The Semeli Hotel Magazine - www.semelihotel.gr Semeli The Hotel - Magazine | Page 12

Aristotelis Onassis & Jackie kennedy
Petros the Pelican
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time. As the beau monde discovers Mykonos, its inhabi-
tants work hard to rebuild their island after the perils of
World War II.
In the decades to follow, Mykonos becomes established
as a world class resort boasting a success story, uncoupled
in its type and scale in the whole of Europe.
During the 1950s, intellectual and bohemian circles
come to Mykonos in search of an alternative, more authen-
tic way of living. Personalities such as Onassis and Niarchos
arrive in their mega-boats and private jets to spend their
summers partying and flirting in their very own post-war
paradise in Greece.
In 1954, Queen Frederica invites European princes and
princesses on a cruise to the Greek islands. They fall in
love with Mykonos, while the foreign press starts raving
about the white washed, small Cycladic island and its
many charms. Rumor has it that on that trip a wounded,
almost dead pelican is found and nursed back to health.
Petros the Pelican becomes henceforth a myth, and pow-
erful symbol of the island’s magic spell.
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