NEO magazine - June 2016

JUN 2016

celebrating maestro peter tiboris

giorgos mitsikostas the satire king of greece

the star studded los angeles greek film festival

$4.95

ORDER OF AHEPA AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

GOLD COAST CHAPTER NO. 456 Manhasset, New York 11030 PRESIDENT John G. Levas Amcorjgl@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Paul Macropulos SECRETARY Dr. Michael Georgis RECORDING SECRETARY Nick Kouzionis TREASURER Ted Malgarinos Board of Governors Leonard Zangas Constanine Carr Honorary Governors Evens Cyprus Dr. Dean Pappas Sunshine Welfare Tom Gardianos

NEW MEMBERS: For new members to join the fee is $100.00. Membership renewals are $100.00.

Ahepa web Site is AHEPA.ORG You can down load membership applications on line!

Fraternally yours, John G. Levas President

Go to Greece & Cyprus this Year, where Magic and Reality Overlap!

Fraternally yours, Dr. Michael Georgis Secretary

Our meetings are held at The Port Washington Yacht Club, located at 1 Yacht Club Dr, Port Washington, NY, first Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm.

The 94th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention will be held July 24-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Our Chapter's Golf Outing with be held in the Spring of 2017.

Our Annual Christmas Family Gala will be held on December 14th, 2016 at The North Hills Country Club.

Everyone is Welcome!!!

For more info please visit AHEPA.org

:: magazine

JUNE 2016

12 AHI and Friends Express

Their Appreciation to The Colonel – Andonis Neroulias

14 Music, Community &

Innovation: Celebrating Maestro Peter Tiboris

18 The satire king of Greece

22

www.neomagazine.com

37 2nd Annual Greek-Jewish

Street Festival in NYC an Astounding Success!

“Little England” Movie on Netflix, DVD, Amazon Instant Video and iTunes

43 The Making of BLUEFIRE:

Dimitris Yeros: Shades of Love …in the Time of Cholera

44 Anthea Yoga & Healing

Spaces’ Ted Kokkoris and Greg Kyroglou Offer Insights into Today’s Hottest Real Estate

29 Angelos Paterakis

Inducted at Baltimore Sun’s Hall of Fame

30 How Turkey Became

a de facto Dictatorship

34 Hellenic Classical

Charter School: Paving the Way for a Universal Greek Education

36 "Chavurah: Greek by

Birth, Jewish by Blood”

by Dimitri C. Michalakis

42 Corinth Films Released

Giorgos Mitsikostas says simply, ‘I could always imitate anybody’!

28 Moving On Up: Modern

From The Editor Here and There

Artistic Catharsis on the Island of Cyprus

periXscope The "Greater Albania", the Greater the Stupidity!

by Demetrios Rhompotis

Arts Center in Astoria

44 Children’s Art Exhibition

at The Academy of Hellenic Paideia

strategy/στρατηγική Distrust but verify

by Endy Zemenides

46 SVL Bar …Souvlaki

is Eternal!

47 AHEPA’s Gold Coast

Chapter 456 Holds Successful Golf Outing Fundraiser

48 The Real “Panama Hats”

medical world SUMMER TIPS !!!

by Dr. Nicholas Kaloudis

and Where to Find Them...

50 “We did it!” Los Angeles

Greek Film Festival just turned 10 years old in June 2016 and celebrated with film premieres, a gastronomic event, glamour and panels among others.

hellenes without borders Byzantium: Hidden in Plain Sight

by Alexander Billinis

Here and There

:: magazine FOUNDED IN 2005 BY

Demetrios Rhompotis Dimitri Michalakis Kyprianos Bazenikas

Publishing Committee Chairman

Demetrios Rhompotis (718) 554-0308 dondemetrio@neomagazine.com Director of Operations Kyprianos Bazenikas info@neomagazine.com

Marketing & Advertising Director Tommy Harmantzis (347) 613-4163 th@radioneo.us

ATHENS - GREECE Public Relations & Marketing Director Rita Despotidis rdespotis@gmail.com

NEO Magazine is published monthly by Neocorp Media Inc. P.O. Box 560105 College Point, NY 11356 Phone: (718) 554-0308 e-Fax: (718) 878-4448 info@neomagazine.com

Check our website

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When I was a kid living on Chios I remember going to the harbor and the “prokimaia” to see people off on the ship that would take them to Athens and the world beyond. The ship was colossal to me: like a vast white cliff with rivets on it belching water from its sides.

And the people on it looked impossibly high, perched on the railing and staring down on us like eagles from their lairs. I remember watching the stevedores in their blue jackets and fishermen caps bending nearly double to haul up the rickety rope ladder of the ship our suitcases (tied with rope) and trunks (tied with rope) and sometimes the huge baskets (tied with rope) sewn over with discarded tablecloths or napkins or men’s shirts (with the names and addresses of their owners or their destinations on them).

I could hardly imagine where all these baskets and packages and suitcases would wind up: somewhere in the noisy, glittering, bustling world of Athens with its public parks and municipal buildings and yellow trams and traffic cops with white gloves standing precariously in the middle of traffic circles and the real-life parrot in the Papagalos coffee shops and kiosks selling everything from worry beads to “thimiata” and cigarettes and newspapers blaring news of the big outside world.

The world beyond, which to my family meant mostly America, with places like Brooklyn, New York, and Warren, Ohio, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois, and even Montreal, Canada, where they said people dressed like Eskimos and rode in sleds. We received packages from this outside world periodically brought by the mailman on his “mihanaki” who would stop by the side of the road and mop himself and reach into his leather pouch and produce letters in striped envelopes that sometimes had wings on them

and sometimes shoe boxes with actual shoes inside—beautiful glossy shoes with strange names like Buster Brown and Thom McAn which smelled like leather and had cream-colored soles with big white stitches and gold lettering for the size numbers. I would wear my new big black shoes to church (though they pinched) but by the time we got to church they would be coated with dust from the road and Yiayia would have to use spit and her “mantila” to wipe them down before we walked into the church and Papou hoisted me in my new black shoes in his “stasidi.”

The vast world beyond our little island seemed inconceivable and frightening—particularly since whoever boarded the great white ship in “prokimaia” would almost never come back and got reduced to the name that you saw periodically in those striped overseas envelopes bundled with rubber bands in the leather pouch of the postman’s “mihanaki.”

People now visit Greece like they visit Long Island in New York or the Great Lakes in Chicago or Big Sur in California: it’s barely a few hours away to get to the familiar baked heat of Greece with its aquamarine waters and bowl of a blue sky. I receive on Facebook countless photographs of the old village and of “mirovolos” Chios or I can go to Google Earth when the mood strikes me and roam through the old streets of Chora even though I am four thousand miles away.

It’s wonderful seeing this from four thousand miles away but even more wonderful to be there. Enjoy your time if you’re going there this summer.

:: magazine PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN NEW YORK

Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com

Western Region Desk - Los Angeles Alexander Mizan director@americanhellenic.org

- San Jose Office Andrea Photopoulos a.photopoulos@neomagazine.com

Baltimore Desk Georgia Vavas gvavas@comcast.net

Photo/Fashion New York: ETA Press fpapagermanos@yahoo.com

Los Angeles: Nick Dimitrokalis (951) 764-5737 photobynikos@hotmail.com

Graphic Design NEOgraphix.us Adrian Salescu Athens Desk Konstantinos Rhompotis (01130) 210 51 42 446 (01130) 6937 02 39 94 k.rhompotis@neomagazine.com

Lou Katsos, the Colonel's successor as AHI New York Chapter President Eva & Andonis Neroulias with their younger daughter Laura at the event

In 2001 AHI acknowledged Neroulias’ initiative by naming him president of its New York Chapter. The Nicholas Larigakis, President and CEO or AHI June 6 reception marked his “retirement.”

Neroulias,” quoted General Douglass McArthur’s farewell speech: “Old soldiers don’t die – they just fade away.” He declared, however, that “I don’t plan P HOTO S: ETA P RESS to die any time soon, or fade away,” and added some advice for community leaders who hang onto the birth certificate objections, Neroulias declared “I am reins for too long: “I do believe in terms limits.” blessed to claim three countries as my homeland.”

He said “we found the right replacement in Lou He continued “I Ellada me genise – Greece gave me Katsos” to continue with the idea that came to him birth, and Greece gave me a big heart – to feel, and 20 years ago,” and to develop new areas and inviting to appreciate culture and history, and when I was 13 Katsos to the podium, passed the torch to the years old in 1956, we came to America. I Ameriki me chapter’s new president. iothetise – America adopted me, and taught me how to think objectively and logically, and urged me to Katsos, a leader in the real estate and construction control my huge Greek heart, which normally management industry for over 35 years and lecturer overrules logic.” for 30, is now president of his own firm, Jekmar Associates and Inc., congratulated and thanked “The third country is Cyprus,” he said. “I Kipros me Neroulias. The former is past VP of the Hellenic pantrepse – Cyprus married me I got married in American Chamber of Commerce and founding Cyprus, and Cyprus gave me a lovely family. president of the East Mediterranean Business and

AHI and Friends Express Their Appreciation to The Colonel – Andonis Neroulias The Grand Salon of the venerable 3 West Club near Rockefeller Center was filled with friends offering good wishes, congratulations, and thanks to Andonis Neroulias, the founder of the monthly networking reception in Midtown Manhattan of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI).

Nicholas Larigakis, the President and CEO of AHI, told the guests “It gives me great pleasure to be here today” – he travelled from AHI headquarters in Washington, DC – “Andoni, you came to me and were interested in facilitating AHI’s efforts in New York and I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy to do this, and you proved us correct over the last 20 years.”

Larigakis presented Neroulias with a plaque saying, “It is a great honor to give you this small token of our appreciation tonight,” and then read the inscription: “in appreciation, presented to Andonios Neroulias – the Colonel – for two decades of public service to the Greek American community and dedication to the mission of the American Hellenic Institute, for the promotion of Hellenism, strengthening relations between Greece, Cyprus, and the United States, and his generous commitment of time, support, and inspiration to the members and friends of the AHI New York Chapter.”

Among the numerous dignitaries were Greece’s new Consul General in New York, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Ambassador Yannis Vrailas, Consul Manos Koubarakis, and Argyris Argitakos, AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 President. Ambassador Vasilios Philippou, Cyprus’ High Commissioner was unable to attend but he sent congratulations. Koutras briefly addressed the guests, thanking and congratulating The Colonel and AHI for their efforts.

Neroulias, who distinguished himself in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of Colonel and has held leadership positions in prominent community and professional organizations, displayed his trademark warmth mixed with humor. “Thank you. I’m very moved. After listening to all my credentials, and after watching the candidates, maybe I should run for president.” Noting that Donald Trump would raise 12

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Dignitaries and attendees at the event

The evening’s emcee Dean Sirigos

He then pointed out his Cypriot wife Eva, his Cultural Alliance (EMBCA), and is noted for youngest daughter Laura, and noted his daughter organizing some of the community’s most Nicole and his grandchildren, Rohann Jay Iakovos, extraordinary and successful events. and Katerina Elyse.

Larigakis concluded the evening with an overview of Sharing the idea that was at the heart of his AHI, which spearheaded the U.S.’s Rule of Law contribution to Greek Americans, Neroulias said, “I Embargo in response to Turkey’s illegal invasion and thought that the community had enough galas and occupation of Cyprus and continues to advocate for events featuring dignitaries, and that there needed the rule of law and justice for Cyprus. AHI was to be gatherings where ‘the common people’ can get founded as a non-profit Greek American think-tank to know each other. Nick Larigakis embraced the and public policy center by noted attorney and idea and we implemented it based on the KISS public servant Eugene T. Rossides. principle – keep it simple stupid.”

Sirigos, urged the guests to visit ahiworld.org and to The evening’s emcee Dean Sirigos reminded that support AHI’s endeavors which include performing the free reception that began at the old Minotaur the functions of think tank, grass roots organizing, restaurant and continues every second Monday of and Capitol Hill lobbying in the best interests of the the Month at AVRA has helped countless Greek United States. AHI also presents an annual Americans and Philhellenes connect in the spirit of conference on The Future of Hellenism in America, the motto of the AHI Business Network: “People has hosted 70 legislative conferences, and has produced publications and events on the theme of helping people.”

“Doing Business in Greece.”

Performing at Carnegie Hall

Maestro Peter Tiboris

MUSIC, COMMUNITY & INNOVATION: CELEBRATING MAESTRO

PETER TIBORIS

by Chris Salboudis Born in 1947 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Maestro Peter Tiboris says that music has always been a part of his life. His father was Psaltis at St. Spyridon, perhaps the oldest Greek Orthodox church in the US (est. ca.1906). At age 8, Peter became the church organist and continued pursuing his avid interest in music throughout his high school and college education, earning his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin followed by his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

University of Louisiana, he moved to New York and launched Midamerica Productions (http://midamerica-music.com), gradually making his dream a reality by connecting thousands of professionals from around the world with auditions and performing opportunities that would become life-changing experiences. “I launched my big debut at Lincoln Center in 1984, which was successful, then the first concert at Carnegie Hall, which also went well, and from there came another concert, then another, and things simply worked out. Over 4,000 people have performed for Midamerica Productions at this point, all by personal recommendations and referrals, and I continue to collaborate with those individuals to obtain new talent from around the world for future performances.” In essence, what he has created is a remarkable, high-quality professional network and a real musical following that grows stronger and more impressive every year.

He served as an Associate Professor of Music in University of Louisiana from 1970 to 1983, receiving tenure in May 1983. In June 1983, at age 36, Peter examined his professional achievements and made the very gutsy decision to resign from his faculty position. “Not that I didn't enjoy teaching, but the plateau I wanted to achieve in music was way beyond the limits of a college environment. I needed to conduct serious music… to create a life changing experience for people, not only for the audience, but for those performing."

Among his major projects is the preparation of the annual Festival of the Aegean, which is held at Syros, After serving his final year as a professor at the a Greek island that boasts of a significant Roman

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Catholic population in addition to the Orthodox community. The combination makes for a unique atmosphere that Peter truly treasures. The festival consists of a series of performances featuring all kinds of music, including Jazz, Opera, Symphonic, Folk, and more from July 5th to July 19th. For more information about the festival their site is festivaloftheaegean.com/syros With over 1,300 successful international performances under his belt, and knowing he has been a source of joy and inspiration to so many, one can only wonder about the internal journey and philosophy that moved Mr. Tiboris to become a famous international conductor. When asked about his overall philosophy of work and life, he says, “It really boils down to why I am a musician. I had no option. There was nothing else for me. It's all I can do. It's when I am happiest.”

When asked about his own source of inspiration, he credits two particular mentors: “Leonard Bernstein, the famous composer and conductor, was a great mentor to me…. What I've done is unique in the

Apollo Theater, La Piccola Scala, at Hermoupolis, Syros where the 12th annual Festival of the Aegean will take place this July

music industry, premised on the one really simple idea I was told by Charles Leonard, a good friend and mentor at the University of Illinois: 'Take care of the music business and the business will take care of itself.' He was right! You have to appeal to the musical side of things... there's got to be a reason for people to come, not just because the performance is at Carnegie Hall, but because what they are experiencing is life changing. I'm creating a musical environment. It's the most significant component of MidAmerica Productions. We have a high level of music-making with distinguished conductors and orchestras from around the country and from different parts of the world at famous places where they'd never have the opportunity to go otherwise.”

Peter's recollection of his New York debut was very modest and moving. “I can never forget my big debut. It was an amazing experience, you know; January 7th 1984, a concert honoring Archbishop Iakovos. And on my way home to Louisiana I was already starting to invite more people for the next concert, and they started coming, and things really took off, just as my mentor had said. In essence, the

music, the program, is premised on choirs from around the world getting the opportunity to do something that they can't do at home. It's not just the fact that we are performing at Carnegie Hall that draws people to this; there has to be more. There has to be the music, the talent….”

In starting his career as a young professional in New York, there were many challenges to overcome.

When asked what major challenges he faced in establishing and developing his own company from the early 1980s through today, he offers an honest – and optimistic – opinion: “Well, doing business in New York is a challenge in itself, if only for the sheer expense of things, but there is such a high level of professionalism here as well.... I mean, people really learn to live with each other and survive. It's what keeps us all moving forward. Of course, it's also a challenge to find the right talent. You're looking to create something special so the selection depends on a variety of things like where a person is trained, their sound, their experience.” As an example, Peter explains, after 20+ years of performances, he chooses to conduct his US performances exclusively

at Carnegie Hall. “I feel it's important to be careful about what you go see and where you choose to perform.”

Given the hectic schedule involved at this professional level, we asked Peter Tiboris what he enjoys doing in his spare time. “I love to travel to new places; Asia, the Caribbean, Antarctica, France.

I've been on different cruises... Travel is very important to me. Reading people on these trips is part of the fun. These are not business trips – I often try to leave my work at home on these occasions, or… you know, perhaps I bring some along, but the focus is on the travel. The experience, all the moments, are a very positive influence on my work.”

In closing we asked the maestro if he had any words of wisdom for today's young Hellenic professionals, especially those in music and the arts. “Yes! First, as Socrates would say, know thyself; that is the most important. Next, I would say to really only be in a profession if it's not an option, if there's nothing else that is really moving you other than this one thing and you must do it. Lastly… don't waste your time on silly music; make something real.”

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JUNE 2016

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by Kelly Fanarioti Giorgos Mitsikostas in performance is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears: he can nail a whole imitation just with a facial tic. Which is why he’s a rage on youtube and a rage of the Greek public: they can’t wait to see who Mitsikostas will skewer next from buttoned-down politician Adonis Georgiades to wild-haired sports commentator Takis Tsoukalas.

“I remember myself in the last classes of primary school imitating the broadcasters of mainly sport shows, like Diakogiannis and Mavromatis,” he says.

“Later on, while I was at high school, I developed this talent, by imitating my teachers. And this was also repeated while I was studying at the university.

This made me make up my mind and follow this profession. I could also say that it is hereditary, because my mother also used to make a lot of imitations”.

But what happens when imitating a specific person is not such an easy job? “Even when one cannot impersonate somebody else exactly, just trying makes it funny,” he says.

For him there are no limits to what impression he can do. “There‘s no I can’t, there‘s only I don’t want to, and as far as I am concerned, I want to do everything. What matters is being willing to imitate somebody, and one day you‘ll make it. I remember myself when I was 25 years old and I was trying to imitate Konstantinos Mitsotakis (former Prime Minister). It is a fact that when one is so young, one’s voice can’t sound like the voice of a 70-year-old individual. But when I got 30, 35, 40, it was easier for me to imitate somebody who was 80 years old, of course.”

I think that the Greek TV lacks a real comedy channel.

One with spectacular, breathtaking shows, where there will also be freedom of speech and expression. In this phase that we are going through, Greece needs that!

He mostly imitates people from politics and TV. However he explains what matters most to him are the demands of the audience, as the audience is the most important judge. “In my satiric shows, current affairs always play the most important role, but what the audience asks for, is equally important to me.

One always has to take the public opinion into consideration”, he says.

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

He has no favorites—he leaves it to the audience.

“The opinions about this differ. Some people tell me that by best imitation is George Papandreou (former Prime Minister), others talk about Nikos Alefandos (a well known soccer coach) and Kostas Prekas (actor turned poet and philosopher). I cannot choose a specific role to be my favorite, I am like singers. If I choose a person and say that this is the best imitation I ever did, it’s going to sound like I am annihilating all the others that I have done.”

Mitsikostas shares laughs, but his satire also has bite.

He presented Marika Mitsotaki beating her elderly husband with a stick. “She thought that I was trying to satirize a health problem she was facing, but obviously, this was not my intention.”

Michalis Papakonstadinou, the minister of external affairs during the administration of Konstadinos Mitsotakis in 1992, has also expressed his resentment in a letter to Mitsikostas. “I had imitated him, presenting him as a person who drinks a little more alcohol than normal. Then he was discontented and sent me a letter. We met, we had supper together, and through our discussion we put an end to this disagreement”.

Other controversies were not easily resolved. In October 2015, his five-minute humorous radio show on Vima FM was cut from the first day. The second episode in which he imitated Kyriakos Mitsitakis (then candidate for the New Democracy Party leadership) was not broadcast by the radio station and this caused a flurry in the Greek media and social media. Three days later, the head of the radio station confirmed the end of his cooperation with George Mitsikostas, emphasizing that talk of censorship was not really valid and to prove his point he allowed the canceled show to be aired.

Mitsikostas says of the incident: “I was informed that our cooperation would stop, because the sound quality was not very good. I prepared the five minute episodes at home and in my opinion, the sound was very good. I also uploaded the video on my personal profile on Facebook and everybody told me that there was nothing inappropriate in it. I believe that even Mr. Mitsotakis would have no problem at all listening to it.”

The difficulties along the way have not made him

abandon satire. On the contrary, he wants to create a comedy channel for Greece. As he told NEO Magazine, he believes that he himself has got the experience and the skills necessary to do it on his own. “I would really like it if something like that happened in our country and I believe that I can

“Oh, I must not forget Eukleides Tsakalotos” he different from the satirist who transforms himself adds, imitating the characteristic voice of Minister of into a politician, a journalist, a singer and spreads Finances. laughter to his viewers. “As regards my private life, I always try to be balanced and not to be as funny as I Although these days he’s not regularly on TVs, in his am in my professional life. The comedians laugh free time he watches other satiric shows. “I watch very rarely and sometimes people find it weird. I find the popular jokes with the Pontians and Toto disgusting, I never liked them,” he says.

I want to do a stand-up comedy act with the title, 'What I wanted to say but I was not allowed to.'

It’s going to be a in both Greek and English, which I would like to present in Greece and - why not - in the USA and in any place of the world where Greeks live. make it. I would choose surprise-persons, who would be able to present informational and satiric shows, without being necessarily reporters or journalists. I think that the Greek TV lacks something like that. A channel with spectacular, breathtaking shows, where there will also be freedom of speech and expression. In this phase that we are going through, Greece needs that.”

Radioarvila and Ellinofreneia and I like them a lot. I have known T h i m i o s Kalamoukis and M a n o s Voularinos for many years, since I worked for the SKAI radio. They are both ver y talented.”

As he told NEO, if he did a show like that the range of his impressions would increase. “Of course I couldn’t resist showing David Bowie meeting Makis Psomiadis in the Underworld,” he says and goes on to imitate the former deputy of SYRIZA and supporter of the …drachma, Kostas Lapavitsas. In However, George addition, some of his main choices would be the Mitsikostas the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the President of the p e r s o n i s International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde.

He finds the moments of filming a show particularly amusing. “The unexpected incidents that occur during filming the shows are what we all remember in the end. I have had a great time with my colleagues and many times laughter lasted for hours”.

But how easy is it to laugh in such a difficult phase like the one that Greece is going through in the last years? “I am experiencing the crisis with optimism and extroversion, because this situation prevailing in Greece, leads us inevitably into isolation, which on its turn, results in depression,” he states, emphasizing that the crisis is an opportunity. “I

As Member of Parliament Adonis Georgiades

Giorgos Mitsikostas as TV news anchor Konstantinos Bogdanos

believe that in such difficult periods, one has to come up with new ideas. Certainly, the crisis creates opportunities, given that you keep your mind alert, you never rest and you always think of something new. We need innovative and pioneering ideas”.

These days, he is gearing up for new ventures. The only thing he told us is that he wants to do a stand-up comedy act with the title “What I wanted to say but I was not allowed to”.

“It’s going to be a performance in both Greek and English, which I would like to present in Greece and - why not - in the USA and in any place of the world, where Greeks live”.

Having made a brilliant career in satire, he gives his own advice to the young people who want to follow a profession in this field. “Being able to imitate different individuals is not enough.” he says. “In my opinion, those who want to satirize, had better study dance, phonetics, be able to sing and speak many foreign languages. I am hung-up on this. I would like to speak at least three or four languages, cause then I would be able to make a career abroad”.

All in all, traveling is very important to him as inspiration for his work. “If I had started traveling when I was still younger I would be much more successful and happy with my work.”

NEWS & NOTES

JUNE 2016

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Dimitris Yeros: Shades of Love …in the Time of Cholera

by Athena Efter

NEO had the privilege to interview this great artist/photographer, Dimitris Yeros, who has been defined as one of Greece’s most influential artists of his generation. In this interview, he shares his candid thoughts about his work, his art, his inspirations, the economic crisis in Greece, and the passion that motivated his book Shades of Love, a visual reflection on the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy. His friendship and artistic collaboration with the acclaimed Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez was of particular fascination.

You’ve photographed a lot of well-known writers, artists, filmmakers, actresses and composers, and, to name a few, like Gore Vidal, Edward Albee, Olympia Dukakis, CostaGavras, Dennis Oppenheim, Jeff Koons, Carlos Fuentes, Michael Cacoyannis, L ouise Bourgeois, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Besides the obvious, that they are famous and talented, what did you want to elicit from each?

What is it that captivated you most, the human as an artist, or the artist as a human?

All these famous people you mentioned will respond and behave in a totally different way to a friend or an artist they are personally acquainted with than they would to a reporter.

Like me, there are not many photo reporters they like, because they often take their photographs in a hurried and slapdash manner, and their subjects often end up looking ugly.

With me they are more relaxed and approachable. They trust me. They know I will portray them in the best possible light, so to speak, since I look for and bring out their most photogenic side. Some often ask me to photograph them again.

The human portraits in your photographs often have a contemplative mood, often characterized by an inner mystery that’s both alluring and unsettling at the same time. Is this intentional?

Everything, or almost everything, is deliberate.

In my work randomness does not play a major role. Everything is planned and premeditated.

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This is more so in my paintings, since mistakes there cannot be corrected.

Are you “old school” or “new school” when it comes to photography? As an experienced artist, having worked with several mediums, do you find there is a difference between digital and film photography? Which do you prefer?

I think I’m closer to what we call an academic artist. Of course, there are differences between analog and digital photography, but the photographer will portray his subject equally well regardless of the medium used. The fact is that the situation with analog photography becomes harder every day, as there is a smaller variety of photographic film and processing laboratories becoming a vanishing breed. On the other hand, digital photography offers a wide range of new possibilities and at quite a low cost.

Which is more challenging to you as an artist, photography or painting? Or do they both have their own set of challenges?

Both forms of art are extremely challenging for me.

Although I am primarily a painter, I have been engaged in photography for about 30 years, and there are days when all I want to do is take photographs.

Your series “Photos on Cavafy” is a compelling series, where beautiful images and expressions on faces are transformed into the power of words. How did you go about choosing which poem to pair with which photo? Was it a random process of mix and match to see what kind of story each image would tell? Or was each poem carefully selected to define what you saw in each image? Here you have seductive images defined by seductive words to create a compass of seduction, where you draw us into an alternate reality through poetic storytelling and inviting images.

My book on Cavafy, Shades of Love, is my favorite. It took me about ten years to finish. The photography was determined by the poetry. I decided to pick all those poems, which created clear images when I read them in order to turn them into self-standing images. It was also determined by the models. Many of the poems were selected so that they could be illustrated with some of my famous friends whose lives or work were somehow associated with the great Greek poet. For example, I photographed the famous American poet Richard Howard portraying Cavafy, the sculptor Arman posing as the sculptor of Tyana, and so forth. I ended up with 67 poems.

People unacquainted with Cavafy found some of the photos risqué, but those closer to his work agree that his poems were more daring than the photographs, especially if we take the time they were written into account.

Ah, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, acclaimed Colombian author and “magic realist”. I feel silly asking you why you chose him as the topic of your most recent book, especially after looking at your work online.

It seems like the perfect union, where the magic of art and the magic of words come together to create a “magic realism.” What inspired you? Did you find camaraderie with him as a fellow artist? Did his novels and stories tell your stories in your pictures?

What was it like working with Marquez as a subject?

And what did you want to convey to us about him through your art?

With Garcia Marquez there was, from the very first moment, a warm kind of friendship, which was unfortunately cut short by his illness. So I was unable to take more photographs of him and create the book I had envisioned at the start. Marquez liked my work, and, in his home, he had one of my paintings which he loved. He found in my works a magical atmosphere in which, as he said, his own heroes would have felt at home. Photographing Marquez was sheer pleasure. He thoroughly enjoyed himself, although at the end of each session he told me jokingly that he would be going straight to bed because of me. In fact, I was the one who came out exhausted from those sessions as I had to take proper care of the greatest writer of the 20th century while being loaded with all sorts of heavy photographic equipment. Eventually, the

photographs were published in a large-format book exactly one year after his death. Marquez had been looking for ward to seeing the book but unfortunately it was not meant to be. The photographs I took of him were exhibited at New York’s Throckmorton Fine Art gallery in November 2015, and in Colombia’s Museo de Arte Moderno de Barranquilla, in the same month. Barranquilla is a large city near the village where Marquez was born.

The writer spent several years of his youth there and I visited the places that he had frequented—among them a famous ice cream shop once owned by Greeks, which is still there today! Finally, in December 2015, the photos were exhibited by Pablo Goebel Fine Arts in Mexico, where Marquez had been living for many years. At the opening of the exhibition, we were honored with a talk by my friend and also a close friend of Garcia Marquez, Elena Poniatowska, arguably the most important woman writer in modern Mexico.

When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?

Did you always know or did you discover it by chance?

Once I began to understand the world, and to discover my surroundings in the small town where I was born, I knew that in my life I would do something different from what the average person does. I think I was special, creative, and a rather strange child who read a lot. I started at an early age to keep up with what was going on in the world of literature and the arts, not just in Greece but also in Europe. Note that at that time America was not yet the center of the art world. I was also very independent and somewhat rebellious. I had, perhaps even before I started elementary school, planned out my future, and the plan said I would work in the arts. After all, I knew I would never be able to work as a private employee or public servant.

Selfportrait You’ve been compared to Man Ray, both in painting style and photography. Has anyone ever compared you to a more uplifting version of the American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe or a more whimsical, less eerie version of the Italian surrealist painter, Giorgio De Chirico?

I think that what connects me to Man Ray is his proclamation: “I photograph what I cannot paint.”

Mapplethorpe and De Chirico were great artists and their absence has left a huge gap.

Marquez with my painting Innocent Prisoner COVER STORY

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In art, there is unfortunately an element of fraud.

But good photographs are not made just with expensive equipment. You need the photographer’s exceptional gaze, his perspicacity, his expertise and the view he has of things and of the world in order to end up with good, artistic photos. The same is true for the other visual arts. There are excellent craftsmen, whom I envy, but they have no talent.

They’re not creators. They are like a great typist or an infallible proofreader who cannot write a poem.

What are your thoughts on the economic crisis in Greece? How does it affect artists? Or does it, especially if we take into consideration the term “starving artists”? Is this one sad story that will continue, despite the economic crisis?

YPERVOLIKI ANTHOFORIA

When 25% of Greeks are unemployed and many of them have to line up at soup kitchens, you understand that art is the last thing that concerns people. So, it is a fact that many artists are in dire circumstances. On the other hand, many among them and the majority of the unemployed, if they knew more about politics and voted more carefully, would not be in this sorry state, which I don’t know when it will end.

immigrants and refugees. How much has life on the island changed over the last year?

For the people of Lesbos it was quite a shock. All of a sudden, there were about 30-40,000 immigrants in Mytilene, the capital, when the city’s population is 27,000. All these people had nowhere to stay and nowhere to wash. They certainly found themselves in a safe environment, and the locals were completely unprepared to welcome them and help them, but they did. The island has been in the center of international attention; even the Pope paid a visit.

But the islanders also stood to gain from the services they granted. There were times when you couldn’t find a single vacant room in the hotels.

As it is, I photographed refugees at good times and at bad times. Unfortunately, although many publishers found the subject very interesting, no one wanted to print a book. Perhaps they did not want to be associated with Islam, or thought that the suffering of these people would not sell enough copies.

Does the Greek State help artists?

Who were your inspirations?

At first, it was some of the Impressionists who, with their colors and broad brushstrokes, impressed me as a child. Immediately after, I discovered Picasso, Kandinsky and Duchamp. I fell in love with Surrealism in later years. In 1969 I had my first exhibition, with abstract and constructivist works, rather than surrealist ones. That was at GoetheInstitut in Thessaloniki, and the next year I had another exhibition at the New Gallery in Athens, which worked with some of the leading Greek artists. I was then between 20 and 21 years old and would pretend to be older in order to be more convincing with gallery owners and art lovers. My art, quite avant-garde for that time, was, I think, quite mature, unlike me, who lived rather irresponsibly. Let me remind you that, in those days, Greece was living under a military dictatorship and my works in those two exhibitions clearly showed my opposition to the fascist regime. They were covered with black barbed wire and some had flashing red lights, like imprisoned souls. This went down well with the Press and I had extensive and positive reviews.

For one of your exhibitions, in Cyprus in 1980, you printed a poster which, instead of one of your works, as one would have expected, had a photograph of you dressed in national costume.

But I am a Rumeliot, after all, the descendant of a distinguished warrior of our War of Independence. I wanted to emphasize my Greek identity and this was at a time when the occupied part of Cyprus needed the support of the Greeks.

Not substantially. There is more cronyism than meritocracy. If you do not belong to the right circles, you can lose hope. You have to make it entirely on your own.

What advice can you give to “starving artists”?

What is the difference between their work sitting under piles of dust in a dark basement or on exhibit The soul of the collector at a well-lit gallery or museum for all to enjoy and Lastly, what are your plans for the future as an possibly buy? artist? Any chance of coming to New York and I think, from my own experience, but also from having an exhibit? looking at the facts, that real works of art are exhibited and protected in well-lit museums, while On June 4th, Holden Luntz Gallery in Palm Beach works of no interest gather dust, as you say, in had the opening of the exhibition “Contemporary basements, or find their way to the landfill. I do not Voices in Color Photography” in which I participate, think there are unappreciated artists; maybe some along with Joyce Tenneson, Jan Groover and Kimiko are more visible than they should be or are Yoshida. The exhibition will last until July 23rd and it will be an opportunity for our compatriots living in overrated, but good art will not go unnoticed.

Florida to see a part of my work. I have been Are there artists in Greece who can compete on the collaborating with this gallery for many years and they frequently display my photos. international scene?

Greece has a number of leading personalities at all levels. In the world of art that interests you more, we have Lucas Samaras and Jannis Kounellis in the front line. But Lynda Benglis, Takis, or Chryssa are some of the many artists that enjoy international recognition. Unfortunately, neither the Greek state nor the Greek-American lobby has helped Greek artists. They could have pushed for a large museum in New York or some other city. They could have organized a traveling exhibition of contemporary Greek art, including some deceased artists as well such as John Xeron, William Baziotes, Nassos Daphnis, Stamos, Gigas and others. To show that we have always been pioneers, with major artistic forces. They could have done the same for photography.

What are your thoughts on Instagram, iphones and readily accessible photo applications through technolog y that make everyone an “instant photographer”? How does this affect the world of photography? Do you think it’s cheating? Does it Apart from Athens you also spend quite a lot of time cheapen photography? In other words, what makes on Lesbos, where you have a second laboratory. You are also preparing a book with photographs of a good photographer?

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JUNE 2016 COVER STORY

Also, I have just published another one of my books titled Another Narcissus, which contains a poem written in 2003 by my friend, and greatest living American playwright, Edward Albee. It was written about one of my photographs and I have illustrated it with 14 photos. The introduction was written by another important poet and art critic John Wood.

I hope that the beginning of the new year will see the publication of a new book with the photographs I’ve made of the very impressive koudounatoi (The bell wearers) of Lesbos.

For next winter, I’m thinking of staging an exhibition of my recent paintings in Athens, where I haven’t exhibited for the past 20 years, and then I’ll come to New York and arrange for their exhibition there. But I don’t yet know when or where. In New York, I’ve been working with Throckmorton Fine Art for many years.

Moving On Up: Modern Spaces’ Ted Kokkoris and Greg Kyroglou Offer Insights into Today’s Hottest Real Estate

by Chris Salboudis NEO talked to Ted Kokkoris, co-Founder and Principal of the Modern Spaces enterprise, and Greg Kyroglou, licensed Associate Broker and Managing Director of the two Astoria-based Modern Spaces offices, at the lovely 30th Avenue branch. Both of these energetic Hellenic Young Professionals have taken a hands-on approach to helping our community thrive.

In the summer of 2008, Ted and his partner started Modern Spaces in Long Island City at the beginning of the area's transformation that can be seen now as one of New York City's most vibrant neighborhoods.

"Shortly after, we saw Astoria as the perfect compliment to our company and knew we needed the right person to make this happen for us. One day, in walked Greg and after a few conversations about both of our goals, we knew it was a perfect fit at the right time.”

Why Astoria? Greg explains that Astoria really hit a period of revitalization along with the rezoning and development of the LIC area. When asked why the cost of property and service providers has gone up in those areas he explains that it’s mostly due to the new level of supply and demand that is making these areas – along with Williamsburg and Chelsea – such desirable locations for today’s edgy urban professional. “People in the city discovered these areas and the boom started, so the pricing went up.

Our three LIC offices really have a lot of activity since their establishment, and we set up offices in Astoria as we tracked the real estate boom. Our first Astoria branch (on 23rd Avenue and 29th Street) has been open for about four years now and this 30th Avenue location has been open for about a year now. Astoria is great, for example, because our agents are all from here and the surrounding area and know the

looking for, what their needs are, and how they value different aspects of the community.

“Everything changes from one hour to the next, so you really have to stay on your toes. One moment someone might come in looking for a $1,500 rental and the next someone is coming in looking for a $1.5 million sale. It’s an amazing thing.”

Boom times are usually in the early mornings or after 5pm, but the energetic young agents are always out showing apartments or scouting for new spaces to add to their listings. “You have to work hard, get to know people, let them get to know and trust you well enough that they want to entrust you with the sale or rental of their home.” In terms of the challenges of the job, Greg says that at times it's difficult to explain what the value of someone's home is in the current market. "There has to be a lot

Greg oversees 16 agents and reports to the owners of what has now become one of the hottest up-and-coming real estate businesses in NY, catering to a clientele of young professionals in Long Island City, Astoria, Williamsburg and Chelsea.

The company currently has 7 offices to help cater to the growing market of urban young professionals, local developers, current residents and business owners.

Te d s a y s t h a t t h e establishment of the company was inspired by the community. "Our primary goal was to create a company Greg Kyroglou that was part of the community, developing a business that would grow along with the people living there. Modern Spaces has now achieved this in the neighborhoods where we have planted roots.

Working out of retail storefronts has been the most effective and organic way to involve ourselves in the community and make a difference.”

To this Greg adds, “We basically noted where the desired infrastructure is for our target audience – the great cafes, lounges, parks and other hot spots – and focus on finding spaces available for rent or sale in those areas.” Modern Spaces identifies clients interested in finding, renting, or selling both residential and commercial properties. “The basis for our operations at each location is to create a long-term community of tr ust and open communication with current and future clients. It’s important that they know and trust who we are as a professional group.”

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Ted & Vasso Kokkoris

of trust there and we always work in the best interest of both our clients -- the buyer and the seller -- but the challenge is when someone has all their memories from growing up or raising their family in one home and now they have to sell it for them. But we work through the process with them and always In 2014, Jeffrey Nolte was recognized at Web find a fair value that will make them happy with their Marketing Association’s annual Webawards – the decision." premier award recognition program for Web developers and advertising agencies – for the Given the steep competition in this line of work, we creation of the Modern Spaces website, which won asked what differentiates Modern Spaces from the WMA’s 2014 award for Outstanding Website. everyone else, Ted explains, "Modern Spaces makes The trendy site highlights the listings and contact a commitment to affiliating themselves with the information for each broker in a way that is both eye- brightest and most dedicated Real Estate professionals in the industry, which means that catching and user-friendly. we’re open to networking and to the constant When asked what the most interesting and most opportunity to improve as an organization, both challenging aspects of the job are, Greg says he loves internally and within the community.” Greg adds, meeting different people and seeing what they are "We offer an award winning website, marketing that neighborhood really well. The properties we work with are a mix of older and newly developed properties. There’s a very rich culture thriving here, a great network of people and relationships to form in this neighborhood.”

is top notch, a personal touch from each agent, and the commitment to helping each of our clients meet their goals. Real Estate is constantly changing and you want someone that is up to date with those changes. As I tell all my clients, 'Don’t Sell Yourself Short.'"

At Modern Spaces each agent develops their own network and reports to management, as in most companies, but Greg explains that the concept of teamwork and team spirit is quintessential to their success. Modern Spaces’ team philosophy has resonated throughout the entire company where each agent feels comfortable discussing everything from their workday to their aspirations and career. Speaking to members of Greg’s team, it was clear that they share his dedication and enthusiasm. In relaying this to Greg during the interview he smiled with pride and satisfaction.

“Yes, it’s one of the standards we want to maintain as a professional community. There's much more to this job than just listing and making sales. We work together as a family to build our reputation. We’re a small business now, but our reputation will make us a big business in the future.

We pride ourselves on working closely so that if one agent is out, for instance, the rest of us know what’s needed. We’re friends, not just coworkers, and we like working with each other, which is important to a strong company.”

When asked what team-building strategies Modern Spaces has in place that make it an enjoyable and unique work environment, Greg says that the company encourages it’s employees to have informal get -togethers in addition to the more formal branch launch parties and community events they host as a professional team. “We have lots of outings, like Bowling Night, Neighborhood Art Parties…. It makes the job more enjoyable and helps us get to know each other better and build on our friendship.”

According to Greg, the most important skills to have in this industry are honesty and a comfort level in communicating with others. "You have to earn everything in life. Nothing is handed to you. I was taught from a young age that it takes very hard work to earn people's trust. One of my favorite quotes is from Thomas Jefferson, who says, 'I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.' It's an idea that is always part of my life both at home and at work. A really big part of what we do is to talk to people, not only as agents making sales, but as friends. Our goal isn’t to just make a sale, but to understand our client and to build a lifelong relationship with them so they’ll feel comfortable working with us, with their decisions and questions, now and in the future.”

As a lifelong New Yorker, Ted Kokkoris loves the direction and growth the city is currently undergoing and is passionate about helping Modern Spaces clients find the right home. His philosophy that ”Buyers and Sellers alike require the most professional, responsible and honest relationship when involved in transactions of this magnitude” is coupled with his 10+ years of experience as an Equity and Fixed Income Analyst has made him an ideal advisor on the financial end of the intricate process of this industry.

He truly believes "a home should first and foremost be a place that you love living in, but the short and long term investment factor must be given serious consideration from the early stages of the searching process."

Mr. Kokkoris and his wife Vasso live in Astoria, with their two sons, Teddy and Michael, who attend St. Catherine's Greek American school. "Our experience in the Greek community here since our childhoods has been a real blessing," he says “and I'm very fortunate that my wife has been with me on this idea from day one and very supportive." To this, he adds, "it's the most loving and caring atmosphere that we could have ever imagined."

Born and raised in Astoria, Greg Kyroglou himself first developed an interest in Real Estate after making several moves with his family at an early age, when he developed a sense of what makes each living space different.

As an Associate Broker and Managing Director, he is an embodiment of the young professional he helps others to become. Moreover, he is genuinely interested in the constant improvement of Astoria, which is still the neighborhood he and his family call home. Modern Spaces will be bringing over 30 new developments in the next few years to Astoria and LIC. Mr. Kyroglou will be bringing a New 55 unit Luxury Rental project at the end of 2016 as well as a 21 unit condo building in 2017. “We look forward to keeping all the readers up to date with the latest developments."

Angelos Paterakis Inducted at Baltimore Sun’s Hall of Fame

by Maria Ioannidis* On Thursday, June 9th the Baltimore Sun inducted two ultra successful GreekAmericans in its’ Business & Civic Hall of Fame: Superlawyer Peter G. Angelos and bakert u r n e d - d e v e l o p e r, J o h n Paterakis, Sr. Peter Angelos’ parents immigrated to America from the island of Karpathos. He George Petrocheilos of Camden Partners & John graduated from the University Paterakis, Sr. of H&S Bakery, accepting his award of Baltimore School of Law, (Courtesy of the Baltimore Sun) where he was named class valedictorian. Today, thanks to his generous gifts, the main Law Building is called The John & Frances Angelos Law Center, in honor of his parents. He started his own law firm, right upon graduation, the Law Offices of Peter Angelos, specializing in product liability cases. Some of his most famous cases involved asbestos litigation (settled in 1992) and suing Philip Morris while representing the State of Maryland. In 1993, Angelos led a group of local investors in acquiring the city’s Major League Baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles, where he is still the majority owner. He has sat on the Board of Trustees of the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland Medical System and the University of Baltimore. In 1996, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Angelos, a staunch Democrat, has given millions to the Democratic Party and its candidates. He is known for his generosity to numerous organizations, including the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Announciation in downtown Baltimore. Angelos is married to Georgia Kousouris, and they have two sons, John, who is the COO of the Orioles, and Louis, who works at the law firm.

John Paterakis’ family came to the United States from the island of Chios. In a young age, John took over the family-owned business, H&S Bakery, cofounded by his father, Steve Paterakis and Harry Tsakalos. H&S is one of the biggest bakeries in the country, thanks to a handshake deal that John personally struck with Ray Kroc of McDonalds, which is still the bakery’s biggest account. However, Paterakis became known around Maryland for developing the posh Harbor East neighborhood in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor waterfront. It all started with then Mayor William Donald Schaefer asking Paterakis to temporarily buy the land, and promised to buy it back.

Schaefer did not come through and this is when H&S Properties was formed to develop the land. Today, Harbor East is the place ‘to see and be seen’ in downtown Baltimore, with several high-end retail stores, restaurants, luxury condominiums and hotels, including the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, that the family owns. Paterakis proudly supports all Greek Orthodox Churches in the area, and is always attending Greek community events throughout the years, being a major donor and supporter. He is married to Roula Paterakis and has six children with his first wife, Antoinette.

At Thursday’s reception, John Paterakis addressed the crowd while receiving his award, reminding attendees that ‘whatever he has achieved is for his children’ and that he ‘is just a Greek baker who got lucky’. He said that Harbor East became what it is today ‘little by little’ and asked people to stay tuned for more developments in the near future.

Peter Angelos was not able to attend the event. Other inductees at the Baltimore Sun Hall of Fame included philanthropist & art collector Robert Meyerhoff, CEO of T. Rowe Price Jim Kennedy, and Chip Mason - founder of giant asset-manager Legg Mason.

The story is courtesy of the Baltimore Sun.

NEWS & NOTES

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How Turkey Became a de facto Dictatorship

by Prof. Alon Ben-Meir* The forced resignation of Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto lu suggests only one thing—President Erdogan, who is totally absorbed by his lust for power, will tolerate no one in his government to deviate from any of his political positions. Prime Minister Davuto lu was no exception. Although the Turkish constitution grants the Prime Minister executive powers while leaving the role of the president largely ceremonial, this is not what Erdogan had in mind when he asked then-Foreign Minister Davuto lu to form a new government following the last election.

On another occasion, I arranged for Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations to take place with Turkish mediation, not only because of its proximity and (at that time) good relations with both Syria and Israel, but also because I felt that Davuto lu would be the ideal interlocutor.

Davuto lu was forced out, stating that “Davuto lu’s resignation should not be perceived as an integral party issue. All democracy supporters must resist this palace coup.”

Interestingly enough, in what was seen as a farewell speech to the parliament, Davuto lu stated that “No Moreover, by playing such a role, Davuto lu was also one has ever heard a word against our president from my mouth, my tongue, very consistent with his commitment my mind—and no one will.” to realize his political philosophy of having ‘zero problems with To m e a n d m a n y o t h e r neighbors’, which initially led to observers, Davuto lu’s words Turkey’s friendly and cooperative expressed the precise opposite Erdogan’s ambition and aggressive drive to spread relations with most of its neighbors. of what he appeared to be his Islamic agenda are what has determined every saying: that Erdogan is beyond political move he made. Seeking to constitutionally Erdogan’s ambition to become the criticism. There was no better kingpin of the region through his transfer the executive authority of the country to the diplomatic way of putting it Presidency is the final step to legally consolidate his brazen political approach, however, lest he be accused by Erdogan did nothing but create problems with power, albeit he was already exercising such power of treason, as customarily throughout his tenure as Prime Minister for eleven every neighboring country. A former befalls anyone who opposes top Turkish official told me that had years. his political positions on any Davuto lu been given the flexibility to For more than 15 years, Davuto lu served Erdogan carry out his foreign policy vision, issue. with the utmost loyalty—first as his top foreign Turkey’s regional standing would be Due to the turmoil throughout Former Prime Minister policy adviser, then his Foreign Minister, and for the completely different today. the Middle East, the influx of Ahmet Davutoglu past two years as his hand-picked Prime Minister.

During the past two millions of Syrian refugees and years, however, several conflicts the battle against ISIS, Turkey’s role has become Erdogan chose Davuto lu for between the two began to surface. increasingly important. this post precisely because he Whereas Davuto lu sought to renew expected him to continue to Although the United States and the EU have grown the peace negotiations with the weary of Erdogan’s absurd conduct, they feel be his ‘Yes man.’ Being that as Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the compelled to deal with him, however distasteful that Prime Minister, Davuto lu search for a solution, Erdogan not would assume leadership of might be. Leave it, of course, to Erdogan to drain only refused but vowed to wage war every ounce of blood from Western powers to serve t h e A K Pa r t y , E r d o g a n until the last PKK rebel is killed. expected him to push for the his personal agenda. transformation of the largely In addition, although Davuto lu said When the constitution is used as a tool for power ceremonial Presidency into nothing publicly about Erdogan’s grabbing, when conspiracy theories justify a cruel the most powerful executive systematic attack on the free press, position in Turkey, which the jailing of journalists, and human witch-hunt, when people are terrified to speak Davuto lu pursued in a rights violations, he disagreed with publicly about politics, when journalists are detained without trial, when the academic lukewarm manner as this these unlawful measures and failed in community is regularly attacked, when human would constitutionally his efforts to quietly persuade his boss rights are grossly violated, and when democratic diminish his own powers to ease the pressure on the press. principles are trampled upon, this is not a mere considerably.

Turkey's President Erdogan’s insistence on silencing any travesty for Turkey, it is a tragedy.

Not surprisingly, once Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticism and the constant chipping Erdogan assumed the away of what is left of Turkey’s democracy has With the departure of Davuto lu, and a rubber stamp Presidency, he continued to chair cabinet meetings basically sealed off (contrary to what is being said AK Party, Turkey has become a de facto dictatorship, and even established a shadow cabinet with a publicly) any prospect for Turkey to become an EU and there is now no one to stand in Erdogan’s way. handful of trusted advisors. He pointedly sidelined member, which Davuto lu sought to realize with It is a sad day for the Turkish people, as the country is Davuto lu, who quietly resented Erdogan’s zeal. now governed by a ruthless dictator with no checks usurpation of the role and responsibility of the and balances, no accountability, and with no On top of all that, Erdogan is now seeking to strip prime minister as if nothing had changed. prospect of any change for the better as long as Kurdish lawmakers of their political immunity to The premiership became a ceremonial post and the make it possible to charge them with being aligned Erdogan remains in power. ceremonial presidency became the all-powerful with the PKK who are fighting for semi-autonomous The Turkish people should once again take to the office without a formal constitutional amendment to rule, to which Davuto lu surreptitiously objected. It streets but this time around they should remain legally grant him the absolute authority he is now is now being left to the next prime minister to persistent until Erdogan relents or resigns. exercising. engineer this unlawful scheme to meet Erdogan’s Otherwise, Turkey will continue to rapidly race I have known Davuto lu from the time he was the draconian will. toward an ever bleaker future where freedom will be chief advisor to Erdogan and I found him to be a man Finally, while Davuto lu was busy in his effort to a thing of the past and an authoritarian regime led by of integrity and vision, always a moderating force, achieve an agreement with the EU to take back illegal a ruthless leader sets in. and committed to making Turkey a stabilizing migrants in exchange for visa-free entry for Turkish regional power and a significant player on the nationals to the Schengen region, Erdogan publicly *) Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a senior fellow and professor at the Center for Global Affairs, New international scene. belittled Davuto lu’s efforts to deprive him of any York University, and Senior Fellow and Middle I had many opportunities to talk to Davuto lu face- political gains that he could derive from his success. Eastern Studies Project Director at the World to-face about Israeli-Turkish relations, as I was The leader of the opposition Republican People’s Policy Institute. This article first appeared in actively involved behind the scenes to mitigate their Party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, condemned the way his web page, alonben-meir.com conflict in the wake of the Mavi Marmara incident.

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strategy

στρατηγική

DISTRUST BUT VERIFY

By Endy Zemenides

The famous American author Mark Twain supposedly said: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes”. As I engaged with senior Obama Administration officials during the annual PSEKA Cyprus Conference, this saying kept coming to mind.

To be fair, most of the senior officials were not in such high positions during other key moments in the Cyprus problem. Yet I still got a strange sense of déjà vu when I heard State Department officials, National Security Officials, and the Vice President’s advisors make some pretty bold pronouncements. Here are some of them (along with my reaction).

“We are closer than we’ve ever been before”: I know it was a different U.S. Administration and a different U.N. Secretary General, but does the international community forget how often we heard those very words in 2003 and 2004?

Moreover, this statement is just objectively incorrect. In 2004, Cypriots were presented with a complete – albeit fatally flawed – plan for reunification. Although everyone claims that discussions on security (guarantees and troops) and territory have not begun yet, they incredibly compare the process so far to getting nearly to the finish line in 2004.

“It is our assessment that Turkey wants a solution to the Cyprus problem”: It has ALWAYS been the assessment of the United States that Turkey wants a solution to the Cyprus problem. In fact, Administration after Administration has been explicitly saying this to Congress since the late 1970’s. The arms embargo on Cyprus requires the President to certify to Congress that Turkey is taking steps to end it occupation of Cyprus every six months, and that is exactly what every Administration has been doing since. Nowadays, the Obama Administration tells us that energy is motivating Turkey to solve Cyprus, but in 2009 the same Administration was telling us that Turkey’s “zero problems with neighbors” foreign policy was giving us an opening on Cyprus and in 2004 the Bush Administration was trying to convince us that Erdogan’s EU aspirations made Turkey more likely to deal on Cyprus.

“This is the first time a Turkish-Cypriot leader gets along so well with the President of the Republic of Cyprus and is independent from Ankara”: This is one of the more

Endy Zemenides is the Executive

curious statements we keep hearing, because it Director of the Hellenic American wasn’t that long ago (2009 in fact), that the Obama Leadership Council (HALC), a national advocacy organization Administration itself was saying the exact same for the Greek American community. things about then Turkish-Cypriot leader Talat.

To learn more about HALC, visit They were encouraged by his personal www.hellenicleaders.com relationship with President Christofias. They were excited by his criticism of the Turkish occupation presence. They wanted to bolster him so much that they had the ill-conceived and ultimately aborted notion of inviting him to the White House.

These senior Administration officials must think we are merely jaded by 42 years of occupation and frustrated hopes (rather than being better informed than them), and they constantly encourage the Greek-American community to: (a) create the political space for the Anastasiades government to make a deal; (b) to encourage Greek-Cypriots to support the deal negotiated between President Anastasiades and Akinci; and (c) to play a role in the financing of the solution.

But the Administration’s point man on Cyprus, Vice President Biden, should know better. He has experienced all 42 years of this occupation either as a U.S. Senator or as Vice President of the United States. He was in office when the second wave of the invasion – Atilla II – was launched while Greek-Cypriots were contemplating a proposal for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. He was a high ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Turkish occupation forces and their compatriots in the Grey Wolves murdered Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou. He was the highest ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during the time of the Annan Plan. He was Vice President when Turkey pressured Turkish Cypriots to pull out of negotiations in 2012 (because the Republic of Cyprus assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union) and when Turkey scuttled negotiations right after his historic visit to Cyprus by sending the Barbaros into Cyprus’ EEZ. Joe Biden knows exactly why Turkey is not trustworthy.

Continued on page 52

Medical World 1)The arrival of summer means days at the pool, beach, family picnics, baseball and other outdoor activities. Here are some tips to keep you and your family physically active in the warmer months: Ÿ Hydrate! Drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity to avoid dehydration. For lowcalorie flavor, add slices of your favorite fruits such as melon, oranges, berries or even cucumber or mint to a pitcher of water and refrigerate for two hours. Read our Staying Active in Warm Weather and Staying Hydrated - Staying Healthy. Ÿ Protect your family from the sun: wear widebrimmed hats, always apply water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Ÿ Heat safety: avoid intense activities between noon and 3 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest. Ÿ Dress for the heat: wear lightweight, light colored clothing, choose light, breathable fabrics such as cotton, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Ÿ Head indoors: when the heat gets unbearable, try indoor activities at your local YMCA or rec center like basketball, swimming, yoga or racquetball.

2) Warmer weather may mean it’s time to break out the grill. Here are some tips and ideas for a healthier grilling cookout: Ÿ Go fish! Fish, especially oily fish like tuna and salmon have great nutritional benefits including omega-3 fatty acids. Rub a fillet with lemon juice and parsley or rosemary for enhanced flavor. Ÿ Make a better burger: if you’re grilling burgers, be sure to buy lean or extra lean beef, drain off the excess fat after cooking and avoid making huge patties – remember that a serving of meat is about the size of a deck of cards (3 oz). Add finely chopped green pepper to your beef to get in some veggies.

SUMMER TIPS !!!

By Dr. Nicholas Kaloudis Baked fries: Slice white or sweet potatoes into sticks, lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray, pepper and paprika and bake on a cookie sheet for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Ÿ Veggie kabobs: load up skewers with mushrooms, peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash or other veggies. Spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray and grill until slightly blackened. Ÿ Try grilled corn on the cob: leave the husks on, and grill for about 30 minutes over medium flame, rotating occasionally. Remove from grill, let cool for about 5 minutes, remove husks and enjoy!

3) Road trips can take a toll on everyone – here are some ideas to keep things healthier while on the open road: Ÿ Make “rest breaks” active: pick a road stop or park and get the family out of the car to take a brisk 10minute walk and move around. Not only will it burn off some energy, but it can also help the driver feel rejuvenated and more alert. Ÿ Pack healthy snacks: finding healthier snacks at road stops can be difficult. Pack apples, oranges, grapes, raisins, whole grain fiber-rich crackers or another favorite healthy snack to take with you. Ÿ

Pack to play: plan to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine while you’re away from home. Pack a football, soccer ball, Frisbee, or paddle balls so that you can be physically active throughout your downtime. Ÿ Reach for water: sitting in the car for long periods of time can make it tempting to drink soda, which has extra calories and added sugar. Pack water (flavored or regular), fat free or lowfat (1%) milk and small portions of 100% juice to quench your thirst.

4) Try some fun and refreshing summer snacks that the entire family can enjoy: Ÿ Fruit pops: Homemade freezer pops are an easy, fun treat for kids to make. Mash up fruit like peaches, grapes, berries or watermelon and put them in paper cups, insert a popsicle stick, freeze overnight and enjoy! Ÿ Cool and crisp: keep a variety of colorful veggies on hand that stay cool and crunchy for a refreshing treat – baby carrots, cucumber slices, and celery sticks are just a few ideas. Ÿ Fruit smoothies: blend your favorite fresh fruits with fat-free or low-fat yogurt and ice for a refreshing drink or freeze and eat with a spoon like a frozen ice chill. Ÿ Mix it up: make your own trail mix using your favorite unsalted or lightly salted nuts, seeds and unsweetened dried fruits (just be sure to keep your servings to 1.5 ounces or 1/3 cup). Ÿ Just slice and serve: summer months are peak season for most fruits, just slice and serve – the whole family will enjoy the refreshing natural sweetness and juices just the way nature made ‘em! Ÿ

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!!

Hellenic Classical Charter School:

Paving the Way for a Universal Greek Education

by Athena Efter veteran of the Greek parochial day school system, to find out more about HCCS and what makes it a unique school. Although it is a publicly funded school, like all charter schools, HCCS has its own identity as a Hellenic school. The goal of its themebased mission and philosophy is to instill in students a love of Greek through a study of language, history, culture, mythology, theater and dance. Students receive one period of instruction in Modern Greek daily.

Hellenic Classical Charter School's National History Day Fair Team 2016: Students Athena Bardis, Niko Gerakaris, Christina Fasarakis, Sarah Joseph & Anjelise Rodriguez along with their parents and teachers: Mr. Petros Fourniotis and Maria Bonakis traveled to London and to Athens Greece to conduct research for the National History Day Fair Competition. They are the New York City and New York State FIRST place winners!

The Brooklyn-based Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS), a relatively newcomer to the world of Greek education, has been growing very fast. In its 10 years of operation, since opening in September 2005, HCCS has received its second charter renewal in 2015, and has been awarded a distinction by the NY State Education Department as

Joy, Christina, Anastasia Etimos, Natasha

a high performing reward school. There are over two 200 charter schools in New York State. HCCS was among the eleven selected charter schools to receive this honor, and consecutively for two years in a row.

NEO had the opportunity to speak with the Director of Finance and Operations, Joy Petrakos, a former

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Initially founded as a K-4 school, a directive of the charter, HCCS continued to build up with a grade level added each year, all the way to eighth grade.

Oddly enough, with a high enrollment number of 498 students, only 20 to 25 five percent of the student population is of Greek descent. The majority of students are of non-Greek background.

By expressing pride in our rich culture and history, and without exclusivity, HCCS is paving the way for a universal Greek education mission, one that is open to an entire community of students who are learning to embrace a philhellenic ethos with enthusiasm.

Students learn and are taught through a didactic approach to paideia, using the Socratic model of independent discussion, where the teacher introduces the topic and the students apply their critical thinking skills and analysis to lead the discussion. It’s a way of engaging the student to gain a true understanding of the content studied.

Nick Leonardos, Treasurer, Joy Petrakos, Christina Tettonis, Natasha Caban Vargas, Charles Capetanakis

sixth grade students won first place in the Junior Group Performance category with their play Lord Elgin and the Six Sisters. Students took a hands-on approach with this project, which was based on historical events and facts. They traveled all the way to London and Athens to do their own research and brought it back to present in a theatrical medium in a citywide and statewide competition. They are now ready to compete at the national level at the University of Maryland. The previous year marked a second place victory for them, but they were determined to win first place this year, and they did.

Partnerships feature heavily in guiding curriculum enrichment. HCCS has collaborated and partnered with Teachers College of Columbia University to provide a strong reading and writing program.

Student teachers are sent to the school to assist and observe, and, in turn, HCCS faculty attend professional development seminars throughout the year at Teachers College. All HCCS teachers are NY State certified. In math, students consistently score very high and exceed city, state and district scores on their regents.

Joy expressed real heartfelt enthusiasm for the school, with an emphasis on the arts as a heavy influence. Student artworks decorate the halls, walls and classrooms with corresponding essays relating to their projects, which reflect both the classical and Assessment testing is done contemporary world. HCCS has twice a year, in both the partnered with the program, Christina Tettonis, Principal (standing ), spring and fall, to ensure Studio in the School, to bring Natasha Caban Vargas, Asst Principal (Left) that students are meeting s t u d e n t s a c o l o r f u l a n d and Joy Petrakos, Director of Operations. and exceeding NY State academically rewarding experience in the arts. Part of this creative standards. Early intervention plays an important experience also involves theater arts, led by Petros role as a support system for students. The Reading Fourniotis, who also teaches Greek Dance Rescue Program for grades K-2 is just one example of academic intervention. Students receive the services instruction. needed to support their learning needs. The Special For a second year in a row, students participated in Education Department provides a “pull-in/pull-out” the 26th annual NYC History Day Fair, and this year, program for students with Individualized Education Plans or in need of occupational therapy.

The HCCS’s excellent relationship with the Special Committee of Education provides any struggling students with the support and services they need to meet the standards set forth and the academic rigor expected of them. In a school that offers double periods of English, math and writing, there is no dearth of education. HCCS graduates continue to receive acceptances each year into the city’s most competitive public, specialized public and private high schools.

Students are also offered a variety of academic enrichment options. They receive instruction in chess once a week, every Friday, as part of a supplemental program. Computers can be found in every classroom, with a computer cart for each grade level, providing each child with technology benefits during that lesson. In addition, each student has an Ipad.

After-School programs and activities are an extensive list and all free of charge. Some of the athletic highlights include basketball, volleyball, and the Mighty Miles track team. To accommodate this growing athletics department, a whole new floor with a state-of the-art university size gym was recently added. HCCS had taken over the space of the former Greek parochial day school, Soterios Ellinas, which now only exists as a nursery. A 12 million dollar financing loan made all the renovations and expansion possible over the past three years.

They are truly grateful for the s u p p o r t o f Fr. Ganas of the K i m i s i s Theotokou Church, which rents out the space to HCCS. The driving force behind all of this success is Christina Tettonis with students Christina Tettonis, the principal of HCCS, who, along with Joy Petrakos, forms a “Dynamic Duo” of strong Greek female leadership.

Christina and Joy are unstoppable and guide this moving ship with a strong female crew of both Greek and non-Greek heritage. Assistant Principal Natasha Caban-Vargas is of Spanish descent, but as Joy pointed out, is “more Greek than most Greeks.”

Guidance Counselor and Greek Coordinator, Anastasia Etimos, is of Greek heritage. She is always researching new ideas and programs to add to the Greek component of the school in addition to guiding students and families on high school placement and applications.

not surprising that they were awarded a $500,000 dissemination grant from NY State to mentor a failing public school and take it under their wing.

Many schools have approached HCCS to replicate their model and they have helped many schools get started. They have received a lot of support and encouragement from the Department of Education, which has also asked them to replicate their model.

This expansion is part of their long-term future plan.

Joy, Natasha and Christina with student Noel Mendez during 7th grade Ring Day Ceremony

NEO asked Joy to sum up the school in one word, Harvey Newman, School Board Secretary and but she had several positive words to say. She chose former educator/principal and Vice President of a few key words that stood out: rigor, excellence, love, Hellenism, and philoxenia (Greek word for C.E.I (Center for Educational Innovation). hospitality). With a candid enthusiasm and quiet Still, this strong administrative team of women do it humility Joy expressed the sentiments that sum the all, and without resting on their laurels. They are school up best: “We are all learners here. The love active fundraisers, constantly seeking funding and warmth of our school community never leaves our students. Our options through grants, donations or bank students always come loans, to implement their programs, back and say how much renovations and expansion goals. they miss us and how it’s not the same A staunch supporter of the school has been anymore, especially the Agnes Varas Foundation, which donated after going on to big $150K for technology enhancement, and high schools and most recently $100K for individual student universities. That sense Ipads, starting as early as the universal Pre-K of community is just class. This grant also included instruments for not there.” the planning and formation of a big musical band, which will, of course, feature the Perhaps that spirit of influence of Greek music history. An initial Hellenism, like a first donation of $200K by the Agnes Varas winged chariot, Foundation went towards the construction of continues to inspire a theater and stage to bring their students to Christina and Joy with Kindergarten these students and award-winning level productions. students charge forward with them. If time is marked by the flight of passage, the Hellenic Classical Charter School didn’t waste any time. They grabbed the reigns and flew straight into the future. It’s a reward to our heritage that GreekAmerican educators and philhellenes continue to find new avenues and innovative ways to make Greek education and culture accessible to all.

HCCS Dance Troupe

They are a dynamic team of women who have taken, and continue to take, an active role in contributing to the overall success of this school. They write their own grants, do their own research, and collaborate together. A model of leadership, based on mutual respect and teamwork among adult mentors, is an excellent example for students to follow. The entire school community follows this team spirit. They are very proud of their dedicated teachers and their PTA, which works hard to fundraise and plan a lot of fun events for students. They even have a full-time parent and event coordinator, Dena Capetanakis, These women form a quadrumvirate of strength, who works with PTA president Rania Koulouris dedication and determination, alongside the Luchen to keep this “classic” school spirit moving. support of seven Board Members. The Executive Board is led by the founding fathers of the school: Christina and Joy, often referred to as the “Dynamic Charles Capetanakis, School Board President and Duo” around the school town, they have a dynamic former student of Soterios Ellenas Parochial School, and compelling vision for the future of HCCS. It’s Nicholas Leonardos, School Board Treasurer, and

Joy and graduate Martin Di'Pasquale

NEWS & NOTES

JUNE 2016

35

Zafeiris "Zaf "Haitidis

"Chavurah: Greek by Birth, Jewish by Blood” Filmmakers Anna Rezan and Zafeiris "Zaf" Haitidis team up to create a rarely told, but poignant story, with their documentary glimpse into the experience of Greek Jews during WWII. Although almost 90% of the Greek Jewish community perished at the Holocaust, not to many things are known about it.

Secondly, Greece was the only country in Europe, whose religious leadership and intelligentsia (Archbishop Damaskenos, poet Sikelianos, writer Kazantzakis, etc.) stood up to the Nazi authorities, condemning the persecution of the Jews. Thirdly and most importantly, this film is made by young filmmakers, both of Greek and Greek-Jewish heritage. After a brief exchange with the filmmakers, NEO too helps bring this story out of hiding. We hope it will spark a new beginning and awareness into understanding Greece’s role in the protection of persecuted people, and how Greece still plays a vital role in the support of human rights today.

It is not widely known, but Thessaloniki, the cocapital of Greece, had a significant population of Sephardic Jews. For hundreds of years, the city was a major center of Sephardic life, once coined the "Mother of Israel" or more accurately "La madre de Israel”. For over than 2,000 years, Jewish people had a thriving presence in Greece and played an important role throughout Greek history until World War II. Despite the unique efforts of the Greeks and all across Europe to save Jews from Hitler’s atrocious regime of mass extermination, the Holocaust nearly destroyed an entire community.

deeply admire. He accepted the call to start creating and documented by a Greek girl of Jewish descent, this film with me, no matter if it seemed an actress and musician Anna Rezan, who, through her impossible task at the own journey wants to understand the beginning, dealing with the f i r s t p e r f e c t l y m a s t e r- m i n d e d complexities, the horrific industrialized genocide in history and subject matter and most to communicate the subject matter her importantly the sense of an way, with visual and narrative enormous responsibility,” she description from the remaining continues. survivors to the perceptions and thoughts of her generation. The This indie film is a purpose of this documentary is to collaboration of young artists, present the tragic historical facts, to newcomers onto the serve as an example of renewed hope documentary film scene, but and faith in humanity, and to educate us has already triggered the on how to prevent another Holocaust curiosity of notable members from recurring. of the entertainment industry who have expressed interest in “The viewer will became aware that supporting this project. “It what happened in Auschwitz could wouldn’t have been possible Anna Rezan happen anywhere at any time. We also without our good friend and intend to inspire audiences of all ages, co-producer John Filippidis who managed to raise featuring the stories of those that were rescued by valuable development funds. This story has to be Christian priests and civilians who where also under told, and while the survivors are in their mid-90s, it the Nazi occupation. Many Greeks are titled was clearly urgent for us to get started,” Haitidis Righteous among the Nations. Unity in humanity is explains. able to fight and in times win over even the most powerful enemy,” says Rezan.

“Other producers also have expressed interest in getting involved. We’ve had some conversations The film takes place in the central cities of Greece, about it,” Rezan said. “Zaf and I are keen. Excited, to Germany, and in one the most menacing places on earth, the concentration camp of Auschwitz. “We do be frank.” not expect an eventful feature documentary coming "Chavurah: Greek by Birth, Jewish by Blood” is co- from a younger, fresh female to approach the produced by award-winning filmmaker Zafeiris "Zaf Holocaust. Certainly an uneasy and eventful "Haitidis, who also lent his talents to the film as experience for both the creators and the audiences,” Director of Photography. Pantelis Kodogiannis, who she adds. plays the lead in the movie “The First Line”, is the narrator of this tragic story that documents the Rezan currently resides in Los Angeles. Haitidis arduous journey and experience of 90,000 Greek studied in the USA and resides in Athens, Greece. He is currently working on his next feature film project.

Jews during WWII.

"Chavurah: Greek by Birth, Jewish by Blood” is the first feature documentary by Greek-Jewish actress turned director for the occasion - Anna Rezan. “This was an idea that came to me few years ago. While working and traveling in various countries, people kept being surprised by meeting a Greek Jew, telling me that they had no idea there were Jews in Greece,” stated Rezan. “I started to develop the project with Zaf, a dear friend in the industry whose work I This film aims to tell their story, as it is discovered Athena Efter contributed to this story.

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Koutras (right) with Joel Negrin

Alyse Elias Matsil pointing at Ionannina on the map of Greece

nd

Colchamiro brothers

children to learn Ladino (Medieval Castillian Spanish, the language of Sephardic Jews), and a table packed with books and gift items for sale (all having to do with Greek Jewry). There were also venders who displayed their wares. Among the

By Marcia Haddad venders were our friends from St. Barbara’s, the Pickle Guys, Italian Ices, the Greek-Jewish Young Ikonomopoulos* Professionals selling t-shirts, and a display of reunion, as descendants from our founding families handmade Venetian glass. filled the streets. We had many whose families once lived in the tenements on the Lower East Side, The musicians who shared the stage for six hours of including Negrins, Colchamiros, Askinazis, Mordos, continuous music were Elias Ladino Ensemble, Matsils, Matzas and Battinos. They proudly pointed Pontic Firebird, Noga Group, New York Andalus to the windows of the tenements where their Nonas Ensemble and Rebetika with Mavrothi Kontanis. The (Grandmothers) once looked out to call them in for expressions of joy on the faces of those who walked our street and danced to the music said everything. dinner.

We always knew what a special world we belonged Adding to the joy were our Greek-Orthodox to. Now so many others share this knowledge. There Christian friends, including those from St. Barbara’s were also local organizations and sponsoring on Forsythe, showing how much we share in groups who joined us a tables, making this a Lower common. One of the busiest sections of the Festival East Side event, in addition to a Greek-Jewish event. (after the food and dancing, of course) was the Map Representatives from the Tenement Museum and of Greece where visitors could take pictures the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative spoke of pointing to the city their family came from. Of their love for the Lower East Side and the American course, Ioannina was the most popular location. Friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece informed Among the many visitors were dignitaries from the the crowd of the Jewish Museum in Athens. municipal government. We were also honored with the presence of the new Consul General of Greece in The initiative for the Greek-Jewish Street Festival New York, Konstantinos Koutras and the Consul of came from our youngest Board member, Andrew Marcus, whose family came from Verroia and Turkey.

Greece, our dear friend Manos Koubarakis.

Growing up in a traditional Sephardic world and a The synagogue and museum were packed with member of Kehila Kedosha Janina since his birth, visitors for our free tours. Volunteers, including Andrew was impassioned with the distinctive Stuart Chernin, whose mother was the only member culture of Greek Jewry. Having attended so many of her Cohen family from Ioannina to survive the Greek festivals with his father, Marvin Marcus, Holocaust, gave a specialized tour, not only telling President of Kehila Kedosha Janina, he envisioned the story and history of Kehila Kedosha Janina but, having a Greek-Jewish Festival on Broome Street in also fitting his family’s special story into the picture. front of the synagogue. Last year, 2015, was the first Ilias Hadjis, born in Volos and a member of Kehila year for the festival and at least 2000 visitors showed Kedosha Janina since his family’s arrival in New York up. It was feared that this year would not be as in 1956, told his special story of survival as a hidden successful. Thanks to the many volunteers from the child during the Nazi Occupation. These are community, it was even more successful and the examples of why our community and museum are attendance was tripled. Plans are in place to make so important to visitors. It gives them a glimpse into this an annual event but we may have to expand it, a world they never knew existed, the world of Greek- adding an additional block to accommodate the crowds. To date, this festival is the only Greek-Jewish speaking Jews.

Festival in the United States. Hopefully, that will Some examples of the attractions that greeted the change but we will always be the first. many visitors were tattoos for children (including the Greek Flag), Sara Aroeste, a talented Ladino * Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos is Museum performer who created a Ladino music CD for Director at Kehila Kedosha Janina.

2 Annual Greek-Jewish Street Festival in NYC an Astounding Success!

This past May, Broome Street between Allen and Eldridge on the Lower East Side of Manhattan vibrated with the sounds of the bouzouki and the clarinet as Kehila Kedosha Janina (the Greek Synagogue) celebrated its second Greek-Jewish Street Festival. As the crowds lined up for bourekia, Greek salad, mezedes, koulouria and baklava, the street where so many Greek Jews had once lived at the beginning of the 20th century once again resounded with the melodies of Ladino and Greek music. Joining in the celebration were the new residents of Broome Street; Asian and Spanish. With the tenements as a backdrop, the crowd danced to rebetika, pontiakos, hasapiko, kalamatianos and, of course, belly dancing.

From the early 20th century through the 1940s the corner of Broome and Allen was the center of Balkan Jewry as they shared their new-found stake in New York City with thousands of other immigrants who had left their homelands to find opportunities in the New World. Sharing the streets of the Lower East Side with Jews from Eastern Europe and Greeks and Italians from southern Europe, the Greek-speaking Jews from Ioannina and other Romaniote communities in Greece found a niche for themselves, building their own synagogue at 280 Broome Street. Kehila Kedosha Janina still stands today, now a Historical Landmark in the city of New York and a magnet for tourists throughout the year.

On May 22nd, Greek Jews in New York once again made history as the crowd swelled to over 6000.

What was especially beautiful about the GreekJewish Street Festival was that they shared their traditions, customs, music and food with their neighbors. It was great to see how our culture reverberated among so many non-Greeks!

Joining the May 22nd event were Greek-Jews from all over the country. Those whose families once lived in the tenements flocked to the Lower East Side, meeting family and friends to share the world they so loved. Many used the event as a family PHOTO: MARCIA HADDAD IKONOMOPOULOS

NEWS & NOTES

JUNE 2016

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hellenes without borders

Byzantium: Hidden in Plain Sight

By Alexander Billinis

Alexander Billinis is a writer and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family returned to the US after nearly a decade in Greece, the UK, and Serbia. He writes prolifically on Balkan topics. His books, The Eagle has Two Faces: Journeys through Byzantine Europe, and Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale, are available from Amazon.com.

Today, when I am writing this, is May 29. For many Greeks, inclusive Western historiography gives Islamic Spain and and other successors of Byzantium, the date’s significance is Sicily its due, the same is withheld from Byzantium. This self evident. The seismic event, the final fall of same school of history suggests that the Renaissance Constantinople to the Turks, on this day in 1453, is an event developed in Western Europe via Arab scholars of the ancient that should be noted, and mourned, by all Westerners, yet it Greeks, while neglecting to remember that Byzantium spoke is barely a footnote in the history books. Though the siege is Greek and that their libraries contained most of the great worthy of a epic blockbuster, it is strangely absent from the works of ancient Greece and Rome, which were discussed celluloid (ok, now, digital) record. among intellectual circles. Apparently, under a politically To the best of my knowledge, the only high budget film on correct model, as a European Christian civilization, this pivotal event in world history has been produced by the Byzantium can be pilloried by Western Europeans without Turks themselves, and recently. “Fetih [Conquest] 1453,” the stigma of racism. Byzantium suffers from Western biases w h i c h I r e v i e w e d a c o u p l e o f y e a r s a g o , i s a without any of the protections of political correctness, the cinematographically extravagant hagiography of the Turkish worst of all worlds. conquest of the city, with a melodrama typical of Turkish While the Crusades are now viewed as a vicious attack on the soap operas but world class special effects of a massive and Muslim world, the Crusaders’ horrid decapitation of the horrific siege. That no Western or Balkan version has been Byzantine Empire in 1204 is again a footnote overlooked, produced is symptomatic of a general silence about and if addressed, somehow one gets the impression that the Byzantium, even among its successor states.

Byzantines, with their duplicitous, conspiratorial, “other,” “byzantine” ways, had it coming. The divisions sowed by this I have to ask a simple question: Why? event resonate even today; the hatreds conjured could be When most of Europe was in the Dark Ages following the seen in the Serb-Croat conflict, and the way the Western collapse of the Western Roman Empire, East Rome (what we media, mirroring Western historians, had no problem refer to as Byzantium), survived, preserving its dual obscuring the Serb position and legacy of Greco-Roman Civilization in a Christian supporting the Croatian. After all, the setting. Its art, architecture, medicine, science, and West had almost 1000 years of bias from culture were far beyond anything further West. which to draw.

Byzantines’ tolerance and respect of learning Successor states of Byzantium—Greece, allowed them to absorb wisdom from the Near, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania—read Middle, and Far East. When you sit at your table and these tea leaves and in their own way, eat your food with a fork, you have the Byzantines to absorbed the bias against their own thank for it. civilization. Greece emphasized Classical In an era of religious intolerance, when Western Greece, which the West admired while Christians were highly rigid and dogmatic, believing despising the Medieval Greeks. Serbia that God’s Word could only be expressed in Greek, Statue of Constantine attempted Yugoslavism, which ended in last Eastern Latin, and Hebrew, the Byzantines invented an Paleologus, tragedy, fueled, in part, by the Western Roman (Byzantine) alphabet and a liturgy for the Slavs, prefiguring the Emperor, at Metropoleos bias against Byzantium and the reforms that Erasmus and Luther sought, nearly a Square, Athens. sponsorship of Croatia as a Western millennium later, to bring to Catholicism. The bastion against the “Byzantine” Serbs.

Byzantines were no saints, but their sins in the name of God The West conveniently ignored Serbia’s wartime alliances generally paled in comparison to the Inquisition. with the West; culture trumped the historical record.

Byzantium guarded the eastern approaches of Europe from Romania emphasized its Latin linguistic roots to forge a the barbarian hordes to the north and the Arabs to the south. tenuous link with Italy and above all France. The goal was to While Western historiography lauds the Franks under improve their cultural cache as Western states by forging Charles Martel for stopping the Arab invasion of France from links with the West, while still remaining Orthodox and their Spanish base, one needs to search quite a bit harder for Byzantine (and Ottoman) in culture and politics. accounts of Byzantium’s role in stunting the Arabs’ eastern This attempt to find the best of both worlds, logical enough, invasions of Europe. While a more politically correct and has resulted in the worst of both. The Balkan countries are

shirttail relatives to the West, their history is ignored and obscured, while, like all Western countries, they are also under a Politically Correct assault. The post Byzantine states have always been divided against each other, making them easy prey, as in the age of late Byzantium, for conquest from the East and the West. The record on Byzantium is silent, and we, as its descendants, whether in the homelands or the Diaspora, maintain the silence.

This is a bad thing, not only for those of us for whom the historical record is something sacrosanct in itself. Nor is it that, as a Greek, I resent the absence of Byzantium from general historical knowledge. I do, but the biggest problem is that the same area today is in an eerily similar state of seismic turmoil. The Balkan Orthodox states, the most direct successors of Byzantium, are in varied states of social, economic, political, and, most importantly, demographic decay. Europe as a whole faces less acute, yet similar problems. Unfortunately, by not understanding the mistakes of the past, we risk running the same script in the present and future.

What Can We Do? Greeks in their key Diaspora locations are now well established economically, culturally, academically and in the media. We monitor chairs of Turkish Studies in universities, denials of genocide, the Macedonian Issue, et cetera. We have not shown even near the same vigor in promoting and defending Byzantium, though its civilization is key and core to our modern Greek identity, and it is falling victim to Turkish revisionism, both in academia and on the big screen.

This combination of revisionism and obscurity has resulted in burned out Serbian monasteries in Croatia and Kosovo, or Cyprus. The whole of Asia Minor is a necropolis of Hellenism full of monuments that, to paraphrase President Obama, “They [the Turks] didn’t build.” If it is not talked about, or presented, or promoted, it effectively never happened.

Nobody will give these historical memories even a mere fifteen minutes of fame if we do not do it ourselves.

I must ask how is it that Greeks are so strongly represented in Hollywood in all parts of the cinematic value chain, and yet no film covers the Fall of Constantinople, the works of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, or any number of sagas and stories from a thousand year history. Not one. We can entertain with the self-deprecating, uber-stereotyped humor of Big Fat Greek Weddings, or set the beauties of Skopelos to ABBAs beautiful ballads. And this is great fun, mass entertainment.

Major historical events are harder to portray for a mass audience, but it has been done before. Think of “300” or “Troy” or “Braveheart”; granted, these stories are better known, but the fact that so much of Byzantine history is virtually hidden in plain sight is in itself an opportunity.

Should we fail to promote Byzantium, its legacy will be usurped, perhaps by its conquerors, and the lessons from the tragic errors in the years leading up to 1453 may be unlearned. If pride in our ancestry and legacy is not enough of a reason, perhaps the words of Spanish-American philosopher George Santyana may be more persuasive: “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.”

PHOTO: ALEX BILLINIS

Corinth Films Released

LITTLE ENGLAND Movie on Netflix, DVD, Amazon Instant Video and iTunes

Following the successful film festival and semitheatrical release of Little England, Corinth Films has debuted on Netflix and Home Video. Little England is the Oscar Award shortlist submission from Greece for Best Foreign Language Film directed and produced by husband and wife team Pantelis Voulgaris and Ioanna Karystiani (upon whose earlier book the script is based) about tumultuous love stories that take place on the picturesque Greek island of Andros before and after World War II among ship owning families who are notorious for fracturing familial and marital bonds in order to protect their social and financial standing. Little

archipelago with a long history of military embroilment and seafaring turmoil, Little England is not only the title of this film but also the name of a shipping enterprise introduced to the viewer as the story progresses. The opening scene of rolling ocean waves and crashing surf is a forbearance of the story's schedule of turbulent events which follow.

20 year-old Orsa (Penelope Tsilika) is passionately in love with second mate Spyros Maltabes (Andreas Konstantinou), a secret she dares not reveal to anyone, least of all her domineering mother, Mina.

Her energetic younger sister, Moscha (Sofia Kokkali), is determined to leave Andros and escape the typical woman's fate on the island; marrying sailors, who are the England is also currently available on Amazon Video mainstay of Andros's economy and and iTunes. The picture debuted on Netflix May 1st constantly absent due to their seafaring 2 0 1 6 a n d i s a l s o c u r r e n t l y p l a y i n g o n duties.

United/Continental Airlines’ in-flight film roster.

Mina (Anneza Papadopoulou), herself The Hollywood Reporter's Boyd van Hoeij describes the wife of a captain who prefers the the film as “handsomely mounted and impeccably Atlántico Sur over his home, constantly acted film” and “a woman’s picture in every sense of ponders the reward for a life of blind the word.” Ray Pride of Chicago’s New City Film calls marital faithfulness and inadvertently it “a nice slice of Greek pageantry, a richly attempts to pass her beleaguered logic melodramatic woman’s picture centering on three onto her daughters to protect them young women on the Greek isle of Andros in the from the predictable heartache that 1930’s.” women on Andros suffer as a result of marr ying seafarers. Without the Set during the 1930's and 40's on the picturesque slightest consideration of her daughters' Greek island of Andros, part of the Cycladic desire to marry out of love, Mina uses 42

JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

her societal connections to wed her daughters off to the wealthiest suitors Andros has to offer; Orsa to ship owner and captain Nikos Vatokouzis (Maximos Moumouris) and later Moscha to the very man Mina earlier rejected as a potential husband to Orsa, Spyros Maltabes, who returns to the island as an accomplished captain after spending years toiling in the lower rankings of the ship's hierarchy.

Moscha wastes no time torturing her sister with vivid descriptions of intimate moments with her new husband, for whom Orsa still harbors deep feelings.

A final tragedy later seals the fate of the family as the story progresses into the throes of World War II, the events of which do nothing to make hauling cargo on the high seas any safer.

Little England has played at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. and in theatrical venues in Chicago, Miami, Portland, Hartford, Cleveland, San Diego, and sold out shows at the Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco Greek Film Festivals.

The Making of BLUEFIRE: Artistic Catharsis on the Island of Cyprus

by Eliana Papanicolaou and Theo Couloumbis

Though we are in the early stages of production, we can already see the natural chemistry we all share with one another. BLUEFIRE has become our child. We nurture it by reminding ourselves the original objective we are working towards: to create a reaction through our art. Every time we are together it feels like a rehearsal, though we are not always rehearsing. The characters in this film are based on our true charismas, and so they resonate in our day to day affairs. We all feel incredibly lucky and inspired to be able to collaborate with such creative and ambitious artists. The more we develop the storyline, the more aware we are that BLUEFIRE is something we will be incredibly proud of, and a presentation that people will relate to and enjoy along with us.

This project began as three friends coming together to do what they love, but it has quickly turned into something much bigger than what we ever expected. In this time we keep our minds focused on the vision we originally had; a film that will not only educate people about the severed situation in Cyprus, but will also inspire people to make changes in their own lives; whether those changes are on a large, political scale like in this film, or on a smaller, more personal level in our viewers’ lives. We believe BLUEFIRE will prompt people to react, feel, and make positive impacts in their lives they never imagined were possible.

Sofia Moustahfid, Eliana Papanicolaou and Theo Couloumbis

I had a 30 minute break. The breeze was just right that day. No cloud in the sky, yet the air was cool enough to keep me awake. Rocking back and forth, the front porch became my world. The back of my script became my canvas. I was on set for the film Bright, a story about two women fighting to survive an epidemic disease that hit their region. I was working and living with people who all wanted to produce something amazing, something bigger than their own person. I don’t know if it was the breeze that day or the fact I didn’t have wi-fi, but whatever it was, I let myself go. I’d never written before. Till now I had performed what was written for me. I told myself “just let yourself write what your heart wants” and that feeling turned into thoughts. My thoughts turned into words. My words hummed where my heart lied. It was Cyprus. I wanted to create something real, but imagine the close to impossible. My team would be personal, pioneering, and most importantly, my family. The story took on many morphs and evolved with every touch we gave it. It started out as an foreign exchange student flick, then onto a loungy foreign film, and now it is closer to a piece of work that is just, us.

We follow a Greek Cypriot American boy, Theo (played by Theo Couloumbis), who is raised by his grandmother (played by Calliopi Toufidou) in the States. Their relationship is nothing less than warm and funny. His parents have been missing for 25 years. Soon, Theo finds himself alone when his grandmother passes away from stomach cancer. This aspiring doctor spirals into a depressed, vegetated state. His grandmother leaves a will suggesting he uses the money to meet his family in Cyprus, and to learn and love where his parents came from. While in Cyprus, Theo meets Afroditi (played by Eliana Papanicolaou), an anthropologist and excavator of the Committee of Missing Persons (CMP). She illuminates Theo on the culture and history of the island concerning the events and repercussions of the Turkish invasion in 1974. Though her undying passion is to help the people of Cyprus locate and identify their loved ones, she herself faces her own personal troubles. Theo and Afroditi’s stories turn into casual conversations about bigger themes in life- especially the politics and principles of the human condition. Their personal conflicts and electric relationship empowers them to make a change bigger than themselves; one that will honor a message of peace and cooperation within a unified Cyprus.

We are all learning so much as we go along, not only about ourselves but also about Cyprus and its beautiful, diverse people. Eliana’s father and his family are refugees from the city of Ammochostos in Northern Cyprus. Her mother and her family are from Pyla, Larnaca, the only village still shared by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike. Though she has personal ties to heart of the matter, Co-Writer/CoDirector/actor, Theo Couloumbis and Cinematographer, Sofia Moustahfid, are just as invested in the emotional, physical, sociopolitical, and geographic turmoil Cyprus continues to endure. BLUEFIRE hits home for all of us because the “Cyprus Problem” is not just a problem in Cyprus. The actors involved in negotiation extend beyond the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civilians and their governments. Similar injustices have been committed and continue to manifest themselves in the world today. The majority of the international community is unfamiliar of the Cyprus issue, though it is a prime testimony of man’s natural will to trump covetous interest and power with their right to freedom and justice. We hope that an entertaining movie starring and created by young people will inspire our generation to be the ones to finally end oppression and move towards a reunified Cyprus.

Art and War have always rivaled their way through time. Our team believes war is merely a phase and that art- which arises from it- will live on in perpetuity. Though idealistic, it is a goal that drives our team to keep poised and sensitive among the lives we are portraying. Since its birth, the Theatre has not only been a mode of entertainment. The Ancient Greeks considered it a political duty to attend the Theatre; a place where one derived moral lessons and commentary on current events. However, lately it seems as though it is all about flashy lights and money, and less about creating something with a message that affects people and makes them think. We must use the ancient classical ideals to inform our present and future selves, to make people feel again, and spark intelligent conversation that could possibly lead to change. BLUEFIRE will be a return to the roots of performing arts: exploring the importance of rule of law, absolute human rights, morals, and selfdiscovery. We hope our film will be widespread and seen by many so our message can be heard.

Eliana Papanicolaou - Co-Writer, Co-Director, Actor

Anthea Yoga & Healing Arts Center in Astoria Anthea is an elegant and peaceful Healing Center located at the heart of Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside. Anthea, the name comes from the Greek word “the blossoming one” a term often used to describe ancient Goddesses of healing and hearth. The Center was created about four years ago by Sylvia Mouzourou, originally born in Cyprus and her business partner who is from mainland Greece. Sylvia studied psychology and mental Sylvia Mouzourou health counseling and is offering a unique approach of therapy, which combines Mind, Body and Soul. “We were motivated by care for our fellow human beings and a desire to uphold the true essence of healing, which derives from balance of body and mind,” she says.

According to Mouzourou “Creating Anthea as a center of healing and transformation is the manifestation of a life's dream, and I feel deep gratitude to all the people that contributed to this creation, especially our teachers, colleagues and friends. Our dream is to sustain a community-a safe place where people can grow, educate themselves and awaken the healer from within.” Through the practice of Meditation (silencing the mind) body stretching ( Yoga) and pranayama (breathing technique) Anthea is introducing a way to find balance, purify body and mind and move to a state of healing and higher awareness. Joy is also part of healing, so creative arts such as dance and other mindful events are part of theis monthly schedule.

“Following the seasonal cycles encourages us to feel in-tune with our bodies and be closer to nature even while living in NYC,” explains Sylvia, a stunning brunette with almond shaped eyes indicative of her multifaceted ancestry.

Childrens Art Exhibition at The Academy of Hellenic Paideia The Academy of Hellenic Paideia in Astoria, New York presented The Children's Art Exhibition as part of the first Hellenic Art Festival TIMARETE in June. The exhibition comprised a selection of artworks created by the students of the Drawing and Painting class offered by the Academy, as well as a group of artworks by the students of the 8th Elementary School of Kordelio, Renowned artist and instructor Thessaloniki. As a class, Drawing and Painting is open to both children and at The Academy of Hellenic adults of diverse backgrounds who Paideia Antonia Papatzanaki want to hone their talents, explore new skills or nurture their creativity. Ms. Antonia Papatzanaki, the instructor, teaches the fundamentals of freehand drawing and painting through traditional and experimental studio art methods, and a historic journey through the world of art. The children thus learn the basics of fine art in an environment intending to stimulate both their analytical intelligence and imagination. The artworks were auctioned and the proceeds will go to the 8th Elementary School of Kordelio of Thessaloniki.

“We are blessed to be in a quiet, friendly and amazingly diverse neighborhood. Some of our practitioners speak Greek, German, Check and other languages. We welcome people of all ages and shapes to practice Yoga and reach their full potential. We encourage a life style leading to inner peace and physical well being allowing you to unplug from all the stress and worries of our everyday lives,” she says.

Anthea is actively involved with the Community, teaching public high school students and donating time for Community Yoga Classes at Astoria Park. It is also a center of healing arts where various holistic practitioners come to practice and teach from all over the country. “Here you can find licensed professionals in Reiki Healing, Energy Healing, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Psychotherapy. We also rent space for Social Events. We are looking forward to meeting you,” adds Sylvia with her captivating smile.

Anthea Yoga & Healing Arts Center is located on 34-01 45th Street F2, Long Island City, NY. Their phone number is (718) 606-0049 and the email sylvia@antheacenter.com

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Born in Greece, Antonia Papatzanaki is an internationally renowned artist.

She was educated in Athens School of Fine Arts (G. Nikolaidi’s Workshop), in the Vienna Hochschule für Angenwandte Kunst ( W. Bertoni’s Workshop), and Pratt Institute in New York, where she acquired her Master’s degree in fine arts. She is the recipient of many prestigious awards: the Katonah Museum of Art, NY; Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Foundation for Hellenic Culture; Gerondelis Foundation, Lynn, MA; the Hellenic State Scholarship Foundation; and the F.V.S. zu Hamburg Foundation; and has gained first prizes from PanHellenic and International Competitions for public art work installations. Her public light installation Agora was exhibited at the Battery Park during 2000-2001 as part of the Temporary Public Art Program of the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. Her sculpture Lighthouse is permanently installed at “Kato Patisia” Square Metro Station, Athens, Greece. Papatzanaki has had 15 solo exhibitions all over the world and works by her are in the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens, the Vorres Museum, in the Copelouzos family Collection, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete, the American College of Greece, and in numerous private collections.

SVL Bar …Souvlaki is Eternal!

Souvlakia and gyros to Greeks are like cheeseburgers and hot dogs to Americans. Some cheeseburgers and hot dogs are better than others, just like some souvlakia and gyros are better than others. In a food mecca like New York Partner Kostas Gurlakis and a Greek town like Astoria, you may think you’ve tried them all. You may think, ok, another souvlaki joint in town.

What’s the big deal? If it’s a better deal, it’s a great deal.

As an American girl, I’m always up for trying a great new burger, and as a Greek girl, I won’t refuse tender, juicy pork cubes tightly woven around a stick or thinly sliced strips of meat folded up in a pita sandwich. I love to eat, and I do, upon occasion, enjoy a little “street meat” from the carts that grill them up on all four corners of this little

Greek (or not so Greek) town. Yet, when something better comes along, at the same price, I prefer quality. I discovered a new finer dining souvlaki experience, to eat-in or to take-out, and I don’t have to worry about bird poop and pigeon feathers falling from the overhead train trestles, flying straight onto my souvlaki and right into my tongue.

JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

lettuce beautifully presented, like a Greek country garden, in a metal bowl.

SVL Bar uses all brand new equipment to create their signature pita sandwiches, stuffed and rolled with hand-cut fries, sliced pork, onions, tomatoes and a thick cucumber yogurt sauce. An architect was hired to conceptualize the design of the restaurant. Everything is new and modern, right down to the blackboard depicting several thematic stencil-like drawings of cows, pigs, and chickens, to the futuristic snowflake-like chandelier that hangs from the ceiling. When you first walk in, you notice a giant silver fork above the counter of the wide open kitchen space. It may not all be fork food, but the open kitchen, with its pots, pans, and plates neatly stacked and organized on a big chrome island countertop, right in the center, surrounded by grills emitting the scents of perfectly charred meats, and nothing to hide, certainly whets one’s appetite.

SVL Bar is the brainchild of two good friends, Kostas Gurlakis, a former banker, and Peter Katsiaris, a former caterer. What happens when money and food come together? Why a business, of course!

Friends since 1997, they spent many nights over a cup of coffee up and down the European style cafes that line the streets of Astoria’s Grand Avenue, more commonly referred to as 30th Avenue, and came up with their “grand” idea to open their own unique Athenian style food boutique, SVL Bar. They wanted something authentic and something different. It’s sleek, clean, and minimalistic. It is something different - not the typical white stuccowalls and blue wooden chairs with straw-covered seats under a canopy of hanging grapevines. No No matter what hour of day or time of night, SVL pictures of old and new Hellas, either. This is a Bar, conveniently located at 30-18 Astoria souvlaki bar after all, not a taverna.

Boulevard, near the Grand Central Expressway, delivers the goods. They will even deliver them The menu is basic and curbside, straight to your car, so you can take your clean. They are in the hogs, hefers and chickens to go if you can’t make business of souvlaki into the bar. And yes, you can get a Greek style and gyros, and to hamburger (bifteki) and hot dog (loukaniko) too. t h e s e y o u n g You don’t have to be torn between the two. You can entrepreneurs it’s get them on “all fours” with mini shots of assorted s e r i o u s b u s i n e s s . gyro sliders. But whether or not you walk in or drive They take pride in the up, eat less or more, it’s a great place to stop by, be q u a l i t y o f t h e i r greeted by a friendly staff, and try something product to serve you authentic and different.

locally sourced, hand-selected meats, including chicken, raised without antibiotic feed, in their signature sticks and sandwiches. What makes this pork meat a little different? Instead of the usual medley of pork butt that can often be found in souvlaki or the slimy textured heavily spiced non-descript “mystery meat” often found in gyro, you get pork neck, which is much lighter, leaner and cleaner in flavor. Even all the produce is locally sourced, except for seasonal vegetables, to create a colorful blend of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and 46

by Athena Efter

This is one bar that’s open to patrons before noon, from 11am-11pm, Sunday through Thursday. And for all you weekend party animals, their souvla (Greek word for grill) is rolling round the clock, from 11am – 6am. I could very well replace my Sunday bacon for a Sunday morning Greek sausage gyro, and leave the butts and indigestion at the street carts, especially at 2am in the morning. To quote their slogan: “People Disappoint. Souvlaki is eternal.” Eternally fulfilling.

P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

AHEPA’s Gold Coast Chapter 456 Holds Successful Golf Outing Fundraiser

by Cindy Klimek

Members of AHEPA's District 6 Gold Coast Chapter 456 at the end of their monthly meeting at the Port Washington Yacht Club

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association’s District 6 Gold Coast Chapter 456 held its yearly elections for president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. “We elected the same slate.

Unfortunately yours truly is still president,” jokes

Chapter President John Levas, Tom Gordianos, Paul Macropoulos

Chapter President John Levas. He adds, “Once a year we have elections and I always tell the guys ‘all positions are open. Anybody that wants to run he can run I encourage it. But nobody else wants to, the members want to have the same slate all the time.”

Levas has been president of Chapter 456, which is the largest chapter on Long Island and second largest in the state of New York, for more than 15 years, but admits it can be a love/hate relationship.

Paul Poulos, Dr. Norman Gavalas

Isidoros Sistatsis, Tom Gordianos, Christos Michaleas

“I’ve been trying to get out of it for the last 15 years,” he says with a laugh. “This isn’t off the record, I tell everybody this. But nobody wants to take my position because I’m like the heartbeat and the pulse of the chapter and I take care of all the little things behind the scenes. All of the other guys always say to me ‘you can’t resign’. But don’t get me wrong it’s fun. It’s a good group of guys and I have a lot of contacts there so I really enjoy it.”

P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

Though the elections are an annual special event, Levas says the rest of the meeting was business as usual.

Monthly chapter meetings, which are held 10 months out of the year, begin at 6:00pm with cocktails, dinner is served at 7:00pm, and then the meeting itself Peter Mesologites, begins at 8:00pm.

Nick Kouzionis They are held at the Port Washington Yacht Club in Port Washington, NY. Says Levas, “We have our own private bartender, our own catering there that serves us. They take care of everything for us.

It’s basically a carbon copy for every meeting except for July and August when we’re off. The other 10 months out of the year they’re usually held on the first Wednesday of the month.”

The next big event on the chapter’s horizon is its annual Christmas Dinner/Dance Fundraiser which, as always, will take place at the North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, NY. This year’s party will take place on Wednesday, December 14th and is fully planned already, according to Levas, despite being six months away. “It’s all planned. Everything’s set in stone. It’s a carbon copy from previous years so everything is ready to go.” Levas is expecting between 150 to 200 AHEPA members, significant others, and friends. Cocktails begin at 6:30 with dinner to follow at 7. The event will include a raffle, live Greek music from Alpha, and, as always, no presidential speeches from Levas.

AHEPA’s mission is to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence. It was founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia and now has over 20 districts in the United States (most with multiple chapters), as well as in Canada, Greece, and Australia. The organization offers Another aspect of the meetings that John approximately Levas enjoys? His gavel! “I have a gavel $500,000 in college and I get to bang it when I officiate scholarships every meetings and swear people in and things year and past like that. And yes, I have absolute power Stanley Neamonitis, Ted Malgarinos philanthropic deeds on the bench. I haven’t sent anybody up to Sing Sing lately but you never have included taking part in the restoration of the know. There’s always next month. Being on Statue of Liberty and sending care packages to the bench is fun, especially when you get to troops overseas.

Though most make all the decisions,” he says. members are of The next topic of conversation was the Hellenic descent, outcome of the chapter’s 76th annual golf m e m b e r s h i p i s outing fundraiser, which took place on open to anyone Wednesday, May 25th at the North Shore Towers and who believes in the Country Club in Floral Park, NY. At this event, o r g a n i z a t i o n’ s attendees’ charitable donations cover their golf fees, mission statement. Gus Babaris, John Levas carts, gratuities, access to the golf range, lunch, a cocktail party, and dinner. Also, it wouldn’t be an To learn more about AHEPA Chapter 456, visit AHEPA event without raffles and prizes. This year’s https://sites.google.com/site/ahepa456/ or contact outing brought in $7,600 for the chapter’s charity C h a p t e r P r e s i d e n t J o h n L e v a s a t program, despite having lower attendance than AHEPA456@gmail.com. previous years. Says Levas, “$7,600 is pretty good for a one-day outing with 20 golfers.”

NEWS & NOTES

JUNE 2016

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Freddy Pachay, a Government of Ecuador Certified Artisan is a third generation craftsman who makes fine hats that are sold in various countries

Sombreropanama ...)

President Theodore Roosevelt

Philip, Duke of Edinburgh PHOTO: RICKIE BARTH

The Real “ Panama Hats” and Where to Find Them...

by Maria Elena Palau and Jordana Levi

Sean Connery

In Montecristi NEO met and spoke to one of these artisans, Mr. Freddy Pachay who told us that the family business started 80 years ago with his grandfather, Mr. Abraham Pachay who knitted the hats and gave them the final touch before putting them on the market. The small handicraft enterprise was inherited by Mr. Galo Pachay, his son who continued and expanded the business with the help of the men and women weavers he carefully selected. Today, his son Freddy Pachay, a Government of Ecuador Certified Artisan is in charge of the business. He is a third generation craftsman selling his hats to buyers in countries such as USA, Greece, Germany, France and Spain among other places.

only in Montecristi but also in Pilé, a village nearby.

The Montecristi hats have been designated by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Pressing the hats to the desired shape PHOTO: RICKIE BARTH

The “Montecristi hats” also known as “Panama hats,” became internationally known when President Theodore Roosevelt wore one during the inauguration of the Panama Canal in 1914. The canal workers also wore these hats to protect themselves when working long days under the blazing sun. The hats, originally made in Ecuador, became popular in all neighboring countries because of their soft and light material. They are hand made in Montecristi, a coastal, tranquil village with steep streets dotted with handicrafts shops in the province of Manabí.

They are mainly crafted from the plaited leaves of the Carludovica Palmata Plant, known locally as the toquilla palm or jipijapa palm, although it is a palmlike plant rather than a true palm.

The hats have different price value according to their size, quality and the intricacy of the weaving.

Depending on the complexity of the weaving, it can For more info on the Panama hats and Freddy Pachay’s shop their phone numbers are 052-310384 take two to six months to create a hat. and 0959486109. The email address is There are three stages for their production. In the fredpayhats@hotmail.com first stage, the toquilla plant leaves are carefully gathered and converted to material from which the These days, the Panama hats are worn by farm hat is made of. The second stage is the actual making workers, internationally known stars as well as of a semi-final product and in the third stage the hat members of the various royal families. And of is finally given the final touch before it is ready to be course, by commoners like NEO’s Demetrios sold. In addition to the Pachay family there are many Rhompotis who proudly boasts not one, but five of other qualified artisans who produce these hats not them with new acquisitions coming this summer...

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JUNE 2016 NEWS & NOTES

Mick Jagger

Brad Pit

Kyriake Rompotis with one of Mr. Pachay's hats in Lefkas Island, Greece

And last but not least, NEO's Demetrios Rhompotis!

The "Greater Albania", the Greater the Stupidity!

It's especially disheartening when fascism and nationalism find ways to corrupt even sports!

On the Soccer Zone USA page, along with the jerseys of the Albanian National Soccer Team that took part for the first time in the Eurocup, this June, the map of the "Greater Albania" with territories from Greece, Kossovo and FYROM appears on the top right side! It's also sad that those who put that map there instead of celebrating their national team's appearance in a major international soccer venue, they use it to promote irredentism, nationalism and ultimately fascism! I contacted the Soccer Zone USA page asking them to remove the nationalistic map. Please, do the same. I especially urged my Albanian friends to not only condemn this practice, but to be on alert so that the darkest elements in their midst do not highjack their country and their future. Smart people learn from other people's mistakes. In this case they don't need to look far, think what happened to @ Greece in 1922 and to Serbia in the '90s....

by Demetrios Rhompotis

dondemetrio neomagazine.com

Continued from page 31

Fortunately, the Obama Administration has already laid out a framework for dealing with foreign nations that are less than trustworthy. Just one night before the Cyprus conference began, President Obama’s National Security Advisor – Susan Rice – spoke to the American Jewish Committee. Seeking to reassure the AJC’s conference that the U.S. will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, she declared that the U.S.’s approach the Iranian nuclear agreement is quite simply, “distrust but verify”.

Distrust but verify should also officially be adopted by the Obama Administration vis-à-vis Turkey in the Cyprus negotiations. No one – not President Anastasiades, not the Greek-American community, not a single Cypriot who will vote in a referendum – should be asked to trust Turkey before tangible contributions are offered AND implemented before a referendum. In a united voice, the Greek “lobby” – HALC, PSEKA, the Cyprus Federation, the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, AHI and AHEPA – laid out tangible contributions that Turkey can make immediately. We also all declared that without such contributions, we cannot imagine how we can endorse any agreement in 2016. Iran had to implement concrete measures before a deal could be executed; we demand the same for Turkey. Until then, our approach will be to “distrust, but verify”.

Kelly Vlahakis Hanks presenting The Van Vlahakis Award

Chryssa Avrami, Maria Kovogianni, Anna Rezan

Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, receiving the Honorary Orpheus Award by Kary Antholis,, President of HBO

!

T I D I D WE Los Angeles Greek Film Festival just turned 10 years old in June 2016 and celebrated with film premieres, a gastronomic event, glamour and panels among others.

This June, the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre. The five days festivities were concluded with the annual Orpheus Awards and a “night to remember” closing ceremony.

Bill Kritharas, Richard Brancatisano, Anna Rezan, Alex Lykos

North American premiere, ”Short Fuse” by Andreas Lambropoulos and certainly “Alex and Eve” by Alex Lykos, Bill Kritharas and Peter Andrikides that was described as one of the funniest film people had seen in their lives at its afterparty.

The closing ceremony was an absolute highlight with a variety of prominent industry professionals getting photographed and interviewed on the red carpet such as Chris Papavasiliou, Louis Mandylor, Angelo Tsarouchas, Anna Rezan, Corina Tsopei Fields, Evan Spiliotopoulos, Constantinos Isaias, Jay Cohen, Michael Paleodimos, Pantelis Kodogiannis, Patricia Karras, Zoe Kottas, Chryssa Avrami, Alex Kalognomos, Angelo Platon, Peter Kallinteris and many more. The Greek minister of Tourism Helena Kountoura also attended the event.

The festival included films from Greece, Sweden, Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, the U.K.,Turkey and the U.S. representing narratives, documentaries, and shorts projects of whom several were world premieres, North American premieres and Los Angeles premieres of the selected films.

Aris Katopodis, Christopher Papakaliatis, JK Simmons, Dorothea Pashalidou

desperate Athens shopkeeper struggling to keep his head above water.

An MFI scholarship, Aegean Award went to Nazli Elif Durlu for “Zuhal” and Harris Raftogiannis received an honorable mention for his film “The River”.

“World’s Apart” directed by Christopher Papakaliatis was the fest’s closing film in its North American premiere and it won LAGFF’s Audience Award. The lead actress of the film, Maria Kavogianni won the Orpheus for best performance and her co star, Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons received an honorary Orpheus Award.

One more honorary Orpheus Award was presented to Jim Gianopulos chairman and CEO of the 20th Century Fox, recognized for his continuous support to LAGFF. Kary Antholis of HBO handed him the award.

The Orpheus Awards were hosted by actress Mena Suvari who was accompanied on stage by 40 students from the Stella Adler Acting Academy.

Festival’s creative director Aris Katopodis mentioned that “this 10th LAGFF is now history, but it is also one that made history with most films screened ever, most filmmakers present and largest attendance so far.

Pa n o s K a r k a n e v a t o s ’ LAGFF included Q&A’s with the filmmakers and “Riverbanks” won for best several other events. It also hosted the Athens fiction feature film.

International Culinary Film Festival, where the “Exotica, Erotica, Etc.” won for best documentary attendees were presented with cuisine themed film film and “Golden Dawn: A Personal Affair” won an projects. honorable mention for documentary.

Fest’s co founder Ersi Danou thanked executive producer Alex Kalognomos as well as coproducer Eleni Arvaniti and when joined on stage by festival’s co founder Angeliki Giannakopoulos stated that “LAGFF is a chance for Los Angelinos to experience Greek cinema, and our filmmakers benefit from the bridging effect between Greece, the Balkans, and Hollywood”.

Mena Suvari, hostess of the Orpheus Awards

The majority of the films were very warmly received The Van Vlahakis Award, presented by Kelly Vlahakis by the audiences and some were described as Hanks for best short fiction film, went to sensational. “The Republic” by Dimitris Tzetzas in its “Stagnation,” a Norwegian production about a 50

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