Ambitious. Defiant. Idiosyncratic. Three words used by art critics around the world to describe well-known Greek Renaissance painter, El Greco.
To celebrate his life, we take a look back at why El Greco is associated with those words in the first place.
Early Life and Works:
Domenikos Theotokopoulos was born in 1541 in Chandakas (today’s Heraklion) in Venetian-occupied Crete, to wealthy parents. Without knowing much about his teachers and artistic apprenticeship, there is no doubt that he had the opportunity to study Byzantine painting in his hometown and become acquainted with Western art.
Portrait of El Greco. Source: Unknown.
In 1567, because Crete was then a Venetian possession and he was a Venetian citizen, he decided to go to Venice to study. It was there he acquired the name El Greco (the Greek), as it was custom to identify a man by designating a country or city of origin to him.
El Greco never forgot that he was of Greek descent though and usually signed his paintings in Greek letters with his full name, Domenikos Theotokopoulos.
Interestingly, many of his early works in Italy don’t show any influence from his Byzantine heritage. They are completely in the Venetian Renaissance style of the 16th century. One such example is ‘Christ Healing The Blind‘ which places figures in deep space and emphasises the architectural setting.
One of El Greco’s early works, Christ Healing the Blind.
Later Years and Works:
In 1576, El Greco moved to the Spanish city of Toledo, where his artistic production reached its peak.
The Dean of the Toledo Cathedral, Diego de Castilla, commissioned El Greco to paint a group of works for the altar of the church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo (such as ‘The Trinity‘ and ‘The Assumption of the Virgin,’ both 1579). Castilla also facilitated the commission of ‘The Disrobing of Christ‘ (1579), and these paintings would become some of El Greco’s most accomplished masterworks.
However, to this day, his most universally regarded artwork remains ‘The Burial of Count Orgaz‘ (1588). This work features a dichotomy of heaven and earth, and depicts a visionary experience, transcending the known and revealing that which exists in the spiritual imagination.
The Burial of Count Orgaz (1588)The Disrobing of Christ (1579)
Death and Legacy:
El Greco died on April 7, 1614, at the age of 73 and was buried in the church of Agios Domenikos in Toledo.
For many years, his name remained obscure and his paintings in churches and palaces in Italy and Spain were considered works of some madman. However, from the beginning of the 20th century, his work began to be recognised and today he is considered one of the leading visual artists of all time.
Cardinal George Pell will be released from prison after the High Court overturned his conviction for historic child sex offences.
Chief Justice Kiefel handed down the ruling on behalf of the full bench to the near-empty High Court, and unanimously found Pell’s conviction for child sex abuse should be overturned and he should immediately be released from prison.
“The High Court found that the jury, acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted, and ordered that the convictions be quashed and the verdicts of acquittal be entered in their places,” a summary of their decision, handed down today, read.
Cardinal Pell, 78, had been serving a six-year jail sentence after he was convicted in 2018 of abusing two choirboys in the 1990s, when he was the Archbishop of Melbourne.
Today’s decision means Australia’s most senior Catholic will be released from Barwon Prison later this afternoon.
Move over Mozart, here comes Stelios Kerasidis. A seven-year-old Greek piano prodigy has penned an “isolation waltz” inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.
The composition is a moving piece of music dedicated to all the people who continue to suffer across the world from the disease, as well as those who are forced to stay at home in isolation.
“Hi guys! I’m Stelios, I’m at home too. Let’s be just a teeny bit more patient and we will soon be out swimming in the sea! I’m dedicating you a piece of my own,” Kerasidis says in the YouTube video.
The hypnotic melody has picked up more than 43,000 hits on YouTube since its launch last week.
The work is his third composition after he also penned two piano concertos, ‘Veronika‘ and ‘Anastasia,’ named after his sisters.
“Music is my entire world,” he told Reuters last year.
The piano wonder child started performing in public at the age of five. At age six, he became the youngest Greek musician to perform a Chopin waltz at Carnegie Hall.
Now, stuck in isolation, Kerasidis has not hinted whether he has another composition up his sleeve.
The oldest person in Greece infected with COVID-19 is a 101-year-old man, according to an epidemiological report published by the Hellenic National Public Health Organisation (EODY).
The EODY report revealed a wide range of interesting statistical data about the spread of the disease in Greece.
Age& Gender:
Statistics showing the impact of coronavirus on the Greek people by age and gender. Source: EODY.
The youngest child infected with the virus is less than 1 year old.
The average age of confirmed cases is 49 years of age.
Males are the hardest hit by the coronavirus, representing just over half, or 54.9 percent, of all those diagnosed with it.
76.9 percent of those 93 individuals who are currently in serious conditions are also male.
The youngest patient who died was 39 years old, the oldest 95.
Geographical Distribution:
Map of Greece with the number of cases for every 100,000 inhabitants. Source: EODY .
The highest concentration of people aged over 50 diagnosed with coronavirus can be found in Northern Greece, particularly near Kastoria.
There have also been a number of recent deaths recorded around that area including an 82-year-old man being treated at a Patra hospital, a 72-year-old in Alexandroupoli and a 78-year-old in Thessaloniki.
COVID-19 Testing:
Chart: red = positive, grey = negative. Source: EODY.
From January 1, 2020 until April 5, 2020, a total of 25,453 tests on the coronavirus have been conducted. 1,699 tests, that is 6.7%, were positive for the virus.
Do you like Greek comedies and theatre? The Greek Herald has found a way to combine them both.
Comedies of the past, recently played on the Greek theatrical stage, to help you relax during these unprecedented times.
Every week, as part of #KeepItGreek, The Greek Herald team will choose a theatrical play for our loyal followers.
Today, we begin with «Χτυποκάρδια στα Θρανία». Lakis Lazopoulos signed on for the adaptation and directed the popular comedy, with original music by Manos Hatzidakis. Katerina Geronikolou plays the role of Lisa Petrovasili and Orestis Tziovas plays the role of Professor Dimitris Papadopoulos. In surprise roles are Maro Kontou, Nikos Galanos and Costas Voutsas.
The following is a Greek description of the film if you want to challenge yourself even further to #KeepItGreek:
Σας αρέσουν οι παλιές ελληνικές κωμωδίες και το θέατρο; Ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας
βρήκε έναν τρόπο να τα συνδυάσετε.
Κωμωδίες του παρελθόντος, που παίχθηκαν πρόσφατα στην ελληνική θεατρική
σκηνή για να περάσετε πιο χαλαρά αυτές τις πρωτόγνωρες ημέρες.
Ο Ελληνικός Κήρυκας στο πλαίσιο του #KeepitGreek θα επιλέγει για εσάς
κάθε εβδομάδα ένα θεατρικό έργο.
Αρχή σήμερα με τα «Χτυποκάρδια στα Θρανία». Ο Λάκη Λαζόπουλος υπέγραψε τη
διασκευή και σκηνοθεσία της δημοφιλούς κωμωδίας, με την πρωτότυπη μουσική του
Μάνου Χατζιδάκι. Στο ρόλο της Λίζας Πετροβασίλη η Κατερίνα Γερονικολού και στο
ρόλο του καθηγητή Δημήτρη Παπαδόπουλου ο Ορέστης Τζιόβας. Σε ρόλους έκπληξη οι
Μάρω Κοντού, Νίκος Γαλανός και Κώστας Βουτσάς.
Medical professionals, teachers, police officers, pilots and customer service officers. People earning money in their family, when another member may have lost their job. They are some of our community’s essential workers.
In a time of uncertainty, many Greek
Australians work day and night to keep us safe and to make sure we have access
to necessary services while facing great challenges and potential threats to
their own health.
How do they keep up and how do they cope with the current situation? What is their message to the wider community? Here’s what they told The Greek Herald.
Helen Zahos, Registered Nurse, Gold Coast:
Q: How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A: I am coping ok, I think
everybody has experienced some sort of shock or disbelief that this is actually
unfolding as well as the affects to people directly and indirectly through loss
of jobs, closing of businesses and especially those that have lost loved ones
because of this pandemic.
Our role is unchanged in that we are in the
Intensive care unit to care for those that are critically ill. The difference
now is we apply PPE and we have separate areas to look after these patients.
We do have COVID-19 patients in our intensive care unit. I think we are even more cautious and there is an awareness of everything we touch and do. It is hot under the PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) and the masks are tight on your face which make you feel claustrophobic and it is hard to talk to patients through the mask.
It can be daunting as you approach the area where you get changed and approach the area, but that is because we are aware of the seriousness of this virus and how easily it spreads. As nurses, we support each other as well as looking after the patients, essentially we are just doing the job that we know but it is different.
At first I think you feel a bit anxious or
nervous but you get over that quickly. COVID-19 seems to be all that we talk
about, we are always anticipating what is going to happen and how bad it will
get but we are ready, and really well prepared. The mood at the moment changes
day by day, the situation changes, people are feeling tired and there is an
emotional tiredness as well.
The nurses I work with have children and families, they have concerns like passing this onto their children. I know I self isolate between shifts and I don’t see my mother or my sister as she has a young baby. I knew once I started at the hospital that I would not see them for a few months and I have prepared myself mentally for that now.
Q: What is
your message to the wider community?
A: Stay
home, adhere to social distancing measures and wash your hands especially if
you have ventured out to go to the grocery shops. Be aware of what you are
touching and who you are coming in contact with.
Keep an eye on your neighbours, especially your elderly. They are very vulnerable at this time, there is a lot of fear at the moment in the community. The Greek community can support each other through this time. This is just a hurdle, it does not have to be a barrier and we need to support each other as a community and try and continue the things we would normally be doing but in a different way.
Michael Koullouros, Acute Surgical Unit Registrar, Adelaide:
Q: How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A: Currently
morale is good but the work environment is a bit tense, as everyone is
expecting a huge influx of patients flooding the healthcare system over the
next few months.
Much
of the non-urgent elective surgery is postponed, we are getting daily emails
with updates on the SA COVID-19 status and planning, and we have had tutorials
regarding correct use of PPE and guidelines for testing and management. We know
that there are plans of redeployment of staff at all levels across various SA
health sites if required.
Naturally
we are all a bit anxious to see what happens with COVID-19 itself, where we end
up working and under which conditions, bearing in mind what happened in other
countries. All we can really do is our best given the circumstances and we take
each day as it comes. At the end of the day Australia appears to be one of the
best-prepared countries.
Q: What is your message to the wider community?
A: When it comes to the wider community, it is important for people to remember that the fight against any disease does not start in hospitals, it starts at home and the community. Same with COVID-19. People need to remind themselves that they can make a very real difference with simple measures: social distancing, isolating as indicated by government and health boards, limit your movements and most importantly good hand hygiene. Things are likely going to get worse before they get better, but as long as everyone is doing their part I am sure we will be ok.
Nicholas Ikonomos, Pharmacist, Adelaide:
Q: How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A: Take things day by day. With the overload of new information, it’s important to stay agile and adapt to the ever changing climate. In my pharmacy for example, I decided to split up the staff into two groups, working on separate days. In the worst case scenario that one team goes into isolation the other team can step in and continue providing essential medication to the community. Surviving is all about thinking ahead.
Q: What is your message to the wider community?
A: My message to the wider community is to stay calm. We will get through this and in this time where health is a priority for everyone, let’s not just focus on surviving but improving our health with optimal diet and exercise and come out of this healthier than ever!
Emelia Tsaknis, Economics Teacher, Sydney:
Q: How do you keep up and
how do you cope with the current situation?
A: So far it has been okay. But I’ve really struggled being stuck inside the house, as has everyone. I feel like I’m losing the social aspect of my life and to be honest, I’m quite sick of staring at a screen all day. I try to exercise and go out for walks where possible.
My school
has put all work online and tried to keep as much of our regular routines in
place. It’s been a lot of extra work for me as the things that come so
naturally on a daily basis have to be done explicitly and be monitored
continuously. I’ve now had to record videos, edit and post them online.
I
am starting to miss my students and my colleagues and the jokes and
conversations we have everyday. I have definitely taken them for granted.
Teaching is not just about educating, it’s primarily relationship building. You
build such good relationships with students and that aspect has been taken away
completely which is a real shame.
Q: What is your message to the wider community?
A: I think that many people thought that teaching is so easy and the internet and technology could essentially remove the need for a teacher in the future, but this whole situation has proved to many people, particularly parents, how important our job is.
Overall, I would tell everyone that although education is highly important, our mental health and relationships together are more vital. This situation is bringing families together and forcing them to be with each other when otherwise they wouldn’t be. Whether people lock themselves in their rooms or go out with their friends instead of family. So let’s all bond and become closer again.
Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan (nee Panayiotou), SA Police:
Q. How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A. The secret to coping in
stressful and busy situations is to surround yourself with good people. I have
a wonderful dedicated team around me and we all look out for each
other. In tough times we all have a responsibility to be even more
considerate of those around us and make sure they are supported.
I also have my wonderful Greek family to
supply love, vegetables and eggs, all from the garden. We also share
toilet paper when the need arises!
Q. What is your message to the wider community?
Please, please, please, follow the directions and guidelines from official Government sources. I do not want members of my community falling ill. Many of the Greek community are elderly and therefore, in a vulnerable group.
The government has access to experts who we must be able to rely on with their advice. If any advice changes these changes will be immediately communicated and must be followed to ensure everyone’s safety.
Adoni Petrandonakis, Airline Pilot, Sydney:
Q: How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A: Similarly to a lot of others in the broader community, the aviation
industry has been adversely affected resulting in standing down most of its
employees. I have been affected by this as well and have had to make the
necessary adjustments at home. Given the circumstances, we’re coping very well.
We have three beautiful little girls to entertain and home school, and we’re
making the most out of this valuable time at home with them.
Q: What is your message to the wider community?
A: It’s important to adhere to the Australian Government Department of Health guidelines. Remember to stay connected with family and friends. Stay safe and we’ll be on the other side of this before we know it!
Christina Salapatas, Funeral Director, Adelaide:
Q: How do you keep up and how do you cope with the current situation?
A: This is a
very complex situation with rules and regulations changing daily. We are taking
our role very seriously and working under the advice of federal and state
authorities. It is a stressful time for people throughout the world. On
average, a Greek funeral will see approximately 200 to 300 mourners attend a
service. Sadly, those numbers have substantially reduced causing confusion and
unease amongst families, professionals within the industry and our Greek
community.
Q: What is your message to the wider community?
A: In the best
interest of our community, we are strongly encouraging our families to adhere
to the strict advice of authorities in regards to social distancing and
maintaining hygiene standards. We must remember a majority of mourners are elderly
and they are the highest risk group. Please, everybody stay safe.
If you
are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19) call the National Coronavirus
Helpline on 1800 020 080 or visit https://www.health.gov.au
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has launched a new electronic prescription system for vulnerable citizens unable to visit their doctor due to the country’s lockdown restrictions.
The innovative e-prescription system was presented to Mr Mitsotakis during a conference call on Sunday, where he congratulated the developers for completing the project “in record time.”
“It is an initiative that benefits all. First and foremost, it benefits the insured people, particularly those who suffer from chronic conditions, since they will be able to receive prescriptions automatically to their mobile phones,” Mr Mitsotakis said.
According to IDIKA (the e-Government Centre for Social Security), in less than two weeks the number of citizens registered for the online prescription platform have exceeded 140,000.
They will now be able to show the prescription barcode on their mobile phone to a pharmacist, who will then hand over their medication.
“It benefits doctors as they save time from routine work to deal with more serious cases requiring medical attention,” Greece’s Prime Minister stressed.
The new e-prescription service set up by the Greek government. Source: IDIKA.
In an age where price gauging is on the rise, Mr Mitsotakis also said the platform will enhance the ability of the state to monitor pharmaceutical spending and identify distortions.
“This new tool even allows for a clearer picture of the pharmaceutical spending, of the prescribing process as well as of any potential savings that can be achieved,” he said.
The decision to launch the digital prescription service comes in the face of new statistics showing almost 75 million prescriptions are issued every year in Greece.
To register for the digital program, visit: ehealth.gov.gr
The Victorian Government has committed $20 million to pay for hotel rooms for hospital workers and paramedics on the frontline of Victoria’s coronavirus response.
Under the new ‘Hotel for Heroes’ plan, staff will be given free accommodation if they have tested positive to COVID-19 or been exposed to someone who has the disease, in an attempt to ease the financial burden for frontline workers most at risk.
Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos, said the program could potentially support up to 8,000 healthcare workers.
“We certainly hope that we don’t have a large number of healthcare workers diagnosed with COVID-19 but… we do know from overseas experience that they, sadly, are at an increased risk of contracting the virus,” Ms Mikakos said.
“And whilst we’ve gone and ordered an unprecedented amount of personal protective equipment to keep them safe, and we have prioritised them for testing, we need to do everything possible to ensure that they get our support.
“The least we can do is make sure they’ve got a free, safe place to go if they need it.”
MP Jenny Mikakos and Premier Daniel Andrews announced the ‘Hotel for Heroes’ plan for frontline healthcare workers. Source: The Guardian.
The move to accommodate healthcare workers comes after 100 staff were forced to self-isolate at The Alfred Hospital following a COVID-19 outbreak, while staff at three other hospitals have also gone into quarantine after being exposed to coronavirus.
The Health Department has not been able to ascertain the source of the cluster linked to The Alfred, but Premier Daniel Andrews said in the majority of cases the health workers had contracted the virus from a traveller and not as a result of their work.
“The vast majority, over 80 per cent, of those health workers who have contracted the virus, have not got it from patients,” Mr Andrews stressed.
“But because we know that they’re still at greater risk because of their work… they shouldn’t have to fork out for a second place just to protect their families, loved ones or housemates.
“This plan will help slow the spread of the virus, protect our health system and save lives.”
Healthcare workers now have the option to stay in a hotel room for free if they need to self-isolate. Source: Fiona Renton/ ABC News.
The accommodation will be available to clinical and non-clinical staff, including paramedics, patient transport staff and cooks and cleaners, at public and private hospitals that directly engage with patients.
A range of hotels and apartment buildings in Melbourne and throughout regional Victoria are currently being assessed by the Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure they’re appropriately located and set up to house people who are isolating.
Olympic pole vault champion, Katerina Stefanidi, issued on Sunday a positive reaction to the postponement of the Olympic Games to 2021, having previously been an outspoken advocate of this measure.
Stefanidi, who won gold at Rio 2016, said on state broadcaster ERT that it was always going to be a difficult decision but it needed to be done.
“The postponement was made a little late but could have been made even later, given that originally the International Olympic Committee had said they would announce their decision in May,” Stefanidi said.
Olympic pole vault champion, Katerina Stefanidi, took part in the Olympic Flame Relay this year. Source: Instagram.
She also acknowledged that her pride for being the last torchbearer at the Greek leg of the Olympic Flame Relay last month was mitigated by the fact that this was eventually done in front of empty stands at the Panathenaic Stadium.
“I would have liked organisers to give us the opportunity to do it again in normal circumstances for next year’s Games, but I understand the Flame has now been delivered to Tokyo and they will keep it in Japan, so it’s alright,” she said.
Her comment comes in the wake of the Government’s announcement that it hopes there will be a return to local sporting action in Greece next month.
“We hope, we estimate, that some time in May there will be some resumption of sports activity in Greece,” Deputy Minister for Sports, Lefteris Avgenakis, said last week.
People in New South Wales will be able to up-skill during the coronavirus pandemic, with 21 fee-free TAFE NSW short courses now available online.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, made the announcement this morning and said the select courses will assist job seekers and workers looking to diversify their skills during the crisis.
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, made the announcement this morning. Source: AAP.
“This initiative is good news. It means people can start preparing for when these difficult times are over,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Rather than not having a job or not working from home, it’s an opportunity for you to upgrade your skills or acquire new skills so that you can enter or re-enter the workforce after this crisis.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, concurred with the Premier and said the fee-free courses will contribute “to helping businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs.”
“The NSW Government understands that circumstances have changed for a lot of people and business owners, which means the way they work and how they conduct their business has also changed,” Mr Lee said.
“We also understand that many industries are in hibernation, so using this period to upskill for the future is time well spent.”
People interested in accessing the online courses can choose from a range of topics including administration skills, digital impact, health and medical knowledge, leadership and business skills.
More information, including a full list of courses, is available here or by calling 131 601.
![Seven-year-old Greek piano prodigy pens an ‘isolation waltz’ [VIDEO]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/greek-prodigy-top.jpg "Seven-year-old Greek piano prodigy pens an ‘isolation waltz’ [VIDEO]")
