At a time when digital information dominates, its municipal library Lerou It emerges in a living cell of knowledge and culture. Its history begins since the 19th century, with a rich collection of manuscripts and books, which have even managed to survive in the difficult years of World War II.
The library, which is now housed in the building of the former Lerian Club, is not just a book storage. As the former mayor of the island, Michalis Kollias, points out, it is an “open creative workshop”, offering more than 21,000 titles, modern equipment, as well as a variety of activities for children, adolescents and adults.
In 2013, the Leros Municipal Library was recognized as one of the 12 most pioneering libraries in Greece, participating in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s “Future Library” network. This distinction highlights the effort to modernize and extroversion, with the aim of promoting literacy and meeting the cultural needs of residents.
Mr Kollias also referred to the importance of digitizing the library material, a project that hopes to be completed by the new municipal authority. At the same time, he emphasized the invaluable contribution of volunteers and donations, who keep this unique institution alive, making Kamari not only Leros but the whole of the Dodecanese.
Tourism and Culture: The Revelation of the Greek Spirit
The culture of Leros is not limited to the library. Thanos Mallios, owner of a tourist villa, takes an initiative to bring visitors to the island in contact with Greek culture through literature.
Preparing tourists before their arrival, he sends them a list of Greek books translated into foreign languages. This idea came from his childhood, when, living abroad, he perceived himself as a tourist in his own country. Through poetry collections, philosophical and literary works, visitors have the opportunity to get to know Greek culture and history.
Mr. Mallios, who has the books from his personal collection, wishes to extend translations to Turkish, bringing neighbors closer to the “soul” of our culture. At the same time, it is seeking collaboration with the Municipal Library, urging its visitors to visit it and discover its rich foreign language section.
This initiative proves that tourism can become a bridge of culture, offering visitors a deeper and more meaningful experience.