Greek actor Tasos Halkias has shared a handwritten poem on social media following the destruction of his home in a fire at Porto Germeno.
The publication comes approximately two weeks after the wildfire destroyed the actor's residence. Halkias posted the handwritten text on Instagram under the title Staying Awake, using the verse to process personal loss and express the importance of perseverance.
Reflections on loss and rebuilding
Although the social media post does not explicitly mention the fire or his destroyed house by name, the text centers on grief, lost memories and the effort to continue creating. In the verses, Halkias advises that no matter how beautiful the past was, one should stop looking back, noting that new beauty can still be found. He calls for freeing the mind so it can breathe, allowing a crack in the soul to emerge into the light, wash itself, and play with children.
The actor writes about walking forward with a brave step, sometimes slow and sometimes fast, without seeking a specific destination. He counsels never regretting any good deed performed or searching for gratitude, stating that a simple caress on the soul is enough. Halkias urges readers never to stop building and creating, writing that if dreams, struggles, heartaches, loves and memories vanish all at once, one must make pain a companion in defiance of people and gods to resurrect them.
Towards the conclusion of the poem, he reflects on departure and mortality, advising to keep the color red strong without diluting it further. He finishes with the phrase that set the tone for his post, writing that life has diminished to the utmost and is drawing near its end.
Damage to the Porto Germeno property
The post follows earlier footage released by the actor's son, Aris Halkias, who published a video recorded from inside the ruined property. The video showed extensive structural damage throughout the burnt house.
The elder Halkias previously spoke about the tragedy during an appearance on the television program OnLine. He stated that he felt proud to be the son of a manual worker who had built a successful life through hard work. He expressed deep sadness that the property he had earned and hoped to pass down to his two children had been destroyed, leaving him unable to leave them that legacy.
Career and background of Tasos Halkias
Tasos Halkias is a veteran Greek actor with a career spanning several decades across theatrical productions, television series and feature films in Greece. He is widely recognized for his roles in popular Greek comedy and drama series.
Porto Germeno, also known as Aigosthena, is a seaside resort village situated on the Corinthian Gulf in western Attica. Nestled at the foot of Mount Kithaironas, the coastal area features dense pine forests and summer residences, making it vulnerable to seasonal forest fires during dry summer months.
