Greece This Month – June 2012
ISSUE 146
Greece this month In this issue: Top Priorities of the new Government Greek Former IMO Chief E. Mitropoulos Receives Honorary Award from the Queen Greek Summer culinary culture Myrtis: Celebrated ancient Athenian EMBASSSY OF GREECE Press & Communications Office 1a Holland Park, London W11 3TP Tel.: 020 77273071, Fax: 020 77278960 pressoffice@greekembassy.org.uk
Greek national tourism organization launches new promo site t r u e g r e e c e . o r g The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), in cooperation with the government, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, representatives of the travel industry, and other officials, set forth to launch the True Greece campaign, "to shed light on Greece as a travel destination by providing a platform of official information. Through articles, official statements and real-life testimonials, one can see that Greece, undeniably, remains one of the greatest travel destinations in the world". The Internet-based initiative aims to further promote the positive publicity of Greece as a tourist destination on the Internet through social media. On this basis, it was considered necessary to develop an online image management and brand monitoring mechanism to oversee and manage the comments, opinions and observations made about Greece as a tourist destination. The initiatives’ key priorities are: a. The promotion and communication of key elements and competitive advantages
of the Greek tourism product; b. The promotion and dissemination (through social media) of positive messages/opinions that visitors have about their experiences (via video spots, web
testimonials, reviews, posts, tweets). The aforementioned will focus on three key subject areas: 1. Business as usual; 2. Value For Money/Affordability 3. Safety. The initiative is already being supported by a series of government agencies including Greek Radio Television S.A, Athens News Agency and the Hellenic Foreign Ministry. The agencies will be assisting the effort by tracking and gathering news and other
related material as well as working with local, national and international media outlets. The initiative coincides with advertising campaigns by travel companies promoting the cheap vacation opportunities in recession-hit Greece, particularly for visitors outside the euro zone. In the same context, Nicholas Kelaiditis, Director at Large of the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies, published a column on Travel Daily News, pointing out "Myths and Reality - the whole truth about Greece". Kelaiditis starts by pointing out that "From the beginning of the economic crisis in Greece, we faced a negative publicity for our country. Many articles and images from the press were exaggerated and didn’t present the everyday reality". He designates the myths of insecurity and regarding the Eurozone, stating that "Greece is a civilized, stable, democratic, Eurozone country", and stresses that "this is the best time to visit Greece".
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Greece this month – June 2012
RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS (JUNE 17)
Issue 146
Top Priorities of the new Government
GREEK
Following the results of the Greek elections held on June 17 (see table on the left), New Democracy, PASOK and Democratic Left parties have participated in a coalition government and presented their common government programme. Their highest priority is to renegotiate with the EU over changes in the bailout terms. They will make efforts so that Greece exits its deep-seated financial crisis. The programme includes several measures to support poorer social classes, pensioners and unemployed people, to strengthen social measures while the government assures public workers that no layoffs will follow. The new government has five key priorities. First of all, it will renegotiate the bailout
Antonis Samaras
the new Prime Minister of Greece
agreement but also pay attention to development and social welfare issues. It will also deal with the country’s financial problems and matters of foreign affairs. Last but not least, it announced that one of its main aims will be the
restructuring of the Greek political system, focusing mostly on illegal migration and security. As for bailout renegotiation, Greek leaders intend to ask extension of bailout timeline to at least 2016.
Mr. Samaras was born in Athens on May 23, 1951. He is married to Georgia Kritikos; they have a daughter, Lena, 21, and a son, Kostas, 14. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Amherst College and Harvard University (MBA). From 1977 to 1993 he was a member of the Hellenic Parliament representing the Prefecture of Messinia with Nea Demokratia and served as Minister of Finance and Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1993 he was elected member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Prefecture of Messinia with the political party "Political Spring" (Politiki Anixi), which he founded and led till 2004. In 2004 he was elected member of the European Parliament with Nea Demokratia. He was member of the Budget Committee, the Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee for the Lisbon Treaty and the Committee of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation. In 2007 Mr. Samaras was elected member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Prefecture of Messinia with Nea Demokratia and was reelected in 2009. He was a member of the Standing Committee for Economic Affairs and the Committee for European Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament until January 2009, when he was appointed Minister of Culture. Under this capacity, he inaugurated the new Acropolis Museum in July 2009.In November 2009 he was elected the 7th President of Nea Demokratia by the party members. Since June 20 he is the Prime minister of Greece.
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Greece this month – June 2012
Issue 146
Greek Former IMO Chief E. Mitropoulos Receives Honorary Award from the Queen Her Majesty the Queen of England Elizabeth II and the UK government granted the title of former International Maritime Organization (IMO) chief Efthimios E. Mitropoulos Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in recognition of his work and services to international maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment. The badge of honor was presented to Mitropoulos during an official ceremony held at the residence of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last Wednesday. The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation. There are several different types of award, each one recognising a different type of contribution. Non-British nationals who have made a
significant contribution to the UK can also be considered for UK honours. These awards are classed as honorary and granted at the counsel of the FCO. Efthimios Elias Mitropoulos was the seventh SecretaryGeneral of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency. Mitropoulos was elected as Secretary-General on 18 June 2003 during the 19th session of the International Maritime Organization Council. His four-year term started on 1 January 2004, and then was extended until 31 December 2011 by the IMO Council on 9 November 2006. He began his career at the International Maritime Organization in January 1979. He has received multiple awards and recognition throughout his career for his achievements.
THUMBS UP FOR INVEST IN GREECE
According to the World Bank Group’s Global Investment Promotion Best Practices 2012 report, Invest in Greece Agency systematically presents "a solid business case." It "leapt from being an average facilitator in 2009 to one of the world’s best practice agencies in 2012." The Invest in Greece rates third within the top-10 investment promotion intermediaries (IPIs) at inquiry-handling, thanks to its "comprehensive and effective" processes that recently earned it an ISO certification. The agency stood out from others, because "both of its inquiry responses presented strong business cases for the investors to select Greece". As it is stated in the report, one of the main reasons for Invest in Greece success is that, despite being a public agency, it is run according to private-sector principles, such as applying cost-benefit analysis to investortargeting. Maintaining a high level of performance also requires a skillful staff; accord to CEO Christos Alexakis, most of the personnel have Master’s degrees in business or economics. They have chosen these positions instead of more lucrative jobs in the private sector or abroad due to their desire to see Greece succeed and are improving their performances "at a time of economic turmoil, when many IPIs would be discouraged."
Posidonia
2012
At a time when Greece is facing the serious challenge of implementing the structural reforms necessary to boost its economy, Posidonia Exhibition inaugurated on June 4, highlighted the contribution that Greek shipping already makes to the national economy and underlined its future potential, according to the organisers. The collective might of Greek ship-owners, who last year alone invested 8.5 billion dollars on new buildings, is a main attraction for the thousands of maritime, finance and trade sector professionals from around the world, who participated and attended the Posidonia Exhibition and its many business and social programmes. "In the decade between 2000 and 2010, Greek shipping contributed to the Greek economy a total of 140 billion euro, or half of the country’s public debt as it stood in 2009. Posidonia has followed this trend and has grown from strength to strength ever since its inaugural event more than 40 years ago, establishing itself as the world’s most prestigious shipping forum eagerly anticipated every two years by the international maritime community", said Theodore Vokos, Project Director of Posidonia Exhibitions. The state-of-the-art venue hosted more than 17,000 people from nearly 90 countries from every corner of the world during a weeklong celebration of business activities ranging from networking, deal- making, product launches and conferences. Posidonia also features a rich calendar of sporting side–events, such as the Lloyd’s Register-sponsored sailing regatta known as Posidonia Cup, the Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, which attracts more than 250 players, and the introduction of the first Posidonia Golf Tourn ament, which is hoped to become a staple feature of the event. Furthermore, the impressive list of conferences and seminars held at Posidonia 2012 attracted additional finance and sea trade professionals from the major maritime markets around the world, increasing demand for hotels and visitor services and providing an important boost t o Greece’s tourism industry.
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GREECE this month – June 2012
LITTLE GREEK PIE IN LONDON
With Greek gastronomy steadily on the rise, more and more Europeans turn to Greek food for nutrition and taste Greek delis have become a real trend throughout Europe. The recently featured Little Greek Pie, a shop specialized in the pastry delicacy of variously filled pita in London, has been one of many new entries, as now practically most European metrpoles boast numerous Greek food havens. Angelo Kleftakis, a Greek entrepreneur decided to open The Little Greek Pie in the heart of London when he realized that Greek pies, ubiquitous in Central Greece, are a quick, healthy snack perfect for London urbanites. The Little Greek Pie offers pies made from organic spelt, with traditional Greek fillings. Based on fresh ingredients, the menu is strictly seasonal
TUVUNÛ: ICED MOUNTAIN TEA
A well-kept secret of the Greek household is to become the latest entry in the refreshment shelves of American supermarkets. Either hot and honeyed in the winter or iced with lemon in the summer, the Greek wild tea (mountain tea or tsai tou vounou in Greek) is a staple of Greek diet. Now this traditional flavor will be commercialized and exported abroad for the first time. Macedonian Brewery is launching Tuvunû, an organic, iced mountain tea with honey and lemon. The company plantations in Thrace, as well as independent producers of the area will provide the organic tea. Tuvunû will appear in the US and the Greek market in early July, while its European launch is expected by the end of 2012.
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G R E E K S U M M E R C U L I N AR Y CULTURE When the Greek summer has come out in full bloom, it’s perfect time to reap some of the season’s most delicious and fresh fruits and vegetables. Watermelon, figs, tomatoes, zucchini, artichokes, eggplants and okra are some of them. Do you wonder how you can enjoy these treasures of the Greek land at your home, whether you live in Greece or not? In fact, there are many original ways to cook them and taste some of Greece’s summer flavour! Briam -Greece's answer to ratatouille- is a delicious oven roasted vegetable dish with eggplants, zucchini, potatoes, onions, peppers, and tomatoes in a savory sauce. Yemista or Gemista is another hit for the summer, consisting of vegetables usually tomatoes- stuffed with either rice, onions and herbs or rice and meat. Green string beans known as fasolakia are summer’s alternative to winter bean soups. They can be cooked in tomato sauce, or served boiled as a salad with oil and lemon or vinegar. Another popular way to cook them is as a stew in tomato sauce. An interesting summer dish found on Lesvos Island is stuffed zucchini flowers -dubbed louloudakia- with rice and herbs like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves). All these recipes made of summer vegetables are even more delicious when accompanied by a large slice of feta cheese. In addition, feta cheese is often combined with fruit. A favorite Greek treat is feta cheese and watermelon. This refreshing Greek dessert is also made with yogurt. In general, summer seasonal fruits are a favourite ending to a meal or can also be eaten as a snack or light meal served with yogurt and honey. Greece has a long tradition in dairy products, especially yoghurt, but also cheese. In fact, there are 20 types of cheese which have received the PDO status. Dairy products can be consumed all year long, there are however many examples of very summery tastes created. There is of course the famous feta, one of the
main ingredients of Greek salad, a staple in the menu of most restaurants and tavernas all over the country. Another much-loved meze is saganaki (cheese battered and fried). Many cheeses can be used to make this dish; kefalograviera is traditionally preferred, but other versions can be made using other types of graviera, the northern-Greek kasseri, San Michali from Syros, batzos or Arahova’s formaella. Formaella, as well as feta, can also be used for a sweet saganaki, covered with honey and
sprinkled with sesame seeds. Finally, cream cheeses such as katiki, kopanisti and galotyri can be used for spreading on bread, as dips with veggies or as ingredient in pasta sauces. As for yoghurt, it is by definition the most rejuvenating thing you can have on a steaming hot day. Its delicate texture and refreshing taste make it ideal either as a light meal or a healthy dessert. One of the simplest ways to enjoy it is covered with honey and often nuts especially walnuts. Another timeless favorite is yoghurt topped with any traditional Greek "spoon sweet" -a succulent combination with a word of caution: go easy on the quantity, spoon sweets are caloric bombs! Yoghurt can also be used in dips -from light versions with herbs to the famous (or infamous, for some) tzatziki and the eggplant saladsauces, pasta salads and more.
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GREECE this month – June 2012
Issue 146
Myrtis: Celebrated ancient Athenian on view in Delphi There’s an added bonus if you’re visiting the renowned town of Delphi this summer. This is because Myrtis, the celebrated reconstruction of a 5th century BC young Athenian whose remains were unearthed during excavations back in the 1990s, is currently on display at the local archaeological museum. “Myrtis: Face to Face with the Past” was originally developed thanks to donations by professor and orthodontist Manolis J Papagrigorakis and Athens University. The exhibition’s interdisciplinary character has earned much praise both locally and abroad. The Delphi show will remain on view until September 30. The story of Myrtis takes the viewer back to 430 BC Athens, when a 11-yearold girl is believed to have died of the plague. Her remains were discovered in a mass grave along with those of another 150 people during a 1994-95 excavation in the area of Kerameikos at the time of the construction of the city’s metro. The remains of the 11-year-old, who
archaeologists named Myrtis, were in excellent condition and this led to the reconstruction of her face in the form of a sculpture. Meanwhile, a number of contemporary artworks related to the Myrtis exhibition are scheduled to go on display at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on August 1. The Delphi show, organized with the support of the Fokida Chamber of Commerce, explores a dramatic chapter of ancient Greek history: the fall of democracy in Athens and the tragedy of the Peloponnesian War. According to archaeologist Nancy Psalti, head of the Delphi-based 10th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, the exhibition will contribute to an increase in the number of visitors traveling to Delphi, while at the same time reinforcing local interest in ancient Greek culture and history. The exhibition is also designed to cater to visitors with hearing and visual impairments and is accompanied by educational material.
The Apology of Socrates C o m e s
T o
A t h e n s
The legendary play on the Apology of Socrates, comes to Athens to be revived in its original location for the first time. The play is based on Plato’s version of Socrates’ defence speech, one of the most important Ancient Greek scripts. The performance is a production by the Greek Theatre International that premiered in New York in 2004 and has since been performed in 250 venues in 14 countries and in 6 languages. The play, directed by Broadway director Loukas Skipitaris and starring Emmy award-winning Greek actor and director Yannis Simonides, has also been presented in some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia and Yale, combined with interactive seminars on the Socratic dialectic technique. Starting on June 24 and until July 7, fourteen performances will be hosted at the Athens University Museum of History. The building is located under the Acropolis, near the grounds where the Heliaia court actually tried Socrates. These first 14 Athens performances will be in English, to allow the city’s foreign visitors to participate, while a tour around Greece and performances at the Theoharakis Foundation in autumn are to follow.
Ancient Greek in British Schools
The Ancient Greek language will be included in England’s state primary school curriculum as one of the foreign languages pupils can opt for. In an overhaul of the country’s national education system, learning a foreign language will be compulsory from the age of seven in England’s primary schools. The plans will be put out to public consultation later in the year, ahead of a scheduled introduction in 2014. Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg welcomed the government’s ideas saying, "I think it’s absolutely right. Children will get a love of languages if they start them young."
Ancient Treasures Surface on Skiathos
Brought
to
A large number of important findings were brought to light during the first underwater archaeological exploration conducted off the island of Skiathos, under the supervision of the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. The expedition took place on May 14-25 in various areas, including the old port of Skiathos, notable for the Venetian castle of Bourtzi, the Tarsanades area, the Platanias Bay and others. The team surveyed a wide area of the old port of Skiathos, where an ancient breakwater was discovered -on which a part of a Byzantine-era quay has survived. Ceramic shells, mainly scattered pieces of amphorae, were also found in the sea area surrounding the Bourtzi castle and in the ancient port basin. At the Tarsanades region, the specialized divers recovered part of a shipwreck from late Roman times, while at a close distance from the old harbour a shipwreck dating back to the Byzantine era, carrying mostly roof tiles and parts of Byzantine jars was also found. Another shipwreck of the late Roman era was found at the Platanias bay.
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GREECE this month – June 2012
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PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER 2012.
We wish you all a wonderful summer! .
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