Life-Giving Flowers

Among the bustle of shoppers up and down Ermou street, the small open-air flower stall owned by barba-Yiannis, a term of endearment used for older folk, is a pretty oasis where time seems to stand still.

Yiannis, after all, is 84 years old and continues to work every day, from sunup to sundown. If you ask him how he does it, he points to his flowers: “These are that water me!” Right now, the stars of his stall are different varieties of roses, carnations and herbs. This is the best time to shop for flowers. “In winter, when there’s a northerly wind, a bouquet can last a full month as long as you change the water every couple of days and clean the vase. Just as you women have your makeup to make you feel alive, flowers also need some TLC.”

Barba-Yiannis has been in the flower business for 30 years, following a career on the sea. Once he stepped on a ship and stayed there for over 11 years. “I’ve traveled to Europe, America, Hawaii, Singapore… I’ve gone all the way to Alaska, to the great port above the jungle of the US.” Which job is better? “The sea is tradition; land is hell. At sea, you sip your coffee standing at the prow, watching the seagulls, the seals, the fish; watching the sun disappear… Here, on land, everyone is stressed out. We need to find ways to make each other’s days prettier. That’s where flowers come in! I’ve had my fill of sailing from port to port.”

He lives alone in Thiseio and can see the Acropolis from his window. “When I built that house in ’51 it was surrounded by fields. You’d toss a stone and claim as your own wherever it landed.” He wakes up at 5.30 every morning, heads to Ermou, sets up his stall, gets some water from the nearby church of Kapnikarea and waters his flowers, pots and vases. Most of his flowers are imported; others are cultivated in Marathon, north of Athens.

Who are his best clients? “Women. Beauty is in their nature. They buy flowers for their home, for the office, to take to friends. Men are skinflints. They may buy a woman flowers once or twice when the romance is still fresh. As soon as it gets a bit stale, they may pick up a carnation or a gerbera every once in a while – that’s the cheaper stuff, just so you know.”

WHERE & WHEN
On the corner of Ermou & Evangelistrias, near Syntagma Square, from morning to night. Prices start at 3 euros for a pot of herbs and reach 25 euros for expensive bouquets. He also makes arrangements for weddings, baptisms and receptions.

Photo: Irini Vourloumi