Haris

POSTED IN Stories June 25, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haris

 

 
Now, after writing his name as a title I realize that it rhymes with Paris! I did not observe that first time we met and we’ve been introduced. Maybe because in French pronunciation “Haris” becomes “Ari”, with the accent on “i”. Who is Haris / Ari?
Well, this is a wonder! Most of the tourists go to Paris to see all the history, culture, beauty, etc. Some go also to see the streets, the cafés, to enjoy a Parisian sunlight sitting on a Parisian bench in a Parisian garden, listening to Parisians talking, seeing them smiling, or just breathing the city of Edith Piaf. But some tourists are just heavenly lucky, like me, and have somebody, like a guardian angel, to show them Parisian wonders which aren’t meant for everybody’s eyes.
So, one blessed morning in Paris I met Haris. Where did I meet him? In his atelier, while he had a break. Haris is the last miracle of all times Paris. The last best tailor of the world, the most famous, the most humble, the most human, the most “Pontic Greek” (as he always likes to stress strongly: “I am born Pontic Greek, from Pontus Euxinus!”) on earth.
He made suits for the King of Morocco, but he isn’t comfortable to mention in his presence how famous he is.
The amazing part is his atelier. This great artisan with golden hands makes his miracles in a small old fashioned atelier, with old fashioned tools, in the heart of Montmartre.
Theocharis (he is very proud of his whole name, Greek name, which means “the Grace of God”) is a walking encyclopaedia. I was watching him working, I followed with my eyes his fast and intelligent fingers (they seem to have a life of their own!) and I was listening meanwhile to his stories about the land of Pontic Greece, about Crete, about Paris, about the latest films worth watching, about Zorba the Greek and the truth behind its story. His atelier is a piece of art: the last one of this kind in Montmartre, in the whole world maybe. On the walls one could see famous pictures and paintings of famous artists, photos of Haris in his youth, favourite articles from other times.
Haris has a large smile and a strong belief that life is given to us to be lived with passion. He is always ready to share his wisdom with younger pupils, which are coming to his atelier to be taught by the Maestro the art of “hand made suits”, the art of being a tailor. Haris has his own technique of teaching, starting from “how to keep and use a thimble” all the time, to make the thimble part of your finger, even not to feel its existence. When I was there, I met the young beautiful Swedish Maria, who was willing to learn this art, and about whom Haris said “yes, she has a gift”.
I hope that Maria learned from the Maestro everything she needs and that she will also put her heart and soul into this handcraft.
I will always remember Theocharis Malezas and, thanks to him, I watched the movie “Midnight in Paris”, so heartily recommended by him: for sure he belongs to that golden time of Paris and “time travelled” to meet us.

 

 

Maria Magdalena Biela