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Boris Johnson rules out return of Parthenon marbles to Greece

The Greek Herald
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Boris Johnson rules out return of Parthenon marbles to Greece

Boris Johnson has used his first interview with a European newspaper since becoming the UK’s prime minister to issue a point-blank rejection of the Parthenon marbles being returned to Greece.

Johnson insisted the sculptures, removed from the monument by Lord Elgin in circumstances that have since spurred one of the world’s most famous cultural rows, would remain in Britain because they had been legally acquired.

“I understand the strong feelings of the Greek people – and indeed prime minister [Kyriakos] Mitsotakis – on the issue,” he told the Greek newspaper Ta Nea when asked to comment on his counterpart’s offer – made in an interview with the Observer in 2019 – to lend priceless artefacts to London in return for putting the marbles on display in Athens this year.

“But the UK government has a firm longstanding position on the sculptures, which is that they were legally acquired by Lord Elgin under the appropriate laws of the time and have been legally owned by the British Museum’s trustees since their acquisition.”

Johnson’s intervention, though clearly aimed at drawing a line under the dispute, is bound to ignite further controversy. Last year, Greece’s culture minister, Lina Mendoni, branded Elgin a “serial thief” who used illegal tactics to take the marbles.

The prime minister, who posed for Ta Nea in his Downing Street office next to a plaster cast bust of his “personal hero”, Pericles, spoke within weeks of Greece marking the bicentennial of its war of independence.

In the run-up to the celebrations, Athens has reinvigorated its campaign to repatriate the fifth-century BC carvings, regarded as a high point of classical art.

Greece has long argued that reunification of the sculptures, displayed in museums across Europe but mostly in London, is integral to understanding the artworks in the context of the temple they once embellished.

In 1816 the British Museum acquired the sculptures from the then bankrupt Elgin, who, as Britain’s ambassador to the Sublime Porte, had ordered them to be torn down from the Parthenon after purportedly receiving a permit from the Ottoman forces occupying Athens at the time. 

*Source: The Guardian

Israel, Greece, Cyprus hold naval drill as they deepen ties

The Greek Herald
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Israel, Greece, Cyprus hold naval drill as they deepen ties

The Israeli military said Friday that it has conducted a joint naval exercise with Greece and Cyprus, in the latest sign of increased cooperation among three countries that increasingly view Turkey as a rival in the Mediterranean Sea.

It said the “Noble Dina” exercise, which was led by Israel and also included France, covered “anti-submarine procedures, search and rescue scenarios, and a scenario simulating battle between ships.” The exercise was concluded on Thursday.

“Over the past week, the Navy led a large-scale exercise in which it implemented capabilities in underwater warfare, search and rescue, convoy escort and surface combat,” Rear Admiral Eyal Harel, the head of Israeli naval operations, said.

“These exercises are of paramount importance in strengthening the Navy’s connection with foreign fleets who share common interests,” he added.

Israel, Greece and Cyprus have taken a number of steps in recent months to cement ties, including advancing plans to build a 2,000 megawatt undersea electricity cable and a 1,900-kilometer (1,300-mile) undersea gas pipeline. The three countries’ defense ministers met in November and agreed to increase military cooperation.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (C), his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis shake hands in Athens on January 2, 2020, ahead of the signing of an agreement for the EastMed pipeline project designed to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP)

Greece and Cyprus are embroiled in a dispute with Turkey, which has sent gas prospecting vessels into waters claimed by Greece and drilling ships into an area where Cyprus claims exclusive rights. The tension brought NATO allies Greece and Turkey close to open conflict last year, but tensions have eased since then.

Israel and Turkey were once close allies but had a major falling-out in 2010, when 10 Turkish citizens were killed by Israeli forces as a Turkish-led flotilla tried to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The two countries agreed to a U.S.-brokered reconciliation agreement in 2016, but ties broke down two years later over a U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan portrays himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause and has provided political support to Hamas, the Islamic militant group that seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. A number of Hamas leaders are based in Turkey, and Erdogan met with the group’s top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in December 2019.

Israel and Western countries view Hamas as a terrorist group. Turkey considers it a legitimate political actor because it won Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006, and denies providing any aid to the group’s armed wing.

*Source: Associated Press

“Proud to have been part of it”: Chris Despotakis reflects on first NUGAS trip to Greece

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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“Proud to have been part of it”: Chris Despotakis reflects on first NUGAS trip to Greece

It was early December 1977, when a group of Greek Uni students from across Australia, all members of the newly formed National Union of Greek-Australian Students (NUGAS) got the opportunity to return to Greece, reunite with their families just in time for Christmas and explore the homeland their parents had left a few decades earlier in search of a better life Down Under.

Chris Despotakis, then a 17-year-old student at the College of Advanced Education in Adelaide who was also studying Modern Greek, was one of them.

“The trip was an initiative of NUGAS and was supported by the Hellenic Government and the Greek consular Offices in Australia with the goal to encourage repatriation and to promote the Greek language and culture to young Greeks.

Picture: Supplied by Chris Despotakis

“We -students- only had to pay a small fee for the already heavily subsidised air tickets but accommodation and meals were taken care of. For some, it was the first time to visit Greece after their parents immigrated to Australia in the 60s,” Chris Despotakis, 61, tells The Greek Herald as he reminisces about the trip.

“I’m very proud to have been part of it although I have to admit it was challenging at times due to the travel times, the lengthy stopovers and the lack of technology,” he says.

Chris and the students from Adelaide travelled to Melbourne by bus where they met with the groups from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. Then they all flew together to Manila where they stayed for 3-days, then Mumbai, Middle East and finally almost a week later Athens. 

Picture: Supplied by Chris Despotakis

The six weeks trip became four but no one complained despite the challenges. To the contrary.

“It was winter and cold but we were all excited. We travelled around Greece from Edessa and Kastoria to the Peloponnese. We visited museums, archaeological sites like Delphi and got photographed in front of the Parthenon in the era of Polaroid and Instamatics.

“There were no credit cards and we had to line up at the bank to cash in our travel cheques. This was a half a day affair,” says Chris with a smile. 

Picture: Supplied by Chris Despotakis

“We got to know each other and we became friends. Some of us chose not to go to our families during Christmas. One Sunday night a group craved pizza and we ended up in Rome. This was really an adventure considering the lack of technology.”

A student trip that influenced a life 

The impulsive adventures during the student trip that took place over four decades ago created memories and sparked Chris’ will to keep his native language and culture alive thousands of miles away from Greece.

“I will never forget the outstanding Greek hospitality. We were the children of Australia’s first generations of Greek migrants who were returning home,” says Chris, also the owner and Managing Director of ‘Radio Ena’, South Australia’s largest Greek radio station. 

Chris Despotakis, (R – Photo Left) is the the owner and Managing Director of Adelaide’s Radio Ena

“My life and career choices were influenced by this trip. I have been involved with the community because I strongly believe that we have a duty to our migrant parents to preserve and pass on our language and culture to future generations especially now that values are going through a crisis.

“It’s a shame for a civilisation like ours to end with this generation. This is what I tell my children. So, keep learning Greek and get involved with the community,” Chris says. 

The first NUGAS trip to Greece concluded in mid-January, 1978. But like this group photo in front of the Parthenon the memories will live on. 

READ MORE: The story of a friendship that formed alongside the Greek brides of Begoña

Greek Community of Canberra learning centre becoming a second home for children

The Greek Herald
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Greek Community of Canberra learning centre becoming a second home for children

The Greek Community of Canberra learning centre is becoming a second home for the next generation of Greek Australians and, under the guidance of their teachers, they are learning their heritages valuable culture, language and history.

Stella Mentetakis has two children who attend the Greek school; Panteli (10) and Yianna (8). Speaking to The Greek Herald, Mentetakis said the efforts that GCC President John Loukadellis put into the school has created a unique, welcoming environment for all children looking to learn Greek.

“They absolutely love Greek school… they love going, they love learning about the Greek culture and heritage. My son just learnt all about the Greek heroes, Kolokotronis and Papaflessas, so he did research and he learnt about them and I think it’s fantastic,” Stella said to The Greek Herald.

“It’s a beautiful school, it’s a beautiful field and the fact that my kids actually love going to Greek school is just fantastic.”

Panteli (10) and Yianna (8) Mentetakis. Photo: Supplied

The school had an incredible 150 students online in 2020 and is on track to repeat that success this year. According to Mentetakis, a massive drawcard for the children, and parents, has been the introduction of supplied dinners, courtesy of the Hellenic Club in Canberra.

“Not only do we take them to school, the club feeds them dinner. It does finish late into their bedtime, but by the time they come home we can just put them right to bed, it’s all taken care of,” Mentetakis said.

“It’s a great feel, there’s kids from Greek background but also from all different backgrounds and the books cater for that. They write them in English and Greek so it helps any level of Greek background.”

Not only attracting Greek children, John Loukadellis said the learning centre currently has five children of Italian background, German background and Polish background learning Greek.

“It’s blown me away,” Loukadellis said to The Greek Herald.

“There’s two kids in my son’s class of Italian background, no Greek heritage, but the reason they came to learn Greek is because all of their friends from school are doing Greek school and they didn’t want to feel left out.”

“The schools themselves have started promoting the Greek school as well, which for me I’m eternally grateful for them jumping on our bus, if you like, and pushing the Greek language program.”

The progression of these classes, Loukadellis added, are part of the Greek Community of Canberra’s ‘Three Pillar Program’ that launched last year. The program looks to bring together the Hellenistic ideologies of faith, culture and language.

“All of our programs set up for this year involves raising money for the Greek school and involves our kids speaking Greek. And the more we do that, the more cultural programs they get involved with… the more they want to come back and want to learn,” Loukadellis said.

“Turning up on a Tuesday night and Friday night and seeing all the children, the sea of little faces, excited to come to Greek school and hearing from the parents how their kids are looking forward to Greek school because the teachers make it fun.”

Anastasia Constantine has been working as the Greek school’s teacher coordinator for the past two years, also being a teacher for two years prior. Constantine said to The Greek Herald that there has been a “big difference” when looking at the school from the “past to the present”.

“John and his team have really encouraged us to keep going with our goal to lift up the Greek community, providing a better educational system through the Greek school community,” Constantine said.

“We have changed the books and have gone into a more structured system that includes religion and history to provide more opportunities for the children to expand their knowledge of the Greek heritage.”

“We’re looking forward to what the future will bring.”

Andrew Pippos and Will Kostakis set to feature in 2021 Sydney Writers’ Festival

The Greek Herald
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Andrew Pippos and Will Kostakis set to feature in 2021 Sydney Writers’ Festival

Following an incredible year for authors Will Kostakis and Andrew Pippos, the two Greek Australians have been announced as featured guests for the 2021 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Will Kostakis is most notable in the Australian writing community for his Monuments book series and novel The First Third, which was written as a way to show a new perspective on what it’s like growing up in a Greek-Australian family.

READ MORE: TGH Exclusive: Author of ‘The First Third’ Will Kostakis reveals the positive impact of his yiayia on his work

Will Kostakis said he’s honoured to be part of the YA Gala at the Writer’s Festival and is excited to be able to speak with Sydney’s youth after a year of limited events.

“It’s always such a huge highlight for me… being able to go and immerse myself in the latest and greatest of YA is always a thrill,” Kostakis said to The Greek Herald.

Will Kostakis with his novel, The First Third. Photo: The Greek Herald

“It’s weird after a year in isolation I’ve been thrust back. I’m currently in regional Queensland doing a tour in Dolby and so it’s been really cool being able to reconnect with authors and actually connect with the audience again.”

“So that’s always really invigorating and after writing two books last year in isolation it’s so different to be able to bounce off teenagers and the effect that has on the work I produce is astronomical.”

Kostakis was recently announced as the recipient of the 2020 School Library Association of New South Wales Maurice Saxby Award. The Maurice Saxby Award recognises service to children’s and/or young adult literature by an individual, team or organisation that has displayed excellence and passion in promoting reading and/or writing for young people in NSW. 

Author Andrew Pippos became more recently known from his debut novel ‘Lucky’s’, which allows Greek Australian readers to relive the iconic Greek milk bar/café businesses, found in so many Australian towns and suburbs.

Pippos will be taking part in the “Your favourites’ favourites” conversation program, alongside Australian novelist Michelle De Kretser.

READ MORE: Debut book by Andrew Pippos shines new light on Greek Australian cafés

“The Sydney Writers‘ Festival is without doubt one of the best cultural events in the city and I couldn’t be happier about appearing on the program with my first book,” Pippos said to The Greek Herald.

“The return of these large events is also a sign that the city really is back on its feet. The community of readers and writers is returning to normal.”

His book ‘Lucky’s’ had incredible national success and has been described as “a must-read saga, and a gripping monument to Greek diaspora” by The Guardian Australia. Speaking to The Greek Herald last year upon it’s release, Pippos said he wanted to write about a familiar setting that “had an importance to me personally.”

Andrew Pippos. Photo: Supplied

Click to see the full festival program.

Remembering the life of Greek novelist, Andreas Karkavitsas

The Greek Herald
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Remembering the life of Greek novelist, Andreas Karkavitsas

Andreas Karkavitsas is known in history as a highly intelligent Greek novelist and the pre-eminent representative of naturalism in modern Greek literature.

Karkavitsas was born on March 12, 1865 in Lechena, Ilia, as the eldest of eleven children. In 1883 he enrolled in Medical School at the University of Athens, from which he graduated in December 1888. However, it was in Athens where he became associated with legendary poets Kostis Palamas and Konstantinos Hatzopoulos, sparking his love for writing.

The announcement of the Hestia short story competition pushed him into the field of writing. He travelled to the villages of Roumeli to collect folklore and historical data, which he used in his first works. In 1889, he enlisted in the army and recorded his impressions in a series of travel notes, which he used in his novel The Beggar (1897).

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Following the end of his military service in 1891, he worked as a doctor on the steamer Athens. Similarly with his military experiences, he documented his life sailing across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in his travel diary ‘East and West‘.

Karkavitsa’s prose initially moved in the context of idyllic ethnography, with several folklore elements, and gradually moved towards realism. From his eighty short stories, he produced the Words of the bow (1899) collection.

In 1904 he produced his final great work, The Archaeologist, which projected his ideas for a fruitful relationship between modern Greeks and the ancient Greek culture.

Kostis Palamas.

On October 22, 1922, he died of tuberculosis of the larynx at his home in Maroussi. His companion in the last years of his life was Despina Sotiriou. Several streets in Greece have been named after him.

Kostis Palamas said the following about Karkavitsas’ work:

If someone … persuaded me to choose exclusively between Papadiamantis and Karkavitsas, I would stand reverently in front of Papadiamantis, kiss his hand, and vote for Karkavitsas.

Sourced By: San Simera

Chanel Contos’ petition sparks sex education changes across Australian schools

The Greek Herald
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Chanel Contos’ petition sparks sex education changes across Australian schools

A petition made by Chanel Contos a few weeks ago, which has led to hundreds of young women speaking about their stories of sexual harassment, has led to the development of a revised sex education program.

According to The Daily Telegraph, federal Education Minister Alan Tudge praised traumatised schoolgirls for exposing a rape culture in some schools and said there will be changes made to the sex education system.

“Their voices have shone a light on an important issue and given it the attention that it deserves,” Mr Tudge said in a speech to the Menzies Research Centre yesterday.

READ MORE: Chanel Contos behind petition calling for earlier sexual consent education in Sydney schools

“They have alerted us to situations that are completely unacceptable.

“We must all redouble our efforts to ensure that girls and young women are safe and respected in schools.”

Mr Tudge said the federal Education Department would roll out new teaching materials on consent and respectful relationships, through the Respect Matters program, in coming weeks.

Greek Australian, Chanel Contos.

Mr Tudge hailed the “bravery and strength” of hundreds of young women who have detailed allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment, in an online campaign by young Sydney woman Chanel Contos.

Sex education will be improved to teach students about “respect and consent”, Mr Tudge said.

The new Minister also criticised teacher training, and called for more engineers and accountants to retrain as maths and science teachers.

“We are still not consistently attracting the best students into teaching,’’ he said.

“We need to find additional pathways to attract outstanding students to teaching, including talented mid-career professionals.

“I would love to see more engineers and accountants using their mathematical expertise to help us address our critical shortage of maths teachers.’’

Sourced By: The Daily Telegraph

Stefanos Tsitsipas victory brings Greek closer to third straight Marseille title

The Greek Herald
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Stefanos Tsitsipas victory brings Greek closer to third straight Marseille title

Stefanos Tsitsipas has taken one step closer to securing a three-peat in Marseille after defeating Lucas Pouille 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Open 13 Provence.

Tsitsipas defeated the former World No. 10 in 64 minutes, breaking Pouille’s serve four times. Tsitsipas won 86 per cent of his first-serve points and never found himself in trouble against the Frenchman, who had right elbow surgery last July.

“I figured [the tactics] out from early on and brought the top of my game,” Tsitsipas said in his on-court interview. “[I] haven’t played Lucas in a long time. Last time we practised in Australia [in 2019 and] I remember that year we both [made] the semis… It’s very unfortunate for him that he was injured for a long time. I think he deserves to be playing at the highest stage and his game has proved itself many times in the past.

Photo: ATP Tour

“I knew going into the match that I was expecting difficulties. He has experience on the Tour, he has played great players, had great victories. I was dealing with a player with experience and a player who reads the game pretty well and knows his strengths.”

Tsitsipas will next play another home favourite in Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who beat Brit Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4.

“I’ve played Pierre in the past. He has a very difficult game. He comes to the net, serves pretty well,” Tsitsipas said.

“I’m expecting a different style than the one I got today. He will be very aggressive. I think that’s something that I have to expect and he goes for his shots.”

Tsitsipas said facing Top 10 players adds some increased pressure, but the Greek has recently been feeling well on court.

“[I’m] just trying to stay humble, it doesn’t matter where I’m standing in the [FedEx] ATP Rankings. Every opponent is a serious task. Each one of them has played matches in the past against top players and it’s rare that you find players without experience playing at this level,” Tsitsipas said.

Greek protesters attack police with firebombs at rally

The Greek Herald
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Greek protesters attack police with firebombs at rally

Extensive clashes broke out between police and protesters Thursday in Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, after authorities ended an occupation by students and other demonstrators at the city’s main university building.

Protesters threw firebombs at police after street clashes erupted near the city center. Police responded with tear gas and made multiple arrests. No injuries were reported.

The occupation, which had lasted for about three weeks, was to protest a decision by the centre-right government to start police patrols of university campuses.

Despite lockdown restrictions, dozens of protest marches have taken place in Greek cities over the past month against the prospect of police gaining access to campuses. Police said approximately 8,000 people attended Thursday’s rally in the northern Greek city.

Riot police detain a man during clashes in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

A Greek police officer was seriously injured in the head during clashes on Tuesday evening where some 5,000 people in Athens against police violence.

The demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at a police station and police responded with tear gas and water cannon, AFP reported. Around a dozen dustbins were set on fire, prompting firefighters to intervene.

Police said the injured officer had been rushed to hospital, while some protesters had been arrested even before the clashes broke out for possession of Molotov cocktails and iron bars.

Sourced By: AP News

Greek composer Takis Mousafiris passes away after battle with cancer

The Greek Herald
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Greek composer Takis Mousafiris passes away after battle with cancer

Greek composer and lyricist Takis Mousafiris has tragically passed away after a six month battle with cancer, his family announced on Thursday.

The composer had recovered from COVID-19 only one week prior to his death, but was defeated by cancer that had plagued him for the past six months.

Mousafiris is known for creating many musical careers in Greece, including that of Pitsa Papadopoulou, Dimitris Mitropanos and Stratos Dionysiou.

“If it were not for Mousafiris, I would be just a singer that maybe no one knew me today,” said Pitsa Papadopoulou, acknowledging how decisive Mousafiris was for her career.

Takis Mousafiris (left) with Giorgos Margaritis. (Photo by Facebook/ Giorgos Margaritis)

Mousafiris was born in Ioannina and at a young age moved to Athens where he made his first musical works. He started out as a folk singer and performed in taverns in the Athens suburb of Plaka.

By the 1980s, he was one of the greatest and most sought after composers and lyricists in laika, popular Greek music.

Some of his biggest songs included ‘Tell Me One More Song’, ‘The Taxi Driver’, ‘I, the Stranger’, ‘Do Something to Make Me Miss the Train’, and Tell Me Where They Sell Hearts’. 

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