Tesla Starts Production of Long-Awaited Cybertruck

Abdul Moeed
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Tesla Starts Production of Long-Awaited Cybertruck
Cybertruck Tesla
Tesla has built the first Cybertruck at Giga, Texas, and aims to start mass production by the end of 2023. Credit: u/Kruzat/ CC-BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Tesla has officially commenced the manufacturing process of its long-awaited Cybertruck.

In a recent tweet shared on Saturday, the company revealed that the very first Cybertruck has been successfully assembled at its Giga Texas facility located in Austin.

Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, first unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019; however, the production of this innovative vehicle has faced several delays.

Originally planned for manufacturing and delivery in 2021, Tesla has encountered setbacks due to difficulties in sourcing necessary components, reported Tech Crunch.

In July 2022, Musk established a revised production timeline, aiming for the summer of 2023. Furthermore, during Tesla’s earnings call for the first quarter of 2023, Musk assured stakeholders that a special event would be held to mark the delivery of the Cybertruck, expected to take place in the latter part of the third quarter.

During Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in May 2023, Musk revealed that the company has ambitious plans for the production of the Cybertruck.

He stated that once full-scale manufacturing commences, Tesla has the potential to deliver an impressive range of 250,000 to 500,000 units per year. Mass production of the Cybertruck is currently slated for the end of this year.

Cybertruck production delays might link to design and engineering

Although Tesla has cited typical supply chain challenges as the cause of Cybertruck delays, leaked documents have brought to light additional significant flaws in the vehicle’s fundamental design and engineering.

In January 2022, a whistleblower disclosed approximately 100 GB of files to the German publication Handelsblatt, which exposed preproduction prototypes riddled with alarming problems related to braking, powertrain, suspension, sealing, and structural integrity.

The report not only highlighted unfulfilled promises made by Tesla but also served as a stark reminder of the initial Cybertruck reveal event, during which the supposedly indestructible armor glass windows were unexpectedly cracked by the vehicle’s designer.

Electrek reported in November 2022 that the number of reservations for the Cybertruck has exceeded an impressive 1.5 million.

Since 2019, Tesla customers have had the opportunity to secure their place in line by placing a refundable deposit of $100 as a pre-order for the vehicle.

Estimated price of Tesla’s Cybertruck

Initially, Tesla had set the starting price for the Cybertruck at $39,900 for the single motor and rear-wheel drive model. This particular variant was projected to possess a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a range of over 250 miles.

However, recent assessments by Kelley Blue Book indicate that the starting price for this model is now expected to be approximately $50,000.

For the dual-motor, all-wheel drive version, it is expected that the starting price will be around $60,000. This variant is likely to offer a towing capacity exceeding 10,000 pounds and a range of over 300 miles.

The highest-priced edition of the Cybertruck, which is projected to start at roughly $70,000, will feature three electric motors and an all-wheel drive. This top-tier model is expected to have an impressive towing capacity of 14,000 pounds and a battery range exceeding 500 miles.

Did Alexander the Great Have Any Children?

Alexander Gale
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Did Alexander the Great Have Any Children?
Alexander the Great
Statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki. Credit: Alexander Gale / Greek Reporter

Alexander the Great is remembered as one of history’s greatest generals, having conquered vast tracts of the ancient world, including Persia, Egypt, and parts of India, but his empire quickly fragmented after his death and none of his children were able to succeed him as heir.

Alexander the Great had one legitimate child, a son named Alexander IV of Macedon. Alexander IV was born in 323 BC to Alexander’s wife Roxana, shortly after Alexander’s death.

The Macedonian king is also purported to have had an illegitimate son called Heracles of Macedon by Barsine, daughter of Satrap Artabazus of Phrygia, but historians remain unsure whether Heracles really was a son of Alexander.

The legitimate son of Alexander the Great

Alexander IV was born to Alexander, a Macedonian Greek, and his wife Roxana (Roxane), who was Sogdian. He was the grandson of Philip II of Macedon. The circumstances surrounding his birth were significant due to the uncertain succession following Alexander’s death on June 11, 323 BC.

At the time of Alexander’s death, Roxana was pregnant, and the gender of the baby was unknown. This led to disagreements among the Macedonian army regarding the rightful heir. While the infantry supported Philip III, Alexander’s half-brother, who had a cognitive disability, the chiliarch Perdiccas, who commanded the elite Companion cavalry, convinced them to wait in the hope that Roxana’s child would be a male.

To resolve the situation, a compromise was reached. Perdiccas would serve as regent, ruling over the empire, while Philip III would hold the title of king but without any real power. If Roxana’s child turned out to be a boy, he would ascend to the throne. Alexander IV was born in either late 323 BC or early 322 BC, marking a crucial moment in the succession of Alexander the Great’s empire.

However, a power struggle soon ensued among Alexander’s generals, known as the Diadochi, over the control of his vast empire. Alexander IV, being an infant, became a pawn in this struggle. He and his mother, Roxana, were initially placed under the protection of Alexander’s general, Perdiccas.

However, as the Diadochi fought for power, Perdiccas was eventually killed, and Roxana and Alexander IV fell into the hands of another of Alexander’s generals, Cassander. Cassander saw the young Alexander as a threat to his own power and, in 310 BC, ordered the execution of both Roxana and Alexander IV.

With the death of Alexander IV, the direct line of Alexander the Great came to an end. The subsequent Hellenistic period was marked by the rise and fall of various successor kingdoms established by Alexander’s generals, and no legitimate heirs of Alexander’s bloodline were able to establish themselves as rulers.

An illegitimate child?

The life of Heracles of Macedon is shrouded in uncertainty and speculation, as historical records do not definitively establish whether he was the illegitimate son of Alexander the Great or not. While ancient sources such as Plutarch and Justin mention Barsine and Heracles, Arrian’s account in Alexander’s Anabasis does not make any reference to them.

According to Plutarch, Alexander took Barsine as his mistress, allegedly on the recommendation of Parmenion, despite their disagreements and Alexander’s disregard for Parmenion’s judgment. If Heracles was indeed Alexander’s illegitimate child, it raises questions as to why he was not immediately drawn into the succession disputes that followed Alexander’s death. Instead, Philip Arrhidaeus, who was also illegitimate and a son of Alexander’s father Philip, was favored as a more distant claimant over Heracles.

After Alexander’s death, Nearchus, who was married to Barsine, advocated for Heracles’ inheritance but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Heracles lived a life of obscurity until Alexander IV, the legitimate son of Alexander the Great, was murdered by Cassander in 310 BC or 309 BC.

At this point, Polyperchon, a regent of Macedon who had been replaced by Cassander and had been in seclusion for several years, emerged as a supporter of Heracles as the true heir of Alexander. Polyperchon began organizing an army to champion Heracles’ cause. Instead of engaging in direct conflict, Cassander chose to negotiate with Polyperchon. Through offering various bribes, including a sinecure and a significant amount of wealth, Cassander persuaded Polyperchon to have Heracles murdered. Subsequently, Polyperchon retreated back into obscurity.

Two Large Wildfires Rage Near Athens, Houses Burned

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Two Large Wildfires Rage Near Athens, Houses Burned
Wildfire Athens
Helicopters are aiding the efforts of the firefighters on the ground at Kouvaras, Attica. Credit: AMNA

Dozens of firefighters are battling the flames of two large wildfires that broke out south and west of Athens on Monday.

The first blaze broke out in the Kouvaras area in Attica in the early afternoon, and a warning was sent via the emergency number 112 to evacuate several settlements in southeast Attica.

Strong winds are fanning the flames, making the work of firefighters particularly difficult.

The fire has reached the south coast of Attica. The fire service has asked the residents of Saronida, Anavyssos and Lagonisi to evacuate towards Athens. Homes were burned at Lagonisi and Saronida but there are no reports of casualties.

A force of 55 firefighters and 20 fire engines, two units on foot and 31 Romanian firefighters with five water tankers have been deployed to put out the fire, assisted by six fire-fighting aircraft and four helicopters – including one acting as coordinator – from the air.

According to the latest update from the police, Lavrio Avenue has been closed to vehicles in both directions between Sounion Avenue and the Kouvara rural road.

Wildfire at Loutraki, west of Athens

Later a second wildfire broke out in the area of Loutraki, west of Athens. The fire brigade said the fire has started due to unknown causes in a forest in Loutraki’s Kallithea location, with a strong firefighting force deployed to put out the flames as strong winds were blowing in the area.

Shortly after, a message sent from emergency number 112 ordered the evacuation of the areas Kallithea, Pefkia and Irene in Corinth as a precaution. Residents have been instructed to head toward the coastal city of Loutraki.

Greek police has also stopped the traffic on the Athens-Corinth national highway from the Agioi Theodori intersection to the Epidaurus intersection due to fires southeast of Loutraki.

This is a developing story

Greek authorities issued a wildfire warning

Earlier, authorities in Greece had issued a fire hazard warning as the heatwave codenamed “Kleon”, which has been affecting Greece over the past four days continues.

According to the fire hazard prediction map published by the Civil Protection Agency, five regions are considered to be at very high risk of wildfires, ranking at Level 4 (orange) out of a maximum of 5.

They are Attica, Central Greece (Viotia, Evia), the Peloponnese (Corinthia and Argolida), the South Aegean (Rhodes) and the North Aegean (Chios, Samos and Ikaria).

Residents and visitors are advised not to engage in any dangerous activities such as building campfires, holding barbecues or burning plant trimmings in at-risk regions, and especially in wooded areas.

They are also urged to be especially mindful of littering, as trash like tin cans, cigarette butts or plastic bottles can spark or accelerate a blaze.

The flammability of dead forest fuel is critically high. Based on the analysis of available forecast data, the moisture content of dead forest fuels (flammability index) is expected to drop below 10% in several areas of eastern mainland Greece, remaining at these levels even during the night.

On alert to prevent 2021 chaos

Greek authorities are on alert to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic wildfires of 2021 which killed 3 people, injured at least 20 others and burned dozens of homes, after a historic heatwave for the country, with the highest temperatures reaching 47.1 °C (116.8 °F).

The largest wildfires were in Attica, Olympia, Messenia, and the most destructive in northern Evia.

Metal Wars: China Restricts Exports of Gallium and Germanium

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Metal Wars: China Restricts Exports of Gallium and Germanium
China Gallium and Germanium
Crystals of 99.999% gallium. Credit: foobar,  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 /Wikipedia

China’s Ministry of Commerce and China Customs recently announced export controls on gallium and germanium products (including compounds), effective August 1.

This action, aimed at “safeguarding national security and interests,” according to Chinese officials, has stirred global panic within various industries and governments.

Although these two rare metals only account for several hundred million dollars in global trade—a figure that pales in comparison with the chipmaking industry’s value of over $600 billion—they are critical strategic resources in the defense and high-tech sectors.

Infrared optics, fiberoptic communications, solar cells, and compound semiconductors are useless without them. Any disruption in the supply of these metals would therefore unsettle downstream markets valued in the trillions of dollars.

Further exacerbating the anxiety is China’s dominance in the global supply of these metals. In 2022 alone, China manufactured 90 percent of gallium-related products and 68 percent of germanium-related products.

Chinese authorities argue that export restrictions on products involving these metals are standard international practice and not targeted at any specific country.

Extraction of gallium and germanium uneconomical

Both gallium and germanium are classified as dispersed metals that occur in deficient concentrations in the Earth’s crust, rendering extraction highly uneconomical.

For instance, gallium primarily exists as a secondary element in bauxite ore, with its production primarily being a by-product of aluminum refining. Likewise, germanium rarely forms independent ores and is typically found within minerals composed of other elements.

The EU has urgently called on aluminium and zinc companies to investigate producing the key semiconductor metals.

EU approaches Greek company to produce gallium

It has approached Mytilineos Energy & Metals, a Greek aluminium producer, and asked it to explore producing gallium as a byproduct at its refinery that turns bauxite into alumina, a starting material for aluminium, in Agios Nikolaos in mainland Greece.

“The EU has reached out to us with regards to evaluating how alumina refineries can contribute to a way out of this crisis,” Nick Keramidas, executive director of EU affairs at the company told the Financial Times.

The EU sources 71 per cent of its gallium and 45 per cent of germanium from China, according to the EU, but there are only a handful of companies outside of China capable of producing the high-purity metals used in chipmaking, solar photovoltaic cells and optic fibres.

“We realize China can twist our arm. Europe said ‘oh let’s ramp up production, alumina refineries can look at that’ but last time I looked, half of them were down,” said Keramidas.

“When you can’t competitively produce your main commodity because the conditions are so absurdly problematic, it might be idiotic to invest in a side-product that is gallium.”

Greek Island of Lipsi Bans Swimming Pools to Save Water

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Greek Island of Lipsi Bans Swimming Pools to Save Water
Lipsi water
Lipsi viewed from the harbor. Public Domain

Lipsi, a tiny and isolated Greek island in the Dodecanese, has banned the construction of swimming pools to save water and has begun a campaign for sustainable vacations.

“Our concept of holidays does not belong to the past but to the future, where the Mediterranean islands will be forced to follow our example to protect the environment and deal with the uncontrollable heat waves and water shortages,” said the mayor of Lipsi Fotis Mangos.

The call for an authentic and sustainable way of vacationing by saying “no” to the waste of natural resources is accompanied by a video that follows a young couple, Konstantinos and Dimitra, enjoying their holidays in Lipsi without pools and organized beaches full of sunbeds.

The couple’s daily life is dreamlike, full of swimming and relaxing in “natural pools” with emerald waters, walks in the picturesque alleys, culinary experiences, local products, historic churches, traditions, sunsets, fun in idyllic places, hiking, cycling, horse riding, diving and sea excursions.

“Through our initiatives, we offer travelers an unspoiled natural paradise. The response of a quality audience from Greece and abroad is very great, resulting in an impressive increase in demand for the island in recent years”, Maggos says.

Lipsi campaign to save water

Recently the island of Lipsi took another significant step towards sustainable tourism, aiming at the correct use of water resources produced via water desalination.

In the context of an international initiative that detergent manufacturers Finish and Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med) are implementing in Greece, an action team with the active support of the municipality of Lipsi has equipped all the households of the islands with special water saving filters, showing the right way to use the devices and helping in their installation.

Lipsi, a hidden gem of the Dodecanese archipelago

Lipsi is not just one island, but actually a cluster of islets located in the southeastern Aegean. The collective name comes from the largest island of all, Lipsi, which is formed by land masses joined by a narrow isthmus.

Low hills and valleys, as well as a rocky coastline and several bays, are part of the landscape of Lipsi.

Cars and roads are not common on the island, therefore most of the action takes place along the pedestrian seafront promenade. A small fishing port and several must-visit tavernas can also be found there.

In the town (Chorio), one can taste the famous octopus dishes of the island in one of the many ouzeries or fish restaurants there. At night, these venues turn into meeting places where people can  go for a drink and live music.

Lipsi is a small island, so it is quite easy to move around by bike or even on foot. Despite its size, however, there are many churches and monasteries on the island. Locals even say that it’s possible that every family of Lipsi could have a chapel of their very own.

Most of the beaches of Lipsi are close to the port. The ones that are further away, however,  are still close and easy enough to reach by taxi or motorbike.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Spotted in Mykonos

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Spotted in Mykonos
Antetokounmpo Mykonos
Credit: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0/Wikipedia

Giannis Antetokounmpo escaped the Athens heat over the weekend to cool down on the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos.

Local site Mykonoslive.tv spotted the Greek freak walking on the main street of the island in the evening accompanied by his brothers and members of his private security. Holidaymakers spotted the NBA star and kept asking for selfies.

Antetokounmpo is a great fan of Mykonos

Last year he visited the island with his family. He was seen enjoying the sun and Greek food at Psarou Beach, known to attract local and international celebrities (and their huge yachts). This beach is one of Mykonos’ trendiest and most famous and is always packed in the summer.

Recently, Antetokounmpo delved into the dilemma many visitors to Greece have when he compared two of the most glamorous Aegean islands, Mykonos and Santorini.

“Mykonos is one of the best islands in Greece…it’s a party island. You cannot go there with your significant other, you got to be by yourself. It’s got to be a boys’ trip. Obviously, we have Santorini, Santorini’s really romantic. It has the best sunset and sunrise in the world. You can take your significant other there,” Antetokounmpo said.

NBA star vacationing in Greece

The NBA star continues to spend his offseason doing his own thing and finding his way onto social media in the meantime. He has spent most of his time in his hometown, Athens, Greece with his family.

In the Greek capital, he has been teaching the children at the Antetokounbros Academy to play basketball.

The athlete dedicated some of his time to grassroots basketball and shared some of his skills and knowledge with children at the open basketball court in Athens.

“Just like the good old days!” tweeted Antetokounmpo. “A ball, a hoop and some sun.” The basketballer and philanthropist also shared images of himself coaching children on the basketball court in Athens.

While in Athens Antetokounmpo has bought a massive new home for the whole family, including his mother and brothers, in the leafy suburb of Psychiko in Athens.

According to a report in Proto Thema, he bought the futuristic apartment building for an estimated 10 million euros ($11 million),

The newspaper says that the property is located on a plot of 1500 sq.m. It has published a video where Giannis is seen moving belongings to the new house.

Giannis will be returning to the Bucks with a vengeance next year after Milwaukee’s very disappointing first-round exit.

He still has a good amount of work to do to put himself in conversation with the all-time greats, and it is highly unlikely that he is happy with just the one NBA Finals ring he has so far.

After this season’s playoff debacle against the Miami Heat, Giannis and the Bucks are going to be gunning for a ring every night next year.

Identity of Notorious Serial Killer Jack the Ripper Revealed

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Identity of Notorious Serial Killer Jack the Ripper Revealed
One of a series of images from the Illustrated London News for October 13, 1888, carrying the overall caption, “With the Vigilance Committee in the East End”. This specific image is entitled “A Suspicious Character”. Public Domain

A former police volunteer has unearthed new medical evidence she believes identifies Jack the Ripper, the 19th-century serial killer responsible for some of the UK’s most infamous and unsolved murders.

Sarah Bax Horton has named Hyam Hyams as the man she claims is responsible for the murders of at least six women in or near Whitechapel, east London between August and November 1888.

Martha Tabram, Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elisabeth Stride, Kate Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly were either destitute or prostitutes who had their throats cut and bodies butchered in horrific attacks that shocked the nation.

Baxton Horton, whose grandfather worked on the Ripper investigation, examined medical records and witness descriptions of the man seen with female victims before they were stabbed to death, leading her to Hyams.

Jack the Ripper
Hyam Hyams, photographed at Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum in 1899, has been named as a key suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders. Credit: London Metropolitan Archives

Hyams, a cigar maker who lived in the area where the murderers were committed, was an epileptic and alcoholic who was in and out of mental asylums. His job meant he was likely skilled in using a knife.

He repeatedly assaulted his wife, fearing she was cheating on him, and was eventually arrested after attacking her and his mother with a “chopper”.

Witnesses described Hyams as a man in his mid-thirties with a stiff arm and an irregular gait with bent knees.

Bax Horton discovered that the medical notes of Hyams, who was 35 in 1888, recorded an injury that left him unable to “bend or extend” his left arm.

He also had an irregular gait and an inability to straighten his knees, with asymmetric foot-dragging, the medical records showed. Hyams also had the most severe form of epilepsy, with regular seizures.

The medical notes, taken from various infirmaries and asylums, revealed that his mental and physical decline coincided with the Ripper’s killing period, escalating between his breaking his left arm in February 1888 and his permanent committal in September 1889.

Jack the Ripper identified using distinctive physical characteristics

“For the first time in history, Jack the Ripper can be identified as Hyam Hyams using distinctive physical characteristics,” Bax Horton told The Telegraph.

In the files, eyewitnesses’ statements said that the man they had seen had a peculiar gait. He was weak at the knees and wasn’t fully extending his legs. When he walked, he had a kind of shuffling gait, which was probably a side-effect of some brain damage as a result of his epilepsy.”

Three of the Ripper’s victims had internal organs removed, leading to previous police theories that the culprit had a background in human anatomy.

Letters taunting investigators and claiming to be from the “killer” first used the term “Jack the Ripper”. Most were thought to be hoaxes but the moniker remained.

Police never established for certain how many victims there were in total and investigators examining 11 murders in Whitechapel and Spitalfields between 1888 and 1891 could not link them to the five in 1888.

Pinning down the identity of Britain’s most notorious serial killer has occupied the minds of historians and conspiracy theorists alike for decades.

Over the years, enthusiasts have pored over the evidence to draw up a list of potential killers that range from the plausible to the preposterous.

A Russian con artist, a Polish barber, an Irish-American quack and even the eldest son of Edward VII have all been accused of being the man who, for one summer in 1888, brought terror to the heart of London’s East End before disappearing without a trace.

THI Provides Grant to Support Blood Donation Efforts in Greece

Tasos Kokkinidis
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THI Provides Grant to Support Blood Donation Efforts in Greece
THI Blood donation Greece
Volunteers donating blood at Impact Hub, Amalia Fleming Hospital, Athens. Credit: The Hellenic Initiative

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) has made a $25,000 grant to Bloode, a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to address the pressing issue of blood shortage in Greece.

The funds provided will enable Bloode to hire one full time employee who will be responsible for running the organization’s blood donation initiatives and fostering stronger partnerships with various public hospitals.

Founded in 2012, THI is a global non-profit organization that brings together Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to invest in Greece today through programs focused on economic development and crisis relief. Since its founding, THI has invested over $20 million in Greece and is one of the largest Greek Diaspora organizations in the world.

In May THI announced a donation of $50,000 to the non-profit foundation Desmos in Greece to strengthen the country’s defenses against chronic and devastating wildfires.

THI initiative to address blood shortage in Greece

Natalia Kritsali, Bloode’s Founder and President, was motivated – like many of Greece’s pioneering social entrepreneurs – by a personal experience. She learned about Greek society’s dire blood donation shortfall when a friend of hers needed blood.

Kritsali and two of her classmates began to address the problem as they learned about its seriousness and scope. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Greece is one of the six European countries that cannot fully cover all its blood needs through its network of volunteer blood donors.

In 2019, only 63% of the needs for blood were covered by volunteers despite WHO’s directive that all nations cover their national blood needs from volunteer blood donors by 2020.

Annually, Greece needs around 550,000-600,000 blood units, and it is estimated that between 25-30% of those are needed for people below the age of 60. The country’s 37% shortfall in donated blood supply is needed for patients with Thalassemia (19%), with a remaining 18% needed to cover the needs of the chronic cancer patients, both adults and children.

Bloode’s work is focused on helping the National Blood System to become self-sustaining and able to fulfill all the country’s annual blood needs. They actively support the blood donation process, particularly the communication between hospitals and patients.

In addition, Bloode organizes blood drives and is making strides towards its ultimate vision of connecting donors directly with beneficiaries by increasing information available to citizens and doctors. Patients seeking blood can also make inquiries through the platform at bloode.org.

George P. Stamas, THI Board President, stated: “THI is known for addressing the economic dimension of the Greek crisis. While Greece has made tremendous progress in this regard, the aftermath of the crisis persists, including critical situations in healthcare. Raising public awareness of critical healthcare issues like blood donation shortfalls is critical to people getting treatment. Organizations like Bloode are truly life-saving.”

Andrew N. Liveris, THI Board Chairman stated: “THI is committed to providing support to worthy and impactful organizations like Bloode. Whether in remote towns or islands, in the summer when the population of Greece expands dramatically through tourism, or in the daily lives of Greek citizens, worthy NGOs such as Bloode can have a meaningful impact in improving healthcare and lives in Greece.”

Greek Movies Available on Netflix

Alexander Gale
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Greek Movies Available on Netflix
Netflix announces the list of movies that will disappear from Netflix by the end of June
Several Greek movies are now available on Netflix. Credit: stockcatalog / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Streaming services like Netflix have transformed the way audiences access film and television, with a wide array of movies and TV shows available from home at the click of a remote.

This is no less true for the Greek film industry, with an increasing number of movies directed, produced, and starring Greeks now available on Netflix, the largest video streaming service in the world.

With its diverse collection, Netflix provides a platform to discover and enjoy a wide variety of Greek movies, from thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming comedies.

Behind the Haystacks (2022)

The story of Behind the Haystacks concerns a tragic incident on Greece’s northern border that befalls a local family of three, pushing them to face their own personal impasses while having to deeply consider the price for their actions.

The film’s director and writer is Asimina Proedrou and it stars Stathis Stamoulakatos, Eleni Ouzounidou, and Evgenia Lavda.

 

Army Baby (2022)

Army Baby is a heartwarming and comedic journey that explores the responsibilities of fatherhood amidst the backdrop of military service and cross-border adventures.

Yiannis, a carefree soldier stationed on the Greek Turkish border, discovers he is the father of an unaccompanied infant who arrives at his camp. As the soldiers keep the baby a secret from their superiors, unforeseen complications arise, leading to the baby crossing the border into Turkey. Yiannis embarks on a daring mission to retrieve his child, navigating cultural differences and facing unexpected challenges

The film is directed by George Kordellas and stars Ian Stratis, Maria Konstadaki, and Gerasimos Gennatas.

Broadway (2022)

Broadway is the story of a group of four young street performers and pickpockets in modern Athens who unexpectedly discover refuge in the forgotten “Broadway Stoa,” an abandoned entertainment complex frozen in time. Within the walls of this mystical place, their makeshift family finds a sense of belonging and security. However, the delicate balance they’ve established is shattered when a former team member is released from prison, disrupting their harmonious existence.

The film’s writer and director is Christos Massalas. It stars Elsa Lekakou, Foivos Papadopoulos, and Stathis Apostolou.

Moon, 66 Questions (2021)

Artemis, after years of being away, returns to Athens upon learning of her father’s declining health. During her time back home, she uncovers a deeply hidden secret her father has kept. This revelation unlocks a newfound understanding of her father, allowing Artemis to connect with him in a way she had never been able to before.

The movie was written and directed by Jacqueline Lentzou. It stars Lazaros Georgakopoulos, Nikos Hanakoulas, and Kaiti Ibrohori.

All the Pretty Little Horses (2020)

Set against the backdrop of Greece’s government-debt crisis, All the Pretty Little Horses follows Aliki and Petros, a couple living an apparently idyllic life in a rural Greek home. However, beneath the surface, their relationship is strained, and their move from a luxurious house to a modest apartment reveals their loss of social standing.

As they pine for their previous lives, they find solace in a wealthy acquaintance’s vacant home, blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

Director Michalis Konstantatos explores themes of class disparity and self-image with a controlled and somber tone, revealing the characters’ complicity in their own downfall and the complexities of their desperation.

Apples (2020)

Apples is a 2020 internationally co-produced drama film directed by Christos Nikou in his directorial debut. The movie, written by Nikou and Stavros Raptis, features Aris Servetalis, Sofia Georgovasili, Anna Kalaitzidou, and Argiris Bakirtzis in starring roles.

With executive producer Cate Blanchett and her production company Dirty Films involved, the story unfolds during a global pandemic that triggers abrupt amnesia in people. Middle-aged Aris becomes part of a recovery program aimed at assisting unclaimed patients in constructing new identities. Apples takes viewers on a thought-provoking journey as Aris navigates his way through this uncertain world of memory loss and self-discovery.

Adults in the Room (2019)

Adults in the Room is based on the personal memoirs of the former Greek Minister of Finance Yannis Varoufakis during the 2015 Greek bailout.

The film is directed by Costa-Gavras and stars Christos Loulis, Ulrich Tukur, Christos Stergioglou, and Alexandros Bourdoumis.

Not to Be Unpleasant, But We Need to Have a Serious Talk (2019)

Not To Be Unpleasant But We Need To Have A Serious Talk is a black comedy that revolves around Aris, a womanizer who discovers that he carries a sexually transmitted virus that is fatal only to women.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, he becomes the sole hope for finding a cure: identifying which of his ex-girlfriends was the carrier of the initial viral strain.

The film was directed by Giorgous Georgopoulos and stars Omiros Poulakis, Vangelis Mourikis, and Kora Karvouni.

The Waiter (2018)

“After discovering a dead body, a bashful waiter gets tangled up in a twisted love triangle and the mysterious disappearance of his neighbor,” reads Netflix’s synopsis of The Waiter.

The film was written and directed by Steve Krikris and stars Aris Servetalis, Giannis Stankoglou, and Alexandros Mavropoulos.

Pity (2018)

Pity is a compelling Greek drama film directed by Babis Makridis that delves into the depths of self-pity. Released in 2018, the film gained recognition as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the esteemed Sundance Film Festival

The movie was directed by Babis Makridis and stars Yannis Drakopoulos as the protagonist, Evi Saoulidou, Nota Tserniafski, and Makis Papadimitriou.

Suntan (2016)

Suntan is a captivating Greek drama film directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, with a screenplay co-written by Papadimitropoulos and Syllas Tzoumerkas. Released in 2016, the film follows the story of a middle-aged general practitioner, portrayed by Makis Papadimitriou, who becomes infatuated with a young female patient.

Premiering at the International Film Festival Rotterdam on February 2, 2016, “Suntan” takes audiences on a mesmerizing journey as it explores themes of obsession and desire.

 

Greek Descendants of the Seleucid Dynasty in Today’s Kyrgyzstan

Philip Chrysopoulos
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Greek Descendants of the Seleucid Dynasty in Today’s Kyrgyzstan
Seleucid Dynasty
A tetradrachm coin showing Seleucus I Nikator. Credit: Classical Numismatic Group/Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

The Seleucid Dynasty, founded by Seleucus I Nicator (“the Victor”), a general who served under Alexander the Great, the Greek ruler of the kingdom of Macedonia, has descendants in today’s Kyrgyzstan—2,300 years later.

Kubanychbek Kendirbaev, a history researcher and director of Seleucia, a Public Charitable Fund he established in 2019, says his clan are Seleucid Dynasty descendants.

The researcher’s resume includes his employment at the Ministry of the Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic and Helvetas Kyrgyzstan, the Swiss Association for International Cooperation. He is also a graduate of the National Academy of Science of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Kendirbaev, who lives in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, has formed the Seleucia PCF with the aim to aid education, culture, and the preservation of historical heritage.

“Our Beshkoruk clan lives in Kyrgyzstan. My grandfather Shyrdakbek Khan was Emir of Kashgar, Jarkend, Andijan, Kokand and he is a national and epic hero of Kyrgyzstan,” he tells Greek Reporter.

“Canadian-Greek composer and singer Yannis Kapa created a song and orchestral music dedicated to him,” he continues. “Our clan lived in Seleucia, Baghdad (Iraq) and Andijan (Uzbekistan).”

According to Kendirbaev, Ergeshbay Ajibaev, an 80-year-old member of the Beshkoruk clan, gave Kendirbaev a manuscript. That manuscript states that the clan is “a descendant of a well-known Greek Dynasty [with] Hellenic genes [whose]  ancestors were Greek orthodox Christians before Islamic culture in Baghdad.”

Kendirbaev went deep while searching for his roots. He studied history, focusing on Alexander the Great and his conquests in Asia and Northeastern Africa. He also took a more scientific approach than is sometimes adopted by those who claim such illustrious ancestry.

“Two years ago Kazakh researchers from Astana tested our clan member’s Y-DNA,” he said. “My test result shows that I am a bearer of Haplogroup I1. Our ancestor was born in Northern Europe 6,000 years ago,”

“There are no people with such a Haplogroup in Central Asia, but our clan of Beshkoruk has European genetic lineage. In Greece about 300,000 men have the similar Haplogroup I1,” he concluded.

Kendirbaev is very proud of his Greek roots and tries to promote Hellenism via his website here. 

“My blood is European, not Asiatic. We are descendants of King Seleucus I Nikator [who] was a friend and general of Alexander the Great,” he explained with pride.

The Hellenistic (Greek) Seleucid Dynasty

The Seleucid Empire was a Hellenistic state in Western Asia that existed from 312 BC to 63 BC, founded by Seleucus I Nicator, a general in Alexander the Great’s army.

Following the split of the Macedonian Empire established in Asia by Alexander the Great, Seleucus I first took the Mesopotamian region of Babylonia in 321 BC.

The general then founded Antioch and expanded his dominions to include much of the Near Eastern territories that belonged to the former Macedonian Empire.

The Seleucid Empire took over more territories including Anatolia, Persia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and today’s Kuwait, Afghanistan, and parts of Turkmenistan.

The Seleucid Empire promoted Hellenistic culture in Asia while at the same time tolerating local languages and traditions rather than eradicating them.

A Greek elite dominated politics, thus making the empire attractive to numerous immigrants from Greece.

However, the Seleucid Empire’s western territories were contested with Ptolemaic Egypt, another Hellenistic state, while there were conflicts with Chandragupta of the Maurya Empire that led to the ceding of vast territory west of the Indus River.

In the early second century BC, efforts of Antiochus III the Great to extend the empire into Hellenistic Greece were blocked by the Roman Republic.

After their losses in battle, the Seleucids were forced to pay costly war reparations and relinquish territorial claims west of the Taurus Mountains.

That was the beginning of the decline of the Seleucid Empire. When Mithridates I of Parthia conquered much of the remaining eastern lands of the empire, the Seleucid kings were reduced to a small state in Syria.

In 63 BC, the Roman general Pompey overthrew the Seleucids, dealing the final blow to the Hellenistic (Greek) empire in Asia.

 

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