The summer I became brave

What could be more beautiful than being in Naxos at the height of summer, under the Greek sun, enchanted by the deep blue of the sea?

If you’re photoallergic, like Alma, almost anything else. The sun causes skin irritations that force her to stay constantly covered.

And what could be better than spending entire days at sea, aboard the historic family ferry that never stops and connects all the Cyclades in any weather conditions? If, like Ulisse, you’re terrified of storms and look at that shimmering blue expanse with trembling legs, the answer is: pretty much everything else.But when Alma and Ulisse meet — amid the waves and the magic of ancient myths — one thing becomes immediately clear: reflected in each other’s gaze, they learn to accept their insecurities and to love themselves for who they are—brave and unique in their fragility, eager to savor every moment of an unforgettable summer.

Ulisse likes summer, Greece. Above all, he likes to dive in and stay with his eyes and ears underwater, while the world outside keeps churning. Ulisse doesn’t like being the center of attention—he blushes in a second. He doesn’t like parties or dancing because he feels awkward and clumsy.
Sometimes Ulisse feels crushed. He hates that pappoús—“grandfather” in Greek— has already decided what he should do when he grows up, who he should be. The pressure of the choices pappoús wants to make in his place can become a boulder pressing on his chest, stealing his breath. He stands in front of the sea. He puts on his mask and fins and dives into the deep blue, where his body suddenly feels light and there is nothing left but indifferent fish, drifting seaweed,total silence. How do you escape other people’s expectations? he wonders. How do you stay hidden underwater for a while without stopping breathing?