Here are some of the latest news clips and happenings of some of our diaspora communities around the world. Enjoy the weekend everyone.
Paris, France
“A Tribute to the Greek Resistance, 1940-1944” is an exhibition that just opened at the Memorial Leclerc – Musee Jean Moulin in Paris in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture and the National Gallery. Curated by Zina Kaloudi, the exhibition features the art that international – mostly French – artists donated around 1945 to the Greek state to honor the Greeks’ resistance against the Axis powers.
Bucharest, Romania
Hellenic Foundation of Culture (HFC), inaugurated its first branch in the Balkans with an exhibition of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons at the National Museum of Art in Bucharest.
The 65 icons in the exhibition come from the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens, the Museum of Byzantine Culture of Thessaloniki, the Museum of Veroia, the Museum of Kastoria and the Benaki Museum in Athens.
The HFC in Bucharest will soon begin hosting language classes for Modern Greek in Bucharest.
Fun fact: There are over 800 Greek businesses in Romania, employing nearly 4,000 Greeks.
Galveston, Texas, United States
Nearly a month after Hurricane Ike came ashore on Texas, the small Greek Orthodox community at Assumption of the Virgin Mary is struggling to get back on solid ground. For more info on how you can help this parish please click here. Also please note the large and popular Original Greek Festival of Houston Texas has been postponed to November 20th due to related issues with Ike.
Adelaide, Australia
The 3rd annual "Odyssey" Cultural Festival has begun in Adelaide. Organised by the Greek-Orthodox Community of South Australia this year, the festival is dedicated to young people and the inauguration constituted a revival of the ancient “Agora” – a place to meet and exchange views and ideas, focusing on young people and their interests, music, entertainment, creative expression and dream.
A series of cultural, theatrical and educational programs are part of the festival. For more info click on link below.
Odyssey Festival Adelaide
New York City, New York, United States
A recently released Zagat rating of the best food in the borough of Queens (NYC), found four of the ten best restaurants located in Astoria. The one Greek restaurant that got top marks was Taverna Kyclades on Ditmars Blvd. Be sure to check it out.
posted on Friday, October 10
new york city
united states
The city of Athens is working on a brand new website. "BreathtakingAthens" as the site is named, is a fine effort from the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCO D.S.A.) --the city's official Tourism entity. It's being billed as the 'official city of Athens visitors' website.
After a quick run through we are impressed. There's a comprehensive directory which includes Hotels, Travel Agencies, Public Transport, Taxis, Restaurants, Shopping, and Nightlife destinations.
We're going to be keeping our eye on this site--while it's still in "beta," we like what we see. We're not quite sure about the name but we'll give it some time and see if it grows on us. The trick we've found with these types of endeavors (and we have some experience in this area) is to keep the content fresh and relevant. Congrats to all those involved.
breathtakingathens.gr
Around the web:
Girls gone wild: Greek girls drinking more ...via xinhuanet
posted on Thursday, October 9
Have you visited Athens or Thessaloniki recently? If so, you can not have missed all the unpleasant 'markings' that dot the architectural landscape. Graffiti in Greece dates back to as early as 1810 when Lord Byron carved his name into the Temple of Poseiden at Cape Sounio. While his 'tagging' of this historical monument has a sort of romantic tie to the past, today's 'tagging' (or as we say vandalizing) of property, both public and private, in Athens has gotten out of control.
While in the past these pranksters, young teens, political activists, anarachists, or plain vandals as you may want to call them; targeted private and public property; there has been a recent shift of targeting ancient ruins - a complete act of disrespect and disgrace if you ask us. While many claim that it is a way of marketing 'their' territory, or a form of public art; these sprayed messages that greet us when walking through the streets of Greece's cities are neither eye appealing or art work. (There are actually several parts in the city of Athens where officials encourage people to paint/spray art on walls, in what they hoped would be a way to curb in the illegal vandalizing happening in other parts of the city.)
After years of inconsistent policy, the problem has gotten to the point where even the most ancient buildings in Athens are becoming target. What has to be done to alter this mindset? Jail? Fines? Public service? All of the above?
kathimerini
Around the web:
Roaming Arcadia: Nick Nolte filming in the Peloponnese. via afp
posted on Wednesday, October 8
The U.S. (and now, global) financial meltdown has us thinking about the future. In the event of an economic apocalypse, where might we seek refuge? Stay put in the big city? Or, run for the hills in search of the simple life --.oh, I don't know..say Greece? Our papou once claimed that he didn't have to pay a bill until he was 35 years old. Seems like a good option to us.
What do you all think?
Around the web:
Flying Olympic this week? 100 flights canceled this Wednesday via IHT
Time to buy? Possible opportunities in the shipping sector ...via Fool.
posted on Tuesday, October 7
Last month we told you how a number of global names in the luxury retail business have discovered the Greek consumer--Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod's, Burberry, Dior and Balenciaga too name a few.
The stakes are about to get higher though when Oscar De la Renta opens a 300-square-meter, or 3,230-square-foot, store on Oct. 15 (Kifissia)-- the luxury lines first official "monobrand" store in Europe.
More recently, Lanvin just opened in Kolonaki ( this past weekend) and Manolo Blahnik is set to open nearby later this month. Prada is also entering the Greek market (without a Greek business partner), with a flagship store in Kolonaki as well.
Now, high-end retail is also getting a mall. "The Golden Hall," a reused facility from the 2004 Olympics, is expected to open at the end of November. The 40,000-square-meter interior is being rebuilt to house fashion labels like Furla, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tod's, Tommy Hilfiger, Loewe, Marithé et François Girbaud, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Longchamp. By April of this year 97% of the retail space had been leased.
DF: What does all this mean for Greece's local designers and retailers? Only time will tell but let's hope they're up for the challenge. By the way... does anyone see a problem with all these luxury stores opening up at a time of economic turmoil? Or, are the rich truly different?
IHT
posted on Monday, October 6
Earlier this week, Europe celebrated the 7th annual European Day of Languages. The aim of 'Language Day' is to encourage language learning throughout Europe.
There are about 225 indigenous languages spoken in Europe on a continent with about 50 countries. Immigrants and refugees have brought even more of a linguistic mosaic to the continent throughout the past several decades. (There are over 300 languages spoken in London alone!)
Some interesting stats about the language skills of Europeans:
56% of Europeans speak a language other than their mother tongue
51% of the EU can speak English, 32% can speak German and 26% can speak French. German ranks first as mother tongue in the EU with 18% of the population speaking it as their first language in five different countries.
Greek is spoken by 3% of the EU population (Obviously it is the national language of Greece and Cyprus) and is ranked in 10th place overall as the most spoken language in the EU. Greek is also a minority language in parts of Albania, Turkey and Bulgaria.
In total, there are estimates that between 18 and 22 million people can speak Greek; and the language is increasingly becoming more common in Balkan countries due to the large presence of Greek investments in the area.
DF: How did you learn Greek as a child? Greek school or not?
Of note...
Wake up!: Planes circle island because controller overslept..via reuters
Following the Irish: Greek government to guarantee all bank deposits--whatever the amount. Greek laws currently guarantee deposits of up to 20,000 euros. via times online.
posted on Friday, October 3
Yes, we might not want to admit it, but summer has come and gone for 2008. Gone are the warm nights and seemingly endless hours at the beach. Greece however has a lot to offer for visitors who want to visit in October. (Smaller crowds, better hotel rates and cheaper flights.) Also take not the Euro has dropped down to 1.39 Euro for every US Dollar - A STEAL compared to a few months ago.
While yes there is plenty to see and do in Athens, and visiting the islands is still quite charming in the early fall; here are some other fun festivals and events that go on during October.
Demetra Fall Festival - Thessaloniki: Month long cultural, theatrical and artistic festival honoring the city's patron saint.
Eleutheria Festival - Larrisa: Celebration of this city's liberation from the Turks.
October 1st - Gythio: Fisherman's Festival
October 8th - Kaloni, Lesvos: Celebration of Saint Iganatios at the Limonas monastery in Kaloni, Lesvos
October 19th - Kissamos, Crete: Chestnut Feast of Elos
October 28th - Oxi day: A national holiday celebrated thoughout Greece commemorates Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas's ejection of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Mussolini on October 28, 1940; and Greece's subsequent entrance into World War II.
There are numerous names day's during the month of October but the most well known is that of St. Demtrios on October 26th.
It's also interesting to note that the landscape and countryside changes during the autumn as it does in the spring, often becoming greener and dotted with wildflowers.
DF: Have any of our readers traveled to Greece during the autumn? Likes/dislikes? Readers in Greece - how is the temperature where you are from during October?
posted on Thursday, October 2
"Attention passengers, your are now free to bid on this airline."
Greece formally announced yesterday the formation of Pantheon Airways -- the holding company that now owns the Olympic brand, airport slots and aircraft.
There's no time for investors to drag their feet --Greece is looking to identify qulify all offers in a mere 3 months.
Interested parties must submit an expression of interest by October 31st but many are asking who would buy the airline?
With 2.7 billion euros ($3.9 billion) in total losses, it also owes 850 million euros ($1.2 billion) to the European Commission, which has accused it of illegally receiving state aid from the Greek government.
It's a tough time for state-owned airlines. Alitalia, for example, is trying to save off bankruptcy itself.
We'll see if a major airline swoops in or a private investment group comes in to save the day.
reuters
Around the web today:
Smackdown: Costas Karamanlis dismissed a top deputy. via AP
Government teetering on collapse? via IHT
posted on Wednesday, October 1
Designers and fashion afficionados will be converging in Athens on October 7 and 12 to partake in the 8th Athens Collection Fashion week. As the event has continued to grow in scope and importance, organizers for the first time will hold the event at Technopolis --sponsored by Vodafone. The whole event is under the aegis of the City of Athens.
Some of the Greek designers that will be present showcasing their Spring/Summer 2009 collections include:
Angelos Bratis, Andria, Aslanis, Christoforos Kotentos, Daphne Valente, Dimitris Dassios, Filep Motwary, Frida Karadima, Katerina Alexandraki, Katerina Karoussos, Kathy Heyndels, Maria Mastori, Mi-Ro, Nikos-Takis, Parthenis, Vassilis Zoulias, Victoria Kyriakides, Vrettos Vrettakos, Yiannos Xenis and Yiorgos Eleftheriades.
There will be a number of international designers present as well. If in Athens, be sure to check out the Night Boutique that will be part of the Fashion week, which will include items for sale by local designers.
Today's Picks:
Uh oh... Athens News in danger of being shut down. Will Lambrakis Press pull the plug on the paper that has run for 57 years?
Five gold medals at rowing championships.
Greek government officials visit Greek speaking villages of Ukraine, celebrate Hellenicare's 10 year anniversary.
posted on Tuesday, September 30
With the U.S. financial system in peril, perhaps it's not a bad idea to look at other areas of the world to invest in. Where would you put your money?
For Greece...Turkey is the place to be. Last week, the National Bank of Greece (NBG), which in 2006 bought a 46 percent share of Finansbank for $2.8 billion, announced that they had purchased the balance of the bank’s shares from Fiba Holding for $697.1 million. Another Greek company investing in Turkey is the Hygeia Medical Center. Representatives of the center said they purchased 50 percent of the Şafak Hospital Group for $48 million.
Combined total investment last week? $US745 million. ...via zaman
Below, some economic stats to think about as you sip on your Monday morning Frappe. Buckle up, it's going to be another wild week in the financial markets:
U.S.
Debt (Before Bailout) 9.9 Trillion dollars
Growth rate: 1.9% second quarter 2008
Unemployment 6.1%
UK
Debt 864 billion dollars
Growth rate 0% in second quarter of 2008
Unemployment 5.4% 2007
Australia
Debt $585.1 billion dollars
growth rate 2.7% second quarter 2008
unemployment 4.1%
Germany
Debt - $1.93 trillion
Growth rate 2.6% 2006
Unemployment 7.1%
Greece
305.8 Billion dollars debt end of 2007
Growth rate 3.4% 2008
Unemployment down to 6.6% May 2008
Russia
145 billion dollars debt
Growth rate 8.1% 2007
Unemployment 5.9%
(source: brillig)
posted on Monday, September 29
