In 1928 the National Geographic Magazine was in Cyprus to create a tribute to the island.
In the magazine that was published with the title "Cyprus at the beginning of the last century", the photographers captured many images from the Cypriot countryside and everyday life. Among these images of everyday people was Eleni.
A beautiful Rizokarpasitissa who attracted the interest of the lens due to her beauty and hard work. In one of the photos, Eleni, then 24, works with her mother, breaking stones for road construction projects.
Twenty-four years later the magazine returned to the island to complete the tribute to the island entitled: Cyprus, the idyllic island in a trapped sea. The photographers remembered the beautiful Eleni.
Photographers Ian and Frank Shore searched for her to photograph her again. In fact, they learned that because of the photo he had gained fame on the island as well as a marriage proposal from America.
In 1952, Eleni, now married and the mother of 7 children, separates cocoons in her basket and admits to the photographers that "I can not just sit and do nothing".
Mrs. Eleni's daughter, Maria Parpotta, reports to ANT1.com.cy:
"My mother was a very good person. She was a very serious and honest woman. Hardworking, good mother and husband. I remember when the photographers came from America σαν They only spoke English and we did not understand. They brought with them the teacher of the village, Mr. Lefteris Giallouris to translate. They told my mother that they wanted me in the photos because I looked more like her than my other siblings. They sent us some money for years and I even remember when they asked my mother to go with them to America and even to take us with her. My mother refused because she loved my father very much and did not want to leave him alone. He even had a marriage proposal from America. My mother was not affected because all she wanted was for us and my father to be well. Unfortunately we lost her in 1983 due to cancer. Fortunately, my daughters look very much like her and that makes me very happy. "Through the eyes of my girls, I will always see my mother!"
See the relevant photos:
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