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Greek Language and Culture June 2012 OMILO Newsletter

Dear OMILO friends,

Here your Greek summer Newsletter ..time flies. A lot of news this time, so we are sure you will have enough to read during your summer monthshope you will also try to read the Greek version! (If you did not yet receive the Greek version in your inbox, please write us to info@omilo.com ) Do not give upGreek is not easy but soooooooo exiting! Believe us, one day you can read the Greek Newsletter without using the dictionary or google translate! Do you have doubts? Well, register for an OMILO course and you will be soon motivated again to continue studying Greek and memorize all those words! In this Newsletter we will write about : 1. Some thoughts about the media. 2. Some Greek politics 3. Some good news in the Greek Sports culture 4. Some Greek culture 5. Some ideas for your summer in Greece 6. Some reasons why foreigners love Greece! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Some thoughts about the media

This Newsletter was partly written in Athens, on the beach of Syros, in the internet caf next to the same beach and on the Blue Star Ferry Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Tinos. While writing this Newsletter we were inspired by the cosy Maroussi square with all its cafes, the busy Piraeus harbor with its plenty of Ferries and cruise-boats, the island views, the sea, the blue skies, the travelers enjoying their new discovered frappe and cappuccino fredo, hard-working Greek staff concerned about the future of their country and of course also by our OMILO students from all over the world, very motivated to learn Greek, trying their first Greek dancing

steps, enjoying to order their favorite food in the local Greek taverna and wondering where the journalists of their countries find all the negative images and statements about Greeks and Greece. Being in those surroundings nearly every day, it is the complete opposite impression of what you hear and read every day on TV, radio and foreign Newspapers! Of course, in Greece we all experience financial difficulties, due to very high taxation and VAT, price hikes in utilities bills, gasoline, road taxes, etc Of course we are all concerned about the future of Greece and our children. Of course we know the public sector in Greece needs to change and we hope it will! However, those concerns and financial difficulties does not affect the tourist life To the contrary, a lot of expenses for tourists, actually became cheaper this year and many services better. Since the last elections in May, once again Greece became the No.1 subject in many countries.And once again we had to hear Greece is an unstable country, not safe for travelers, maybe soon without Euro!!! Why journalists can say whatever they want, without even living here? We are all very tired of this situation and we all wonder: if Greece is considered unstable, why so many travelers apparently have no problem to travel to countries with dictatorships, to countries with very high poverty and criminality, to countries that never even had the euro, to EU countries where the unemployment rates and debts are higher than in Greece or to countries in the middle of Europe that were without government for several weeks or even more than a year!?? Because the general media-coverage of Greece is very unfair and unrealistic, thousand of foreigners living in Greece are starting to react and write their own stories on Facebook. During the last years, hundreds of those foreigners, living in Greece, have been contacted by journalist and Newspapers abroad to talk /write about the situation in Greece. But 90% of those contacted, all confirm that their words/articles were changed and not published as asked. Usually only the negative news is published, the positive news thrown in the garbage! Because foreigners living in Greece understand very well the Greek culture and situation in Greece, as well as the foreign culture and way of thinking abroad, they are able to judge what is the real story and very good voices to learn what is really happening. Greeks themselves tend to think their country is lost, because they usually have no idea how bad things can be abroad as well, or how many problems exist abroad which are (fortunately) still non-existent in Greece! Thanks to Facebook, Greeks and non-Greeks now also have the possibility to read honest opinions, various personal views and can communicate, support and get united to help each other where necessary. This is a reaction against the one-sided, very opinioned foreign media about Greece, and we invite all of you to participate if you like. Send your experiences related to Greece to the OMILO FB page (www.facebook.com/omilohellas ) and make a difference! Yes, we can do it!

2. Some Greek Politics

Greece is preparing for elections on 17/6, for the second time in a period of two months. The parliament elections of the 6th May resulted in hung parliament. The first three parties efforts to form a government were fruitless. So, a caretaker government was formed. As the Constitution prescribes Mr. Panayiotis Pikramenos, senior president of the Council of State, sworn in as Caretaker Prime-Minister. The elections of 6th May had very special characteristics. The bipartisanship was defeated. The two big parties, which were in power for 30 years, lost their majority in Parliament. SYRIZA, radical left party, came second and Chrysi Augi (Golden Dawn), extreme right party, gained representation in the Greek parliament for the first time winning 21 seats. It is obvious that the Greek political scenery has changed because of the financial crisisbut Greek people do not lose their sense of humor! Here are some of the jokes that circulated about Greek politics: - Greece is the country where the percentage of the first party in the Parliament (18.8%) is lower than the VAT (23%)! - Caretaker prime minister is Mr. Pikramenos (embittered) like the citizens he will govern! Very representative!

3. Some good news in the Greek sports-culture a. Greek basket on the top of Europe
Greek basket is on the top of Europe! The Final 4 tournament of Euroleague was dominated by Greece as two of the teams were Greek: Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos didnt make it to the final. Olympiakos on the other side defeated CSKA Moscow in a surprising final match. This success was a very good opportunity for fests in the roads of Piraeus, Olympiakos hometown! Fortunately, we always find ways to celebrate, forgetting for a while the financialpolitical crisis.

b. The Olympic Flame started its journey!

2012 is an Olympic year and the countdown to the most important sport event started on May 12th, in ancient Olympia. The lighting of the Flame took place during a ceremony in the temple of Hera located on the archeological site of Olympia. According to the ritual, the first priestess called upon Apollo, god of the sun, and the Flame was lit by the suns rays. After the lighting, the first Torch Bearer took the Flame and the Olympic Torch Relay all over Greece commenced. It was carried through a lot of Greek towns. The last stop was in Athens, in the

Panthinaiko stadium (Kallimarmaro). There, in presence of the Greek President of Democracy, the princess Anna, Elisabeths daughter, and David Beckham, a Flame Handover ceremony was organized and the Flame was given to the hosting city of the 30th Olympic Games. At the moment the Olympic Flame carries on its 70 days travel until its arrival to the Olympic stadium of London. What is the meaning of the Olympic Flame and the Olympic Torch Relay? The Flame represents the theft of fire of Deus by Prometheus. It is believed that Prometheus stole the fire in order to give it to humanity. This action marks the beginning of the technical civilization. In ancient times the Flame was kept burning throughout Games in the temple of Olympia. In the modern Olympic Games, the Flame first appeared in Amsterdam, in 1928. The Olympic Torch Relay was introduced in the Olympic Games of Berlin, in 1936. In ancient Athens the Torch Relay was an important part of the celebrations of Panathinea (Panathenaic festival), which was held every 4 years in honor of the goddess Athena. Forty teenagers carried the flame for a distance of 4.5 kilometers. The starting point was the Prometheus altar and the destination was the Athenas altar on Acropolis. The aim of the Torch Relay was the transport of the Flame preserving its force and purity. The professor Carl Diem was the mover and the organizer of the first Torch Relay in modern Games. Since then the Torch Relay takes place before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and each hosting country incorporates its own cultural characteristics. In the Olympics of Athens, a worldwide Torch Relay was organized. The Flame visited the five (inhabited) continents and stopped in thirty three cities before its return in Athens.

4. Some Greek culture a. About Hatzidaki

(written by OMILO student Helene Wangermee in Greek. This is an OMILO translation in English) Since a few years I have been studying Modern Greek at INALCO, a center for eastern languages in Paris. At the same time, I am a musician and teach piano at a music conservatory in northern France. During my studies for a masters degree I chose to write a thesis about the famous composer and musician Manos Hatzidakis. I presented my thesis in Paris on the 14th of September 2010. Abroad, Manos Hatzidakis is not as known as Mikis Theodorakis, but in Greece, both composers, who belong to the same generation, are equally and extremely popular. We have to learn a little bit more about Manos M. Hatzidakis was born on 23-10-1925 in Xanthi. From his childhood, he started reading music and playing the piano and the violin. In 1932, he moved to Athens with his mother and sibling since his parents got divorced. In 1938 his father was killed in a plane crash. This tragic accident and the outbreak of World War II ruined the family financially. Manos, nevertheless, started higher studies in music and philosophy and at that same time he began associating with artists and intellectuals, such as Gatsos, Seferis, Elitis, and Tsarouchas, who strongly influenced his thoughts and ideology. In 1945 he met Melina Mercouri, who became his best friend.

In 1946 he finished his first project in the film industry, whereas his cooperation with the Art Theatre of K. Koun started in 1954 and would last 15 years. In 1960, he was awarded an Oscar for the song The children of Piraeus from J. Dassins film Never on Sunday . He became the first Greek composer to make a Greek song popular in the rest of the world. A very important aspect in the life of Hatzidakis was , in 1965, the beginning of a successful cooperation with Maurice Bjarts Ballet of the 20th century. In that same period (1966) Manos left for America and returned to Greece in 1972, the darkest year of the junta. After the fall of the dictatorship he took on many cultural obligations- mainly the direction of the state- run radio station Third Programme (1975-1981). Manos Hatzidakis died in Athens on 15-06-1994. His whole life, Manos Hatzidakis was dedicated to and strongly related to the traditional Greek song. In 1949, in a lecture about Rebetico songs, he supported this genre which was, at that time, either unknown or despised. Later, he created, together with Mikis Theodorakis, the Entechno, a very important music stream, in which music has very close ties with Greek poetry. Along with his interest in the Greek song, Manos Hatzidakis was also a composer with a personal inspiration. He managed to create a wonderful composition, combining the world of folk music with his new musical horizons. Click on the following links to listen to some known Hadzidakis-songs! Afierwma ston Mano Xatzidakh - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1owYtUgSaoY&feature=related - - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRw5mTrtNuY&feature=related Maurice bjart Dionysos 01 - YouTube (was again preseted in Athens last week, with big success) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8l7dfBAP0g Bejart and Hadjidakis A Meeting pt4 - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVg8iuQFOzg&feature=relmfu ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you Helene for this tribute to Manos Hatzidakis. During our intensive courses we always give an Introduction into the Greek music. We will be happy to play again the amazing music of Hatzidakis! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

b. Contemporany art : Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, Andros

In June 2012, OMILO will organize for the 3rd time a 2-week intensive course on the island of Andros. Andros belongs to the Cycladic island group, and can be reached by boat in only 2 hours from the Rafina port (close to Athens airport).

During this course, the OMILO participants have the opportunity to spend a day in the beautiful capital of Andros ( Andros town), and visit its contemporary art museum. Greece has many museums and ancient sites, but not that many contemporary art museums. However, in Attica, on the mainland and on many islands there are several private museums, with beautiful modern Greek and International art collections. Here one example of a private initiative: On the 28th of July 1979 the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation inaugurated the Museum of Contemporary Art in Hora, capital of Andros and birthplace of Basil P. Goulandris. The two founders wished to establish a small contemporary art museum which would be designed and outfitted according to latest museum standards, with a view to house international exhibitions. The museum, which has a total floor area of 200 sq. m., was designed by architect Stamos Papadakis. The exhibits showed works by Michael Tombros, a sculptor from Andros, and were further enriched by part of the collection of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation. The increasing attendance of the Athenian public and the inhabitants of Andros, led to the expansion of the museum to a new building. This new building, situated opposite the old wing, covers a total floor area of 1000 sq. m. and was inaugurated on the 20th of July 1986. The architectural integration of the building with its surroundings attained a distinction in the competition The International Garden and Greenery Exposition in Osaka, Japan in 1990 and was featured in Contemporary Landscapes of the World. The Foundations permanent collection includes more than 300 works by Greek and international artists. Part of this collection is exhibited on a rotational basis during most of the year. Every summer since 1986, the museum has been organizing exhibitions showing works of major artists of our century. The main objective of the museum is to continue to promote Greek and international modern and contemporary art. If you plan to visit Andros one day, or join our OMILO course in June or the Cultural Week (29/7 3/8) make sure to put this museum on your to-do-list!

5. Some ideas for your summer in Greece! a. OMILO Greek Cultural Week in Andros : 29/7 till 3/8/2012
Looking for a fun, active and relaxing holiday in Greece? You choose between dancing, cooking, painting or Greek lessons.... next to the beach! This year, OMILO offers something for everybody.... We thank all of you that registered already and we promise you will not regret! In case a friend or family member is in the mood to join, you can find info on our web-page

at http://omilo.com/cms/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=38&lang=en Or visit the following website of Greek Island Travel http://www.greek-islands-travel.co.uk/islands/andros/holidays-on-andros.html

b. Summer cinemas
Do you like cinema? Do the air-conditioned movie theaters seem unappealing to you in summer? In Greece, we have the alternative that will surprise you: summer cinemas. Whats a summer cinema? It is an outdoor movie theater: a big screen and some chairs (maybe with tables) under the summer starry sky! It sounds attractive, isnt it? You can choose among a variety of movies, old and new releases, which in combination with the summer cool offer an extraordinary experience, full of romanticism. Enjoy and turn all your senses on: watch your favorite movie, eating pop corn or drinking water ice (if you are lucky, maybe you will find homemade sour-cherry juice as well), smell the jasmine coming from the nearby garden and relax. The outdoor movie theatres were at the height of their glory in 50s and 60s. There was a period of decline, when multiplex cinemas dominated. Lately, there have been efforts to revive these places. So, for a couple of hours you will enjoy the atmosphere of past time where there is the taste of an old neighborhood. This does not mean a low sound or image quality, as most of the outdoor movie theatres dispose of high technology equipment- in Athens, it is possible to find even 3D shows. The fame of the Greek outdoor movie theater spread out of Greece. Recently, the travel guide of the American net CNN placed the outdoor movie theatre Cine Thisio on the top of the list with the 10 best movie theatres worldwide. According to the American reporter: From your seat at Cine Thisio you not only get to view the latest blockbuster but also the Acropolis and the Parthenon that sits on top. The best view is at night. With a view to Acropolis or without, the show in open-air is an experience which will pay you off. Discover the little oasis in the heart of the town! The outdoor movie theatres are open from May/June (depending on the weather) to end of September. You will find them not only in Athens but also in every town of Greece.(yes, also in Syros and Andros) Next time you will be in Greece, dont forget to add to your list a visit to an outdoor movie theatre! It is a must do! *Listen to the song Ta therina cinema (lyrics, music: Loukianos Kilaidonis) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lwvFQ4viJs

6. Some reasons why foreigners love Greece!

Margot Zeebrechts , Dutch and living in Athens for 30 years, wrote the following on FB : (original text in Dutch (Ik woon in een vakantieland) : here below an OMILO translation)

I live in a country, ideal for holidays

Before, when I visited the Netherlands and people heard that I live in Greece, they thought I was

on a permanent holiday. To them, Greece was synonym for sun, sea, beaches and paradise. The first years, when I only spent my summers in Greece, it was indeed like that. However, during my first visit to Greece I knew that this was the place where I wanted to grow old. Id completely fallen for the beautiful country with its beaches, mountains and a life without problems. When, after a few summers, my Greek husband and I decided to start a family, we moved to Greece to live there permanently. Very soon, paradise became daily life: work, family and daily worries. To me the coastal road along the Aegean Sea became exactly the same as the local village road to Mr. Jansen from Lutjebroek. There was nothing spectacular anymore about the view from my kitchen window, the sea and the mountains. Together with the advantages of living in a Mediterranean country came the disadvantages. You could easily build a house illegally, nobody would lift an eyebrow. That is exactly what we did! But because the house was illegal you could not get electricity The result was that I had to do the laundry by hand for six years because the neighbours electricitys capacity was insufficient to make the washing machine work. For the same reason we were without a telephone line and for every call I had to walk ( with two young children) for about a mile to the nearest bakery shop where I could make phone calls. From the moment we legalized the house, having paid a steep fine, these problems were quickly solved. The children grew up and went to school in a country where the school system was ( and still is) inadequate. We had to face the Greek authorities and bureaucracy. We became ill and had to deal with the national health service, which was also lacking in many respects. Organisation is a word which doesnt seem to exist in Greek dictionaries. .And still, I wouldnt dream of going back to the Netherlands ! I felt attracted to the disorganisation in this country. A certain freedom, the possibility to improvise when you met an obstacle, life in Greece was never dull or boring! So, I got used to living in Greece and that is why I even stayed here after the death of my husband. Financially, we were getting worse off, but we still managed. Until two years ago, when the crisis hitand Greece on the brink of bankruptcy. A crisis with dramatic consequences, not only for the Greeks but also for many foreigners living in Greece. Except that is has become almost impossible to cope financially, because income have been slashed and prices increased, I can only watch how my childrens future is being destroyed. They cannot find a job and if they do find one, they are grossly underpaid. Peoples reactions in the Netherlands have changed now when I tell them I live in Greece! The feelings of envy have become feelings of pity! Reactions like: Oh! Do you live in Greece? Lovely! Sitting on the beach all the time! have now made place for: O, dear! Do you live in Greece? What is the situation now? Yes, the fun is gone. The crisis has hit hard. It is very difficult , I hear myself saying. But it is the question: Why dont you come back to the Netherlands? which is food for serious thought. You could say that I am married to Greece. I have learned to love Greece, I have chosen to grow old with Greece, in sickness and health, in happiness and misfortune. So, I am learning to be happy with less, to live with less material things and to enjoy my life as it is. I look out of my kitchen window and see the sea and the mountains again. In the evening, I go outside to enjoy a beautiful sunset. When I pass the coastal road, I turn my window down, to

inhale the sea breeze and slow down to enjoy the colours of the Aegean Sea, which change after each bend. The rocks, the blue sky, the little islands which are scattered like pebbles, the sailing boats and the little fishermans harbour in a small village: everything seems to have come to life again. When I become really desperate because I dont know how to pay the next bill, I can take my dogs and go for a long walk on the beach. I stare at the sea en the mighty beauty of Greece, which, as I can see, has not changed at all! It is still the country I fell in love with thirty years ago . Yes, in the end it is true: I live in a country, ideal for holidays ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With this last sentence of Margot in mind, we are ready and looking forward to start the summer season. Hope to welcome many of you in Greece.

Many greetings from the OMILO team and KALO KALOKAIRI!! Kalo banio!
(Part of the team is already enjoying the sea since May! Have a look! http://www.facebook.com/omilohellas/videos#!/photo.php? v=425095627523992&set=vb.113515072015384&type=2&theater) )

OMILO, PO Box 61070, 15101 MAROUSSI, ATHENS Tel. (0030)210-612.28.96 email: info@omilo.com