In difficult times, it is the positive examples that stand out. It is important that in a country such as Greece, where complaints and criticism are the order of the day, some people simply get on with their jobs.

People like the firefighters who bravely threw themselves into battle on all fronts as their supervisor was trying to decide which phone call demanding firefighting planes was more important. The mayor of Grylos who, instead of complaining that “there is no state” and, realizing that he was the state, took matters into his hands. The farmer who got on his tractor to transport water to fight the fires. The Albanian who believed it was his own country that was burning and put his soul into the fight, as some sick individuals were spreading xenophobic rumors.

The Greeks are a brave people and know how to act when the occasion demands. What is missing? Government ministers, prefects and mayors who know their jobs and who care about the country rather than how they look on camera.