Philip Constantine’s Role in Oresteia Play Off Broadway

Alexander Leontaritis
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Philip Constantine’s face may seem familiar; you are not mistaken. He was the member of the successful Greek boy band “ONE” that has in it’s history achieved multiple gold and platinum cd singles and albums. Constantine was born in Cyprus and has been challenging his creative nature since he was still in elementary school.  During his childhood he started writing his own plays and performed them in front of his school mates.  Now Philip Constantine is back for one more astonishing performance.  His role in the upcoming play “Oresteia”, directed by the acclaimed director Leonidas Loizidis begins this month in the Kirk Theater off of Broadway. It will then continue with a nationwide theatrical tour. Philip talked to us about the play and his life in Los Angeles.  LA is where he lived while studying in NYFA.  He also discusses his recent controversial naked performance in the popular theatrical show “Naked Boys Singing”.

Tell us about your role in the upcoming theatrical play “Oresteia” directed by Leonidas Loizidis.

Well, actually it’s “roles”, plural! Due to the world-tour and the tight budget of the production, the cast had to consist of only 2 boys and 8 girls! We boys had to learn all 4 major roles, but you’ll mainly see me perform as Agamemnon, Aigisthos and God Apollo, a huge task as you can imagine, since every role is different and very demanding! I have to differentiate my voice, my movement, my state of mind in order to capture all 3 characters in their entity! I always like a good challenge and Leonidas, our director, surely gave me one.

What were the challenges you had to face while preparing for this role?

Ancient Drama has to be the most difficult category in theatre! Its approach is unlike any other an actor can have. There’s a lot of homework involved, and before you start memorizing your lines you have to really study the history behind not just the role you have, but all the characters, as well as the story/tragedy hidden behind their “masks”! For me, it was an even greater challenge with my roles, because I had to cope with problems such as age difference, i.e. with Agamemnon, or trying to find ways to act like a God in rage, i.e. Apollo. Aigisthos on the other hand appears as the bad guy, but truly he merely seeks revenge for the murder of his father and brothers, another emotion which was hard to portray!

How do you feel about the fact that Oresteia is going to start soon it’s theatrical tour in the States, and how contributing do you think this tour will be, in the transmittance of the ancient Greek culture?

Oresteia’s trilogy is one of Greece’s theatrical treasures, discovered, saved and preserved in its entity! I feel honored and privileged that I had the opportunity as an actor to study and perform this masterpiece in depth! Touring the USA and so many other countries, especially performing on Broadway, New York for a month, is just an added bonus for all of us, a dream coming true and another great way for the world to experience an important part of the Greek culture!

You started your career as a singer in the popular music band “One”. Tell us how this experience has affected you as an actor.

“ONE” has been a great school for me, in many ways! Mainly because we, as a band, were blessed with great songs and success and had the opportunity to experience so many wonderful moments together, especially performing in front of thousands of people all over the world! Stage presence is extremely important! You must be able to portray every single emotion the lyrics/music talk about, with your face, body and of course your voice, in order to impart everything to your audience! I grew a lot through this, as an artist and as a person, and I got a serious taste of what show-business is all about! As an actor I definitely feel more comfortable on stage, because of my singing backround!

Tell us about your experience living in Los Angeles and studying in New York Film Academy.

I try in general to make wise decisions and my goal as an artist is to keep learning and improving myself! So, even though I studied acting in Athens for 3 years, I felt there was something missing! I wanted to study acting for film in particular, and what better place to do that than Hollywood, Los Angeles! The short course I chose did exactly that, and offered me knowledge about the film industry that I did not have before! I got to act in various short films in the actual backlot at the Universal studios and met and worked with talented people from all over the world! I’m very happy I’m going back to LA with Oresteia, since i have many friends there now.

You also lived for a period in the UK obtaining your Bachelor of Fine Arts from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design. Tell us a little bit about that and how different was it comparing living in the States?

London is one of my favourite cities in the world and very close to my heart! I actually find it very similar to New York, since both cities are very artistic, filled with wonderful surprises, theatres, museums, galleries, restaurants and people from all over the world walking down their streets! I was fortunate enough to study in one of the best fine art colleges in the world, Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, my first initiation in the art world, and especially in the world of film and cinema! That’s where I produced and directed my first short films, working mainly with 16mm film and generally experimented and blossomed as an artist.

You recently participated in the hit Theatrical Show “Naked Boys Singing”. Tell us about your experience there and how challenging is it for actors to appear naked in front of an audience.

It was a very liberating experience I suppose for both me and the Greek audience! 99% of the people who saw our Greek version of this musical, told me that after their first “shock” they did not think of anything of the nudity! It was very natural for them and it’s very natural for me as well, as long as “the nude” has reasons of existence within the play. Nudity I suppose is an important issue for some actors, insignificant for others, but it’s important above all to feel good and comfortable in your own skin! For me, a good actor is always “naked” anyway in front of his audience, whether he’s wearing clothes or not!

Tell us a few things about yourself and things you like doing in your free time.

Well, I’m a genuine Libra, born 16th October! That means I like my balance in all situations, I like beautiful things and people on the outside as well as the inside, anything that disturbs my artistic aesthetic I try to fix, I’m very creative, bold, sincere and stubborn when it comes to ideas and dreams I want to realize, and loyal to my friends and family above all! In my free time I paint and take photographs of anything that excites my eyesight! Some of my work was exhibited in Athens, London and Nicosia already. I also like keeping healthy by working out or playing sports, i.e. basketball.

What are your plans after “Oresteia”?

I always like to take one step at a time, and my main focus right now is obviously the world-tour with ORESTEIA, which apart from exciting it’s going to be exhausting as well! However, I have a couple of options I’m considering for the new season, for both theatre and cinema, and i will announce my next step when the time is right. You can check all my latest news on www.philipconstantine.com or on my official facebook page.

Public Opinion Doesn't Want Local Elections Dominated by EU, ECB & IMF Memorandum

A. Makris
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Public Opinion Doesn't Want Local Elections Dominated by EU, ECB & IMF Memorandum

Public opinion does not want local government elections dominated by the issue of the memorandum signed with the EU, ECB and IMF. This is according to a nationwide opinion poll conducted by Kappa Research and published in the Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper.
Despite opposition party campaigns criticising the policies of the memorandum, the poll shows that 50.9% disagree with the stance adopted by main opposition New Democracy on this issue, compared with 39.1% who agree. The poll also reveals widespread pessimism about whether Greece will be able to avoid defaulting on its debts, with 46% believing that it can’t and 43.2% believing it can.
Ruling PASOK is shown to retain a lead of 7.8 points over New Democracy in voter preferences, with 29.1% backing PASOK against 21.3% backing ND. Next in line is the Communist Party of Greece with 7.7 %, Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) with 4.55% and Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) with 2.6%.
53% of those asked had doubts that the new cabinet resulting from a recent government reshuffle would tackle the crisis efficiently, with 51.3% agreeing that the prime minister had shown a tendency to compromise and 65.6% agreeing that his main guideline was to preserve internal balances within PASOK.
On individual ministers, six out of 10 believed that Mihalis Chrysohoidis would be capable of boosting the country’s growth as development minister and that Andreas Loverdos would be able to tackle the problems in the health sector as health minister.
Asked how they will decide where to cast their vote during local government elections on November 2nd, 46.7% said that they would vote based on whether they agreed with the measures of the Kallikratis plan or not and only 25.5% said they would base their vote on whether they agreed with the memorandum or not. An additional 13.3% said that their vote would be based on their position on both issues.
Asked whether they will support a candidate based on their personal abilities or based on their stance toward the memorandum, 71.7% said they would vote based on a candidate’s abilities.
(source: ana-mpa)

Papandreou Critisized at The Thessaloniki International Fair

A. Makris
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Papandreou Critisized at The Thessaloniki International Fair

There will be no new austerity measures as long as Greece was “doing well” with regard to the targets of the memorandum for the European financial support package, Prime Minister George Papandreou assured reporters during a press conference on the sidelines of the annual Thessaloniki International Fair on Sunday.
“We either change Greece or condemn it” he repeated in statements to reporters.  He stressed the need to stop constant speculation in the media about probable additional measures and thus generating fear and panic.
The process foreseen by the memorandum comes to an end in 2013 and the sooner the changes were made, the sooner Greece will be free of the restrictions of the Memorandum.  Additionally he added that this could possibly occur even before 2013.
The prime minister stressed that his government had successfully changed the country’s course and averted a disaster during its 11 months in power, saying that Greece had been saved from defaulting on its debts. At the same time he stressed that the alert was not yet over.
Noting that there were still problems with the size of state revenues, Papandreou claimed that these were not insuperable and that the government was still on track to meet its target of reducing the deficit by 40% by the end of the year.
The prime minister denied reports that the shortfall in revenue was around 3.5 billion euros saying that the actual figure was closer to 1.5 billion euros.
On the reaction of international markets where spreads for Greek bonds were still steadily increasing, he appeared confident that the measures taken by the government would soon result in a positive response.  He believes that spreads will fall since Greece had shown itself:  “capable of tackling problems…generated confidence, that is rising”.
He also underlined once again that there was no question of Greece defaulting on its debts, stressing that such a course of action would be disastrous for the economy and the country’s future. Avoiding this outcome was the reason for everything the government had done over the past 11 months he added.
Another point emphasised by the prime minister was the need for all Greeks to pay their taxes and contributions in order for the country to thrive. He noted that the government was doing its utmost to expand the tax base and ensure that those who should pay actually did so.  He pointed out that if people had been honest about paying their taxes the austerity measures would not have been necessary.
Papandreou described tax evasion as a: “chronic illness faced by the state that had to finally be tackled through major changes”.
“It is important to change the taxation mechanism and this is one of our priorities,” he said.  Papandreou stressed that it was time for the rich to start paying. He said the government had launched a relentless hunt of major tax evaders that had taken refuge in tax havens abroad, initiating proceedings to obtain information from foreign banks as well.
Concerning the tax breaks for businesses announced by the government, with a reduction of their tax from 24% to 20%, he was careful to clarify that the reductions were for funds that were reinvested and used to create new jobs rather than those that went into company owners’ pockets.
“The money is there, the question is where it goes,” Papandreou said, echoing his much criticised statements in the race to the 2009 general elections that there is money. Pointing out that more than one million Greeks currently had tax issues that were still open he said the government would ensure that all the cases were closed cleanly and fairly, with the aim of expanding the tax base and ensuring that everyone paid their dues.
In another appeal to the media he asked that journalists to be careful not to present proposals or ideas under discussion as impending decisions and in this way demonising ideas and the exchange of opinions.
With a call for collective effort and responsibility,Papandreou underlined that the work of reforming the country had begun and stressed that the challenge before Greece was: “patriotic and not party politics”.
“We either win together or we sink” he emphasized adding that if all Greeks worked together the country would prevail.
Answering more specific questions, Papandreou said that a system for equating taxes for heating oil and diesel used by vehicles would not go into effect until a redistribution mechanism was ready.
Concerning the much larger cabinet created under the new reshuffle – in contrast to the much “leaner” cabinet appointed when PASOK was first elected to power – Papandreou said that the previous government had done well but that there was still room for improvement. He said the extra ministers were necessary in order to speed up control and supervision of the government’s priorities.
The prime minister denied any plans to relocate to some official position in the European Union or United Nations, stressing that he did not intend to stand down.
“I have taken charge in tough times and I will not shy away. This is where I have promised to be and this is where I will stay” he stressed.
Parties strongly criticise PM:
The prime minister’s appearances at The Thessaloniki International Fair had only served to increase concern and confusion about the fate of Greece, main opposition New Democracy spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos said on Sunday.  His comments were in regard to the prime minister’s speech and press conference.
“One year after his false claims that ‘the money is there’ the prime minister has succeeded, in spite of his attempts to reassure us, to make us even more worried through the confusion, contradictions, inaccuracies and gaps in his statements” the spokesman said.
According to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the prime minister’s claims concerning “necessary” and “patriotic” changes were lies since the same barbaric measures were being imposed on peoples throughout the EU, with the same tragic results for people and “no cure for over-aged capitalism”.
Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) spokesman Kostis Aivaliotis was stinging in his criticism, saying the prime minister’s press conference was “without substance, verve or result” and that it made “obvious the prime minister’s inability to answer the questions that concern the country”.
(source: ana-mpa)

Papandreou Addresses Greece: "It Can Be Done"

A. Makris
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Papandreou Addresses Greece: "It Can Be Done"

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Saturday sent a message of collective effort, collective responsibility and decisions for reforming the country. Papandreou offered a traditionalspeech to the country’s producer groups at The Thessaloniki International Fair. Papandreou said: “The battle we are waging is for the survival of Greece”.
“This not a battle that the prime minister or his government will win or lose. This battle we will either we all win it together or we will all sink together,” the Greek Premier stressed, while he sent a message of optimism saying: “Together we will make it! Together we will reform Greece. This is not a party challenge. It is a patriotic one”.
Referring on the 11 month governance by PASOK, Papandreou said the government has averted the bankruptcy of the country. “We have made a really big effort. We gave a hard, daily, merciless struggle to save our country from what everyone though to be a fact a few months ago. The bankruptcy of Greece. The issue was not if, but when. Instead, with the struggle by all Greeks, with hard effort and sacrifices, we managed to avert what everyone inside and outside the country thought was inevitable”.
Papandreou said that positive comments made abroad for the country, for its will to change, belong to all the Greek people, “the only one deserving these praise, because everything we have accomplished over the last few months, we have accomplished together”.
“Greece is all of us” Papandreou said adding that after saving the country from bankruptcy he believed we can also reform Greece. He underlined that the Greek people not only have the right but also has every reason, to hope. “We are here for all those wishing to change the country. Who want to live better, with opportunities and possibilities. I fully believe in the power we have”.
The Prime Minister said he was giving a battle from the European Union to the United Nations; from China to the US; from the Arab world to our neighborhood in the Balkans and the Mediterranean, without considering any political cost. “I do this because I believe in this place, I get angry when an injustice is done, I am anxious to take advantage of its huge human resources, the young and capable people, I hurt when I see the weak suffer”.
Papandreou presented his vision for economic growth and noted: “Our vision for growth is very closely linked with basic principles:
a) rule of law and strengthening democracy
b) a social state guaranteeing equal rights for all and not privileges for the most powerful
c) investing in the human to proceed to the green development of creation, cultivation and innovation.
“To us, sustainable growth means investing in the human potential, conquering knowledge, absorbing technology, investing in our products, in knowledge, history, know-how, aesthetics and quality. We can and, yes, it is underway! The people around us on a daily basis are the sound proof of this. They are making the revolution of the self-evident.”
Papandreou stressed that the big challenge for the government was to free all creative forces in the country.  He added discussion on creating a Greece where innovation, science and entrepreneurship can flourish because of the country’s excellent resources. HIs vision is to have a Greece that is flourishing by investing in nature and in its history.
“Greece is not a poor country,” Papandreou said, adding that Greece was a country with many comparative advantages. But what is keeping us pinned down? A deep, old, outdated view of our capabilities and our relations summarized into one phrase: ‘It can’t be done’. We built a world of bureaucracy and lust for power. A world of corruption, of small and big privileges and interests for anyone who could take advantage of other people. We managed to drown the hopes and dreams of a whole generation. And now we see our youth leaving to foreign countries again. Leaving in bitterness. Something we have not seen since the 1960s. That’s why we began a battle side-by-side with the Greek people, against established rationales and sick mentalities.”
The Greek Premier gave an answer to all those saying that the government will not make it and stressed: “A few months ago, many people said we will not make it. With the passing of the days, however, with our work and the efforts of all the Greeks, we proved them wrong. No one believed that Greece – the Greeks — could put their budget in order and cut their deficits. Here we are, in the first eight months of 2010, our budget deficit is shrinking at an unprecedented rate. Our fiscal deficit is 7.0 billion euros less than last year. A 40 pct decline. Every day we build the prospect. Within months we have begun and completed major structural reforms, we have built the foundations to get out of the misery the soonest possible.”
He added:
“-We created an independent statistical authority to stop this game with the Greek statistics.
-We radically changed our tax system.
-We introduced a new transparent fiscal framework, enhancing the inspection and participation of parliament.
-We changed the country’s administrative map with the “Kallikratis” plan.
-We legislated the biggest reform of the pension system ever, to guarantee its viability and pensions for all people.
-We managed to reverse a negative climate. The voices saying that Greece will make it, are multiplying.
-Confidence and credibility are returning.”
Papandreou also referred to the next steps to be made by the government. By the year’s end the government must deregulate the road cargo transport sector, open up all other so called closed shop professions and implement a restructuring plan for Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) and the restructuring of all loss-making public sector enterprises. Additionally the restructuring of the tax process to combat tax evasion and to offer better services to citizens.  This will include introducing a new framework for a speedier implementation of justice, a new development law, promoting privatizations and a better management of the state’s real estate property, promoting a plan for restructuring the country’s banking system. Also it will complete the creation of a Single Payment Authority in the public sector, a new framework for state hospital supplies, introducing a 24 hour hospital service, operating a general commerce register, simplifying procedures for new company set ups and promoting a new plan to promote research and innovation.
Commenting on the big changes promoted by the government, Papandreou said: “Our first big change and message – with a huge impact on growth – is: we are changing the state. Our second big change/message is protecting the vulnerable population groups, a third change is opening the road to new investments, supporting healthy business activity, a fourth is putting an end to tax evasion and corruption, a fifth change is green development and a sixth change/message to the society is proceeding with a revolution in the education system.”
Papandreou said the country was making a fresh start. “We will win this battle together. All together. Turning the established view of ‘It can’t be done’ into ‘Yes, it can be done’.”.
“Fully confident in our power and abilities of being capable of doing everything. That we can make our country into all that it is capable of being. We owe it to ourselves and to our children,” the premier concluded.
(source: ana-mpa)

John Varvatos Rocked NYC at 10 Year Anniversary Party

A. Makris
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John Varvatos Rocked NYC at 10 Year Anniversary Party

On September 11th John Varvatos and his team celebrated their 10 year anniversary with the best rock party of the decade. The concert  took place at the John Varvatos store on Bowery in New York City.  Guests included Cherie Currie, Ian Hunter, Alejandro Escovedo, Jesse Malin, Jane’s Addiction, Wayne Kramer, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, and many more.

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The brand John Varvatos is synonymous with a rock ’n’ roll sensibility and clothing where a new school attitude meets an old school grace. This year John Varvatos and the Varvatos family celebrated ten years of growth.  The man behind the brand has proven in a decade that he can do what only a handful of others have accomplished over a lifetime. Varvatos reflects: “We have lived through 9/11, international strife of great magnitude, global financial crisis and the explosion of digital technology. My company has come out stronger, more alive and more open to change. I am most proud of my team and their accomplishments in helping us become one of the top designer brands in the world.”

It was after successful careers at Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, where he was head of menswear design for both, that John Varvatos decided to go out on his own. He launched his line with a Fall 2000 runway collection to much acclaim and instant success. The collection brought a contemporary sensibility to classic menswear.  Historically there had been no blend of the two. The quality fabrics and exquisitely tailored cuts displayed a confidence and elegance that was unparalleled in a new line. John Varvatos made his mark as a designer who could draw inspiration from the past and restructure these ideas into something entirely new.  Additionally Varvatos draws on his passion for music to give his clothes an edge.

Honoring Greek American 9/11 Victims

A. Makris
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Honoring Greek American 9/11 Victims

Nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists flew two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. Among the victims were thirty-eight Greek Americans. Two of the victims were crew members of the planes and the remaining were in the twin towers. At approximately 4:00 pm. Archbishop Demetrios proceeded to the site of the destroyed St. Nicholas Church for a Memorial Service for the victims’ families and survivors.

The list below contains the Greek American victims.  Please note some are believed to be Greek because of their surnames.  The list was issued by the New York City Coroner’s office and provided to Greek Reporter by Aktina radio.

Joanne Marie Ahladiotis 27

Ernest Alifakos 43

Arlene T. Babakitis 47

Katherine Bantis 48

Peter Brennan 30

Thomas A. Damaskinos 33

Anthony Demas 61

Constantine (Gus) Economos 41

Michael J. Elferis 27

Ana Fosteris 58

Jimmy Grekiotis

Kenneth G. Grouzalis 56

Steven M. Hagis 31

Vasilios G. Haramis 56

Nicholas John 42

John Katsimatides 31

Danielle Kousoulis 29

Thomas Kuveikis 48

James Maounis 42

Philip William Mastrandrea, Jr 42

George Merkouris 35

Stilianos Mousouroulis—-

Peter C. Moutos 44

Nikos Papadopoulos/Papas 29

James N. Pappageorge 29

George Paris 33

Theodoros Pigis 60

Daphne Pouletsos 47

Richard N. Poulos 55

Stephen E. Poulos 45

Anthony Savas 72

Muriel Fay Siskopoulos 60

Timothy Patrick Soulas 35

Andrew Stergiopoulos 23

Michael C. Tarrou 38

Michael Theodoridis 32

William P. Tselepis 33

Jennifer Tzemis 26

Prokopios Paul Zois 46

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church:

St. Nicholas Church was the only religious edifice destroyed in the 9/11 attacks and it is still unknown if the port authority will give the space desired to be rebuilt.

On September 11, 2001 the barbaric attack not only destroyed the majestic Twin Towers but also the tiny yet historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek Church was located south of the second tower of the World Trade Center. In the aftermath of its destruction very little survived from St. Nicholas.  Surviving items include two icons of St. Dionysios of Zakynthos and the Zoodochos Pege, along with a few liturgical items, a book, and candles.

Two Current Demonstrations in Thessaloniki

Afroditi Lakkiotis
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Two Current Demonstrations in Thessaloniki

Trade union federations and political organisations are organising two separate demonstrations on Saturday evening at The Thessaloniki International Fair.  The demonstrations are in protest of the Memorandum and the government’s austerity measures.
GSEE and ADEDY; Greece’s two main federations, together with the Thessaloniki Labor Centre and the Union of Civil Servants’ organisations of Thessaloniki are going to hold a joint demonstration.  The second demonstration is organised by the Greek Communist party affiliated PAME labor organisation and PASEBE-Panhellenic Anti-Monopoly Rally of Merchants and Craftsmen, the PASY farmers’ organisation and the OGE Federation of Women of Greece.
Both demonstrations are currently taking place at and are moving towards Vellidio Conference Centre.  The Centre is where Prime Minister George Papandreou will deliver his traditional economic policy adress later. Police forces are accompanying the demonstrators in order to prevent them from reaching the leaders. The are are numerous challenges in Thessaloniki as the circulation of cars in the city centre is prohibited.
A few minutes earlier the President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mixalos,  was attacked by the truckers in front of The Makedonia Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki.

New Democracy Party Comments on PASOK Efforts

Afroditi Lakkiotis
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New Democracy Party Comments on PASOK Efforts

The New Democracy Party criticised today the Government of not taking the essential measures in order to develop the economical status of Greece. The alternate shadow  Finance Minister Notis Mitarakis commented on the statements made by Mr. Papakonstantinou at the inauguration of the 75th Thessaloniki International Fair. Miatarakis said that the PASOK government failed to take all the necessary measures to take Greece out of the fiscal crisis and added that it blackened the picture of the country abroad. “And today, the government is once again not doing the right thing, in other words it is not taking the necessary measures for the recovery and growth of the economy,” Mitarakis said.
(source: ana-mpa)

Freight Truckers Announce Beginning of a New Strike

A. Makris
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Freight Truckers Announce Beginning of a New Strike

The country’s freight truck owners including fuel tankers, announced the beginning of a new strike on Monday.  They claim the government has failed to live up to its promises.
The truckers ended on August 1st a lengthy strike that had during July starved the country of fuel.  It dealt a severe blow to the tourism sector after a compromise reached with the government.  The strikers say the government has failed to honor their responsibilities.
Protesting truck owners held a demonstration in Thessaloniki during the inauguration of the 75th Thessaloniki International Fair.
A group of individuals broke off from the main body of the rally and attacked Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Constantine Michalos.  The attackers punched and hit him, before being dispersed by police.  The incident occurred outside The Macedonia Pallas Hotel where Michalos was to attend a General Assembly of The Central Union of Chambers of Greece.
(source: ana-mpa)

Protester Throws Shoe at PM Papandreou (video)

Eleni Bozos
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Protester Throws Shoe at PM Papandreou (video)

Greek unions are planning protest marches in the northern city of Thessaloniki against the debt plagued country’s harsh austerity program.  It will take place before Prime Minister George Papandreou’s keynote speech on the economy Saturday.
A first taste of trouble came when an elderly man threw a shoe at Papandreou who had just inaugurated an annual trade fair. The offender, a 50 year old radiologist, Stergios Prapevezis, (member of a Greek nationalist organization) was in the crowd with other attendees when he took off his shoe and threw it directly at the Prime Minister.
After the offender’s arrest, Prime Minister George Papandreos returned to his day’s events and did not prolong situation.
Separately, around 600 truck owners marched to the fair grounds to protest deregulation of their profession.
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