Last Saturday the village of Karveli in Messinia became the centre of an emotional family reunion, where the past met the present. Descendants of the Ligouris, Kourambas, and Valsamaki families traveled from faraway Australia to participate in a hike honouring the heritage and history of their ancestors.
This gathering was the result of an idea born three years ago, with the aim of following the trails once used by their forebears for daily needs.
A total of 11 cousins from Melbourne, along with ten more from Messinia and their children, traversed the route from Kato Karveli to Ano Karveli, following the old, rugged paths once used by local residents, long before roads were constructed.
The hikers crossed Mount Taygetos, through a landscape rich in natural beauty, which mentally transported them back to the time when their ancestors made this journey to reach Kalamata.
The hike lasted four hours, with each step paying tribute to the forebears who lived in these villages and faced great challenges in their movements.
As Evan Kourambas, one of the cousins participating from Melbourne, explained to Neos Kosmos, “Before roads were built, our parents would leave the village at midnight to reach Kalamata at daybreak, where they sold their goods. I made this journey myself when I was just one year old, in 1961, when my parents left Karveli for Australia.”
For the participants, the revival of this route was not just a physical challenge but also an emotional return to their roots.
These paths, once the only means of communication with Kalamata, were vital for the survival of their families.
The hardships their ancestors endured—walking with supplies through the night and covering long distances—were a part of daily life that the younger generations wanted to experience and honour.
The group of 21 enjoyed the hike, and every stop became an opportunity to reminisce, share stories, and exchange memories from the past.
“It was truly an unforgettable day for all of us,” said Kourambas, underscoring the profound significance of this experience for the families involved.
