The village of Kounoupia, Greece is near and dear to the Alexander Family and one of the three villages that Papou Dimitri and Yaya Olga raised their nine children. Kounoupia is a Village in Leonidion in Arkadia in the Peloponnese Region of Greece built on a high slope of Parnonas mountain. The family would travel by mule to Kounoupia from Poulithra to enjoy the cool summer under the pine trees and celebrate the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on August 15th. The other two villages where the Alexander Family had homes were in Peleta and Poulithra. The orchards produced grapes and apples that can be seen in #23-26A. Papou Dimitri produced wine from these grapes and we were able to taste the wine on a family trip in 1972. One of my favorite photos is #10 of the slanted barrel in the foreground and Thea Chrysoula walking ahead on the road. In frames #1-9A are Thea Chysoula and me in front of the house with its distinctive red roof tile. Frames #12-15A & 18A contain images of our beloved Panagia of Kounoupia Church with its impressive bell tower and icon of Panagia where generations of Alexanders prayed for intercessions to the Theotokos and ever Virgin Mary. The church was built centuries ago with icons by Photis Kontoglou and relics from Catherine the Great of Russia that include a handmade textile of the Last Supper. Frames #19-21A are of the path leading down to the Gouvi and natural spring where we collected water for drinking and to fill up the portable water container over the sink. Women would gather to wash clothes and catch up on the news (rouga) of the village. Frames toward the end of the roll are of villagers and the Nick Niarchos Family. My father’s brother Kosta married Marigoula who was the sister of Nick Niarchos in #35-36A. Their mother can be seen in #33-35A. The diary that I kept has more descriptions locations within these photos. Next stop, Crete!
© Diane Alexander White PHOTOGRAPHY