Greek Community of Alexandria

Author: Athanasios Koutoupas

  • Designs for new kiosks chosen

    Designs for new kiosks chosen

    ΓενικάThe Greek capital may see a new generation of kiosks after the City of Athens handed out awards Tuesday for three designs to replace the old street stands.

    The municipality has removed 214 defunct kiosks from the city’s sidewalks since 2012. It recently held a competition for architects to come up with a new design for the structures.

    “The image of illegal extensions around today’s kiosks has to come to an end,” said Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis.

    “Athens needs a new, pioneering, functional and good-looking kiosk to improve the urban landscape and the capital’s image,” he added.

    The winning designs are expected to form the basis for any new kiosks erected in Athens. They are on display at the Technopolis cultural complex.

    (www.ekathimerini.com)

  • Significant statuettes discovered at archaeological site of Aptera

    Significant statuettes discovered at archaeological site of Aptera

    ΓενικάFirst estimates date the statuettes to the late 1st – early 2nd century AD

    Archaeological excavations unearthed significant finds at Aptera, Chania on the island of Crete.

    Two small sized sculptures of about 0.54cm height were discovered, οne of Artemis is made of copper and the second of her brother Apollo was made of marble.

    The statue of Artemis, guardian goddess of Aptera, is in excellent condition and was standing on a square copper base. She is wearing a short tunic and is ready to shoot her arrow, while extremely spectacular is the preservation of the white material used for the iris of her eyes.

    Apollo’s statuette is simpler and contradicts with the emphatic depiction of Artemis.

    However, the sculpture is of excellent artistic execution the preservation of the red colour is great.

    The statuettes were probably imported from artistic centers outside Crete to decorate the altar of a Roman luxury residence.

    First estimates date the statuettes to the late 1st – early 2nd century AD.

    (en.protothema.gr)

  • Greek association Agkalia awarded 2016 Raoul Wallenberg Prize of the Council of Europe

    Greek association Agkalia awarded 2016 Raoul Wallenberg Prize of the Council of Europe

    ΓενικάThe jury of the Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg Prize has awarded the 2016 Prize to Agkalia, a Greek association acting on the island of Lesvos, for its outstanding achievements in providing frontline assistance to thousands of refugees irrespective of their origin and religion.

    As the Greek island of Lesvos has become a European gateway for refugees, Agkalia has been providing temporary shelter, food, water and medical aid to people in need, assisting some 17.000 refugees and migrants since May 2015. Agkalia’s activities furthermore promote tolerance through awareness-raising, fighting against racism and discrimination of any kind.

    Founded by Father Efstratios (“Papa-Stratis”), who passed away in September 2015, Agkalia has continued to gain steady support as its devoted associates pursue the Father’s endeavour.

    “As a small and flexible local organisation based on volunteers, Agkalia sets a leading example of effective action by European civil society on a burning global issue”, stated Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, announcing the jury’s decision. “Agkalia’s activities reflect the fundamental values of the Council of Europe and contribute to its combat for human rights in Europe and beyond,” he added.

    The award ceremony of the prize, which amounts to 10.000 euros, has taken place on 13 January 2016 at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg.

    (www.coe.int)

  • Greek NGO Agalia awarded Raoul Wallenberg Prize for ‘outstanding’ work with refugees

    Greek NGO Agalia awarded Raoul Wallenberg Prize for ‘outstanding’ work with refugees

    ΓενικάThe jury of the Council of Europe awarded the 2016 Raoul Wallenberg Prize to Agalia, a Greek NGO operating on the island of Lesvos, for “outstanding achievements in providing frontline assistance to thousands of refugees irrespective of their origin and religion,” the European body announced last week.

    The jury notes that Lesvos has become a European gateway for refugees and hails the exemplary work of Agalia, saying it has been providing temporary shelter, food, water and medical aid to people in need, assisting some 17,000 refugees and migrants since May 2015. Through its work to assist refugees, Agalia also promotes tolerance and human rights, the jury adds.

    Founded by Father Efstratios (known “Papa-Stratis”), who passed away in September 2015, Agalia has continued to gain steady support as its devoted associates pursue the Father’s endeavor.

    “As a small and flexible local organization based on volunteers, Agalia sets a leading example of effective action by European civil society on a burning global issue,” stated Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, announcing the jury’s decision. “Agalia’s activities reflect the fundamental values of the Council of Europe and contribute to its work to promote and protect human rights in Europe and beyond,” he added.

    The award ceremony of the 10,000-euro prize takes place on January 13, 2016, at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg.

    The Council of Europe Raoul Wallenberg Prize was established in 2012 at the initiative of the Swedish Government and the Hungarian Parliament. The first prize, which is biennial, was awarded in January 2014 to Elmas Arus, Turkish film director of Roma origin.

    (www.ekathimerini.com)