΄Alsos΄ Cultural Association requesting practical support from Municipality for claim over Garitsa seafront
CORFU. "The protection of Garitsa Bay cannot wait. The increasing pressures for commercialisation threaten to alter the character of the area and deprive residents of a valuable public space."
(Garitsa ΄Alsos΄ Cultural Association) Garitsa ΄Alsos΄ Cultural Association is making a public appeal to Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands Municipal Council, requesting the immediate activation of all necessary institutional procedures to secure the public and municipal character of Corfu’s seafront, particularly Garitsa Bay.
It is recalled that three Municipal Council meetings have already been held on this issue, with corresponding resolutions: on February 11, 2019; October 31, 2023; and May 28, 2024. However, to date, these have not resulted in tangible outcomes.
The coastal zone of Garitsa is not merely a geographical area. It is part of the historical, social, and cultural identity of Corfu Town. It serves as a natural lung, a place of social gathering, daily recreation, swimming, walking, cultural events, and is inextricably linked with the memories and lives of Corfiots.
΄Alsos΄ Association, representing the residents of the area, calls on the Municipality to immediately take the following actions:
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To officially and promptly initiate the process of claiming ownership of the seafront from the relevant state authorities and the Ministry of Finance, in order to safeguard its public and municipal character.
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To actively support the Association’s request to the Ministries of Environment and Culture for the designation of Garitsa Bay as a Landscape of Special Natural Beauty – a protected landscape and an Area of Historic and Social Significance, in accordance with existing environmental and cultural legislation.
This request has already been submitted by the Association to the relevant authorities, accompanied by well-documented evidence that highlights:
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the proximity to designated monuments and preserved areas,
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the continuous social use of the area by citizens,
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the importance of preserving coastal biodiversity.
The protection of Garitsa Bay cannot wait. The increasing pressures for commercialisation threaten to alter the character of the area and deprive residents of a valuable public space.
'Alsos' Cultural Association calls on the Mayor to rise to the occasion and move from declarations to action. The people of Corfu demand specific commitments, not vague promises, as has happened in the past with cases such as the Desyllas factory.
We envision a bay that is free, public, and non-negotiable – just as it was handed down to us by our ancestors – and in the same way, we will pass it on to future generations.
The park, the seafront, and Garitsa Bay are not just landmarks. They are the soul of Corfu. And so they shall remain.
Garitsa ΄Alsos΄ Cultural Association
For the Board of Directors
The President
Alexandros Vergis
