FEBRUARY 2018 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected]THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN VEMA The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece 5th Annual Professional Development for Teachers and Staff of the Greek Orthodox Schools in Sydney PAGE 2 /18 Mykonos Jet-setting Athenians love this Cycladic is- land for its glam nightlife, but it also has much to offer the less ostentatious visitor. PAGE 16/32 Opening of the Law Term Service in NSW On Tuesday, 6 February 2018, at 6.30pm, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos presided the 35th Annual Pan-Orthodox Doxology Ser- vice marking the commencement of the Law Term 2018, in the presence of the Chief Jus- tice of New South Wales, the Hon. Tom Bathurst AC and many other members of the legal profession. OUR ARCHBISHOP’S Homily for the Opening of the Legal Year 2018 PAGES 5/21 PAGE 12/28 7 th EPISCOPAL ASSEMBLY OF OCEANIA The members of the 7th Episcopal Assembly of Oceania met in Sydney in the Central Offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia on Thursday 8th February, 2018 under the ex officio chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Aus‐ tralia. Once again, the opportunity was given for the Hierarchs of this Assembly to affirm and reinforce their unity in the Orthodox faith. FULL REPORT PAGE 3 /19 His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos (Ecumenical Patriarchate); His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios (Antiochian Church); His Grace Bishop Siluan (Serbian Church); His Grace Bishop Mihail (Romanian Church); His Grace Bishop Ezekiel (Assis- tant Bishop); His Grace Bishop Seraphim (Assistant Bishop); His Grace Bishop Iakovos (Assistant Bishop); Fr Amphilochios Vasiltsotelis (Ecumenical Patriarchate, New Zealand); Fr Michael Protopopov (Russian Church) and Fr Michael Solomko (Ukrainian Church).
5th Annual Professional Development for Teachersand Staff of the Greek Orthodox Schools in Sydney
PAGE 2/18
MykonosJet-setting Athenians love this Cycladic is-
land for its glam nightlife, but it also hasmuch to offer the less ostentatious visitor.
PAGE 16/32
Opening of the Law TermService in NSW
On Tuesday, 6 February 2018, at 6.30pm,His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos presidedthe 35th Annual Pan-Orthodox Doxology Ser-vice marking the commencement of the LawTerm 2018, in the presence of the Chief Jus-tice of New South Wales, the Hon. TomBathurst AC and many other members of thelegal profession.
OUR ARCHBISHOP’S
Homily for the Opening of the Legal Year 2018PAGES 5/21
PAGE 12/28
7th EPISCOPALASSEMBLY
OF OCE ANIAThe members of the 7th Episcopal Assembly of Oceania met in Sydney in the Central
Offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia on Thursday 8th February,2018 under the ex officio chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Aus‐tralia.
Once again, the opportunity was given for the Hierarchs of this Assembly to affirmand reinforce their unity in the Orthodox faith.
FULL REPORT PAGE 3/19
His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos (Ecumenical Patriarchate); His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios (Antiochian Church);His Grace Bishop Siluan (Serbian Church); His Grace Bishop Mihail (Romanian Church); His Grace Bishop Ezekiel (Assis-tant Bishop); His Grace Bishop Seraphim (Assistant Bishop); His Grace Bishop Iakovos (Assistant Bishop); Fr Amphilochios
Vasiltsotelis (Ecumenical Patriarchate, New Zealand); Fr Michael Protopopov (Russian Church) and Fr Michael Solomko(Ukrainian Church).
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA2/18 FEBRUARY 2018
On Monday 29 January, St Andrew’sTheological College hosted its fifth annu-al professional development day for theteachers and staff of the Greek Orthodoxschools in Sydney: St Spyridon College(Kingsford), All Saints Grammar (Belmo-re) and St Euphemia College (Banks-town).
In front of an audience of around 200people, the event was opened by theCollege’s Sub-Dean, His Grace Bishop Se-raphim of Apollonias.
It featured presentations relating tothe historical adventure of the OrthodoxChurch throughout the ages by the VeryRevd Father Steven Scoutas, the RevdAnastasios Bozikis, and the Revd Gerasi-mos Koutsouras, all members of the Col-lege Faculty Board.
His Grace began the day with prayer,and by thanking the schools on behalf of
His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos ofAustralia (College Dean) for their atten-dance. Father Anastasios subsequentlycovered the beginnings of the Churchand significant happenings during thefirst millennium, culminating in the grad-ual estrangement between East andWest. Father Gerasimos highlighted thechallenges faced by the Church duringthe evermore divisive second millenniumas it navigated its way through the riseand fall of empires, revolutions, andmodern historical currents and ideolo-gies. Father Steven concluded the morn-ing’s event by outlining the historicalcontours of Orthodoxy’s migration andsettlement on the Australian continentfrom the early nineteenth century to thepost WW2 migration boom, and the ex-pansive pastoral work of ArchbishopStylianos since 1975.
5th Annual Professional Development for Teachers and Staff of the Greek Orthodox Schools in Sydney
The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/19FEBRUARY 2018
7th Episcopal Assembly of OceaniaThe members of the 7th Episcopal Assembly of Oceania met in Sydney in the Cen‐
tral Offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia on Thursday 8th Febru‐ary, 2018 under the ex officio chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianosof Australia.
Once again, the opportunity was given for the Hierarchs of this Assembly to af‐firm and reinforce their unity in the Orthodox faith.
Present were: His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos (Ecumenical Patriarchate); HisEminence Metropolitan Basilios (Antiochian Church); His Grace Bishop Siluan (Ser‐bian Church); His Grace Bishop Mihail (Romanian Church); His Grace Bishop Ezekiel(Assistant Bishop); His Grace Bishop Seraphim (Assistant Bishop); His Grace BishopIakovos (Assistant Bishop); Fr Amphilochios Vasiltsotelis (Ecumenical Patriarchate,New Zealand); Fr Michael Protopopov (Russian Church) and Fr Michael Solomko(Ukrainian Church).
In the opening session, the Chairman, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Aus‐tralia welcomed all Hierarchs οn behalf of His All‐Holiness Ecumenical PatriarchBartholomew. He noted the contribution and support, towards the work of the As‐sembly, of His Eminence Archbishop Paul (Saliba) (Antiochian Church), who re‐posed in the Lord, after a long and blessed episcopal ministry.
His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios, from the Antiochian Church, who attendedthe Assembly for the first time, was also welcomed and congratulated for his recentelevation to the episcopacy.
Following this, all Hierarchs were provided with the opportunity to raise commonconcerns confronting the Orthodox Churches in Oceania and benefit from the ex‐perience of fellow bishops.
The Assembly deliberated οn the following pastoral challenges confronting theOrthodox Churches of Australia and New Zealand, and in light of the discussionsthat ensued, rendered the following decisions:
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA4/20 FEBRUARY 2018
Greek parents spend more time on so-cial media than their children, a new stu-dy by the Greek Internet Security Centersays.
The study results were publicized onthe occasion of the World Safer InternetDay, February 6.
“We must necessarily be involved in alifelong learning process so we can per-ceive changes, challenges and risks, as theInternet is evolving,” said George Kormasof the Greek Safer Internet Center, onAgency radio.
One in three calls (33 percent) to thecenter’s helpline link in 2017 was aboutInternet dependence, Kormas said, sayingthat this is the biggest problem of Inter-net use in Greece.
Also, 20 percent of calls to the helplinewere about Internet bullying and another
20 percent was in reference to violationof privacy, the center representative said.
An issue of concern for the Greek SaferInternet Center is that Greek parents donot follow EU regulations on parent con-sent to use the Internet. According to theEU, parents should give their consent tochildren under 16 to have access to socialnetworks.
“We see that parents using the Internetlet their children under the age of 13 tolog in to social networks at a rate of 53percent, a huge percentage,” Kormas not-ed.
“Parents use social networks at a rateof 60 percent, higher than the percentageof their children,” the Greek expert said,adding that “it is shocking, because oneunderstands that the role model is veryimportant at these ages”.
Greek parents more addicted to socialmedia than their children
How are you my friend? I have not written for awhile. I trust that you are all well as we are. Hasit not been a hot and humid summer? I used the
vacation for some reading and wanted to share someof it with you.
If we ever want to be impressed with the Old Tes-tament, then there is no better place than to reac-
quaint yourself with the story of Joseph in Genesis.This is a moving account of life in ancient times. It
shows the faithfulness of God and the tapestry of adestiny unfold in an unexpected fashion.
Joseph’s dreams that seemed arrogant at first cameto be fulfilled many years later.
His betrayal by his brothers was shameful andmight well have been the end of the story. But Godhad other plans for Joseph, as he has for you and forme.
With the faith of God, he survived temptation. Howis this possible? He was but a young man. He was notschooled in ethics, morality, theology or ecclesiastics.There was no Church, no Sunday School, no fellow-ship or Bible to guide him on his way.
He had God in his heart, his mind and his soul. Itwas in his DNA: “How can I do such a thing in the sightof God!” was his response.
And for this he suffered. The innocent, the good,the faithful always suffer. They endure the barbs ofeveryday life and the perpetual envy of evil for any-thing that is remotely good.
Joseph survived. Miraculously – unbelievably – hisprophecies transformed his existence from prisonerto overlord of Egypt. How can a Hebrew slave be-come second to pharaoh?
One might well imagine that the story ends at thispoint, with Joseph being saved and now a lord ofEgypt.
But God has more in store for every life. It has itstwists and turns; its steep hills and perilous descents.
You might remember that his brothers came toEgypt but did not recognise him. How could they everimagine that the teenager they sold as a slave wouldnow be the person before whom they were bowingand begging for food.
There were no recriminations. What a lesson to sib-lings that will not even speak to each other. The loveof Joseph for his brothers was so great that he for-
gave them for their dastardly act. For to pardon oth-ers is the first step to seek pardon for oneself!
Joseph, however, was blessed with great intelli-gence. He manipulated circumstances in order to seehis youngest brother, Benjamin. For to love one’sbrother is to respect oneself.
Who could imagine the emotion that flowed? Couldanyone endure jealousy, betrayal, hopelessness, slav-ery or decades or estrangement without any tears?
Imagine still further the reaction of Jacob his father,when he received the good news. His son who wasdead is now alive.
The parallels with the New Testament are astound-ing.
One cannot read such words - from chapters 37 to50 in Genesis with Jacob’s final words to his son andthen Joseph’s death in Egypt - without acknowledg-ing that this is a powerful account. It rings true evenin this most modern of times. Like the church bells ona Sunday morning, the example of Joseph tolls loudlyin my ears: “Do not be afraid, for I belong to God…”.
If every day, you find a quiet spot and maybe read achapter from the Old Testament it could transformyour life. Make some notes if you wish. Absorb it alleven the lists of names and the esoteric details. Lookinto the mirror of the lives of our ancestors and patri-archs in the faith. You will see good and evil, faultsand disbelief. You will see a meaningful history of theworld unfold. Not a political history of facts or figuresbut the journey of our soul from Creation. A storythat has survived and unfolded over time.
So, if you ever want to be impressed with the truthof the old Testament, there is no better place than toreacquaint yourself with the story of Joseph.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authorand not necessarily those of St Andrew’s Greek OrthodoxCollege or the VEMA.
TO BHMA 5/21FEBRUARY 2018 The Greek Australian VEMA
Our Primate’s View
Homily for the Opening of the Legal Year 2018
At the Cathedral of the Annunciation of our LadySydney, 6th February, 2018
Your Honour, the Chief Justice Mr Tom Bathurst,other distinguished Justices,Judges, Members of the Judiciaryand various Servants of the Law Profession,Reverend Clergy, Beloved Sisters and Brothers,
The fact that all Churches in this country offerspecial prayers each year at the opening of theLaw Term, is not simply a social function. It issomething far deeper and more substantial. Itis a fitting recognition of the importance ofLaw in our life, as individuals and collectivelyas societies. We shall recognise this significantrole in general terms, if we consider the goodguaranteed by the existence and cultivation ofLaw: firstly, in the form of the Academic Dis-cipline of Law (with its countless ethical andlegal structures) and secondly, in the form ofits judicial action (with corrective and preven-tative results on human behaviour).
For the Church, the foundational startingpoint for the evaluation of the role of Law isthe teaching about the ‘original fall’, because,according to the epigrammatic aphorism ofthe Scriptures, “the law is laid down not forthe innocent person” (1Tim 1:9). The humanperson disobeyed the divine will out of self-ishness and, it is certain, that in people’s rela-tionships, what causes a disturbance of moraland social balance cannot be anything elsethan selfishness. Law, therefore, comes pri-marily in order to impede this selfishness,which is the root cause of every kind ofanomaly, disagreement and dissension. In thisway, the role of Law emerges as a natural con-sequence in upholding moral order in general.
In the Greek language, as it is known, the con-cept of ‘Universe’ is expressed by a term ofdeepest moral and aesthetic harmony; namely,the term ‘cosmos’, which presupposes asteady balance of relationships and powers,an absolute materialised affirmation of thelaws of Justice. In this way, the role of Lawemerges as a natural consequence for the up-holding of cosmic order in general.
If we now wish to make more obvious the im-portance of Law for the individual personstruggling for a living, it is sufficient to re-
member a few simple and very practical cor-relations. These correlations are given in asimple way by the following cursorythoughts: We all know from personal experi-ence that any action for individual or socialprogress most certainly presupposes not onlyambition, but also love and enthusiasm. En-thusiasm and love, however, presuppose trustand optimism, because no one undoubtedlywould dare anything, knowing in advancethat they would be confronted with chaos.Optimism, however, together with trust againpresuppose security and stability. Securityand stability, on the other hand, ultimatelypresuppose Justice.
There is no need to say more. With the afore-mentioned thoughts, our soul is filled withgratitude and admiration for all that Law hasdone so far in former societies. And we fer-vently pray that God will continue to illuminehuman beings so that they may discover moreand more effective forms of righteousness.“Learn righteousness, you that dwell upon theearth” (Isaiah 26:9).
May God protect and assist the servants ofLaw in this country and all over the worldagainst all attacks of the uncivilised. Amen!
By ARCHBISHOPSTYLIANOSOF AUSTRALIA
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA6/22 FEBRUARY 2018
“It is our belief that the modern OlympicGames, despite their obvious success inmany respects, have become increasinglyremoved from the average person. Ourgoal is the participation, on the sacred an‐cient earth of Greece, of anyone and ev‐eryone, in games that will revive the spir‐it of the Olympics. We will achieve this byreliving authentic ancient athletic cus‐toms in the ancient stadium of Nemea.”
Statement of the Purpose of the Society, December 30, 1994
The Society for the Revival of the Ne-mean Games is a movement born fromnearly 40 years of excavation by the Uni-versity of California at Berkeley in the pan-hellenic Sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea,Greece, and from the enthusiasm and ded-ication of local residents of Nemea whofeel that they could make an importantcontribution to today’s world because oftheir personal ties to Nemea.
It was at Nemea that the ancient Greekscelebrated athletic and religious festivalsthat were part of the cycle of games at Del-phi, Isthmia, and (best known today)Olympia. It was at one of these four sitesthat, for a brief period each year, wars andhostilities were suspended by a sacredtruce, and all Greeks gathered in recogni-tion of their common humanity. This im-pulse toward peace - albeit limited to afew days each year - was the first in thehistory of mankind on an organized, regu-lar, and international scale. Thus, the festi-vals at Nemea, Olympia, Delphi, and Isth-mia are the direct ancestors of today’s Uni-ted Nations and Olympic movement. Theancient stadium discovered at Nemea is,therefore, an important monument in thehistory of such institutions.
The Olympic movement has become anever more important and complex interna-tional event, and a symbol of the nobleraspirations of our human race. But it hasalso become increasingly removed fromthose who are not extraordinarily athleti-cally gifted. The average person, inspiredby the ancient lessons of peace and hope-ful of participation in the movement findseven the role of spectator difficult to fulfillat the modern Olympics.
The Society for the Revival of the Ne-mean Games believes that there is scopefor the average person to participate insuch an international athletic festivalwhere no records will be kept and nomedals awarded. Races will be organizedby gender and age, and participants will berewarded only by bare feet sore from con-tact with the same stones and the samesoil where ancient feet ran more than2,000 years ago.
The Seventh Nemead will take place onJune 26-28, 2020.
“To sin and not repent is blasphemy
against the Lord”, Anonymous
Issue 12
Portion 12.1 The Third Commandment. The Third of the Ten Commandments, combining the Old and New Testaments, can be stated in summary as follows: Third Commandment: Do not take the name of the Lord in vain. Portion 12.2 Transgressions of the Third Commandment. According to Saint Nicodemus: “In this Third Commandment transgressors are the blasphemers, those who take oaths, or break oaths, or make others take oaths. Those who say in every situation: “By God!” “God knows!”, or similar things. Those who promise to God that they will do some good work but later do not fulfill their promise. Also, the false prophets, and those who ask of God improper things and according to their own will.” Portion 12.3 Reference points for the Third Commandment. According to Saint Nicodemus: “Perhaps my child you have taken an oath or made others take an oath? Perhaps you have broken an oath you made? Perhaps you swear to God and to the Faith in every instance? Perhaps you made a vow and promise to God to
become a monk, or to do some other good, and later broke your vow and promise? Perhaps you use the words of Holy Scripture for self-exaltation, or for joking and laughter? Perhaps you do not give thanks in your illnesses and misfortunes, but complain and blame God as unjust? Perhaps you blasphemed God or the Faith or the Sacraments or the Saints? Or perhaps you make others blaspheme? Perhaps you say that Divine Scripture and the words of God contain errors and contradictions, and you praise the writings of the nations and those of the pagan Greeks?” Portion 12.4 Further points for the Third Commandment. According to Monk Agapius: “When they bring you to court as a witness, say the truth, even if many will be put to death for your testimony. A false oath is hell to your soul even if you do it to help others.” According to Monk Damaskinus: “Do not take an oath because it is a great judgment on your soul. If the time comes and you are placed in jail, even then do not take an oath.” Written by Metaphrastis
The Society for the Revival of the Nemean GamesThe Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games
The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/23FEBRUARY 2018
The first issue of Phronema - which canmean ‘ethos,’ ‘disposition,’ and ‘mindset’ -was published in the same year as the Col-lege’s founding highlights both its founder’svision for St Andrew’s and for the journal; itwould employ all the rigours of scholarshipshaped by a genuine Christian spirit.
PAGE 7/25
Alexandrian Legacy launchedby Prof. Carole M. Cusack
PAGE 10/28
St Andrews InauguralTheology Symposium 2015A Great Success!
St Andrew’s Theological College held itsInaugural Theology Symposium on the 9thand 10th October, 2015. The theme of theTheology Symposium was, “The Earth is theLord’s: Environmental Theology and Ethics”.
PAGES 8/26 - 9/27
OUR ARCHBISHOP’S VIEW:
Autonomous and Heteronomous EthicsPAGES 5/23
FRANCEAT WARwith Islamic State
Europe’s populist right targets migration after Paris attacks
Populist leaders around Europe rushed to demand anend to an influx of refugees and migrants from the Mid-dle East and Africa on Saturday after a wave of deadly at-tacks in Paris claimed by Islamic State militants.
The carnage in the French capital, directly linked to theconflicts in Syria and Iraq, seemed bound to further com-plicate the European Union’s task in sharing out hun-dreds of thousands of migrants who have entered thebloc this year, fleeing war and poverty.
Poland’s designated Europe minister said Warsawcould not take in refugees under an EU quota system af-ter the recent wave of attacks on restaurants, a concerthall and a soccer stadium in Paris, in which 129 peopledied and some 200 were injured.
The Islamic State militant group based in Syria and Iraqclaimed responsibility for the carnage, saying it was topunish France for its involvement in those conflicts and
for its attitude to Islam. French President Francois Hol-lande said the group, also known as ISIS or by the Arabicacronym Daesh, had organised the attacks from abroadwith internal help. He said France was at war with Daesh.
In a comment on the right-leaning news portal wPoli-tyce.pl, Konrad Szymanski said his incoming governmentdid not agree with the previous Polish administration’scommitment to accept a share of an EU-wide relocationof immigrants.
“In the face of the tragic acts in Paris, we do not seethe political possibilities to implement (this),” he said.
Szymanski will take up his position as minister for Euro-pean affairs on Monday as part of a government formedby the conservative and Eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS)party, which won a general election last month.
It might be the closest an artist can get to time travel:Painstakingly recreating the sculptures of Greece’s an-cient masters.
A group of artists working for Athens’s Culture Min-istry has the exclusive right to make the officially certi-fied copies, which are meant for sale in Greek museumshops.
“The standard is very high. And every artist tries toemulate what was done by the artist in ancient times,”supervisor Stelios Gavalas, a sculptor by training, toldThe Associated Press. “For us, it is a very big honor tohave daily contact with works of the great artists of an-tiquity.”
The team of about 50 fine arts graduates works on arange of sculptures, from a three-inch (nearly eight-centimeter) hare from Roman-era Macedonia to a sev-en-foot (more than two-meter) statue of Zeus, or Posei-don, made in the mid-5th century BC and one of thestar exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum inAthens.
All are full-scale, made out of plaster in molds andpainstakingly hand-painted to match the hues of theoriginal piece, be it metal, marble, clay or even ivory.Plaster is used because it doesn’t shrink while drying,unlike other materials such as resin, and allows repro-ductions that are completely accurate in size.
Casts are made in the museums where the originalsare kept, and the ensuing moulds are stored in theworkshop, together with more than a thousand proto-
type copies, some dating from the late 19th century.Each reproduction can take days to complete, with
the mid-5th century BC Zeus, or Poseidon, requiringnearly two months from beginning to end, including thetime required for the plaster to dry. That copy sits nearthe top of the price range, costing 3,000 euros ($3,700).
For the time being, the copies can only be bought atmajor museums and archaeological sites. The proceedsare meant to help fund Greek archaeology and conser-vation projects.
Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou promised at a re-cent news conference that by the summer they will al-so be available for online purchase. [AP]
Greek workshop recreates ancient masterpieces
A sculptor cleans a copy of the head of Hygeia, deity of health.[Thanassis Stavrakis/AP]
Bank of Sydney is proud to announce the officialopening of our Chatswood branch. Conveniently locat-ed at 420 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, the new branch isopen Monday to Friday, 9.30am–5.00pm.
“With the opening of our new Chatswood branch, weare excited to service our existing clients, as well asnew customers, in this major business and residentialhub,” said Miltos Michaelas, CEO of Bank of Sydney.
“We invite the Chatswood community to visit ourbranch and experience the difference with our premi-um, relationship-based banking services, as well as ourcompetitively priced product suite. We also want to as-sure our customers that we are equally committed tocontinuing our investment in technology, making ourprocesses as simple as possible.”
Customers can talk directly with Antony Chan,Branch Manager at Bank of Sydney Chatswood, abouttheir personal or business accounts. Our specialistbanking staff will also provide ongoing support, withcustomers benefiting from our tailored and competi-tive offers.
Bank of Sydney looks forward to providing ourChatswood customers with the quality service andfriendly experience they have come to expect from us.
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA8/24 FEBRUARY 2018
GWC Community Services
Free Call 1800 77 66 42 for all Aged Care Enquiries
Multicultural Social and Community
Services
Services for the Aged
Services for Families and Children
“A-Care” Private Home
Support Services
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
gwccs.org.au I facebook.com/gwccservices
Serving multicultural communities since 1975GWC Community Services is the social and community services arm of the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
GWC Community Services PlaygroupsWhat are playgroups?
Playgroups are bilingual groups for children aged 0-5 years old which GWC Community Services has been organising for over 40 years.
Who can participate?
The Playgroups are open to parents, grandparents, guardians and children.
What are the advantages for children to particpate?
Through the activities of the group and free play they will learn how to interact, co-operate and share as well as learn
What is the program and how long does it last?
The program runs for 2 hours from 10am to 12pm where the children and their guardians can participate in an educa-tional and recreational program with games, songs and nursery rhymes in Greek and English, as well as morning tea being served.
At playgroup children can:
- make new friends- have new experiences
- develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually- develop their skills of cooperation- develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills through contact with other children and adults- extend their experience of the Greek language in a social environment
All PLAYGROUPS RESUME:Parramatta, Kingsford, Burwood: Monday 19th February 2018
Blacktown, Belmore: 20th February 2018Rose Bay, Bankstown, Crows Nest, Parramatta (Multicultural): 21st February 2018
Liverpool, Gymea, Earlwood, Brighton, Mascot : 22nd February 2018
TO BHMA 9/25FEBRUARY 2018 The Greek Australian VEMA
S T
S P Y R
R I D O
N C O
O L L E
E G E
D
veloping tveDe
the whole per
son mind, bser
nd soundybody a
ul
p g
p
y
Open Morn
ning Junior Sch
hool
wilwT
ours SeniTight
or School
ime 9TuesdayT
80 Garden
AMAM - 11 9.15 6th March 2018,y,
Kingsfordners Road,y
d
11
ime 5 PM - 7 PT 6th March,y,T
M,aradeAnzac P130 uesday
PMh 2018Maroubra
ear 7 Class Y
ance2019 Entr 17th,y,Saturday
e and Honours h March 2018
Class Exams
or booF or enrolments@st
okings or enrolment .edu.atspyridon.nsw
information please c .stspyu or visit www
Angela Krincontact .edu.auyridon.nsw
(02) 9311onngas 1 3340
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA10/26 FEBRUARY 2018
NEW DEPARTRULES FOR R
TMENT OF EDUCATIONRELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Departm(SRE) Procefor parishes
It is importa
fment of Education in New Sdures. These take effect fro
s, priests, religious education
ant as it affects the learning
outh Wales has just releasem 30 January 2018. This is an coordinators, Scripture Te
and teaching of some 8,600
ffd new Special Religious Edu
a brief summary of the proceachers and parents.
0 Greek Orthodox pupils in S
cationedures
State
he ures is
viders
dotusmslohoc st
Schools in New South Wales.
The responsibilities have been divided into those that refer to the DArchdiocese, the Parish (Priest or SRE coordinator) and the Teachefreely available on request.
Wha
f
f
1. Principals must allow time for SRE where authorised repreare available2. A flexible time schedule may be used3. Principals must ensure that adequate learning facilities areaccommodation and access to classrooms4. Principals are required to notify representatives of approveany changes to school routines that may impact on the scheduled t5. Schools are responsible for:Student behaviour management and retain duty of care, including safety and wellbeing, during SRE. Schools intervene in cases whereorder and conduct.
fDepartment of Education, thr. A full copy of the procedu
f
fsentatives of approved prov
e provided, including adequate
ed providers and their teachers oftime of classes
for student supervision, health,e it is necessary to maintain good
7. Approved providers must make publicly available on their website their complaints procedures. Complaints must be resolved within a reasonable timeframe.
What the Parish must do 1. Only persons authorised by an approved religious persuasion are permitted to teach SRE.
6. Class teachers are not required to attend classes in SRE, but may, with the agreement of the teacher of SRE or at the request of the principal, remain in the classroom to assist with and monitor student behaviour. 7. Employees of the department are not to teach SRE whilst on duty 8. Where appropriate, a member of staff may be appointed as the school’s SRE coordinator 9. Principals determine whether complaints are to be managed by the school or by the provider. Principals make clear to complainants what issues are the responsibility of the school to resolve and what are the responsibility of the provider to resolve. For example, alleged teaching inefficiency or inappropriate lesson content are managed by the provider.
What our Archdiocese must do 1. To maintain approval to deliver SRE every approved provider must return to the department, the annual assurance which includes but is not limited to having procedures in place to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 including verification of the Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance 2. It is the responsibility of an approved provider to recruit, train and authorise sufficient teachers of SRE, and to inform the school of the names, contact details and date of birth of SRE teachers. 3. Approved providers are required to have in place a system of authorised initial training, regular ongoing training and support, including mentoring for their SRE teachers. The training is to include child protection, classroom management, and how to implement the approved provider’s authorised curriculum sensitively and in an age-appropriate manner. This information is to be published on the approved provider’s website. 4. Approved providers should conduct regular reviews of SRE teaching and use of approved curriculum. Approved providers are required to report the results of the review through the annual assurance process including efforts to address any identified issues. 5. It is the responsibility of an approved provider to: authorise the materials and pedagogy used by SRE teachers, have a process in place to manage other materials, including internet resources, identified by the SRE teacher and return the annual assurance to the department 6. It is the responsibility of an approved provider to: make their curriculum scope and sequence(s) accessible on their website in sufficient detail for parents/caregivers and schools to be able to understand what is covered in SRE lessons
2. To inform the school of the names, contact details and date of birth of SRE teachers. 3. Approved providers must ensure that all personnel over the age of 18 years have a Workingwith Children Check clearance. 4. The parish must ensure that all SRE teachers are provided with a name badge that must always be worn on a school site. The badge must include the name of the approved provider. 5. The parish must provide the link to the curriculum website to the school so it can be placed on the school’s website to be easily accessible to parents/caregivers 6. The parish must provide information about the content of lessons when requested by parents/caregivers/principals 7. The parish can organise an excursion only with the consent of the principal and in accordance with the department’s Excursions Policy
What the Teacher must do 1. Only persons authorised by an approved religious persuasion are permitted to teach SRE 2. To inform the school of the names, contact details and date of birth of SRE teachers 3. Approved providers must ensure that all personnel over the age of 18 years have a WWCC clearance 4. SRE teachers are provided with a name badge that must always be worn on a school site. The badge must include the name of the approved provider 5. Use only the authorised materials and pedagogy
The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 11/27FEBRUARY 2018
A 24-year-old Greek innovator who de-vised a way to utilize washed-up sea-grass has made it onto this year’s presti-gious Forbes list of 30 European en-trepreneurs under the age of 30 who areshaking up their respective sectors in2018.
Stavros Tsompanidis (pictured) is thefounder of PHEE, a company based in thewestern port city of Patra that manufac-tures gift boxes and accessories fromdead Neptune grass (Posidonia oceani-ca), hailed by Forbes as being one of the“first to turn this plant into a useful prod-uct.”
The 24-year-old, who also recently re-ceived the prize for best startup in sus-tainable development at the StartupGreece Awards, was named in the Tech-nology category of the Forbes list, whichcomprises a total of 10 areas of exper-tise, also including entertainment, sci-ence, finance, and law and policy.
PHEE was founded by the University ofPiraeus financial management graduate,who is CEO and head of marketing, andNikolaos Athanasopoulos, an engineerfrom the University of Patra who is thecompany’s production manager, back in
2015. Today, PHEE manufactures a seriesof sustainable and attractive productsusing phee-board, an innovative cellu-lose-based material made of seagrasswith multiple applications.
Among PHEE’s best-sellers are its cellphone cases, luxury gift boxes and beachtennis paddles, while it recentlylaunched an eyewear line in cooperationwith Zylo, another Greek startup thatproduces wooden frames and is basedon the island of Syros.
Thanks to the positive environmentalimpact of the company’s activity, as ithelps utilize thousands of tons of sea-weed that washes up on the country’sbeaches every year in a sustainable man-ner, PHEE enjoys the support of the An-gelopoulos Foundation, The People’sTrust and BlueGrowth Piraeus.
“This distinction represents a smallmoral victory for the team, for every-thing we have accomplished so far, butalso gives us a sense of responsibility,”
Tsompanidis was quoted by the ANA-MPA news agency as saying in responseto the award.
“We want to keep trying to make sea-grass known globally by promoting theprinciples of recycling and the reuse ofmaterials that are found in abundance allaround us.”
In the law and policy category, 27-year-old Kristina Tremonti was awardedfor developing the crowdsourcing plat-form Edosa Fakelaki (I Paid a Bribe), al-lowing citizens to report corruption inGreece.
Tremonti, who graduated from Yalewith a BA in political science before re-ceiving her master’s at the University ofStockholm, started the initiative afterhaving to bribe a public hospital to gettreatment for her grandfather forprostate cancer.
“Feeling powerless in the face of an il-legal system so well established, I felt theurgency for change and to give a voice toall those who had felt just as victimizedas my grandfather,” Tremonti wrote inan op-ed in the Guardian in 2012 on theoccasion of the platform’s launch.
Letterfrom
Maroubra
Christian Dior, Gucci, Ted Baker
Ro
de
nst
oc
k, R
ay
Ba
n
Sere
ng
eti,
Ma
ui J
im, F
en
di
Nina Ricci, Oakley, La font
874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction(at bus stop, on RTA block)(at bus stop, on RTA block)
The six Greek soldiers buried under theBrigo family’s olive trees near Himare, atown in southern Albania, have a shrinemarking their resting place. Scattered inthe nearby valleys, however, othersdon‘t. Their remains lie where they fell in1941, fighting in hot pursuit of the Italianfascist troops they chased out of Greece.
The Italians swept from Albania andwere held back for a while until Germantroops had to step in. The Greek primeminister famously said one word – ochi,or no – when asked to surrender, stillmarked in Greece as Ochi Day.
Greek families come to Albania to paytheir respects on Ochi Day every year,but have no real graves to stand by.
Having tried in fits and starts to ex-hume and rebury the Greek fallen sinceAlbania ditched communism in 1992,Athens and Tirana have finally started toexhume 7,976 fallen soldiers to re-interthem in cemeteries across Albania.
The first remains have already been ex-humed in Sajmola Valley in centralsouthern Albania. Greece’s foreign min-istry described them as “the last un-buried fallen of World War Two”.
At the foot of Mount Skutara, in an oli-ve grove overlooking Greece’s Corfu is-land, six dead soldiers were less forgot-
ten. They were killed by Italian artilleryshortly after celebrating Orthodox Easterat Jani Brigo’s home.
“My father’s dying wish was that I pre-serve Andreas Provatas’s wallet andwatch over the graves,” Ermioni Brigo,85, told Reuters as she swept away olivesfrom the memorial. “I did, although help-ing them (impacted) us like gangrene.”
Her father was jailed for 11 months bythe Italians, accused of being a “philhel-lene,” and was then arrested by the com-munists, only to be saved by an Albaniandeserter from the Italian army he hadsheltered and who has since become apartisan commander.
In Sajmola Valley, Italians were onceburied, but the plot is now empty be-cause Italy repatriated them.
The Greeks want their dead to beburied here, something that has causedsome political grumbling by Albanianswho worry about Greek nationalists’claims on southern Albania, home also tothe ethnic Greek community. A shortride east, at the Church of Saint Nicholasnear Kelcyre, the bones of 257 unidenti-fied Greeks have been stored in whitebags inside aluminum and wooden cas-kets for four years.
[Reuters]
The Greek Australian VEMATO BHMA12/28 FEBRUARY 2018
Opening of the Law Term Service in NSW
On Tuesday, 6 February 2018, at 6.30pm, His Emi-nence Archbishop Stylianos presided the 35th AnnualPan-Orthodox Doxology Service marking the com-mencement of the Law Term 2018, in the presence ofthe Chief Justice of New South Wales, the Hon. TomBathurst AC and many other members of the legalprofession.
The service took place at the The Cathedral of “TheAnnunciation of Our Lady” at Redfern, NSW.
Dignitaries present were His Eminence ArchbishopStylianos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church ofAustralia, His Grace the Right Reverend Siluan, Bishopof Australia & New Zealand, The Serbian OrthodoxDiocese for Australia & New Zealand, His Grace Bish-op Milutin, visiting from Serbia, Rt Rev. Archiman-drite Nabil Kachab representing His EminenceMetropolitan Basilios, Antiochian Orthodox Archdio-cese of Aust, NZ & The Philippines, His Grace Bishop
Seraphim of Apollonia, the Attorney-General of NSW,The Hon Mark Speakman SC, MP, Mr Christos Karras,Consul-General, Consulate-General of Greece in Syd-ney, Mrs Katia Gkikiza, Trade Commissioner, Con-sulate-General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Branco Rado-sevic, Consul-General of the Republic of Serbia.
From the Supreme Court of NSW · Justice Tom Bathurst AC, Chief Justice of NSW· Justice Margaret Beazley AO, President, Court of Appeal· Justice Anthony Payne, Judge of Appeal· Justice Kathryn Ward, Judge of Appeal & ChiefJudge in Equity
· Justice Richard White, Judge of Appeal· Justice Arthur Emmett AO QC, Acting Judge of Appeal· Justice Francois Kunc· Justice Geoff Lindsay
· Justice Stephen Rothman AMFrom the District Court of NSW · Judge Robert MontgomeryFrom the Local Court of NSW· Magistrate Theo TsavdaridisFrom the NSW Bar Association· Mrs Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson SC, Senior Vice-Presi-
dent (representing Mr Arthur Moses). Appointed on6 February 2018 to the ACT Supreme Court.
From the Law Society of NSW· Mr Doug Humphreys OAM, President
For the full text of His Eminence’s Homily for theOpening of the Legal Year 2018 please turn to page5/21.
Left: Chief Justice of NSW the Hon. Tom Bathurst, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, His Grace Bishop Seraphim, His Grace the Right Reverend Siluan, His Grace BishopMilutin and Judges during their entry to the Cathedral. Right: Judges in the Cathedral of the “Annunciation of our Lady” during the Service for the Opening of the Law Term
2018 in NSW.
Service conducted by Archbishop Stylianos at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of our Lady
Left: Chief Justice of NSW, Tom Bathurst AC, during his speech. Right: His Eminence with the Head of the College Mrs Efrosini Stefanou, teachers and students fromSt Spyridon College who attended the Service
The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/29FEBRUARY 2018
chat and a copy of the relevant job description.People & Culture Advocate, a call on 08 7424 0914 for a
availability then give David West, our flexible withfounders of our community, and are enthusiastic and
Bishop Nikandros of Dorileou.Official Blessing by His Gracewill follow the
Morning tea Thursday 13th March at 10am [email protected] andemailall new Cafe Zoi,
salon, gym and, importantly, the barista in motion in theyour invitation to see the new computer lounge, beauty
can securerefurbishment storey facility surrounded by open space. A significant
over 100 residents in a large single-accommodat
St Basil’s in South Australia is involved incommunity events “Why?” you ask? Quite simply because life is about living and living is better when it shared with other people. So gather a group and pop these dates in your diary to enjoy our Hellenic-inspired hospitality or simply have a chat with us.
Film Club: Come and see the PREVIEW of Peter Rabbit with our popular Film Club on Sunday 18th March. This gorgeous movie is for everyone young and/or young at heart. There’s free parking and aincluded in the $20 tickets at HOYTS Norwood and you can book as many tickets as you like at www.trybooking.com/UBPK
Festival time: The St George Paniyiri is back following its resounding success last year. Come and join us on the 22nd April on the grounds of St George College, 75 Rose St, Mile End for mouth-watering food and great entertainment.
Aegean Village SparklesThe Aegean Village - St Basil’s answer to a seachange – accommodat over 100 residents in a large single
Intern Program and offered six-month internships to two very talented nursing graduates from Athens .
luent in English (and Greek!), and dab hands at singing, dancing and especially caring
for our residents alongside our St Basil’s team. The Internships give Georgia and Kate invaluable experience in aged care before they return to Greece and embark on their future careers.
Job Vacancies excellent career and lifestyle
opportunit Registered Enrolled Nurse Personal Carer with a Certificate III in Individual
Support
We’re also looking for Volunteers to be an integral part of our family in our residents’ homes, at events, with activities, in the garden, or chatting around a cup of tea or coffee. It’s a rewarding experience for everyone.
If you yearn to make a difference for the elders and
p
St Basil’s Hom
mes (SA)
08 7424 0900T
coyerev
Ma
stbstbasils com au
ount.yy da
aking
basilshomes
Corporate Offi
St Basil s Hom
Aeffice
mes (SA)
egean Village
ersetSt P
08 7424 0900 T
stb
Croydon P
stbasils.com.au
basilshomes
Park
TO BHMA14/30 FEBRUARY 2018The Greek Australian VEMA
Arts, Food & WineEditor: Imogen Coward
Worth its saltBy Imogen Coward
From feta to olives, salami to bread, since Ancient timeshumble salt has been reckoned one of the most versa-tile and valuable ingredients. Among its many uses, salthelps accentuate the flavours of any dish and it can alsomask undesirable flavours (chiefly bitterness). Its re-markable properties for preserving food, alone, makesalt one of the most important tools for any cook, espe-cially in times before the development of wide-spreadaccess to refrigeration.
Unsurprisingly, throughout history humans have tradedsalt across vast distances, sometimes for economic rea-sons, and other times to find just the right salt for a par-ticular job. As a result, salt is also a window into socialhistory and human ingenuity, both in recent times (suchas in Gandhi’s Salt March) and stretching back throughthe ages to the Ancient world. Mark Kurlansky’s bookSalt: A World History, and also Gillian Soudah’s The SaltMaker of Maldon are just two fascinating reads on thesubject.*
Today the worldwide trade in salt continues, withblocks of pretty pink rock salt gracing many a butcher’sdry-aging cabinet where they help regulate humidity sothat the meat ages to perfection. Somewhat ironically,at the same time as we’re being bombarded with themessage that too much salt in the diet is not good forus, a stroll down any supermarket aisle will reveal asteadily growing and increasingly fascinating array ofgourmet salt! Delicate crystals that have travelled halfway around the world from the shores of France’s Brit-tany, and curious pyramid flakes from England’s Essex,sit alongside home grown salt from the Great AustralianBight. Glittering gold-flecked salt and multi-coloured Hi-malayan crystals are just the beginning of a plethora ofvisually extravagant offerings. Then of course, there isalso the ever-expanding range of flavoured salts, fromjet black curiosities (sometimes natural, sometimesblended with charcoal) to smoked salt, rosemaryflavoured, chilli flavoured and beyond.
The most simple end of the market, humble sea-salt issea water evaporated until a high enough concentra-tion of salt is reached that it precipitates out as crystals.Simple! Well, no. There are, in fact, a myriad of choicesthat the salt-maker must make, including whether andhow to filter the water before it is evaporated, howquickly the evaporation process should take place,whether to use only the sun, or to heat the water, andhow to harvest the crystals, and so on. All have a bear-ing on the final product’s flavour, as does where the saltoriginated.
We’re used to the idea of experimenting with differentwines or cheeses to find just the right flavour to matcha particular dish, but (excepting for chefs), the notion ofdoing the same with salt may seem a little odd. Howev-er, the growing range of salts available offers a chanceto appreciate the regional variations in sea-salt, and thesalt-maker’s art, as well as offering another avenue foradding that extra dimension to a dish. Here are just afew varieties to get you started.
Fleur de sel de Guerande (France)
If ever a variety of sea-salt was regarded as the ‘king’,this is it. These little, delicate crystals come from Brit-tany. In Australia we’re most likely to encounter thisparticular salt in imported French confectionary, or salt-ed butter, where it adds complexity to the flavour.Sometimes described as having a hint of violets, tastedon its own the fleur de sel is quite definitely the ‘extrasomething’ in the flavour of Brittany’s salted caramels,and is sharp but nuanced with no bitterness and a defi-nite mineral/earth character. It often comes with aneye-watering price-tag, but is always used sparingly andis perfect for any chocolate or caramel dishes calling forthe addition of salt.
Halen Môn (Wales)
Produced in Anglesey, Halen Môn sea salt began in thelate 1990s and is one of the newer boutique manufac-turers. Since then, it has rapidly acquired not only Pro-tected Designation of Origin status, but also a reputa-tion for its unique flavour and with it, a place at illustri-ous establishments including Heston Blumenthal’s TheFat Duck restaurant. Flavour-wise, it strongly recalls theflavour of salt and vinegar chips, with a mildly saltytaste and a bit of bite but no bitterness. It will easily addthat extra lift to any dish, bringing the flavours into fo-cus.
Falksalt (Cyprus)
The inevitable intertwining of the flavours of Mediter-ranean sea-salt and anchovies is so strong that it is hardto disassociate the two. Robust, and flavoursome, thereis no other way to describe the flavour of Falksalt’s Nat-ural Sea Salt Crystal Flakes than to say ‘salted an-chovies’. The slightly edgy, full flavour and umami-likequalities found in anchovies and anchovy based prod-ucts such as the Italian Colatura di Alici (anchovyessence), are there in abundance, just without the fishyovertones. A definite flavour without bitterness, it’sperfect for steak, robust stews and seafood dishes.
Olsson’s and Tasman (Australia)
Olsson’s Sea Salt Flakes are manufactured from the wa-ters of the Great Australian Bight. Mild, zing-y and anall-rounder, in a slightly bizarre twist, the aftertaste ofthis salt is reminiscent of popcorn. By contrast, Tas-man’s Sea Salt Flakes are made on the east coast of Tas-mania, and are the most strident, sharp and, for want ofa better way to describe it, the most salty tasting. Defi-nitely to be used sparingly, the flavour profile (unsur-prisingly) is reminiscent of sea-water at Bondi Beach.
Maldon (England)
Perhaps the most widely recognised of the ‘gourmet’salts, the intriguing pyramid shaped crystals come froma region famous for salt-making since Roman times.Clean flavoured and uncomplicated, these crunchy crys-tals are the perfect all-rounder across both savoury andsweet dishes. If you only want one salt in your pantry,then this or Olsson’s are the way to go.
*Kurlansky, Mark. Salt: A World History (Penguin, 2003)
The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/31FEBRUARY 2018
NAM breaks visitorrecord, passing
half-million markGreece’s emblematic National Archaeological
Museum in Athens has broken a new record invisitor numbers, passing the half-million markwith 545,565 tickets sold in 2017, up 18.4 percentfrom the previous year.
This success is attributed to a series of initia-tives adopted by the state-owned museum’smanagement over the past couple of years to at-tract a wider audience to what is one of theworld’s most important treasurers of ancientGreek history and culture.
The success of this new push became apparentin the last quarter of 2016 with the opening of“Odysseys,” an exhibition inspired by the Homer-ic hero’s spirit of adventure and discovery, whichhas been extended to March this year, as well asits “Unseen Museum” program, which takes visi-tors into the institution’s restoration workshopsand other “backstage” areas.
NAM also organized 103 international researchprograms in 2017 and loaned out 403 exhibits forshows in Europe, the US and Asia.
In 2018, NAM is planning to expand on this suc-cess with new initiatives, including a major exhi-bition on the concept of beauty that will be host-ed by numerous museums around the country.
Israeli archaeologists unearth 1,800-year-old mosaic, also featuring Greek inscription
A 1,800-year-old mosaic of toga-clad men dating back to the Roman era hasbeen unearthed in Israel.
The mosaic was discovered during the excavation of a building from theByzantine period – some 300 years younger than the mosaic it was on top of –in the coastal city of Caesarea.
“The surprise was actually that we found two beautiful monuments from theglorious days of Caesarea,” Peter Gendelman, co-director of excavation for theIsrael Antiquities Authority, told Reuters of the building and mosaic.
Caesarea was a vibrant Roman metropolis built in honour of Emperor Augus-tus Caesar by King Herod, who ruled Judea from 37 BC until his death in 4 BC.
The excavated portion of the mosaic, which the antiquities authority said was3.5 metres by 8 metres in size, depicts three toga-clad men, as well as geomet-ric patterns and an inscription in Greek, which is damaged.
“If the mosaic came from a mansion, the figures could have been the owners,or if it was a public building, they may have been the mosaic’s donors or mem-bers of the city council”, Gendelman said.
The mosaic was of a high artistic standard, with about 12,000 stones persquare metre, the antiquities authority said.
Israel is undertaking the largest conservation and reconstruction project in thecountry in the Caesarea National Park, the antiquities team said. The projectaims to reconstruct a Crusaders-era bridge.
[Reuters]
A crucial year for Europe
By Nikos Konstandaras – Kathimerini, Athens
Next year will be crucial for the future of Europe asthree major institutions will see major change.
It will be the first time that a new head of the Euro-pean Central Bank will be selected, a new EuropeanCommission be appointed and elections be held for theEuropean Parliament in the same year, Enrico Letta,former prime minister of Italy, noted.
“The change of institutions is not disconnected frompolitics,” Letta stressed.
“Who is president of the ECB is not inconsequential tothe average European’s life. I believe that if we didn’thave Mario Draghi at the ECB we wouldn’t have Europetoday. I think everything would have fallen apart,” hesaid.
It was an apparent reference to Draghi’s rejectingGerman objections and declaring in 2012 that the ECBwould do “whatever it takes to preserve the euro,”putting an end to uncertainty regarding the commoncurrency and the economy of several countries.
Letta, who is now president of the Jacques Delors In-stitute think tank in Paris, was speaking at a forum titled“A New Hope for Greece,” organized by the Frenchmagazine L’Obs with Kathimerini and the Stavros Niar-chos Foundation Cultural Center.
He noted also the disappointment of many citizens inEurope. Fifteen to 20 years ago, Italians and Greeks
were at the top of the list of citizens who consideredthemselves European. Now they are at the bottom, hesaid. “We must have a Europe that will make all its in-stitutions follow a democratic trajectory,” Letta added.
Europe is clearly at a critical point, facing serious in-ternal problems at a time of global uncertainty. Itschoice is between greatness and irrelevance.
The people who will fill its top positions will deter-mine its course, while the institutions that they lead willhave to make clear that the citizens are their priority.
If the Europeans elect members of the European Par-liament who are indifferent to the common good, ifthey elect governments that do not care about Europe’sfuture, if those governments select commissioners whodo not have vision and the guts to implement it, thewhole project will fail.
It is fortunate that Emmanuel Macron was electedpresident, and that Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz fi-nally agreed on a coalition.
The possibility, though, that we might not have hadthese governments in France and Germany (once theSPD ratifies the deal) shows how fragile Europe still is.The game might have already been over.
In Greece, always in the throes of domestic strife, itwould be useful if we kept in mind that our welfare de-pends on our active participation in a dynamic, demo-cratic Europe – and that we must work toward this. Wemust remember this when we vote this year or next.
TO BHMA16/32 FEBRUARY 2018The Greek Australian VEMA
Travel
BY HARIS ARGYROPOULOS
The problem with stereotypes is thatthey tell only part of the truth. So it iswith the image of Myconos as a desti-nation where visitors pay exorbitantprices for coffees, meals and drinks,form long lines for sunbeds and spenda fortune on acommodation.
You can – but you don’t have to.Myconos could be seen as epito-
mizing the current Greek predica-ment: It has Greece’s highest incomeper capita and is suspected of havingone of the country’s highest rates of taxevasion. Property prices rival or exceedthose of fashionable areas of Athens.Many Greek VIPs have holiday homeshere or visit regularly, while thenightlife is a microcosm of the capital’s.But the stereotype of a party island thatnever sleeps also only tells part of thetruth: The place has grown so much asto offer ample accommodation op-tions, including a reasonably priced qui-et night’s sleep – even at high season.
Before tourism became industrial-ized in Greece, like most of the coun-try, Myconos was a poor place, wherepeople eked out a living via fishing andfarming. But perhaps no other islandconveyed the original Cycladic stereo-type of whitewashed sugar-cube hous-es and similarly hued windmills againstthe backdrop of barren hills and thedazzling blue of the Aegean. Thisproved to be Myconos’s strength.From a distance, as you approach theport town, it is today barely recogniz-able: The sugar cubes have grown andpropagated and seem to be attempt-ing to cover every available inch of land.However, the original settlement at theheart of Hora retains the core of its ap-peal: narrow alleyways flanked bytiny, white two-story houses with bal-conies, blue doors and windows, wood-en railings in all colors of the rainbowand bougainvillea spilling over thewalls. Many of these homes have beenconverted into shops or bars.
Little Venice, the neighborhooddubbed so because of the way the cap-tains’ and rich merchants’ houseswere built on the water in the 18th cen-tury, may be one of Greece’s most pho-tographed locations, especially at sun-set, and – not surprisingly – one withthe most expensive bars and cafes:Caprice, with its wonderful cocktails,Astra, famous for its jet-setting clien-tele, Guzel, Remezzo, the ScandinavianBar and Cavo Paradiso – where closingtime is well after sunrise. Revelersshould stop by Yiora’s bakery for a post-clubbing snack from its wood-burningoven. Early morning is in fact thebest time to explore the main town of
Hora and take pictures.Just a stone’s throw away from Lit-
tle Venice are the landmark windmills.Continuing through the alleyways tothe north, you’ll come to anothermuch-photographed site, the Churchof Panaghia Paraportiani – a complexof five churches in one superb, all-whitestructure that resembles a cake coveredwith powdered sugar. Across the port
you will meet Petros and Irini, thetown’s two pelican mascots.
Myconos is wind-swept, like most ofthe Cyclades. There are very few treesand little vegetation on the landscapethat is crisscrossed by old dry-stonewalls. Apart from Hora, the only oth-er settlement that could be said to con-stitute a village is Ano Mera. A num-ber of areas are noted for their inten-sive development of occasionally un-sightly holiday homes and complexes.
Myconos offers many opportuni-ties for watersports, scuba diving, fish-ing and horseback riding. Most beach-es are packed in the high season butconsiderably more relaxed in the fall.The most popular ones are along thesouthern coast: Psarou is the place tobe seen and where sunbeds have a wait-ing list in August; Elia boasts goldensand, crystal-clear waters and facilitiesfor water-skiing; Kalo Livadi is one ofthe longest, with plenty of organizedfacilities; nudist-friendly Paradise andSuper Paradise are famous for their af-ternoon parties; while Platys Gialos isbetter suited for families and water-sports aficionados – boats from here willtake you to Super Paradise and Elia.
Kappari, 5 kilometers from Hora, isaccessed on foot after a certain point.The view of the island of Delos – sacredto the ancients – and the sunset is am-ply rewarding from here. The northernside has isolated and quieter beaches,such as Fokos, Mersini and Houlakia.
Getting there & aroundThere are several ferry connectionsfrom Piraeus and Rafina daily: HellenicSeaways (tel 210.419.9000), Blue StarFerries (tel 210.891.9800), AegeanSpeed Lines (tel 210.969.0950), Seajet(tel 210.412.1001). You can also fly withOlympic Air (tel 801.801.0101) andAegean Airlines (tel 801.11.20000).There is a good local bus service butthe best way of getting about is byrenting a car or scooter, as taxis arehard to come by and it may spoil yourholiday if you have to wait long for one,especially if you are staying outsideHora. There are three parking lotsaround Hora.
Where to eatThere are countless Greek and foreigncuisine establishments of allcategories. Local specialities are thelouza (cured pork), sausage andkopanisti – a soft, peppery goat’scheese. In Hora: Madoupas (tel22224) and old cafe/restaurantfavored by locals; Gialos, opposite thefish market, has very good seafood;Maereio, tiny place at 16 Kalogera St,and Nautilus (6 Kalogera), for finetraditional Greek and local dishes; OtiApomeine (tel 71534) in Ano Mera,excellent grill; Filippis (tel 22295),frequented by celebrities, shuts downfor the winter in October.
What to seeThere are several museums: The largeArchaeological (one of the country’soldest), which houses finds fromneighboring Rinia and other Cycladicislands; the Folk History and theAegean Maritime museums and Spititis Lenas are along EnoplonDynameon Street, one of Hora’sbusiest; a visit to Delos island, anancient sanctuary, is a must, to seethe theater, the temples and themuseum with its excellent collection.Boats run Tuesdays to Sundays fromPalio Limani (tel 23051), starting at 9 a.m.; budget at least two hours for a tour.
Where to stayArea phone code: 22890. Myconos hassome of Greece’s most luxurioushotels and spa resorts. Starting ratesat 200 euros: Belvedere (tel 25122,www.belvederehotel.com) a smallboutique hotel in Hora; St John Resort(tel 28752, www.saintjohn.gr), withviews of Delos. From 110 euros: IlioMaris (tel 23755, www.iliomaris.com),near the bus stop; Theoxenia (tel22230, www.mykonostheoxenia.com)featuring 60s glam elements. From 70euros: Elena (tel 23457) in Rahari andDespotiko (tel 24600), which closes inmid-October. Low-budget luxury:Ftelia Bay (tel 71648).
TRAVELATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2010
MyconosGoing beyond the party line
Jet-setting Athenians love this Cycladic island for its glam nightlife,but it also has much to offer the less ostentatious visitor
Sweet spreadThe sugar-cube houses havegrown and propagated andseem to be attempting to cover every available inch of land
