Lady of Ro's True Love for Greece Echoes in Alexandria

By Maydaa Abo El-Nadar

ALEXANDRIA, Mar. 13 (SEE) - On the picturesque Greek island of Kastellorizo (Καστελλόριζο in Greek), a lady who truly loved her nation was born in 1890.

She was Despoina Achladioti, known as the Lady of Ro (in Greek Κυρά της Ρω), referring to the deserted Greek island of Ro, one of the Dodecanese islands that formally was under the Italian control.

[caption id="attachment_40574" align="aligncenter" width="461"] The Eye-catching Island of Kastellorizo[/caption]

Ro (in Greek Ρω) is known in Turkish as 'Kara Da' meaning the black island. It was subjected to a sovereignty dispute between Italy and Turkey until the 1920s.

The dispute was solved in Italy’s favor according to the 1932 treaty. Afterward, along with other Aegean parts, Ro was recognized as a Greek land.

Although the island was not formally part of Greece and regardless of the weather conditions, everyday Achladioti used to fly the Greek flag over it.

[caption id="attachment_40573" align="aligncenter" width="423"] She Used to Raise the Greek Flag on the Islet of Ro and Pull it Down at Sunset[/caption]

She continued raising the flag until she passed away on the 13th of May 1982 at the age of 92. Worth noting is that till now a Greek military unit is still raising the flag to keep this significant tradition.

Another recognizable act of hers was aiding the Greek forces known as the Sacred Band during the Second World War against the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis.

Thanks to her true love and loyalty to Greece, she became a famous Greek icon and folk legend. She was even compared in many occasions to the French heroine Joan of Arc and to Boudica, the queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe.

[caption id="attachment_40572" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Lady of Ro's Statue in Kastellorizo[/caption]

Under the umbrella of celebrating the Women’s Day and to honor legendary Achladioti, Alexandria’s Lyceum Club of Greek Women (Lykeion Hellinidon) celebrated an event at the historic theater of Julia Salvagou, located in the Greek quarter.

During the celebration, Evangelia Xanthopoulos, a Greek of Alexandria, talked about the patriotic lady and how people appreciate her till nowadays.

Xanthopoulos, who lived in Kastellorizo for many years, also pointed out the strong ties between the Hellenism of Egypt, Kastellorizo, and of the Dodecanese.

[caption id="attachment_40588" align="aligncenter" width="399"] Despoina Achladioti's Graveyard in Kastellorizo [/caption]