China has given the greenlight for Ehang’s autonomous flying taxis. Credit: Oronbb / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
EHang, a vehicle maker, got the first-ever production certificate in China to produce self-flying taxis. These taxis are called EH216-S. They don’t need a pilot and can carry passengers. They can take off and land vertically, and they run on electricity.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) gave the green light for EHang to make these taxis in large numbers. The news came out on April 7th in a statement from the company.
While many companies make eVTOLs, they’ve mostly served as test models for trial flights. However, now, EHang’s move is a big step toward bringing eVTOLs into regular use.
Huazhi Hu, the CEO of EHang, shared in the statement, “Our vision is to introduce safe and reliable pilotless eVTOL aircraft to the global market, thereby offering safe, autonomous and eco-friendly air mobility services to everyone.”
With the production certificate, EHang can now make flying cars. This includes getting raw materials, managing the supply chain, checking quality, and performing tests. They’re also responsible for fixing and maintaining the cars after they’ve been sold. These steps are all thoroughly verified through reviews and inspections, as reported by “Live Science.”
EH216-S can fly at 10,000 feet with a speed of 62 mph
EHang introduced the EH216-S in 2018. It is a small electric craft that can take off and land vertically (VTOL). This flying taxi has a body made of carbon fiber and runs on sixteen motors connected to sixteen propellers. It can cruise at 62 mph (100 km/h) and fly as high as 10,000 feet (3,000 meters).
Made for carrying passengers, it can accommodate two people. It’s equipped with a self-driving system, so there’s no need for a pilot.
WATCH: In Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪 Type Certificated @EHANG EH216-S flying wows the crowd$EH pilotless passenger #eVTOL aircraft flying autonomously in the UAE pic.twitter.com/ZvtYC4LYa6
EHang says they’ve tested this VTOL many times with and without people on board. Before the EH216-S, EHang had another model known as the EHang 184, which they introduced in 2016, according to “Live Science.”
EHang intends the EH216-S to serve various purposes, including being used as air taxis, sightseeing flights, shuttles to airports, and travel between islands.
Getting approval for mass production of the EH216-S is a significant step in making unmanned eVTOLs and similar aircraft a part of everyday life. This certification makes the EH216-S the first of its kind. It could also make China the pioneer in offering flying taxi services to the public.
Although the EH216-S is cleared for mass production, the CAAC released the Green Aviation Manufacturing Development Outline (2023-2035) in October 2023. This document gives directions for getting a pilot-operated eVTOL flying by 2025 and having fully autonomous services widely available by 2035.
It emphasizes the importance of creating practical rules and insurance plans for flying cars, according to “Live Science.”
The dark features form when spring sunshine falls on layers of carbon dioxide. Credit: ESA
The European Space Agency’s Mars Express has snapped the telltale traces of ‘black spiders’ scattered across the southern polar region of Mars.
Rather than being actual spiders, these small, dark features form when spring sunshine falls on layers of carbon dioxide deposited over the dark winter months.
The sunlight causes carbon dioxide ice at the bottom of the layer to turn into gas, which subsequently builds up and breaks through slabs of overlying ice. The gas bursts free in Martian springtime, dragging dark material up to the surface as it goes and shattering layers of ice up to a meter thick.
The emerging gas, laden with dark dust, shoots up through cracks in the ice in the form of tall fountains or geysers, before falling back down and settling on the surface. This creates dark spots of between 45 m and 1 km across. This same process creates characteristic ‘spider-shaped’ patterns etched beneath the ice – and so these dark spots are a telltale sign that spiders may be lurking below.
Another of ESA’s Mars explorers, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), has imaged the spiders’ tendril-like patterns especially clearly. The spiders captured by TGO lie near, but outside, the region shown in this new Mars Express image.
The Mars Express view shows the dark spots on the surface formed by escaping gas and material, while the TGO perspective also captures the spidery, web-like channels that are carved into the ice below.
The aforementioned dark spots can be seen all over the Mars Express image, creeping across towering hills and expansive plateaus. However, most can be seen as small spots in the dark region to the left, which sits just at the outskirts of a part of Mars nicknamed Inca City.
The reason for this name is no mystery, with the linear, almost geometric network of ridges being reminiscent of Inca ruins. More formally known as Angustus Labyrinthus, Inca City was discovered in 1972 by NASA’s Mariner 9 probe.
“Black spiders” on Mars puzzled scientists
The dark streaks on Mars, resembling spiders, were first observed in images returned by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft in the early 2000s.
When scientists first observed the dark streaks on Mars, they were initially puzzled by their appearance and speculated about various possible explanations.
Some early hypotheses included the idea that the streaks might be formed by the flow of liquid water, which would have been significant as it could imply the presence of conditions conducive to life on Mars.
However, further analysis and observations revealed that the streaks were more likely related to seasonal processes involving carbon dioxide ice sublimation, rather than liquid water flows.
As scientists continued to study these features, they developed a better understanding of their formation mechanism, attributing them to the seasonal release of pressurized carbon dioxide gas beneath the Martian surface, which carries dark sand and dust and creates the spider-like patterns.
This interpretation has been supported by additional observations from various Mars orbiters and rovers, refining our understanding of the Martian surface processes.
China’s leader Xi Jinping during a recent visit to Russia. Credit: Presidency of Russian Federation, Creative CommonsAttribution 4.0
China’s leader Xi Jinping said the US and China should be “partners rather than adversaries” as he met with top American diplomat Antony Blinken in Beijing on Friday.
“China would like to see a confident, open and prosperous United States. We hope that the United States will view China’s development in a positive light,” Xi told Blinken.
“Once this fundamental problem is solved … Sino-US relations will truly get better and move forward,” he said. “China and the US should be partners rather than adversaries; help each other succeed rather than harm each other.”
Xi’s comments come as Chinese officials bristle at actions Washington has taken in the name of national security in the face of an increasingly assertive China, but which Beijing sees as meant to suppress its development.
Those have included US controls on the export to China of high-tech goods that could have military uses, as well as curbs on US investment in certain high-tech sectors in China.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden signed a bill that could lead to a nationwide ban on the social media platform TikTok if the company’s Chinese parent ByteDance doesn’t sell it – legislation Beijing has previously decried.
Need to strengthen channels of communication between US and China
Blinken told Xi the US was “committed to maintain and strengthen lines of communications” with China and “deal responsibly with our differences, so we would not have any miscommunications, misperceptions and any miscalculations.”
Examples of recent progress Blinken cited included “restoring military-to-military communications, counternarcotics and thinking together about the futures of artificial intelligence.”
The American diplomat speaking to the press after the meeting said he raised concerns about China’s support for Russia. He also spoke to Chinese officials about “dangerous actions” in the South China Sea – noting tensions in the Taiwanese Strait in recent months.
A potential TikTok ban did not come up in conversations between US and Chinese officials, he added.
Bejing has a key role in exerting diplomatic influence to stop the Gaza conflict spreading into the wider Middle East region, Blinken said.
He also spoke of wanting Bejing to discourage Iran from escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“Substantive and constructive” talks
Their meeting followed five hours of face time between Blinken and counterpart Wang Yi, which both sides characterized as “substantive and constructive.”
I had an in-depth and substantive meeting today with People’s Republic of China Director Wang Yi. As part of our effort to responsibly manage competition, we discussed areas of difference, in addition to areas of shared interest — like counternarcotics — where we can build on… pic.twitter.com/uGkTh6FPqz
But Wang was also clear about sharp tensions that still exist between the world’s two superpowers. As their meetings got underway, Wang said China and the US face a choice between stability and a “downward spiral.”
“Should China and the United States keep to the right direction of moving forward with stability or return to a downward spiral? This is a major question before our two countries, and tests our sincerity and ability,” Wang told Blinken during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, after saying US-China ties were “beginning to stabilize.”
New DNA Analysis Redirects the Cradle of Indo-Europeans, Sheds Light on Proto-Greeks. Credit: Dimosthenis Vasiloudis/GreekReporter
A recent DNA analysis on 777 ancient genomes from across the so-called Southern Arc, namely Southern Europe and West Asia, redirects the cradle of Indo-Europeans and sheds light on the Proto-Greek prehistoric past.
As is well known, the Greek language belongs to the Indo-European language family, and, as far as the latest genetic analysis shows, the area of Greece is highly significant in terms of this language family’s origin and its dispersal throughout other areas—yet, what does new DNA research say about Proto-Greek speakers and the first Indo-Europeans?
Language and Ethnicity; The Example of the Proto-Greek Speakers
Ethnic identity is said to be based predominately on a community’s subjective faith in a common origin and distinctiveness. However, since no access to subjective ethnic self-awareness of prehistoric peoples is available, only a single objective way remains to trace origins of specific groups. This involves detection of the communication tool, or language in other words, uniting certain peoples and thus distinguishing distinct societies and cultures.
When we talk about the origins of the Greeks or the “outset” of the Greek civilization, the impression of a “coming” of a proto-Greek speaking population from another area to the Hellenic mainland is conveyed. Of course, this concept has its roots in some controversial information in ancient written sources, and it is also evidenced in the existence of certain words and place names of non-Greek origin (“Pre-Greek substratum”) in the Greek language itself.
However, interpretations of migrations which dominated archeology in the previous century have influenced, and continue to influence, the main theories about the dispersal of the Indo-European languages.
In the last decades, the phenomenon of migration has been significantly revised by more systematic ways of Processual Archeology. It should no longer be considered a self-evident question but merely a hypotheses among many to be evaluated. Through the development of the new archeological theoretical thought, experts emphasize the radical shift towards the study of indigenous developments regarding the importance of migrations.
Family Tree of Indo-European Languages. Credit: EnriBrahimaj/ Wikimedia Commons
Proto-Greek Language and the Problem of the Indo-European Language “Evolution”
Experts consider the Greek language a member of the Indo-European family. Due to this status, the origin of the Greek language problematizes the derivation of the Indo-European family of languages. The most popular and long-lived predominant theory of the Proto-Indo-European origin is the one involving the South Russian steppe (Kurgan theory). Later alternative views also place the Proto-Indo-European homeland in eastern Anatolia, which is now Turkey (Anatolian or “sedentary farmer theory”).
Α characteristic problem of this complex Indo-European issue is that the research of linguistic paleontology developed tendencies to manipulate the archaeological research over time. Therefore, a common and equal tool for investigating the human past was hard to come by.
The revolution brought by the discovery of DNA in the 1950s was perceived as a huge opportunity utilized in scientific branches which work closely with archeological science to clarify ancient migration patterns. Despite the initial enthusiasm, various problems demonstrate that DNA alone cannot shed light on complex issues.
The mutation rate of genes, as well as the identification between genetic mutations and specific geographical areas, are issues that are still under investigation, and this is why the interdisciplinary conclusions of many genetic researches cannot be unquestionably accepted.
Nevertheless, the Indo-European problem still has a diachronic seductive effect on numerous scholars and research programs even though many theories often reach an impasse with no persuasive non-linguistic explanation of the dispersal of the Indo-European languages to account for all the regions where relevant languages were spoken.
Furthermore, contemporary research illustrates a worldwide systematic overview of successive cultural phases from the Upper Paleolithic to the end of the Bronze Age, mostly located with precision in time and space. Particularly, we can no longer consider the prehistory of the Greek area as “dark.”
The New Genetic Study and the Mycenean DNA; Proto-Indo-European Elite Imposition on Natives or Something Else?
Lion’s Gate, Mycenae. The Mycenaean Civilization was destroyed during the Bronze Age Collapse. Credit: Andreas Trepte/CC-BY-SA-2.5
The new study, in which many Greek experts were involved (such as Iosif Lazaridis, associate researcher in Genetics of Harvard Department of Human Evolutionary Biology and Harvard Medical School), published this Thursday, August 26, 2022 in Science, reports on genetic data extracted from 777 individuals who lived across the so-called Southern Arc, namely Southern Europe and West Asia.
According to other more recent DNA data of ancient Anatolians, which raised new questions about the “spread” of Indo-European languages, it seems that Anatolians did not mix with steppe pastoralists during the early Bronze Age. It’s the only place where Indo-European-related languages were spoken even though there was no steppe ancestry.
Ancient Anatolian peoples spoke the now-extinct Anatolian languages of the Indo-European language family, which were largely replaced by the Greek language during classical antiquity as well as during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The major Anatolian languages included Hittite, Luwian, and Lydian while other, poorly attested local languages included Phrygian, Palaic, Luwic, and Mysian.
The new Indo-European DNA research also shows that between five to seven thousand years ago there was a gradual increase of ancestry from the Caucasus in the Anatolian genome, probably by a series of migrations from the east at the end of which about a third of the ancestry of Anatolians could be traced to somewhere in the Caucasus.
The fact that the same Caucasus component found in Anatolia comprises roughly fifty percent of the Yamnaya pastoralist genome further implicates the riddle of Indo-European languages. Given that this mysterious Caucasian link is the only ancestral commonality between the Yamnaya and the ancient Anatolians, it seems plausible that this enigmatic migration from the Caucasus brought the ancestral form of Indo-European to both these peoples. Therefore, the homeland and the “first language” of Indo-Europeans must be placed somewhere in the Caucasus.
We must point out that these conclusions seem to primarily justify the eminent archaeologist Colin Renfrew and his Anatolian hypothesis and do line up quite well with contemporary archeological indications. The dispersal of the Indo-European languages is equated by the British archeologist with the diffusion of the Neolithic way of life from its Anatolian “homeland” (possibly the Caucasus) in the seventh millennium BC.
Renfrew also identifies this Neolithic demic diffusion with the spread of the Proto-Indo-European language and its subsequent differentiation into the daughter branches, i.e. the different Early Neolithic cultural phases across Europe.
The most interesting conclusion about prehistoric Greek populations comes from the new estimation of the Mycenaean steppe ancestry (about 1/10). The new study shows that this proportion was not uniform across the population. In fact, even among the elites, it was possible to find people who were not genetically related to Yamnaya (such as the genome of the so-called Griffin Warrior of Pylos).
According to experts, steppe migrants did not establish a rule over the natives and keep to themselves. Rather, they admixed with them, and there were still people without steppe ancestry with elite roles in mainland Greece, especially in Peloponnese. This means then that during the later Mycenaean period in Greece, the new data suggest Yamnaya descendants had little impact on Greek social structure.
This explanation also once again confirms C. Renfrew and many other scholars, who insisted throughout the last decades that the picture of the Proto-Indo-Europeans as warlike mounted nomads have been based not only on the misuse of linguistic paleontology but also on serious anachronism.
Genetic Similarity of Minoans, Mycenaeans, Western Anatolians Possibly Confirms Homolingualism
Phaistos Disk, a disk of fired clay from the Minoan palace of Phaistos on the island of Crete, possibly dating to the middle or late Minoan Bronze Age . Credit: Wikimedia Commons
An earlier genome sequencing study (2021) also showed that the first major civilizations of the Aegean, namely the Minoan that flourished on Crete, the Cycladic of the central Aegean islands, and the Helladic of mainland Greece, are more genetically homogeneous than expected.
In the past, it was assumed that these three major different cultures were created by genetically distinct peoples despite their close proximity and constant contact. However, results of more recent research call this assumption into question. It seems that these three great Aegean civilizations were not as isolated from each other as experts initially assumed. Instead, they trace their origins to earlier common ancestors or even to past common civilization.
Experts have also suggested that Aegean inhabitants shared common DNA with populations of western and northern Anatolia with whom they shared common architectural and burial practices. It seems that the first Neolithic populations of Western Anatolia and Greece were extremely homogeneous and descendants of a common proto-agricultural population that spread from the seventh millennium BC throughout Europe.
These results are important because they suggest that critical innovations such as the development of urban centers, the use of metals, and the intensive “international” trade that took place during the transition from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age were not solely due to exogenous factors and mass migrations as previously supported but also largely a result of the cultural continuity of local Neolithic populations.
Α homolingualism between the first cultures around the Aegean Sea is not at all improbable if one considers that it may be connected with the Pre-Greek substratum of the Greek language and with the fact that the Minoan language seems to have many elements in common with the Anatolian Luwian.
“Greece’s greenest island, Corfu, welcomes visitors with the sweet aroma of pine and lemon trees. In the mountainous interior myrtle and bay bushes fight it out, while venerable olive groves descend to its beach-fringed coastline.” That’s how The Guardian introduced the Ionian Island a few years ago.
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit attraction. Wander through its narrow, winding streets lined with Venetian-style buildings, visit the impressive fortresses, and discover charming squares filled with cafes and shops.
Visit historical landmarks like the Old Fortress, New Fortress, and the Liston promenade. Don’t miss the impressive Spianada Square, the largest square in the Balkans.
Venetian Architecture
Corfu’s architecture reflects its Venetian past. The buildings feature influences from both Venetian and British styles, creating a unique blend of architectural beauty that is a delight to explore.
Pontikonisi, also known as “Mouse Island,” is a Greek islet located at the entrance of Halkiopoulos lagoon in Corfu. The islet is better-known for hosting the Byzantine chapel of Pantokrator, dating back to the 11th century and only open to visitors each year on August 6th.
According to the legend, Pontikonisi was Odysseus’s ship, the vessel that brought the legendary king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer’s epic poem, TheOdyssey, to the island of the Phaeacians.
Visit Achillion Palace
Located in the village of Gastouri, Achillion Palace is a stunning neoclassical mansion built for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. Explore the palace’s opulent interiors, beautiful gardens, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Mon Repos Palace
Situated on the outskirts of Corfu Town, Mon Repos Palace is an elegant neoclassical building surrounded by beautiful gardens.
The villa’s French name means “My Rest.” Credit: kerkyrainfo.gr
Explore the palace, which also houses a museum, and enjoy a peaceful stroll through the park. Mon Repos was where the late Prince Philip was born.
Paleokastritsa
Located on the west coast of Corfu, Paleokastritsa is a scenic area known for its beautiful beaches and the Paleokastritsa Monastery. Explore the monastery, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and houses a small museum displaying religious artifacts.
Explore the traditional villages
Take some time to explore the charming traditional villages of Corfu, such as Pelekas, Kassiopi, and Benitses. Experience authentic Greek island life, wander through narrow streets, and enjoy local cuisine in traditional tavernas.
Corfu is blessed with natural beauty. The island is adorned with lush green landscapes, olive groves, and cypress trees. Explore the stunning countryside, take a hike in the mountains, or enjoy breathtaking views from the coastal cliffs.
Relax on Corfu’s beaches
Corfu boasts numerous beautiful beaches for relaxation and sunbathing. Some popular ones include Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Sidari, and Kontogialos. You can also find secluded coves and hidden beaches for a more intimate experience.
Located in Sidari, the Canal d’Amour is a unique formation of sandstone cliffs that create narrow channels and small secluded coves. Legend has it that couples who swim through the canal will find eternal love. Enjoy the natural beauty and take a swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Mouthwatering Cuisine
Greek cuisine is renowned worldwide, and Corfu offers its own delicious culinary traditions. Try local specialties like pastitsada (beef or rooster in a rich tomato sauce), sofrito (beef cooked in white wine), and the famous local cheese, kumquat liqueur, and olive oil.
Water Sports and Outdoor Activities
Corfu’s crystal-clear waters provide ample opportunities for water sports enthusiasts. Try snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or rent a boat to explore the hidden coves. You can also enjoy hiking, cycling, and horseback riding in the island’s scenic surroundings.
Explore Mount Pantokrator
If you enjoy hiking and panoramic views, consider a trip to Mount Pantokrator, the highest point on the island. Hike to the summit, visit the 14th-century Pantokrator Monastery, and take in the breathtaking vistas of Corfu and the surrounding islands.
Vibrant Nightlife
Corfu is known for its vibrant nightlife, particularly in areas like Kavos and Ipsos. Enjoy beachfront bars, clubs, and live music venues that offer entertainment until the early hours of the morning.
The island also hosts various festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Corfu the music capital of Greece
Corfu is the most musical island in Greece with hundreds of music associations and dozens of orchestras and bands. Even the way its natives speak is musical, as their speech often sounds like singing.
In fact, the first opera performed on Greek soil was in 1733 after the Venetians converted the local “Loggia” hall into a theater.
Take a boat trip to nearby islands
From Corfu, you can easily take boat trips to the nearby islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. Paxos, a Greek island in the Ionian Sea was the setting of “Maestro in Blue”, the first Greek series on Netflix that screened worldwide in March 2023. Discover the crystal-clear waters, hidden caves, and picturesque villages on these smaller islands.
Greek Hospitality
Greek people are known for their warm and friendly hospitality, and Corfu is no exception. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and find the locals eager to share their culture, traditions, and stories with you.
The fish tavern owner is proud of his catch. Credit: Antonis Koutelos
A fish tavern owner in Evia, Greece caught a giant squid (kalamari) recently, which weighs 15 kg (33 lbs) a rare size for Greek waters.
According to a report in the local site evima.gr, residents, and visitors to the beach of Platana in Kymi were surprised when they saw Antonis Koutelos bringing the 15 kg squid ashore.
The owner of one of the best fish taverns in Kymi told evima.gr: “These types of squid come out from time to time in the shallows. A few days ago this one was on Platana beach and I managed to catch it there. It weighs 15 kg.”
Credit: Antonis Koutelos
The size of squid in the Mediterranean can vary depending on the species. There are over 500 species of squid found in the world’s oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea is home to many of them.
Some of the smaller squid species in the Mediterranean, such as the loligo vulgaris, or common squid, typically only grow to be around 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) in mantle length (mantle length is the measurement of the squid’s body, not including its tentacles or arms).
Larger species, such as the Todarodes sagittatus, or European flying squid, can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) in mantle length.
The size of the calamari you see on restaurant menus will typically be on the smaller side, as these tend to be more tender and flavorful.
Of course Mediterranean squids are no comparison in size to the giant squids in the word oceans. Giant squid (Architeuthis dux) can grow to be truly enormous, with females reaching up to 43 feet (13 meters) in length, including their two long tentacles. Males are smaller, reaching up to 33 feet (10 meters) long.
Squid is a popular seafood delicacy in Greece
Squid, called “kalamari” (καλαμάρι) in Greek, is a very popular seafood delicacy in Greece. It has been a staple of the Greek diet for centuries, dating back to the Ancient Greeks who were skilled sailors and took advantage of the Mediterranean Sea’s abundance of seafood. Squids are plentiful in the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea, which border Greece.
Greece has a long coastline and a strong fishing tradition, making fresh squid readily available throughout the country.
Squid has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a pleasingly chewy texture. It can be prepared in many ways, making it a versatile ingredient for Greek cuisine.
It is a good source of lean protein and essential nutrients, making it an affordable and nutritious addition to the Greek diet.
The most popular way squid is prepared in Greece is fried calamari (Καλαμαράκια τηγανιτά). The squid is dredged in flour and egg, then fried until crispy. It’s typically served with a squeeze of lemon and a side of tzatziki.
Another popular preparation is grilled squid. The squid is simply seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and pepper, then grilled over hot coals. This method results in a more tender and flavorful dish.
Greeks of the 5,000-year-old village were ethnically cleansed and then forcibly expelled in 1922. Credit: Wikitestaccountlogin, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia
The ghost village of Levissi (known today as Kayaköy) was once a bustling Greek village on the slopes of a hill in the district of Fethiye, Turkey, almost opposite the island of Rhodes.
Greeks of the 5,000-year-old village were ethnically cleansed and then forcibly expelled in 1922, causing 10,000 people to leave behind the land of their heritage.
It was anciently known in Greek as Karmylessos. In late antiquity the inhabitants of the region had become Christian and, following the East-West Schism with the Church of Rome in 1054 AD, they came to be called Greek Orthodox Christians.
These Greek-speaking Christian subjects, and their Turkish-speaking Muslim Ottoman rulers, lived in relative harmony from the end of the turbulent Ottoman conquest of the region in the 14th century until the early 20th century.
The massacres of Greeks and other Christian minorities in the Ottoman Empire during World War I (1914–1918) led to the almost total depopulation of the town’s 6,500 Greek inhabitants by 1918. These former inhabitants were deprived of their properties and became refugees in Greece, or they died in Ottoman forced labor battalions.
Following the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, and the subsequent Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, the town’s Greek Orthodox residents were exiled.
A panoramic photo of the abandoned village. Credit: Darwinek, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia
Greek village is a ghost town
Since then, the homes have remained vacant, left to decay after being further damaged by a huge earthquake in 1957.
Houses and churches in the area have been used for summer festivals, however, plans to lease the area and auction it off for commercial interests have caused local Turks as well as Greeks with roots in the area to protest. They are worried that the investors could further ruin the authenticity of the area.
The ghost town, now preserved as a museum village, consists of hundreds of rundown but still mostly standing Greek-style houses and churches that cover a small mountainside and serve as a stopping place for tourists visiting Fethiye and nearby Ölüdeniz.
The village is now empty except for tour groups and roadside vendors selling handmade goods. There are a few houses which have been restored and are currently occupied.
American filmmaker Joerg Schodl set out to document what is left of the ghost town in his documentary, “Ghosts of Levissi.”
Schodl tells the tale of the small Greek community in Asia Minor that was torn apart during the final days of the Ottoman Empire. It focuses on the disappearance of the population practically overnight thanks to campaigns, designed to scare Greeks from Levissi and nearby Macri (known as Fethiye), including offensives by Turks. The site Greek Genocide reports that women were raped and their clothes and shoes taken from them.
When making the film, Schodl had the help of members of the Greek community in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane and he was able to find thirteen descendants of Levissi families. More descendants were found in Toronto, Rhodes, London, Athens and Istanbul.
The bombs were discovered during work at the Hellinikon project. Credit: Lamda Development
A total of 314 WWII German bombs have been discovered during work on a massive urban development project at the former airport complex of Hellinikon south of Athens, according to local authorities.
In a press conference on Thursday, Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor Giannis Konstantatos said that the cache of German-made ordnance was found buried at a depth of two meters beneath a former social club, nursery schools and sports facilities constructed for the 2004 Athens Olympics situated at the site.
“Thankfully, no explosions or accidents occurred. It’s puzzling how an entire airport and numerous municipal and civil aviation facilities operated in such a minefield,” he said.
The disposal of the bombs was undertaken by the Hellenic Army’s Land Mine Clearance Squad (TENX).
Hellinikon Airport used by the German occupying forces
The old Athens airport at Hellinikon was founded in 1938. It wasn’t originally called Hellinikon International Airport, but Kalamaki Airfield, which was used by the German occupying forces for missions in Greece.
Since Athens was occupied early in the war (April 1941), Hellinikon was used for transporting troops or supplies to other parts of Greece or the Balkans. It also functioned as a repair and storage facility for non-operational aircraft.
The German occupation of Athens, which lasted from April 1941 to October 1944, was a dark and tumultuous period in the city’s history. The Greeks suffered greatly under the harsh rule of the Nazi occupiers, who imposed severe restrictions on their lives, looted their resources, and perpetrated numerous atrocities.
The Hellinikon project
The bombs were discovered during work for the Hellinikon project, a massive urban development project which is aiming to be one of the biggest urban parks in Europe.
The project incorporates the park itself, along with luxury residences, hotels, a casino, a marina, shops, offices, and even Greece’s tallest buildings reaching up to 200 meters in height.
The park itself is planned to encompass a whopping 263 hectares, with an additional 100+ hectares dedicated to housing and office facilities. This would make it larger than London’s Hyde Park, currently the biggest in Europe at 250 hectares.
In the meantime, a section called the Hellinikon Experience Park has been open to the public since 2016. This 75,000 square meter section offers a green space for relaxation and recreation.
LAMDA Development says that The Hellinikon is expected to substantially contribute to the repositioning of Athens as one of the major world-class tourism destinations as it will provide a significant number of new accommodation landmarks, as well as thematic tourism venues, expected to attract at least 1 million new tourists while significantly reducing seasonality and at the same time increasing the average stay and spending of tourists in Athens.
The ongoing project is expected to contribute to the country’s GDP by 2.4% until the development’s completion date, contributing also a total of over €14 bln in tax revenues to the Greek State over the same timeframe.
Greek Patriot batteries were on display recently. Credit: Hellenic National Defence General Staff
Germany has criticized its NATO allies Spain and Greece for not donating their Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine.
Kyiv has said it needs at least seven of the American-made surface-to-air missile batteries to protect its cities from Russia’s long-range bombardments.
Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defense minister, said: “Many countries have Patriot systems or comparable.”
“Let’s say if a country has, for instance, six Patriot systems or four and is not in the front line to the east, it can easily hand over a Patriot system,” he added in a television appearance on Tuesday.
Asked by the host whether it was a pointed criticism of Spain and Greece, Pistorius replied: “We’re talking to them right now. I honestly can’t understand.”
Germany this month wrote to dozens of countries to appeal for more air-defense systems for Ukraine as part of a campaign to plug gaps in Kyiv’s defenses.
But since the initiative’s launched, only Berlin has decided to send a Patriot system to Ukraine from its arsenal.
Greece refuses to send the Patriot system to Ukraine
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greece can not offer air defense systems like Patriots or S-300 to Ukraine responding to pressure from EU and NATO allies to send more military aid to Kyiv.
“Greece is not going to send S-300 or Patriot to Ukraine,” Mitsotakis said in an interview in Skai TV late on Thursday.
European Union ministers said on Monday they were looking urgently at how to provide more air defenses to Ukraine but they stopped short of concrete pledges of the Patriot systems that Kyiv values most.
“We were asked and we explained why we cannot do it,” Mitsotakis said adding that these systems are “critical to our deterrent capability.”
Greece denied on Monday a report that is about to supply air defense systems to Ukraine, clarifying that no action would be taken that might compromise the country’s deterrent capability.
The government spokesman in Athens Pavlos Marinakis reacted to a report in the Financial Times suggesting that the government in Athens faces significant pressure to send US Patriot systems and Russian S-300s to Ukraine.
“We have already provided tangible assistance to Ukraine and its people. However, it must be emphasized that no action will be taken – and I stress this – that could even remotely endanger our nation’s deterrent capabilities or air defense,” Marinakis told a press briefing.
“We have consistently refuted such claims in the past, and I reiterate our stance emphatically today,” he added.
According to the FT report, European leaders personally urged Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez during a summit in Brussels last week to supply the systems to Ukraine.
The two leaders, whose armed forces collectively possess over a dozen Patriot systems along with other assets like S-300s, were allegedly told that their own needs were not as pressing as Ukraine’s and that they were not currently facing imminent threats.
In 2021 Greece delivered a battery of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Saudi Arabia as well as 120 soldiers to work the weapons system. The then-Chief of General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros said that the mission of the Greek forces is to maintain peace and stability, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The Olympic Flame traveled for 11 days throughout Greece. Credit: AMNA
After its journey through Greece for 11 days, the Olympic Flame will be handed over to the delegation of the “Paris 2024” Organising Committee on Friday.
The handover ceremony will begin on Friday, April 26, at 6:30 pm (local time) at the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro) in central Athens, the site of the first modern Olympic Games of 1896.
Internationally renowned artist Nana Mouskouri will participate in the ceremony, while Nikos Aliagas will host the event.
The Olympic Torch will be brought to the Panathenaic Stadium by Greek race walking champion Antigoni Drisbiotis, while the last torchbearer in the Kallimarmaro will be the captain of Greece’s national polo team Ioannis Fountoulis, together with his teammates, who won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
At the end of the event, the president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, will hand over the Olympic Torch to the president of the “PARIS 2024” Organizing Committee, Tony Estanguet, so that it can continue its journey to Paris.
The Olympic Flame was lit in ancient Olympia on April 16th. Some 600 dignitaries attended the ceremony, headed by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach.
The ritual included actresses in the role of ancient priestesses coaxing the Olympic flame into life with the help of a parabolic polished mirror in Olympia, where the Games first took place in 776 BC.
The Olympic flame was carried by Mary Mina, the priestess, in a choreography inspired and directed by the choreographer Artemis Ignatiou to music composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou and performed by 35 priestesses and 15 kouroi. The costumes for the performers were created by the internationally renowned designer Mary Katrantzou.
Olympic Flame to set sail from Greece to Marseilles
An illustration of the Belem arriving in Marseille. Credit: International Olympic Committee
The Olympic Flame for the 2024 Paris Games will take to the seas from its birthplace in Greece, arriving aboard a three-masted tall ship in the French port of Marseille, a former Greek colony founded 2,600 years ago.
The huge port city of Marseille in southern France was founded by the Greeks back in 600 BC when the first immigrants arrived in the area and established a trading colony. This was at a time when many Phocaeans left their homeland in today’s Turkey (then Greek-speaking Asia Minor) and reached the northern shores of the Western Mediterranean.
Legendary 🇫🇷sailing ship to transport Olympic Flame
The Belem made its 1st voyage in 1896,just a few weeks after the first modern #OlympicGames had finished in #Athens
— Greece in the Netherlands (@PressGreekEmbas) April 23, 2024
The Flame will arrive in Marseille aboard the historic ship Belem on 8 May 2024 kicking off its journey across France. Fourteen young people aged 16 to 24 have been selected to join the professional crew of the Belem and accompany the Olympic Flame on its Mediterranean crossing. They will join the ship’s professional crew of 16.
The Olympic Flame will arrive in Paris on July 26 for the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games.
