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Turkey and Libya recommit to contested maritime borders deal, angering Greece

The Greek Herald
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Turkey and Libya recommit to contested maritime borders deal, angering Greece

The head of Libya’s new interim government and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Monday affirmed their commitment to a controversial 2019 maritime agreement that has angered Greece and Cyprus.

Speaking following a meeting in Ankara with Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Erdogan pledged to support Libya’s unity, its reconstruction and its military. Turkey would also be sending 150,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as manage a pandemic hospital in Tripoli, to help the North African country battle its outbreak, Erdogan said.

Libya’s interim government, which took power last month, is meant to bring together a country that has been torn apart by civil war for nearly a decade. It is also aims to steer through a general election on December 24.

A handout photo made available by the Turkish President Press office shows, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, (right) and Libya’s interim Prime Minister, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, during a press conference after their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on Monday. Source: EPA.

Turkey has been closely involved in Libya, backing the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the capital Tripoli that controlled the west, against the Libyan National Army (LNA), based in Benghazi that controlled the east. Turkey sent military supplies and fighters to Libya, helping to tilt the balance of power in favor of the Tripoli government.

Turkey also signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based government delineating the maritime boundaries between the two countries in the Mediterranean, triggering protests from Greece and Cyprus. Both countries denounced the agreement, saying it was a serious breach of international law that disregarded the rights of other eastern Mediterranean countries.

“The memorandum of understanding concerning the maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean that we signed with our neighbor Libya, has secured the interest and future of both countries,” Erdogan said.

Dbeibah, who has been trying to strike a balance between Turkey and Greece following Athens’ concerns over the maritime deal, also said the deal serves both Turkey and Libya’s national interests. He added however, that it was important to start a dialogue that would take into account all involved parties’ interests.

Previously, Dbeibah has said his government is willing to establish a joint Libyan-Greek committee to resume negotiations to set the sea boundary between the two countries and demarcate an exclusive economic zone for oil and gas drilling rights.

Dendias vows Greece ‘is back’ in Libya:

Meanwhile, Greece called for the accord to be cancelled, as it reopened its embassy in Libya after seven years on Monday.

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, met Libya’s alternative Prime Minister, Hussein Atiya Abdul Hafeez Al-Qatrani, in Benghazi on Monday and noted that Libya’s parliament had not ratified the accord, which Greece considers has no legal force.

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias (left), met Libya’s alternative Prime Minister, Hussein Atiya Abdul Hafeez Al-Qatrani, in Benghazi on Monday. Source: ANA-MPA.

“Greece has always believed that the solution of Libya’s problems must come from the immediate departure of all foreign armed forces and foreign mercenaries from Libyan soil,” he stressed.

The minister also traveled to Benghazi to meet with representatives of the Greek community of the region.

“Greece is back to help as much as it can. With our people, with our identity as a European Union member, and we hope to maintain our friendship with Libya and help Libya move forward and become a prosperous and stable country,” he said to a gathering of Greeks in Benghazi.

Source: AP News / Ekathimerini.

Greece vows to abolish all voting restrictions for Greek diaspora

The Greek Herald
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Greece vows to abolish all voting restrictions for Greek diaspora

The Greek government will introduce an amendment abolishing all voting restrictions on the Greek diaspora, Interior Minister, Makis Voridis, said on Monday.

The issue was raised after Theodora Tzakir, a SYRIZA MP responsible for diaspora affairs, said in an interview with The National Herald that Greeks living abroad were being subject to “unfair and devaluing limitations” with regards to their right to vote in Greece’s national elections. She said the leftist party would remove these restrictions if it returned to power.

In his comments, Voridis said the amendment would be tabled before Parliament on Monday. 

Greece vows to abolish all voting restrictions for Greek diaspora.

READ MORE: Greek Minister of Interior: ‘The Greek diaspora is a pillar of preservation of our history.’

Government spokesperson, Aristotelia Peloni, confirmed that with the amendment, “for the first time, Greek voters outside the country have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote from their place of residence.”

She added that “what is proposed is to abolish the precondition of staying in Greece for two years during the last 35 years and the obligation to file a tax return during the current or previous year.”

READ MORE: Mitsotakis: The role of Greek diaspora in Australia crucial to Greece’s recovery.

Recently-passed legislation gives all Greek citizens living abroad the right to vote in the next national election if they can prove that they have lived continuously in Greece for two years in the last 35 years. This can be validated by presenting a variety of documentary evidence, which among others includes the national service certificate, proof of social security contributions and degrees from Greek universities.

Kathimerini also recently reported that the government is preparing an online registry for Greeks living abroad in a bid to strengthen diaspora ties with the homeland, as well as enhance public diplomacy and nation branding.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Eleni Glouftsis on kicking through boundaries to become the AFL’s first female field umpire

The Greek Herald
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Eleni Glouftsis on kicking through boundaries to become the AFL’s first female field umpire

Being the best at her job is the only thing that field umpire Eleni Glouftsis wants in her career, as the Greek Australian continues to break down gender barriers in Australian sport.

A week out before the ninth round of the 2017 AFL season, Glouftsis was told that she would be umpiring the match between Essendon and West Coast on May 21, 2017. On this day, she made AFL history as the first ever female field umpire.

“It was something that when I first started umpiring I never thought was possible or something I never necessarily aspired to when I first started,” Glouftsis said to The Greek Herald.

“I just loved football and being part of the game.”

Eleni Glouftsis. Photo: Wayne Ludbey/The Advertiser

Eleni had been umpiring at an SANFL and VFL level for up to ten years before she finally got her start in the national league. She began in 2008 with the North Eastern Metro Junior Football Association in Adelaide, before umpiring in the South Australian National Football League and becoming the first female to officiate as a field umpire in a SANFL match.

“I grew up next to a football ground and just loved playing the game in primary school and high school and kicking the footy with my dad and my brother,” Glouftsis said.

“An advertisement came up at my local school bulletin about umpiring and I thought, well, I’m a footy and I love keeping fit, I’ll give it a go.”

“Went out to umpire and just fell in love with it. And I was lucky enough to have supportive coaches and peers around me to help that journey make that a lot easier.”

Eleni Glouftsis. Photo: AFL Photos

With plenty of social media hype before her first AFL match as a field umpire, Glouftsis said she was grateful to not only her family but the AFL community for rallying behind her.

“It was a pretty crazy week when I try and reflect on it, but a really humbling experience where people were really supportive and reached out. So it gave me confidence going into that game that I had a role to do and I knew how to do it.”

The Greek Australian field umpire also made headlines in July 2019 after she got a heart-warming, ring-shaped surprise on the field following the round 19 match between Carlton and Adelaide.

Eleni Glouftsis got a heart-warming, ring-shaped surprise on the field. Photo: AFL.com

“That it was a really big surprise. We hadn’t ever umpired an AFL match together. Dillon had been umpiring in the AFL for quite a long time, but obviously I was quite new on the list and so to have our first game together to start with was a really exciting experience, and then to have it topped off with that was just really special,” Glouftsis said.

“It was really important to us in terms of football and umpiring, that’s how we met… it wasn’t really supposed to be as widely viewed as it was in the end, but we were really fortunate to have that experience and have that shared with our family and friends.”

Glouftsis was named South Australia’s Young Person of the Year in 2019 and awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021 for her service to Australian rules football. A “humbling feeling”, she said this has helped her give back to the AFL community for everything they have done for her.

Glouftsis was named South Australia’s Young Person of the Year in 2019. Photo: Australia Day South Australia

“I’ve been able to help lots of young people see there are different pathways available to them that we probably haven’t seen before,” the AFL umpire added.

The Greek Australian makes sure AFL games stay calm and orderly, yet everyone knows that the school yard can be the biggest jungle of them all. While working as an umpire on the weekends, Glouftsis works as a high school PDHPE teacher.

“They love the football side of things. It’s a really great way to build relationships, to have conversations with students… it’s a really nice way to kind of have them get to know me as well and be able to share things with them that are relevant to them, but also exciting,” Glouftsis said.

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney launch costume exhibition to mark Greek Revolution bicentenary

Andriana Simos
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Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney launch costume exhibition to mark Greek Revolution bicentenary

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney has officially launched its amazing costume exhibition at the Hermes Lounge in Kogarah to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

Over 200 people were in attendance and had the pleasure of admiring traditional Greek costumes from regions as widespread as Crete, Macedonia, Epirus and Kastellorizo.

(L-R) Wife of Australian PM, Jenny Morrison, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Trade commissioner of Greece in Australia, Katia Gkikiza, and His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.

These attendees included a number of dignitaries and prominent members of the Greek community, including His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, the wife of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Jenny Morrison, Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Katia Gkikiza, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Martha Mavrommatis, the President of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah, Nick Varvaris, Parish priests, Father Kyriakos and Father Dimitris, and the President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias, among many others.

  • Archbishop Makarios. All photos by Vasilis Vasilas.
  • Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras.
  • igh Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Martha Mavrommatis
  • President of the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Kogarah, Nick Varvaris.
  • President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias/
  • The National Metropolitan Choir.

READ MORE: Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney amaze Greek community with preview of costume exhibition.

Official proceedings kicked off with a blessing ceremony (Agiasmos) by Archbishop Makarios, and this was followed by the national anthems of Greece and Australia, as well as the Ode to Freedom, by the National Metropolitan Choir.

Speeches were then given by Archbishop Makarios, Mr Karras, Ms Mavrommatis, Mr Varvaris and Mrs Vertzayias, all drawing attention to the rich Greek history and culture surrounding them.

  • The Aristotelion Academy of Greek Traditional Dance. Photos by Vasilis Vasilas.

The launch concluded with traditional dances from Morias and Thrace by the Aristotelion Academy of Greek Traditional Dance, which brought a smile to the faces of everyone in attendance.

*All photos by Syndesmos Connecting People and Their Stories / Vasilis Vasilas.

Sydney’s Cretan community commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

Andriana Simos
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Sydney’s Cretan community commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

The words ‘MAXH’ shone brightly at the Croatian Club in Punchbowl on Saturday night as Sydney’s Cretan community gathered to commemorate exactly that – the Battle (MAXH) of Crete.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the battle and the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW marked the significant occasion with a special dinner dance.

The dance was attended by about 400 people, including a number of guests of honour, dignitaries and representatives from Greek communities across New South Wales.

  • There were over 400 attendees at the commemoration.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

These included, but are not limited to, the President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, the Very Reverend Father Christophoros Krikelis and the Archdeacon Athenagoras, the Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, James Jordan, the Vice President of the Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW, Peter Tsigounis, New Zealand RSL representative, Margaret McInroy, and Delphi Bank representatives, Nick Kalikajaros and Tom Christopoulos.

  • Greek community leaders at the event. Photos by The Greek Herald.
  • Ryan, Kelvin and Phillip Bourke with Terry Saviolakis.

Also in attendance on the night were Kelvin and Phillip Bourke who came to honour their late father Nick Bourke, a runner from the 22nd Battalion, who fought in the Battle of Crete.

Official proceedings began with a minutes silence for members of the Cretan Association who had passed away over the last few months, followed by the entrance of each guest of honour walking side-by-side with Greek dancers dressed in traditional Cretan costumes.

A number of prominent officials gave speeches. Photos: The Greek Herald.

Speeches then began, starting with Mr Saviolakis, Mr Karras, Mr Jordan, Mr Kalikajaros, who presented Mr Saviolakis with a commemorative award, and the Very Reverend Father Christophoros Krikelis. Messages from Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, were also read out.

In his speech, the Consul General focused on the relationship between Greece and Australia and stressed how the Battle of Crete “was the culminating moment of the co-operation between two peoples.”

  • Awards were given throughout the night.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

“The Anzac contribution in Greece is a chapter of great importance to our two nations. Australia and Greece share a history of strength and dignity, a history of common values and struggles,” Mr Karras continued.

At the conclusion of the speeches, the Cretan band for the night, which included Sifi Tsourdalakis on the Lyra, Paddy Montgomery and Angelo Goutzios on the laouto, Tony Iliou on guitar and George Ganakas on the bass guitar, were presented with awards before they went on stage to entertain attendees for the remainder of the night.

A Cretan band performed on the night. Photo: The Greek Herald.

Their music was accompanied by Cretan dance performances from the Cretan Association’s youth, intermediate and senior dance groups, which brought a smile to the faces of everyone in the room.

The night ended with large groups of people, who had enjoyed a meal of delicious steak or chicken, jumping on to the dance floor and grooving to the music. One lucky attendee also walked away with an 18ct white gold diamond cross from Steven James Jewellers.

A great night enjoyed by all!

  • Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW’s dance groups.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

Greek flags sail across Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution

The Greek Herald
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Greek flags sail across Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution

Burwood Council took part in the month long celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution, held under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Australia.

Dignitaries present at the event include Christos Karras, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Martha Mavrommati, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Jodi McKay, leader of NSW Opposition and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Katia Gkikiza, trade commissioner of Greece in Australia, John Faker, Mayor of Burwood Council, Cr Heather Crichton and Cr Raj Dixit, Tommaso Briscese, General Manager of Burwood Council, Antoine Doueihi, Mayor of Strathfield, Rev. Fr George Liangas, as well as the Greek RSL sub-branch representing Peter Tsigounis.

  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald

The ceremony commenced with a parade of young school children and Greek dancers marching onto the large stage sat in Burwood park, which was decorated with hanging Greek and Australian flags. Following a Greek dance on the stage, the students joined Fr George Liangas and Mr Peter Tsigounis in the opening proceedings.

Master of Ceremonies Dimitrios Kametopoulos introduced Mayor John Faker as the first speaker to celebrate the historic occasion, who noted the unforgettable role St Nectarios Church has played in the Greek community of Burwood.

  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald

“I want to say a big thank you to the contribution you are making to our community for the last 30 to 40 years, some of you 50 years, and it’s really important that we continue to celebrate this diversity and your culture and importantly the faith,” Mayor Faker said.

Mr Christos Karras spoke about the role Greek Australians have played in shaping their new homeland, but also about the role the Greek diaspora and philhellenes played during the Greek revolution.

“The philhellenes and Greek diaspora struggled together to promote the Greek cause… and their work proved to be critical to the future of the revolution,” Mr Karras said.

  • Martha Mavromati. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Jodi McKay MP. Photo: The Greek Herald

Martha Mavrommati spoke about the unforgettable role Cypriots played in the Greek revolution, and continue to play a role in honouring the heroes of the Greek revolution.

“Be proud of your heritage, be proud of your language and be proud of your religion, and don’t forget what the Greeks said when they were fighting during the revolution: It’s better to be free for one minute than to be for 40 years in imprisonment and enslavement,” the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus said.

Concluding the dignitaries speeches was Jodi McKay MP, who expressed her honour in participating in the month long celebrations of the Greek revolution bicentenary anniversary, especially in her representative seat of Strathfield.

  • Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Photo: The Greek Herald

“I also what to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of St Nectarios Church last year,” Ms McKay said, adding that the work of Rev. Fr George Liangas is greatly appreciated in the Burwood and Greek communities of Sydney.

Following the speeches was a choir and musical performance by members of the St Nectarios parish, as well as a poetry recital by the Greek school students.

Mr Chris Christogeorge gave his Greek national day address in the Greek language, speaking about the heroes of the Greek revolution.

“Greek general Theodoros Kolokotronis once said that ‘God is with us and he’s helping us. Because we fight with our faith for our country, for our elder parents, our children and ultimately for our Freedom. And when God helps, we can’t be defeated'”, Mr Christogeorge said.

Photo: The Greek Herald

The Nassibian dancers followed the powerful speech by Mr Christogeorge, who were directed by Christina Efthymiades. Mr Costa Vertzayias, author of ‘1821’, also spoke about the significance of the Greek revolution when looking upon all revolutions in Europe and the United States of America.

Another poetry recital followed, along with a speech from Mr Tony Diakopanagiotis, the Greek School sub-committee President.

The event concluded with another performance from the Nassibian dancers, along with a speech from Greek school principal Dimitrios Kametopoulos, and closing statement by Rev Fr George Liangas.

Photo: The Greek Herald

Mary Couros among those leading the charge for equality in Adelaide’s City Council

The Greek Herald
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Mary Couros among those leading the charge for equality in Adelaide’s City Council

A Persian councillor, backed by the Adelaide Lord Mayor and her deputy, Mary Couros, both women with migrant heritage, is calling for an inquiry on gender and cultural equity in the Adelaide City Council.

The aim is to circuit-break alleged bias and bad behaviour among councillors and create a safe place for generations of new local government leaders, family violence survivor and Afghan-born councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh, told The Advertiser.

His motion for an inquiry will be discussed at a council meeting tonight and has the backing of Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Mary Couros.

READ MORE: Mother, businesswoman and Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide: Meet Mary Couros.

Adelaide City Council Deputy Lord Mayor, Mary Couros, Lord Mayor, Sandy Verschoor, and Councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

Ms Verschoor, the daughter of Dutch immigrants, said the city’s diverse and multicultural community should be reflected within the elected body, committees, and boards.

“We need to shake up the status quo and be brave in our decision making,” Ms Verschoor told The Advertiser.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

Cr Couros, daughter of Greek immigrants, said that while the council had strong female leadership in the chamber and staff, the gender scale was still tipped in men’s favour.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

READ MORE: Mary Couros appointed Deputy Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

She said that until there was equality in numbers it would be difficult to attract more young women and people from diverse cultures to run for local government.

At tonight’s meeting, Cr Abrahimzadeh will ask council’s acting chief executive, Clare Mockler, to identify culture and gender diversity gaps within the council.

He wants Ms Mockler to recommend ways for the council to better reflect cultural and gender diversity and, in turn, prevent bullying and bias in and outside the chamber.

“We must ourselves build a respectful culture where gender equity and diversity are celebrated, emboldened and acknowledged as an elected body,” he told The Advertiser.

Source: The Advertiser.

Two main suspects in murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, caught on camera

The Greek Herald
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Two main suspects in murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, caught on camera

A security camera has captured the two main suspects in the murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, in Greece.

The camera capture shows two people leaving the scene of the crime on a scooter. The driver wears a helmet while the passenger, who was the one who shot Karaivaz, is wearing a beanie and a neck fleece.

READ MORE: Veteran Greek journalist murdered outside Athens home.

Karaivaz was murdered outside his home, in the coastal Athens suburb of Alimos, as he returned from work early Friday afternoon. The autopsy shows he was hit by 10 bullets, of which six in the torso, two in the head, one in the neck and one in the left palm.

A security camera has captured the two main suspects in the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece.

According to the autopsy, the head wounds were the last, confirming a witness account that the murderer went next to Karaivaz as he stood prone and fired the last two shots at point blank range.

State news agency, ANA-MPA, reports that police are examining the victim’s cellphone and computer, as well as his personal blog, to glean information as to the motives of the killers. Police say this had all the hallmarks of a professional hit.

READ MORE: ‘Cowardly act’: Greek PM demands urgent probe into journalist’s murder.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Olympiacos crowned champion after beating historic archrival, Panathinaikos

The Greek Herald
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Olympiacos crowned champion after beating historic archrival, Panathinaikos

Olympiacos has mathematically clinched its second consecutive title in the Super League, and 46th overall in the Greek top flight, after beating Panathinaikos on Sunday while Aris suffered a home reverse to AEK.

In an action-packed Derby of the Eternal Rivals in Piraeus, Olympiacos came from behind to beat Panathinaikos 3-1 on Sunday and create an unassailable lead of 22 points at the top of the table, with seven games left to play.

Panathinaikos took the lead with a Federico Macheda penalty just after the half-hour point, but substitute Ahmed Hassan equalised in the first-half injury time.

Hassan scored twice to mathematically secure the 46th title for Olympiacos. Credit: Twitter/Olympiacos FC.

It was only after Panathinaikos was left with 10 men, through the second yellow card shown to Achilleas Pougouras, that Olympiacos managed to edge ahead with Hassan again, before Bruma put the icing on the cake with the last kick of the game.

Olympiacos has reached 76 points, with Aris on 54 after it went down 3-1 at home to AEK. The Yellows of Athens led 3-0 from the 37th minute, with penalty kicks by Muamer Tankovic and Karim Ansarifard and a goal by Stavros Vassilantonopoulos, before Aris scored a consolation goal via Daniel Mancini in the second half.

AEK has joined PAOK on 51 points, as PAOK drew 1-1 at Asteras Tripolis. The Thessaloniki club led with Karol Swiderski, but Asteras drew level courtesy of Juan Munafo to reach 44 points, five less than fifth-placed Panathinaikos.

In the playouts on Saturday, Larissa scored a stunning 1-0 triumph at Atromitos to come off the bottom of the table, where Panetolikos has now dropped due to its 3-1 loss at Volos.

OFI snatched a precious 0-0 draw at Apollon and is three points above Panetolikos, with one team going straight down and another facing a relegation playoff with the Super League 2 runner-ups.

On Monday, PAS Giannina hosts Lamia.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Insight or Perspective: Best resources for teaching Greek from birth

The Greek Herald
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Insight or Perspective: Best resources for teaching Greek from birth

By Eleni Elefterias

What do you get a new mother for her baby when you know she wants to teach it Greek.

The safe bet is a CD of Greek lullabies. One of the best, with traditional tunes is by Savinna Yiannatou.

Youtube is a good source of Greek music. A baby needs soothing music to sleep and calm music so he doesn’t become startled when awake.

When the baby is able to sit up then make sure, if she is looking at a screen, there is something Greek on it. This way she is getting as much incidental Greek learning as possible. If you still have a Dvd player there are some great Dvds for babies such as My First Words in Greek and English DVD produced right here in Australia for 0-4 years.

You should be reading to your baby even while breast feeding. As a baby’s grip strengthens, they are able to grasp little board books. The more colourful, the better. Choose smaller sized board books that fit into small hands on the subjects of Animals, Numbers, Colours, Toys and Shapes. Showing the Greek Alphabet is pretty useless at this stage unless the book is accompanied by word and pictures.

Babies love simple stories. One-word pages, lots of stimulating colourful images. Something they can touch and feel to help them learn about the world as all those neurones in their brain develop.

Apart from board books, soft material books are great for this age too.

Repetition is the key so once you know what their favourite books are so Read and Repeat! That way they will definitely learn what they hear. If you assume they will never understand greek then you are right they will not! However, if you assume they will then you will be pleasantly surprised.

It is a good time now to either get large flash cards or make your own colourful flash cards and place them on the walls and in the furniture in various rooms and as you pass by with the baby, point and say the word out loud. Labels and tags are very important learning resource from babyhood and beyond.

All the resources above are available at www.bilingualbookshop.com.au

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