Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has revoked the decision to allow a small number of fans to attend football matches, after the health committee gave them the ‘all clear’ only yesterday.
According to Greek media, the PM’s decision was dictated by the increase of coronavirus cases throughout Europe.
“Holding games even with a few fans, at a time when it is necessary to avoid any collusion and strict adherence to health rules, would send the wrong message to people,” Mitostakis adds.
The Health Committee on Monday gave the ‘green light’ for 10% stadium capacity, starting with this week’s Champions League and Europa League matches between Olympiacos – Marseille and PAOK – Omonia.
Photo: Sports Integrity Initiative
Prior to the Greek PM’s announcement, the Super League gave guidelines for fans to attend matches, based on the health protocol.
“There was a significant risk from the overcrowding of some thousands of people, especially after the end of the match,” Giorgos Sakkas, journalist for News 24/7, says.
“Also within the stadiums, strict supervision can be sought, but the risk is high. If there is a danger then the suggestion will change.”
Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, spoke to members of the Greek Australian community tonight in an inaugural Digital Conversation Series organised by The Hellenic Initiative (THI) Australia.
The Prime Minister, who was joined by Andrew Liveris AO, THI’s Global Chairman, focused on the role of the Greek diaspora in Greece during the discussion.
“The role of the Greek diaspora in Australia is crucial to Greece’s recovery… and we are always looking for allies to help us solve problems,” Mitsotakis said.
“We are also open to collaborate with organisations that share the same values with the Greek government.”
Greek Consulates:
Mitsotakis went on to say that he hopes Greek Consulates in Australia will be digitised soon to ensure the Greek diaspora are given the same opportunities as those in Greece.
“We also want to be one of the first countries to get 5G and we want to reposition Greece as a digital hub,” he said.
Voting and Infrastructure:
When asked about how the Greek diaspora in Australia can strengthen their ties to Greece and help in their recovery, Mitsotakis pointed to two main areas: diaspora voting and infrastructure.
For voting, Mitsotakis said the election in three years time will be the first time Greece will have ballot boxes and representatives overseas, something the diaspora have been asking for.
“The younger generation, who are eligible to vote, will now have the right to vote from their home of residence,” he said.
On investments, the Greek Government will work on “supporting a new image of Greece as open for small and large investments but also open to facing future challenges.”
Celebrations for 2021 next year:
Independence Day celebrations for next year were also top of the agenda during the Digital Speaker Series, with Mitsotakis saying celebrations will be “slightly different” this year “in line with what Greece has to offer post-2021.”
“We are excited to celebrate the emergence of modern Greece but celebrations will be more measured. We are still excited for the year to come,” the Prime Minister said.
Benaki Museum:
The recent announcement that Melbourne will become the first city to house a permanent Benaki Museum outside of Greece, was also discussed.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Benaki and Hellenic Museum for working with developers to construct the new Greek museum.
“Benaki museum’s collaboration with The Hellenic Museum in Melbourne, is an example of how we can bring the Greek culture to Australia,” he said.
Turkey was also a hot topic during the discussion, with Mitsotakis clearly describing their neighbour’s actions as “provocative.”
“Turkey has changed profoundly. One can’t rely on it as a stable ally. But we will not be bullied, we will not be blackmailed or forced into a dialogue,” he said, adding that they will continue to work with international organisations to help their cause.
The back-to-back bushfire and coronavirus disasters of 2020 saw the mental health of Australians under more strain than ever.
Over the course of 2020-21, the then-Morrison government spent an unprecedented $5.7 billion on mental health. The biggest measure – costing more than $100 million – was the doubling of annual Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist, from 10 to 20 sessions.
But, is this enough to reduce the stigma and to address the gaps in data and information on the prevalence of mental illness in people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds or is a renewed, national mental health strategy what’s required?
To answer the above questions, The Greek Herald caught up with Clinical Psychologist and Founder of the Australian Institute for Human Wellness, Dr Anastasia Hronis.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing. How important are they and why do we often underestimate them?
Mental health and emotional wellbeing are incredibly important, at every stage of life. They are a vital part of our life, and they impact the way we think, how we feel, and ultimately what we do and the choices we make.
Unlike some physical ailments or health conditions, we often can’t directly “see” if a person is mentally unwell or struggling. For this reason, we may sometimes underestimate how someone is coping, or the importance of our mental health and emotional wellbeing.
There is a lot of information with regards to mental health issues. But are the support services reflective and responsive to the needs of people from CALD communities?
Unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to supporting CALD communities. While there are many support services available, it is often much more difficult for CALD communities to access help in a timely way, particularly when there is need for translators, or clinicians who speak a particular language.
Furthermore, clinicians may not always understand some of the cultural nuances, which can have a great impact on a person’s situation, overall quality of life, as well as manifestation of their symptoms. For example, in some communities there may be some normal grief processes which without understanding the traditions, could potentially be pathologized.
Stigma against mental illness is common within the Greek and Cypriot cultures. Why does this happen in your opinion? What is the community’s role in reducing stigma?
We still have a long way to go when it comes to reducing stigma.
Stigma seems to be perpetuated when there isn’t enough in the way of education, knowledge and public health messages about mental health and wellbeing. One of the key ways to reduce stigma is to start to talk about it more openly and honestly, and to normalise that mental health concerns are common and need to be addressed.
I believe this change needs to be led by influential organisations within the community, including the church, community services and public figures.
Are there any specific strategies we can follow to be more inclusive in our daily lives?
I believe that it is important we move towards a willingness to listen to others if they talk about their mental health and wellbeing, and to support them without judgement.
We know that in Australia, suicide is the among the leading causes of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44 and according to a report released recently by the University of Sydney, the country is forecast to see an increase in suicide deaths of “at least” 13.7% over the next 5 years. What can we do to prevent that?
Unfortunately, the number of people who die from suicide each year is on the rise.
I believe we need a stronger stepped-care approach to helping people who have mental health difficulties, including those who are at risk of suicide. This means taking a proactive approach to help people before they become unwell, rather than a reactive approach to helping people when they become more unwell.
We can include more programs in schools and workplaces to build knowledge and awareness of mental health difficulties, strategies for coping and promoting healthy lifestyles and emotional wellbeing.
The Ambassador of Greece to Australia, George Papacostas, had the honour of receiving a private tour of the Australian National University’s (ANU) Classics Museum on Friday, October 16, 2020.
The tour was organised by the Greek Orthodox Community & Church of Canberra, and the President of this Community, John Loukadellis, and Vice President, Theo Dimarhos, gave the tour.
Elizabeth Minchin from the ANU was also the historical guide on the day.
Greece’s Ambassador, George Papacostas, admires Greek artefacts at Canberra museum.
Pictures: Facebook.
“The Ambassador has a strong interest in promoting Greek culture and history whilst in Australia and we are very lucky in Canberra to have the Classics Museum at the ANU,” Mr Loukadellis tells The Greek Herald.
“So we decided to take him out for the afternoon and show him some authentic pieces housed at the ANU from Roman and Greek history. He was very impressed and inspired by the tour.”
The Classics Museum at ANU holds a number of authentic artefacts from Greek and Roman history, including a genuine vase gifted to Australia by the Greek Government in 1949 for their support and friendship.
More than 200 people who were in Victoria’s hotel quarantine program are being urged to get tested for HIV and other viruses after a testing mix-up.
State health authorities have announced that 243 people are being advised to undergo testing for Hepatitis B and C and HIV, after it was revealed that single-use blood glucose testing kits were used “across multiple residents” between March 29 and August 20.
Safe Care Victoria, the state’s healthcare quality and safety agency, said the needles can be changed between each use but the body of the device can retain microscopic amounts of blood.
“This presents a low clinical risk of cross-contamination and blood-borne viruses — hepatitis B and C, and HIV,” the agency said.
To reassure those affected, confidential testing is being arranged. People are being contacted on the basis of their health records.
The agency has said there was no risk to anyone who did not have a blood glucose test, nor was there any risk to anyone who used their own device.
Coronavirus is not spread by blood so there was no risk that the test could have spread the illness.
A “full review” into how the breach happened is also now being conducted by the agency.
The Zappeion Megaron is one of the most significant buildings currently standing in Athens, Greece. The building was inaugurated on October 20th, 1888.
Here’s out top five facts about the building.
Where is the building?
The building is located in the heart of Greece’s capital, Athens. The structure resides inside the National Gardens of Athens, also known as, the Zappeion, a major park that is enjoyed by many.
Who is the building named after?
The Zappeion Megario is named after its benefactor, Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy businessman from Epirus. Zappas played a major role in starting the Zappian Olympic Games, which was an important inspiration for the modern Olympic games.
The Zappeion Megario is named after Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy businessman.
Zappas offered to sponsor the revival of the modern Olympic Games, which created the path to restart them. Not long after the building’s inauguration, the first modern Olympic games were held at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 1896.
What was the building used for back then?
As Zappas played such a large role in the revival of the modern Olympic Games, the Zappeion Megaron also played a role in them.
During the first Olympics in 1896, the building and park it resided in was the official Olympic village for the games and also hosted the fencing events.
After using it for sport events, the Zappeion Megaron was a tribute to the man who brought the Olympic Games back to the modern world.
What is the building used for currently?
The Zappeion Megaron is still used today for such things as: public exhibitions, wine tasting, trade shows, business meetings and cultural events.
The most notable events to be held in the building in recent history includes: Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis signing the integration into the now European Union in May 1979 and hosting the official press centre of the 2004 Olympic Games.
What is the building’s architecture like?
Inside the Zappeion Megaron.
The classic architecture of the Zappeion Megaron is breathtaking, with its oval shaped open area, flanked by a two-story colonnade.
The building is painted in traditional rust colours and shares many common features with other ancient Greek buildings and the Parliament of Austria in Vienna, as the two buildings shared the same architect.
Today, on International Chefs Day, we celebrate remarkable chefs around the world and the many things they teach us about different cuisines and delicacies.
We’ve listed some of the top Greek Australian chefs who have made significant contributions to the Australian food landscape.
Anna Polyviou:
Anna Polyviou with her mum. Photos: Delicious Magazine / Supplied.
Polyviou began working at the Hotel Sofitel in Melbourne and has created a successful career in the hotel world. Polyviou is credited for Sydney Shangri La’s renowned culinary reputation, where she has created legendary, unique dessert experiences.
In 2014, Polyviou won the award for best dessert in Australia for her modern reimagination of the traditional carrot cake. Since then, Anna has published her first cookbook, ‘Sweet Street,’ and has featured as a guest judge on Masterchef Australia.
George Diakomichalis:
George Diakomichalis is an icon in the Greek Australian food landscape, creating a successful career for himself. Cooking and baking runs in the Diakomichalis family, as George was taught the art of patisserie from his great grandfather, grandfather and uncles.
His patisserie, ‘Kalymnos Pastries,’ located in Adelaide, is an ode to his home island, Kalymnos, where he completed his pastry chef training.
His family run store won the award for Best Patisserie in Australia in 2019, demonstrating the success of his business. Diakomichalis is becoming a household name, appearing in several cooking shows and also hosting his own series, ‘It’s All Greek to Me.’
Peter Conistis is considered the pioneer of modern Greek food, opening many renowned Greek restaurants.
Consitis’ first restaurant, ‘Cosmos,’ was the first Greek restaurant to be awarded a chefs hat, which he later achieved again with the opening of ‘Eleni’s’ and ‘Omega.’
The Greek Australian chef gained international recognition when he was invited to cook at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
He is more recently known for his renowned work at Alpha Restaurant and Beta Bar in Sydney CBD, where he has showcased his innovative take on traditional Greek food. He has also published a cookbook, ‘New Greek Cuisine,’ and has featured on SBS’s Food Safari tours.
Phillip Vakos:
Phillip Vakos established his culinary career after competing in Masterchef Australia in 2010.
Vakos grew up with two Cretan grandmothers and was surrounded by Greek food and culture, inspiring his cooking dreams. He moved from Tasmania to Melbourne where he opened Bahari | The Hellenic Plate in Richmond, a meze-style Greek restaurant.
Since then, Vakos has made multiple TV appearances and has recently opened ‘The Gringlish Co,’ a catering company with his wife.
Just one short year later and the Greek cousins say that once they entered the cooking competition together their lives altered forever.
In January this year, Penny extended her shop Miss Penny Cakes in Melbourne and has created a few Greek cake mixes such as coconut syrup cake and kourabiethes, as well as other staples including chocolate cake, vanilla cake and cookie mixes.
Dezi, who worked for Country Road for 20 years, also decided to launch her own seasoning range which includes her best-selling ‘Gyro Gyro Souvlaki’ seasoning. The seasonings can now be found in 12 Victorian stores, one Queensland store and online.
Greek Shipping Minister, Yiannis Plakiotakis, announced on Monday that Greece is about to receive a desperately-needed state-of-the-art surveillance system covering the entire Aegean Sea.
Mr Plakiotakis stated that the new system will make possible the “timely awareness of the prevailing situation in the maritime field of responsibility of the Coast Guard.”
Called the National Integrated Maritime Surveillance System (NIMSS), the new mechanism will cost an estimated 62 million euros.
It entails the creation of a network of 35 fixed radars and 26 large-scale cameras that will be set up at military installations and will transmit in real time and on a 24-hour basis to two management centers of the Hellenic Armed Forces.
For the first time, the movements of human trafficking vessels carrying migrants and refugees, along with any and all vessels which might infringe on Greece’s territorial rights, will be able to be monitored in real time.
The information will also be ale to be shared with Frontex, the EU’s border patrol agency.
The tender for the system’s construction was announced on June 30 and the deadline for applications initially set for August 20 but extended, due to COVID-19, to October 30.
The Greek prosecutor in the trial of criminal organisation, Golden Dawn, proposed that the jail sentences of up to 13 years imposed on its leaders last week should be suspended until their appeal has been heard.
Only Giorgos Roupakias, sentenced to life for the murder of musician Pavlos Fyssas, should be going to prison, according to the recommendations of prosecutor Adamantia Economou.
Ms Economou argued that none of the former lawmakers was a flight risk or at risk of re-offending while they remain out of jail, and said most had a clean criminal record until their current conviction.
She argued their sentences should be suspended, with conditions imposed, until the appeals process is completed. An appeal can take several years.
Presiding judge Maria Lepenioti , centre, and members of the court listens during the Golden Dawn trial, in Athens, Monday, October 19, 2020. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.
“The immediate execution of the sentences will cause irreparable damage as the procedure to the appeals court will be a long one,” the prosecutor said.
“They have all the conditions for their sentences to be suspended with conditions. The accused have not tried to avoid their arrest.”
After summations by defense lawyers, the court ordered a break in proceedings until Tuesday morning. A final decision on whether the sentences will be suspended pending appeal is to be made by the panel of judges trying the case, potentially on Tuesday.
The lengthy sentencing procedure caps a marathon, politically charged five-year trial that involved 68 defendants, dozens of lawyers and encompassed four cases, including the 2013 fatal stabbing of left-wing Greek rap singer Pavlos Fyssas and physical attacks on Egyptian fishermen and left-wing activists.
Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and another five leading former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences last week after being convicted of running the party like a criminal organisation. A sixth was sentenced to 10 years, while 11 other former lawmakers were convicted of participating in a criminal organisation and received sentences of between five and seven years.
A general view of the court during a Golden Dawn trial, in Athens, Monday, October 19, 2020. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.
The lawmakers spent 18 months in jail when the trial first began, and were released due to the limit of pre-trial detention being reached.
A total of 57 party members and associates were convicted on October 7, mostly for involvement in violent attacks and participating in a criminal organisation.
Golden Dawn was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s and spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene. But it rose to prominence during the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis, winning parliamentary seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece’s third-largest political party.
Its popularity began to wane during the trial, and it failed to win any parliamentary seats in the 2019 general elections.
A photo exhibition by Greek Australian documentary photographer, Effy Alexakis, will be on proud display from October 22 at ‘shedia home’ in Athens.
Titled ‘Greek Australians: In Their Own Image,’ the exhibition will feature select works from Alexakis’ photographic archive which capture the depth and diversity of Australia’s Greek presence through individual migration stories.
“We gave the project the title ‘Greek-Australians: In Their Own Image’ because we wanted the people themselves to share their own story,” Alexakis says in a press release.
Top Left: Bill Florence (Vasilios Florias) being Welcomed to Australia, Melbourne, 1922. Photo: J. Florence, from the ‘In Their Own Image: Greek-Australians’ National Project Archives. Bottom Left: Girls at the Glendi Festival, Adelaide, 1989. Photo: Effy Alexakis. Right: Helen and Peter Faros, Olympis Cafe, Bigga, NSW, 2009. Photo: Effy Alexakis.
The exhibition is a small part of a larger social and cultural project on the Greek Australian presence in Australia, which Alexakis has been working on in collaboration with historian, Leonard Janiszewski, since the early 1980s.
They already have three publications that bear their name on the subject of Hellenism in Australia, including ‘In Their Own Image: Greek Australians,’ ‘Greek Cafes and Milk Bars of Australia’ and ‘Images of Home.’ All are important documents of our immigration history.
The exhibition in Athens is supported by the Embassy of Australia in Greece and is the beginning of a series of events that will be set up in and around the ‘shedia home’ for the immigration history of Greece and other diasporic countries.
Exhibition Details:
Exhibition curator: Ioanneta Vergi from Discover Greek Culture.
Exhibition duration: October 22 – November 12. Due to the measures against coronavirus, no official inauguration will take place.
