Carved in Wood, Etched in Memory: The Symbols of Survival in Karitsa

 "The saw and the plough are parts of Diamantis’ soul, symbols of the times that shaped him."

Diamantis Rozaklis, now 80, sits on his porch in Goodwood, Adelaide, gazing thoughtfully at the two small models he crafted with his own hands: a saw for cutting wood and a plow. These aren’t just handmade decorations to brighten his porch. They are pieces of his soul, living symbols of a different time, the years he spent in his beloved Karitsa, a small village nestled on the slopes of Mount Parnon.

At just ten years of age, Diamantis would follow his father up into the forested mountains above the village. There, away from the eyes of the authorities, they cut fir trees illegally. It was dangerous work that filled young Diamantis with fear but also with a sense of pride, knowing that this hard work was necessary for his family’s survival. His heart tightens at the memory of those tough times, but at the same time, he draws strength from the experiences that shaped him into the man he became.

It wasn’t just cutting wood that marked his childhood. In the fields at Anaskela, they ploughed the earth with the plough, sowing wheat for the year’s bread. There, in the open tilling fields of the village, Diamantis learned the value of hard work, patience, and working hand in hand with nature.

Though he has lived in Australia for 62 years, Diamantis’ spirit remains deeply rooted in Karitsa, among its olive trees, fields, and stone-built homes. The saw and plough models stand like sentinels on his porch, and every time he looks at them, his mind travels back in time, returning to those years of simplicity, hard work, and innocence. These small symbols keep the memory of his village alive, the memory of the land and the people who shaped him. It is his legacy, carved in wood, etched deep in his memory and heart.