Ode to Lesvos: The inspirational story of the islanders on the front lines of the refugee crisis

Johnnie Walker The Journey brings to you The Storyline on World Peace Day 2016

“Can you really ignore what’s in front of your eyes?” says Stratis Valamios, a fisherman from the Greek island of Lesvos, in Ode to Lesvos, a documentary about the recent refugee crisis that has awakened the consciousness of the entire world. He further adds, “Because tomorrow it could be me. I could be on a boat with my family and I would like to be helped.”

Lesvos is a village in the northern Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkey, with a mere population of about 150 people. A year ago, it came to the front line of the refugee crisis as hundreds and thousands of people came ashore, fleeing war, and seeking a better future.

This time, twelve months ago, Stratis’ life changed beyond recognition when the refugee crisis reached the shores of his tiny village. Ever since, he has been busy rescuing men, women, and children from the waters around his home. The stories of these islanders is the Ode To Lesvos, a short documentary that captures how lives of both the refugees and some of the islanders have changed.



While the refugees got a fresh lease of life, the islanders’ uncompromising compassion has earned some of them, including Stratis, and fellow fisherman, Thanassis Marmarinos and 85-year-old Aimilia Kamvisi a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. The positive response of the people of Lesvos who, last year alone, helped almost half a million refugees making the dangerous voyage across the Aegean Sea, has been documented in Ode to Lesvos which is part of The Storyline, a series by Johnnie Walker The Journey.

All through last year, headlines from the region focused on the unfolding human drama in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. However, Ode to Lesvos shines light on a lesser told and heartwarming story. The inspiring response of islanders who opened their hearts to the refugees and whose positivity drove them to rescue people from the sea, give shelter, and provide food and water is already gaining a huge following. As part of the launch of Ode to Lesvos, Johnnie Walker The Journey India is supporting Mercy Corps, a leading global organization that helps people around the world survive and thrive after conflict, crisis and natural disasters. Since the Syrian war began, Mercy Corps has helped more than 7.7 million people affected by the crisis. It has expanded its programming to Greece and The Balkans in response to the migration crisis.

In the words of Simon O’Connell, Executive Director, Mercy Corps Europe, “The migration crisis continues to have a huge impact on the world in which we live. It is vitally important that we are able to tell these kind of stories and raise awareness of the issues faced by those who are forcibly displaced and the communities who receive them. It is our hope that by working with Johnnie Walker The Journey we can share this incredible story of the islanders of Lesvos to inspire others and their positive actions. There is a thread of humanity that links each and every one of us and when someone needs help, we must be present.”

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. A team of over 5,000 people working in 43 countries around the world, Mercy Corps is one of the largest organizations helping people inside Syria and it works in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq to help address the underlying causes of conflict and fragility. You can make a donation and support the work of Mercy Corps by visiting www.mercycorps.org/johnniewalker.