Fifteen ancient Greek artefacts from the private Cycladic art collection of a US billionaire went on display for the first time on Wednesday in Athens.
Σήμερα είναι μια ξεχωριστή μέρα για την πολιτιστική ζωή της χώρας, που υποδέχεται τα πρώτα 15 από τα 161 συνολικά μοναδικά δείγματα κυκλαδικής τέχνης. Αρχαιότητες πολύ σπάνιας ομορφιάς και ανυπολόγιστης αξίας, οι οποίες επιστρέφουν στο σπίτι τους. https://t.co/hLDzjwJGLspic.twitter.com/eiQtM3D7Ge
On his Instagram feed, the director of the Met, Max Hollein, hailed the “great new partnership and a new solution to bring private collections with complex provenances to the public sphere.”
After being displayed for a year at the Cycladic Museum in Athens, the 15 works – the most significant of the collection – will be displayed in New York from early 2024 for 25 years. They will gradually be returned to Greece.
The deal between Greece and The Met, which was ratified by Greek lawmakers in September, has stirred controversy in Greece, where the opposition as well as many archaeologists and conservators have called for their immediate, permanent return.
Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos visited Kyiv in Ukraine on Thursday.
On her arrival to Ukraine, Sakellaropoulou travelled to the cities of Bucha and Irpin, as well as the village of Borodyanka, all of which had been heavily shelled by Russia.
In Bucha, the Greek President visited the site of mass graves where hundreds of Ukrainians were killed at the hands of Russian armed forces, and attended a photography exhibition on the civilian victims of war.
Στη συνάντησή μου με τον Πρόεδρο της 🇺🇦 @ZelenskyyUa στο Κίεβο εξέφρασα την αμέριστη συμπαράσταση της 🇬🇷 προς τον ουκρανικό λαό, που αγωνίζεται ενάντια στη ρωσική εισβολή. Οι μεταβολές διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένων συνόρων με τη χρήση στρατιωτικής βίας δεν μπορούν να γίνουν αποδεκτές. pic.twitter.com/j8WjrEyyMK
For his part, Zelenskyy thanked Greece for its support and said negotiations with Sakellaropoulou were very meaningful and important for both countries.
“We are really working together with the Greek side to end this war as soon as possible, to end Russian criminal aggression and to return normal life to Ukraine,” the Ukrainian President said.
“It is for this purpose that we are developing our cooperation in the defence, political, economic, and humanitarian spheres.”
This meeting between both Presidents came as Greece’s Defence Minister was also meeting with Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.
On the margins of the meeting of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou@PresidencyGR and @ZelenskyyUa I met #DefMin Nikos Panagiotopoulos @npanagioto My Hellenic colleague is a true friend of Ukraine.🇬🇷 fully supports us. We believe that peace in Europe must be restored. pic.twitter.com/NvsBh4OYio
“Greek migrants like ourselves, we came to Australia pretty much just as a family with no support network or family here and for my parents, it was about the challenge of trying to understand how to live in this new country,” Ange Postecoglou told The Greek Herald as we sat down for our Zoom interview.
The Greek Australian Celtic FC manager spoke openly about what life was like when he first arrived to Australia from Greece with his family at the age of five, and shared how his father inspired his love of football.
“The one thing my father found was South Melbourne Hellas (now South Melbourne FC). He loved football, he loved soccer and he found a club where they were a community of people who were going through similar experiences to what we were and it was an environment that was a real comfort to us,” Postecoglou said.
“Because of that, we spent a lot of time down there and that’s where my love of football started.”
A young Ange Postecoglou with his family. Photo: ABC News.
From this love of football grew a passion for coaching and management, and it has seen Postecoglou conquer not only the Australian soccer scene, but he has also led Japan’s Yokohama FC to victory in the J1 League, and managed Celtic FC.
This week, he also made history as the first Australian to manage a Premier League club, after Tottenham Hotspur confirmed his appointment as head coach for four years.
On that note, we just had to ask- Does he see a future managing a team in Greece?
Ange Postecoglou opens up about his future plans.
“It’s a difficult question to answer,” Postecoglou said with a laugh.
“Greece is very attractive to me [it pulls me]. I hope to be there one day. I used to coach Panachaiki for one year, it was a nice experience despite the chaos that happens with Greek football. But that’s something that’s a part of Greece which was a great experience.”
Kytherians of the world will gather in Sydney from November 17 to November 20 at the 9th International Symposium of Kytheraismos to celebrate the Kytherian Association of Australia’s (KAA) centenary this year.
Every four years, the Symposium is held in different parts of the world to celebrate Kytherians in the diaspora and their achievements.
The Symposium brings together people who are linked with the Greek island of Kythera whether through family, descendancy, academia, research or other strong links. The Symposium also brings together speakers from all backgrounds with the aim of increasing the flow of information and creating a network of business and cultural exchange amongst people of Kytherian Greek extraction from all over the world.
Activities associated with the Symposium allow delegates, attendees, fellow Kytherians and philo- Kytherians to meet and greet socially.
This year, the Symposium will be in Sydney and will involve two days of seminar type discussions.
A number of topics which will be discussed at the seminars including the history of the KAA, the next generation of Kytherian diaspora in Australia, as well as the Kytherian community in Australia more broadly and its strong connection to Kythera.
The island of Karpathos has been named on National Geographic’s 2023 List of Breathtaking Places Around the World.
The magazine’s editors chose five locations from each of five categories—community, environment, culture, family, and adventure—out of the total 25 that they felt would most likely wow travellers in 2023.
The article describes the island of Karpathos as “a growing centre of ecotourism” with “striking landscapes surrounded by the Aegean Sea.”
Karpathos, part of the Dodecanese islands, is known as a rural and picturesque island that is becoming increasingly popular amongst tourists for the over a hundred beaches, many outdoor activities and picturesque villages.
The island’s distance from the mainland, located roughly 242 sea miles from Piraeus, has worked in its favour to maintain its authenticity.
The island prides itself on the level of self-sufficiency that it maintains, and we know that locals work hard to prolong the tourist period, in order to avoid mass tourism and crowding the island.
Navarino Icons, the gourmet food brand aligned with Costa Navarino, one of Greece’s most renowned destinations, is making its way down under in an exclusive pre-launch appeal.
In a collaboration between the brand’s importer, Mediterranean Gourmet, and The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI Australia), a leading Greek-Australian philanthropic organisation, a curated selection is being made available prior to the brand’s official launch, which will see a percentage of brand sales donated to the charity.
THI Australia President, Nicholas G Pappas AM, said “we are delighted to have partnered with Mediterranean Gourmet, which has generously agreed to donate 30 per cent of all bespoke Navarino Icons Gift Box sales to THI Australia in support of its charitable endeavours.
“We will in turn distribute 100 per cent of the proceeds to our partner charities in Greece to provide basic services including access to healthcare, assistance with utility bills, food, temporary accommodation and education programs for Greece’s most vulnerable citizens,” Mr Pappas said.
Navarino Icons eclectic selection of products from Messinia, South-West Peloponnese, Greece, follows the philosophy of Costa Navarino which belongs to the same parent company and focuses on preserving the natural beauty and heritage of Messinia. The Navarino Icons brand in turn promotes the rich culture and gastronomy of Messinia and its diverse traditional flavours.
The range features gourmet products from artisan producers who have perfected traditional recipes handed through generations.
It includes a selection of gourmet dips and sauces such as crushed roasted eggplant dip and tomato sauce with feta cheese, Koroneiki olive oils (including organic) harvested from ancient olive trees, a Kalamata olive tapenade based on an old Greek recipe, white balsamic vinegar, Greek yoghurt, raisin and olive oil biscuits, handmade spoon sweets, marmalades, pure Greek honeys (with and without honeycomb), and the ancient Greek energy bar itself, sesame seed and honey pasteli.
According to Mediterranean Gourmet Director, Ruby Archis, the decision to partner with THI Australia was straightforward given the organisation’s strong commitment to the less fortunate in Greece.
“We’re not only very excited about bringing Navarino Icons to Australia but even more so to be able to support the work of THI Australia, by offering its friends and supporters the chance to purchase exquisite and unique gift sets while helping those in Greece who are most in need.
“All gift sets will be exclusively packaged in bespoke Navarino Icons gift boxes and make the perfect personal, corporate or Christmas gift that gives to more than just those receiving it,” said Ms Archis.
Navarino Icons will be officially launched online at Mediterranean Gourmet and select gourmet stores across Australia from mid-November 2022.
Those wishing to be involved in the appeal or to purchase from the pre-launch offer can do so here or via The Hellenic Initiative Australia Exclusive tab at mediterraneangourmet.com.au, using the password THI Australia.
More than 20 community-led programs have been funded by the NSW Government to empower seniors to be active and connected in their local communities.
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said 21 programs have been funded with a share of more than $600,000 through the third round of the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors program.
“Following this round, we have now supported 71 different programs with some $2 million to support seniors and keep them connected with their local communities right across the state,” Mr Coure said.
“Seniors are an integral part of our society and we want to make sure they don’t run the risk of falling into social isolation.
“These programs are about making sure everyone can participate no matter their background, language or abilities.”
Camden Council is one of the local councils receiving funding through the program, which will go towards the running of its Café Connect initiative.
“Camden Council is focused on providing all our residents with the best opportunities to participate and engage in a range of local activities,” Camden Council Mayor Therese Fedeli said.
“This funding goes a long way in assisting Council to continue providing our Café Connect program, which provides our local seniors with the opportunity to participate and receive information about health, social and service provisions, lifelong learning and wellbeing activities and the opportunity to socially connect on a regular basis.”
North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels also received funding to help expand its Meals Together program.
“The past few years have been extremely challenging for many members of our community, with some feeling lonely or isolated. With this funding from the NSW Government, North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels is excited to expand Meals Together to better engage and support these members of our community,” North Shoalhaven Meals on Wheels Director and Deputy Chair Luke Sikora said.
Funding of up to $50,000 was on offer in the third round of the Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grants program. Projects must run through 2022-2023.
One hundred seniors who have put pen to paper to share their personal stories of diversity have been published in the latest edition of Seniors’ Stories.
Seniors’ Stories is a writing competition aimed at celebrating the lives and contributions of seniors by giving them an opportunity to share their own short stories about their life experiences.
Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the top 100 stories were collated from more than 330 submissions and will be available at local libraries across NSW for everyone to read.
“Storytelling is a universal pastime, and with so much lived experience, this writing competition gives seniors a unique opportunity to share their personal story with everyone,” Mr Coure said.
“Seniors are an integral part of our communities, and I truly believe we can all learn a lot from these stories.”
Now in its eighth edition, the theme for this year’s Seniors’ Stories is ‘Celebrating Diversity’.
“Each author shares their own experience of diversity, whether it be moving to a new place, learning about a new culture, enjoying new food or even meeting new people,” Mr Coure said.
“For the first time, we also have stories from 12 authors who submitted their stories in both English and their native languages, such as in Chinese, French, Greek, Spanish, Vietnamese and Urdu.”
Lucy Camilleri’s story A Richer Life features in the latest edition of Seniors’ Stories, which reflects on the influence being exposed to different cultures has had on her life.
“The theme ‘Celebrating Diversity’ particularly interested me as my parents migrated here in 1948, and as my title suggests, they experienced ‘A Richer Life’ as Australia became the diverse country we know and love today,” Ms Camilleri said.
“I hope that anyone reading my story will experience the wonderful culture that has come to our shores as we celebrate diversity among our fellow man.”
Professor Mohammad Amjad Kamal’s Life journey story of Pakistani Scientist also features in the new instalment, sharing his journey from Pakistan to Australia driven by his work in education.
“How great is the Australian nation, where senior citizens are regarded by the publication of their life journey stories,” Professor Kamal said.
“Our Australian nation greatly allows senior citizens to be acknowledged by giving them the opportunity of publication of their life journey stories allowing them to be an intellectual torch for youth generations.”
The NSW Government launched Seniors’ Stories in 2013 as a way of recognizing and valuing the experiences of seniors.
Seniors’ Stories Volume 8 will be available at all local libraries across NSW from 14 November, or a copy can be downloaded from www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au
The 63rd edition of Greece’s leading and longest-running international film showcase in Thessaloniki will open on November 3.
Among the five Australian films set to be showcased are: Samson and Delilahby Warwick Thornton; Blackbird by Amie Batalibasi; Bedevilby Tracey Moffatt; Tannaby Bentley Dean and Martin Butler; and Blaze by Del Kathryn Barton.
Samson and Delilah, Blackbird, Bedevil, and Tanna will all be screened in the Indigenous Cinema Category, with the support of the Australian Embassy in Greece.
“As Thessaloniki is getting ready to celebrate the magic of cinema, we look forward to the screenings of some of the most iconic Australian films!” the Australian Embassy wrote on Facebook.
“Films that speak to Australia’s modern diversity and the rich heritage of its First Peoples.”
Find the full program of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and more information about the Australian films at: https://bit.ly/3Wl1ZAt.
In the morning, the Evzones participated in an OXI Day assembly at St Andrew’s Grammar School. The assembly was themed around the topic of ‘Peace and Unity’ and included a detailed presentation about the history, mission and uniform of the Evzones.
Assembly at St Andrew’s Grammar School. All photos: Consulate of Greece in Perth, Facebook page.
From there, the Evzones paid a visit to the aged care facility of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc in Dianella. The staff and residents were overjoyed to see Greece’s Presidential Guard.
Visit to the aged care facility of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia Inc in Dianella. Photo: Consulate of Greece in Perth, Facebook page.
The Evzones completed their first day in Perth with a visit to the offices of the Archdiocesan District of Perth and St Basil’s Aged Care Day Centre. They were welcomed by His Grace Elpidios of Kyaneon and gave another presentation at the Day Care Centre.
The Evzones will be in Perth until Monday, November 7 before they return home to Greece.
