Tag: Greece

Greece is the fourth largest European investor in Egypt: Greek ambassador

Greek ambassador to Egypt Christodoulos Lazaris is ending his mission to Egypt after serving a six-year term.

Lazaris has contributed greatly to the development of Greek entrepreneurship and commercial bilateral relations between the two countries and worked vigorously to achieve the historic tripartite summits between Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus.

He also worked closely with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa and with the Greek communities of both Alexandria and Cairo.

On this occasion, the Greek Community Club and the Greek Community of Alexandria hosted a farewell cocktail and dinner in honour of the ambassador, where the president of the Greek Community of Alexandria, John Papadopoulos, as the host of the event honoured the ambassador with the commemorative silver plate of the Greek Community of Alexandria.

The event was attended by significant figures, including the pope and patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, his Beatitude Theodoros II, the consuls of Russia, France, and Sudan, representatives of the Consulate of Palestine, representatives of the Bibliotheca Alexandria, and the Alexandria Opera House, and the presidents and representatives of the Greek associations of Alexandria and Cairo.

To learn more about the bilateral relations between Egypt and Greece during his mission to Egypt, Daily News Egypt sat down with the ambassador.

What is your opinion about this event taking place here in Alexandria?

Greece has a very strong presence in Alexandria and the Greek community here is very active. Also, we have strong ties with the Bibliotheca Alexandria.

As your time in Egypt is coming to an end, how would you explain Egyptian-Greek relations?

Greece is usually the voice of Egypt in the European Union. To some extent we have managed to fix the false image that exists about Egypt and have prevented the spread of such an image.

Both countries are very close economically and politically. We cooperate together in security issues. Egypt and Greece share the same view on fighting terrorism and have similar models when it comes to foreign and defence policies.

We have cooperated with Egypt on a number of issues related to the crises in Syria and Libya, immigration, and refugees.

Keep in mind that both countries are close geographically, making Alexandria a very important centre. This fact encourages and enhances our cooperation together, especially in regards to naval activities. For example, in the recent EgyptAir aeroplane crash, the first ships to arrive were Greek. They were sailing back to Greece from the Alexandria port, so, when needed, they sailed back to Egypt.

In general, we are talking about a trilateral cooperation as it involves not only Egypt and Greece, but also Cyprus.

How about the economic ties between Egypt and Greece?

Greece is the fourth largest European investor in Egypt. We have around 208 companies in Egypt.

Our sixth trading partner worldwide is Egypt, and I think that we are going to improve this position this year.

We are also among the first 10 trading partners for Egypt.

Can you tell us about cultural bilateral relations?

Over the past six years, we have been concentrating more on business relations. Yet, Greece maintains a strong cultural presence in Egypt, especially in Alexandria.

Greek cultural centres are very active in Egypt, particularly the Greek language schools, which have a very high enrolment.

The Greek Community of Alexandria is one of the major cultural institutions in the city.

We are keen to have at least one cultural event per month in Egypt. But, of course, there are usually more.

After ending your duty as the Greek ambassador to Egypt, what is the next country you will serve in?

I will serve in Spain, which I consider a soft landing. I wished to serve more time in Egypt, but I have already been here for six years.

(www.dailynewsegypt.com)

August 12, 2016
First-ever legal bid for return of Elgin Marbles to Greece thrown out by European Court of Human Rights

The first-ever legal bid to force the UK to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece has been thrown out by the European Court of Human Rights.

The court ruled that because the alleged theft of the sculptures from the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple took place more than 150 years before the UK signed up to the human rights convention, it did not have the power to consider the lawsuit.

Campaigners for the return of the sculptures pointed out that the court had not made a ruling on the “merits of the case”.

The marbles were taken from the temple by the Earl of Elgin in the 1800s and he then sold them to the British Government in 1816 after running into financial difficulties.

At the time, Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire. Lord Elgin obtained a “firman”, a legal document, that apparently allowed him to take some stones but some believe it did not entitle him to cut sculptures from the building.

The marbles are regarded as some of the finest sculptures ever created and the Parthenon, built by the democratic Athenians after victory over the Persian Empire, is arguably the most important monument in Europe.

The Greek Government was given extensive legal advice from lawyers Amal Clooney and Geoffrey Robertson, but appears to have decided against taking Britain to court.

Instead, the case against the UK was brought by the Athenians’ Association, a cultural group, after the British Government refused an offer last year by Unesco to mediate between Greece and Britain.

The British Government and the British Museum, where about half the surviving Parthenon sculptures are on display, insist the Earl of Elgin acquired them legally.

In its ruling, which was sent to the Athenian Association last month, the European court said: “The Court notes that the marbles were removed from Greece in the early 19th century.

“In order to bring the matter within the temporal jurisdiction of the Court, the applicant has sought to rely on the refusal of the United Kingdom to enter into mediation with Greece concerning the return of the marbles and the continuing refusal to return the marbles.

“However, it is clear from the nature of the applicant’s complaints that its underlying grievance is the allegedly unlawful removal of the marbles from Greece. The removal having occurred some 150 years before the Convention was drafted and ratified by the respondent state, the applicant’s complaints would appear to be inadmissible.”

The judges also said the Athenians’ Association did not have “any right … to have the marbles returned to Greece”.

The Athenians’ Association’s legal representative, Vassilis Sotiropoulos, said the case was a “first step”.

He claimed the judgement could actually help the Greek Government take legal action in the future.

“Globally, this first statement of the European Court, historically the first court judgement, on the subject of the Parthenon Marbles highlights the points that Greece should focus on with particular attention in her recourse against the United Kingdom,” Mr Sotiropoulos said.

“This decision leaves open the possibility of a recourse submitted by Greece being proclaimed admissible, thus also indirectly offering precious expertise on how to handle the case henceforth.”

Andrew George, of the British Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, said the ruling did not affect the arguments in favour of sending the sculptures back.

“We’ve learned nothing from this. There’s been no test of the merits of the case, just that this is not the arena to resolve the justice or otherwise of the case,” he said.

“The UK Parliament effectively state-sanctioned the improper acquisition of the sculptures exactly 200 years ago this year.

“But this doesn’t make it a cause of pride for the British, nor does it make the act nor their continued retention either ethical or just.”

On 10 July, a cross-party group of MPs launched a Bill to return the sculptures to Athens, where the Acropolis Museum was built specifically to house them within sight of the Parthenon.

The British Museum argues that it “tells the story of cultural achievement throughout the world, from the dawn of human history over two million years ago until the present day”.

“The Parthenon Sculptures are a vital element in this interconnected world collection. They are a part of the world’s shared heritage and transcend political boundaries,” it says.

“The Acropolis Museum allows the Parthenon sculptures that are in Athens (approximately half of what survive from antiquity) to be appreciated against the backdrop of ancient Greek and Athenian history. The Parthenon sculptures in London are an important representation of ancient Athenian civilisation in the context of world history.”

(www.independent.co.uk)

July 26, 2016
Open Air-Cinemas – a breath of magic under the Greek starry skies

Whether you are in the Greek capital this summer or enjoying your vacation in the countryside, there is a longstanding summer tradition all over the country to spend the evenings at an outdoor cinema, while having a drink under the stars, with a soft summer breeze and the scent of bougainvillea and jasmine filling the air. Athenian summer cinemas bring back unforgettable memories of summer nights surrounded by potted plants, gravel under the feet of the audience and water fountains. Occasionally a cat strolls in front of the movie screen and songs from loud speakers are filling the gaps during the intermission. This unbelievable atmosphere is combined with the freedom of outdoor smoking, the waning moon, the illuminated windows of the surrounding houses and youngsters who watch free of charge from their balconies.

The first summer cinema opened in Greece in the early 1900s. The tradition became popular all over the country and especially in Athens before the war when silent movies became talkies, one of the most affordable means of entertainment. Then, during the heyday of Greek tourism in the 1960-1970s, there were as many as 700 open-air theaters in Greece (600 of them in Athens), that is five times more than today. This reduction is mainly due to the challenges posed by the digital age in combination with the current financial crisis.

Fortunately, some open- air theaters persist and survive, keeping the magic alive. In Athens, there are many open air cinemas all over the city, including in the middle of heavily built up areas, on rooftops and in enclosed courtyards. Athenians are, thus, spoilt for choice when it comes to summer cinemas with at least one at every neighborhood. Around 15 are located in Athens downtown welcoming cinephiles who want to watch the reruns of movies from the winter or classical movies that appeal more to the wider public.

Specifically, one of the oldest open-air cinemas in Athens, located in the Thisseion area, is ZefyrosOutdoor Cinema, with its two red velvet curtains at the entrance symbolizing an unashamedly unmodernized reverence for cinematic tradition. Close by, in Plaka area, one can find Cine Paris which is operating since the 1920s and Cine- Thisseion which is offering the best direct view to the Acropolis and has been ranked by CNN among the top movie theaters in the world. A little further up, just few steps from Syntagma Square, Cine Aegli in Zappeion provides the perfect setting for a cinema night, perfectly combined with a stroll through the beautiful Zappeion garden and a drink at the luxury Aegli Bar. In close proximity, located on Dexamenis Square in Kolonaki, you can find one of the oldest cinemas in Athens Dexameni just up the hill.

For something more alternative, one can visit Riviera cinema, situated in a scented garden in the Exarheianeighborhood or the legendary rooftop cinema VOX, frequented by local actors and artists– famous for its love of the Hitchcock oeuvre and for showing European and arty films true to the intellectual character of the district. Other charming options include Cine Psiri, situated in the quarter of Psiri -one of the most artistic areas of Athens- and the open-air cinema operating on the roof of the Greek Film Archives premises at Lais, Kerameikos, a new culturally growing neighbourhood in Athens. It’s also worth mentioning Cine Palas, one of the oldest cinemas in the district of Pangrati, complete with art-deco interior and red velvet armchairs, as well as a second, open-air venue on the rooftop, notable for quality movies and a ticket option which allows you to watch three movies for an unlimited period of time.

Last but not least, cinephiles who want to enjoy their favorite movies under the clear starry skies of a Greek island, no problem! There are many islands in Greece that offer movie magic under starry nights. Among them is the party island of Mykonos with its famous Cine Manto which has been rated by the British newspaper “The Independent” as one of the best open-air cinemas in the world. Another famous island is Santorini with Cine Kamari, a charming venue that was created in 1987 to host various cultural events, including concerts, art exhibitions and theater plays.

(www.greeknewsagenda.gr)

July 26, 2016
Planning a trip to Athens? Just use your phone and start booking!

For all of you planning to visit the city of democracy, theatre, philosophy, gastronomy and endless fun, the process just got easier than ever! In just 3 steps and with the use of your mobile phone, your journey to Athens is settled via an innovative new platform. Trip2Athens.com is an online tool that allows visitors to plan their journey to the Greek capital from the moment of their departure all the way to their return without paying any commission fees! The platform is designed both for consumers and businesses and the project is backed by the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and financed through European funds by the city of Athens.

This new and fun platform allows visitors from all over the world to be in complete charge of their journey, by offering them endless possibilities in selecting their means of transportation, accommodation, sightseeing and entertaining. It is based in two pillars: multilingualism (its content is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Chinese) and accuracy of information, but its biggest strength (especially for professionals who want to register with the platform) lies in the use of the same technology tools that big international hotel chains are using today for their bookings. With a database of 470 hotels and more than 2000 tourist businesses, this user friendly tool has endless things to offer.

For example, as soon as one decides to organize a trip to Athens, the platform offers suggestions for which archaeological walks to follow, combined with visits to landmark sites, activities and shopping tripsto the famous commercial streets of the city. Obviously the section dedicated to gastronomy and wine tasting is more than indulging and it is worth mentioning that all foodies will be more than satisfied to use the up-to-date information (there are search, filter and sort tools available to make the experience even more fun and simple) in order to discover the best places to taste traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine or the work of awarded chefs, but also visit some of the most famous wine bars and beer houses of the city! The entertainment continues with a list that includes bars, clubs and music halls for all tastes and preferences, but it would not be complete without the section uncovering the emerging and internationally acclaimed scene of street food in the Greek capital!

Back to technology and the fun continues. Visitors are offered the possibility to create a virtual diary of their journey to Athens, share it with friends via social networks and upload it on their mobiles through available apps so that all the information about the trip can be accessed and used at any time even when offline.

All entrepreneurs and businesses related to tourism can join the platform at any time and without any cost. Besides hoteliers, any tourism business entrepreneurs can collaborate with the platform, free of charge, by simply logging in and creating a profile that allows them to upload up-to-date content regarding their business or seasonal offers and discount coupons, for which potential visitors will be immediately informed. Contrary to other platforms, Trip2Athens.com allows for bookings to be made directly without charging commission. The project is set to continue its expansions to the rest of Greece and soon include all its tourism regions to its database.

(www.greeknewsagenda.gr)

July 26, 2016