“Toronto Greek Film Retrospective 2011” Takes Place June 24th-26th

Anastasia Miskedaki
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“Toronto Greek Film Retrospective 2011” Takes Place June 24th-26th

“Toronto Greek Film Retrospective 2011” will take place on Friday June 24th, through Sunday, June 26th at the Royal Cinema in Toronto.

A series of free screenings to celebrate Greek cinema via an eclectic mix of films from the past 50 years will mark the event. The TGRF’s aim is to showcase Greek films produced by Greek filmmakers. Its goal is to promote Hellenic culture, history and passion on screen. The films that will be shown include ones from the golden years of Greek cinema, from the 1950’s to 1960’s, as well as films from the early 80’s and 90’s. This retrospective will be open to the general public and admission is free.

Films that will be shown in the festival include: Stella (1955), Girl in Black (1956), A Matter of Dignity (1958), Ena Gelasto Apogevma (1979), Tighten Your Belt Thanassi (1980), Learn how to Read and Write My Son (1981), Stone Years (1985), The Striker With the #9 Jersey (1989), Crystal Years (1992), From the Snow (1993).

For more information visit TGRF’s website at: http://torontogreekfilms.com/

Pontian Genocide Remembered Across America

Anastasia Miskedaki
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Pontian Genocide Remembered Across America

Events in memory of the Pontian Genocide took place in various cities in the United States.  They were culminated with the displays of the Greek and the Pontiac flag in the “Bowling Green” region in Manhattan, as well as with a large gathering in the Chapel of the Holy Monastery of Panagia Sumela, in New Jersey. Co-organizers of the event were the Pan-Pontiac Federation of USA and Canada and the Holy Virgin Soumela Foundation, in cooperation with Pontiac associations.

In the chapel, the Mass was celebrated and a memorial service was officiated by the Bishop of New Jersey Evangelos. On behalf of the Pontiac Youth, Louisa Molohides read a poem by Vassiliki Tsanaktsidou about  the history and traditions of Pontos, and then there was a wreath  from the Consul of Greece in New York Vagelis Kyriakopoulos, the General Consul of Cyprus Kula Sofianos, military attaché, Colonel Chris Mesaretzidis and leaders of the Pan-Pontiac Federation and the Pontiac associations of America, Tsekeridis Elias (president of the Federation of Greek Societies of New York), Panos Stafrianidis (Vice-President of the Federation of Greek Societies of New Jersey), George Tsilfidis, Iphigenia Pavlidou-Ikonomou and Stephen Amanatidis.

At the end of the event, a presentation of a research project titled “Grandmother Refugee, Immigrant Mother” by the women’s association of the “Pontos” association was presented. The survey was based on interviews with elderly women who immigrated to America as brides in the 1930’s, ’60s and ’70s. For important issues regarding this research, the women’s association talked with Ioanna Tsilfidis, Vassiliki Tsanaktidou, Parthena Kalogeridou, and biologist researcher Dr. Helen Kotanidi.

"Unfaded Memories" Book by Peter Petridis Presented at Stathakion Cultural Center, Astoria

Anastasia Miskedaki
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"Unfaded Memories" Book by Peter Petridis Presented at Stathakion Cultural Center, Astoria

Shocking testimonies, touching stories, pictures and poems about the missing persons of the Cyprus tragedy, are summarized in the book by journalist, photographer and director, Peter Petridis.  The book is titled “Unfaded Memories” and was presented at the Stathakion Cultural Center in Astoria, during an event of the theater group “Our Cyprus”.
With reference to the humanitarian issue of the missing persons, the President of the Cyprus Federation of America, Peter Papanicolaou, the General Consul of Cyprus, Kula Sofianos, and the General Consul of Greece, Agi Balta sent greetings to the President of the Greek Societies Federation of New York, Tsekeridis Elias.
During the event, there was a 25 minute viewing video as a tribute to the women heroines of Cyprus, directed by Peter Petridis. The tribute included shocking testimony from Harita Mandoles, Giannoulas Achilleos, Eleni Foka, Androula Giatrou, Helen Kassapi and Erasmia Eliseou, which presented the barbarity of the invaders and the plight of the missing persons.

Fitch Downgrades Longterm Credit Rating of 5 Greek Banks

A. Makris
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Fitch Downgrades Longterm Credit Rating of 5 Greek Banks

The Fitch Ratings firm proceeded with the downgrading of the longterm credit rating of five Greek banks, on Monday. They are the National Bank of Greece, EFG Eurobank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank and ATEbank. The ratings of the five Greek banks bear the note (Rating Watch Negative – RWN).

Greek National Team Travels to Mersenburg, Germany

Polina Dimea
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Greek National Team Travels to Mersenburg, Germany

The Greek men’s national team (under 18’s) visited Germany, in view of the preliminary round of the World Cup. The team stayed at a hotel in Merseburg; a city of East Germany, where the past is still present. Near the hotel the team discovered a Greek restaurant owned by Mr. Christos from Trikala.  He warmly welcomed the team and their coach. Additionally, the team met Italy’s Greek physiotherapist Daniele Dailani, who confirmed the saying: “Greece is Everywhere”.

Belgrade’s Annual 3 Day Cultural Event Dedicated to Greece

Polina Dimea
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Belgrade’s Annual 3 Day Cultural Event Dedicated to Greece

A three-day cultural event in Belgrade, organized every year in May at the City Library of Pančevo, is dedicated this year to Greece. On May 24th, the Center of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture will present its activities and the event will be inaugurated on May 25th at 19:00.  On May 26th, The New Acropolis Museum photo exhibition will be inaugurated at the National Museum at 20:00.  The Cultural Center will host interesting Greek movies such as “Diolkos”, and “Erechtheum and Time”. The goal of the event is to promote Greek culture and disseminate the Greek language throughout Serbia.

Greek Actor Giorgos Simeonidis Talks about Life and Acting

Christina Noland
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Giorgos Simeonidis

Giorgos Simeonidis and I met for the first time at the premiere of “Psixi Vathia” (With Heart and Soul), the latest movie of established Greek director Pantelis Voulgaris.  We both acted in the movie.  We did not have any common scenes together during filming so we never got the chance to  meet up in the wild mountains of Kastoria, where the filming of the movie took place. When we did finally meet we instantly got along. I decided to interview Giorgos because I have had various conversations with him in the past about the “glamorous world” of acting. I wanted to get his insight on things in writing and so I did.
Giorgos has graduated from the Drama School of the State Theater of Northern Greece.  As a Fulbright scholar, he has participated in the Intercultural Drama Studies program at New York University.  He has attended numerous theater workshops and seminars around the world. He was fortunate to make his first steps in theater with a Greek company that was performing all over the globe for several years. In 2011, he has now reached 27 years of theater work.
Giorgos is one of Greece’s most recognizable and experienced famous actors, yet he is always keeps a very low profile.  He has won various awards for acting in theater and film, including the Best Actor Award at The Thessaloniki Film Festival for his leading role in the film “Diorthosi” (Correction), by Thanos Anastopoulos.
I  talked with Giorgos about his life, career choices, his insight into the magical yet  tough world of acting.
What are your plans for next year and what projects were you involved in recently?
My schedule for next year includes a theater production and shooting two feature films.
Although I am an actor, I have recently had the chance to direct two plays in Athens and right now I am collaborating with a team of visual artists for a show in an arts gallery.
In your experience what does it take to be an actor?
To be an actor you need to be patient, to respect other’s opinion, to support teamwork, to be aware of your power to express yourself in public and therefore to be humble. You need also to train your body keeping it healthy and ready and among many other things you need to keep expanding your education and knowledge about almost everything.
What was the most difficult decision and what was the happiest moment of your career so far?

I know it may sound strange but I always wanted to be a research biologist! I still have this dream! Yet, I got involved in theatre when I was 16-years-old. I became fascinated! My most difficult decision was to abandon biology for the sake of becoming an artist. I have had no other difficult decisions since then. I cannot decide which was my happiest moment in my career. There are many moments for many different reasons. I am always happy on stage.
Do you feel you have fulfilled or achieved your goals so far and in what way did that come through?
I never regret being an actor. The best things that I get out of acting is a better perception and understanding of human nature which in the long run helps me become a better person. Apart from that, the stage is the only place I feel free. I think that I have fulfilled my personal goal more than I have imagined when I started doing theater. For the last 27 years, I am in a constant creative mode and I have traveled all around the world performing. I will keep trying to become a better actor.  With regards to my goal, well, artistic creation never ends. As long I can stand on my feet I will perform, trying to make others laugh, cry, think, liberate them from any kind of burden thus helping them become better.
Describe a funny incident that happened to you during rehearsals or filming?
I was performing in “King John” by W. Shakespeare in a very small theater.  Actors were literally in physical contact with the first row of spectators. The house was full.  Actors could see everybody in the audience and everybody could see the actors on stage. Except for my mother, who was sitting in the third row. She is a short old lady. During a quiet scene that I had, she decided to get a better glance of her son performing. Since there was no other way of getting to the front row, she lifted her skirt to the thighs and started climbing down towards the front row whispering apologies to the rest of the audience. Myself and the other actor on stage immediately realized what was happening. The scene kept running but our eyes started flickering in despair. We had an unnecessary pause that produced giggles in the audience and we barely managed to continue without bursting into laughter.
Tell us something about yourself that you think is important to share?
I don’t know how important it is but being an actor seems to me like being a medium, a tool that takes “matter” from imagination and makes it visible, audible even tangible. When I perform I feel that I am revealing a dream only for the eyes of the audience.
What about the financial crisis?
The financial crisis is discouraging for millions of people and is affecting showbiz in Greece. Less productions and lower wages. Nevertheless, I wish and I hope that artists will see it as a challenge. They should not get discouraged. There are always ways to produce art even with less means.
For more info on Giorgos Simeonidis please visit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142826.

American Tourist Dies in Isle Rockslide, Santorini

A. Makris
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American Tourist Dies in Isle Rockslide, Santorini

An American tourist was killed and four other foreign tourists were injured on Monday afternoon by a rockslide, on the renowned holiday island of Santorini.
According to initial reports, the tourists were riding mule-back from the traditional cliff-hanging village of Oia to the tiny harbor of Armeni, on the island’s northern most coast. The 52-year-old American tourist and the mule he was riding were hit by falling boulders and ended up on the small seaport at the bottom of a cliff, some 200 metres below.
The victim’s wife, 49, his daughter, 22, and two female tourists, both Mexican nationals in their mid 20s, were slightly injured before being rushed to the local health clinic in the island’s capital.
The badly dismembered body of the victim has been recovered by rescue teams, according to reports.
(source: ana-mpa)

PM Papandreou Chairs Medium-Term Economic Program Cabinet Meeting

A. Makris
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PM Papandreou Chairs Medium-Term Economic Program Cabinet Meeting

The battle to save the country is continuing, and no cowardice can be forgiven in serving this patriotic duty, Prime Minister George Papandreou told a Cabinet meeting on Monday.  The meeting was held to discuss the government’s Medium-Term Economic Program.
Last year he said, with the government’s decisions and the Greek people’s sacrifices, we averted bankruptcy.  Just like a year ago, today we are taking the decisions needed to permanently avert the danger and to permanently change the country.
“We averted the threat of the country’s bankruptcy and placed the country on a track of streamlining and growth. Back-stepping is not allowed, we have a duty to the country and to the Greek people to ensure our future course,” the Premier added.
During marathon talks with cabinet Ministers, Papandreou promised to speed up reforms and set into motion yet a new round of belt-tightening under the government’s midterm fiscal programme. It would include more consumer tax increases, cuts to public sector spending, and an ambitious privatization drive to avoid default.
The government will move ahead with a 50-billion-euro privatization programme, which will include selling off the country’s two biggest ports of Pireaus and Thessaloniki, as well as the Public Power Corporation; Hellenic Postbank; OTE Telecom; gas company DEPA; gaming group OPAP; and Athens water utilities.
Reports said the additional emergency measures may include cutting in half, a current 12,000-euro tax exemption and cuts in other exemptions on medical expenses and interest on home loans.
Other austerity measures may also include adding a one-off levy on high incomes over 80,000 euros, a tax on large real estate property and higher taxes on food and electricity.

Rhodes Annual Flower Parade

Lorraine Eyre
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Rhodes Annual Flower Parade

On Tuesday, 31 May, Rhodes will celebrate its popular annual flower parade in the picturesque coastal town of Mandraki. Locals and holiday-makers will celebrate the arrival of  summer with a spectacular floral parade and feast on delicious Greek food, and the island’s fine wine.
Hundreds of visitors will flock to the main street of  Mandraki, which will turn into a carpet of beautiful, fresh flowers. There will be lively music and everyone is invited to dress in colorful costumes. The parade of fabulous floats decorated with sweet-smelling  blossoms are the main attraction. Their fragrances lingering in the air long after they have passed by. In fact, everywhere you look, there will be displays and arrangements of flowers. The route will also be lined with market stalls selling all kinds of local goods.
Like every other year, the Rhodes Flower Parade with its festive atmosphere will without doubt be an event to remember.
For more information: Website: City of Rhodes

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