Prespa Lake Conservation Project Gets EU Award

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  Conservation of priority bird species in Lake Mikri Prespa in northern Greece – a project developed by the Society for the Protection of Prespa and WWF Hellas has been named one of the top five environmental projects carried out in the EU during 2007-2008, winning a  ‘Best LIFE-Nature’ Projects award.  The Best LIFE-Nature Projects is a new award that aims to identify some of the best LIFE Nature projects that were completed during the reference period 2007-2008. All projects completed within the reference period were initially technically assessed by the LIFE Unit’s External Assistance Team to produce a first list of Best Projects.   The principal aim of the ‘Prespa Lake project’ was to improve the conservation status of the Dalmatian Pelican and the Pygmy Cormorant, but activities have also benefited directly at least 18 other species covered by the Birds Directive.   Secretariat General of Information: About Brand Greece- Greek Environmental Strategic Policies & Hellenic Ornithological Society: www.ornithologiki.gr

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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