Tsiknopempti is part of the traditional celebrations of Apokries – the Greek carnival season.
The celebration, which is also known as Charred or Smoky Thursday, is one of the last days where Greek Orthodox faithful are allowed to eat meat before they begin their Lenten fast for Easter.
Origins:
The name ‘Tsiknopempti’ originated from the fact that on that particular day, in many places around Greece, people would melt the fat from pigs while groups gathered in homes to barbecue meat.
Souvlakia are a favourite for Tsiknopempti.
The widespread smell of burning meat from any household which could afford meat, led to the naming of the day ‘Tsiknopempti.’
The custom itself is said to originate as far back as the Bacchanalian feasts of the ancient Greeks and Romans, which survived with only a few changes until Christian times.
How do people celebrate?
Aside from barbecuing meat, people also dress up and have some fun with their neighbours.
Tsiknopempti occurs during Apokries.
In the villages, people walk around in groups from house to house, knocking on doors and asking for a treat and some wine, which were both consumed on the road.
The custom also included some “minor damage” to the outside of houses, as people would knock down flower pots to spill the dirt. They would then smear their faces with the dirt and party on until the next morning.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, paid an official visit to Romania on Wednesday and met with the country’s Prime Minister and President to discuss bilateral relations and the current Ukraine-Russia crisis.
In his separate meetings with Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, Mitsotakis discussed how to strengthen cooperation between Greece and Romania in the areas of economy and energy.
Με τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ρουμανίας, Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă, συζητήσαμε για την περαιτέρω αναβάθμιση και ενίσχυση των διμερών σχέσεων και της διμερούς συνεργασίας, ιδιαίτερα στους τομείς της οικονομίας, του εμπορίου, της ενέργειας, του τουρισμού και της άμυνας. https://t.co/UF4Rg3QJg6pic.twitter.com/RbW6gM0QD5
Mitsotakis outlined ways to increase and expand the Greek business presence in Romania and to promote bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries.
The two countries’ shared perception of major European and international issues was also confirmed, while the leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in Ukraine.
Later, the Greek PM visited the Greek Embassy in Bucharest and met with the Greek-Romanian Chamber of Commerce.
Στη σημερινή συνάντηση με τον Πρόεδρο της Ρουμανίας, Klaus Iohannis, συζητήσαμε για την περαιτέρω διεύρυνση και εμβάθυνση των διμερών σχέσεων Ελλάδας-Ρουμανίας, με έμφαση στην οικονομία και στην ενέργεια, αλλά και για τις εξελίξεις στην Ουκρανία. https://t.co/l8yy0GllVkpic.twitter.com/DmBxEfL5lF
Discussing the events in Ukraine, Mitsotakis said that it was an issue of concern to all but especially Romania, which neighbours Ukraine.
“It also concerns the entire world, however, because no change in borders through violence can be tolerated, even more so by a country that has placed international law at the centre of its foreign policy,” Mitsotakis said.
Rescue crews on Wednesday recovered a second body from a ferry that caught fire while sailing from Greece to Italy last week, Greek authorities said.
The man, whose identity could not be immediately confirmed, was among 10 passengers who had still been listed as missing.
The smouldering hulk of the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia was towed to the mainland port of Astakos in western Greece on Wednesday to facilitate further search and rescue operations onboard.
The Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia was towed to the mainland port of Astakos.
A 64-strong team of firefighters have been sent to Astakos to help with the operation. Their first task is to remove some trucks for easier access in the search for the nine passengers still unaccounted for.
The ferry was carrying at least 292 passengers and crew when it caught fire on Friday, three hours after it left the northwestern Greek port of Igoumenitsa for Brindisi in Italy.
A total of 281 people were safely evacuated, while the body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship on Sunday.
Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has expressed her support for the Greek diaspora in Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia over the last few days.
In a post on Facebook, Sakellaropoulou wrote that Greece’s “thoughts are on the Greek communities of Ukraine,” which include those “cities and villages where our language is still heard, the schools where lessons are taught under the Greek flag, and the expatriates of all ages who keep alive in their hearts the bond with their Greek roots.”
The female President then gave a number of examples to stress the continued resistance of the Greek diaspora in Ukraine despite constant tensions with Russia.
“The proud spirit of our expatriates, as expressed in their thousand-year presence in the region of Ukraine, remains strong during these difficult times. We honour their strength, we are close to them and we support them,” Sakellaropoulou concluded.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to rise. Photo: AFP.
This statement comes after a tumultuous 24 hours in which Russia mobilised its tanks and artillery into east Ukraine and Western nations, including Australia, hit back with unprecedented sanctions, travel bans and restrictions.
Amid these rising tensions, Greece has also made plans for additional gas supply with government spokesman, Giannis Oikonomou, confirming the news on state television on Wednesday.
Mr Oikonomou said that Greece will try to get as much gas as it can via a pipeline which runs from Azerbaijan to Italy.
On Thursday, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) launched a new advertising campaign showcasing Greece’s national treasures as the perfect weekend getaway – well in their words, a ‘Greekend.’
As a part of this new campaign, Athens and Thessaloniki are promoted as ideal destinations with good weather and easy flight connections. The campaign highlights the many offerings of both cities from the local cuisine to the art galleries and shopping destinations.
Athens Monastirki Centre (left), Thessaloniki by the water (right)
Greek Tourism Minister, Vasilis Kikilas, told Ekathimerini: “Hotels in our cities, particularly Athens and Thessaloniki, have suffered due to the pandemic. This campaign is the first in a series of initiatives we will carry out, inviting visitors to safely enjoy an authentic Greek weekend in our largest cities.”
EOT General Secretary, Dimitris Fragakis, added: “The pandemic has negatively impacted urban tourism. In many cases, disproportionately to our other tourist destinations.”
Navaiyo, Zakynthos.
“The Greekend campaign seeks to promote a complete tourist product, one that is equal to other established European weekend destinations,” Mr Fragakis added.
The campaign is due to run for two months and in ten countries including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Israel.
Young students from SOFIA UNSW and Hellsoc UNSW teamed up on Tuesday to create thoughtful and creative cards for young patients at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
50 cards in total were created on the day in the bright colours of yellow, green, pink and blue, and every single one had affirmational messages such as “You are a hero” and “Get well soon.”
Associate Professor Socrates Dokos from the UNSW School of Biomedical Engineering also contributed to the initiative with his own card.
The President of SOFIA UNSW, Maria Papadopoulos, tells The Greek Herald that members of the Orthodox Christian fellowship decided to make these cards because many have had personal experiences with sick kids in hospital.
“Some friends that we know work at Sydney Children’s Hospital and they’ve shared some stories about the kids and we were really moved,” Ms Papadopoulos says.
“A lot of us also work in occupational therapy or physio and some of us are medical students, so we’re just really interested in helping out kids and of course, they’re little heartthrobs.”
This help has not gone unnoticed.
Community Relations Officer at the Hospital, Jessica Cooper, tells The Greek Herald they are “always so grateful to the community for their support of our patients and their families.”
“The card making event organised by UNSW SOFIA and Hellsoc UNSW is such a thoughtful gesture and we’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this project,” Ms Cooper concludes.
“These cards will definitely help bring some extra happiness to those visiting the Hospital.”
Demi Georgiou has won the Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA) and Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation (CRF) PhD Excellence Award for 2022.
Georgiou is a PhD candidate within Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University.
Her research project, ‘Elucidating the biological importance of Pregnancy Zone Protein (PZP),’ will provide much needed insight into the functions of PZP, a major pregnancy-associated protein.
Georgiou is a PhD candidate at Flinders University.
The project will also increase our understanding of the role of damaged proteins in Preeclampsia, a leading cause of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality.
After the award announcement, Georgiou said she was “incredibly honoured and grateful” to have won.
“This award will support me in my research and the knowledge gained from my project has the potential to be used as the foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies for preeclampsia,” she added.
Georgiou’s project was one of two to win the PhD Excellence Award, with Joshua Robinson from the Adelaide Medical School at The University of Adelaide also being recognised for his work on the impact of asthma during pregnancy.
Each winner will now receive $5,000 per annum for three years to augment their scholarships.
Professor Tim Parkin from the University of Melbourne will present a lecture entitled ‘Ancient advice on when to marry and have children,’ on Thursday, 3 March 2022, 7pm, at the Greek Centre, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne.
In his lecture, Professor Parkin asks, ‘What’s the best age to get married?’ and ‘When should I have children?’ by looking at ancient Greek (and a few Roman) opinions.
Greek Centre in Melbourne
As one might expect, there is no single answer so Professor Parkin also takes into consideration what motivates different people (especially Aristotle) to come up with the answers they do.
Who is Professor Parkin?
Professor Tim Parkin joined the University of Melbourne in 2018 as the inaugural Elizabeth and James Tatoulis Chair in Classics. Tim is a New Zealander by birth who was awarded a D.Phil. at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and who, since 1989, has worked in universities in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
One of Tim Parkin’s published books.
Tim’s teaching covers both ancient history and classical languages. His main research is in Roman social, cultural, legal, and demographic history.
Among Tim’s publications are Demography and Roman Society (1992), Old Age in the Roman World: A Social and Cultural History (2003), Roman Social History: A Sourcebook (2007), and The Oxford Handbook of Childhood and Education in the Classical World (2014). He is currently working on a book on ancient sexual health and is co-editing a six-volume world history of old age.
Event Details:
When: Thursday, 3 March 2022, 7pm.
Where: Greek Centre (Mez, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne).
More information: 9662 2722 or info@greekcommunity.com.au
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis made waves at this year’s Australian Open when they walked away with a title in only their fourth grand slam together. The duo, known famously as the “Special Ks,” spoke about their friendship during an interview with Stellar.
The pair caught up with each other after their first Grand Slam victory for another milestone event, a joint photoshoot. Although some might say one achievement outweighs the other, Nick Kyrgios tells Stellar: “My perspective on life is I don’t take anything for granted.”
“We don’t have to say much. We just know“:
Kokkinakis recalls the tournament in Canberra that he met Kyrgios at: “I saw this big boy play, and his dad was wearing all [Michael] Jordan gear, and I thought, this is my type of guy.”
Their love for the game, mutual outside hobbies and their Greek heritage laid the foundation for a friendship that has seen them both through the highs and lows of a career in sport and the spotlight.
“I don’t really click that well with too many other Australian tennis players; not that I don’t necessarily like them,” Kyrgios says in the Stellar interview.
“I just don’t get along with them as well. But with Kokk, its easy. We don’t have to say much. We just know.
“I always feel comfortable opening up to him and telling him if I’m struggling. I don’t do that often. I don’t like telling people who I don’t trust.”
When asked about their tennis future, Kyrgios confidently admits: “We are changing the game of tennis, and I think Thanasi has realised he’s part of that too. He’s one of the select few players who can do it.”
By Georgia Pandelios, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Owner at Nutrition Prescription.
Cholesterol is one of those things about health that most people, if not everyone, will have heard of in their lifetime. It’s so common that 1 in 3 Australian adults have high total cholesterol levels and / or high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Although cholesterol is essential to bodily processes like making hormones and creating new cells, when we have high levels of LDL cholesterol, a build up of plaque can occur in our arteries – making it difficult for blood to flow. Eventually, this can lead to blockages that result in heart attacks or strokes. Fortunately, we also have something called HDL (good) cholesterol. HDL actually helps with removing LDL from the arteries, therefore reducing the risk of plaques forming.
Can diet help improve cholesterol levels?
Hippocrates “let food be thy medicine” comes to mind. Essentially, sufficient intake of good fats in our diet will benefit our good cholesterol, whilst consuming bad fats influence the bad cholesterol.
Our healthy fats include those unsaturated (mono and poly) fats that are found in nuts, seeds, olive oil and oily fish. Whilst our bad fats (saturated and trans fats) are found in fatty meats, processed foods, takeaway, full fat dairy palm oil and coconut oil.
There is also dietary cholesterol found in eggs, crustaceans and offal (e.g. liver). The reality is there is some fear around eating these foods because of past misinformation advertised. Unlike saturated fat, these don’t have a significant impact on our LDL cholesterol levels, so please enjoy these as part of a balanced diet.
The matrix of digestion is a bit more complicated, and things like fibre and natural plant chemicals actually interact with LDL cholesterol – helping to reduce it further. These include wholegrains, legumes, pulses, and fruits and vegetables with skin left on.
The general foundation of a cholesterol friendly diet involves the following 6 actions:
1: Trim the fat off your meats, remove the skin and use leaner cuts of meat in your cooking. So put the petsa down if you have elevated LDL cholesterol levels. The crispy skin of the spit roasted Easter lamb for example, is a rich source of saturated fat – obviously this is why it tastes so good but generally it won’t do you any favours when it comes to your cholesterol.
2: Swap out full fat dairy for low fat dairy. Before the argument about sugar in milk comes up, please have a read of the nutrition label of low fat vs full fat milk. The difference in carbohydrates is negligible but the difference in fat (and energy) is significant – particularly useful if you are also trying to lose weight.
3: Eat oily fish or seafood two to three times a week. These are a great source of omega3 fatty acids, which are protective for our cholesterol levels, as well as an abundance of other health benefits.
Is diet the only way?
In short, no. Losing some weight if you are overweight or obese can also help improve cholesterol levels, as well as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, joint pain, systemic inflammation and even helps improve cell health (e.g. your sperm or oocytes) – just to name a few. Consider increasing your physical activity to help reduce cholesterol and weight at the same time.
Smoking also impacts cholesterol levels. I suggest talking to your doctor about quitting. Similarly, if you have difficulty controlling your alcohol intake, make sure to ask the doctor for support with this too.
Nutrition Prescription accredited practising dietitians offer nutrition consultations that are specially designed for the whole family – from infants to adults and elderly, through to highly specialised fertility-preconception, paediatric, sports nutrition and food reaction services. We can assist with all your nutrition needs, including complex and chronic conditions – in English, Greek and Portuguese.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is generalised and is not intended to replace medical or dietetic advice, nor directly manage any medical conditions. For personalised advice, please speak with your doctor or contact us via info@nutritionprescription.com.au to make an appointment with one of our Dietitians.
