A new documentary by Greek director Tzeli Hadjidimitriou, titled 'Lesvia', charts the history of a lesbian community that formed around the town of Eressos on the island of Lesbos. The film, Hadjidimitriou's first feature, explores how the birthplace of the ancient poet Sappho became a hub for lesbians.
Lesbians, including the director, have visited Eressos for years. By the 1970s, an increasing number of queer visitors began to establish a community, initially congregating on a nudist beach. Over time, female-run bars and hotels emerged, though relations with local people were not always easy.
The film suggests that the community's growth faced challenges, including homophobia and intrusions into women-only spaces. However, tolerance reportedly grew, partly due to the economic benefits visitors brought to the island. The documentary indicates that many lesbian bars and women-run hotels closed down within a few years of Greece's economic crisis, which started in 2009, leading to the community becoming more marginalised.
Hadjidimitriou's film uses interviews with women from around the world who experienced Eressos during its peak. Despite the community's faded prominence, younger generations reportedly continue to visit the area.