Διάλεξη “Ο ελληνικός εμφύλιος πόλεμος” – Εκδήλωση Γραφείου Τύπου (Βαρσοβία, 5/3/2012)

Διάλεξη του αναπληρωτή καθηγητή του Πανεπιστημίου Μακεδονίας (Θεσσαλονίκη), Νίκου Μαραντζίδη, με θέμα «Ο ελληνικός εμφύλιος πόλεμος – Εσωτερικές και διεθνείς διαστάσεις», πραγματοποιήθηκε στις 5 Μαρτίου στο Πανεπιστήμιο Βαρσοβίας.
Η διάλεξη διοργανώθηκε από το Γραφείο Τύπου, σε συνεργασία με το Τμήμα Ελληνικών Σπουδών του Πανεπιστημίου Βαρσοβίας.
Ο καθηγητής παρουσίασε το ιστορικό πλαίσιο και τα σημαντικότερα γεγονότα του εμφυλίου, προκειμένου να αναδείξει το πολύπλοκο πλέγμα σχέσεων που συνέδεε την Ελλάδα της περιόδου του εμφυλίου με ξένες χώρες.
Επικεντρώθηκε στον ρόλο χωρών της Ανατολικής Ευρώπης και την υποστήριξη των κομμουνιστών ανταρτών από το Ανατολικό μπλόκ, δίνοντας έμφαση στην βοήθεια της Πολωνίας προς τους έλληνες κομμουνιστές, η οποία περιελάμβανε την υποδοχή και περίθαλψη προσφύγων ανταρτών και παιδιών, την ίδρυση μυστικού στρατιωτικού νοσοκομείου στη Βαλτική, αποστολές τροφίμων, ιατροφαρμακευτικού υλικού κ.ά..
Αναφέρθηκε, επίσης, στις διάφορες περιόδους μνήμης του εμφυλίου στην Ελλάδα και στην θεματολογία του εμφυλίου στην ελληνική λογοτεχνία.
Την διάλεξη, στην οποία παρέστησαν ο πρέσβης Γαβριήλ Κοπτσίδης και πολλά μέλη της Ελληνικής Πρεσβείας, παρακολούθησαν οι φοιτητές και οι διδάσκοντες του Τμήματος Ελληνικών Σπουδών, καθηγητές του Πανεπιστημίου Βαρσοβίας, ομογενείς και άλλοι Έλληνες της Βαρσοβίας.
Ο καθ. Ν. Μαραντζίδης συνεργάζεται στενά, τα τελευταία χρόνια, με το Γραφείο Τύπου, το οποίο παρέχει διευκολύνσεις στη  έρευνά του για την βοήθεια της Πολωνίας προς τους έλληνες πρόσφυγες του εμφυλίου.

Lecture by professor Nikos Marantzidis about the Greek Civil War (Warsaw, 5/3/2012)

A lecture titled “The Greek Civil War – Internal and international dimensions” was held at the University of Warsaw by the professor of the University of Macedonia (Thessaloniki), Nikos Marantzidis, on the 5th of March 2012. The lecture was organized by the Greek Press and Communication Office in Warsaw, in conjunction with the Department of Greek Studies of the University of Warsaw.
The professor presented the historical context and the main events of the Civil War, aiming to demonstrate the complicate relations of Greece with foreign countries during the Civil War. He focused on the role of various Eastern European countries and their support to the Greek communist partisans, emphasizing Poland`s aid towards the Greek communists, which concentrated on the reception and care of refugees (partisans and children), the creation of a secret military hospital in the Baltic Sea, food provisions, medical equipment etc.. There were, also, references to the different periods of collective memory regarding the Civil War in Greece and to issues related to the Civil War in Greek literature.
The lecture was attended by the Greek Ambassador Gabriel Coptsidis and several members of the Greek Embassy, students and professors of the Department of Greek Studies, professors of the University of Warsaw, along with members of the general public, among which were Greeks, expatriates and residents of Warsaw.
Professor Marantzidis works closely with the Press Office during the last years, in his research about Poland`s aid towards the Greek refugees of the Civil War.

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Τουριστικό αφιέρωμα στη Βόρεια Ελλάδα σε πολωνικό περιοδικό

Το μηνιαίο ανδρικό περιοδικό Gentleman, με τίτλο «Δημοκρατία του Δία», δημοσιεύει τετρασέλιδο αφιέρωμα της Elżbieta Pawełek και του Zygmunt Chwast στη Θεσσαλονίκη, την Καβάλα και την Θάσο, το οποίο συνοδεύεται από πληθώρα έγχρωμων φωτογραφιών από τους Φιλίππους, την Θάσο και τις ακτές της βόρειας Ελλάδας.
Στην εισαγωγή του δημοσιεύματος υπογραμμίζονται τα εξής : «Η Γαλλία έχει το δικό της Έβερεστ, η Ιταλία το Mont Blanc, ενώ η Μακεδονία τον Όλυμπο, την κατοικία των θεών. Γιατί επέλεξαν αυτό το μέρος; Διότι εδώ υπάρχουν τα πάντα: χρυσές ακτές, ηλιόλουστα νησιά και καταπληκτικές ταβέρνες με θαλασσινά».     

Kavala

Στην ενότητα που τιτλοφορείται «Το άρωμα της ανατολής», οι αρθρογράφοι περιγράφουν την περιήγησή τους στην Καβάλα, την οποία στην αρχαιότητα είχε επισκεφθεί και ο Απόστολος Παύλος κατά την πρώτη ιεραποστολή του στην Ευρώπη. Επίσης αναφέρονται στην πολιτιστική κληρονομιά των Τούρκων και τη θυελλώδη ιστορία της πόλης.
Στην ενότητα «Σμαραγδένιο Νησί», οι αρθρογράφοι παροτρύνουν τους τουρίστες να επισκεφθούν την Θάσο, που αποτελεί ιδανικό προορισμό για ολιγοήμερη αναψυχή. 

Thasos Ancient Agora

Στην ενότητα με τίτλο «Ταβέρνα κάτω από τα αστέρια», ειδική αναφορά γίνεται στους μεζέδες και τα κυριότερα πιάτα της ελληνικής κουζίνας. Καταληκτικά σημειώνεται ότι «όταν τα τζιτζίκια τραγουδούν σαν τρελά κατά τη διάρκεια του δείπνου και φτάνει ο ήχος των κυμάτων από την ακρογιαλιά, διότι τα τραπέζια είναι στημένα κοντά στο νερό, και πάνω από τα κεφάλια βλέπει κανείς τον έναστρο ουρανό, όλα αποκτούν μια εκλεκτή γεύση. Είμαστε περίεργοι τι θα έλεγε τώρα ο Δίας;». 

Η δημοσιογράφος Elzbieta Pawelek και ο φωτογράφος Zygmunt Chwast φιλοξενήθηκαν, κατόπιν πρότασης του Γραφείου Τύπου Βαρσοβίας, στη Θεσσαλονίκη και τη Θάσο τον Ιούνιο του 2009.  

Greek foreign policy in 2010

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas outlined Greece’s foreign policy priorities for 2010 during a press conference held yesterday.

Together with Deputy Minister Spyros Kouvelis, Droutsas highlighted that protecting Greece’s sovereignty and putting an end to past inertia will constitute the ultimate objective for the country’s foreign policy.
Referring to issues of particular national interest, Droutsas stressed that Greece has conveyed a message of friendship and peace to Turkey and expects the latter to respond to it.
The alternate minister mentioned the possibility of a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister sometime in the near future.
On the Cyprus issue, underlined the government’s commitment to actively helping Cyprus with actions rather than words, pointing out that the first foreign visit carried out by Prime Minister George Papandreou had been to Cyprus.
As regards to the country’s relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the alternate minister reiterated that Greece enters negotiations with an open mind and keeps an edifying stance on the matter.
Droutsas pointed out that in the communiqué forwarded by the European Union in December, it was made clear that Greece’s support to FYROM’s European course depends on reaching a viable solution to the name issue.
Greek News Agenda:  Greek Foreign Policy- Challenges and Prospects

Premiera książki “Bałkańskie Zapiski Kuchenne / Kuchnia Grecji Północnej w recepturach i opowieściach”

Autor: Iliana Genew-Puhalewa. Opracowanie graficzne: Simeon Genew

Bałkańskie Zapiski Kuchenne to seria wydawnicza, poświęcona sztuce kulinarnej narodów Bałkanów. Tematem drugiej książki w serii jest Grecja Północna (w szczególności Macedonia, Tracja i Epir). W centrum uwagi autorki jest nie tylko kuchnia tych regionów dzisiejszej Grecji, lecz także historia, etnografia – szeroko pojęta kultura. Łączy ona w sobie tradycje zarówno rdzennych Greków, jak i przesiedleńców z Azji Mniejszej, Turków, Wołochów, wędrownych Karakaczanów, Żydów i Południowych Słowian.
Większość przepisów w książce zawiera mięso lub ryby, nie brak jednak receptur na tradycyjne sałatki, przystawki warzywne i specjały serowe, a także na wyborne słodkości. Przepisom towarzyszą praktyczne wskazówki dotyczące technik kulinarnych oraz produktów pod względem ich dostępności w Polsce.
W Bałkańskich Zapiskach Kuchennych 2 zamieszczono liczne komentarze historyczne, wzmianki etnograficzne oraz opowieści o losach zwykłych Greków. Grecka rzeczywistość w książce obecna jest nawet poprzez samo słowo – tekst obfituje w greckie nazwy: potraw, osób, miejscowości, realiów historycznych, zjawisk charakterystycznych dla greckiej kultury.
Książka posiada wyjątkową szatę graficzną, na której składają się oryginalne zdjęcia potraw, stare fotografie, rysunki etnograficzne, elementy zdobnicze wywodzące się ze sztuki ludowej.
Do edycji limitowanej książki Bałkańskie Zapiski Kuchenne: Kuchnia Grecji Północnej w recepturach i opowieściach załączono grecką muzykę – wyjątkową płytę CD audio, która powstała specjalnie dla serii. Płyta zawiera 13 utworów w wykonaniu 5 zespołów, specjalizujących się w tradycyjnej muzyce ludowej z Tracji, Macedonii i Epiru, w stylu rembetiko oraz w interpretacjach w stylu etno. Są to Loxandra, Ihos & Paradosi, Trio Mare z Grecji oraz Ano Kato z Holandii.
Iliana Genew-Puhalewa – absolwentka filologii słowiańskiej oraz filologii nowogreckiej Uniwersytetu Sofijskiego, lingwistka (doktorat z językoznawstwa konfrontatywnego), wykładowca Uniwersytetu Śląskiego. Pasjonuje się kulturą ludową krajów Bałkańskich.
Simeon Genew –  grafik, ilustrator i producent serii Bałkańskie Zapiski Kuchenne.

Utwory na płycie:

1. Ihos & Paradosi: Apano stin triandafilia (Macedonia). Aranżacja: Giannis Poulios
2. Ihos & Paradosi: Galani Galaziani (Tracja). Aranżacja: Giannis Poulios
3. Ihos & Paradosi: Gel Aman (Azja Mniejsza – taniec karsilama) Aranżacja: Giannis Poulios
4. Graikoi: Arapaki (Epir, Zagoria – taniec sirto)
5. Graikoi: Perdika (Zachodnia Macedonia, Północna Tesalia – taniec berati Tasja)
6. Trio Mare: Embredeftika ena wradi (Rembetiko z USA). Adaptacja i aranżacja Loukas Metaxas i Trio Mare.
7. Trio Mare: Orko ston lula su kano (Rembetiko)
8. Trio Mare: Neos Konialis (Rembetiko USA)
9. Loxandra: Karsilamas (Macedonia – cygański taniec karsilama). Adaptacja i aranżacja Loxandra.
10. Loxandra: Zonaradikos (Tracja – taniec zonaradikos). Adaptacja Loukas Metaxas I Kyriakos Tapakis, aranżacja Loxandra
11. Ano Kato: Savato mera piname (Epir – Chr. Zoumbas). Adaptacja i aranżacja Ano Kato.
12. Ano Kato: O ilios wasilewi (Epir). Adaptacja i aranżacja Ano Kato.
13. Ano Kato Ksenitemeno mu puli (Epir). Adaptacja i aranżacja Ano Kato.

O zespołach:

Ihos& Paradosi: Sakis Giorgou (śpiew, ut), Nikos Zarkos (klarnet), Haris Tsipouridis (skrzypce), Giannis Poulios (lutnia – kontynentalna i kreteńska, gitara), Dimitris Panagoulias (perkusje: darbuka, bendir, daf), Loukas Metaxas (perkusje: bęben, tamburyn, rek).  Loukas Metaxas mp3
Graikoi: Katerina Ellinidou (śpiew), Panagiotis Ellinidis (klarnet), Rhea Ellinidou (perkusje), Soumeli Ellinidou (śpiew), Loukas Metaxas (lutnia), Asterios Trakas (skrzypce).
Trio Mare: Loukas Metaksas, Rhea Ellinidou (śpiew i perkusje), Vaggelis Pashalidis (santur, śpiew).Copyright by POLYPHONON Records.
Loxandra: Nikos Aggousis- Doitsidis (klarnet, kaval), Ira Kritarashova (śpiew), Loukas Metaxas: (perkusje: darbuka, bęben, bendir), Dimitris Panagoulias (perkusje – darbuka, riqq, daf), Kyriakos Petras i Makis Mpaklatzis (skrzypce), Kyriakos Tapakis (lutnia, cumbus, gitara), Dimitris Vasiliadis (santur). Copyright by POLYPHONON Records. Trio Mare mp3
Ano Kato: Michiel Koperdraat (śpiew, lutnia, santur, przeszkadzajki), Theo van Halen (klarnet), Michiel van der Meulen (skrzypce), Jurrie Eilers (gitara, śpiew), Andy Lleming (tambury, darbuka).Copyright by PAN Records. Ano Kato VIDEO

KUP  KSIĄŻKĘ  TUTAJ

Greece at the EU Negotiations

‘Lisbon’ & ‘Copenhagen’ in EU Spotlight

Prime Minister George Greek Prime Minister Papandreou (first from the left) participates in the two-day meeting

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) The meeting of heads of state and government in the European Council began yesterday and concludes today (October 29-30). Prime Minister George Papandreou (first from the left) participates in the two-day meeting, the agenda of which is dominated by deliberations on climate change ahead of the Copenhagen meeting, and the European Union’s institutional future under the new Treaty of Lisbon.

Breaking the Ice

Yesterday, on the sidelines of the EU Council, Papandreou held a 20-minute informal meeting with Nikola Gruevski, the Prime Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.Papandreou reiterated his personal initiative to promote the Western Balkan states’ accession to the European Union by 2014, stressing that a mutually accepted name erga omnes is a prerequisite for Greece in the case of FYROM.

Socialist Call for Green Growth

Addressing a meeting of the EU Socialist Prime Ministers -Party of European Socialists (PES)- ahead of the European Council Meeting, Papandreou spoke of the need for EU Socialist Parties to push through changes that would put the citizen first and secure that the Copenhagen meeting’s resolution consolidates green growth.

EU’s Enlargement Strategy

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The European Commission (EC) adopted its annual strategy on European Enlargement yesterday (October 14).  Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn urged Skopje to settle the name issue with Greece, after announcing that FYROM now “meets” the criteria for opening accession negotiations.   Rehn added that he viewed the launch of talks with FYROM as “a very strong encouragement” in this direction and expressed his hope that “the government in Skopje gets this message as well.”  Regarding Turkey’s accession, Rehn revealed EC’s dissatisfaction with its progress and called on Turkey’s obligation, as an aspiring EU member state, to open its air and ports to Cyprus.  Turkey must contribute to the resolution of the Cyprus issue with “concrete terms,” during negotiations, he added.

Commenting on the EU’s progress reports, Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas stressed that Greece is promoting the accession course for all Southeast Europe countries, by already having put forward a roadmap until 2014.  “The prerequisite for this course is that all the countries should […] fulfil the necessary criteria. With regard to FYROM, in particular, this means finding a solution on the name issue” said Droutsas.  Kathimerini Daily: EU nod for FYROM despite name   Greek News Agenda: SEECP Meeting- A roadmap for accession

Alternative Tourism in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Trekking, swimming in the waters of gorges, exploring caves, rafting and horseback riding is just a small taste of the activities offered to tourists who do not like crowded vacation destinations and choose alternative tourism.  Away from the seaside, Western Macedonia, in north-western Greece counts many facilities for an adventurous vacation.  The region comprises the prefectures of Kozani, Grevena, Kastoria and Florina. Of Greece’s thirteen regions, Western Macedonia is landlocked; however, visitors may simply enjoy the serene beauty of its large lakes and impetuous rivers.  Western Macedonia: www.westernmacedonia.gr; Macedonian Heritage: Travelling in Macedonia; Athens News Agency: Western Macedonia- ‘The Alps’ of Greece

Greece has a Strong Case on the Name Issue

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was briefed yesterday on Foreign Yugoslav’s Republic of Macedonia’s decision to lodge an appeal with the International Court of Justice in The Hague, claiming that Greece violated the 1995 bilateral interim accord during last year’s NATO Bucharest summit.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed that Greece has a strong case, which will support before the Court, putting forward its arguments by January 2010.  “It will be a long process but Greece has strong defense arguments, which will prove that the real problem lies in Skopje‘s intransigence”. She further called on Skopje to enter the name negotiations in good faith in order to fund a mutually acceptable name. 

An Exhibition “Made of Electrum”

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki hosts an exhibition titled “The magic of electrum: Charms and Jewelry from Magna Grecia and Macedonia.”   Numerous masterpieces made of electrum dating back to the Mycenaean and Roman Era as well as other objects made of metals and bones coming from the Basilicata tombs in southern Italy and other burial-grounds in Macedonia will be on display in this exhibition, which will run until February 15, 2010.  The exhibition is organized by the Archaeological Museums of Thessaloniki and Potenza in collaboration with the Italian Education Institute of Thessaloniki.

Dion: 40 years of Excavations

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Dimitrios Pantermalis, president of the Acropolis Museum, presented on July 11 the book “Ancient Dion-40 Years of Excavations” on the occasion of the 38th Olympus Festival at the archaeological site of Dion.   On the northeastern slopes of Mt Olympus, Dion -an ancient Macedonian city- was the most sacred place for Macedonians, dedicated to Zeus.  The lush environs of Dion are steeped in mythology, including stories that explain the origin of the name Macedonia. Ancient Dion’s numerous temples, theaters, bath complexes, stone-paved streets, tombs and a set of impressive fortifications bear witness to a very prosperous and historic place of political and religious importance. Philip II and Alexander the Great both celebrated military victories at Dion, making lavish sacrifices to Zeus and staging athletic contests.  Today, the site of Dion constitutes the hub of a spacious and well organised archaeological park, while various performances are being staged at its ancient theatre, as part of the annual Olympus Festival.    Athens Plus: Dark Myths and Cool Walks in the Shadow of Mt Olympus (10.07.09) pdf

Macedonian Diaspora’s Meeting

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias called on the FYROM leadership to abandon its “irredentist visions” and consent to a “mutually acceptable solution on the name issue that will respect history.”    Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 10th International Convention of Macedonian Associations and the 63rd Convention of the Pan-Macedonian Association of the United States, held in Litochoro, Pieria prefecture, on July 11, the President thanked the Macedonians who live overseas for the strength and determination with which they defend Greece’s interests.   “We all share a common vision for our country’s future and the future of the Balkans” – a vision of peace, prosperity, economic growth and cooperation in the framework of a united Europe,” the President noted.

Shcolars on Ancient Macedonia

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   More than 200 of the most prestigious academics, including widely read authors on ancient Greece and Alexander like Paul Cartledge, Steven H. Rutledge and Robin Lane Fox, have sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama asking him to intervene to “clean up the historical debris” left by the previous U.S. administration’s policy on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).  As it is noted in the letter, the recognition of the “Republic of Macedonia” in 2004, not only abrogated geographic and historic fact but has also unleashed a dangerous epidemic of historical revisionism.  According to those signing the letter – which has been posted on the website Macedonia Evidence – Skopje’s claims to a Macedonian descent of its Slavic population and its “misappropriation” of Alexander the Great as the country’s national hero are a “subversion of history”.  Stephen G. Miller, Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology at the University of California, Berkeley  begun the initiative of collecting signatures and the undersigns include historians and Classicists teaching at the most renowned universities in the world,  like Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, Stanford, Vassar, College de France etc.  Politics and Current Affairs: Scholars dismiss Skopje claims as ‘silliness’ in letter to Obama

Wine Roads in Northern Greece

 (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   Encompassing Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus, the non-profit “Wine Producers’ Association of the Northern Greece Vineyard” supports the region’s tradition of vine growing and winemaking while offering Greeks and foreigners alike the opportunity to visit vineyards. The online directory “The Wine Roads of Northern Greece” offers detailed maps and travel-destination suggestions, highlighting vineyards and the general landscape of northern Greece. The northern Greece wine network features eight wine routes, leading from Mt Olympus, home of the Gods, and Zitsa in Epirus to Byzantine Thessaloniki. Others run from Amyntaio in the north to the Aegean playground of Halkidiki and the delightful, distant Thrace. Several Greek wineries are opening their gates on May 16 and 17 – part of the “Open Gates Programme” launched on the initiative of the European Network of Wine Cities – offering visitors the opportunity to feel the intoxicating aromas and flavours of Greek vineyards. Its objective is that each participating town create an event around wine so as to acquaint consumers with the production of this alcoholic beverage. More specifically, there will be two-day wine events all over Europe.

Greece: Ancient Macedonian Coins on Display

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   An exhibition featuring 270 silver and golden ancient Macedonian coins dating from the 6^th to the 1^st century BC will be inaugurated on February 26, 2009, at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum. Ancient Macedonia is considered to be one of the first places in the ancient world to adopt a currency and its numismatic tradition was transposed to and imitated later in other parts of the world, from the Celts in Western and Central Europe to the Arabian Peninsula. The coins of this exhibition are part of 4,000 Macedonian coins collection of Alpha Bank, which includes more than 10,000 ancient coins. The exhibition “Macedonia’s currency” will run until June 8.

Thessaloniki: New exhibition at the White Tower, the Monument-Symbol

(GRECEHEBDO)  A new permanent exhibition at the White Tower dedicated to the city of Thessaloniki and housed in the monument-symbol of the city, opened its doors to the public on September 9th, 2008. The exhibition, organized by the Museum of Byzantine Culture, presents aspects of the history of Thessaloniki through time, thus providing the visitors with a better insight of the city, its monuments and museums. http://www.mbp.gr/html/en/pirgos.htm   The goal of the exhibition is not to turn the city into a museum, but to introduce it to its visitors and its citizens, creating a new and essential relationship between the people and the city. Through the presentation of features that characterize Thessaloniki through time, such as the city’s urban character, the exhibition focuses on important moments and aspects of the city’s life. The thematic displays of the ground floor, as well as of the six storeys of the White Tower, refer to the geographical position of Thessaloniki at the crossroad of sea and land trading roads, the transformations of its urban development, the important moments of its history -as presented through its monuments-, the city’s spiritual and cultural life, as well as its inhabitants and culinary world. As a result, the visitors shall have the chance to experience an intriguing trip in time from the day of the founding of Thessaloniki to its recent past, accompanied with the sounds, the special atmosphere, the spirit and the tastes of the city.

Greece’s Relations with Serbia

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met her Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic in Athens on Thursday for talks ahead of the 63^rd session of the UN General Assembly. As expected, issues topping the ministers’ agenda included the major challenges facing the Balkan region, such as the status of Kosovo and Serbia’s Euro-Atlantic course.  Outlining Greece’s positions with respect to Serbia, Bakoyannis said Athens was “proceeding with exceedingly cautious steps and would continue in this way.”  On Kosovo, in particular, she emphasised the need to improve the quality of daily life in the region, especially for minorities, and regardless of the governing regime. The European Union Rule of Law Mission – EULEX– was an important factor in this direction, she added.  Regarding Serbia’s relations with the European Union, the minister said Greece was playing a key role in speeding up the strengthening of EU-Serbia ties, while she expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Belgrade and the International War Tribunal, noting that the latest developments opened the way for greater rapprochement with the EU. “The next step will be for Serbia to apply for accession to the EU,” she noted, adding that Belgrade would have Greece’s full support for this step.  Bakoyannis also referred to the very good bilateral relations between Greece and Serbia, especially in the area of developmental cooperation. She said Greece had so far disbursed €235 million from an overall budget of €550 million under the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, with priority given to completing Pan-European (roadway) Corridor X linking Thessaloniki with Belgrade and central Europe. Athens News Agency: Serbian FM in Athens; Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Statements of FM Bakoyannis and her Serbian counterpart, Vuk Jeremic, following their meeting 

Ancient Precious Graves Unveiled in Greece

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)     In a rich, ancient cemetery in northern Greece near Pella, archaeologists have unearthed 43 new graves unveiling the bodies of 20 warriors with copper helmets and iron swords, daggers and spearheads. Ornaments of gold foil covered their mouths, eyes and chests as part of the burial offerings found inside the graves.   According to the Culture Ministry’s press release following the first excavation “the settlement (to which the cemetery belonged) flourished in wealth and population mainly during the archaic period”, while “the funerary use of (the gold ornaments) and the other grave goods points to a strong belief in life after death, and rebirth.”  Associated Press: Rich finds from ancient cemetery in Greece

Greece: Exceptional Find Unearthed

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Archaeologists apparently uncovered one of most fascinating finds to date at the archaeological site of Vergina, northern Greece, earlier this week, namely, an immense cylindrical copper vessel inside of which was a slightly smaller, similar vessel. The exquisite artefact contained an oak wreath crafted in gold, lying atop human bones and immersed in water amid roots. The find is considered exceptional, as the wreath is almost equal in quality and dimensions to those found at the Royal Tombs at Vergina (Modern name of the city Aigai, the ancient first capital of the kingdom of Macedonia). The city of Aigai was discovered during the 19th century and is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus (photo) is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.  It remains a mystery for the archaeologists of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki who run the excavations why such a complete find was found outside the limits of the extensive cemetery of the royal necropolis. Athens News Agency: Exceptional find in Vergina; Ministry of Culture: Building for the protection of the royal tombs of Vergina; UNESCO: Archaeological site of Aigai

Greece: Maria Callas Honored by the Prespes Festival

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The 2008 Prespes festival celebrated its 20 years of life on August 29-30. As is the case every year, events were held in the remains of the basilica on the island of Aghios Achilleios in the Mikri Prespa lake. This year’s festival was of special importance, given that guests included President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis – Bakoyannis sent a message of friendship and collaboration to neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  An exhibition of Maria Callas memorabilia opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art in the city of Florina. Showcasing Maria Callas memorabilia (previously on display at the Greek Parliament in Athens), the exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of choreographer Maria Hors and curated by acclaimed set designer Yiannis Metzikoff. During the opening ceremony, President Papoulias honoured filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos, whose work has often been set in the region’s remote landscapes. The programme featured tributes to Greek songwriters Vassilis Tsitsanis and Stelios Kazantzidis among other events, while participants included Dionysis Savvopoulos, Eleni Karaindrou and Goran Bregovic. Kathimerini daily: Art and Politics Come Together at Prespes Festival

The Movie “Mama Mia” in Poland

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The movie “Mamma Mia!” on screens in Poland from August 29. The movie “Mamma Mia!” achieved the biggest opening ever for a movie musical in the United States  last month month. At $27.6 million, ‘Mamma Mia!’ beat out ‘Hairspray’ which opened with $27.5 million a few years ago. To create the enchanting – yet imaginary – island of Kalokairi, film shootings took place on the islands Skopelos, Skiathos and on Damouchari beach in Pelion area during August and September 2007. Most of the filming was done in Skopelos, were locations included Kastani beach, Agios Ioannis, Amaranto and Nisi Glisteri. Greece has always had a long and spectacular love affair with the international film making community. The need for new images in the film industry has led to a boom in optical effects and the quest for visually pristine locations. Greece has this visual wealth of natural landscapes to offer in regions like Macedonia, Epirus, Peloponnese, and of course the islands in the Aegean, the Sporades islands and the Ionian seas. Since 1974, the Greek Film Centre supports the production and promotion of Greek films and fosters the participation of Greek producers in foreign productions. in this context, the Hellenic Film Commission Office (www.hfco.gr) provides every possible service for filming in Greece. Skopelos Island: Skopelos Mamma Mia Blog Secretariat General of Information: World Media on Greece – Lifestyle