The Passions of Localism – Nikos Lygeros

Greek zeolite is bringing to light more and more issues that border on the absurd. Years ago, we fought to see mining take place in Greece for the first time, particularly in Thrace, so that the region could develop through a resource of national significance. For years, Greek bureaucracy held up this development, with the result that the local residents no longer believed that anything would ever happen. Eventually, we witnessed a shift in focus towards other areas, different from the original ones, but always close to Petrota. These new exploration licences acted as a catalyst and were bolstered by the wider campaign to promote Greek zeolite. It was already a corrective measure addressing all the problems that had been overcome to make up for the delay compared with the other Balkan states, which had already begun mining their own zeolite.

Thus, the whole of Thrace realised that its vision was beginning to materialise and was no longer a mere illusion. This does not, however, mean that there are no passions of localism that cannot be reconciled with the outward-looking nature of Hellenism. We are now once again witnessing various interventions by private individuals and organisations who, for their own benefit, are attempting to obstruct the entire endeavour, because they are indifferent to the development of Thrace, Macedonia and the whole of Greece. The arguments they put forward are not only characteristic of parochialism, but also of irresponsibility. Essentially, it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t change a single thing about the whole matter; it’s just a shame that such cases exist in our Thrace…