Our company Astarti is based on the island of Kythera-Greece and has been involved in organic farming since 1992 when Harry Tzortzopoulos, on completion of his studies in agriculture, returned to his forefathers’ island to take over the family olive groves. Since Astarti’s establishment in 2001, the company has been involved in the production, packaging and trading of organic and traditional Kytherian products.
Astarti’s goals and philosophy are:
The Style & Symbol of Astarti
According to various historical sources, it appears that the worship of the goddess of love, Ishtar, had its origin in Ancient Phoenicia. Due to the strong commercial relations and the resulting political affiliations developing amongst the various Mediterranean cultures the worship of the Phoenicians’ Astarti (Ishtar) gradually moved to the Southern coast and certain islands of the South-East Mediterranean basin (Cyprus, Crete, Kythera, Mylos), each place adapting similar names and rituals.
Kythera worshipped the Goddess as Astarti-Aphrodite (Aphrodite meaning she who has arisen from the froth of the seas) but with the passing of time the name of Aphrodite was upheld and she was worshipped as Goddess of platonic love.
The symbol of the company Astarti is the symbol of the fruit of the olive tree in Linear B script.
The symbol and the style of Astarti are registered trademarks of the Tzortzopoulos family.
The family is expanding its interests to cover other organic products in an effort to revive traditional cultivation and local farming practices, as well as promotion of agritourism in the region.
On the following pages you will find information about:
Have a nice tour!
Kythera is undoubtedly one of the Mediterranean's most precious jewels whose rugged coastline is embraced by three seas, the Ionian, the Aegean and Cretan. According to Homer, the divine Aphrodite, Goddess of Love of ancient Greek times, was born rising from the crest of the waves to be washed upon this island's shores.
It is an island enveloped in myth and history, conquered not once but several times, abandoned perhaps by its inhabitants but never, never forgotten. More info: www.kythera.gr and www.kythira.info.