Panos Metaxopoulos: “This Is My Agistri”

Panos Metaxopoulos is not someone who often gives interviews. Lately, he has chosen to stay away from public appearances and media statements, as he says himself, “I don’t like talking when I have nothing meaningful to say.” But when the conversation turns to Agistri, everything changes.

Because for him, Agistri is not simply an island—it is roots, memories, people, love, and continuity. And so, he honored us by sharing his story in one of the most personal and heartfelt interviews we have ever featured.

It All Began in the Mid-1970s…

His mother, Marianna Drini, used to come to the island with his grandmother Sofia and young Panos to run a small souvenir shop. They had very little money, but endless creativity and passion: hand-painted plates, icons painted on wood, handmade slippers, and knitted creations made by his grandmother.

What started as a modest summer venture eventually became the foundation of a lifelong connection to Agistri.

It was here that his mother met Minas, the man who would become her partner. Together, they built their life on the island, one step at a time. Since then, Panos has never missed a single summer in Agistri.

“This is where I had my first dreams. This is where every new adventure began,” he says.

The years passed. His grandmother, mother, and Minas are no longer here, but Panos remains, as he puts it, “guarding the Thermopylae”—keeping their legacy and their summer memories alive.

The Island of Life’s Milestones

Agistri also became the island where he married his wife, Angeliki, in 2019.

Their wedding took place on the back side of the island, at the small chapel of Prophet Elias in Dorousa—a place known only to those who truly know Agistri.

During the first COVID-19 lockdown, Panos and Angeliki made a life-changing decision: to move permanently to the island.

“I don’t know if I’ll stay forever. You never know what tomorrow may bring. But that’s the goal. To stay in Agistri forever.”

Summers and Winters Filled with Meaning

He loves the island’s emerald waters, its peaceful winters, and the hidden treasures that cannot truly be described—only experienced.

His favorite spot is Aponisos, where he and his wife often go in the afternoon to watch the sunset, with the little chapel that means so much to them standing in the distance.

This past winter, he began teaching dance classes to children on the island.

As he explains, he always felt that children growing up in remote areas deserve greater access to knowledge and opportunities. Now, he is giving something back to the place that first gave him a sense of belonging.

Agistri in One Word?

Without hesitation, his answer is simple:

“Mine.”

“I love Agistri because it’s small, green, and peaceful. It hides secrets that can only be discovered if you come and experience it yourself. It has crystal-clear waters, wonderful food, and people who genuinely love it.”

A Few Words About We Love Agistri

“I wholeheartedly hope you continue promoting our Agistri,” he wrote to us.

And it is that single word—our—that says everything.

It reminds us that this island is not just a destination. It is a piece of the heart.

Thank You, Panos

Panos’ Agistri is much more than an island. It is the place that captured his heart as a child, the starting point of countless summer adventures, and the backdrop to some of the most meaningful moments of his life.

Through words filled with gratitude, respect, and love, Panos opened a window into his heart and reminded us how magical places can become when they are intertwined with memories, people, dreams, and stories.

Because in the end, Agistri is not simply a place you visit.

You feel it.

You live it.

And if you’re lucky, you carry it with you forever.

Thank you, Panos.