Costa-Gavras Lends Touch of Magic to Immigrant Tale

(www.minpress.gr / Reuters, 06.03.09) “Eden Is West”  Costa Gavras’ new film premiered as a noncompeting selection of the recent Berlin International Film Festival, showing a magical approach to Europe’s big immigration problem. Elias, the main character played by Riccardo Scamarcio, is an immigrant who arrives to a European shore and tries to go to Paris, his perceived paradise. On his ways he faces exploitation by the middle class but finds poor people lending him a helping hand.  The film has strong imagery and Costa-Gavras and co-scripter Jean-Claude Grumberg have tried to give to their hero an essence of the wandering Ulysses.   Costa Gavras has, in the past, been the winner of the foreign-language Oscar for his film “Z”, of Cannes Palme d’Or for the film “Missing” and of Berlin Golden Bear for the film “Music Box”. Read more…

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Griechenland Aktuell

GRIECHENLAND AKTUELL ist ein wöchentliches deutschsprachiges Magazin über das politische, wirtschaftliche und kulturelle Geschehen in Griechenland. Herausgeber ist das Generalsekretariat für Information der griechischen Regierung. Über die angegebenen Quellen können zusätzliche Hintergrundinformationen bezogen werden.  Für die neueste Ausgabe, bitte hier klicken: 09.10.2008 Für Newsletter-Abonnement des “Griechenland Aktuell”, bitte hier klicken: GR.aktuell@minpress.gr “Griechenland Aktuell” ist Teil des Projektes: Greek News Agenda

Greece – Essential Info

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Visit the “Greece-Essential Info” link, on the Secretariat General of Information website (www.minpress.gr), to find numerous interesting links covering almost every aspect of contemporary Greek reality. Also visit the “Greece in the World,” “World Media articles on Greece,” as well as the “About Greece” + “About Brand Greece” relevant sections. Apart from its frequently updated english website, the Secretariat General of Information issues three specialised bulletins: the english online daily bulletin Greek News Agenda (www.greeknewsagenda.gr) and the weeklies GrèceHebdo (in French) and Boletín Griego de Noticias (in Spanish). A German weekly edition is also forthcoming. Greek News Agenda recent Special Issues: Greek News Sources Online; 2008 Events in Greece, A Mini Guide; Thessaloniki – City of Culture; Learning Greek among Greeks; Studying in Greece; The Greek Economy: Pointers; Summer Festive Times; Thessaloniki International Film Festival; The Jews of Greece

International Hellenic University Symposium

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The 1st International Hellenic University Symposium titled “Economic Developments and Challenges in the World Economy and Markets and in the region of Southeast Europe” begins today in Thessaloniki. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will be the key note speaker, and leaders from the financial, business and academic communities will be attending the university’s first major event.  International Hellenic University: Symposium Programme; Greek News Agenda: Studying in Greece

Resilient Greek Economy

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)     The Greek economy showed resilience in the first three months of 2008, expanding by a better-than-expected annual rate of 3.6% in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the corresponding period last year, said the National Statistics Service .  Meanwhile, according to the Eurostat figures, gross domestic product (GDP) in the 15 eurozone countries rose by 0.7% in the January – March period against the previous quarter, thus recording a 2.2% year-on-year rise. As regards Greece, the country’s economy rose by 1.1%, in comparison with the previous quarter and by 3.6%, compared with the first quarter of 2007.   

Greek PM: Safeguarding Price Stability

 (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis addressed an official dinner given in honour of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) board at the Zappion Mansion on Thursday, stressing that although being a relatively new institution, the ECB “succeeded with great skill in safeguarding price stability and securing favourable conditions for growth.” He also said that the emerging crisis in world fiscal markets, the slowdown in the American economy and the increase in the prices of energy, basic products and food, unavoidably had an impact on Europe. He noted that the recent fiscal crisis underlined the need for closer cooperation in supervising the fiscal sector, adding that apart from the initial moves carried out, it is important that the effort to further strengthen the fiscal stability framework be continued. The prime minister went on to say that Greece’s priorities are focused on restructuring basic economic indexes, reforming markets, promoting social cohesion and sustaining viable growth with respect for the environment.  

Bank of Greece Annual Report

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Bank of Greece Governor Nicholas Garganas, in his annual report of the economy released yesterday, forecasts continuous growth of the economy at higher rates than the rest of the eurozone, albeit at a slower pace. The country’s 2008 GDP growth forecast is revised downwards at 3.5% from a previous estimate of 3.7% in February. The slow down, as well as the inflation rate expected to rise to 4% this year from 3.4% previously, are inevitable and are due primarily to higher oil prices. The report also attributes these trends to higher pay rises and the presence of cartels in many markets. The Governor said the Central Bank favours mergers and acquisitions in the banking sector and called on banks to improve the quality of their portfolios, and on households to make careful appraisal of their ability to repay loans before borrowing. Garganas also welcomed the recent reform of the social security system. 

Greece: Energy Matters

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    Development Minister Christos Folias in an interview with Reuters April 16 said, that Greece has agreed to join Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline which will take Siberian gas to southern Europe through Greece. The pipeline is a joint project by Gazprom and Italian ENI. Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary recently joint the South Stream project. Countering views seen this project as a competitor to the long-stalled Nabucco pipeline, the Minister said: “I don’t want to see them as athletes competing against each other. I would say they are complementing each other and are offering Europe multiple energy providers, which is good.”  

Rhodes: Greek Jewel

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    Rhodes is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands. It boasts a beautiful natural environment – much of its surface (40%) is covered by forests, such as the Valley of Butterflies – a veritable feast for the eyes in spring. Rhodes offers a variety of long, beautiful beaches, some less frequented than others, affording more privacy. The island is also rich with significant monuments. In the medieval old town, one can see the high-walled Castle of the Knights of Saint John and the palace of Grand Magister. One may also visit the municipal art gallery, which exhibits a remarkable collection of 20th century works. Furthermore, the Acropolis of Lindos is a must-see, a very imposing, awe-inspiring archaeological site that dates back to the Neolithic Age.  Agrotravel: Rhodes the grand lady of the Dodecanese; Municipality of Rhodes: www.rhodes.gr

Death of Leading Scholar of Greek Archaeology

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Professor Nicolas Coldstream, who has died aged 80, was a leading scholar of Greek archaeology, specialised in the Early Iron Age in Greece, Crete and Cyprus and on the impact of Greek civilisation on the Mediterranean world. His magnum opus, Greek Geometric Pottery (1968), a work of description, classification, chronology, and attribution of geometric pottery styles from the entire Greek world, became the ultimate reference work for anyone studying the Geometric period. He served as a member, and chairman from 1987 to 1991, of the managing committee of the British School at Athens. He died on March 21, shortly before it was due to hold a celebration to mark the publication of a second edition of Greek Geometric Pottery.

The NATO Summit: Aftermath

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias today on the outcome of last week’s NATO Summit in Bucharest in which Greece, backed by other countries, did not consent to extend an invitation to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to start accession negotiations for eventually joining the Alliance, pending the name issue. Greece’s conditional position was reflected in the Summit Declaration issued by NATO. “I believe that conditions will be soon be ripe to resume negotiations under the auspices of UN in order to find a mutually acceptable solution” the premier said in a friendly message to FYROM’s people and political leaders.

The Greek Culture Agenda

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA )    – Gaia Festival is an independent world music festival, held in Thessaloniki. Since 1998, it has presented artists such as Nina Simon, Cesaria Evora, Savvina Giannatou, Massive Attack, Gotan Project and many others. This year, the festival presents “Οjos De Brujo Soundsystem” from Spain, “Caravan Palace” from France, “La Shica” from Spain, “Balkan Beat Box” from Israel, “Ζiveli Orkestar” from France and “17 Hippies” from Germany. Till April 12.
– A special tribute to the Swedish director Ingmar Bergman (in Greek) will be held at Danaos Cinema from March 20-26. The event is co-organised by the Athens International Film Festival, the Embassy of Sweden and the Cinema magazine

New Round on Name Issue of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    A new reiterated in Brussels round of UN-sponsored talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on the latter’s “name issue” begins in Vienna today. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has has Greece’s position regarding the issue saying that a composite name for the land-locked republic containing a geographic marker could put an end to a nagging problem that has had a negative impact on regional stability and cooperation.

Greek Wines from A to Z

Oenorama Exbibition

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Wine experts throughout the world are noticing the distinct and unusual grape varieties of Greek wines that set them apart from the somewhat uniform varieties of most wines in the marketplace today. Oenorama Wine Trade Exhibition (www.oenorama.com), Greece’s premier wine, spirits and viti-vinicultural event, is taking place on March 28-30 at the Mediterannean Exhibition Center, Athens. The event mirrors a maturing wine market domestically and the success achieved by quality Greek wines at an international level. In addition, oenorama offers to both exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to meet Greece’s wine professionals and get acquainted with the dynamic Greek wine market. Entrance to the exhibition is free for those who pre-register by today, March 17th.

Exploring Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Natacha Du Pont De Bie (“Super Mani,” The Guardian”, 8.3.2008) discovers Mani, a blissfully uncluttered and pristine corner of Greece: “Olive groves opaque with pollen, meadows carpeted with wild flowers, melting snow water gushing down mountain-sides before sinking into underground streams to reform as icy tendrils that curl about one’s feet on early morning swims from empty beaches. This is springtime in the Mani, the far-flung central peninsula of the Peloponnese…”  Secretariat General of Information: World Media on Greece – Food, Wine and Travel

Fashion Made in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) With 31 runway shows at Zappeion Megaron, many designers’ stands, round table discussions and plenty of parties, the Hellenic Fashion Designers Association is organising the 7th Hellenic Fashion Week from March 12 to 16. The events will run under the auspices of the City of Athens, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Development. French designer Chantal Thomass is the fashion week’s special guest star. The Hellenic Fashion Week is a newly established yet much anticipated institution, aiming at the promotion of Greek fashion brands locally and abroad and subsequently, at the development of ties between the local and international fashion industry. The Athens Collections 2008 will be also attended by fashion experts from Italy, France, Turkey, the Netherlands and other countries. Hellenic Fashion Designers Association: Hellenic Fashion Week Schedule   (SI APRES TEXTE EN FRANCAIS)

Invest in Greece: A Leading SE Country

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Greece’s high growth rates along with its economic role and presence in the broader Southeastern Europe region are two of the country’s main comparative advantages that render it an attractive destination for foreign investment, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said yesterday. Addressing an event for the relaunching of the Hellenic Center for Investment (ELKE) as the Invest in Greece Agency (www.investingreece.gov.gr), the minister noted that Greece has consistently achieved annual growth rates of around 4% in recent years and is well placed to withstand the upheavals in the global economic system, having significantly reduced its fiscal deficits. He predicted that Southeastern Europe will constitute the economic “miracle” of the next 15 years, due to high growth rates and investment opportunities. Alogoskoufis said new incentives had helped Greece attract more than €8.5 billion in foreign investment in the last two years.

A City under the City of Thessaloniki

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Another archaeological treasure right under the city of Thessaloniki was found during the excavation works for the city’s new metro line. Workers discovered more than 1,000 graves in different shapes and sizes and some contained jewelry, coins and other pieces of art, according to the Archeological service department. The location showed signs of a cemetery with graves dated from the 1^st century B.C. to 5^th century A.D, a period during which, the city of Thessaloniki was founded. More finds are expected as excavations continue further.
Associated Press: Ancient Graves found in Greece; Attiko Metro S.A.: Thessaloniki Metro- Archaeological Excavations 

Report on Public Private Partnerships in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  PPP Bulletin is a UK monthly subscription-based magazine providing in-depth updates on PFI/PPP legislation, regulation, working procedure and market potential. Its February 2008 edition includes a Report on Public Private Partnerships in Greece, according to which “Greece’s PPP market is being touted as the next big thing, with plenty of projects and strong political support…”
Special Secretariat for Public Private Partnerships: www.sdit.mnec.gr; Secretariat General of Information, About Brand Greece: Public & Private Partnerships in Greece

Humanities & Natural Sciences Research in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Visit the new website of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) at: www.eie.gr. NHRF, a multidisciplinary Research Centre established in 1958 – celebrating its 50th anniversary – organises, finances and supports high-level research projects in the academic disciplines of Humanities and Natural Sciences.
The Humanities Institutes cover a wide spectrum of study and research fields in Greek history and culture. The Natural Sciences Institutes perform basic and applied research in leading edge areas of science such as health, pharmaceuticals, environment, biotechnology and new materials.