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Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev win the Hessian Peace Prize 2020

Andriana Simos
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Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev win the Hessian Peace Prize 2020

Former Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, have been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize 2020 for settling the name dispute between the two states.

Tsipras and Zaev settled the name dispute between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece with the Prespa Agreement on February 12, 2019.

The little Balkan country north of Greece was officially named North Macedonia and gained membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

READ MORE: Leaders of Greece and North Macedonia discuss Prespa Agreement.

“With the Hessian Peace Prize, we are honoring two people who have worked for peace and international understanding and who succeeded in resolving a conflict that goes back deep into history,” Boris Rhein, President of the Landtag, said after the award was announced.

Former Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras (right), and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev (left), have been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize 2020.

“The two of them… reached an agreement in the decades-long conflict between their countries, Greece and Macedonia, over the name ‘Macedonia.’ In doing so, they achieved a truly diplomatic feat that no one had managed before.”

Board of Trustees member, Professor Dr Nicole Deitelhoff, added that Tsipras and Zaev “out their political careers at risk” to settle the name dispute.

READ MORE: Alexis Tsipras congratulates North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev on election victory.

“Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras have departed from the pattern of insisting on maximum positions and ruling out agreement as defeat or treason,” Professor Deitelhoff said.

“In doing so, they put their political careers at risk and had to negotiate numerous compromises as well as concessions within their parliaments.

“The agreement is accompanied by the hope of good cooperation and partnership between North Macedonia and Greece. The settlement of the dispute is an example of reconciliation in the region and Europe as a whole.”

READ MORE: Greek businesses unite to further interests in North Macedonia.

The Hessian Peace Prize was established in 1993 by Albert Osswald, the former Prime Minister of the German state of Hesse.

It is awarded annually to people who have rendered “outstanding services to international understanding and peace.”

Turkey issues fresh NAVTEX warnings demanding demilitarisation of 6 Greek islands

The Greek Herald
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Turkey issues fresh NAVTEX warnings demanding demilitarisation of 6 Greek islands

The Turkish navy on Sunday evening issued three navigational (NAVTEX) warnings demanding the demilitarisation of the Greek islands of Samothraki, Lemnos, Chios, Samos, Tilos and Halki.

The move came after European Union leaders last week failed to agree on solid sanctions against Turkey over its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, reports Monday said that the Oruc Reis research vessel has left the port of Antalya and is steering on a southwest course within Turkish territorial waters.

Tensions flared this year after Ankara sent its Oruc Reis seismic survey ship into disputed waters, escorted by gunboats, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling.

Source: Ekathimerini.

US imposes sanctions on Turkey over purchase of Russian missile system

The Greek Herald
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US imposes sanctions on Turkey over purchase of Russian missile system

The Trump administration slapped sanctions on Turkey on Monday over a multibillion-dollar acquisition of a Russian missile system.

The sanctions, announced by the US Treasury, targeted Turkey’s defense procurement agency, known as the Presidency of Defense Industries, and its senior officials, including its president.

The long-anticipated move is expected to further stoke tensions between Washington and Ankara in the weeks ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s ascension to the White House and send a message to foreign governments considering future weapons deals with Russia.

Turkey acquired the missile defense system, known as the S-400, in July 2019.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan during a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2019. Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts/File Photo.

The purchase violated a sweeping sanctions law passed in the summer of 2017 by wide margins in the House and Senate to force Trump to be tougher on Russia. Trump, who wanted to avoid an embarrassing veto override, begrudgingly signed the law.

The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA, targeted Iran, North Korea and Russia, requiring sanctions on any country that made a “significant purchase” of defense equipment from Moscow.

“Today’s action sends a clear signal that the United States will fully implement CAATSA Section 231 and will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

“I also urge Turkey to resolve the S-400 problem immediately in coordination with the United States.

“Turkey is a valued Ally and an important regional security partner for the United States, and we seek to continue our decades-long history of productive defense-sector cooperation by removing the obstacle of Turkey’s S-400 possession as soon as possible,” he added.

Monday’s sanctions include banning all US export licenses to Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, also known as SSB, as well as freezing the assets of and banning US visas for its president Ismail Demir and other senior officials.

Source: ABC News.

Themos Mexis to musically direct the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia

Andriana Simos
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Themos Mexis to musically direct the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia

Popular Greek composer and conductor, Themos Mexis, has been appointed Musical Director of the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia.

The new choir has been formed under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and Themos was specially selected to direct it by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

“In March this year, I met with His Eminence and he proposed the choir idea to me and said, ‘We would like you to take it on board. Are you willing?’ and I said, ‘Yes I am able and willing, thank you for the honour’,” Themos tells The Greek Herald exclusively.

Themos Mexis conducting an augmented Rodos Municipal Concert Orchestra and the Rodos Mixed Choir in Rodos, Greece in 2011. Photo supplied.

“I was absolutely over the moon. I’ve been in the music field for the last 50 years now, so it was incredible.”

Since then, with the support of Father Steven Scoutas from St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford, Themos has been working hard to gather enough choristers to perform for the first time next year in Constantinople.

“The idea is for the first performance of the choir to be held in Constantinople next year for the 30th anniversary since the enthronement of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,” Themos says.

“We’re aiming for an 80-piece choir… accompanied by an 85-piece symphony orchestra. So it’s quite a large program.”

Applications to join the choir are now open online, with both males and females, 18 years of age and over, encouraged to register. All the music, originally composed by Themos himself, will be in Greek but knowledge of the language is not essential.

“Everyone who is interested in singing can apply… The only reason we’re looking for people over the age of 18 is because when travelling (for our first performance), we don’t want the responsibility of younger people. But the choir that will continue after that is open for all ages,” Themos explains.

The Themos Mexis Orchestra and Choir in 1995 on the occasion of the visit of Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Farandouri. Photo supplied.

“People also don’t have to speak Greek and they don’t have to have knowledge of music. We will do all that for them. I’ve written all the music and I’ve got all the words in Latin characters underneath, so it makes it quite easy.”

Themos has been an active composer since 1972, performing his own music in various concert halls in Australia, Cyprus, Trieste and Greece. His ‘Mexis in Concert’ also became a fixture of the Australian cultural events calendar since 1976, always drawing large audiences.

With such an impressive resume, the National Metropolitan Choir of Australia is sure to be a huge success!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Choir rehearsals have already begun in the hall of St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford.

If you would like to attend, on Wednesday, December 16 at 6.55pm, the women altos will be rehearsing for about 40 minutes, followed by the women sopranos at 7.55pm. On Thursday, December 17 at 6.55pm, the men will rehearse, followed by the women altos again at 7.55pm.

To register for the choir, please visit: www.nmca.org.au or for further information, you can contact: Ellie Mexis on 0404 378 745 or Father Scoutas on 0417 771 113.

Greek Australian, Jasmin Pilatos, wins the TWT Excellence Prize

Andriana Simos
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Greek Australian, Jasmin Pilatos, wins the TWT Excellence Prize

Keep the name Jasmin Pilatos on your radar as one to watch, after the University of New South Wales Art & Design student was awarded the TWT Excellence Prize at the A&D ANNUAL exhibition. 

The A&D ANNUAL exhibition is the largest national showcase of graduate contemporary art and design, featuring more than 150 works across a range of disciplines including animation, film and sculpture.

Pilatos, who is a Bachelor of Media Arts (Honours) student at UNSW, was awarded the TWT Excellence Prize during the exhibition for her work Entasis.

“I feel really grateful given this year has been unpredictable and especially to have had support from family, friends, my tutor and fellow cohort,” Pilatos tells The Greek Herald.

Entasis (2020), Jasmin Pilatos.

Entasis is a moving image work which explores the relationship between natural light, illusion and architecture within everyday life.

Employing an abstract approach to film-making, the work is meditative and reflective, with a focus on interior spaces that resonates powerfully with the circumstances of 2020.

“The work is restricted to using only natural light to light through the scenes to explore the interactions of those themes,” Pilatos told local university media.

“The ultimate goal is to encourage the audience to re-evaluate the way they navigate the private and public spaces they share in the world.”

The winning work was selected by the 2020 judging panel comprised of UNSW Art & Design academic staff, esteemed artists and practitioners in the field led by Deputy Head of School (Design), Dr Mark Ian Jones, and Deputy Head of School (Art), Dr Grant Stevens.

As part of the TRT Excellence Prize, which has been generously supported since 2017 by the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation and TWT Property Group, Pilatos receives a $3000 bursary and studio at St Leonards Creative Precinct for a year.

Pilatos’ work, along with over 80 other projects from graduating creatives, is available to view at UNSW Galleries until 17 December 2020 and in the ANNUAL online gallery here.

Greek and Turkish musicians amaze during Sydney Opera House concert

Andriana Simos
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Greek and Turkish musicians amaze during Sydney Opera House concert

The magical music of Asia Minor was heard throughout the Sydney Opera House on Sunday as Greek and Turkish musicians gave a special concert to a sold-out crowd.

The concert, titled ‘Songs Without Borders,’ was held in the Utzon Room and featured songs performed in both Greek and Turkish to showcase the intermingled and diverse melodies and rhythms of Asia Minor culture.

READ MORE: Greek and Turkish musicians join forces to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

  • Photos by: Vasilis Vasilas.

The stars of the show were six talented musicians including, Ayșe Göknur Shanal and Georgette Giatis on vocals, Michael Platyrrahos on the Cretan lyra and lute, Kurdish musician, Deniz Şimşek, on the bağlama, Panayioti Kalandranis on the guitar and Kurdish musician, Adem Yılmaz, on percussion.

During the concert, audience members were amazed to see the bağlama playing alongside the Cretan lyra in a seamless performance.

In attendance on the night were also a number of Greek and Turkish dignitaries. Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.

In attendance on the night were also a number of Greek and Turkish dignitaries such as His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Martha Mavrommatis, Consul General of Greece, Christos Karras, Imam of the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, Bilal Aksoy, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Ali Sevim, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Dundar Evliyaoglu, and the Consul General of the Russian Federation, Igor Arzhaev.

“The event was very successful and we are planning to do more in the new year,” musician Georgette Giatis tells The Greek Herald.

Macquarie University confirms ‘ongoing relationship’ with Greek Studies Foundation

Andriana Simos
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Macquarie University confirms ‘ongoing relationship’ with Greek Studies Foundation

Over the last few weeks, there has been confusion among the Greek community regarding the future of the Greek Studies Program at Sydney’s Macquarie University.

In November, former President of the Macquarie University Greek Association, George Mpliokas, under the name of the Greek Studies Foundation, called the community to participate in an open gathering.

The gathering was called to discuss the “continuation of the Greek Studies program and the election of a New Board of Directors of the Foundation.”

READ MORE: Gathering for Macquarie University Greek Studies Program leaves community confused.

At the time, the current Board of the Foundation as led by President Mr Theofilus Premetis, sent a statement to The Greek Herald calling the gathering “false and misleading.”

“We call on those in charge to cancel immediately the announced open gathering because such actions only cause irreparable damage to Macquarie’s Greek Studies,” the statement read.

Despite this call, the gathering went ahead on Thursday, December 3, with approximately 30 attendees.

The gathering leaves Greek community confused:

As reported on by The Greek Herald back in early December, the gathering left many confused.

Secretary of the Greek Studies Foundation, John Theodoridis, was overheard asking Mr Mpliokas under “which constitution” he called the gathering, to which Mr Mpliokas had two reasons: (1) the degradation of the Greek Studies program from a Major in 2020 to a Minor in 2021, and (2) the lack of transparency from the members of the Foundation Committee.

When asked by The Greek Herald what his perspective on the situation was, President Theophilus Premetis, said: “There is no perspective, we have a constitution we followed.”

Theodoridis speaking at the meeting organised by George Mpliokas last night. Photo: The Greek Herald/Peter Oglos.

Statement following the gathering:

Following the gathering, The Greek Herald received a further press release signed by Peter Leondaritis and Mr Mpliokas, again under the name of the Greek Studies Foundation.

The statement documents what occurred at the gathering from their perspective and says that some of the main points established on the night include:

  • that “the establishment of a new company in March 2021 was done so without the knowledge of the community’; and
  • the new company “is comprised of a total of 14 people, of which at least 4 of these members had no knowledge of its existence, of their status as members, nor had been invited to participate at any point in time.”

“A motion was moved that the Foundation write to representatives of the new company, to call for a Founding and Inaugural General Meeting of the new company within 60 days of the date of the meeting, with elections open to all members of the community and including all those present…” the statement concluded.

A Macquarie University spokesperson has sent a statement to The Greek Herald.

This clear division and tension, between those in the community who are meant to be sustaining the future of Greek Studies at Macquarie University, led The Greek Herald to reach out to the university itself to determine who they are in contact with about the program and its funding.

A Macquarie University spokesperson wrote in response to our questions: “Macquarie University appreciates its longstanding and ongoing relationship with the Greek Studies Foundation as represented to the University by Theo Premetis. We are looking into ways to best sustain the teaching of Greek language and culture into the future.”

This endorsement of the Greek Studies Foundation, with Mr Premetis as President, is the latest turn of events in a saga which The Greek Herald will continue to keep on its radar.

READ MORE: Modern Greek Studies Program at Macquarie University undergoes changes to secure future sustainability.

Pavlos Tsakiris wins prestigious EU Young Farmers Prize for 2020

Andriana Simos
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0
Pavlos Tsakiris wins prestigious EU Young Farmers Prize for 2020

36-year-old farmer, Pavlos Tsakiris, from Neochorouda in Thessaloniki has been named the winner of this year’s prestigious ‘EU Young Farmers Prize’ at the 6th European Congress of Young Farmers.

Tsakiris, who was up against 200 young farmers from 21 European Union member states, won first prize in the ‘Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture’ category for his work implementing environmental and climate practices in the agriculture field.

“I was distinguished and emerged as a winner by simply presenting my daily life and that excites me. It is the greatest reward,” Tsakiris told Greek media outlet, APE-MPE, after his win.

“I did not make a presentation and a video specifically for the competition. I really presented my daily life which seems like something ideal, but honestly it is what we apply to the Tsakiris Family.”

Tsakiris is the CEO of the Tsakiris Family, a family business which has worked in the agricultural and food industry since 1963 in northern Greece.

The company currently has 130,000 chickens while distributing over 4 million eggs per month. By 2021, the company is projected to have doubled its production to 260,000 chickens, with more than 70,000 being raised to organic standards. 

Europe’s largest Christmas Nativity scene is set up in Thessaloniki [VIDEO]

Andriana Simos
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Europe’s largest Christmas Nativity scene is set up in Thessaloniki [VIDEO]

The largest Christmas Nativity scene in Europe for 2020 is set up in Thessaloniki, northern Greece.

The impressive construction is the creation of famous Greek artist, Vasilis Michailides, and is located inside the Cultural Center of a well-known hotel in Thessaloniki, where people can visit it by practicing social-distancing measures.

The facade of the Nativity scene is approximately 15 metres in length, covering a total area of ​​about 50 square metres.

What makes the scene unique is that it does not only include the Holy Family, the angels, the three wise men, the animals and the shepherds, but also the palace of Herod and the scene where Archangel Gabriel offered a lily to the Virgin Mary.

Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, receives church medal

Andriana Simos
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0
Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, receives church medal

Greek Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, was awarded on Saturday night an honorary diploma and the Cross of St Andrew during a church service at St Spyridon’s church in Clayton, Melbourne.

The award was given to Mr Michalopoulos by His Grace Bishop Emilianos, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, for his devotion to the church and Greek ideals.

Mr Michalopoulos, who’s term as Consul comes to an end in a few days, thanked His Eminence, the Greek community and expatriate politicians, for the recognition.

His speech focused specifically on the unity and cooperation of the Greek community in Melbourne, citing as an example the fight to save Modern Greek Studies at La Trobe.

“The cooperation of the Community and other bodies within the church and the Consulate has brought results,” Mr Michalopoulos said.

Mr Constantinos Papadopoulos (OAM) was also awarded the Silver Cross of St Andrews in November. Photo supplied.

This award came in the face of another recipient of the Silver Cross of St Andrews, Mr Constantinos Papadopoulos (OAM), in November.

Mr Papadopoulos was recognised for his work in the field of education, as well as his over 60 years of service to the church and Greek community.

The retired educator is well-known for playing a prominent role in establishing Modern Greek Studies at the universities of Melbourne, Monash and La Trobe, as well as setting up Greek classes at two Melbourne churches.

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