"I asked which the most southern place in Europe is and they told me about south Crete. I was looking for a nice place to live, where it would be warm and sunny all year. I was dreaming of a home away from the city, which would be near a natural spring and surrounded by trees. The first house I found had no electricity, only a fireplace in the corner. I had to light a fire every morning in order to make a coffee, but later I bought a camping gaz from the village's store".

Coming from the French colonies

Roland Ferber is of French origin, but he was born and raised in Tahiti, where the rest of his family still lives. Tahiti is very beautiful, but it is still a colony and he doesn't like that. So in 1991 he decided to abandon it along with his French wife Anna and move to Vyzari, in the county of Amari in south Crete. This village is ideal for people of exotic origin, because many of its residents in the late 19th century migrated to the South African Union. When they repatriated. they brought with them the air of wandering and their love for pure and unaffected nature.

Since Roland was a carpenter in ships, he used his art to make wooden chessboards, backgammons and many other decorative objects that he sells to tourists. He uses mainly olive tree, eucalyptus and locust tree wood. He especially likes the last one because it's red and of good quality. He has also taken part with his woodcuts in some exhibitions in France, where he has received good reviews. He recently moved in the nearby village Fourfoura, but he still has his shop in Vyzari.  

Cretans loved him

When Roland first heard the Cretan name Adonis he very much liked it and used it as an artistic pseudonym. Nobody knows him with his French name in the area, they all call him Adonis. He is a noble man, who has consciously chosen a gentle way of life and working close to nature. Cretan goods are enough for him and he doesn't want wealth of any kind.

"Life in the village is poor, but I don't care. I didn't come to Crete to get wealthy, I just wanted to have a good time and fortunately I made it. Cretans loved me at once and this love is more important than money. They are extremely hospitable and there is nothing fake about it. I like their food more than I like French food, like greens with oil, souvlaki and grilled lamb chops. I also like balotes (gunfire) in festivities and it doesn't bother me at all. I once saw a priest in his son's wedding who lifted his robe, took out a gun and shot several times in the air". 

It reminds him of France

It might seem peculiar but the small village Vyzari, which does not even exist in maps, is connected to France in one more way. Dragon Anyfantis, an officer of Napoleon's legion, who was given a medal in France for his heroism, comes from this village. After a few years he returned to enslaved Crete, where he fought hard against the Turks and died in battle in front of the church of the village. It is said that the janissaries mangled him because of their hate for him. In the courtyard of the church there is a bust of him and Adonis feels very proud of this.
TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS
SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com

MORE PHOTOS

Vyzari has beautiful restored houses.

Dragon Anyfantis, one of Napoleon's officers, descending from Vyzari.

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