This past weekend, the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) issued a call to all Greek expatriates, asking them to donate to its campaign 'Support Fund for Greece' i hopes of raising money to lower the country's high public debt.
President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, SAE said it was confident in the "immediate and positive response of all to this initiative, so that Greeks everywhere will stand at the side of Greece, proving that united we are stronger and proud to be Greek".
The SAE has created a special bank account at the central branch of the Bank of Greece in which funds can be donated with the account number 24/26132462 "Solidarity Account for Paying the Public Debt", which has been accepting deposits since Friday at the central branch and other branches of the Bank of Greece, and the entire network of highstreet banks.
So, what do you think?
posted on Tuesday, March 9
One of our reader's forwarded this article and we found it interesting so thought we would post about it today and our personal experience with the Greeks of Toronto.
The article's title was "Toronto's Greek Revival is Alive and Well", and while we may not call it a revival here - maybe rather a survival - the Greektown neighborhood of Toronto is unique in the sense that it has maintained to retain a very Greek character not only in restaurants and businesses, but also individuals that live in the area. While we are not able to talk about the demographic changes in the area the past few decades (Maybe some readers can help us out there) the neigborhood has seemed to survive better than other Greek neighborhoods in cities across the diaspora where Greeks move en masse to the suburbs (Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Vancouver, Melbourne etc).
A must for someone who wants to take a trip to this great city and also see it in it's full Greek colors we would recommend a visit during the Taste of Danforth. The Taste of Danforth is a huge street festival that has been dubbed the largest Greek festival in North America. Attendance the past few years has surpassed one million visitors during the weekend it is held.
For our readers that are from Toronto, or have visited Toronto what are your thoughts about the Danforth? Any good memories/past times?
posted on Monday, March 8
You buzzed about it on our Facebook page, and several readers contacted us to learn more about the 'beautiful voice' who sang Greece's national anthem during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympic Games.
DailyFrappe is happy to announce that we had the opportunity to touch base with this great Greek Canadian talent, who shared with us a little bit about herself and her performance that evening.
DF: Ariana, were you born and raised in Canada? If so, what part?
A: I was born in Toronto, Canada and for short time my family lived in Athens, between 1984-1987. I was in Montreal for 3 years while apprenticing with L'Opera de Montreal. and for the past 5 years, I've been in New York - when I'm not travelling!! Home is a suitcase sometimes!!
DF: What part of Greece/Cyprus is your family descended from?
A: My mother is from Corfu where I will be singing this summer with the Mantzaros Philharmonic.
I just did a concert with them for their 119th anniversary which is so apt because Nikolaos Mantzaros was the composer of the Greek National Anthem and from Corfu too!!! My father is from beautiful Aigio.
DF: Are you involved with the Greek community at all in Canada?
A: My first time in Vancouver was for my invited audition for the Olympics! I absolutely LOVED it! My family is in Toronto and we are VERY involved in the Greek Community! It feels like my mom is a part of almost every syllogo!! She was so proud! and the emails came pouring in from so many of the Greek Community in Toronto, and around the world!
My mother and sister and I were all volunteers in Athens for the 2004 Summer Olymics so we definitely have the spirit!
DF: When did you begin your singing career?
A: I always loved to sing. It led me to a degree in Music at the University of Toronto and then I was hired straight out of school to tour as Carmen with the Atelier Lyrique de L'Opera de Montreal. I sang it over 50 times!
Those were my first really professional years. Since then, I've sung all over the world!
DF: How were you approached to sing the national anthem of Greece for the closing ceremonies?
A: I guess my name was sort of buzzing around and I received an email with two questions: Are you Canadian? Do you speak Greek? Then I did a recorded audition of the Anthem, then a live audition for David Atkins who was the Executive Producer for the ceremonies, and that was it!
DF: What were your sentiments/emotions walking up on that stage in front of the world right before your performance?
A: So many emotions! Firstly, I was so happy! Sure, nervous (it is only billions, right?), but mostly happy! My dress was custom made for me by the renowned design duo DSquared2 and I was so pleased that it was definitely Greek inspired. I heard my name as I was walking out and I noticed all those flashes! Like glittering diamonds. And I thought: "They're taking my picture and they don't even know me!!" That was when it sort of hit me that this was bigger than me.
I sang and I thought of Greece. I really did! Like they were going to see it at 3am or something and how proud I was to be there.
Click here to hear Ariana's performance (Amateur video from Youtube.com)
DF: No matter how many times you hear it, the national anthem chokes you up; as you sang the last note of the anthem and saw that flag waving in front of you what was going through your mind?
A: It was amazing. You know, I've been singing that anthem since I was born!!! My mom teaches greek school here in Toronto and I did all 13 (gulp!) grades every Saturday!
I've sung it for school and small events, and eventually as a professional I've been honored to sing it for assemblies and consulates and then this... at least I was prepared! I was very emotional! and like I said... happy! It was a dream come true!
I'm so glad our anthem and Greece is such a part of the Olympics and that people all around the world hear it each time we have those ceremonies!
DF: What are your plans for your singing career in the future?
A: Plans! So hard to plan! After this, I'm doing a song cycle called Sappho de Mytilene in Toronto. These songs were written for me by a Greek-Canadian composer Constantine Caravassilis. The pieces have won the 2009 Karen Kieser Prize in Canadian Music.
Then I head to Poland to sing the role of Componist in Richard Strauss's opera, Ariadne auf Naxos. I sang the Polish premiere in November and the production continues into 2010.
I love singing opera and concerts and I'm so lucky to be able to do that and travel around the world discovering new places and revisiting favourites! The future, well, actually, I'd love to sing in Greece! January this year was the first time I ever sang there professionally!
It would really be a dream to sing at Herodion or Megaro. And my mom would pretty much keel over if she saw me on greek tv! That's all she watches! So, if any one out there is reading this....!!!
In closing, I just want to thank you for reaching out to me and including me in DailyFrappe. This Olympic experience has been an honor and a privilege for me not only as a singer but as a "Greek kid". I'm glad my first interview is for my fellow greeks of the diaspora! Thank you so much!
DF: NO thank YOU Ariana. For more information and updates about Ariana please visit: www.arianachris.com
Born in Canada of Greek-Canadian heritage, Ariana Chris (née Ariadni Christodoulopoulos) is praised by the press for her “beautifully burnished mezzo-soprano voice".
Ariana Chris continues to delight audiences nationally and abroad with her vocal artistry and engaging stage presence. Among the opera companies with which she has performed are Opera Hong Kong, Opera de Montreal, Anger’s Nantes Opera France, New York City Opera and the Santa Fe Opera.
posted on Thursday, March 4
A few days ago a twinning protocol between the municipality of Corfu and the city of Belgrade took place between the mayors of the two cities; Belgrade mayor Dragan Dilas and Corfu mayor Sotiris Mikalef. The two cities promised to further boost cooperation in the sectors of culture, tourism, and sports.
Some interesting historical facts linking the two areas:
The island is home to the Serbian Museum of Corfu which houses rare exhibits about the Serbian soldiers' tragic fate during the First World War. The remnants of the Serbian Army of about 150,000 soldiers together with their government in exile, found refuge and shelter in Corfu, following the collapse of the Serbian Front as a result of the Austro-Hungarian attack of the 6 October 1915. Exhibits include photographs from the three years stay of the Serbians in Corfu, together with other exhibits such as uniforms, arms and other Serbian artifacts from the era. Many Serbs died from starvation and disease while on the island and most of their remains were buried at sea near the island of Vido, a small island at the mouth of Corfu port.A monument of thanks to the Greek nation has been erected at Vido by the grateful Serbs; consequently, the waters around Vido Island are known by the Serbian people as the Blue Graveyard (in Serbian, Плава Гробница, Plava Grobnica).
Belgrade is home to several institutions that teach Modern Greek as part of its curriculum. The country is home to about 15,000 Greeks and Greece is the top foreign investor in Serbia. All in all, there exists about 20 sister city twinnings between various Greek cities and Serbian cities.
posted on Wednesday, March 3
Nana Mouskouri, who served as a member of the European parliament for five years in the 1990s and draws a pension from Brussels, has offered to give up her pension in hopes of aiding her native land.
Mouskouri would donate her pension "until the country emerges from the economic crisis."
She is also upset by the way Greece had been portrayed around the world, she told the Eleftherotypia daily newspaper.
"I do not want Greece to be treated like a cancer," she said.
What do you think? Should Greeks living abroad help Greece?
posted on Tuesday, March 2
Quick hits for 1/3/10:
» Clearly delusional: Make no mistake, DF is Greece's leading cheerleader. So it is with great pain we bring you this headline, "Greece urges expatriates to help cut its debt." Philippos Petsalnikos, who heads the Greek parliament, proposes the wealthy diaspora could contribute to a "support fund" to help cut the Greece's budget deficit. Let's get this straight. the offspring of some of Greece's most downtrodden, who came from nothing, and who had the wherewithal to build sizable fortunes in all corners of the globe are going to rescue the politicos in Greece? ...via guardian.co.uk
» There's always someone in worse shape: The head of JP Morgan Chase, Jamie Dimon told investors at the Wall Street bank's annual meeting that "there could be contagion" if a state the size of California, the biggest of the United States, had problems making debt repayments. "Greece itself would not be an issue for this company, nor would any other country," said Mr Dimon. ...via telegraph
» Get out while you can: Every two years the Ministry of Education in Greece posts hundreds of teachers in Greek schools abroad - in dozens of countries on all continents. ΤΑ ΝΕΑ posted a useful guide to everything you need to know to apply for teaching Greek to children in schools abroad. tanea (greek only)
» Give the Olympics a home: Does it make sense now more than ever? ...via NYT
» The Greek-Chile connection: In light of the recent tragedy, one man looks back at time spent in Latin America...via greekreporter
posted on Monday, March 1
Great idea alert!
The City of Athens and the international non-governmental organization "The World of Athens" have joined forces to launch the global online contest called Athens Bench Mark in effort to makeover benches throughout Athens and improve the quality of life in the city.
The contest is part of a broader program initiated by City of Athens called “ATHENS 2010” based on initiatives that reinforce the Green, Social, Digital, participatory and creative development of Athens. The Athens Bench Mark competition will receive online submissions between February 23rd 2010 and April 6th 2010. The public will have the chance to view and vote for their favourite submissions on www.athensbenchmark.com daily. Designers, artists, and Greek citizens alike from around the world are invited to create or choose their own bench, participating in the event of leaving their mark in the city. In particular, those interested can submit design ideas and solutions for new benches in Athens.
Head over to Yatzer (thanks C!) for more pics, dates and information about the project.
** NOTE TO READERS IN THE CHICAGO LAND AREA: Our deadline for submitting your business for the first edition of the IT'S EΛΛHNIKA TO ME CHICAGO GUIDE AND DIRECTORY LISTING is February 28th. Please click on the banner ad to the right for more info, and/or email us at kyriakos@dailyfrappe.com for more questions. Any listings that come in after the 28th will go towards the second edition.
Thanks.
Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend everyone!
posted on Friday, February 26
Did you catch the chinese figure skaters pair dancing to Zorba the other night? What a pair! And how cool are their costumes!
Check out the full video at nbcolympics.com (requires silverlight)
posted on Thursday, February 25
2:00 PM CST FRIDAY: THANKS FOR ALL THE EMAILS! WE ARE OUT OF FLAGS TO SEND OUT. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT.
Regular readers who have been following us for a while will recall that it's time for our annual Fly the Flag Campaign!
(above) Greek flag sent to Minnesota, USA and proudly used for celebration.
Fly the Flag 2010
What? The Fly the Flag Campaign began in 2006 as a simple expression to show case our culture and pride during the March 25th Greece National Holiday. We encouraged our readers and others in the Greek community to Fly a Greek flag from their home or business the week leading up to March 25th. The word got out, and readers from all over the world sent us pictures of their tribute to the Greek flag.
For three years, DF continued the program and has sent out Greek flags to hundreds of readers who requested them, free of charge. Dozens of pictures again came in from all over the globe from individiuals who partook in the movement.
So in 2010 we ask our readers to again join our effort in promoting our culture in a simple yet visible way.
If for a few days we can fly a flag in our communities to remember the sacrifices of our past, and teach our children and others about our community; its an effort that we believe is well worth it.
Why? To show our pride for one week leading up to the 25th of March and to raise awareness to non Greeks as well of the importance of Greek communities today.
When? March 17 to March 25. (In your local communities - many of which are having parades later in April, we encourage you to fly the flag to coincide with days of the parades as well - heck bring them with you!)
(above) Members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia at Albany, New York with a flag that was sent to them from DF.
Free Greek Flags:
2:00 PM CST FRIDAY: THANKS FOR ALL THE EMAILS! WE ARE OUT OF FLAGS TO SEND OUT. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT.
This year DF is again sending out Free Greek Flags to those who request them. It is on a first come, first serve basis and are giving out 100 flags this year. Please email us at kyriakos@dailyfrappe.com with a name and address so that we can get them out to you. We are also encouraging readers to send us pictures of you with your flags at your homes and businesses. Please note that this is on a first come first serve basis and we will honor all those that we can. We will post a message when we are out of flags.
*** Please note. For readers outside the US, we kindly ask for a donation of $3.95 to cover the shipping and handling costs associated with international shipping. You can use Paypal using our support@dailyfrappe.com address. Thanks ! ***
For more pictures of some of our readers from the past who have flown our flag around the world...click here.
(above) A reader from the Netherlands sent us this shot.
Below, some of the responses we have received from readers:
"We got our flag on time - and really enjoyed putting it out. My mother even Greek danced on our balcony after she set it up, singing as well and in the process disturbing the open house for the neighbors next door looking to sell. Ha ha! Well at least they know what they're getting themselves before they buy right?
My yiayia cried when we put hers up - it really was special to have it fly outside her home. I really appreciate you sending me an extra last year for her. I cannot begin to tell you how much it meant to her and my pappou.
It's a GREAT idea and I love seeing our neighbors put their flags up in March as well. I hope you keep it going for many more years. It's really great. We love it."
- Joanna Potakis, United States
"I donated it to our Greek church, but flew a smaller one. Thanks for it, and all you do to help keep our Greek culture alive and proud!"
- Hedy Stathis - United States
"I have received the flag you sent me! I want to thank you very much and also for this wonderfull idea of yours! Thank you and DF once again and keep up the great work you are doing!"
- Atanasios - Netherlands
"Πολύ καλή πρωτοβουλία, είχα αρχίσει να στεναχωριέμαι που ξέχασα να φέρω μια σημαία από Ελλάδα. Να δούμε τώρα που θα τη σηκώσουμε!
Ευχαριστώ πολύ, να είσαι καλά."
- Dimitris - Canada
posted on Thursday, February 25
With major strikes paralyzing Greece today, we thought it an opportune time to take a step back and relay what Dimitri Papadimitriou, President, Levy Economics Institute, (Annandale, NY, US) recently opined to the Financial Times:
"...The plethora of articles in your pages and others, some arguing in favour and others against a bail-out, contribute to market confusion and drive the country’s financing costs to record levels. It is not yet clear that a bail-out is even needed, but this market confusion is rendering the government’s ability to achieve its deficit goals ever more difficult.
Since the architects of economic and monetary union are neither about to change the system, nor to provide a sympathetic ear and a helping hand, what Greece really needs now is a holiday from further market confusion being created by contradictory, alarmist public commentary."
DF: A plea for moderation (at least from all the so-called Greece economic experts that have emerged in the last few weeks) sounds like wise advise to us.
** Germany and Greece are exchanging comments after a very insulting article in the German Magazine focus depicted the statue of Venus di Milo in a very rude way. Many Greek politicians were furious.
Quick hits for 24/2/10:
» Only six Greeks declared more than a million EUR in income last year? This news allegedly written by an anonymous in-country (Greece that is) banker. Can anyone confirm authenticity? Let us know ...via infectious greed
» Goldman admits helping Greece 'fiddle books:' "With the benefit of hindsight, it seems very clear that standards of transparency could have been and should have been higher..." ...via telegraph
» Say bye-bye to the "Aegean" name: The newly combined airline company, post Aegean + Olympic merger eventually will take the Olympic name ...via atwonline
» €7,548: That's the cost to obtain all the permitting needed to start a new business in Greece, according to Harvard economist Alberto Alesina. In the U.S., it takes US$166. ...via WSJ
posted on Wednesday, February 24
