A ROSE IS A ROSE
A tribute to Dimitra from Lesbos
In the summer of 2016, during the refugee crisis, I was volunteering in Skala Sikamineas, Lesbos, helping with sorting clothes. What I found there, though, was a moment of pure grace. I met an extraordinary transgender woman named Dimitra. She stood out in the crowd, dressed in a salmon-colored gown that seemed to reflect the warmth and serenity of her spirit. Her presence was a calm refuge amidst the turbulence, a peaceful force that touched everyone she encountered.
This artwork is a tribute to Dimitra and a moment that stayed with me ever since. During an interview, when asked how she wished to be addressed, she replied with gentle wisdom: “A rose is always a rose, no matter what you call it.” Her words carried a profound truth, capturing the essence of identity that transcends names, labels, and boundaries.
Tragically, Dimitra’s life was cut short 5 years after this encounter. Her death was a deep loss to the community, yet her memory quickly transformed into a symbol of resilience and hope. In the aftermath of her passing, Dimitra became an emblem of the quiet strength that so many women of Lesbos exhibited during the refugee crisis—women who offered comfort, aid, and dignity to those in need.
This piece seeks to honor not only Dimitra’s life and wisdom but also the legacy she left behind. She has become a symbol of the enduring human spirit, a reminder that true beauty and identity are not confined by the labels we are given but are defined by the love, strength, and compassion we share with the world.
Title: “A Rose is a Rose”
Medium: Digital Artwork
3D Modeling, Animation, and Development by: Alexandros Touramanis
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