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Greece reopens beaches to lure in foreign visitors

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Greece reopens beaches to lure in foreign visitors

With widely spaced sun loungers and regular disinfections, Greece reopened its organised beaches on Saturday as the popular Mediterranean holiday destination eases COVID-19 curbs in preparation for the return of foreign visitors next week.

Tourism accounts for about a fifth of Greece’s economy and jobs, and – after the worst year on record for the industry last year – the country can ill afford another lost summer.

“We’re pinning our hopes on tourism,” said Nikos Venieris, who manages a sandy beach in the seafront suburb of Alimos, just outside the capital, Athens, where social distancing measures will remain in place.

“We’re one of the places along the Athens riviera … that receives many tourists so the number of visitors from abroad will play a big role in our finances,” he added.

People enjoy the sea during the official reopening of beaches to the public, following the easing of measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, May 8, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas

Under current measures, beach managers like Venieris will have to place umbrellas at least four metres (13 feet), carry out regular disinfections and test beach bar employees and other staff for COVID-19.

Greece fared well in keeping the first wave of the pandemic under control last year but a resurgence in cases pushed health services to the limit and prompted authorities to impose a second lockdown in November.

As infections have fallen and vaccinations gathered pace, authorities have steadily eased restrictions, opening bars and restaurants earlier this week.

People enjoy the sea during the official reopening of beaches to the public, following the easing of measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, May 8, 2021. REUTERS/Costas Baltas.

On Friday, they announced that museums would reopen next week before the lifting of travel restrictions on vaccinated foreign visitors on May 15.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said a combination of widespread testing, immunisation, and the fact that many activities would take place outdoors gave authorities confidence that tourists would be able to visit safely.

For Greek beach lovers, Saturday’s reopening of the country’s largest beaches was a chance to let off steam after months of lockdown.

“We’ve been longing for this for six months now, because we’re winter swimmers and we’ve really missed it,” said Spiros Linardos, a pensioner, reclining on a sun lounger at Alimos.

Sourced By; Reuters

The history of Mother’s day and its connection to ancient Greece

The Greek Herald
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The history of Mother’s day and its connection to ancient Greece

By Ilektra Takuridu

Mother’s Day is a holiday that honours the mothers of the community, it reminds everyone of the sacrifice and love mothers give to their children, and is a day to celebrate a mothers’ presence in society. It is observed on different days around the world, most notably in the months of March and May. In Australia and Greece, mothers day is celebrated on the 9th of May. Every year, a special day is set aside to show mothers how much they are loved and respected. It’s a day for people all over the world to remember and honour the special women in their lives. But what do we know about the history and roots of Mother’s day? How it can be traced back to ancient Greece?

The modern-day mothers day was established in the United States of America. Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped establish “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” in the years leading up to the Civil War to teach local women how to better care for their children. These clubs went on to become a unifying power in a part of the world that was already separated by the Civil War. Jarvis founded “Mothers’ Friendship Day” in 1868 when mothers met with retired Union and Confederate soldiers to encourage peace.

Ara Pacis, a temple dedicated to the Roman Goddes of Peace (Pax).

The celebration of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans, who arranged festivals in honour of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

The first references to Mother’s Day and motherhood come from ancient Greece. According to Greek mythology, the Mother Earth (Gaia) wife of Uranus is the personification of nature, who gives birth to the whole world and is worshipped as the supreme Goddess. The adoration and admiration that is shown to Gaia is then passed on to her daughter, Rhea, Saturn’s wife and sister. Rhea is worshipped as the “Mother of the Gods”, as she seems to be the first to give birth and raise her children with breast milk. The ancient Greeks worshipped Rhea every spring, as she was also the Goddess of the earth and fertility. As well as in mythology, secular life in ancient Greece also shares the theme of worshipping motherhood.

Archeological findings shows how important was the role of motherhood, fertility and the female body. From the first Greek civilisation findings we can see female figures with big hips and breasts that emphasise the fertility attributes of a women’s body.

Rhea, Cronus and the Omphalos stone, Greco-Roman marble bas-relief, Capitoline Museums.

Despite it is not a public holiday, it is usually scheduled on a Sunday so that it may be celebrated with the whole family. Each country and culture celebrates differently, as does every family, but the most common gift of appreciation given on this day are flowers. The amount of gifts has increased over the years, and Mothers day has been criticised as being a materialistic holiday designed for people to spend.

Despite some negativity and debate about the intent of the day, there is no dispute that mothers should be honoured. All mothers deserve to be spoilt, appreciated and loved, not just for one day of the year but for every day.

Traditional Greek Recipes: Marble cake

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Traditional Greek Recipes: Marble cake

While not created by Greeks, marble cake is a common dessert consumed by people in Greece. Not only is it great with a Greek coffee, it’s light texture and soft sweetness makes it the ideal dish to have with their afternoon tea.

Here is a recipe for the best marble cake!

Ingredients

  • 250 g butter, melted
  • 250 g granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs, medium
  • 250 g self-rising flour
  • orange zest, of 1 orange
  • 2 vanilla pods, powder
  • 25 g cocoa powder, sifted
  • 3 tablespoon(s) milk, 3,5%

Method

  • Preheat oven to 160* C (320* F) Fan.
  • Grease and flour a 22 cm round cake pan.
  • Beat the butter and sugar in a mixer, until it becomes light and fluffy and the sugar dissolves completely.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, waiting for the first egg to be completely incorporated in the mixture before adding the next one. Scrape down the sides of the bowl when necessary and continue beating. Be careful not to drop any egg shells in the mixture. You can break them open in a bowl first, just to be sure.
  • Add the vanilla and the orange zest and beat. Add half of the flour and beat just enough to incorporate it into the mixture. Add the remaining flour and gently fold into the mixture with a spatula.
  • Add half of the mixture to the cake pan, or enough to completely cover the bottom.
  • In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of milk with the cocoa powder. Mix until the the cocoa powder dissolves completely and the mixture turns into a chocolate paste. Add the chocolate paste to the remaining half of the cake batter. Use a knife to create swirls in the batter.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until you insert a knife into the cake and it comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Remove from cake pan and we sprinkle with icing sugar!

Recipe sourced by Akis Petretzikis

NSW education system failing to encourage students to learn a second language

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NSW education system failing to encourage students to learn a second language

Primary and secondary students in NSW are lagging behind the rest of Australia and the world when it comes to learning a second language, and teachers are placing blame on the education system.

Reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Ken Cruikshank, the director of the Sydney Institute for Community Language Education, showed concern over the proposed changes to the national curriculum, which would see cultural context cut out of language lessons.

Professor Cruikshank said the current mandated study of an overseas language — 100 hours — is already too brief, and Australia devoted far less time to languages than other countries in the developed world.

“Australia is bottom of all OECD countries in terms of language study, and NSW is bottom in Australia,” he said.

Greek Alphabet and Symbols

“We are one of the most multilingual countries in the world. Kids come to school bilingual, and end up monolingual in English.”

One in seven students who starts schooling with a language in addition to English continues it to year 12, and just one in 20 from an English-speaking background studies a second language to the Higher School Certificate, Professor Cruikshank said.

A review of the NSW curriculum called for every student to begin learning a second language at primary school rather than high schools. It was one of the few recommendations the state government did not accept nor explore further, simply saying it was “noted”.

Public primary schools are only given funding for a language teacher if there are a significant number of speakers of a particular language in their local community.

A NESA spokesperson told the Herald that as part of the NSW curriculum reform, they were developing new kindergarten to year 6 and year 7 to 10 language curriculum.

“Schools have the option to teach languages in NSW primary schools. Students learn to communicate in a language in real-world contexts and develop intercultural understanding. Through learning a language, students strengthen essential foundational skills for literacy and reflect on their own culture, heritage and identity,” the spokesperson said.

The European Union requires that all EU member countries make sure all children are at least bilingual.

South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights applaud great rivalry and history between clubs

The Greek Herald
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South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights applaud great rivalry and history between clubs

Victorian football clubs South Melbourne FC and Melbourne Knights FC may be rivals on the pitch, but off the field they’re fighting as one to give both clubs the opportunity to participate in Australia’s top flight competition.

Melbourne Knights President Pave Jusup invited the President of SMFC Nick Maikousis, Chairman Bill Papastergiadis, Head of Football Andrew Mesourouni and Tony Margaritis to an event at Knights Stadium to mark the great history between the two clubs.

The function was held immediately before the match between the two teams, where the Knights managed to defeat Victoria’s National Premier League leaders South Melbourne 1-0. Knights have now managed to tighten the gap between them and South Melbourne, trailing by only one point.

South Melbourne after their FFA Cup win over Melbourne Knights. Photo: South Melbourne FC Instagram

Jusup applauded the Melbourne club rivalry, saying “you cannot manufacture a rivalry. It comes through history and passionate supporters”.

Jusup also noted that clubs like South Melbourne and Knights should be playing top flight football and that it was time to make this happen.

The event was also used to discuss the upcoming proposed National Second Division, where both Chris Nikou and Nick Galatas indicated that the competition could be up and running in 2023.

Andrew Marth, a Knights legend during the days of the NSL, recounted the thrill of playing in front of thousands of supporters when up against South.

“It was real and it was passionate”, he said. It was also noted that in that era, a number of players played in both shirts, such as Davidson and Fausto D’Amici amongst many others.

Nick Maikousis was impressed with the the Knights’ welcoming hospitality at the event, highlighting how they are fierce competitors on the pitch, but there is mutual respect at board level.

Andrew Mesourouni and Bill Papastergiadis spoke with Jusup about the thriller that was played out the Tuesday before in the FFA cup.

“The thousands that attended the FFA cup game reflected the need for there to be a revamp of the structure of Football in this country” said Bill Papastergiadis.

READ MORE: Shootout victory sees South Melbourne take glory against rivals Melbourne Knights in FFA Cup

“Such passion and support cannot be ignored”.

South Melbourne FC won via a penalty shootout to beat their local rivals in the FFA Cup, yet the game was remembered for the incredible on-field and crowd atmosphere.

Andrew Mesourouni said “it’s time now to make the National Second Division a reality”.

On This Day in 1821: The Battle of Gravia Inn

The Greek Herald
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On This Day in 1821: The Battle of Gravia Inn

By Chrisos Mavromoustakos

The Battle of Gravia Inn was fought between Greek revolutionary fighters and the Ottoman Empire on May 8, 1821. The fight was led by Odysseas Androutsos, with a group of 120 men against an 8,000 men Ottoman army.

After the victory in the Battle of Alamana, Turkish commander Omer Vrioni looked to attack the Peloponnese. This was until he was met by Androutsos and his men inside an old inn. Dimitrios Panaourgias and Duovounitis also had a group of men who took post at a higher position. The two captains thought the inn would be blown up and the battle would end in disaster, hence why the higher position allowed them to flee.

The Ottomans surrounded the inn; however, they were taken back by a number of heavy losses. The Ottomans paused their attack at night, which proved to be a huge devastation for them. While they were taking cannons to the inn, the Greeks had fled into the mountains quietly while the Turkish allies, the Albanians, were fast asleep.

Reconstructed Inn of Gravia. Photo: Wikipedia Commons

The Albanians who charged into the building were met by heavy gunfire, and suffered many casualties. Androutsos ordered his men to fire together at once, while the others would fill their guns to take their place. This was the best method to counter any massive attack. The Ottomans were also met with gunfire and were forced to leave.

Vrioni suffered huge casualties, with 300 soldiers dead and 600 wounded within the first couple of hours of fighting. This was a shear contrast to Androutsos, who only lost 6 countrymen.

The battle resulted in Vrioni retreating back to Evia and allowed for the Greeks to regain control of the Peloponnese and regather the capital of Tripoli.

President Erdogan reportedly calls for a return of Greeks to Constantinople

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President Erdogan reportedly calls for a return of Greeks to Constantinople

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly called for the return of Greeks to Constantinople during an official dinner with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

The Turkish ‘Sabah’ newspaper reported on its front page the discussions between President Erdoğan and Patriarch Bartholomew, which were held during a Ramadan Iftar feast.

The Sabah, along with other Turkish newspapers, said the meeting was “constructive” and held in a “good atmosphere.”

With the leaders of religious minorities in Turkey also present at the dinner, they claimed that the Turkish leader “embraced” the minorities. However, an independent United States’ commission on International Religious Freedom conducted last month found the Turkish government made “little to no effort to address many longstanding religious freedom issues”, referring to the governments decision to deny requests for elections to be held by religious minority communities.

“Although officials made a point to meet with some religious minority community leaders, the government appeared to take no subsequent action following that meeting to address those communities’ concerns,” the report said.

Despite this, the Turkish President told the Patriarch Bartholomew of his wish for the Greeks to return to their ancestral city.

The aftermath of the Turkish pogrom against the Greeks in 1955. Photo: Public Domain

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks were estimated to be living in Constantinople following WWI. In 1955, Greeks were driven out of Istanbul and Turkey when the Prime Minister decided to blame Greeks for their economic problems.

On September 6 and 7, 1955, a crowd of 50,000 Turkish people turned as one against the Greek properties in the Pera district.

There are now estimated to be up to 2,000 Greeks that remain in Constantinople.

Golden Dawn member to be extradited back to Greece to serve 13-year prison sentence

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Golden Dawn member to be extradited back to Greece to serve 13-year prison sentence

A Greek far-right member of the European Parliament arrested last month in Belgium can be extradited to Greece to serve a 13-year prison sentence, the Brussels prosecutor’s office said Friday.

The office said Ioannis Lagos has until Monday to appeal the Brussels court’s ruling that the European arrest warrant is executable. It did not say when Lagos, who had refused to be extradited upon his arrest, will be delivered to Greek authorities, citing “obvious security reasons.”

Lagos has been living in Brussels since a Greek court in October convicted him and 17 other former Greek lawmakers from the extreme-right Golden Dawn party of leading a criminal organization, or being members in it.

epa09163189 (FILE) – Yannis Lagos (L), member of the EU parliament and former leading member of far- right party Golden Dawn, arrives at the court in Athens, Greece, 12 October 2020 (reissued 27 April 2021). MEP Yiannis Lagos was arrested at his home in Brussels on 27 April 2021, Greek police said, hours shortly after his immunity as MEP was lifted. Lagos was convicted to 13 years in prison by a Greek appeals court in October 2020 for his membership in neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, ruled to be a criminal organization. EPA-EFE/PANTELIS SAITAS

Lagos was taken into custody last month after the European Parliament voted to remove his immunity, paving the way for him to be sent to Athens on a European arrest warrant.

Golden Dawn was founded as a Nazi-inspired group in the 1980s. It saw a surge in popularity during Greece’s 2010-2018 financial crisis, gaining parliamentary representation between 2012 and 2019.

READ MORE: Greek neo-Nazi MEP arrested in Brussels after Parliament lifts immunity

The five-year trial in Athens was launched following the 2013 murder of rapper and left-wing activist Pavlos Fyssas, who was stabbed to death by a Golden Dawn supporter.

The other convicted Golden Dawn members are already in jail, except for one who escaped arrest and is officially a fugitive.

Liverpool Greek Church reopens for parishioners ahead of Sunday service

The Greek Herald
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Liverpool Greek Church reopens for parishioners ahead of Sunday service

Update: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia has announced that the Parish-Community will elect a new Administrative Committee, following the apology and resignation of all the members of the outgoing, contravening Administrative Committee.

The Greek Orthodox Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene will be open for Sunday service following the recent resolution of internal committee disruptions.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced on Wednesday that the Church would be closed to parishioners until the the president and Committee members of the Parish-Community of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene stepped down.

Announced via the Church’s Facebook page, it’s stated that His Eminence Archbishop Makarios “intervened and solved” the issue that “plagued our parish”.

“We feel grateful that a few days after His Resurrection, we are being counted worthy to experience the joy of our own resurrection, free from the shackles that have gripped us for eight whole years,” the Parish said in the Facebook post.

It was later confirmed that the Parish will be open this Sunday for service, with newly introduced COVID-19 restrictions in place.

READ MORE: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia shuts doors of Liverpool Greek church

“Please be aware that COVID rules do apply and that masks must be worn whilst in church,” the Church stated.

A later statement released by the Archdiocese said members of the outgoing Administrative Committee held a meeting with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios on Thursday afternoon, 6 May.

“The declared intention of everyone for cooperation and unity is expected to be solemnly sealed next Sunday, 16 May, when His Eminence will go to the Holy Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene and will officiate in the presence of all the members of the Parish-Community,” the statement reads.

See the full statement from the Archdiocese below:

The Holy Archdiocese of Australia is in the pleasant position to announce that from today, the Holy Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Liverpool, Sydney, is open for the faithful as the chronic issues that have divided the Parish-Community for the last eight years have been resolved.

After the intervention of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and his efforts to bring about the reconciliation between the Administrative Committee and the Trustee Committee, the divisive climate within the Parish-Community is now a thing of the past. A new page has been turned with the scheduling of the prescribed procedures for the convening of the General Meeting and the election of a new Administrative Committee, following the apology and resignation of all the members of the outgoing, contravening Administrative Committee.

The beginning of this new journey, which is now being etched in a harmonious spirit of peace and unity by the Parish-Community of Liverpool, was the meeting of the members of the outgoing Administrative Committee with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios on Thursday afternoon, 6 May. The meeting took place in the central offices of the Holy Archdiocese, in Redfern, in an atmosphere of concern and cooperation. The declared intention of everyone for cooperation and unity is expected to be solemnly sealed next Sunday, 16 May, when His Eminence will go to the Holy Parish of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene and will officiate in the presence of all the members of the Parish-Community.

Given this, another chronic wound that has beleaguered the body of the Greek community in Australia has been healed. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios continues to work diligently to achieve this sacred purpose in every wounded member in the body of the local Greek community.

GCM Seminar: Pontian Genocide Memorial

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GCM Seminar: Pontian Genocide Memorial

Dean Kalimniou will present a lecture entitled Pontian Genocide Memorial Seminar: William Lloyd and the Liberation of Pontus, on Thursday 13 May, at 7.00pm, at the Greek Centre, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars, offered by the Greek Community of Mlebourne.

This is a joint event with the Pontiaki Estia.

While there was little pre-War engagement with Pontus in Australia, one man, William Lloyd, did his utmost to draw attention to the plight of the Greeks of Pontus and call for their independence. His story is as fascinating as is the process of verifying the astonishing events that colour it.

Dean Kalimniou is also a well-known lawyer, poet and short story writer within the Greek community. As a journalist he is popular within the Greek community of Australia through his column in the Melbourne Greek newspaper Neos Kosmos, entitled Diatribe, which has been running since 2001. He has published six poetry collections and has also translated numerous works of prominent Greek-Australian authors from Greek into English. In November 2007, Dean Kalimniou was awarded a Government of Victoria Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs.

When: Thursday 13 May, 7.00pm

Where: Greek Centre (Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne).

This is a hybrid seminar (speaker will be at the mezzanine level while event broadcast on Facebook/Youtube).

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