French President, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife Brigitte will attend Greece’s annual celebrations on March 25 to commemorate the bicentennial of the country’s War of Independence in 1821, according to Ekathimerini.
As the anniversary coincides with the European Council meeting on March 25-26, it is expected that Macron will attend the celebrations in Athens and then fly to Brussels for the summit.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, had invited Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prince Charles to the celebrations in October last year, as representatives of the countries which fought against and defeated the Ottoman Navy in the Battle of Navarino on October 20 in 1827.
Since then, a Kremlin spokesman said that Putin has no plans to visit Athens, with Prince Charles’ response still uncertain.
The number of new recorded COVID-19 infections reported by the Greek health authorities continued to rise exponentially on Wednesday, reaching a new record for 2021 of 2,702.
The National Organisation for Public Health (EODY) also reported 40 new deaths over the last 24 hours with the total now reaching 6,597.
The numbers of intubated patients in ICUs increased slightly to 431. The average age of intubated patients is 68 years old, and 84,9% have an underlying condition and/or are aged over 70. From the beginning of the pandemic, over 1,376 patients have been successfully discharged from Greece’s ICUs.
There were 394 new Covid admissions in Greece’s hospital over the last 24 hours, a daily increase of 36,33%. The daily average of daily admissions over the last week has been 304 patients. ICU capacity for Covid cases is at 63,62%.
Attica, Greece’s most populous region, remains at the epicenter of the pandemic with 1,269 new cases. The healthcare system in the region is also under the most strain. The northern port city of Thessaloniki follows Attica in new cases with 314, and Achaia in the northwestern Peloponnese is third with 178.
Health authorities carried out 54,553 tests over the last 24 hours (24,435 PCR tests and 30,118 rapid antigen tests) with positive results on 4.95% of these tests.
Health Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, attributed the spike in infections to the spread of the coronavirus variant that first appeared in Britain.
New anti-virus measures announced:
In an address to the public on Wednesday, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection, Nikos Chardalias, announced a series of new coronavirus measures.
These new restrictions further limit the movement of Greeks as the country tries to suppress a rapidly increasing transmission rate amongst its citizens.
Since the beginning of the lockdown in November, Greeks have had to send an SMS to a toll-free number declaring their purpose for leaving the home.
The reasons for movement include exercise, shopping for essential items, going to the bank, helping someone in need, and going to the doctor or pharmacy.
From now on, in every region of the country, regardless of transmission risk, citizens leaving the home for essential purchases and bank transactions will be limited to establishments in their neighborhood within a 2-kilometer radius.
Additionally, those who go out for exercise must only do so on foot or on a bicycle. Therefore, those who drive to a certain area for exercise will be in violation of the new restrictions.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck central Greece on Wednesday, sending people rushing from their houses but drawing no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
One man was injured by falling debris and fire fighters had to rescue six people from collapsed houses in Mesochori, including a tetraplegic man, according to state-run broadcaster ERT.
The quake, which was felt across Greece and as far as the Balkans, struck close to Tyrnavos, a town about 230 km north of Athens, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
The USGS said the magnitude was 6.3, while the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) put it 6.2, revising earlier reports that suggested the tremor was as much as 6.9.
The Athens Geodynamic Institute reported that the quake struck 16 minutes after noon, at a depth of 10 kilometers. It was followed by three aftershocks measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale (12.19 pm), 4.2 (12.26 pm) and 4.9 (12.34 pm).
“I have never experienced anything like this before, I immediately left the house,” a citizen in Larissa region, in central Greece, told ERT state television.
Damage is seen on a house after an earthquake in Damasi village, central Greece, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras.
Nikos Gatsas, mayor of the town of Elassona which lies north of the epicenter, told ERT that walls of old houses had collapsed in nearby villages. One village school in Damasi had also sustained minor damage. All pupils had been evacuated from the building and there were no injuries.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, wrote on Twitter that he had contacted the Director of the primary school in Damasi, Grigoris Letsios, and thanked him for looking after the students.
“He and his colleagues, during the earthquake, evacuated the school with its 63 students in an exemplary manner. I congratulate them and thank them for their professionalism and composure,” Mitsotakis wrote.
Local residents gather at a soccer field after an earthquake in Damasi village, central Greece, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras.
Greek authorities activate earthquake plan:
Greece’s civil protection agency has activated its earthquake plan for addressing the consequences of earthquakes – dubbed Engelados.
The strategy means the fire department, Greek Police (ELAS), the ambulance service (EKAV), Special Disaster Unit (EMAK) and local health centers will remain on alert until the effects of the earthquake are evaluated.
A number of EMAK drones are flying over the affected area to map any landslides or building collapses.
Damage is seen on a church after an earthquake in Mesochori village, central Greece, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Vaggelis Kousioras.
Turkish Foreign Minister conveys solidarity over the phone to Greek counterpart:
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, called Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, on Wednesday to express his country’s solidarity to Greece following the strong tremor.
Cavusoglu also expressed his country’s readiness to offer support, if the need arose, it added.
Present during the conversation was also Georgia’s Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani, who also expressed his solidarity and support.
Two Victoria Police officers found guilty of unlawful assault for punching and hosing down a disabled pensioner have had their appeals thrown out in court, according to a 9News report.
Senior constables Brad McLeod and Florian Hilgart were found guilty last year of a collective four charges of unlawful assault for blasting the victim, John Goutzoulas with a hose, using capsicum spray and punching the pensioner outside his Preston home in September 2017.
The police members were conducting a welfare check on the man, who was 36 at the time and withdrawing from opiods, when the assault occurred.
The officers challenged the magistrate’s findings in the County Court today, but judge Claire Quin ruled the force they used was disproportionate and unnecessary, dismissing their appeals.
Victoria Police in a statement today said the officers were suspended with pay during their appeals but this position was now “being reviewed” by the force.
Last weekend was one of happy festivities as Greeks across Western Australia flocked to Perth to celebrate the annual Perth Glendi.
Presented By LiveLighter, the Glendi Festival, held on February 27 and 28, promised to feature mouth-watering traditional food, with a host of other incredible performers.
Event organiser Despene Kalaf, said the event was “a great success” and the organising committee was overwhelmed with the turnout on the two days.
“We’ve received wonderful feedback from everyone that attended and it’s always nice to see the regulars there and some new faces enjoying the best of our culture,” Kalaf said to The Greek Herald.
Committee members and volunteers of the Castellorizian Association of WA
“The variety of food went down like a treat. The dancing and the plate smashing was very much enjoyed by everyone as well.”
“We had a bit of audience participation, and that’s always very well received and there was plenty of atmosphere.”
In the weeks leading up to the festival, it was unknown whether restrictions in Western Australia would allow for audiences to dance along with the incredible performers. Luckily for guests, restrictions allowed for plenty of dancing, always with social distancing in place.
“Obviously this year we had the new venue and we had restrictions, but everything seemed to fall into place and really smoothly,” Kalaf added.
Photo (L): Mascot with Perth Glendi Committee Member, John and PHOTO (R): Opa dance group
“The audience were able to dance and we just had a bit of social distancing in place. So we didn’t have the dance floor cramped… we still had a large group, but it was not overly crowded.”
Thankful for the “beautiful weather” and with the event being held in a larger, new location, Kalaf said the Glendi was able to hold up to 7,000 guests, spread out across 4,000 on Saturday and 3,000 on Sunday.
This was the fourth year of operation for the festival and will look to continue in the following years.
With a sold-out lecture about the contribution of Greek Diaspora to the Revolution of 1821, held at the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne on Saturday February 27, Pammessinian Brotherhood ‘Papaflessas’ initiated a series of events to commemorate and celebrate the Greek War of Independence bicentenary.
Keynote speaker, sociologist Juliana Georgia Charpantidou, took the audience on a historic journey, unravelling the events that led to the Revolution of 1821, exploring the key personalities of the War and examining how the Greek Diaspora influenced and contributed to the liberation of the country.
The presentation for the evening was conducted by author and journalist Despina Meris.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Archdiocesan Vicar of the Northcote district Fr. Evmenio Vasilopoulos, Chair of the Victorian Greek National Day Council Tony Tsourdalakis and Victorian Senator Lee Tarlamis addressed the audience and the long list of attendees consisted of distinguished guests such as former State Minister John Pantazopoulos.
“The crucial contribution of Greek Diaspora to the Revolution of 1821 is an indisputable fact. In the prosperous Greek communities of Diaspora, the conditions were created for the development of the first nuclei of preparation for the Revolution.
“The trading networks in addition to financial transactions also served as conduits for ideological and cultural transformations. However, their contribution was not limited to ideological preparation but proceeded with financial support and eventually life sacrifice on the battlefields,” said Ms Charpantidou.
The evening concluded with a Cocktail party, mezze and music.
“With this event and the ones to follow, we want to celebrate our history and roots and invite all Hellenes and Philhellenes to participate,” said Denise Zapantis who together with Mary Tsaganis volunteer to coordinate the Brotherhood’s bicentennial events.
Ms Zapantis also praised young members and MCs for the evening Cali Gotsis and Taxia Tsaganis for their efforts and contribution.
*The Brotherhood’s next event, Conversation with Despina Meris, will take place on Sunday March 21st. Click here for bookings or more details.
With a well-attended online presentation held on Thursday, February 25, the Seventh International Summer University kicked off its annual conference, titled ‘Greek Language, Culture and Mass Media’ set to take place on the island of Hydra, in the flesh and on-line, from July 11 – July 14, 2021.
An initiative of the Department of Education of the Ioannina University in Greece in collaboration with Sydney’s Macquarie University Modern Greek Studies Program (Department of Mass Media, Communication, Fine Arts, Languages and Literature) and the participation of The Circle of Hellenic Academics in Boston, the International Summer University has become an institution with a vision to provide lifelong learning opportunities to undergraduate, postgraduate as well as doctoral students, teachers and professionals from around the world while educating them about the importance of Greek language and culture through lectures and activities.
Under the auspices of Hydra, as part of the island’s Greek Revolution bicentennial events and supported by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this year’s 4-day conference will explore ‘Language and Freedom of Expression’ through seven thematic axes.
Συμμετείχα στη διαδικτυακή συνέντευξη Τύπου για το 7ο Διεθνές Θερινό Παν/μιο (Ύδρα, 7-14.7.21) «ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΓΛΩΣΣΑ, ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΣ & ΜΜΕ» του Πανμίου Ιωαννίνων & για 1η φορά με τη συνδιοργάνωση & την αιγίδα της Γεν.Γραμμ.Δημ.Διπλωματίας & Απόδημου Ελληνισμού https://t.co/hOkIa01eBt
“It’s our honour to support Summer University for the first year, as participants and co organisers. It’s an initiative that places the Greek language in the epicentre as a tool of expression and reflection,” said Secretary General of Public Diplomacy and Hellenes Abroad, Giannis Chrysoulakis, addressing the attendees.
Among the key speakers were, Αcademic Director and Program coordinator Prof. Nikoletta Tsitsanoudi – Mallidi, Head of Mcquarie Uni Modern Greek Studies Program Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Deans and University Professors from Greece, Cyprus, America and Australia, media partners and supporters, between them Greek Studies Foundation President Theofilus Premetis.
Representing Sydney’s Mcquarie University, Dr Koromvokis conveyed congratulations to the program’s organisers on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University Professor S. Bruce Dowton, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities (Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts), Professor Martina Möllering, who expressed their gratitude for such initiatives “that are creative bridges” between some of the world’s renowned universities.
The presentation concluded with an inspiring quote from Prof. Tsitsanoudi – Mallidi.
“If we don’t involve young people in beautiful things; they will never become more beautiful,” she stated.
*For expressions of interest and more information please contact Head of Mcquarie Uni Modern Greek Studies Program, Dr Patricia Koromvokis on patricia.koromvokis@mq.edu.au or Prof. Tsitsanoudi – Mallidi on nitsi@uoi.gr
Seventh International Summer University is an initiative proudly supported by The Greek Herald
Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his impressive start to 2021 on Tuesday with a 7-6(4), 7-5 victory against Egor Gerasimov in the first round of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.
The second seed remained calm throughout the one-hour, 54-minute match, battling through the Belarusian’s hot patches to make the second round in Rotterdam for the second consecutive year.
“I had to play more consistently and also what I increased in the [key] moments was the speed of my ball, which felt kind of floppy before. He had a solid game, he was serving well at times. He wasn’t missing a lot, so it was difficult,” Tsitsipas said. “I think once I put in my head that I needed to fight and I [couldn’t] take [any] single moment for granted, things changed and I felt the confidence.”
Tsitsipas will next play Hubert Hurkacz, who defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-6(6) earlier in the day. The second seed leads the Polish No. 1 5-1 in their ATP Head2Head series, in which their past four meetings have gone to a deciding set.
Residents are demanding a western Sydney Mayor be sacked over “racist” and “offensive” comments, according to The Daily Telegraph.
However, Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou has called the petition with almost 11,000 signatures “insulting”.
The petition on change.org, which started almost one month ago, was created by a local Muslim woman who said she was “hurt and upset” after public statements were made by Clr Christou over a Cumberland mosque rejection.
In January, plans for a mosque in Factory St, Granville were dumped after Cumberland Council won an appeal against the development in the Land and Environment Court, arguing that the residents would be exposed to unreasonable noise and traffic.
On January 19, Clr Christou called the rejection for the 300-worshipper mosque a “fantastic win” on social media, and issued a press release that said the rejection “serves the greater betterment for the Granville community”.
The post received much scrutiny, with some calling his words “a disgrace” on social media.
He later told SBS Arabic24 he should have worded the Facebook post “better” and that he would help them find an alternative location for the mosque “that works well for everybody”.
The petition also cites Clr Christou’s criticism of a State Government coronavirus-exemption for Eid-al-Adha prayers organised for up to 400 people at the Auburn Gallipoli mosque in August last year.
People have commented on the petition, calling his behaviour “disgraceful”, “causing divide” among the Muslim community and “insulting the people”.
But the mayor said the petition was “grossly incorrect”.
The ‘Greece 2021’ committee on the bicentennial of the declaration of the Greek War of Independence announced on Monday they would donate 18 intensive care unit beds to the National Healthcare System.
The acquisition of the beds followed a tender for suppliers who are active in the field of ICU supplies and have proven experience and reputation in their field, the committee explained.
The donated ICUs are mobile and can be installed in containers or transferred to other hospitals in case of emergency.
President of the ‘Greece 2021’ Commitee, Angelopoulos-Daskalakis said the new ICUs will be delivered fully functioning, to immediately support the national health system and explained that the Committee will strive to use “every euro” of the money donated through their events and initiatives, for the common good.
Ministers of Health Vassilis Kikilias and Environment Costas Skrekas, have announced that the mobile ICU beds will be placed at Thessaloniki’s Papanikolaou Hospital.
In a video conference on Monday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that the end of the pandemic crisis was now in sight and pointed out that vaccinations in Greece will soon exceed the one-million mark.
While acknowledging that the health system -especially in Attica- is under pressure and people fatigued from the ongoing lockdown, he appeared confident that the situation is being handled well.
