«ΥΜΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΙΚΑΡΙΑΣ» (EE’-MNOS TEES IKARIAS) HYMN OF ICARIA Icaria, also spelled Ikaria (Greek: Ικαρία) locally Nikaria or Nicaria (Νικαριά), previous name: Doliche (Δολίχη), is a Greek island 10 nautical miles (19 km) south-west of Samos. It derived its name from Icarus, the son of Daedalus in Greek mythology, who fell into the sea nearby. Icarians throughout the world celebrate July 17th or Saint Marina Day as Icarian Independence Day. On this date in 1912, the Icarians freed themselves of Turkish rule in a brief revolution when they expelled a Turkish garrison and thereby achieved independence with only one fatality. This was George Spanos (c. 1872-1912) of Evdilos who was killed in a Turkish ambush on that day and is honored as a hero of the Icarian Revolution. On July 18, 1912, the Free State of Icaria (Ελευθέρα Πολιτεία Ικαρίας, Elefthéra Politía Ikarías) was declared. The neighboring islands of Fournoi Korseon were also liberated and became part of the Free State. Ioannis Malachias was the only president of the short-lived nation. For 5 months, it remained an independent nation with its own armed forces, flag, stamps and national anthem. These five months were difficult times. There were food shortages, the people were without regular transportation and postal service, and they were at risk of becoming part of the Italian Aegean Empire. But on November 4th of 1912, after a delay due to the Balkan Wars, Icaria was united with Greece. July 17th is commemorated by the Icarian diaspora of North America with celebrations, picnics and parties. ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΥΜΝΟΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΕΙΑΣ ΙΚΑΡΙΑΣ NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE FREE STATE OF ICARIA Από το δώμα του Πλάστη σταλμένη Ah-bpo dtoh η Θεά η γλυκιά, κατεβαίνει Ee Theh-ah eeh glee-keeah kah-dteh-veh-nee the sweet Goddess is descending με ρομφαία στο ένα της χέρι Meh rohm-feh-ah sdto eh-nah dtees cheh-ree with a large sword in her one hand και στο άλλο αναμμένο δαδί, Keh sdtoh ah-lloh ah-nah-meh-noh thah-thee, and a flaming torch in the other, τη χαρά και το φώς για να φέρει Dteeh chah-rrah keh dtoh phohs gheeah nah pheh-rree in order to bring the joy and the στο μικρό αλλά ανδρείο νησί. Sdtoh meeh-kroh ah-llah ahn-thrree-oh neeh-see. light in the small but valiant island. Και τα σίδερα σκίζει, σκορπάει Keh dtah seeh-theh-rah skeeh-zeeh skohrr-bpah-ee And She tears and blows the chains καίει τα ράκη, μακριά τα πετάει Keh-eeh dtah rrah-keeh mah-kreeh-ah dtah bpeh-dtah-eeh she burns and throws away the rags που από χρόνια το είχαν ζωσμένο Bpooh ah-bpoh chroh-neeah dtoh eeh-chahn zoh-zmeh-noh which for years were wrapped το νησάκι τ' ωραίο σφικτά, Dtoh neeh-sah-keeh dtoh-rreh-oh sfeeh-ktah, around the beautiful island tightly, γιατί ήταν το μαύρο δεμένο Gheeah-dteeh eeh-dtahn dtoh mah-vrro theh-meh-noh because the poor one was tied under στην πικρή του βαρβάρου σκλαβιά. Sdteen bpeeh-krreeh dtoo vahrr-vah-rrooh skllah-veeah. the bitter slavery of the barbarian. Και κινώντας το κάτασπρο χέρι Keh kee-nohn-dahs dtoh kah-dtah-sbprroh cheh-ree And moving her all-white hand με το πύρινο πού 'χε μαχαίρι Meh dtoh bpee-rree-noh bpoo-cheh mah-cheh-rree with the fiery knife, which She had, με ολόχρυσα γράφει ψηφία Meh oh-lloh-chree-sah ghrrah-phee psee-fee-ah She inscribes with golden letters στου μαρμάρου την πλάκα βαθειά: Stoo mahrr-mah-roo dteen bplah-kah vah-theeah: deeply on the marble plaque: "Είσαι αθάνατη, ναι, ΙΚΑΡΙΑ “Ee-seh ah-thah-nah-dtee, neh, I-kah-rreeah “You are immortal, yes, ICARIA, και στεφάνια σου πρέπουν πολλά" Keh sdteh-phah-neea soo bprreh-bpoon bpoh-llah” and many wreaths you deserve” (Ποίηση Φραγκίσκος Καρρέρ, Μελοποιήση: Κωνσταντίνος Ψάχος) (Lyrics by Fragiskos Karrer, Music by Constantinos Psachos) NOTES: Th: is pronounced as in there. thoh-mah too Bplah-stee NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE FREE STATE OF ICARIA sdtah-lmeh-nee Th: Is pronounced as in theatre. Sent from the Creator’s place