Greece
This month
In this issue:
• Pope Francis visits refugee camp in Lesbos • Greek Economic Forum: ‘Getting Greece back on track’ • Energy Awards 2016 - Greek Energy Forum (CASS, 9 May 2016) • 2016: A cross-cultural year between Greece and Russia • Greek Wine and New Vintages Tasting Event • Greeks celebrate Easter! • Meet “The Durrells” in the Idyllic… Corfu!
Pope Francis visits refugee camp in Lesbos
The hope, the universal message and the emotional moments Exclusive Interview with the coordinator of the visit, Mr. Chronis Tsianakas Pope Francis travelled to the front lines of the migration crisis on April 16, visiting the Greek island of Lesbos, that has become the focal point of Europe’s migrant crisis, challenging, with this symbolic visit, all world leaders ‘’in a way worthy of our common humanity” and pointedly called for Europe to remember its roots as “the homeland of human rights.”. His gesture to return to Rome, taking with him 12 Syrians who were among the thousand hundreds migrants, who remain on the refugee centre in Moria of Lesbos, drew the international community’s and media attention. The Pope, followed by the Ecumenical 1
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the Greek Archbishop Ieronymos, leader of Greece’s Orthodox community, was welcomed at the airport by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and all together visited the hotspot of Moria, which hosts today more than 3.000 refugees. ‘’Four hours visit, hundreds of hours of preparation. The visit of Pope Francis in Lesvos was short, although not at all simple’’, tells us the media consultant of Archbishop Ieronymos, Mr Chronis D. Tsianakas, who coordinated the whole visit on behalf of the Greek Church. The cooperation of the Government and the Greek Orthodox Church, along with the team of the Vatican, was exceptional and everything was organized in every detail, as the two teams worked together for 20 days before the arrival of Pope Francis on April 16. ‘Hosting and coordinating such a visit in a small island like Lesbos, lacking the necessary infrastructure and hosting such outstanding numbers of refugees compared to its population, was not an easy task’’, Mr Tsianakas admits. ‘’But the systematic cooperation between all the sides brought the positive result we had, i.e. to highlighting the refugee problem, drawing the international community’s attention to the suffering of these people and sending a universal message of solidarity. And that was the intention of the Greek Orthodox Church. To show the world that Greece cannot tackle alone the refugee problem and that we, Greeks, have already done a lot, despite the economic crisis we are facing’’. Mr. Tsianakas describes us the moments that really touched him, and not only him, but the whole world, when watching the news: the deep emotion of the Archbishop when immigrants kneeled in front of three religious leaders and the way the Pontiff, with his communicative charisma, handled it with the great calmness and self-control that characterize him. ‘’I do not know if the cameras were able to capture all these images. The moments were truly emotional. In Moria, you could see people’s anxiety and hope in their eyes, wishing and waiting for a better life to come. I will never forget the unspeakable joy on the faces of refugees who entered from the back door of the plane, running with a few things on them and leaving together with Pope Francis for a new life. Ready to fly literally and metaphorically into the clouds ...’’. 2
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
Chronis D. Tsianakas is a journalist and has been working for 17 years at the Press and Public Relations Office of Holy Archdiocese of Athens. He is the media consultant of Archbishop Ieronymos and was responsible for the media coverage, on behalf of the Church of Greece, of the visit of Pope Francis, Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Ieronymos in Lesbos Island.
Greek Economic Forum: ‘Getting Greece back on track’ (Annual Conference, CASS, London Business School)
After the successful event at the University of Harvard last year, the think tank Greek Economic Forum travelled this year to London and hosted its annual, roundtable conference on April 8, at the premises of the CASS Business School at the City of London, under the title ‘ A Pivotal Challenge to Develop DealFlow’, focused on how to attract and promote investment opportunities in Greece and how can become an investment destination, pushing the economy back to sustainable growth. Dr. George Kratsas, lawyer at Ropes and Gray firm in London, took the floor and underlined the legal frameworks and risks potential investors come across in European countries generally and Greece in particular, and noted that frequent changes in tax policies in Greece make it “impossible” for businessmen to predict the long-term costs and benefits of an investment. “The legal system and procedures, related to businesses in our country, should be simplified,” he added. The director of the London-based property management company Signia Wealth Ltd, Rosina Kousta, spoke about attracting foreign investments in Greece, especially in tourism, real estate and shipping, areas in which investors show a continuous interest. Ms. Kousta stressed that in order to create dynamic growth and jobs, structural reforms should be implemented. She pointed out, moreover, that delays in the completion of the evaluation of the current 3
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
programme create risks to the country’s economic recovery. “Things can only become better “, she concluded, stressing the courage and will of the Greek business community. Dr. Nikos Nomikos, Professor on Maritime Risk Management at CASS Business School, linked the discussion over the economy recovery of Greece and the attraction of foreign investments to the “urgent” need of implementing structural reforms. Dr. Nomikos also referred to the importance of the shipping industry for the Greek economy, an area not much affected by the financial crisis.
Energy Awards 2016 Greek Energy Forum (CASS, 9 May 2016) Since its establishment in 2013, the Greek Energy Forum successfully provides a dynamic platform upon which energy professionals in the UK have the ability to network as well as share ideas and best practices on current industry developments and market trends in Greece and Southeastern Europe. Despite the fact that the Forum is quite young, it has already implemented a number of initiatives, aiming to become one of the most promising energy think-tanks. Underpinned by this aspiration and the ideal of “Aien Aristeuein”, the Forum inaugurates its first annual GEF Awards ceremony in an attempt to acknowledge individuals and companies that become benchmark of excellence, competence, inspiration and innovation in the energy industry. The event will be held place on Monday, May 9, under the auspices of the Press and Communication Office of the Greek Embassy in London, at the premises of Cass Business School and it will last for two hours, while networking opportunities will be provided prior to and following its conclusion. The ceremony will be attended by distinguished personalities of the Greek communities in the UK and the international energy sector, including the Ambassador of Greece in the UK, Konstantinos Bikas, the High Commissioner of Cyprus in the UK, Euripides Evriviades, the Director of the Hellenic Observatory of the London School of Economics, Kevin Featherstone, as well as the Member of the Hellenic Parliament and Former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Dr. Yannis Maniatis.
4
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
A Few words for the Forum Greek Energy Forum (GEF), founded in January 2013 in London, is an international energy think-tank headquartered in London – with branch offices in Athens, Nicosia, Brussels, Dubai and Washington DC – and focused on the energy developments in Greece and South-eastern Europe. Its members constitute a network of energy professionals of diverse scientific and professional backgrounds which hold a wide range of posts in respected organisations within the corporate, political and academic sectors of Energy. The Forum already features a wide international network of members and professionals together with affiliations with well-respected institutions and organisations such as the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). URL: http://gefenergyawards.eventsadmin.com/Home/Welcome
2016: A cross-cultural year between Greece and Russia
2016 has been designated as a cross-cultural year between Russia and Greece that aims to further deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries in fields such as politics, economy, culture, tourism, art, science, research and technology”, as the Greek government spokesman, Mrs Olga Gerovasili, has recently stated. This special partnership was sealed on October 2013, with the signing of a Join Declaration, which consists of a mutual beneficial partnership aiming to create substantial financial benefits in new areas of scientific, academic and business activities, and to seek new market opportunities for tourism as well. According to predictions from tourist agencies, 5 million visitors are expecting to travel to Greece from Russia by 2020. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos inaugurated the ‘’Greece-Russia Year 2016’’, during his official visit to Moscow last month where he met the Russian President, V. Putin. The two counterparts announced 37 events related to this cross - cultural year, with the aim to bring the two countries and its people even closer to one another. As noted, strong cultural and historical ties characterize the two countries, aging from the medieval times, regarding the major role that the Orthodox Church has played. Marking the official launch of the “Cross-Cultural year between Greece and Russia” events, Culture & Sports Minister Aristides Baltas and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko participated last month in the opening ceremony that took place in the Acropolis Museum of Athens, where they also launched the opening of an exhibition of Scythian gold from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum. 5
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
A special website for the Year of Greece in Russia has been created by the Secretariat General for Media and Communication (in two languages, Greek and Russian), where one can find all the initiatives that take place in order to promote this partnership: http://elru2016.gr/ Hellenic Post (ELTA) in cooperation with the General Secretariat of Information and Communication released a commemorative series of stamps entitled “2016 - Greece’s Year in Russia”
Greek Wine and New Vintages Tasting Event
(Organized by the Economic & Commercial Section of the Greek Embassy in London) The second Greek wine trade and press tasting in London took place on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Vintners’ Hall in London, hosted and organized by the Economic and Commercial Section of the Embassy of Greece in London with the support of the Greek Wine Federation and the sponsorship of Riedel, with the aim to encourage more venues and trade outlets to have in their winery list some of the great Greek vintages. The event was attended by 300 people, among which Italian, French and Spanish well known wine consultants and sommeliers, food editors and critics, as well as professors in this field and restaurant owners. Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Dimitris Mardas, who visited London in order to meet representatives of big investment firms that have invested, or are interested in investing in Greece, also attended the event. “Such events have been included in our initiative, Window to Greece, which promotes Greek wine to expensive retail markets. Such initiatives can only bring positive results to the Greek economy’’, Mr Mardas stated. This year the attendees were able to taste a comprehensive selection of more than 170 quality wines produced by 40 wineries from across Greece and been displayed in the UK market, as well some new vintages. ‘As an expert on the field many years now and having tasted many varieties of Greek wine all over Greece, I think that the best and distinctive ones are those produced in Northern Greece. I am happy also to have tasted today many new vintages’, the wine expert and sommelier Mr. Atilio V. Falco told us during the event. 6
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
Greeks celebrate Easter! Greece plays host to religious festivals with deeply rooted customs and centuries-old traditions all year round. One of the greatest celebrations of Christianity is Easter. Christians all over Greece follow the Holy Week ritual devoutly, giving themselves body and soul into the culmination of the Passion of Christ and finally rejoicing in His Resurrection. Let’s take a deeper insight into ancient-old rituals and traditions. Easter preparations begin on Holy Thursday with the making of the Easter brioche, the so-called ‘tsoureki’, and the colouring of the eggs red (as the blood of Christ). From ancient times, the egg has been a symbol of the renewal of life, and the message of the red eggs is victory over death. Holy Thursday is the saddest day of the Easter celebrations as it marks the day of Christ’s crucifixion. People visit their churches to light candles and pray. It’s a day of mourning and church services are held throughout the country in the evenings. On Good Friday, the sacred day of the culmination of the Passion of Christ with the Deposition from the cross and Christ’s burial, people decorate the Epitaph, as the tradition wants the Crown of Thorns of Jesus Christ to be covered with flowers. On this day of bereavement, the devout Christians are supposed not to eat anything. The Epitaph Mass takes place in the evening and then follows the circumambulation; people join the procession on its way through the streets of every single village and city listening to chanters reciting the funeral psalms in a mystic atmosphere. Easter Saturday is known as The Resurrection or “Anastasis”. Preparations for the jovial dinner begin early in the morning with the cooking of the magiritsa- a special type of meat soup. The faithful begin to gather at churches and squares of the cities and villages before 11 p.m., carrying large white candles, which they will light with the “Holy Light”. The Resurrection of Christ is celebrated at 12.00 sharp with drum beats and fireworks. When “Christós Anésti” (Christ has risen) is proclaimed against a background of loudly pealing bells, an impressive display of fireworks light up the night sky. People say the phrase “Christós Anésti” to one another. The response is “Alithós Anésti” (The Christ has truly risen). Then they return home carrying the “Holy Light” to mark a black cross with the smoke over the doorstep. This tradition is believed to bless the home and bring it good luck. They 7
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
all gather around the festively laid table, they crack red eggs and feast on the traditional “magiritsa”. Despite being up throughout the evening for the jubilant Resurrection feast, everyone is up early the next morning. It is the end of the 40-day period of fasting. The most celebrated of the Holy Week, Easter Sunday is a feast of lamb served in honour of the Lamb of God. The lamb is usually roasted on a spit outside, and the entire day is celebrated with food, wine, music, friends, and lots of dancing. Easter Monday is considered to be a day of rest after the week long festivities. Greek Easter traditions vary slightly across the nation. While the basic principles of the holiday remain the same, there are subtle differences and specific events that vary by the region. One of the most enchanting destinations to visit during Easter is Corfu (or Kerkyra), a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands and its natural wealth is truly impressive. Corfu, is an island with great artistic tradition and numerous European influences.
Easter Celebrations in Corfu!!! Easter in Corfu is unique. Art lovers hold concerts by philharmonic orchestras with Holy Week hymns, poetry nights at historical monuments around various sites of the city, as well as the reverential procession of the Epitaphs accompanied by the sounds of the philharmonics and the melodic voices of Corfu choristers. The polyphonic church music permeates the kantounia (alleys) of the city and it is indeed special. This harmonic chanting is an unusual tetraphony, the origins of which date many centuries ago. On Easter Saturday, after the First Resurrection Mass finishes at the metropolis Church, and the philharmonic bands perform in the streets, people throw out from their windows to the street hundreds of clay jugs, called botides, painted red and filled with water. This custom reflects the Bible verse referring to dishing them like a potter’s vessels. Soon, the streets, cobbled alleys and steps are covered by the fragments of jugs and people pick and keep the pieces for good luck. 8
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
Meet “The Durrells” in the Idyllic… Corfu! Luscious, seductive with a brightful and joyful sun. That’s the way Corfu is featured on ITV’s charming new drama series ‘’The Durrells’’. Based on Gerald Durrell’s most famous book trilogy “My Family and Other Animals” where he narrates his childhood memoirs in Corfu which inspired him to dedicate his life on how to rescue animals from the brink of extinction. Set in 1935, this timeless drama is full of warmth, humour and fun. “The Durrells” was launched on ITV on April 3. The story begins in 1935, when Louisa Durrell, whose life had fallen apart, decides to move from Bournemouth to the Greek island of Corfu. Her husband has died a few years earlier and she has financial problems, when she suddenly announces that she and her four children will move to the island. A Homeric battle ensues as the family adapt to life on the island, especially when they discover that Corfu does not even have electricity at that time. But it is cheap, an earthly paradise and the Durrell family make the big step that will change their lives. Some of the well-known island locations are being featured, such as the village of Boua in Danilia, the old Gerakaris mansion in Kontokali, the village of Varypatades, Halikounas, the Museum of Asian Art and the elegant Mon Repos. While, the crew consists of many well- known Greek actors, such as Alexis Georgoulis who plays the handsome taxi driver and Yorgos Karamihos, who becomes friend of the Durrells’ family and teaches little Gerry about all the animals of Corfu. Filming started in Corfu in September 2015. The drama series is being broadcasted every Sunday at 8 p.m. on ITV, so stay tuned!
A few words about the author Gerald “Gerry” Malcolm Durrell, (7 January 1925 – 30 January 1995) was the youngest brother of novelist Lawrence Durrell. Gerald Durrell, the renowned English naturalist, conservationist, author and television presenter was 11 years old when his mother decided to move to the island of Corfu with him and her other three children. It was on this beautiful Ionian island in 1935 where the scent of olive groves and the 9
Greece This month - April 2016
ISSUE 170
reflections of nature in the shimmering turquoise waters dominated, that Gerald Durrell began to collect and keep local fauna as pets. For Gerald the Island of Corfu was a one in a lifetime experience. The impact of the island on young Durrell’s childhood was so intense, that this experience served as an inspiration to his becoming an author, conservationist and zookeeper when he grew up. Durrell’s trilogy of books (My Family and Other Animals, Birds Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods) are a direct result of his own childhood in Corfu .
HAPPY EASTER! ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ!
Follow us :
A Pint of Greece Greek Embassy in UK @GreeceinUK @greece_in_uk
10