Irene Katsotourchi is the sole resident of the Greek island of Kinaros, an isolated part of the Dodecanese in the Eastern Aegean, located west of Kalymnos and Leros and east of Amorgos.
Popularly known as “Kyra Rini” (“Mrs. Rini”) she has lived alone since 2013, when her husband passed away. He had been the only other resident of Kinaros for some years.
The 78-year-old was born in Amorgos and grew up in Kinaros. When she got married, she lived with her family in Kalymnos, but then the couple migrated to Australia.
When they returned, they decided to settle permanently on Kinaros. However, it wasn’t long before her husband passed away. Ever since, she has lived alone on the remote islet.
Life is not easy on Kinaros for the sole resident
Life is not easy on Kinaros for a single, elderly woman. Her only contact with the outside world during the winter months is the weekly arrival of the boat from Amorgos, bringing her essential supplies.
Kyra Rini’s only companion is Siva, a friendly dog who stands guard next to her master, a few chickens, and some sheep and wild goats that carelessly roam the whole island.
Her humble house is built on a bay protected from the northerly winds. During the summer months, many boats visit her and exchange a few words.
In 2020, Kyra Rini disappeared from the “radars” for a few days, causing the Greek Air Force and Coast Guard to mobilize. The woman’s disappearance resulted from a loss of electrical power which made any communication with the island impossible. She was eventually spotted by a helicopter which brought her food and other supplies.
During the coronavirus pandemic in 2021, she was vaccinated despite living alone on the island.
Kyra Rini had expressed her desire to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to the postman who delivers mail to Kinaros from the nearby island of Amorgos every two weeks.
Kyra Rini’s wish was passed on to the mayor of Amorgos, Lefteris Karaiskos, who immediately decided that the woman must be vaccinated as she wished. A mobile vaccination unit was sent to Kinaros.
Speaking to ERT, the Amorgos mayor said: “The message sent by Kyra Rini is clear. It is a message of optimism. A message of life and responsibility to ourselves and society. Especially to vulnerable groups and health workers, who have fought the pandemic for the past two years.”
It is “a message that only vaccination will make us able to leave it behind us. To protect our health and all together to continue with our lives,” the mayor asserted.
President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou paid her respects to Kyra Rini on Christmas 2020 by visiting the island.