The Turkish Cypriot delegation to U.N.-sponsored talks proposed a two-state solution for Cyprus on Wednesday to end the conflict with Greek Cypriots and put the island’s two communities on an equal footing, but it was swiftly rejected by the Greek Cypriot side.
Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, who serves as president of the island’s internationally-recognised government, said that the proposal was a “great disappointment”.
“Of course I have told the Secretary-General that our attempt was to create a positive climate, without provocations, without any references to whatever unacceptable (things) we heard. I have also told the Secretary-General that we will submit, in writing, our own positions,” he said in a statement.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a news conference after a 5+1 Meeting on Cyprus at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland April 29, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
The proposal was presented at informal talks with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Geneva, who had urged both sides to “be creative” after a four-year stalemate in peace negotiations.
Guterres said a new round of informal talks are planned, possibly in the next two to three months.
“The truth is that in the end of our efforts, we have not yet found enough common ground to allow for the resumption of formal negotiations in relation to the settlement of the Cyprus problem,” Guterres said. “But I do not give up.”
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a news conference after a 5+1 Meeting on Cyprus at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland April 29, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
He summarized the two sides’ positions: The Turkish Cypriots believe that decades of efforts to ensure a “bi-zonal, bicommunal federation” have been exhausted and they now deserve “equal international status” like that enjoyed by the Nicosia government run by Greek Cypriots in the south.
The Greek Cypriots held to their position for a federation “with political equality on the basis of relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions,” Guterres said.
“As you can imagine, this was not an easy meeting,” he said. “To square the circle is an impossibility in geometry, but it is very common in politics.”
More than 100 multicultural community leaders and representatives of Ethic Media outlets from across Australia attended a virtual roundtable held on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke and Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood.
In the sixty minutes long community forum, the attendees were informed for the status of the vaccine rollout and had the opportunity to address their questions directly to the PM and the Ministers.
This major roundtable, came nearly two months after the federal government released a plan to ensure COVID vaccine rollout information and services are accessible for CALD communities.
The plan outlines the need for clear messaging that’s inclusive and emphasises the importance of working with community leaders and multicultural community organisations.
Hawke: “We really need your feedback”
In his opening remarks, Minister Hawke asked the attendees to reflect upon the health crisis India is facing and expressed his support to the Australian Indian community.
“This has been an unprecedented year. Your feedback is continuing to be very viable for us in government, about what we can do to ensure Australia has a very cohesive society,” said Hawke.
Very productive discussions with many of South Australia’s multicultural community leaders in Adelaide. We covered issues including the COVID vaccine rollout and our work to enhance Australia’s strong social cohesion. pic.twitter.com/Cbeo3WicaQ
“We do need to stay close to each other, so we continue to react and stay stable and strong. We appreciate the sacrifices your communities have been making with lockdowns, with community needs, with challenges that have been unable to be met by governments state or federal”.
Hawke said that it is necessary for the communities to partner and support the government and provide “viable support” especially during the rollout that is expected to go ahead the second half of the year.
“It is going to be the key to our success,” he said.
Morrison: “The response to aged care is not too far away”
With regards to aged care issues and shortages, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who joined the forum from Darwin where he was on a visit, made clear that “the response to aged care is not too far away” and that the budget “will address these issues comprehensively”.
“Of course, for the government, so much of our focus continues to be the impact of the COVID pandemic,” said the PM, thanking the participants for their leadership.
“Australia is leading the world out of the COVID-19 recession and that is overwhelmingly due, I think, to the resilience and determination of Australians and the way they’ve looked after each other and looked out for each other and that is especially true for our multiculturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
Got my second #COVID19 vaccine jab today along with the delightful Jane Malysiak, the first person in Australia to be vaccinated.
A reminder, vaccinations are free and voluntary for everyone in Australia and our own medical experts have found them to be safe and effective. pic.twitter.com/EQ0td2kjgN
Mr Morrison referred to the number of fatalities due to COVID-19 in Australia, currently at 910.
“The majority of those were in aged care where people are most vulnerable to COVID and that’s why right now our focus on the vaccination program is very much on our elderly residents an those in aged care,” he said.
With regards to the upcoming budget, the PM talked about a “pandemic budget” and said that Australia is currently assisting India and focusing on repatriating Australians.
“Since about the end of October we have seen 140.000 Australians come home,” he said.
Australia’s comeback from #COVID19 continues to gather pace. Our economy grew 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020, which is better than all the G7 countries and the OECD average. Our Government is continuing to focus on creating jobs and driving our recovery from this pandemic.
Morrison said that the government will continue to work with communities to ensure the appropriate support is provided and with regards to the country’s economy he said that “in comparison is doing extremely well.”
When asked about the reopening of Australia’s international borders, the PM made clear that the vaccination itself is not a “silver bullet”.
“When it comes to our borders, we’ll have to consider our decisions very carefully. What we don’t want to do, is find Australia in a situation like so many other countries are. Where people can’t go out, can’t go to work or participate in important cultural events or go and visit family. That’s what we do in Australia now and we want to make sure we can keep doing that.”
International Students and Domestic Violence:
Replying to questions on international students and the difficulties some of them are facing with distant learning, Minister Hawke said that the government is aware of the issues, is working closely with the universities but explained that the offshore learning phase will continue for as long as required until international students can return safely.
With regards to the increase in domestic violence within some communities, the Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and former police officer, Jason Wood, encouraged the victims to come forward and seek assistance.
Whatever your experience or situation with #sexualassault and #domesticviolence, it's important to know that support is available. Our website provides information on a range of options, including contacting #1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or via webchat. https://t.co/escwcuojuI
“Just so everyone is clear, people experiencing family violence will not have their visa cancelled if their relationship breaks down because of family violence,” added the PM firmly.
Mr Morrison and the Ministers called community members seeking information for COVID and the vaccine, to only do so via the Australian Department of Health website: health.gov.au/covid19vaccines
Allegations of serious neglect at St Basil’s Homes for the Aged in Fawkner have emerged at a Supreme Court hearing into a major class action against the operators of the home on Wednesday.
According to The Age, the court has heard that staff working at St Basil’s Fawkner were given outdated infection control training in the lead-up to a deadly coronavirus outbreak, which led to the deaths of more than one-quarter of the 120 residents at the aged care facility.
The management hearing for the case was told training for staff was conducted by a doctor whose expertise in infection protection was unknown and who based their training on outdated clinical guidance.
Between May and July last year, family and friends visiting the home were not told to limit visits, despite rising community spread of the virus. Face masks were not enforced, hand sanitiser was not readily available and hygiene standards were lax in communal living areas, according to the writ submitted to the Supreme Court and seen by The Age.
Acting on behalf of the residents and their families, Andrew Broadfoot, QC, told the court the elderly residents were often left starving in their rooms due to under-staffing and in soiled clothing for days.
Effie Fotiadis was the first plaintiff to launch civil action against St Basil’s Fawkner, which is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Her 79-year-old father, Dimitrios, died on July 25 in the Northern Hospital after becoming infected with coronavirus at the home.
From traditional Easter sweets to Lent period and the moving events of Holy Week, Panagiota Andreadakis’ debut educational bilingual book for children, The ABC of Greek Easter, has it all.
Beautiful illustrations help to captivate the interest of young readers as they are taken through the alphabet, with each letter corresponding to different cultural traditions and events from the Apokries season right through to Easter Sunday of Greek Orthodox Easter. Spread within the pages are also several learning prayers, hymns and the ‘Xristos Anesti’ chant in both Greek and English.
It’s clear from this description that a lot of time, love and thought has gone into The ABC of Greek Easter. But how did the idea even come about in the first place?
Panagiota’s new book, ‘The ABC of Greek Easter.’ Photo supplied.
Melbourne mother-of-one and now-author, Panagiota, tells The Greek Herald how after working for several decades as a health professional, she decided to pursue her true passion for writing books as a way of preserving the wealth of Greek heritage and passing it on to the next generations. From that moment on, she was set on creating a book focused on Greek Easter traditions and customs.
“Originally I was going to do an Easter book from the beginning of Apokries right through to the weeks after Easter. But realised very quickly that was just too much information for children to absorb,” Panagiota tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
“One day I thought about how quickly my son learned his ABC from a young age and realised it would be awesome if I could make it fun for children and find something for each letter. Keeping in mind it had to be simple and relatable, especially since it would be bilingual.
Photos supplied.
“So not only are they learning their Greek alphabet, but they are also learning to read in both languages, and are learning prayers, hymns, kalanta and important phrases and events that take place on certain days.
“I wanted to get the Greek heritage, traditions and religion into every household no matter the level of Greek vocabulary.”
Of course, with such an ambitious aim comes many challenges and Panagiota says that although it was “very easy” to find Easter traditions for some letters, other letters were more “difficult to match up with an illustration that children could understand.”
Photos taken at St. Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church, South Melbourne. Photo supplied.
“At times, I even had to move certain events into another letter to make use of as many words as possible,” Panagiota says.
But despite these difficulties, The ABC of Greek Easter still holds a very special place in Panagiota’s heart, and she says she can’t wait to see it on people’s bookshelves soon.
“I love all the illustrations because they also feature my son, Stelio, who is the face of my Hellenic educational brand Stelakis. And when you have put in so much of your soul into creating something like this, it means you love every aspect of it. It really is the perfect family heirloom and keepsake book,” Panagiota concludes proudly.
If you would like to add this heirloom to your own personal book collection, you can purchase The ABC of Greek Easter online at www.stelakis.com.au.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has sent her well wishes to the state’s Greek community ahead of Orthodox Easter on Sunday.
In her message, Ms Berejiklian thanked Orthodox leaders and the community for their “compassion and collaboration in the face of recent challenges facing our community.”
Full Message in English:
I offer my best wishes for a happy Easter to Orthodox communities across NSW.
Easter is the holiest time of year for Christians around the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the universal values of family, sacrifice and renewal. This message has particular resonance this year when we have worked so hard together to stop the spread of COVID-19.
I would like to thank Orthodox leaders and the wider Orthodox community for your compassion and collaboration in the face of recent challenges facing our community, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Your support for others reflects your continued commitment to our multicultural society.
As you gather with your families and friends at this time, I wish you all peace and good health for the coming year.
There was Easter hat parades, kolourakia making and red egg dying at All Saints Grammar, St Spyridon College and St Euphemia College to mark Greek Orthodox Easter this week.
We reached out to all three schools to hear how their students celebrated in the lead up to Anastasi, and this is what they had to say.
St Spyridon College:
* Written by Mrs A. Synesios, Principal at St Spyridon College, Junior School *
“Each year, during Holy Week, the children of St Spyridon College walk with Christ from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to His passion and glorious Resurrection.
School assembly. Photos supplied.
From the youngest children in the school, our Kinder Minus One children to Year 12, the week is devoted to learning about the traditions and customs, the services, the chanting, the prayers and bible readings of Holy Week. According to their age and stage of development we practice patience, compassion, prayerfulness and watchfulness. We forgive and seek forgiveness knowing that only through Our Lord’s loving kindness are we saved. His Eminence Archbishop Makarios on Holy Tuesday evening reminded us that when we truly love God and our neighbour, every other care fades away and we live a joyous and peaceful life.
Easter cooking. Photos supplied.
Each class at the Junior School participates in some traditional baking – Red Eggs, Koulourakia, Lambropites, Augoules, Flaounes, Lazarakia and ka. Sarakosti. The children also make Palm Crosses and Lambathes. The boys serve in the altar at the services, the girls participate as flowergirls at the Epitaphios and many chant in the Engomia Choir on Good Friday night. The children embrace the opportunity to be involved.
These traditions and practices have been passed down from generation to generation and now to our children so that they may be shared with their children for the Glory of Christ and the hope that the resurrection brings.
May the joy of Christ’s resurrection bring health, peace and happiness to you all. We wish you all Καλή Ανάσταση!
Easter activities at St Spyridon College. Photos supplied.
All Saints Grammar:
“At the core of All Saints Grammar’s educational philosophy is the dimension of Cultural, Social, Spiritual Connection,” a spokeswoman for the school writes.
“The lived experience of this dimension means that our school deliberately creates opportunities for students to learn the value of connectedness, in providing them with a sense of belonging which enhances the development of their personal identity. Our Greek Orthodox Faith is at the core of this educational dimension.
As such, All Saints Grammar students from PreKinder to Year 12 have participated in various Easter activities, commencing with Kindergarten to Year 12 students attending the Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts at All Saints Church on Holy Monday. Students received palm crosses made by All Saints Parish and Community, in which many of our students were involved. 1700 crosses were made, then blessed and handed out to the many faithful attending the Palm Sunday Holy Liturgy. The symbol of the cross reminds us of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His victory over death.
Holy Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts at All Saints Church. Photos supplied.
Educating our students on the meaning and relevance of our liturgical celebrations is a core part of our efforts. Participating in a presentation of “Εληνορθόδοξο Πάσχα,” students learned about the significance of each day of Holy Week, highlighting the religious and cultural aspects of the Greek Orthodox Easter.
Our younger students from PreKinder to Year 2 also gathered in the Gymnasium for the 2021 Easter Hat Parade. While the parade is a fun activity that encourages creativity and community engagement, the main purpose of this parade is to create a sense of community where our students can gain a sense of belonging and identity. It was the first parade experience for many of the students, so the atmosphere was electric with dancing, clapping, cheering and even a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Easter hat parade. Photos supplied.
Cultural, Social, Spiritual Connections, based on the Hellenic heritage and Greek Orthodox Faith, is an essential part of the holistic education offered at All Saints Grammar.
Our School, together with the Parish and Community of All Saints Belmore & Districts, would like to wish everyone a Blessed Easter. May the spiritually-filled Feast of the Holy Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ fill our lives with peace and hope. Καλό Πάσχα.”
Making palm leaves. Photos supplied.
St Euphemia College:
Prep and Infant students at St Euphemia College got creative this Greek Orthodox Easter as they took part in an Easter Hat Parade on Friday, April 23 at 9am.
Students from St Euphemia College with their Easter hats. Photos: Facebook.
Held in the Peter Theophilou Wing of the school hall, the students performed Easter songs, such as ‘Jesus is Alive,’ in front of parents, who had huge smiles on their faces.
The event concluded with all students posing proudly for photos with the Easter hats.
Over 400 people attended a special Palm Sunday liturgy and luncheon on Sunday, April 25, hosted by St Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT.
The luncheon was held at Nick Manettas’ restaurant, Cyren Bar Grill Seafood at Darling Harbour, and a number of official guests were also present.
This included, but is not limited to, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner of Greece, Katia Gkikza, and Chairman of St Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT, James Jordan.
“We were fortunate to have His Eminence Archbishop Makarios provide the blessing of our meal to begin proceedings at our Luncheon, with Palm Sunday being a special day for the Greek Orthodox faithful who traditionally enjoy eating seafood on this day,” Spiro Stavis, CEO of St. Basil’s Homes NSW/ACT, said in a press release.
After the blessing, children were given chocolate eggs and lucky door prizes, donated by Mr & Mrs Satouris from Peters of Kensington, were handed out.
“At St. Basil’s it’s important to us that we keep our cultural connection alive for our residents and community…” Mr Stavis said.
“We are always looking at ways to grow our values and the wonderful people that make St. Basil’s a special home, which is what we’ll be doing through our newly developed Strategic Plan to be released next month.”
Father John Kapetas, the initial CEO of St Basil’s, started the luncheon tradition back in 1975 and now most parishes around Australia host their own Palm Sunday Lunch.
Home is where the heart is for renowned Greek Australian pastry chef, Anna Polyviou. In the May issue of Delicious Magazine she invites everyone into her family kitchen where she and her mum, Eugina, cook up a classic feast for two very special occasions – Mother’s Day and Greek Easter.
The 10 page feature sees Polyviou serve up a huge feast complete with keftedes, lamb dolmades, spanakopita, galaktoboureko and her godmother’s koupes (fried bulgur pastry) recipe.
Anna Polyviou’s spanakopita. Photo: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
“Best Mother’s Day Present I could give her…” Polyviou wrote on Facebook, after sharing a few of her favourite photos. “Thanks Delicious Magazine, get your hands on the May Issue.”
‘Easter is about family and friends’:
It’s no surprise Polyviou features in the magazine special. The chef, known for her outlandish desserts and small-screen appearances on Family Food Fight and MasterChef Australia, has always loved Easter.
“Easter’s about family and friends,” the pastry chef told Delicious Magazine back in 2019.
Polyviou with her mum, Eugina. Photos: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
Even as a child, Polyviou, who is of Greek Cypriot heritage, would fast with her family during the Easter season but she was always well prepared for the moment it ended.
“Once it hits midnight you’re eating everything,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I remember I used to have chocolate eggs in my pockets, then at midnight I’d sit there unwrapping the chocolate and eating them while everyone else was wishing each other happy Easter.”
It’s this passion for the Greek Orthodox feast which comes out clearly in Polyviou’s interview with Delicious.
Food made by Polyviou for the special feature. Photos: Delicious Magazine / Anna Polyviou Facebook.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Service and Multicultural Affairs, the Honourable Alex Hawke MP, has sent a message to Greek Australians marking Orthodox Easter this week.
In his message, Mr Hawke wished everyone a safe and blessed Easter, and took the “opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Orthodox Christian communities have made to keep our nation safe.”
Full Message:
“I extend my best wishes to all Christians in Australia and around the world who are celebrating Easter in the Orthodox tradition.
This year, Orthodox Easter will be even more joyful as many Australians can now gather to celebrate the most holy Orthodox Christian occasion with their family and congregation. As a community we have overcome many obstacles and I take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions Orthodox Christian communities have made to keep our nation safe.
Drawing from the Easter message of renewal, sacrifice and reflection – alongside the everlasting promise of forgiveness – I encourage you all to continue demonstrating these values to your wider community.
As a true depiction of the rich cultural and religious diversity with which Australia is blessed, Orthodox Easter sermons will be heard in English, Greek, Macedonian, Serbian, Arabic, Russian, Ukrainian, Amharic, and Romanian.
If you’ve never dyed Easter eggs naturally, you have to try it at least once. It’s great fun for kids and you’ll end up with the most amazing colours.
Here’s how to use foods like cabbage, beets and onion skins to create your own egg dyes.
How to make natural Easter egg dyes:
Combine 1 quarter water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a medium pot.
Bring it to a boil and add your dye ingredients for the egg colour of your choice (listed below). Lower the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.
Let cool. Strain the dye to remove any food fragments.
Add the eggs to the strained dye and let soak for at least 30 minutes. When it reaches the desired colour, remove the egg with tongs and pat it dry with paper towels.
Naturally dyed eggs. Source: Kalona SuperNatural.
Natural egg dye colour cheatsheet:
Get your desired color by adding these ingredients to the water and vinegar mixture and then following the four steps outlined above (unless otherwise noted).
Red/Dark Pink Eggs:
Add 4 cups chopped beets and follow the instructions above.
Orange Eggs:
Add 4 cups yellow onion skins and follow the instructions above. For a brighter orange, let the eggs sit in the dye overnight.
Light Orange:
Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 4 Tbsp paprika and white vinegar, and mix until combined. Pour the mixture into a jar and let cool to room temperature. Add an egg and soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Yellow:
Add 3 Tbsp turmeric and follow the instructions above.
If you’ve never dyed Easter eggs naturally, you have to try it at least once. Photo: Mommy Potamus.
Light Blue:
Add 3 cups chopped red or purple cabbage and follow the instructions above. For a brighter blue, let the eggs sit in the dye overnight.
Dark Blue:
Add 4 cups blueberries and follow the above instructions.
Deep Red:
Add skins from 6 red onions. Add in 2 cups of water and 3 Tbsp of white vinegar to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and strain the liquid into your jars. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Green:
Add spinach leaves to a saucepan and pour in 2 cups cold water and 4 Tbsp white vinegar. Bring it to a bowl and follow the steps listed above.
Purple:
Pour about a cup of red wine into a jar. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
Burnt Orange:
Boil water in a tea kettle. Pour water into a jar with 3 black tea bags and let steep for 30 minutes. Let the water cool at room temperature. Add an egg and let soak until you are happy with the color. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse with cool water. Let dry.
