Greece’s tourism sector hopes to be “open for business” sometime in July, Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis said in an interview with BBC on Thursday.
Theoharis was asked how soon the country will be able to welcome tourists again, saying that this was something that must be discussed with the health experts first. Despite this, Theoharis hopes to “salvage” a significant part of the summer season.
“We are currently in the process of setting up the protocols that will be submitted to the committee of experts and we hope that they will be able to give us their go ahead to open up gradually,” he explained.
“We need to aim some time in July to be able to open up. This cannot be with every source country, with every destination, I acknowledge that, but at least we have to try to open with some countries the bilateral communication and travel.”
Theoharis explained that Greece followed a very aggressive approach in tackling the virus by acting proactively, even before there were fatalities.
“This was coupled with a consistent education policy explaining to the public why they need to do what was required and how this would flatten the curve,” he said.
The Greek government plans to start gradually lifting the lockdown restrictions in the beginning of May, in a process expected to last until end of June.
Anzac Day, 25 April, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.
The first Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers had died in the campaign.
Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.
Since its first years of commemoration in 1916, the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include those who lost their lives in all the military and peacekeeping operations in which Australia has been involved.
Lest We Forget
Greek and Australian soldiers in Athens. 1941. Colour by Christos Kaplanis
Greeks and Anzacs on the United Front in WWII
Greeks were joined by Australian, British and New Zealand troops, under the command of the British general, Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, to repel the Axis powers in April 1941. This battle, now regarded as the Greek campaign of 1941, become known as one of the shortest and disastrous campaigns of the second world war.
The campaign was sadly hindered by poor communications between the Greek and British commanders, the primitive road and rail system in Greece, the difficult terrain, and the speed and success of the German advance.
Yet, as in almost every Allied campaign in the early part of the war, the worst mistakes of the politicians and strategists were moderated by the bravery, fighting qualities and sheer dogged determination of the troops. Greece was no exception –Lieutenant General John Coates on the Greek Campaign.
Prime Minister Menzies at the memorial to British, Australian and New Zealand troops at Pedion Areos, Athens, March 1955 . (Special Collections, Baillieu Library, The University of Melbourne.
The failed campaign resulted in thousands of Greek and ANZAC deaths, along with 12,000 Allied troops, including 3,000 Australians, becoming prisoners of war of the Germans.
Thousands of Australians were still isolated in Greece, cut off from the evacuations, yet over one thousand Anzacs managed to escape, largely owing to the bravery of the Greek people who assisted them.
Of the 1,686 Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand ) 646 Australians are buried or memorialised in Greece in Phaleron, Athens, Rhodes and Suda Bay in Crete. Over 50 percent of deceased Australians have never been found or are unidentified and are memorialised at the Athens Memorial.
Information sourced by:
The Australian War Memorial Archives
Gavin Long, Greece, Crete and Syria, Australia in the war of 1939-1945, Series 1 (Army), Vol. 2, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1953
In honour of one of the greatest faces of Greek cinema, we are looking back at some of our favourite films starring Greek actress, Aliki Vougiouklaki.
The actress is best known for her leading lady roles and her incredible range from comedy to dramatic parts.
These classics will keep you and the whole family entertained. You can’t go wrong with any Aliki movie!
The Shepherd’s Daughter:
The Shepherds Daughter.
Aliki Vougiouklaki’s second film is based on the eponymous dramatic romance written by Dimitrios Koromilas in 1891. Directed by Dimis Dadira and co-starring Thanos Kotsopoulos, Eleni Chatziargyri, Christos Efthimiou and Costas Chatzichristos.
To Pontikaki:
To Pontiaki.
Again directed by Dimis Dadira, Vougiouklaki plays an orphaned girl among the troupe of “To Pontikaki.” Stars Kouli Stoliga, Nikos Rizos, Elias Stamatiou and Thanassis Vengos.
Haroumenoi Alites:
Haroumeni Alites.
The first film in which Vougiouklaki played, together with Rika Dialyna, who also made her debut here, but also the first Greek police film.
I Zavoliara:
I Zavoliara.
As Lenio, the daughter of a captain, Vougiouklaki is among two fishermen who are erotically claiming her.
Nelly, The Spy:
Nelly, The Spy.
Another film in Vougiouklaki’s career was a spy melodrama set in Greece during the Occupation and the Resistance. One of the most cult of her filmography.
Australia is doing relatively well in its response to the coronavirus pandemic compared to other countries, and has been able to limit the virus’ impact. However, the stricter mitigation measures announced by both international and domestic governments are having significant economic impacts to our workers, businesses and communities.
What is the economic outlook in Australia, Greece and
Cyprus and what role can Australia’s Greek and Cypriot community play in the economic
recovery?
In a quest to
find informed answers for our readers, we caught up with the Bank of Sydney CEO
Miltos Michaelas.
Australia’s economy is resilient in the face of global recession:
Now in his second term in Australia as the Bank of Sydney’s Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), Miltos Michaelas has experienced a number of economic
crises, including those of Greece and Cyprus.
“We all found ourselves in an unprecedented situation. Thankfully the
Bank’s Pandemic Plan (yes, we have one of
those too!) helped my team to be more proactive, initiating an early
response plan which sent our most vulnerable home very early on. Thanks to this
early response, Bank of Sydney remains open to support our customers and the
community,” Michaelas said.
Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas, says a ‘V’-shaped economic recovery is possible for Australia by 2021.
Commenting on Australia’s current economic situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Michaelas mentioned that Australians are luckily less experienced in economic and financial crises than Greeks and Cypriots, where survival instincts and skills have hardened.
“After the recession in the 1990s, Australia was only affected temporarily by the global financial crisis in 2013. However, it did not last long and the economy bounced back quickly.”
Earlier this month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released new data showing the pandemic’s impact on business, based on a survey of 3,000 companies in the days after the government’s tough social distancing restrictions were announced on 29 March. Two-thirds of businesses across all sectors reported taking a hit to revenue or cash flow due to COVID-19. Roughly the same number reported they had suffered decreased demand.
“Australia has a ‘AAA’ credit rating, low public debt, a budget surplus and positive economic growth in 2019. Economies are a little bit like COVID-19 patients. If the patient has underlying health issues, the virus will have more serious effects on them and the effects may be severe; compare this to healthy ones, who equipped with a strong immune system, can reduce the effects of the virus. Australia is a very healthy COVID-19 patient. It can and will overcome this crisis,” Michaelas told The Greek Herald.
“A ‘V’-shaped economic recovery by 2021 is a possible scenario for the country. The COVID-19 cases are low, Australians respect the social distancing rules, testing is becoming more vigorous and scientists are getting closer to finding a coronavirus therapy and further on, a vaccine. Encouraging news like these will help the economic activity bounce back. It’s a matter of time for the positives to overcome the negatives and for things to trek back to normal.”
Greece and Cyprus will endure the crisis:
Amazingly, Greece
stands out internationally as an example for successfully handling the
pandemic. Together with Cyprus, the two countries have been praised for
responding timely and in a responsible manner.
“Both Greece
and Cyprus rely heavily on tourism and they will be significantly affected by
the apparent loss of the 2020 summer season,” Michaelas said, staying
optimistic that both countries can afford to lose this season in order to continue
handling the health crisis situation successfully.
Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas, gives a positive message to the Greek community of Australia.
“Greeks and Cypriots have gone through many crises in recent years. They have proved they have the mental reserves to cope and overcome the crisis. We will miss going back this summer. Maybe we get a chance for a winter trip this year, as airlines and hotels adjust to the COVID-19 challenges. I don’t think we will lose the 2021 summer season,” he added, urging the community to look after their loved ones and themselves during these uncertain times, wherever they may be.
“My team and I are here to support our clients. We are working closely with the government and the Australian Banking Association and we are here to help. We can and will assist our clients who have been impacted. Visit one of our stores, call us on 139500 or email us.”
“Life is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to stay optimistic”:
As we were
ready to wrap up this interview, we asked Mr. Michaelas to share a message with
the community.
“We will get through this crisis. The first generations of Greeks who came to Australia had nothing. Their own migration was caused because of an economic crisis itself caused by a different trigger, mostly wars. They got aboard ships and ended up in Australia. They had nothing, spoke no English and yet they managed to build a better life for themselves. They created families, became financially independent and they helped the next generation thrive,” he concluded.
“Now, this second generation has not felt the impact of crises in life, like their parents or grandparents have. To have a good life, you must accept that there are ups and downs; when down, resilience and speed of mental recovery matter. Resilience starts with good health, which is strongly embedded in the Greek DNA – we toast on good health “Στην Υγειά μας”, and then we typically add “Για να πάνε κάτω τα βάσανα» – “to get over our hardships!”
“We know that if you have health, you can move on and leave the crisis behind. Life is ahead and it’s a marathon, not a sprint. What matters is how quickly you can stand up every time you fall. Let’s stay positive and learn a lesson from those countless generations of Greek and Cypriot immigrants.”
Iconic Greek tennis personalities, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Patrick Mouratoglou, have launched the “Beyond 100 Support” auction platform to support tennis players ranked outside the world’s top 100.
The Greek-French Serena Williams coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, released an open letter last week to raise awareness about the financial condition of tennis players ranked outside the top 100.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the youngest player in the top-10 of the ATP world rankings, admired Mouratoglou’s call to action and reached out to the coach to make this idea a reality.
“As the youngest player in the top 10, I feel responsible to help the future of tennis,” Tsitsipas says in a statement released on Thursday.
“I understand how critical it is for the sustainability of both ATP and WTA players ranked beyond the top 100 and how difficult it is to make a living from professional tennis, especially with no tennis events going on for an undefined period of time.”
The “Beyond 100 Support” fundraiser is an auction platform with the goal to support players beyond the top 100, both in the ATP and WTA rankings. Funds raised through the “Beyond 100 Support” platform will contribute towards a broader approach by the ATP and WTA aimed at supporting lower ranked players during this challenging period.
Stefanos Tsitsipas with Serena Williams. Photo: Instagram
Patrick Mouratoglou recognises the detrimental impact competition cancellation can have on low-ranked players, potentially forcing the ending of their careers.
“The situation of players ranked beyond the top 100 is becoming more and more worrying as they might not be able to pursue their careers — their passions — if the current health crisis were to last for too long,” Mr Mouratoglou says.
The public can offer a flat contribution, starting at $1, and there are also a number of items up for silent auction.
Among them are a one-hour coaching session with Mouratoglou, ATP Finals tickets and hospitality packages, Coco Gauff’s New Balance shoes, and several items of Tsitsipas’ own tennis gear.
Foreign diplomats from 18 countries have recited Greek literature in support of Greece’s “Stay Home” campaign against the spread of coronavirus. The video, featuring a compilation of half the participating foreign representatives, was posted by the Greek Foreign Ministry on Facebook and Youtube Thursday.
The video was released under the title “We #StayHome and travel through literature,” and produced through the initiative of the General Secretariat for Public Diplomacy, Religious and Consular Affairs.
“Through the universality and the timelessness of Greek literature, from Homer to the present day, [the envoys] are sending their own message of international solidarity against the pandemic,” the General Secretariat said in a statement.
The diplomats selected a variety of poetry excepts from legendary Greek poets Homer, Constantine Cavafy Odysseas Elytis and Titos Patrikios. Some chose to read the excerpts through English translations, while others recited them through their traditional Greek writings.
The video featured only nine of the participating 18 countries, with the second part to be released next week. Ambassadors of countries that were present in the video released yesterday included England, Sweden, The Netherlands, Mexico, France, Austria, China, Israel and Slovenia.
Despite a threat from organisers to relocate the event, Bondi has secured the iconic Sculpture By The Sea exhibition for the next 5 years.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the agreement is an important step forward in the future of the world-class sculpture event.
“Our Council has provided in-kind support for the event for the past 23 years, and we look forward to this year’s event in whatever exciting form it takes,” Mayor Masselos said in a joint statement
“Our iconic coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama Beach and Marks Park community headland park provided a stunning backdrop for so many years and we’d like to see this continue.”
Aerial view of Marks Park, the dress circle vantage point of Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi, and the controversial concrete path. NICK MOIR / SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
The outdoor art show will run from October 22 to November 8, with postponement plans in place if public gathering restrictions are still under enforcement.”
“Waverley Council will continue to monitor what impact COVID-19 measures in NSW will have on public events in the future, but for the meantime, we just want to congratulate Sculpture by the Sea for moving forward in this new chapter,” Mayor Masselos added.
A dispute by the public was made over the Council’s plans to make a new access path, which would affect the show’s dress circle position at Marks Park. Manly and Cronulla’s waterfronts and Sydney’s eastern Harbour foreshore had been considered as alternatives if the famous art display was to be relocated.
Agreement reached with Waverley mayor, Paula Masselos. Photo: PETER RAE / SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Founding Director of Sculpture by the Sea, David Handley AM,, said an agreement was reached with Waverley Council to remain in Bondi, which did not involve financial inducements.
“Bondi is really the site for Sculpture by the Sea and any other exhibition would have to be a different exhibition because it has to adjust to the physicality of the site,” said founder David Handley.
Mr Handley insisted he had been open with all rival councils about the intention to return to Bondi where and when possible, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
While there were a tenor of relations with Waverley Council, Mr Handley confirmed that the new leadership under Mayor Paula Masselos allowed for a positive recommitment.
Labor Councillor, Paula Masselos, was the first woman of Greek heritage to be elected Mayor of Waverley in September 2019.
Tom Hanks has sent a letter and a Corona brand typewriter to an Australian boy who wrote to him about being bullied over his name, Corona, Australian television networks reported on Thursday.
Corona De Vries, an eight-year-old from the Gold Coast in Queensland state wrote to the Hollywood star after he and his wife, Rita, had spent more than two weeks in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 in the Australian beach resort.
The boy had written to Hanks saying: “I heard on the news you and your wife had caught the coronavirus,” Channel 7 News reported. “Are you ok?”
“You know, you are the only person I’ve ever known to have the name Corona — like the ring around the sun, a crown,” the double Oscar winner wrote to the boy.
“I thought this typewriter would suit you,” an image of the letter aired by Channel 7 News showed. “Ask a grown up how it works. And use it to write me back.”
Hanks handwrote at the end: “P.S. You got a friend in ME!”
Greece on Thursday extended its general coronavirus lockdown by a week to May 4, saying any relaxation would be staggered over May and June.
Greek authorities imposed a blanket shutdown of public life from mid-March to stem coronavirus contagion, and the country has recorded a significantly lower outbreak of the COVID-19 respiratory disease than many other European nations.
Restrictions, which allow people to move around only with an official permit, will be extended to May 4 from April 27, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told a news briefing.
“The objective of the confinement measures is not to remain in a glass bowl, stuck in our homes. The objective is to take our lives back and win back our way of life which was temporarily deprived of us by this cunning and invisible enemy,” Petsas said.
Municipal workers wearing protective suits disinfect Syntagma square, after the Greek government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Athens, Greece, March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would map out the transition in a public speech early next week, Petsas said.
By Wednesday evening, Greece had reported 2,408 cases of COVID-19 and 121 deaths.
The country shut schools and places where large numbers of people congregate on March 10, followed by strict restrictions on movement from March 23.
Those measures limited any risk of the health system collapsing from mass admission of patients or from many people falling ill at once, Petsas said.
Greece is already dealing with austerity and the painful economic reforms it was required to introduce in response to three bailouts between 2010 and 2015.
Two asylum-seekers on the Greek island of Lesbos were shot and injured after apparently violating coronavirus quarantine rules, officials said Thursday.
The two men, an Iranian and an Afghan, reported to the camp’s infirmary with buckshot wounds late Wednesday, sources at the Moria camp said.
They were taken to the local hospital but their condition was not deemed serious. The unknown assailant or assailants evaded arrest.
The men told police they had ventured out of the camp, which is under lockdown alongside the rest of Greece’s migrant facilities to limit the spread of the virus.
There have been coronavirus cases in two camps and a migrant hotel on the Greek mainland, where 150 people tested positive this week.
So far, no cases have been reported in camps on the islands, with no widespread screening conducted by authorities.
![Greece intends to welcome tourists in July, says tourism minister [Video]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/bbc-thumb-large-thumb-large-768x480.jpg "Greece intends to welcome tourists in July, says tourism minister [Video]")
