Two olive trees rowed to Otranto by crew of the Olympic Idea craft
A 30-oared triacontor called Olympic Idea has sailed from the port of Piraeus to the port of Otranto in Sicily, carrying two olive trees from Iraklion, Crete, to be planted in the park of Otranto. The intention was to establish new deep roots for cooperation and cultural exchanges between Greece and the Greek-speaking areas of southern Italy. The triacontor and its crew of 30 young rowers set out on Palm Sunday, April 28, and arrived in Otranto on May 2, where it met with a rapturous reception from the eight mayors of the Greek-speaking areas of southern Italy. Otranto was the Cretan colony Idria in antiquity. In addition to the two olive trees, the boat also bears the Olympic Idea, which is its name. The whole enterprise was organized by the Ligue Europeenne and its president, Ioannis Sakellaridis.
