, how I rejoiced that the name of Helena was finally restored. The author decided to give another dimension to the beautiful Helen: she was not the one who left Menelaus, her husband, for the eyes of Paris, but she was a victim of the gods. According to Euripides’ myth, Helen was abducted into Egypt, while Paris took an idol with her.

God, the whole Trojan War, about which I had heard stories from my mother since I was little was a lie. Odysseus, Achilles, and so many others fought for nothing, for «an empty shirt», for an idol.

But how much truth is hidden in all this, do the adults really not see that they are fighting without retaliation… they do not see that they are risking our future and that even without asking us…”

The thoughts seemed to be interrupted by the unexpected meeting of Ioli with a friend who had come to Lavrio for the same reason. How happy they seem to be, the youth does not know war, but only love and care.

Let us say goodbye to Ioli and see her again in the next  “Ioli’s wonder in wander”…

Giovanna☀️