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People and
Lifestyle
 Even though each island shares similarities to the other Cycladic islands,
each one retains its own character and charm. Their inhabitants, hospitable
and simple, live harmoniously with and have adapted to the idiosyncrasies of
nature. Myconians and Parians, in spite of the thousands of partying
tourists on their isles, have managed to preserve their traditional customs.
It seems that man's eccentricities are swept away by the strong winds that
blow over the Aegean. In Santorini, the inhabitants bear in mind the legacy
of Atlantis (said to be situated on their island) and respect the might of
nature, building for ages their inimitable anti-earthquake, barrel-vaulted
houses in accordance with the landscape, regardless of pressure by tourism.
Syros, in contrast, is probably the sole island in the group whose economy
does not depend on tourism. It has a highly developed ship-building industry
now reviving after a decline in recent years, textile factories, dairy farms
and a horticultural industry supplying the rest of the Cyclades with fruit
and vegetables. |
