THE ASSOCIATION · 1928–2019
The history of the Association
Almost a century of service to Kasos and the Kasosians of the diaspora.
The Association of Kasians in Greece is a non-profit association founded in January 15, 1928, after a meeting of 34 founding members at 6/8 Dorou Street, Athens. It was an uncertain time for the interwar period: Kasos, along with the rest of the Dodecanese, was then under Italian occupation.
The aims of the Association, which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary since its foundation and is currently managed by a seven-member (7-member) Board of Directors, are to unite its members, to disseminate and preserve the cultural heritage of Kasos, to organize spiritual events, to provide material assistance to needy Kasosians and to promote the interests of the island. To achieve these aims, the Association maintains an office and a reception hall, establishes committees for each field of activity, organizes lectures, exhibitions and excursions, and publishes a magazine with historical, folklore and current issues about Kasos and the Dodecanese.
1928 – 1939
The pre-war period
During this period, the Association helped our suffering compatriots in various ways, both in Italian-occupied Kasos and in Athens. The assistance included financial and moral support to hundreds of Kasosians: covering hospital and medication costs, repatriation expenses of the needy to Kasos, as well as issuing special certificates in collaboration with state agencies, so that holders of Italian travel documents could work on Greek-owned ships, bypassing a relevant prohibitive law of the then Greek government.
1940 – 1946
The war period
Despite the obstacles posed by the German occupation, the Association remained active: it made repeated deliveries of clothing to the "Soldier's Shirt" foundation, increased monthly allowances and loans to distressed compatriots, sent books, stationery and medical supplies to Kasos, coordinated actions with other Kasos associations in the U.S. and elsewhere, and held charitable fundraisers for the needs of the island.
1947 – 2019
The post-war period
After the liberation and unification of the Dodecanese with Greece, the Association was reorganized and became further active: it sent six tons of thread to Kasos for the fishermen's nets, financially supported neighboring Karpathos, intensified its charitable activities towards schools and churches, sent medical equipment to the Kasos Health Station and participated financially in the construction of the Kasos Hero Monument.
The late President Andreas Kampouris financially supported a French hydrologist to find water in Kasos, definitively solving a problem that brought great development to the island. At the suggestion of the Honorary President Yiannis Kakomanolis, the Association and Kasos were awarded by the Academy of Athens. The Association has since published its magazine, as «Kassiotikos Palmos» (1983–2014) and today as «Palmos tou Kasiotis» (2015–present), organizes an annual holiday market and awards students of Kasos origin who are admitted to higher education institutions.
In 1939 the Association had only 74 members, in 1943 it reached 112 and today the number of regular members amounts to almost 500 active members. The Association continues its charitable path today, looking to the future with optimism and constantly increasing its activities for the good of Kasos and all Kasos residents.
For the Association of Kasians in Greece — former President Minos D. Komninos
2025: A new page
In 2025, the Association proceeded with a significant update of its Articles of Association, reducing the number of Board members to seven (7), aiming for a more flexible and effective administration.
In the elections that followed, on May 25, 2025, the results brought a symbolic first: for the first time in its almost 100 years of existence, a woman emerged as President of the Association — a personality with a long and multi-awarded career in civic affairs, local government and public life, known, among other things, as the first female Mayor of Kasos and the first female Prefect in two different Prefectures of the country.
Looking ahead, to 100 years, and even beyond
As the Association approaches its first century of existence, the new leadership is called upon to combine the experience and networks of a long public career with a deep sense of responsibility towards the history and legacy of the Association. The coming months are expected to mark:
- The celebration of the 100th anniversary, with events of remembrance and honor to the founders and those who served the Association and its actions.
- The continuation of support for Kasos in matters of coastal shipping, infrastructure and local development.
- Strengthening contact with the younger generation of expatriate Kassians, so that the Association remains a living bridge between the island and the diaspora.
And in these, one of the main pillars of further information, consolidation, dissemination and action will be this website, which we hope we all have as a first - direct image of (two-way) information and communication.
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