Exploring cultures and communities – the slow way

A chance to pick up the threads of earlier issues of hidden europe. From chess boxing to the knotty question of what folk from the Greek island of Lesbos should call themselves. Lesbians, perhaps?

article summary —

From time to time in hidden europe we review topics raised in earlier issues of the magazine. Herewith another bundle of threads.

In May this year, we touched on the knotty topic of gentilics - the names given to folk who hail from a particular country, region or town. You know the sort of word: Mancunians, Swedes and Orcadians. We proffered a few words of gentle gentilic guidance, counselling that the good citizens of the Greek island of Lesbos are not necessarily lesbians. Little did we reckon with the ferocity of the response from Lesbos, for evidently there is a vocal minority of Lesbos residents, mainly men it has to be said, who are very proud to call themselves Lesbians. Indeed, local publisher Dimitris Lambrou is presently embroiled in some complicated legal tussles to try and reclaim the ‘L word' for himself and fellow islanders. Ours not to reason why!


This is just an excerpt. The full text of this article is not yet available to members with online access to hidden europe. Of course you can also read the full article in the print edition of hidden europe 21.

About the authors

hidden europe

and manage hidden europe, a Berlin-based editorial bureau that supplies text and images to media across Europe. Together they edit hidden europe magazine. Nicky and Susanne are dedicated slow travellers. They delight in discovering the exotic in the everyday.

This article was published in hidden europe 21.