Billy Cotsis talks about his last Great Uncle Antonis Alexandris who survived several concentration camps. He died at the age of 102 years old last month.
The brutality and horrors of a concentration camp will always impact upon those unjustly incarcerated, especially in the 1940s. Whether it was the Jewish people or others such as dissidents, communists, people with a disability, suspected GLBT or those caught at the wrong place at the wrong time.
In the USA, anyone remotely looking “Japanese” ended up interned and of course, we know of the horrors of concentration camps under Imperial Japan. The skeletal features of many brave Aussies or Asians or the brutal beatings of American hero John McCain, are ingrained in history and should never occur again. Alas, we are mere “humans” and these brutal instances of how we treat our fellow human beings remain, be it Vietnam, Rwanda, Gaza, the list goes on.
My Great Uncle Antonis Alexandris was born around 1922, one of nine children who lived in the beautiful village of Skoutaros, where my mother was born in 1948. I met him at various stages in my life.
In 1987, I was ten years old. We spent a few months on Lesvos that year. My mother, Maria Cotsis, who revered her uncle, would spend days at a time at his property in Moria, five kilometres from Mytilene city.
My Great Aunt Ellie would tell us that for years, her husband avoided soap because the Nazis would turn prisoners into soap. His friends or those he met, were turned into soap. Gassed. Killed. He had nightmares of the horrors for decades.
My Great Uncle one day acknowledged the horror. The pain of losing innocent human beings to feed the sick ideology of fascist leaders.
At this stage of my life, I already hated the NAZI regime and the Americans for some of their own atrocities, but as my Great Uncle told us, it was American troops who liberated his camp in 1945. I will return to this in a moment.
My Great Uncle and his brother Konstantinos were imprisoned along with others in 1941 for daring to stand up to Nazis who kept raiding businesses on Lesvos. The brothers were imprisoned along with dozens of others. He was just 19 years old at the time. When their mother twice tried to bring them food, the Nazis beat her up.
In November 1942, sick of Antonis and his brother’s rebel behaviour while in prison, they were sent to various concentration camps in Europe. They were interned at the Pavlos Melas concentration camp in Thessaloniki then Krems-Stein where 150 Greeks were massacred and Bernau camps as the Nazi scum retreated from Greece. The Bernau camp was for hard labour, strong men were imprisoned to help produce for the Nazis peat.
He told us how he and his brother managed to escape the evil guards and hide in chimneys for three days as a final liquidation was taking place. They had been told it would be a general bath for all, yet the brothers knew that Nazis were not to be trusted. They escaped from within and hid. No water, no food. At one stage they were spread eagle holding on within the confines of the chimneys as the guards came looking for them. They were close to death until the US troops intervened.
The Russians were a further 35 kilometres behind them and one must wonder if they would have ended up in Siberia if the Americans didn’t arrive.
The Americans gave the prisoners protection and papers. The brothers joined an American escort into Venice and then Milan, staying at each place for a month. They eventually arrived in Patras where they called their relieved mother. A few days later they were home, Skoutaros.
Antonis’ sister Cassandra is my own mother’s mum. When my mother, Maria, was about eight years old, yiayia Cassandra died from the complications of childbirth. Yiayia was taken to Athens for emergency surgery and hospital care. It was my Great Uncle and Great Aunty who accompanied a dying yiayia Cassandra to Athens. He did all he could to save my grandmother and paid for her bills. My “pappou” should have been there, though was probably more interested in hanging out at the café than matching the care and dedication of my Great Uncle, who despite his own traumas stood tall doing the right thing by his sister.
My mother never forgot his support.
In 1987, as a small boy playing in my Great Uncle’s farm, I absorbed the humility of the man and the lessons of life. It was a happy period for me. Surrounded by cousins, animals, fresh food, good weather, and Greek TV, how could I not enjoy paradise.
When we left paradise in October 1987, I drifted from the Greek world and Greek scene. I did not return to paradise until 1999, once again visiting my Great Uncle. Very much revered by the island as he led military parades and his heroism in surviving Nazi brutality in Europe was never forgotten.
During the 2000s, I would bump into him at festivals where he would have a market stall. His big moustache and occasional headdress that he would wear reminded me of the warrior he was. He had learnt how to speak Turkish and would often visit the Bazaar in Aivali to purchase products and meet Turkish friends. He was one of the first on our island to truly understand that we may have a negative and brutal history with Turkey, yet we can and must get along. Perhaps it had been lessons out of his heartbreaking time in concentration camps, perhaps it was just his character, he just seemed to know what was right.
My mother, sister Sophie Cotsis, MP for Canterbury, and her two children visited Moria to see Antonis earlier this year. He was in bed for every visit and unable to move much, fighting to live on despite the calling of time from above.
A loving family man. One of his son’s is the renown singer and recording artist Dino Alexandris, he remains heartbroken by the recent loss of his father.
Lesvos has had many heroes in its history yet one humble man from a rural village stood tall. He stood up to the NAZIs and he stood tall as a family man. We can learn a thing or two from such a hero.
*Billy Cotsis is the author of The Aegean Seven Take Back The Stolen Marbles
Greek musical virtuoso Fotis Vergopoulos made a triumphant return to Australia last Friday, November 29, captivating audiences with his masterful performance of rebetika, often referred to as Greek Blues.
Leading an ensemble of accomplished local and interstate musicians, Vergopoulos showcased why he is regarded as a leading figure of the new generation of Greek talent.
The event celebrated the rich heritage of rebetika, a genre that emerged in the early 20th century and remains a poignant reflection of Greek urban culture. Known for its heartfelt lyrics and distinctive instrumentation, including the bouzouki, rebetika tells stories of love, struggle, and resilience.
Vergopoulos’ deep connection to the genre was evident as he delivered raw and emotional renditions, resonating with both long-time fans and new listeners.
Currently based in Athens, Greece, Vergopoulos has built an impressive career touring Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. His collaborations with esteemed artists such as Agathonas Iakovidis, Martha Fritzila, Babis Gkoles and Manolis Pappos have further cemented his reputation as a torchbearer of rebetika.
The first performance of his tour was a celebration not just of music but of cultural identity, offering a vibrant reminder of the enduring power of rebetika to connect people across generations and geographies. The audience left inspired, reaffirming the genre’s relevance and Vergopoulos’ status as a musical ambassador of Greek heritage.
Joining Fotis on stage was distinguished guests and key figures from the rebetika scene in Melbourne: Kostas Papapanagiotou (Bouzouki and vocals), Maria Antaras-Dalamagas (Accordion/Vocals), Con Kalamaras (Guitar) and Niko Papadimitriou (Baglama).
Artists joining Fotis in Sydney and Canberra will be Maria Antaras-Dalamagas (Accordion/Vocals), Themelis Samarkos (Bouzouki/Vocals), Con Kalamaras (Guitar) and Kon Velanis (Baglama/Bouzouki).
According to a Facebook post, Ms Georgopoulou and Mr Zempilas explored ways to deepen the connection between the West Australian city and Greece.
The meeting was described as “fruitful,” with both sides expressing optimism about building on the shared cultural and historical ties between Greece and the Greek Australian community in Perth.
The significance of Greek representation in Western Australia was also celebrated, with the Mayor’s leadership noted as a testament to the strong presence and contributions of Greeks in the region.
“One thing is certain: in Western Australia Greeks stand tall, both metaphorically and literally!” the Facebook post read, making a cheeky joke in reference to Mr Zempilas’ height.
The meeting marks another step in strengthening the already robust relationship between Greece and the Greek diaspora in Australia.
About 400 guests assembled at the Arcadian Ballroom in North Melbourne on Wednesday, November 27 at 6.30pm, honouring with their presence the presentation of the book titled Nick Thyssen: The Story of the Great Innovator to Remember, written by Dr Anastasios M. Tamis.
The President and members of the Arcadians Board of Directors allocated the halls on the first and second floors, where parallel impressive receptions with rich food and drinks took place, before the start of the presentation at 7.20pm in the main hall, the Arcadia Ballroom.
The impressive event was organised by the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS) in collaboration with the family of industrialist and benefactor Nick Thyssen.
The event was honoured with the presence of hundreds of Australian citizens of Greek and Anglo-Celtic origin, leaders of Hellenism and the industrial and commercial world, senior executives of the medical and legal world, dozens of academics, poets, writers, leaders of Greek communities, representatives of Greek Day Schools, CEOs and founders of major Greek and Australian companies, and a host of friends and associates of the family and the author.
Photo: Omogeneia TV.
Specifically, the event was honoured with the presence of the former Premier of Victoria, Philhellene Jeff Kennett AC; the President of the Panarcadian Association, George Kotsirilos and its entire Board of Directors, including the former President, Yiannis Dimitropoulos; the President of the Federation of Arcadian Associations, Syrmo Papaioannou and her Board; the CEO of the Hellenic Australian Chamber, Fotini Kypraiou; the President of the Greek-Australian Cultural Association, Cathy Alexopoulos OAM; and former President of the Panarcadian and All-Australia Federation of Arcadians, Dimitris Alexopoulos OAM; the President of the Communities and Parishes Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Tony Tsourdalakis; the President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Simela Stamatopoulos; the President of Aegialites, George Theodorou; the language director and representative of Oakleigh Grammar School, Natasha Spanos; the Director of Cardiac Surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Professor Dr. James Tatoulis and his wife Elizabeth; a large number of Greek Australian writers, academics, including the great academic of Greek tragedy, Hellenist Arthur McDevitt; Anna Hadjinikolaou; Dimitris Gonis and others; leaders and senior executives of AHEPA who served as its All-Australian Presidents, including Elias Doufas OAM, Petros Patistea OAM; and a host of intellectuals and arts, journalists and radio presenters.
On the Australian side, dozens were the top executives of the Australian industrial world; CEOs of large companies in the field of food production and processing; Presidents of farmers’ and producers’ associations; the representative of the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital, Megan Harrington; the President of the Riverina Producers Cooperative NSW, Philip Williamson; the president of the Cricket Team of Moorabbin, Alan Marion; and the President of Mildura Fruit Growers, Don Carrazza.
The presentation ceremony was opened by the Vice President of Arcadians, Betty Dimitropoulou, who after welcoming the attendees introduced the charismatic TV presenter and journalist, John Mangos, Master of Ceremony of the event. Mr Mangos presented the official speakers and representatives of Greek and Australian organisations, stressing the importance of recording the history of Hellenism in Australia. He welcomed the book’s honoured protagonist Mr Thyssen and his wife Maureen, briefly referred to this industrialist whose innovative ideas influenced and shaped the history of food production in Australia, and whose generosity and honesty helped thousands of workers in large urban centres and vast rural Australia to find work, while significantly boosting local production, consistently supporting citrus growers and farmers, by subsidising their products.
Photo: Omogeneia TV.
Mr Mangos referred to the author of the book, Professor Tamis for the completion of the 32nd book, a historical biography, related to the recording of the history of the Greek Diaspora. He then invited the President of the Panarcadian Association Mr Kotsirilos, to welcome the guests at Melbourne’s Arcadian House.
Mr Kotsirilos spoke with emotion about Mr Thyssen, his epic and pioneer journey in the history of the marketing natural citrus industry, stressed that since he was a child he had connected the Patras Juice Industry with the Peloponnese and Greece; he mentioned the snapshot that from a young age he remembered on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets the parked kiosk that served for the first time in the world fresh orange juice and dozens of Australians enjoyed the natural juice during their work break, that until then they could only enjoy in exclusive restaurants and at home.
This was followed by the inspiring speech of the CEO of HACCI, Fotini Kypraiou, who referred extensively to the book and recorded the life and achievements of Mr Thyssen, referred to the stone years of his life in Greece, the years of war and poverty, the pace of survival when he discovered Australia, the years of struggle, having by his side his wife, Maureen, the years of his progressive success until the years of initial recognition, the Patras Juice Company, to be followed by all his other successful industrial units, a phenomenon of innovation and unique talent, an industrialist who with his innovation and ideas, carved new pages in the history of the food industry in Australia.
This was followed by the speech of Mr Thyssen’s close collaborator and former National Sales Manager, Mr Marion, who with humour and references to various incidents of Mr Thyssen’s career, embossed aspects of his character, his unique ability to deal with the “beasts” of the market, the Australian, British and American directors of multinational companies, his ability to penetrate the innermost minds of his competitors and manage to win trades, with his personal way and genius character.
Mr Williamson, the citrus major producer of Riverina, NSW was the last to welcome the protagonist of the book, referring to the approach with the farmers inaugurated by Mr Thyssen, the innovative way of payment and premium for fruit producers, his generosity and the wonderful and human relations he developed with the producers; this authentic and peculiar Greek, who came penniless to Australia and offered employment to thousands of workers and producers to sustain their families and overcome financial difficulties, due to Mr Thyssen’s generosity.
This was followed by the official launch of Professor Tamis’ book, by former Premier of Victoria, the great Philhellene and visionary, Mr Kennett. The Australian politician referred to the book and the author. He described Mr Thyssen as one of the most important visionaries and certainly one of the most innovative industrialist in the Australian food industry and worldwide. He observed that the title of the book be changed in the next edition because it was correct to refer to it as Nick and Maureen Thyssen, because it was the couple’s cooperation in family and business that led to the triumph, as well as their coupling in family life of almost seventy years that cultivated solid foundations of triumph.
Mr Kennett gave both vivid and anecdotal snapshots of Mr Thyssen’s private life, from the years when both of them found themselves to be supporters, fans and sponsors of Hellas Melbourne. With one of the most lively speeches ever given at book presentations and under constant applause, he gave a celebratory tone to the industrial achievements, innovations and works of Mr Thyssen, while he also praised the author, who recorded and highlighted the Greek Diaspora in Australia, New Zealand and the Eastern Hemisphere, stressing that of the three books that he launched for Mr Tamis, this book that he is presenting to the public today is the one he was able to fully understand and contain. In officially launching the book, the former Premier did not omit to refer to the contribution of Greek immigrants and their children to the Australian economy.
This was followed by the speech of Dr Tamis, which was a eulogy to Mr Thyssen and his wife Maureen. He illustrated references to this child of innovation who, out of the 16 years he lived in Greece, ten were a period of war, poverty and famine. Dr Tamis described Mr Thyssen as a brilliant phenomenon of entrepreneurship, who did not try to copy other people’s successes or do something that already existed, but he presented original ideas which he implemented, found unprecedented production methods, introduced his own machinery or ways of producing and distributing his products, to the extent that his inventions were bought by British and American interests and with his contribution changed, on a global scale, the production marketing and distribution of natural juices, fruit salads, soups and other foods.
Dr Tamis referred to Mr Thyssen’s enormous contribution to the economy of the rural life of fruit growers and farmers in Victoria and NSW and his philanthropic and honest way of dealing with producers, which supported them and his families with employment and good prices, relieving many of them of financial problems. Dr Tamis, as a memorial service, referred to their late only son, Adam George and his huge contribution to the creation of the ProCal Dairies industry in 2003. It was the commercial talent that Adam inherited from his father and the respect for Greek tradition and the enthusiasm of the young man, which led to the production and prevalence of ProCalyogurt in the national market, as the most awarded yogurt.
Particularly touching was the speech of Mr Thyssen, who with obvious enthusiasm welcomed the guests, stressed that Australia should be the biblical land of promise, the country that gave the opportunity to the strong and weak, above races, languages, religions and cultures, to acquire goods and live with happiness. He referred to the difficult years of his childhood. He spoke painfully for his parents, and visibly moved, he took out from his pocket and showed the guests the five pound note, which was the spending money, that his father George gave him, as Nick, 16 years old, climbed the stairs of Kyrenia to discover Australia. The audience erupted in applause, as sobs shook the industrialist’s body.
Screenshot
Mr Thyssen thanked his wife Maureen who, even on their wedding day in October 1961, returned to the shack of their makeshift factory to cut fruit for fruit salads, while still pregnant she continued to be his accomplice and communicant. Mr Thyssen did not fail to thank his eldest daughter Laney, who after the unexpected death of Adam, took over the management of the business and managed to double the turnover in three years. Finally, he thanked the author for his valuable contribution and recording the history of both him and his family, his daughters, Mr Kennett, master of ceremonies Mr Mangos and all those who contributed to the organisation of the book presentation.
The beautiful ceremony ended with the appearance of photographs of him and his family on the big screen under the sounds of the harp playing Greek music by the great and award-winning Harpist, Michael Johnson, OAM.
During the launching, the book was offered gratis to the guests and Thyssen family encouraged the recipients to donate an amount of their choice to Melbourne Children’s Hospital. The fundraising code for the Children Hospital can be found on the AIMS website, for those who received the book and did not manage to participate in the relevant fundraising.
The Board of Directors of AIMS warmly thanked everyone who cooperated decisively and strengthened the effort of organising the event, individuals and organisations, the Thyssen family for the impressive reception organised, and the President and members of the Board of Directors of Kolokotronis for their undivided support to make all their rooms available to AIMS for the event.
The monograph Nick Thyssen: The Story of a Great Innovator to Remember will be available in all Australian bookstores from early December, as well as on the AIMS website. For orders of this book that delights and moves with its descriptions, you can also contact the following emails: george.lioukas@aims.edu.au; Panos.Gogidis@aims.edu.au
Teen cricket sensation Sam Konstas delivered a stellar performance, smashing a 90-ball century for the Prime Minister’s XI in a one-day match against India at Manuka Oval. The 19-year-old’s innings of 107 runs off 97 balls was the highlight of the Australian side’s total of 240, set under pink-ball conditions.
Konstas rescued the team after an early collapse at 2-22, building a crucial century partnership with Jack Clayton and later a 67-run stand with Hanno Jacobs. His knock came to an end when he was caught in the deep off Akash Deep’s bowling, further cementing his credentials as a rising star.
The century adds to Konstas’ impressive season, following a Sheffield Shield match where he became the youngest Australian since Ricky Ponting to score two centuries in the same game. Calls for his inclusion in Australia’s Test squad are growing louder as he continues to prove himself against quality opposition.
Konstas has REVERSE ramped Akash Deep for four and is on fire at Manuka!
Indian pacer Harshit Rana was the standout bowler, taking four wickets in six balls during a devastating spell that left the PM’s XI reeling. Despite the early wickets, Konstas’ composed batting ensured a competitive total for the hosts.
In reply, India successfully chased the target with 19 balls to spare, treating the match as a warm-up for the Adelaide Test. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul retired not out, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed crucial runs.
For Konstas, the performance is another strong statement to selectors as he eyes a potential Test debut. With Australia’s top order under scrutiny, he could be in contention for the Brisbane Test if further changes are made.
Perry Kouroumblis, the man arrested in Rome in connection with the infamous Easey Street murders, is reportedly “worried” but “very calm” as he prepares for extradition to Australia, according to his Italian lawyer, Serena Tucci.
Kouroumblis, 65, has been held in Rome’s Regina Coeli jail since September after being detained at Leonardo da Vinci Airport under an Interpol red notice.
The murder charges relate to the brutal 1977 murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, in their Collingwood home in Melbourne. The women were found stabbed to death, though Armstrong’s 16-month-old son was unharmed.
The ID documents of accused Easey St killer Perry Kouroumblis used while living in Greece. Photo: Herald Sun.
According to Herald Sun, Tucci confirmed she met with Kouroumblis on Monday, November 25 for the last time before his extradition, which is expected within days. She stated she has been in contact with his Melbourne-based lawyer, but declined to name them at Kouroumblis’ request.
Kouroumblis, who was 17 at the time of the murders, maintains his innocence. He left Australia for Greece in 2017 after police requested a DNA sample during their investigation, reportedly to care for his ailing mother.
The extradition follows years of investigation into the long-unsolved case, which remains one of Victoria Police’s highest priorities. Authorities have not disclosed the exact timing of Kouroumblis’ return to Australia.
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) honoured the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, at the Greek Centre on Wednesday, November 27.
The event, which featured a guest list of leading community leaders, elected officials, the Victorian Deputy Premier, and the newly elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas “Niko” Reece, was preceded by a meeting between the GCM Board and the Ambassador.
During this meeting, the ongoing agenda of the GCM regarding Greece-Australia relations—particularly the issues of tax and health agreements between the two states—was raised directly with the Ambassador once again.
The Ambassador, who was accompanied by the outgoing Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, promised to pursue the concerns of the GCM with the Greek authorities and reiterated that his door was always open to the GCM and its members.
The party then moved to a reception, where the Ambassador was welcomed by several community leaders and newly elected councillors, including the Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
In an evening of kind words and sentiments, it was Lord Mayor Reece who made an unexpected but very welcome announcement. He reiterated Melbourne’s and his personal connection with Greece, confirming that he was “planning to send a delegation to Greece during this term, and it will be the largest delegation this city has ever seen.”
GCM President Bill Papastergiadis took the opportunity to highlight some of the historical milestones that shaped the modern GCM, including a reminder of the Greek Government’s bailout of the GCM at a time of great need.
Ambassador Venizelos thanked his guests and expressed pride in the Greek Australian community, acknowledging the sacrifices of earlier generations who served as a bridge between Greece and Australia. He affirmed his commitment to advocating for the community, stating, “My door is always open.”
Outgoing Consul General Kakavelakis was also acknowledged and thanked for his service to Victoria’s Greek community. He thanked the community for their support and for “always being only a phone call away” whenever he needed anything during his tenure.
Later in the evening, Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous MP, and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll MP joined the reception. They commended the GCM for its collaboration with the Victorian government in shaping anti-vilification legislation.
Mr Carroll highlighted Victoria’s multicultural identity as the foundation of its strength, emphasising the importance of maintaining a society where everyone feels safe and respected.
“What makes Victoria wonderful is our multiculturalism, and we must never lose sight of that enduring strength,” he said.
Both Mr Carroll and Ms Theophanous expressed gratitude to the GCM and its leadership for their ongoing contributions to the state’s inclusive culture.
The 1st Diaspora Youth Conference, organised by Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, took place at the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre in Athens last week, with a strong presence from Greek Australian youth.
Among the participants, Ellie Mavromatis and Alannah Aroney brought their unique perspectives to a panel on environmental challenges.
Ellie, a psychology student and the only speaker to present in Greek, emphasised the importance of education in tackling environmental issues.
“Pressure on governments is crucial, but so is education. In my studies, education is constantly highlighted as the first step in effectively addressing challenges,” she said, receiving positive audience feedback.
Alannah highlighted the role of political action and awareness campaigns, citing the protection of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as an example.
“The more pressure we exert on the politicians we elect, the greater the hope for better outcomes. For example, in Australia, there are campaigns for the Great Barrier Reef,” she stated.
The two-day symposium, titled “Diaspora Dialogues: Connecting Young Voices Around the World,” was part of the Strategic Plan for the Greek Diaspora 2024-2027. The event aimed to foster connections between second and third generation expatriates and their Greek roots.
Calls for stronger education and cultural ties
Participants expressed a desire for Greece to support Greek-language education in the diaspora and strengthen ties to Greek history and tradition. Many suggested integrating Greek lessons into mainstream education systems rather than restricting them to Saturday schools.
The conference covered themes such as cultural identity, arts, career development, and the role of youth in creating a cohesive society. Experts from politics, business, diplomacy, and academia contributed insights, while participants shared their concerns and aspirations.
Government commitment to the diaspora
Greece’s Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras praised the youth initiative, with Gerapetritis stating, “The Strategic Plan for the Diaspora will strengthen ties between the homeland and the diaspora, uniting all generations. Keep Hellenism in your hearts and spread the message that Greece is everywhere.”
Kotsiras added: “The Greek Diaspora is a vast national asset. I urge all participants to exchange ideas and shape policies for the future generations of Hellenism.”
General Secretary for Greeks Abroad, Maira Myrogianni, expressed her pride in the conference, noting it was the first of its kind: “Young people from four continents and 16 countries shared their concerns and became one community by the end of the event. Many of their requests are already included in the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.”
Efforts to enhance Greek-language education abroad were also highlighted, with increased support for Greek studies programs internationally.
The conference marked a significant step in reconnecting the diaspora with Greece while addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Two fatalities were reported on Lemnos island as severe weather swept across Greece on Saturday, November 30.
A 57-year-old farmer was found dead after being overtaken by floodwaters while using a tractor to free his car from mud. Shortly afterward, a 70-year-old man was discovered deceased in his flooded home, with the cause of death under investigation.
A 112 evacuation alert was issued to residents in the Kontia community after a dam overflowed. Lemnos Mayor Eleonora Georga highlighted extensive damage across the island, including flooded homes in the capital, Myrina, and disruptions to roads, electricity and drinking water.
Storm Bora, driven by a low-pressure system over the Ionian Sea, has brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, and gale-force winds to Greece, with the National Meteorological Service warning of severe conditions persisting until Tuesday, December 3. Regions such as western Macedonia and Thessaly are expected to face the brunt of the storm.
Emergency alerts were sent to residents in Central Macedonia, Thessaly, Attica, and Rhodes, cautioning them against outdoor movement. On Lemnos and Rhodes, bans on vehicle movement were imposed due to safety concerns.
Authorities and emergency crews remain on high alert as storms continue to impact multiple areas across the country.
Thessaloniki’s long-awaited metro system officially opened on Saturday, November 30, introducing driverless trains to Greece’s second-largest metropolitan area. Despite heavy rain, tens of thousands queued at stations to experience the new 13-station subway line.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, joined by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras, inaugurated the system by pressing a ceremonial blue button. Mitsotakis noted the first appropriations for exploratory digging were part of the 1976 budget, highlighting the decades-long journey to completion.
Years of delays plagued the project, including legal battles, real estate disputes and controversies over archaeological discoveries near station sites. Transport Minister Staikouras revealed that the prolonged timeline pushed the metro’s cost to over €3 billion.
Είμαι υπερήφανος που ως Πρωθυπουργός παραδίδω το Μετρό της Θεσσαλονίκης. Είμαι υπερήφανος, αλλά είμαι και έτοιμος και πιο αποφασισμένος να μην αφήσω να χαθούν άλλες ευκαιρίες. Γιατί όσα βλέπουμε τώρα γύρω μας, είναι αυτά τα οποία θέλουμε και μπορούμε να πετύχουμε. pic.twitter.com/RmasuQpgXX
The Eleftherios Venizelos station, located in the city centre, showcases over 300,000 artefacts uncovered during construction, including remnants of a bustling 6th-century street. While many protested the temporary removal of key findings for construction, antiquities are now displayed both underground and outside nearby stations under protective glass.
The metro is expected to reduce Thessaloniki’s heavy traffic by eliminating 57,000 cars daily, with 254,000 passengers projected to use the system in the city and suburbs, home to over a million residents.
Future expansions include an eastward extension with five stations set for 2025 and a westward line planned. However, reaching Macedonia Airport will require several more years of development.
