Biden Issues Greek Independence Day Proclamation

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Joe Biden proclamation Greek independence day
US President Joe Biden has issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day as a national day of celebration of democracy. Credit: Washington Oxi Day Foundation handout to GR

On Friday, US President Joe Biden issued a proclamation marking Greek Independence Day on March 25th as “A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.”

The proclamation, issued by the White House, commemorated the deep historical bonds between Greece and the US. It highlighted their shared efforts during World War II, when both nations fought against the forces of fascism. Additionally, it underscored their unity during the Cold War, as they worked together to overcome the threat of communism.

The US has the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece itself with a diaspora population of roughly three million. On Monday, March 25th, many Greek-Americans will mark Greek Independence Day, particularly in cities such as New York, where a parade is held annually.

Full text of Biden’s proclamation marking Greek Independence Day

In a proclamation today, on March 22nd, US President Biden addressed Greek Independence Day as follows:

On this day more than 200 years ago, revolutionaries throughout Greece rose up for the cause of freedom and declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, we honor the legacy of these courageous Greek women and men and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and democracy for all.

Throughout our shared history, the people of Greece and the United States have been bound by this common belief—the power to shape our destiny should rest in the hands of “we the people.” Generation after generation, Americans and Greeks have come together to make those words a reality. We saw it during World War II, when our nations both fought the forces of fascism. We saw it during the Cold War, when our people stood united to prevail against communism. We see it today, as Greece and America stand together alongside a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the brave people of Ukraine as they fight for the same values those Greek revolutionaries did more than 200 years ago: liberty, freedom, and sovereignty.

Today, the partnership, alliance, and friendship shared by Greece and the United States is stronger than ever before—due in large part to the culture, courage, and character of the Greek American community. From standing up for social justice and advancing civil rights to striving to make our Nation freer and fairer, Greek Americans have pushed our country forward, fanning the flame of liberty that first sparked in Athens thousands of years ago. Throughout my career, I have been lucky to see this heart, hope, and commitment up close, and I have drawn lifelong inspiration from Greek American friends, families, leaders, and political mentors.

Today and every day, let us celebrate the unbreakable bonds of friendship shared by the United States and the Hellenic Republic. Let us continue to draw strength from the ideas put forth and the example set by our two countries. Guided by our highest hopes and ideals, let us recommit to preserving, defending, and protecting democracy—together.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2024, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

ISIS Claims Responsibility for Moscow, Russia Concert Hall Attack

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Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack is taking places.
Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia, the concert hall where a terrorist attack took place, which has now been claimed by ISIS. Credit: JuliánAlejandroS. CC BY-3.0/Wikimedia Commons/JulianAlejandroS

Islamic State (ISIS) have claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, which reportedly killed 40 people and injured as many as 100 more.

The full statement posted on its Telegram account reads “Islamic State fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the Russian capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”

Russian news agencies reported an explosive blast and a fire earlier this evening (Friday, March 22). At least four people in camouflaged uniforms are said to have opened fire on audiences in a large concert hall in Moscow, Russia.

What is happening at the Russian concert hall?

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 100 injured according to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) It is the deadliest terror attack in Russia in years, as camouflaged gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives in the Crocus City Music Hall in Moscow.

Photos showed the hall engulfed in flames, and footage began to emerge from the attack, showing at least four gunmen opening fire from automatic weapons as terrified, panicked Russian concert-goers ran for their lives.

In one of the videos, three men in camouflage gear carrying rifles fired at point blank range at bodies on the floor of the concert hall. Apparently, the attackers also detonated explosives, as the sounds of blasts could be heard in other videos of the attack.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack was a “great tragedy.” More than 70 ambulances have been dispatched to the site of the shooting and explosion. “The attackers presumably opened fire at the entrance to the building during a concert, using automatic weapons, and then a fire began in the building,” said emergency services. Authorities said that up to five people took part in the attack.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms” a spokesperson said. “The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation. He wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” said deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

Russia’s media reports state that riot police units were sent to the area as people were being evacuated from the concert hall. The shooting at the concert hall was similar to some of Europe’s worst terrorist attacks, such as the attack on the Bataclan in Paris in November 2015. The Nord Ost terrorist attack in Moscow in 2002 will likely be recalled, wherein gunmen took hostages at a theater in one of the worst incidents in the country’s history.

Russian news agency 112, a specialist crime reporting operation, estimated the death toll to be as high as 40 while more than 100 are believed to have been wounded. It wasn’t clear if police had managed to deal with the threat by this evening, as emergency workers said they had evacuated 100 people who had been sheltering in the building’s basement.

An eyewitness told the Mash Telegram channel that there were “at least five” attackers and that they were “bearded.”

“They act like trained…fighters,” the account read. “At the moment of entering the building, the guards and people standing at the door were killed. Then they blocked the main entrance.”

“The terrorists are armed with AKM assault rifles,” the individual reported. “Some carry unloads with various ammunition. At least two of the attackers are carrying backpacks, possibly with molotov cocktails.”

Russian authorities had recently carried out a series of raids against armed Islamist militants in the region of Ingushetia, leading to pitched firefights between police and the fighters.

 

This is a developing story.

 

Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, Diagnosed With Cancer

Kate Middleton cancer
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced she’s diagnosed with cancer. Screenshot from video issued by Kensington Palace.

In a deeply personal and unexpected announcement, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, revealed on Friday evening that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

This news has sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and the world, as the Princess is a beloved figure across the globe.

The announcement came through a video message released by Kensington Palace. There, Kate Middleton shared the distressing news in a composed yet visibly emotional way. She explained that the cancer was discovered following her known major abdominal surgery she underwent in January, initially believed to be for a non-cancerous condition.

The surgery was successful, the Princess said, but subsequent tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading to the recommendation of preventative chemotherapy.

Kate’s diagnosis comes at a challenging time for the British Royal Family, with King Charles III, her father-in-law, also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. The health of Catherine –as she’s officially known– and the recent update have already sparked an outpouring of support and concern from the public and have highlighted the personal struggles faced by public figures behind the scenes.

This comes especially after a wave of conspiracy theories flooded the internet recently, following a manipulated photo that had been released by Kensington Palace, fueling the wild rumours about the Princess’ health.

In her video message, Kate expressed that the diagnosis was a “huge shock” for her and Prince William, emphasising the difficulty of processing and managing this crisis privately while considering the well-being of their young family.

The Princess of Wales also shared the steps they have taken to explain the situation to their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring them that she is going to be okay.

Despite the gravity of her health situation, Kate’s message was also filled with hope, sharing a message of resilience. She thanked the medical team for their care and expressed gratitude for the support and kindness shown by the public. Moreover, she extended her thoughts to others affected by cancer, encouraging them not to lose faith or hope.

Kate’s announcement has not only brought attention to her personal battle with cancer but has also brought the spotlight back on the broader issue of cancer awareness and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Who is Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales

The official name of the Princess of Wales is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton. She was born on January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, England.

She married Prince William, the Prince of Wales, on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Catherine, commonly known as Kate, became the Princess of Wales in 2022, a title previously held by her mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

She is known for her involvement in charitable work, particularly focusing on children’s issues, mental health, and early childhood development. Catherine and Prince William have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Related: King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

Hospital Transplants Pig Kidney Into Human for First Time

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doctor surgery transplant
Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital have managed to perform the first transplant of a kidney from a pig into a human. Credit : flickr / ophthalmology muh. Public Domain

In a four-hour surgery undertaken at Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday, March 16th, doctors have managed to perform the first transplant of a genetically modified kidney from a pig into a living human, they announced on Thursday.

In the hospital, which was also where the first kidney transplant was performed in 1954, patient Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation who had been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, is reportedly recovering well and is expected to be discharged from the practice soon.

Doctors announced Thursday that they believed his new kidney could last years. However, they also noted that there are a number of unknowns when it comes to animal-to-human transplants. In a written statement from the hospital, Slayman said he had been a patient in the hospital’s transplant program for eleven years.

Prior to the pig transplant, he had received a kidney from a human donor after living with diabetes and high blood pressure for several years. That organ began showing signs of failure just five years later, and Slayman resumed his dialysis a few years later in 2023.

At the point he was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease last year, he told CNN, his doctors suggested he try a pig kidney.

“I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” Slayman said in the statement. Medical professionals who were not involved in the case said the operation represented a significant milestone in medicine.

“To finally see this come to fruition after years of work and collaboration is really a huge step forward and a great moment for transplant,” Dr Parsia Vagefi, chief of surgical transplantation at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, told CNN.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance and the surgeon who performed the operation, reportedly said the pig organ was exactly the same size as a human kidney.

When they stitched it in, connecting its blood vessels to Slayman’s, Kawai told CNN, it immediately “pinked up” and began producing urine. The fifteen-member transplant team in the operating room burst into applause, he said.

“It was truly the most beautiful kidney I have ever seen,” Kawai said Thursday in a news briefing that was emotional for the doctors involved, some of whom have worked on this research for their entire careers.

How pig and other animal organs can help in the future

The need for organs far outweighs the number that are readily available, with seventeen people dying on a daily basis in the US while waiting for an organ. Kidneys are the organ in shortest supply. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, around 27,000 kidneys were transplanted in 2023, but nearly 89,000 people were on the waiting list for those organs.

It has been claimed by experts that xenotransplants, which involve the transplantation of animal organs into humans, are key to solving the organ shortage issue.

“It also could be a potential breakthrough in solving one of the more intractable problems in our field, that being an unequal access for ethnic minority patients to the opportunity for kidney transplantation,” said Dr Winfred Williams, associate chief of the Department of Nephrology at Mass General, in the news briefing.

This is the third transplant of a pig organ into a living human. The first two were hearts transplanted into living people who had nowhere left to turn in terms of transplant options. The organs were transplanted under special rules that allow compassionate employment of experimental therapies for people in desperate medical situations. Both patients died soon after receiving the transplants.

The research team at Mass General Brigham said that although this latest transplant was significant, more research is still needed. This would ideally involve a large study at many hospitals to fully understand the efficacy of pig kidney transplants.

“Our hope is that dialysis will become obsolete,” Dr Leonardo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation at Mass General told CNN. “Dialysis will be like a ventilator for a patient with respiratory failure. You use it for a period of time, and hopefully if they’re healthy enough, they could have a more permanent solution, which could be a human transplant or a xenotransplant.”

Dozens of Amphorae Recovered From Ancient Byzantine Shipwreck in Greece

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
An amphora was brought to the surface from the shipwreck near the Greek island of Fournoi. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Excavations of an ancient Byzantine shipwreck off the coast of Fournoi near Samos, Greece are bringing new finds onto the surface.

The wreck has been systematically excavated since 2021 and has been selected for intensive investigation due to the extremely interesting cargo it carries.

The amphorae found in the sand near the wreck, along with the wooden skeleton of the ship itself, were in remarkably good condition. Experts believe that the ship’s wooden framing survived throughout the centuries because it was crushed under the rest of the ship and oxygen couldn’t reach it, stalling the process of decay.

So far eight different amphora types have been recorded, originating from Crimea, Sinope of the Pontus region in the Black Sea, as well as from the Aegean islands and the Phocaean region of Asia Minor.

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
Eight different amphora types have been recorded. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Pottery recovered at the ancient Byzantine shipwreck

The Ministry of Culture says 170 group dives were carried out during the latest excavations carried out in September 2023. Archaeologists worked throughout the period to clear sand and debris from the wreck to provide access for experts to conduct studies of the site.

The scattering of the finds on the seabed seems to indicate a partial loss of cargo before the ship sank.

The recovered pottery was particularly enlightening, in terms of the more precise chronological inclusion of the wreck, which can now be safely dated between 480 and 520 AD, probably during the years of Emperor Anastasios I (491 – 518 AD), says a press release by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Byzantine Emperor Anastasios I is known for his fiscal and monetary reforms, which strengthened the Empire’s coffers and enabled the expansionist policy of the emperors of the 6th century.

ancient Byzantine shipwreck
The finds are scattered on the seabed near the shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

In parallel with the excavation of the wreck, findings from three more wrecks at the Fournoi archipelago were recovered, which are intended to be exhibited at the local archeological museum which is under construction. Among these finds are a giant archaic anchor obelisk and amphorae from shipwrecks of the 6th to 8th centuries A.D.

Countless ancient shipwrecks off Greece

There are many ancient shipwrecks across the Greek seas, and archaeologists have found countless historic treasures in these sunken archaeological sites.

Earlier in March, the Ministry of Culture announced that scientists have discovered several shipwrecks and other important ancient finds in the underwater, near Greece’s island of Kasos.

These date back indicatively from prehistory (3000 BC), the Classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic (100 BC to 100 AD), and the Roman years (200 BC – 300 AD) to the medieval and Ottoman periods.

Four stunning ancient shipwrecks filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras off central Greece can now be explored by amateur divers.

“We plan to highlight our marine cultural heritage,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

“We have responded to this great challenge by opening to the public a total of four underwater archaeological sites in the prefecture of Magnesia, which will allow Greece to join the world map of diving tourism.”

Gold Wreath Still Adorns 2,500 Year-Old Skull in Crete, Greece

skull gold wreath
The skull of the athlete is still adorned by the golden wreath. Credit: Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos, Crete

The skull of a crowned athlete with a gold wreath in the shape of a laurel branch still attached to it is perhaps one of the most impressive exhibits in Greece.

The flesh disintegrated after 2,500 years, but the wreath stuck and remained on the skull. Inside the mouth, a silver coin was found as a token to Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of Hades who carried the souls of the newly deceased to the underworld.

The skull was found in the cemetery of the ancient city of Lato and was one of the most spectacular exhibits at Agios Nikolaos museum in Crete.

Skull with gold wreath discovered in the ruins of the ancient city of Lato

Lato was an ancient city of Crete, the ruins of which are located approximately 3 km from the village of Kritsa, among the oldest and most picturesque villages in Crete which was built amphitheatrically on a rock hill called Kastellos. This hill is surrounded by olive groves at an altitude of 375m.

The Dorian city-state was built in a defensible position overlooking Mirabello Bay between two peaks, both of which became acropolises to the city.

Although the city probably predates the arrival of the Dorians, the ruins date mainly from the Dorian period (5th and 4th centuries BCE). The city was destroyed c. 200 BCE, but its port (Lato Etera, or Lato pros Kamara), located near Agios Nikolaos was in use during Roman rule.

This has led to the confusion, repeated by Stephanus of Byzantium quoting Xenion, a Cretan historian, that Kamara and Lato were one and the same. Modern scholarship distinguishes the two.

The city was most likely named after the goddess Leto (of which Lato is the usual Doric form) and may be mentioned in Linear B tablets as RA-TO. Lato also minted coins in antiquity, bearing the likeness of the goddess Eileithyia, who appears to have been the one particularly worshipped at Lato.

Nearchus, admiral of Alexander the Great, was born at Lato.

Skull exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos

The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos opened in 1969 and was considered one of the most significant in Crete. It has a rich collection of archaeological treasures ranging from the pre-Minoan (3000 BC) to the Roman (2nd century AD) period.

The museum housed collections of vital archaeological findings from the entire region of eastern Crete, extending from Malia to the distant Zakros. Its showcases included more than 1,500 pots, as well as the oldest gold and bronze findings in Crete.

Among the exhibits of the museum were the findings from the seaside cemetery of Agia Fotia, the largest Minoan cemetery that has been excavated, the terracotta figurine of the Goddess of Myrtos, the golden pin, the stone pyxidio, and the stone Rhyton in shape of a triton shell.

Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed. All exhibits have been moved to other museums in Crete.

The Village That Defies the Demographic Crisis in Greece

Demographic Crisis in Greece
The village of Chrysomilia in Central Greece is renowned for families with many children. Credit: Facebook/Freinds of Chrysomilia

A village in Central Greece defies the demographic crisis in the country by boasting extended families with many children.

In the small mountain village of Chrysomilia near Kalambaka in Thessaly, dozens of children can be seen playing, going to school and church, and living within extended families.

The village is a community of about 500 inhabitants, perched at an altitude of 900 meters, and is referred to as the “village of many children.” At least 80 families have more than three children, according to a report on Skai TV.

The village, thanks to its location and inhabitants, was a vibrant and self-sufficient village that relied on many different sources of income: livestock, agriculture, and timber.

The president of the local council, Nikos Stephopoulos, explained the historical reason that the village defies the Greek demographic trend.

According to the local priest, “The legend says that in 1800 the village had suffered subsidence. Families had been killed. The stories say that half the village was lost. Then the inhabitants decided to regenerate it by having many children.”

The priest adds that perhaps there is nowhere else in Greece where up to thirty grade school children attend liturgies. Kids also help their parents in agricultural work.

Greece’s demographic crisis

Greece is facing a demographic crisis with the country experiencing the lowest population reproduction rate in Europe. The situation has reached alarming proportions with more deaths occurring than births.

In 2010, Greece recorded 114,766 births compared to 109,084 deaths. However, over the course of a decade, the numbers have shifted dramatically. In 2020, Greece reported only 84,717 births but a staggering 131,084 deaths. This trend has led to a significant population decline.

The reproduction rate in Greece is now one of the lowest in the world, standing at 1.3 children per woman. This is well below the stability limit of 2.1 children per woman.

This specific demographic problem has been observed for many decades in Greece. Faye Makandasis, diaNEOSis’ research director, noted declining fertility indicators since 1940 stemming from past generations.

He expressed concern, saying that if current conditions and factors remain unchanged, “We will talk about a reduction of the population in Greece by half.”

Among the factors contributing to the decline in fertility and Greece’s demographic crisis, Makandasis identified the delay of childbearing. He stated that Greek women give birth to their first child at an average age of 30.3 years.

Earlier this year, Greece announced a package of measures for new parents aimed at helping families cope with the rising cost of living and tackling the demographic problem facing the country.

Among the measures was an increase in the birth allowance from 400 to 1,500 euros. This increase will have a retroactive effect, as it will also apply to births from 2023.

Dionysios Solomos: The Greek Poet of Liberty

Dionysios Solomos
Dionysios Solomos, the creator of The Hymn to Liberty, Greece’s National Anthem. Credit: Public domain.

Dionysios Solomos, born on the island of Zakynthos in 1798, is rightly regarded as the National Poet of Greece for writing “Imnos eis tin Eleftherían,” (“Hymn to Liberty”), the first two stanzas of which became the national anthem of Greece.

His work had a monumental influence in uniting Greeks and creating a common national identity following the 1821 War of Independence and the establishment of a free state.

Dionysios Solomos, the creator of the Hymn to Liberty

The Hymn to Liberty, which was written in 1823, consists of 158 stanzas, and combines elements of romanticism and classicism. It is made up of tetrastic stanzas, in which octosyllabic and heptasyllabic verses alternate.

The Corfiot musician Nicolaos Mantzaros composed a melody for the words in 1828. Based on popular rhythms, it was originally written as a four-part harmony choral work. After that the anthem was regularly played on national holidays and in the houses of Corfu merchants, coming to be considered the unofficial hymn of the Heptanese.

Mantzaros modified his original melody several times – the second in 1837, the third between 1839 and 1840, and the fourth in December 1844 – before he presented it to King Otto I.

In 1865, the first three stanzas (and later the first two) officially became the national anthem of Greece; in 1966, this was also adopted as the national anthem of the Republic of Cyprus.

The first publishing of “Hymn to Liberty”, the Greek National Anthem. Public Domain
The first publishing of “Hymn to Liberty”, the Greek National Anthem. Public Domain.

Solomos wrote the hymn to honor the courageous struggle of the Greeks for independence after centuries of Ottoman rule.

The poem recounts the misery of the Greeks under the Ottomans and their desperate hope for freedom. He describes several events of the War, including the execution of Patriarch Gregory V of Constantinople, the reaction of the Great Powers, the Siege of Tripolitsa and the Christian character of the struggle.

The Greek National Anthem

Σε γνωρίζω από την κόψη
Του σπαθιού την τρομερή,
Σε γνωρίζω από την όψη
Που με βιά μετράει τη γη.
Απ’ τα κόκκαλα βγαλμένη
Των Ελλήνων τα ιερά
Και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη
Χαίρε, ω χαίρε Ελευθεριά!
Και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη
Χαίρε, ω χαίρε Ελευθεριά!
Και σαν πρώτα ανδρειωμένη
Χαίρε, ω χαίρε Ελευθεριά!

English translation:

I know you by the dreadful
edge of the sword,
I know you by the gaze
that measures the land with force.

Born from the sacred
bones of the Greeks
and brave as in the old times

Hail, oh hail, Liberty!
And brave as in the old times
Hail, oh hail, Liberty!
And brave as in the old times
Hail, oh hail, Liberty!

 The Greek poet of liberty

Solomos, who was the central figure of the Heptanese School of poetry, is considered to be the national poet of Greece — not only because he wrote the national anthem, but also because he contributed to the preservation of an earlier poetic tradition and highlighted its usefulness to modern literature.

After completing The Hymn to Liberty, Solomos continued to write impressive poetry, but never fully completed another work, and very few of his works were published in his lifetime. He had moved to Corfu and also established a literary circle there.

Solomos suffered a series of strokes toward the end of his life and passed away on February 9, 1857. His remains were returned to his native island of Zakynthos in 1865.

Own a Slice of Paradise: Uninhabited Island Near Mykonos for Sale

Island Near Mykonos Sale
Tourist boats make excursions to the island with caves with turquoise waters, ideal for swimming and diving. Credit: Video screenshot/Mykonoslive.tv

A small uninhabited island called Tragonisi located a few nautical miles east of Mykonos is on the market for sale and expected to fetch 50 million euros ($54 million).

According to the ad published by the real estate agency ZL Development Mykonos Golden Luxury, Tragonissi or Dragonisi, covering 617 acres is being sold either whole or in pieces.

The island has no green, only steep, sharp stones and slippery gravel. In the summer, tourist boats make excursions there as it has caves with turquoise waters, ideal for swimming and diving.

The small church of Panagia is built on its rocks where on June 11, the day of Saints Barnabas and Bartholomew, a festival is held with the participation of men only.

Mykonos’ reputation could attract buyers for the island up for sale

Mykonos’ reputation as a cosmopolitan island with vibrant nightlife and luxurious offerings attracts a wealthy clientele. Those seeking a secluded escape might find Tragonisi’s proximity highly desirable, offering privacy while remaining close to the action.

The island has transformed into a cosmopolitan destination, attracting celebrities, influencers, and a wealthy clientele seeking luxury experiences. Upscale restaurants, beach clubs with world-famous DJs, and designer boutiques cater to this market.

Being near Mykonos means Tragonisi benefits from easier access. Potential buyers can easily fly into Mykonos and then take a short boat trip to the island. Additionally, Mykonos offers various amenities like marinas, facilitating yacht access to Tragonisi.

The development of the island will of course require construction materials, skilled labor, or ongoing maintenance. Mykonos’ existing infrastructure provides a readily available pool of resources for these needs.

Islands in Greece for sale

Several islands in Greece are up for sale, like Tragonisi. An island in the Ionian Sea that went up for sale at an auction in 2022 with a starting price of 3.8 million euros ($4.3 million) found no buyers to date.

Makri Island in the complex of Echinades is an isolated paradise off the coast of Aitoloakarnania. Six of the Echinades islands, including Oxeia the largest, are owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, who purchased them in 2013 for a reported $10 million.

Makri, along with the rest of Echinades is part of the Messolonghi-Aetolian Lagoon National Park which is the largest in Greece, and the second-largest in the Mediterranean.

The island is less than one square kilometer (0.38 sq. miles) and its highest point is at 126 meters. The remains of three buildings are still visible on Makri, including a small chapel, a cistern, and a small house.

RelatedTop 10 Private Islands for Sale in Greece

Fastest Improving Business Environment Globally Is in Greece, Report Says

Business environment Greece
Bank of Greece. Credit: Greek Reporter

Greece has climbed 28 spots to the top of a list of 10 countries making the fastest progress in improving business environment, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report released on Wednesday.

Plowing ahead of Argentina and India, which hold second and third place respectively, “Greece has witnessed the most significant improvement, showing the country’s pro-business government, which has implemented reforms, cut taxes and initiatives to enhance business confidence,” the report said.

EIU’s business environment index measures the attractiveness of the business environment in 82 countries and territories, examining 91 indicators spread across 11 different categories.

Greece business environment

The findings, based on a vector autoregression (VAR) model which measured two decades’ worth of data in 82 countries and territories, predict which are “on the verge of notable economic growth,” and, therefore, “favorable destinations to direct future investment spending.”

The VAR model used by the EIU “suggests that these improvements may result in an uptick in real GDP per capita growth, investment spending and foreign direct investment,” it was said.

The latest rankings by the EIU also reveal that Singapore, Denmark, and the US are projected to have the best business environments over the next five years, with Singapore expected to maintain its position at the top for the sixteenth consecutive year.

Several West European economies, alongside Canada, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, make up the remaining top ten best places in the world to conduct business.

Greece business environment

In December 2023, The Economist magazine ranked Greece’s economic performance for 2023 in the top spot in the list of 35 countries around the globe.

According to the analysis based on five economic and financial indicators (inflation, “inflation breadth”, GDP, jobs and stock market performance), Greece has the best economic marks among 35 mainly rich countries this year.

Greece is above South Korea and the United States in the relevant table.

Greece’s business environment is boosted by investment-grade status

Greece approved its 2024 budget in December, forecasting a rise in economic growth to 2.9 percent from 2.4 percent this year as a result of robust tourist revenues and EU funds helping investment.

Greece regained its investment-grade status in 2023 after thirteen years. Fitch Ratings upgraded Greece’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to BBB- from BB+.

Characterized by Greek finance experts as the strictest and most robust rating agency, Fitch rewards the Greek economy’s efforts by giving the country a vote of confidence.

Fitch was the second of the big three US rating agencies after S&P to give Greece a higher investment grade. This will allow more institutional investors to buy Greek bonds, thus increasing capital inflows and further helping to contain borrowing costs for the Greek government and businesses.