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“The Journey of Life” refers to the family history of the author’s father, through the very history of each place. All events that have happened through the centuries are real, proved by documents and archives found, which were researched in different places. Our journey begins in Krieza, on Evia Island, in 1606, and from there takes us to Hydra, Mykonos, Syros, Andros, Russia, returns to Piraeus, to the prewar Athens of 1939 and reaches the 21st century and up to July 2019, following the roots and the course of the family. Unraveling the biography and family trees of the ancestors, it focuses on the peculiarities of each era, that were analogous to the events of the times mentioned.
ISBN 978-960-564-810-7
The Journey of Life Haroula Kriezi was born November 1956 in Athens, where she grew up. She graduated from the Moraitis School in 1974 and from the Vakalo School in 1977, where she studied interior design. She married Nikos Sviriadis, a business hotelier, in 1979, with whom she had two children. She was at the side of her husband in the hotel business until 2003, the year that Nikos died. She continued to work in hotels until the end of 2008. She was a volunteer at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, with an active role at the opening and closing ceremonies. From 2004 to 2006 she was the General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the SASM (Moraitis School Alumni Association). From 2006 to 2008 she was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SASM. As President, she was the publisher of the journal “Syndetiras” (Paper Clip). From 2005 to 2009 she was the General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the NOA (Andros Yacht Club), being responsible for the editing of the “Album for the 50 years of the Andros Yacht Club” in 2007. Today, having two grandchildren to continue her family, she divides her time between Athens, Andros and Arahova. “The Journey of Life” was her first writing experience in 2012 and had a distinction in “Kriezotia 2014” by the “Filomousos Organization of Karystia” of the Municipality of Kymis-Aliveri in 2014. Her first book was followed in 2017 by her second book “The Haven of Life” and in 2019 by the “The Journey of life”, in an English edition translated by the same. All of her books were published by Ocelotos publishing.
Vatatzi 55, 114 73 Athen Τel. : +30210 6431108 e-mail: ekdoseis.ocelotos@gmail.com www.ocelotos.gr
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Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
The Journey of Life
Fotini (Fofi) Rafeletou-Kriezi was born in Constantinople, originated from a Chios and Sifnos Islands family and was the last in a family of many siblings. Her family came to Athens when she was 9 years old. Her acquaintance with Antonis Kriezis, in March 1943, marked the rest of her life. She started design courses, at the instigation of Antonis, with the tutor at the Polytechnic, Thanasis (Takis) Marthas. Professor Dimitris Pikionis, seeing her plans, told her that she had talent. In 1947, she passed an examination for the Ministry of Reconstruction, where she worked as a designer, drawing topographical charts. In the ministry, she also began decorating courses with Professor Papaloukas. Whenever she found time, she drew sketches and created paintings. In April 1950, she married Antonis, after 7 years of endless love. In the years to come, she helped him, always standing by his side, having the responsibility of raising the five children they had. Over the years she did not have time to continue drawing and painting. When the children grew older and left the house, she found the time to deal with her beloved painting. At the same time, she began handicrafts, weaving, ceramics, copper and hagiography courses at the Kifissia Y.M.C.A. She has been a member of the “Dialectical Group of Kifissia”, ITC, for many years and President of the Dialectic in 1987-1988, with a program full of activities. In fact, she represented the Dialectical Group at the ITC Written Contest in 1992, with her text, “Pirates of the Aegean”. For many years she has been an active member of the “Enosis Andrion” (Andriots Union) events committee. She participated in a group exhibition of paintings at the Cultural Center of the Holy Church of Panaghia Theoskepastou on Andros, in 1981. She also participated in the exhibition “Kifissia”, in the years 1980 and 1981, by the Y.M.C.A. of Kifissia. In 1989, she participated with her paintings at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Kifissia. Unfortunately, she was struck by cancer and fought it for several years, taking her last breath in August 1992. She left behind her beloved Anthony, their five children and their seven grandchildren. Antonis followed her a year later, unable to live in her absence. Today, her family numbers: five children, twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Haroula Kriezi-Sviriadi
The painting on the front cover is by Fofi Kriezi, 1979 (Oil on canvas). (The painting belongs to the private collection of her granddaughter, Natalia Sviriadi-Roukou).
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