“Kali Patrida” Greek Communities of Political Refugees in Eastern Europe

By the end of the Greek Civil War (1946-49), Greece was in a tragic state. The human loss and physical destruction incurred in this conflict was added to the suffering and damage already accumulated during World War II and the occupation. One of the most dramatic consequences of the Civil War was the odyssey of thousands of Greek men, women and children who settled in Eastern Europe and the USSR – mainly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarianism and Democracy is hosting until December 31, 2011, an exhibition titled Kali Patrida… Greek Communities of political refugees in Eastern Europe.
The exhibition draws on material (printed and audiovisual) from many sources, both from Greece and abroad in order to shed light on particular themes in the lives of political refugees: their establishment in the host countries (East Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Uzbekistan); their children’s education, their communities, their efforts to preserve their distinctive cultural heritage as well as their repatriation.
“Kali patrida” meaning “Happy Homecoming,” is actually a wish political refugees shared, expressing their nostalgia for their homeland.
ERT Archive: Documentary: Second Homeland – Episode: Stepmother Homeland & Michalis Gkanas: The history of my times [VIDEO]; TVXS: Writer Alki Zei talks about the Civil War [VIDEO]
ODYSSEY Magazine about Greece and the Greek Diaspora: Features-Our Town Beloiannisz in Hungary
(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)

 

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“Literature and Immigation” Conference in Warsaw (25/3/2010)

Ημερίδα  «Λογοτεχνία και Mετανάστευση»
Πέμπτη, 25 Μαρτίου
12:00 – 14:00
&
15:15 – 19:00
Κέντρο Σύγχρονης Τέχνης Zamek Ujazdowski (οδόςJazdow 2, Βαρσοβία)

Μια από τις πιο συναρπαστικές δοκιμασίες για τους συγγραφείς είναι χωρίς αμφιβολία η εγκατάλειψη της μητρικής τους γλώσσα και η απόφαση δημιουργίας σε μια ξένη γλώσσα.
Η διεθνής ημερίδα «Λογοτεχνία και Μετανάστευση», υπό την αιγίδα του  EUNIC Cluster Βαρσοβίας και της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής, θα εξετάσει το φαινόμενο «Λογοτεχνία και Μετανάστευση» στην Ευρώπη του 20^ου αιώνα, σε μια προσπάθεια αναζήτησης της ταυτότητας της σύγχρονης Ευρώπης.
Η ημερίδα αυτή αποτελεί μια ευκαιρία να συναντηθούν επιστήμονες που μελετούν το φαινόμενο της μεταναστευτικής λογοτεχνίας και συγγραφείς που αντιμετώπισαν την πρόκληση να γράψουν στην γλώσσα της θετής πατρίδας τους.
Θα εξηγήσουν τις αιτίες και τις συνέπειες των αποφάσεων τους, θα διαβάσουν  αποσπάσματα των έργων τους στο πρωτότυπο και θα απαντήσουν σε ερωτήσεις των συμμετεχόντων στην ημερίδα.
Έχουν προσκληθεί επιφανείς επιστήμονες (συζήτηση στις 12.00): Gazmend Kapllani (Ελλάδα), AndreasSchumann (Γερμανία), MirinaRuncan (Ρουμανία), SandraVlasta (Αυστρία), StenPultzMoslund (Δανία).
Γνωστοί συγγραφείς έχουν, επίσης, προσκληθεί ( συζήτηση στις 15.15): Artur Becker(Γερμανία), Θοδωρής Καλλιφατίδης (Ελλάδα-Σουηδία), Lam Quang My (Πολωνία), Julya Rabinowich (Αυστρία), Matei Visniec (Ρουμανία).
Την συζήτηση θα συντονίσει ο Jan Fellerer, καθηγητής του Πανεπιστήμιου της Οξφόρδης.
Διοργανωτές:  Αυστριακό Μορφωτικό Ινστιτούτο, Κέντρο Σύγχρονης Τέχνης Zamek Ujazdowski, Μορφωτικό Ινστιτούτο Δανίας, Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή – Αντιπροσωπεία στην Πολωνία, Ινστιτούτο Goethe, Ρουμανικό Πολιτιστικό Ινστιτούτο, Πρεσβεία της Ελλάδας – Γραφείο Τύπου και Επικοινωνίας, και Πρεσβεία της Σουηδίας.    

Konferencja „Literatura i imigracja”
czwartek, 25 marca, godz. 12:00–19:00
CSW Zamek Ujazdowski, ul. Jazdów 2, Warszawa

Jednym z najbardziej skrajnych doświadczeń dla pisarza jest bez wątpienia porzucenie języka ojczystego i podjęcie decyzji o tworzeniu w języku obcym. Międzynarodowa konferencja „Literatura i imigracja”, zorganizowana przez EUNIC Cluster Warszawa i Komisję Europejską – Przedstawicielstwo w Polsce*, pragnie przyjrzeć się zjawisku literatury emigracyjnej w Europie XXI w. i zbadać je z akademickiej i osobistej perspektywy. Chcemy spróbować znaleźć klucz do tożsamości współczesnej Europy.
Konferencja będzie niepowtarzalną okazją do spotkania naukowców badających zjawisko pisarstwa emigracyjnego oraz samych pisarzy, którzy podjęli wyzwanie tworzenia w języku swojej przybranej ojczyzny. Będą oni tłumaczyć powody i wyjaśniać konsekwencje swoich decyzji, a na zakończenie przeczytają fragmenty swoich utworów w oryginale oraz odpowiedzą na pytania uczestników.
Zaprosiliśmy wybitnych naukowców (dyskusja panelowa o godz. 12:00): dr Gazmend Kapllani (Grecja), prof. dr Andreas Schumann (Niemcy), dr Miruna Runcan (Rumunia), dr Sandra Vlasta (Austria), dr Sten Pultz Moslund (Dania).
Naszymi gośćmi będą też znakomici pisarze (dyskusja panelowa o godz. 15:00): Artur Becker (Niemcy), Theodor Kallifatides (Szwecja), dr Lam Quang My (Polska), Julya Rabinowich (Austria), Matei Vişniec (Rumunia). Spotkanie poprowadzi dr Jan Fellerer, profesor Uniwersytetu Oksfordzkiego, ekspert w dziedzinie wielokulturowości i wielojęzyczności w Europie.
Partnerzy: Agencja Dramatu i Teatru ADiT, Instytut Książki, Stowarzyszenie Wspólnota Kulturowa “Borussia”, Wydawnictwo Czarne, Wydawnictwo W.A.B.
* Organizatorzy: Austriackie Forum Kultury w Warszawie, Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej Zamek Ujazdowski, Duński Instytut Kultury, Komisja Europejska – Przedstawicielstwo w Polsce, Goethe-Institut Warschau, Rumuński Instytut Kultury w Warszawie, Ambasada Grecji – Biuro Prasowe i Ambasada Szwecji

Greece: Energy Matters

Greece-Bulgaria-Romania agree on gas pipeline project

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  An agreement has been signed by the Greek gas company DEPA and Italian Edison with Bulgarian Energy Holding for the construction of a pipeline that would allow Bulgaria to import 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Caspian Sea region, through the ITGI (Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy) pipeline. The 160-km long pipeline, called Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), will extend from Komotini, northern Greece to Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Its construction is estimated to cost €120 million with €45 million provided by the EU.  Greece and Romania agreed yesterday during a meeting in Bucharest, between Romanian Economy Minister Adriean Videanu and Greek Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, to promote and coordinate gas connections between Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.  “We want to treat the Greek-Bulgarian, Bulgarian-Romanian and Romanian-Hungarian pipelines as a single whole, as a single pipeline. Especially since all three separate pipelines are financed by the European Union,” Hatzidakis said adding that this project would enhance cooperation between the four countries and strengthen their geostrategic position.  Meanwhile, DESFA, Greece’s Natural Gas National System Manager, and Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) signed yesterday a memorandum of understanding aimed at allowing the transportation of natural gas from Greece to Bulgaria from the Revithousa LNG terminal. Kathimerini daily: Greece – Bulgaria pipeline to raise security, lower gas prices

Greek President Papoulias Meets Romanian Counterpart

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias met on Wednesday with his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu, who is on a state visit to Greece. The two leaders discussed matters of bilateral well as of particular Balkan interest, confirming there is common ground regarding the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, provided that “good neighbour” policies are enshrined in the actions of the aspiring members.  The Romanian president made clear that this principle applies to all countries wishing to join the EU, including FYROM and Turkey. Regarding the latter and its relations to Cyprus, Basescu was pronounced in favour of EU’s “code of conduct,” stressing that is thus unacceptable that Turkey continues to occupy a section of an EU member country and that Nicosia continues to be a divided European capital.

Greek Job Market Opens to Romanians & Bulgarians

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   As of 2009, Greece joins three other European countries (Spain, Portugal, and Hungary) in lifting national legislative barriers impeding Romanian and Bulgarian nationals working in Greece.  Fourteen other countries have already undertaken respective measures in favour of Romania and Bulgaria, while the remaining ten EU countries which lag have been given a deadline for the year 2013. The decision to provide unimpeded employment opportunities for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens reinforces the European Union’s policy for free movement of all nationals of a member state wishing to engage in employment on the territory of another member state. European Commission-Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities: Four more countries lift labour market restrictions for Bulgarian and Romanian workers Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations with Romania & Bulgaria

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis at Olive Group

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)     Deputy Foreign Minister Yannis Valinakis on Tuesday underlined the need for more effective EU policies in the Mediterranean region, pointing out that it was equally important to bring a Mediterranean dimension into European integration. Attending the 6^th Informal Meeting of the EU Mediterranean countries “Olive Group” that took place in Taormina, Sicily (15-16.12), the minister stated that the meeting focused on migration issues in the western Balkans and EU enlargement. He underlined there should be a “Mediterranean neighbourhood” to face the problems together and join forces to create opportunities that “will protect us during a crisis and at the same time produce long-term benefits.” The Olive group consists of Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Slovenia. Greek News Agenda: The Olive Group; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus: 5th Informal Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Mediterranean EU Member-States, Concluding Remarks 

Greece: Democracy & Human Rights

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)  With the opportunity of the publication of its second round of reports, JURISTRAS research project has launched its own webpage at: www.juristras.eliamep.gr. JURISTRAS, a Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy project, comparatively explores processes of human rights litigation in the European Court of Human Rights judgments, and its effects in national legislative reform and policy making in a number of EU member states and Associate Candidate States. Nine countries are selected as case studies: eight EU Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, and the UK) and one EU candidate country (Turkey). Gateway of the European Union: europa.eu 

From Greece the Routes of the Olive Tree

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)    On the occasion of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, a “lame of Peace”will travel from the Mediterranean Sea into the depths of Asia, Beijing and Moscow. Motorcyclists participating in the “Routes of the Olive Tree” initiative, a programme of cultural journeys and activities inspired by the olive tree,  will ride on the “Routes of Silk” to transmit the messages symbolised by the olive tree, namely the need for peaceful coexistence. The journey will start from Messenia, Southern Greece, on the occasion of a big Mediterranean Feast, the 63rd Rally FIM of 2008 (7-14 July 2008 Pylos-Yalova), during which 2,000 motorcyclists from 44 countries will gather in order to bid travellers goodbye. The event is open only to motorcyclists who will “combine business with pleasure”; they will start their ride symbolically from ancient Messene and will cover 22,000 km with a view to carrying the “Flame of Peace” to 16 countries: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, CHINA, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Romania, Bulgaria, FYROM and Greece. 

The Greek Language, Ancient & Modern

 (GREEK NEWS AGENDA)   The Greek Language is one of the earliest attested Indo-European languages, spoken today by approximately 12 million people in Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Italy, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Egypt, Jordan and in emigrant communities around the world, including Australia, United States, Canada, Germany and elsewhere.

The Greek Economy: Pointers

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA)     According to the 2007/2008 UN Human Development report, Greece ranks 24th out of 177 countries (Greece – Data; Greece – Fact sheet).  Greece belongs to the OECD family of developed nations, enjoys economic stability consolidated by membership of the European Union/Eurozone and its growth rate is above EU average.  Greece has a brand new modern infrastructure network and services, well-developed human resources (highly productive, well-trained and educated workforce, and one of the lowest labour costs in the EU) and is an important centre of business, research and cultural activity. Greece   can serve as a bridge for communication with the less favoured regions of the world. She is in a position to play a leading role in southeast Europe and the eastern Mediterranean, showing the way to their economic and social reconstruction.

Energy Pact Greece – Romania

(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Forging closer energy ties, Greece and Romania signed a bilateral energy deal yesterday within the framework of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis’ official state visit to Bucharest. The deal will enhance bilateral cooperation in the oil, natural gas and electricity sectors, said the premier, looking forward to Romania’s major electricity exporting capacities. Greece’s economic presence in Romania is highly active and translates into a trade volume of over €1 billion per year. More than 800 Greek companies are established in Romania having invested around €3 billion. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bilateral Relations – Romania