Page 43 - GREC14N_CFU_03

CFU

What is the feeling of living to the beloved House, but in the whole island of Corfu?
house of the Durrells? Certainly, the 2005 BBC series My family and
It is very beautiful. I was enchanted from the other animals, and now the ITV series The Dur-
moment I saw the house. Lawrence Durrell rells has played major role in recognizing the is-
does it justice in his novels. Living here I had the land of Corfu. Nevertheless, it is not the only
chance to meet remarkable people related to the thing that keeps the Durrells’ aura alive. Many
Durrells, such as Richard Pine and the contribu- events are often hold by many institutions of the
tors of the ITV series. I had the honour to meet island, in which one can see and study the life of
Gerald’s wife, Lee Durrell, and many good writ- that British family. We in the White House are
ers who were inspired by the White House, like trying to give the visitor the opportunity to live,
Deborah Lawrenson. even for a few days, the majestic times the Dur-
rells experienced here, but also to feel the free-
For how many years now the White House op- dom they felt.
erates as a hotel?
In 1980 it opened its doors as a hotel, and the Beside accommodation in this famous house,
same time the restaurant opened in the ground what else is included in the experience of The
floor. But its history starts in 1900, when it was White House?
built. It was the only house in the area made The visitor has the ability to rent a boat for a
exclusively from stone. The owners have not tour in the small caves and the wonderful coasts
changed all the years of its existence. Before it of the area, which are not accessible by any oth-
started operating as a hotel it was a coffee shop, er way. Besides, this was one of the beloved hab-
the first in all the surrounding area. its of the family. There is also a beautiful walk-
ing tour with a guide, called The Durrell’s Trail,
What were the requirements to keep the place addressed to all ages. It is a mapped track Gerald
in the same state as when the British family Durrell followed when he was discovering the flora
was leaving in? and the fauna of the area. With often stops the vis-
We tried to change nothing in the space and the itor can enjoy the nature in all of its splendor. But
layout of the building remains the same. Dam- even if someone does not stay here, there are cer-
aged places were replaced and modern devic- tain dates when the house is open to the public, so
es are installed to make easier the contemporary everyone can get an idea of how Lawrence Dur-
way of life, but the house has not lost any of its rell lived.
finesse, evident through many personal objects
of the Durrells, such as the typewriter, the rock Do you think the house can take the inner
chair and the paintings. writer out of you?
I think that not only the White House but also
Which is your favourite corner in the house the landscape, the rocks, the simplicity and the
and why? majesty of nature, which has played significant
Unarguably the armchair of Lawrence Durrell. role in the location of the house, are enough to
When you sit on it looking outside the blue of give every visitor a stimulus to discover his writ-
the sea, it is enough to give you the tranquility ing talent.
and the relaxation you seek!
Which do you consider the best period to en-
What have you heard from clients who see the joy the greatness of the Corfian land?
house and have read about it in Lawrence’s In May and September. They are the best
books? months, in my opinion, because there is not
The clients are reading about the house in the so much heat, and the visitor can easily enjoy
books, but only when they come to visit they get walks, do activities and marvel the nature with
a complete idea about the place that inspired its beautiful colours.
Lawrence Durrell to stay with his wife and the
insights he took from the surroundings, the peo- What do you love in the island?
ple, the tranquility and the relaxed nature of There are many things to love in Corfu. It is the
Kalami in order to form his character as a writer. island of history and music. It has the sun, it
combines mountain and sea, and its architecture
In your opinion, what is it that still holds alive is magnificent. So many architectural styles in
the aura of the Durrells not only in the White such a tiny island.

45
45