Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by his wife Mareva Grabovski-Mitsotakis attended a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden on Thursday evening.
The dinner was held in honour of the leader’s participation in the high-level week of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Ο Ι.N. Αγίου Νικολάου που καταστράφηκε την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου, ανοικοδομήθηκε με τη συμβολή της ελληνοαμερικανικής κοινότητας και σύντομα αναμένεται να λειτουργήσει κανονικά. Είμαι βέβαιος πως θα εξελιχθεί σε σημείο αναφοράς για τη Νέα Υόρκη και φάρο ελπίδας για τους επισκέπτες της. pic.twitter.com/OSE5FlWD09
The Greek island of Crete has been rated amongst some of the worlds best destination spots in Tripadvisor’s 2022 report.
Right behind Dubai, London, Cancun and Bali, the largest island in Greece has been recognised as one of the “bucket list” destinations in the world for millions.
Known for the large array of cuisines and of course some of the best waters in Europe, Tripadvisor agrees that Crete cannot be explored in a mere one or two weeks.
Amongst the very long list of things to do, the world’s top travel rating site has given a few suggestions on how you can spend your time on Crete.
Theriso Gorge is one of the lesser-known natural wonders on Crete and is on the top 10 things to visit while you’re on the island. The desert rock in the middle of the mediterranean never ceases to amaze anyone who visits it.
Theriso Gorge in Crete.
The Heraklion Archeological Museum, which holds treasures that rival any historical or cultural archive, is another must-see on the island. Here, the treasures of the Keftiu (also known as the Minoans) governed the waters without hostilities for more than a thousand years.
Whilst speaking at the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore said Turkey should rectify its discriminatory policies against its Greek minority population.
“The EU deeply regrets past discriminatory policies implemented by Turkey, which resulted in the Greek Minority currently being on the verge of extinction,” Gilmore said.
“In this context, the EU reiterates the call on Turkey to protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, including property rights of persons belonging to minorities and minorities’ legal entities.”
#UNGA77: Speaking on behalf of the #EU at the High Level Meeting on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. pic.twitter.com/q2GwlOd9lx
Gilmore’s statement was made to mark the 13th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which he said: “remains a milestone for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities.”
His comments come following Erdogan’s accusations at the general assembly this week that Greece is discriminating against its Muslim population and its continuation of illegal pushback is “ turning the Aegean into a cemetery for migrants.”
As preparations enter final stages for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, French officials have turned to the birthplace of the games, Ancient Olympia, for symbolic reasons.
Representatives of France’s Terre de Jeux 2024 have collected a small amount of soil from ongoing excavations near the eastern portico of the Ancient Gymnasium in Ancient Olympia.
The location of the soil was very important and symbolic as the Gymnasium served the needs of the athletes and their companions during the period of the Olympic Games since the preparations of the athletes took place in the Gymnasiums of Elis.
The collection of soil was led by Emilie Gomis, a basketball player who won silver with the French team in the 2012 Olympic Games.
The collection of soil was led by basketball player Emilie Gomis. Credit: Hellenic Olympic Committee
For the purposes of a documentary, the collection of over two thousand grams of soil to transport back to Paris was filmed.
According to tradition, the Olympic Flame will be lit in Ancient Olympia and transported to France by boat.
President of the Olympic Torch Relay Committee of the EOE, Thanasis Vassiliadis, accompanied the French delegation and answered all questions regarding the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony.
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, alongside wife Mareva Grabovski-Mitsotakis, has today visited the World Trade Centre in New York and paid tribute to the 41 Greek Americans who lost their lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The pair were accompanied by Anthoula Katsimatidis, who lost her brother, Giannis, in the 2001 tragedy.
They stood at places where victims of Greek origin are listed, placing small Greek flags and white flowers in their honour.
Επισκέφθηκα σήμερα το μνημείο για τα θύματα των τρομοκρατικών επιθέσεων της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2001 και κατέθεσα στεφάνι στη μνήμη των 2.977 αθώων ανθρώπων που έχασαν τη ζωή τους άδικα. Η μάχη κατά της τρομοκρατίας είναι μία διαρκής μάχη την οποία έχουμε υποχρέωση να δώσουμε. pic.twitter.com/MdPhlh3P0a
Prime Minister Mitsotakis also laid a wreath at the Survivor Tree, a tree that was found almost destroyed in the ruins of the Towers, recovered with human care and replanted in the memorial area.
In an official statement, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said: “I felt the need to come today to this holy place to lay a flower and lay a wreath in memory of the 2,977 innocent people who lost their lives unjustly in the terrorist attack of 9/11.”
“Among them were 41 Greek-Americans, one of whom was Yiannis, who was trapped on the 104th floor when the first plane hit the North Tower.”
“The fight against terrorism is a constant fight, it is a fight that we have an obligation, as democracies, to fight, to be able to preserve our way of life and to be able to continue to function in open democratic societies like these which we have built with so much effort”, continued the Prime Minister.
“The victims of terrorism – because we in our country have also been hurt by our own domestic terrorism – we will always continue to honour them and we will never forget them,” he added.
The Prime Minister then visited the Greek Orthodox church of Saint Nicholas which was destroyed during the attacks and has been rebuilt with a large contribution from the Greek American community to be reopened soon.
The rebuilt St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in New York. Photos @PrimeministerGR twitter
Mitsotakis and his wife were welcomed by the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the architect who designed the church, Santiago Calatrava, who gave them a tour of the site.
“This is indeed an extraordinary building. I would say that the building is fully aligned with the special spiritual significance of this space,” Mitsotakis said.
“It is right next to a spot marked by pain and suffering. It is a church that symbolises hope and unity. I am sure that it will become a point of reference for New York and a beacon of hope for all its visitors.”
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, wife Mareva Grabovski-Mitsotakis, Archbishop Elidophoros of America and architect Santiago Calatrava. Photo: @PrimeministerGR twitter.
“I knew the day would come when people would need to laugh again,” actor and comedian, Nick Giannopoulos, says when I ask him why he decided to write, produce and release a third film in The Wog Boys franchise.
Wog Boys Forever will see the original ‘wog boys’ Nick and Vince Colosimo return to our screens this year when the new film premieres at the Melbourne Palais Theatre on September 22, and later at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on September 29. The national premiere will be on October 6.
This time around, Nick, who plays Steve ‘The Wog Boy’ Karamitsis, and Vince, who plays Nick’s long-time buddy Frank, are in their mid-life years navigating love, friendship and work.
Vince (left) and Nick. Picture: Ben King.
Nick tells me that out of all three The Wog Boys films – including The Wog Boy in 2000 and Wog Boy 2: The Kings Of Mykonos in 2010 – the upcoming Wog Boys Forever is his favourite.
“It’s all about ‘the wog boy’ has lost his mojo and he realises he has to find a way to get his mojo back. In all honesty, it’s my favourite because there’s a lot of laughs in it and it’s got an enormous amount of heart,” Nick says.
“My dad sadly passed away last year just before we started shooting the film so there’s a lot of him in this film. There’s a lot of our parents in this film and what they sacrificed and gave us by coming to this country.”
Nick with Sooshi Mango. Picture: Ray Messner.
The other thing that will also feature prominently in Wog Boys Forever is new, young acting talent.
Nick has not only recruited emerging Australian actress, Sarah Roberts, to play his ex-girlfriend Cleo, but he’s also nabbed popular Australian comedy troupe, Sooshi Mango, to play the eccentric Italian neighbours Vince, Guiseppina and Pino, in the film.
“One of the most pleasurable parts of the process for me was finding these fantastic young actors – some of them I think will go on to become really big stars. So it was wonderful to be able to give people like that an opportunity to shine,” Nick explains.
Sooshi Mango. Picture: Narelle Portanier.
Having the last laugh:
This passion for creating opportunities for other actors stems from when Nick first became involved in Australia’s film and TV industry in the late 1980s and he had to fight hard against racism to be accepted.
“It was a very different Australia back then,” the actor says.
“In my first year of professional life as an actor, I was increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunities that existed for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
“So it started to dawn on me that even though I was born in Australia, I was an Australian… the reality was that the way the industry saw all of us back then was very different. They marginalised us.”
Nick Giannopoulos. Picture: Jackson Finter.
Despite this, Nick went on to become one of Australia’s most-loved and successful comedians with an extensive film and TV repertoire including his first show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 1987, Wogs Out of Work; the TV sitcom, Acropolis Now; and now The Wog Boys franchise.
He says this success still surprises him to this day.
“Looking back on my life, I feel so lucky to have lived out my dreams,” Nick says.
But with that said, I just had to ask – what’s next for Nick? Can we expect a Wog Boys 4?
Nick with Sarah Roberts. Picture: Ray Messner.
“It’s always been up to the fans. As long as the fans still want me around, I love doing what I do. Having said that, what comes next? I don’t know because right now we’re all getting ready for the opening of this film.
“I’m really excited to be at the Enmore Theatre as well… Did you know Enmore used to show Greek movies in the 60s and 70s? So to go back and turn it into a cinema again, that’s really special to me. It’s kind of like coming full circle.
“I mean at the end of the day, the film is going to be my legacy. I want it to live on beyond me and to be there for future generations to show them a slice of our history that was entirely unique.”
Find out more details about the upcoming filmat wogboys.com.
Taxi licence holders across New South Wales will receive an additional $500 million in assistance payments as part of a comprehensive $645 million package to fully deregulate the industry and benefit customers long term.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said $145 million had already been paid out and additional payments would be made early next year, once legislation to remove taxi licence supply restrictions is passed in Parliament.
“This will create a level playing field across the sector, freeing the taxi industry to better compete, while driving improved and more innovative services for customers,” Mr Kean said.
“To help existing taxi licence holders adapt to these changes, the package will provide $100,000 for each eligible Sydney metro taxi licence up to six licences per owner. It will provide up to $130,000 for each taxi licence outside of Sydney with no cap on the number of licences per owner.”
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean.
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said he was proud to deliver a win for the taxi industry.
“I told the taxi industry that the NSW Government has their back and today is proof of that,” Mr Elliott said.
“Members of the taxi industry have suffered greatly over the past several years, financially and emotionally. I am pleased to see today that we have acted to support them by offering financial assistance which surpasses the package proposed to the industry in September last year.”
NSW Transport Minister David Elliott.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the taxi industry is vitally important in regional areas, where ride share services simply aren’t available like they are in the city.
“This financial assistance package will help the regional taxi industry move forward and build on its vital role in providing transport services across regional NSW,” Mr Farraway said.
“All eligible taxi licence holders should ensure their contact details are up to date with the Point to Point Transport Commissioner.”
The NSW Government has consulted closely with peak industry bodies like the NSW Taxi Council and A2B Services to develop the package.
(L-R) Craig Richards (VP TOSBA), Geoff Ferris (Chairman NSW Taxi Council), Martin Rogers (CEO NSW Taxi Council), Nick Abrahim (Deputy CEO NSW Taxi Council) at the NSW Premier’s office. Photo supplied.
Under the package, the $1 Passenger Service Levy (PSL) will be extended from 2026-27 to 2028-29. The amount of the PSL will not be changed.
This package will form part of the NSW Government’s total deregulation of the point-to-point industry. A Bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year and funds will be distributed next year.
More information about the scheme and who is eligible will be available here.
It took a dramatic penalty shootout to determine the Champion for the 2022 National Premier Leagues (NPL) Women’s NSW competition, as the Macarthur Rams defeated the Northern Tigers 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw following 120 minutes of football at Valentine Sports Park.
Morgan Aquino rightfully was handed the player of the game medal after an outstanding performance between the sticks for the Tigers, but it would not be enough as the Tigers fell once again to a penalty shootout in the grand final.
Despite immense pressure on the Tigers goal throughout the game, the side of Greek Australian Stephen Peters could not break the deadlock until the penalty shootout where Shamiran Khamis made the decisive save to bring the Championship to Lynwood Park.
The first half onslaught started from the Rams after only five minutes when Mel Caceres did well down the left by-line before cutting back for Leena Khamis who sent her effort over the bar from a good position.
The second half started with the Tigers coming out much better and almost taking the lead. Shadeene Evans let fly on the volley with her effort just going wide of the target.
The Macarthur Rams women’s team.
With 10 minutes to go the Rams thought they were in front. Fine work by Khamis inside the box saw her clip the ball to the far post for Laura Murtagh to volley toward goal, again, somehow Aquino kept it from crossing the line.
Unable to be separated and Aquino standing tall, the game moved into extra time. As legs tired, the first chance in extra time came courtesy of Hannah McNulty, but her shot went just over the bar.
McNulty then went close again, dribbling through three defenders and getting into the box before her legs gave way on her, missing the ball at the final moment.
It was the Tigers best patch of the game but were unable to capitalise as the match moved into a shootout.
Alex Huynh stepped up first and sent Aquino the wrong way. This was followed by McNulty and Holly Williams before Shadeene Evans sprayed her penalty wide of the goal, the Tigers first to blink.
Veteran Kylie Ledbrook then stepped up but Aquino read the shot and the Tigers had the chance to go level again.
Stephen Peters with a team player.
From there it seemed as though we’d go deep into the night as Izzy Gomez, Beth Gordon, Morgan Aquino, Madison McComasky, Maddie Bart and Leena Khamis all scored their penalties.
With the Rams in front 6-5 it was sudden death as Khamis saved from Abbey Green to secure the Championship for the Rams.
An emotional Stephen Peters was overwhelmed with everything that had taken place.
“How we don’t win that game in 90 minutes I don’t know,” Peters said.
“I thought we were brilliant from start to finish, the Tigers had a late flurry, I thought they had a better reaction after half time but the girls just got it inside (pounds heart) and the motivation was clear from the start.”
It was an extra special moment for two Rams legends as Kylie Ledbrook ended her playing career while long time club administrator Rob Laws also will be departing from his position.
Source: NPL NSW / NPL NSW Women’s Chief Writer and Commentator Nikola Pozder.
Yiannis Ploutarhos is set to return to Australia to perform alongside his children Katerina and Giorgos, this time with a one-night only concert at the Hellenic Club of Canberra at Woden on Sunday, October 9 at 7.30pm.
With a singing career spanning over 20 years, Ploutarhos’ voice is well known not only in Greece but around the world.
Ploutarhos has had a number of huge hits which resonate with different generations of Greeks and this new Canberra concert with his children brings the classics back with a fresh sound.
Songs like Ax Koritsi Mou, An Ise I Agapi, File, To Kalitero Paidi, To Gramma, Ti Stavro Kouvalao, Ipirhan Orki, Fovame Pos, Enas Theos, and Anasa Mou, will all be performed on the night.
The concert has been organised by the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
The President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra (GOCC), John Loukadellis, encourages people to visit Canberra for the concert as Ploutarhos won’t be performing in Sydney this year.
“This is our third singer in 15 months to visit Canberra and we can’t wait to enjoy a night of Greek music and dancing,” Mr Loukadellis told The Greek Herald.
“We want to continue bringing Greek performers to the ACT to keep the flame of Hellenism strong and proud.”
Tickets for the event are $165 per person including Mezethes or front row platinum tables of 10 including Mezethes are $2,250. You can book tickets here: https://bit.ly/3Bro9r9.
The Hellenic Museum in Melbourne is presenting Between East & West, a three-day celebration of Byzantine food and music from October 15–17 this year.
Across the three evenings, Between East and West will showcase the best of the Byzantine Empire through music, storytelling and culinary arts, brought to life in the Hellenic Museum courtyard.
The line-up of events includes a lavish five course gastronomic experience in collaboration with celebrated Melbourne restaurant Epocha; an exclusive Australian performance from acclaimed international artists Vassilis Tsabropoulos and Nektaria Karantzi; and a rare opportunity to be tutored by Nektaria Karantzi in a Byzantine music masterclass.
Mark your calendars, Hellenes and philhellenes. Between East and West will be a divine cornucopia of arts and culture that will saturate the senses and evoke the gilded glory of the Byzantine Empire.
Program of Events:
7PM Saturday 15 October| Dining Traditions: A Byzantine Banquetpresented by Epocha X Hellenic Museum
A feast of historical delicacies has been expertly curated to immerse guests in Byzantine grandeur, complete with emotive live entertainment from an angelic women’s choir.
This immersive culinary experience is the result of a creative partnership between Chef Petros Dellidis and partner Disa Dimitrakakis of the celebrated Melbourne restaurant Epocha, and Hellenic Museum CEO and Head of Curation, Sarah Craig.
Five indulgent courses have been designed around historic ingredients of the Byzantine era, including honey, pepper, garum, saffron and figs. In a theatrical immersion into their process, each course will be introduced by Sarah and a member of the Epocha team, exploring the hero ingredients’ historical provenance and how this history has been captured on the plate.
The evening will be complemented by a stirring performance from the Psaltries Choir of Melbourne – Psaltria being a revival of an ancient term for female chanters. This women’s choir will be led by Nektaria Karantzi, globally acclaimed vocalist and icon of the contemporary Byzantine music community.
7PM Sunday 16 October| Australian Exclusive Performance: International musicians Vassilis Tsabropoulos and Nektaria Karantzi present Between East and West
In an Australian exclusive, the Hellenic Museum brings internationally renowned Greek musicians Vassilis Tsabropoulos and Nektaria Karantzi to Melbourne for a one night only, live performance titled Between East and West.
Vassilis Tsabropoulos is a virtuoso pianist, composer and conductor. Nektaria Karantzi is a highly gifted vocalist known for sacred and Byzantine music. Together, they are an inspired musical marriage that results in a transfixing on-stage dialogue between Western musical culture and Eastern tradition.
Off the back of a successful European tour, they will travel from Greece exclusively for the Hellenic Museum’s Between East and West three-day celebration of Byzantine food and music. The two-hour live performance will fill the Museum’s courtyard pavilion with the mesmerising echoes of grand piano and voice, supported by the Holy Trinity Brunswick – Serbian Orthodox Church Choir.
An unmissable chance to hear these gifted international artists on Australian shores.
6.30PM Monday 17 October|Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music Masterclass with Nektaria Karantzi
A rare opportunity presents itself to learn from the world-leading vocalist, Byzantine Music professor and founder of the Worldwide Association of Women in Byzantine Music, Nektaria Karantzi.
Nektaria has run masterclasses at some of Europe’s most prestigious educational and music centres including the Liszt Academy of Hungary, the Sorbonne University in France and the University of Oviedo in Spain.
In an Australian first, she now brings her Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music Masterclass exclusively to Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum. The three-hour Masterclass has been designed by Nektaria to maximise learning for students of all abilities; from curious beginners to advanced Byzantine chanters.
Between East and West, a three-day celebration of Byzantine food and music will take place at the Hellenic Museum from 15–17 October 2022.
