Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, on Wednesday warned Greece against extending its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, Ekathimerini has reported.
“We will not allow [Greece] to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean by a single mile more than 6 miles.”
SETA’nın “Ege ve Doğu Akdeniz'deki Gelişmeler ve Doğu Akdeniz’de Türk Dış Politikası” panelinde ülkemizin tutumu ve önceliklerimizi paylaşarak, soruları yanıtladık.
Cavusoglu also accused Greece of targeting Ankara with “fake news” and of being “dishonest” and “insincere” over its difference with Turkey in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The Greeks know what it means to face Turkey. We want dialogue, but Greece needs to be sincere,” he said.
Greece Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said in September that Greece would start talks with Turkey to resolve conflicting claims over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean once Turkish “provocations” ceased.
I understand the Turkish irritation; the United Nations’ & the State Department's latest positions regarding the Turkish-Libyan "memorandum" & its validity have obviously caused intense nervousness on the Turkish side (answer to a question regarding the 🇹🇷 MFA statements today). pic.twitter.com/7HI12nQ4s0
Two Greek artists, Leda Alexopoulou and Liana Papalexi, will showcase their work in this year’s Sculptures by the Sea exhibition held at Sydney’s Bondi Beach until November 7.
The Greek Herald talked with Leda and Liana about their participation in the world’s largest free-to-the-public sculpture exhibition, what inspires their work and their plans for the future.
Leda Alexopoulou:
Tell us about your journey to design.
Ever since I was a little girl, I remember myself being very creative and fascinated by most forms of art. I used to make my own costumes for the Carnival. I improvised and performed in theatre school productions. I made my own little crafts for Christmas presents and so on.
Much later, after I realised that I am inclined by nature to be an artist, I was captivated by the meditative creative process of visual arts and thus decided to enrol in the Athens School of Fine Arts. I have never since stopped working and experimenting with a wide variety of materials. Over the last several years, I consistently find myself examining the relation between humans and nature.
Therefore, I often work directly in a natural environment. In a poetic as well as slightly provocative way, at times straightforward and at times verging on the surreal, my artworks invariably evoke concerns about environmental issues and human existence.
How did you become involved in Sculptures by the Sea?
My latest project under the title ‘Do you want a piece of me?’ is a land art project examining the interplay of nature, human existence and possession by focusing on rocks. The rock stands for continuity, that piece of our native land, our home, that we cherish in our memories, especially when we are homesick. For people displaced from their homes due to war, poverty or climate change, the idea of (re)creating rock-hard foundations in a distant land is paramount.
This idea personally resonates with me as back in the 1960s parts of my mother’s family left Greece for Australia, where they live now. I thought about how one could preserve a piece of home, a piece to remember and possess, ultimately, a self-picture, by way of capturing the imprint of a rock in one’s birthplace and transposing it on a rock in one’s newly adopted country.
To that end, and as soon as I found out about the exhibition in Bondi, I could not think of a better opportunity to showcase this thought of mine, my concerns about humans and the loss of their homelands in general and especially about the experience of Greek people living in Australia.
What was the design process like?
I was elated to be informed that my artwork was accepted! The Sculpture by the Sea team has been extremely kind and helpful as well as very well-organised. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the exhibition was postponed twice. But here we are now!
A piece of Greece is an actual imprint of rocks located in a bay on the island of Crete. I created it in the summer of 2020. The imprint process was a laborious and dangerous affair, as the rocks were rather steep and had to be smeared with a natural, eco-friendly squid ink. I then placed a fabric on top of the rock and brushed it to create the imprint. I have consciously chosen to work with fabric, a flexible material that is easy to carry, pack in a suitcase and travel with. It is now placed over the Tamarama beach rocks.
The idea is that the two landscapes, the Cretan and the Australian, can somehow connect with each other, mirroring the interconnections of the numerous people who have relocated to Australia from around the world.
How does your Greek heritage influence your design work?
Greece has an amazing cultural and historical background which has sprinkled its landscape with ruins and scars spanning six thousand years. The natural environment harnesses a unique energy and accommodates an unbelievable variety of landscapes and a shockingly diverse geography.
This exciting complexity of history and landscape has led me to an endless inspiration giving birth to a variety of ideas, materials and processes. All this results in all sorts of artistic disciplines such as drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, installations, as well as design objects.
What is next for you?
I am currently studying sculpture with different materials such as plaster, clay and marble. At the same time, I enjoy experimenting with more modern materials, ready-mades and 3d printing.
My plans for the future are to remain healthy and concentrate on my art as much as possible. The life of an artist can be quite hard. We have to work for our living while our creativity process requires a lot of time, research, experiment and, above all, patience!
Liana Papalexi:
Tell us about your journey to design.
Since I was a little girl, I was drawing and painting all the time. It was my way out, my fun time, my relaxation. So, my studies were about art and design.
In 1995, I studied interior design after completing a semester with the EU’s Erasmus exchange program at UIAH University of Fine Arts in Helsinki, Finland. Then, I studied ceramics for three years at a Greek public school.
In 2014, I obtained my master’s degree on Lighting Design-Multimedia in Athens. Currently I am at the Athens School of Fine Arts Sculpture working on my thesis.
How did you become involved in Sculptures by the Sea?
In 2019, I was the recipient of a Greek Artist Subsidy from the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney. This subsidy was only for one Greek student of Fine Art School. I was very happy and honoured when my artwork Alice in Porcelain Land was chosen.
What was the design process like?
I developed my final work of my master’s degree on Lighting Design, that combined porcelains and lighting which I was working on for the whole year 2014, by adding a new idea. That was to include Alice, as a metal armature covered by plants, becoming one with the Australian environment and multiply the porcelain forms, spreading them on the rocks over the breathtaking ocean view.
This fantastic landscape where Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi is taking place, was an inspiration to me from the very beginning.
How does your Greek heritage influence your design work?
As I have studied Greek History of Art and Architecture, I have been influenced by their unique perspective and how light is engaging in the creative process.
This translates on my artwork by reflecting the misty translucency of porcelain through light, through the sky and the blue ocean sea as they mix all together with the pear-shaped forms which follow one another under our gaze. Studying classical Greek sculpture at Athens School of Fine Arts (A.S.F.A.), helped me create Alice using myself as a measure role model.
What is next for you?
My next project is to carry out a design of a fantastic staircase, that leads to nowhere, taking crazy, playful directions. I have already made the maquette and can’t wait to make it in real dimensions and hopefully exhibit it in the next Sculpture by the Sea exhibition.
Greek dancing performances, live Greek music, Greek food and sweets and the famous Greek hospitality will take centre stage at the annual Greek Street Fair Burwood on Sunday, November 13 from 11am at Burleigh Street, Burwood and the adjoining car park.
This growing and popular event on the local calendar is organised by The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District to celebrate and share the Greek cultural heritage and spirit with the local community.
“Started in 2012, Greek Street Fair Burwood is a nod to the centuries-old tradition of the outdoor Greek ‘panigiri’ – cultural festivals which take place throughout Greece to commemorate the feast day of the patron saint of each local village. There is always music, festive dancing, delicious food and a great spirit of togetherness,” Greek Street Fair Burwood Event Director, Christina Efthymiades, said.
“In the spirit of that tradition, our event always takes place on the Sunday immediately after the Feast Day of the patron saint of our church, Saint Nectarios, which is commemorated throughout the world each year on November 9.
“Since the establishment of our Parish and Community in Burwood in 1970, we have always organised festivals of this type in different forms and scales, but Greek Street Fair Burwood is particularly special because of the way it has been embraced by the entire Sydney community, with people of all ages and cultural heritages coming along to join in the fun.”
In addition to the live Greek music and dancing performances, the event will also include activities for children and teenagers, competitions, market stalls, prizes to be won and the chance to meet Mitsos the Greek Street Fair Donkey.
“Greek Street Fair Burwood is a wonderful celebration of the Greek culture and a great opportunity to demonstrate what makes our heritage so special,” Ms Efthymiades said.
“After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we’re so happy to be hosting this event again in 2022. It’s a great day out for all and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone on Sunday, November 13.
“We have Greek dancing groups from all over Sydney participating, including our own local dancing group The Nassibian Dancers. There will also be live music and other entertainment and competitions throughout the day, Greek food and sweets to enjoy and activities to entertain people of all ages.”
Greek Street Fair Burwood’s 2022 Principal Sponsor is Multicultural NSW. Event Partners are Burwood Council (through its Community Grants Program), Divinity Funerals and The Greek Herald.
“We sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their generous support for Greek Street Fair Burwood – their assistance is greatly appreciated and helps bring this great event to life,” Ms Efthymiades concluded.
Greek Street Fair Burwood: Sunday, November 13, 11am to 4pm, Burleigh Street Burwood (which runs off Railway Parade, close to Burwood train station), as well as in the adjoining car park. All welcome!
Over 10 Greeks and Cypriots have been named in the Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2022. Here is The Greek Herald‘s rundown of who they are and what they do.
321 – Vicky Safra, Greece, $7.4 billion
Vicky Safra inherited her fortune from her late husband, Brazilian banker Joseph Safra, who died in December 2020.
801 – John Catsimatidis, Greece, $3.7 billion
John Catsimatidis.
John Catsimatidis is best known as the owner of New York City supermarket chain Gristedes.
Aristotelis Mistakidis, known as “Telis,” stepped down from his role as the director of Glencore’s copper business at the end of 2018.
1096 – Philip Niarchos, Greece, $2.8 billion
Philip Niarchos.
Philip Niarchos, the oldest son of the late shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos, inherited much of his father’s art collection.
1096 – Maritsa Lazari & Family, United Kingdom, $2.8 billion
Maritsa Lazari is the widow of late billionaire Christos Lazari, who died in 2015, a few months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.
1163 – C. Dean Metropoulos, United States, $2.7 billion
C. Dean Metropoulos.
C. Dean Metropoulos is best known for saving the iconic Twinkies and Hostess Brands.
1292 – George Argyros & Family, United States, $2.4 billion
George Argyros.
The grandson of Greek immigrants, George Argyros worked his way through high school and college in southern California as a paperboy and grocery clerk.
1818 – Ivan Savvidis, Russia – $1.6 billion
Ivan Savvidis.
Ivan Savvidis, a Greek-Russian businessman, is the founder of Agrokom Group, whose assets include Russian tobacco firm Donskoy Tabak.
1818 – George Sakellaris, United States – $1.6 billion
George Sakellaris
George Sakellaris is the founder and CEO of Ameresco, a clean technology integrator that trades on the New York Stock Exchange.
1818 – Theodore ‘Ted’ Leonsis, United States – $1.6 billion
Ted Leonsis.
Theodore ‘Ted’ Leonsis is founder, majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports, which owns several teams and arenas in Washington, D.C.
2076 –Vardis J. Vardinoyannis, Greece – $1.4 billion
Vardis J. Vardinoyannis.
Vardis J. Vardinoyannis co-founded Motor Oil Hellas, a petroleum company based in Greece, with his late brother in 1970.
2076 – George Yancopoulos, United States – $1.4 billion
George Yancopoulos.
George Yancopoulos is the chief scientific officer of biotech firm Regeneron. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. from Columbia University and became a professor of biology by age 28 and led the invention of seven approved drugs and a technology platform designed to invent more. He owns about 2% of Regeneron stock.
In South Australia, Eugenia is a nominee for ‘Senior Australian of the Year.’ In New South Wales, Chanel is a nominee for ‘Young Australian of the Year.’
Eugenia has helped thousands adjust to life in their adopted land. She has led the AMRC as chief executive officer for 25 years. The organisation supported 4,200 new arrivals in 2020 alone.
She’s also been involved with the Settlement Council of Australia for 20 years, a peak body that links community workers in migrant services at the grassroots level with national policy makers.
Chanel’s actions spurred a movement to end rape culture in Australia. The platform, teachusconsent.com, allows people to anonymously share their sexual assault experiences.
The High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, has met with the SA Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and the Arts, Andrea Michaels, for the first time.
The meeting was held in Canberra and the President of the Cyprus Community of Canberra, Georgia Alexandrou, was also present.
According to a Facebook post, the High Commissioner and Ms Michaels, who has Cypriot heritage, had an “excellent first meeting.”
“Issues of common interest were discussed, as well as the possibility of cooperation in the context of the 2023 events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Australia,” the FB post read.
The first perfect replica of a Parthenon sculpture was unveiled on Tuesday by the Institute for Digital Archaeology (IDA) at the Freud Museum in London, the United Kingdom.
According to The Times, the sculpture is of a horse’s head and was carved by a robot from Pentelic Marble — the same material used on the original Parthenon Marbles 2,500 years ago.
Dr Alexy Karenowska of The Institute for Digital Archaeology joins the replica’s unveiling at the Freud Museum in London. Photo: Joshua Bratt for The Times.
The founder of the IDA, Roger Michel, said he hoped the replica would “support” ongoing discussions around the objects’ repatriation to Greece and added he felt “confident” a deal would be concluded soon.
The original marble, depicting a chariot horse of the goddess Selene, at the British Museum. Photo: Alamy.
“I can’t reveal all the details but a very sensible deal has been worked out and there is a fast and furious timetable for their conclusion,” Michel told The National Newsof the reported negotiations between the Chairman of the British Museum, George Osborne, and the Greek ambassador to the UK, Ioannis Raptakis.
Mr Michel said he expected a deal on the return of the 2,500-year-old friezes to be implemented before the next Greek elections in 2023.
A sold out event by the the Hellenic Australian Lawyers (HAL) marked the organisation’s annual Oration in Adelaide to commemorate the life and contribution of the late Honourable Justice John William Perry – who was the first Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia with a Hellenic background.
Notable attendees included Greece’s Deputy Defence Minister, Nikos Chardalias; the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas; and numerous members of the SA Parliament including the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Energy, Tom Koutsantonis.
The Oration focused on the crucial topic ‘Unification of Greek Communities and its Importance to Maintaining Hellenism in Australia for Future Generations‘ and was delivered by Bill Papastergiadis OAM – Melbourne Managing Partner at Moray & Agnew and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria (GCM).
Mr Papastergiadis spoke to his personal insights and with deep optimism for the future of Hellenism in Australia. He also emphasised that numerous organisations in Melbourne play a vital role in the broad successes of Melbourne’s vibrant multicultural community. Mr Papastergiadis noted that the GCM is just one part of this rich cultural matrix.
By reference to the GCM, Mr Papastergiadis referred to initiatives in recent years that have been implemented with the aim of making the organisation more relevant to the next generation of Greek Australians, whilst also noting that many of the new members will come from mixed marriages.
Some of these initiatives included significant infrastructure programs such as the construction of the 15 storey Cultural Centre; building works to Alphington Grammar; the expansion of educational initiatives by increasing the number of afternoon schools; involvement at a tertiary level through Melbourne University and the Chair for Global Hellenic Diaspora; the promotion of cultural celebrations and identity, including the recent Antipodes festival held in the Melbourne CBD and the Parthenon marbles replica; and agreements with State, Federal and Hellenic Governments, which has paved the way for outcomes such as the bilateral tourist working visa agreement and the negotiations on the double taxation agreement.
Mr Papastergiadis argued that the Greek diaspora have a critical role in ensuring the relevance of the community for future generations and that this can only be done by a mindset focused on progress and action.
“These activities allow [us] to build connections [and] demonstrates our commitment to engaging with others and addressing issues that are relevant to our internal and wider community interests…Developing trust and demonstrating relevance to this new generation will be vital to our survival,” he said.
This not only re-enforced the recognition by the Hellenic Republic of the diaspora’s importance to the story of Greece, but also served as a reminder that despite our distance to the homeland, Greeks worldwide are united in the Hellenic spirit – the spirit which is celebrated each OXI (No) day.
As Mr Papastergiadis emphasised, Greece’s continued dialogue with the diaspora, from the high levels of the Hellenic government to the local community support, is key to cultural survival.
“The idea of the homeland in the diaspora has changed with the passing of generations. The prevailing attitude is no longer nostalgic, filled with a melancholy [or a] sense of loss, but rather, there is now a growing sense of vitality and energy that comes from the diaspora,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“An energy that needs to be tapped into… Greece must continue to open itself to the rest of the world…[and] adopt a pluralistic and multicultural view of itself which is one of the key benefits and learnings we [have] gained living in the diaspora.”
Reflecting on the event, HAL Co-Chair Peter Tantalos stated: “Through events such as these, and with leaders like Bill Papastergiadis championing Hellenism and charting the path forward, we can ensure that the Greek diaspora maintain their cultural spirit and actively engage with their communities to ensure the preservation of Hellenism for future generations.”
*The Hellenic Australian Lawyers (HAL) is the peak representative body of Hellenic Lawyers in Australia and provides opportunities for Hellenes and philhellenes to engage in a professional environment that celebrates Hellenic ideals, philosophy, law, and culture, while also advancing cultural harmony and diversity in the Australian legal profession.
New South Wales politicians should not weaponise matters that are yet to be investigated in order to gain attention or political advantage, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) chief, John Hatzistergos has warned.
According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, in a foreword to ICAC’s annual report tabled on Monday, Hatzistergos said that the matters to the commission have hit a 25-year-high which shows “that the commission is perceived as a relevant body to which people believe they can report suspected corrupt behaviour in the public sector.”
NSW ICAC chief commissioner John Hatzistergos
Hatzistergos also said an increase in the ICAC’s budget, would allow matters to be finalised quickly and the commission would also focus on educating new MPs on their responsibilities.
“It is once again timely to remind candidates for public office that they should act properly in making referrals,” he said, issuing a stern warning to MPs before the election about using referrals to the commission for political advantage.
The ICAC chief commissioner said that “investigations into allegations of corrupt conduct are rarely if ever assisted by premature publicity” and reiterated that “it is inappropriate to weaponise a referral to the commission for attention or political advantage.”
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, met with his Estonian counterpart, Kaja Kallas, on Tuesday in Tallinn and stressed that both countries “face challenges from eastern neighbours.”
During a joint press conference, Mitsotakis thanked Estonia for supporting its position in regards to Turkey at the European Council level.
“There is only one way of resolving differences between Greece and Turkey, that of International Law, and the Law of the Sea,” the Greek Prime Minister added.
“Our difference with Turkey relates to the delimitation of maritime zones. In Greece, we have proven that we can resolve such issues: we signed an agreement of delimiting maritime zones with Egypt. Therefore, there is no reason not to be able to do the same with Turkey.
“But for this to happen, unnecessary provocations, insulting rhetoric against Greece, and challenges against the sovereignty of our islands, all these are absolutely unacceptable actions that must stop immediately.”
After this topic was discussed, the press conference turned to issues of digital transformation and the current war in Ukraine.
“Your country is a pioneer in e-government and we look forward to deepening our cooperation for the benefit of our two countries and of course, to focus on areas of cooperation in the field of digital technology,” Mitsotakis said, drawing agreement from Kallas.
Both leaders also then touched on Ukraine and Kallas commended Mitsotakis’ leadership with regards to Russia and the imposition of sanctions.
“Greece is on the right side of history,” the Estonian PM said, noting that Greece was an equal ally and a strong player on this issue.
