Discussions over the Name Issue Continue

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The UN secretary general’s personal envoy on the FYROM name issue Matthew Nimetz said yesterday (June 8) that he was “more optimistic” for a solution to the name issue, but rejected any timetable, following a 90-minute meeting in Athens with foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis.Nimetz, who arrived in Athens on Tuesday night after talks in the FYROM capital of Skopje, told reporters after the meeting with Bakoyannis that he had brought ideas that comprise “minor” changes to the proposals he had submitted in October, which included the name “Republic of Northern Macedonia”. “I had an excellent discussion with the foreign minister, I conveyed the discussions I had in Skopje (on Tuesday with the FYROM president and prime minister), I briefed her, and I was briefed, on the views of the two sides,” Nimetz said, adding that there was encouragement for continuation of the negotiations and “I believe that I will continue my work even better”. Greek News Agenda: “The Name issue is the only Issue”

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Lucas Samaras represent Greece at Venice Biennale

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Ministry of Culture has announced that Lucas Samaras will officially represent Greece at the Venice Biennale’s 53rd International Art Exhibition, which will run from June 7 until November 22, 2009. General coordinator of the Greek participation at this avant-garde cultural event will be Matthew Higgs.  Samaras is one of the world’s most talented and innovative contemporary artists. Born in Kastoria, he emigrated to the United States in 1948. Sculptor, painter, performance artist, he is also widely acclaimed for his pioneering work in photography. Samaras’ works can be found in numerous private and public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo and many others prestigious art galleries and museums.

The Awards at 49th Thessaloniki International Film Festival

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  The 49^th Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) opened on November 14 and concluded on November 23. Iranian filmmaker Abdolreza Kahani’s feature-length black and white film “Over There” won the Golden Alexander award as the best foreign film. A critics’ committee special award and the Silver Alexander went to the Romanian- Italian co-production “Hooked,” directed by Adrian Sitaru. The best director award was given to Argentina’s Celina Murga for her film “A Week Alone,” while the prize for best scenario was awarded to Australian Matthew Newton for his “Three Blind Mice.” The Best actress award was given jointly to Ioana Flora and Maria Dinulesku from Romania and Best Actor award was also jointly bestowed to Sid Lucero and Emilio Garcia.  Thessaloniki Int’l Film Festival: 49TIFF Awards (23/11/2008)