Speaking with Skai TV, Greece’s minister for Development and Investments, Adonis Georgiadis, said construction of the 200-metre ‘The Riviera Tower’ is expected to begin in a few weeks.
The Riviera Tower, which will be the tallest building in Greece, will be erected by Lamda Development as part of its $11.5 bn (AUD) ‘The Ellinikon’ development.
The Ellinikon is a planned city of 2.3 square miles on the outskirts of Athens situated between Mount Hymettus and the beaches of the Athenian Riviera.
The project takes its name from the former Hellinikon Airport on which it is located and will see the former international airfield transformed into several distinct communities, each with its own character.
Artist’s impression of The Ellinikon Development by night.
Construction began in July last year, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the time hailing it “possibly the largest project in the Mediterranean.”
The entire development is expected to be twice the size of New York’s Central Park and three times the size of Monaco, with the first phase set for completion in 2026.
The Ellinikon is expected to bring a much-needed boost to Greece’s economy, with Lamda anticipating the development will provide 75,000 jobs and contribute 2.5% to Greece’s GDP.
Artist’s impression of The Ellinikon, Greece’s largest urban regeneration project.
W Hotels is making its entrance into Greece for the first time with the opening of the W Costa Navarino in the Navarino Waterfront resort in the Messinia Region of Greece, roughly a 40 minute drive from Kalamata Airport.
The new 13-hectare beachfront property opened on August 11 with accommodation including the Fabulous Infinity Swim Up rooms, which offer direct access to one of the pools, and the Spectacular Panorama rooms.
Greek architects Tombazis and Associates used natural materials such as stone, wood and reed in the production of the property all while using weaving in elements that are inspired by the region’s traditional architecture.
The resort offers multiple dining options such as Platia, which is the hotel’s take on a local Greek deli food market, serving food and drinks throughout the day.
Drinks can be found at the various bars located on the resort such as The Between bar which is designed to be visited at sunset, with cocktails and a predominantly raw dinner offering live DJ performances, and the brands signature W Lounge which is open all day.
Greece’s Ministry of Culture and Sports has announced a new budget for the further protection and exploitation of the cultural heritage of the medieval city of Rhodes.
The plans will go ahead with the Integrated Strategic Plan for the promotion of the archelogoical site of the Palace of the Grand Master.
The project is being implemented by the services of the Ministry of Education and Culture with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, with a budget of 4,500,000 euros.
Culture and Sports Minister, Lina Mendoni, affirmed her support for the project saying that the project of preserving the medieval city will benefit not only Rhodes, but Greece in general.
“The medieval city of Rhodes is a huge comparative advantage for Rhodes, the Dodecanese, and Greece in general,” says the Minister.
“Our goal is, with the integrated design, to highlight the archaeological site of ‘Perivola’, included in the UNESCO zone, and to connect the ancient building remains of the dock with the medieval gardens of the Castello, creating a new single timeless historical monumental core, in the medieval city.”
Last week we analyzed the main causes that led to the Ecclesiastical Division in Australia. We argued that after 1957, the second phase of division began, which culminated in 1960 with the excommunication of the rulers of the historical communities of Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle by the fourth Metropolitan/Archbishop Ezekiel Tsoukalas, a strictly theocentric and royalist Hierarch with high ecclesiastical morale and conscience.
The cause of the long-standing division this time was the systematic attempt to reconstruct the formation and constitution of Hellenism of Australia. Until 1957, the social and political organization of Hellenism was based on the operation of the Historical Communities, one in each state capital of the Australian Commonwealth. Until then these Historical (non-geographic) Communities, one each in every State, were responsible for Greek-language education and the ethno-religious preservation of Hellenism. Under the pretext of the mass arrival of Greek settlers in Australia after 1952, following the Bilateral Greece-Australia Migration Agreement, the ecclesiastic-centered system of Greek Community organization was introduced. The new policy aimed, in essence, at removing power and political power from the secular and democratically elected historical communities and replacing them with Ecclesiastical Communities in every regional or urban region with some solid number of Greek settlers. These new Ecclesiastical Communities, the foundation of which was blessed by the Archdiocese, were also administered by “democratically” elected community rulers, whose candidacy and election, however, had to have the approval and the final endorsement of Archbishop. According to historical documents, the candidates who would run the new Communities, which the old Communitarians called “offshoots”, were not to be Communists, or anti-Ecclesiastic and anti-Orthodox in their sentiments. They also ought to be likeable to the Church and its principles, nationalists in their aspirations, loyal patriots and godly. With the new system of social and political organization the old historical communities were weakened. They lost their catholic role and jurisdiction, limited their ambitions and responsibilities, and shared socio-cultural and political power with the Ecclesiastic Communities as “first among equals.”
The fourth Archbishop, Cretan Stylianos Charkianakis, a capable and erudite leader, but a furious, highly irritable person, impetuous and extroverted, maintained and developed the Ecclesiastical Division. His aim had been to completely eradicate the Ecclesiastic Communities, levelling them to the status of parishes and restrict the power of the Historical Communities. Archbishop Stylianos, planned and implemented the third and final phase of the organization of Hellenism, essentially refuting the role of Ecclesiastical Communities and establishing the genesis of an unnecessary plethora of local parishes. This move abolished any notion of democratic claim to power. He established the “appointment of community administrations” as an act of regulation. He leveled economically the Ecclesiastical Communities by establishing within their administrative boundaries, new Orthodox Parish Churches at a short distance in which His Assistant Bishops often officiated, so that the congregations could indirectly secede from the ecclesiastical communities. Over the years, the latter, seriously weakened and eroded, and by decisions of their “General Assemblies”, finally decided to surround their “authority” converting their Communities into Parishes.
Under Archbishop Charkianakis’ deleterious rule parishioner transubstantiation has been universal, with all that this entails. Those who dared to disagree, as is the case in the hierarchical institutions (such as the Roman Catholic Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) were karatomized, repulsed and isolated; secular leaders, intellectuals, university teachers, people of art were labeled persona non grata and marginalized; those of his associates Episcopes and High Priests who challenged his authority (Panteleimon Sklavos, Aristarchos Mavrakis, Pavlos Laios, Seraphim Mentzelopoulos) were exiled or were forced to seek protective asylum in other Churches or under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Those priests who put forward moral foundations and disagreed were arbitrarily labeled as rebels, schismatics, and heretics. His henchmen, who raised their heads, were exiled to Europe and the USA, and married priests and their families were persecuted and deported because they resisted him. Psychological violence and coercion were the main weapons of this hierarch, who even though spiritually led the Hellenism of Australia for more than forty years, failed to visit a university institution where the Greek language, History and Culture was taught to offer his love and the blessing of the Church.
However, he himself stood particularly scathing towards his chief Authority. He publicly accused the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of a “traitor”, “weak” and “cowardly”, leading with his behavior the Greek Orthodox Church to a regime of harsh communion with the Center of Orthodoxy for years. Letters addressed to him by the Ecumenical Throne were returned as never delivered. Systematically avoided any commutation with his spiritual Leader, the Patriarch, provoking and harassing Him and the Holy Synod, that if they would dare to remove him from the See of Australia, he will publish the Documents of Pain (Κείμενα της Οδύνης), against the Patriarch. His guerrilla tactics were ruthlessly maintained until his biological exodus, in 2019.
During his long and pernicious pastorship, the Ecclesiastical Division took on the dimensions of a national tragedy. Archbishop Stylianos claimed the role and authority of an Ethnarch. He engaged against the national representatives, publicly insulting Ambassadors and Consuls General, claiming that he and only he represents the Hellenism of Australia. He proclaimed his belief that he had been the Ethnarch of Hellenism. In a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, he asked for the protection of the Australian Government against the “intrusion” of the “foreign” Greek Government into the events of Australia (in the case of SAE). It was apparent that ecclesiastic and national division had now overcome the ecclesiastical problem. It turned into a national aberration and tragedy.
With the arrival of the fifth Archbishop, Makarios Griniezakis, the first conscious attempt is being undertaken to overcome the sufferings of the past dissensions. His view that unity and prudence should prevail over personal antagonisms has been put forward with sincere intent. The Greek Archdiocese under Makarios extended a hand of friendship and reconciliation to those rivals of his predecessor. There have also been some timid reforms. Some sensible changes towards improving inter-communal relations were attempted. From the pulpit, voices of brotherhood, of peaceful coexistence, were heard. “I am solely interested in the preservation of our language, our faith and the exaltation of our Greece,” he argued. Archbishop Makarios is young, enthusiastic, has a vision and an eagerness for action. History awaits him at the end of the road to judge him.
*Professor Anastasios M. Tamis taught at Universities in Australia and abroad, was the creator and founding director of the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora and is currently the President of the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS).
French President Emmanuel Macron has thanked Greece alongside four other European nations for assisting them to battle the wildfires currently ravaging France.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, President Macron wrote: “Germany, Greece, Poland, and in the next few hours Romania and Austria: our partners are coming to the aid of France in the face of the fires. Thanks to them. European solidarity is at work!”
L’Allemagne, la Grèce, la Pologne, et dans les prochaines heures la Roumanie et l’Autriche : nos partenaires viennent en aide à la France face aux incendies. Merci à eux. La solidarité européenne est à l’œuvre !
Greece’s assistance comes as France, not dissimilar to the rest of Europe, has been struggling through successive heatwaves and its worst drought on record. Presently, dozens of wildfires are ablaze across the country, including at least eight categorised as “major”.
Overnight wildfires tore through the southwestern region of Gironde, where homes were destroyed and 10,000 residents were evacuated, Reuters reported.
Skies darkened by the smoke billowing from forest fires were seen across France's Gironde region as massive wildfires continued to rage. The fires have razed about 6,200 hectares, and have now crossed in the neighboring Landes region https://t.co/ahyVz6SO8Npic.twitter.com/RvZGw4LIgE
Destroying an estimated 6,200 hectares, the Gironde fires have crossed into the neighbouring Landes region.
According to data from the European Forest Fire Information System, over 57,000 hectares have burned so far in France this year, nearly six times the full year average for 2006-2021.
The awards showcase the critical importance of science, research and innovation to the development of industry and society as a whole and provide an opportunity to recognise the work of inspiring Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) leaders and teams working in research and education institutions, schools, industry and the community.
“It is rewarding, humbling and I feel like I am already a winner by being a finalist,” internationally recognised researcher and Deputy Director at SAHMRI, Professor Maria Makrides told The Greek Herald.
Makrides is a finalist in the Scientist of the Year category.
SAHMRI congratulates Deputy Director Prof Maria Makrides and @BeWellCo_'s Be Well Lab being named as 2022 SA South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation finalists!
“To have the work my team and I have done over the last 20 odd years recognised is great,” she said.
The Greek Australian heads one of the premier research centres at the forefront of mother-infant nutrition research in the world, leading a large, multidisciplinary team of more than 70 staff and students.
“I’ve always been interested in science. Originally, I did a science degree in Melbourne and I came to Adelaide to do nutrition and dietetics. From there, I recognised that I was most interested in nutritional research and in finding better ways to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies through nutrition,” she said.
Professor Makrides and her team led the clinical studies that have changed the composition of infant formulae, changed international food laws, updated infant feeding guidelines to introduce allergenic foods (such as eggs and peanuts), and established specific nutrient recommendations for pregnancy and infancy worldwide.
Professor Maria Makrides holding the secret to fewer prem babies. Photo via The Advertiser
“The work we are doing now has really highlighted that for some women who are low in Omega-3 fatty acids we can actually reduce the risk of them having a premature baby by supplementing those fatty acids.
“At the moment, in South Australia we’ve got a state wide program to evaluate if we can see the same effects that we have seen in our clinical trials in the community, by adding an Omega-3 test to the usual pregnancy tests that happen in the first trimester.”
And has her background influenced her research?
“If you are thinking about the Mediterranean diet, you can certainly achieve a good state of Omega-3 sufficiency without supplements,” she said.
Asked about her advice for young scientists, she said it’s all about persistence and not giving up or compromising on the quality of work even when things get tough.
“Finding a way to maintain the quality of science is really important, because in the end this is what’s going to give us the most truthful result and have the biggest impact.”
CMBD SA Science Awards Team. Left to right, Leo Lin (industry partner), Prof Chris Franco, Peng Su, Niki Sperou, Prof Wei Zhang (CMBD Flinders University)
Artist Niki Sperou and the team at the Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development, led by Professor Wei Zhang, are also finalists for the second year in the Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration category.
The team use resources found in the ocean and transform them into new products such as medicines, biodegradable plastics, bio inks, nutrition drinks, and eco-friendly fertilisers. Using “green Chemistry”, they refine the manufacturing process to reduce waste, energy use, and the need for harmful chemicals.
In a previous interview Ms Sperou had said that her Greek language skills are useful in the lab while she often uses philosophy and mythology to explain science.
CMBD is embarking on the next stage of their mission, leading a new $270 million Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre that is expected to create over 26,000 new jobs and generate $8.6 billion for the Australian economy.
The winners will be announced at the Award celebration on 25 November.
South Sydney Rabbitohs halfback, Lachlan Ilias, wants to honour his late pappou when he plays for Greece’s national men’s team in the Rugby League World Cup this year.
“[My pappou] is the reason why we’re here in Australia so I’m really looking forward to representing him and my family,” Ilias said in the interview.
“Playing for Greece will be one of my greatest football moments yet I think.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs halfback, Lachlan Ilias.
The Greek national team is made up of five Australian NRL players, including Ilias, Peter Mamouzelos, and Nicholas Mougios from the Rabbitohs, as well as some players from the Australian junior league and eight domestic players from Greece.
They’re all set to play their first match against France on October 17 this year at Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster, UK, followed by matches against Samoa and England on October 23 and October 29 respectively.
Steve Georgallis coaching the Greek national rugby league team.
Ilias said he’s looking forward to the matches and he couldn’t be prouder of being Greek.
“It’s an honour being Greek and I’m really looking forward to representing Greece and my ‘pappou’ (grandfather) in the World Cup,” he said.
After five star reviews at the Adelaide Fringe Festival with her show Safety Banana, Jacinda Patty is bringing her hit new show Tinder Cindyto the Sydney Fringe Festival for the very first time.
It’s a one-woman show like no other. Performed and produced by quadruple threat Jacinda Patty – that’s circus, singing, acting and dancing. This sequel to Safety Banana (which looked at Cindy’s overseas dating exploits) takes a step back in time to the late 1940’s with insights into dating both then and now.
This hilarious yet heartwarming comedy looks at our current Tinder culture and contrasts it with life in the 1940s, all while tying it up with Greek culture and the paradigm between adventure and stability.
Starting out with a bamboozled Cindy who has been stood up at a roller skating rink, this interactive show is for anyone who’s been stood up, who’s struggled on Tinder and who thinks the older generations had it easier.
At the heart of the show is Cindy’s Yiayia, who shares her tales and tribulations of dating in the 1940s. The ladies uncover that both then and now it’s not an easy road but packaged up with so many twists and turns you won’t see coming, and with a key message that self love is the best love.
“I am so excited to be bringing Tinder Cindy to Sydney audiences. It’s my hometown so you better get your tickets quickly, as my big Greek family is so big they’ll more than fill up the auditorium,” Jacinda says.
“I think we can all relate to Tinder culture, and we all have dating disaster stories, although Cindy’s may make you feel just that little bit better about your own!”
Jacinda’s desire to produce originated from her expertise and experience of a fusion of art forms including dance, theatre, music and circus. Her premier show Boxed In Sideways was launched at the 2018 award winning venue The Melba Hub. She has just wrapped up Safety Banana in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2021 and has also performed at Adelaide Fringe Festival.
The former New South Wales Building Commissioner, David Chandler, raised concerns in his resignation letter about the relationship between sacked fair trading minister, Eleni Petinos, and a major property developer that hired John Barilaro after he quit parliament.
The resignation letter sent by Chandler last month was released through parliament on Thursday.
According to The Guardian, the letter reveals Chandler raised concerns about what he described as “the advised relationship” between Ms Petinos and developer Coronation Property.
In the letter, Chandler says his concerns “crystallised” after he issued a stop-work order on a 790-apartment development in Merrylands owned by Coronation earlier this year.
An artist’s impression of the Coronation Property high-rise development at Merrylands.
The letter confirms Chandler was contacted by both Petinos’ office and Barilaro, who had by that stage left politics, shortly after the order was issued.
The building commissioner said he subsequently met with Mr Barilaro to answer his questions.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that Mr Barilaro also met with Ms Petinos in the weeks before the stop-work order was lifted on July 4, 2022.
Eleni Petinos was sacked last month.
Giving evidence at a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, Mr Barilaro said he was no longer employed by Coronation at the time of the meeting which was to celebrate his appointment as NSW trade commissioner in New York.
Professor James Arvanitakis has been appointed the new Director of the Forrest Research Foundation in Western Australia (WA), according to a media release.
The foundation supports a community of exceptional scholars undertake ground-breaking doctoral and postdoctoral research.
It provides scholarships and fellowships to outstanding intellects from around the world to conduct research at one of WA’s five universities – UWA, Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and University of Notre Dame.
Professor Arvanitakis was the former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) at Western Sydney University, Principal Consultant at the Astrolabe Group, and Executive Director of Fulbright Australia.
Some exciting news: I have been appointed the new Director at the @ForrestResearch – starting in September and relocating to #Perth… massive new adventure and excited about joining the amazing team and scholars there https://t.co/eZ31Yl1bwH
After a successful career in finance and human rights, he has worked with universities for more than 15 years establishing innovative education and research programs.
In addition to this, he has a regular segment on ABC News 24 discussing complex and controversial issues, has published over 100 articles, and is an award-winning educator and researcher.
In a post on Twitter, Professor Arvanitakis said he is excited to move to Perth to take on the new role and join “the amazing team and scholars” at the foundation.
Forrest Research Foundation co-founder, Nicola Forrest AO, is also thrilled Professor Arvanitakis is coming on board.
Professor James Arvanitakis has become the new Director of the Forrest Research Foundation.
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Arvanitakis to Forrest Research Foundation,” Mrs Forrest said.
“Western Australia deserves a world-class research community, to tackle global challenges and push us forward as a society. We are looking forward to working alongside Professor Arvanitakis to help make our State the destination for the world’s best and brightest researchers.”
UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amit Chakma, said that thanks to the generosity of Andrew and Nicola Forrest and the Minderoo Foundation, the Forrest Research Foundation worked with the scholars and fellows to build a dynamic research and academic community in WA.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Arvanitakis to the Foundation and UWA in September and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Professor Paul Johnson for his valuable contributions to the Forrest Research Foundation over the past five years,” Professor Chakma said.
