THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside VEMA Greece JULY 2011 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 E-mail: [email protected] MEDIA’S IMPACT ON OUR CHILDREN: IInntteerrnneett aaddddiiccttiioonn PAGE 7/25 “BUY MORE PRODUCTS FROM HOMELAND” DIASPORA

Aussie cities most affordable in region Australian cities remain among the most affordable destinations for businesses to operate in across the Asia - Pacific region, TO THE despite the strength of the Australian dollar. PAGE 3/21 RESCUE

A group of foreign parliamentarians of Greek descent wants to help Greece recover from its debt crisis by creat- ing an annual event to bring together leading businessmen and thinkers, similar to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More than 200 MPs from around the world are members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA), which concluded its general assembly in Athens earlier this month. Rudd pledges aid The group, which adopted a motion calling on “the forces of Hellenism all over the world to unite in this time of need for millions and demonstrate solidarity with Greece” and on Greeks of starving Africans abroad to “help and support Greece to improve its econo- my” will now begin efforts to initiate a Davos-style event in Greece. PAGE 15/33 A woman looks at the range of products on display at a The World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos has become a key moment on the global political and Mastiha shop branch in central Athens. WHIA is planning to economic calendar, drawing dozens of leaders in their launch a campaign to encourage the Greek Diaspora to buy fields. WHIA President John Pandazopoulos, an MP for the more products from the homeland. state of Victoria, believes that something similar would be “Greece learned a lot from other cultures in the ancient of great benefit to Greece. world,” said Pandazopoulos, a former minister for Employ- “It’s a lot of work to go and bring some of the Greek ment and Tourism. “They took what was there and improved thinkers, try to find sponsors and benefactors, not asking on it, perfected it. But now, there’s a sense that Greece is the Greek state for any support, but if you can do this on an closed, certainly in respect to its officialdom, to ideas from annual basis, I think it will have a very valuable outcome,” he outside.” stated. Cont. page 16/34 Revering an Image Kozani A powerful attraction Although blighted by a large electricity plant, of the Holy Trinity this prosperous district has preserved much of its impressive architecture and traditions. PAGE 9/27 PAGE 20/38 The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2011 2/20 TO BHMA

Harvard in Nafplio: Building bridges

By Nelly Abravanel - Kathimerini

Something positive is happening in the Pelopon- nesian seaside city of Nafplio. To begin with, an ed- ucational center with ties to one of the world’s lead- ing educational institutions is developing programs with an emphasis on its collaboration with the local community. Furthermore, this peripheral Greek city is set on putting the existence of the educational center to good use, in the hope of generating even more in- terest in the broader area. Three years ago, Harvard University’s Centre for Hellenic Studies (CHS) inaugurated its first overseas branch, situated in Nafplio’s elegant neoclassical Ia- trou Mansion. Since then, the Nafplio centre has been constantly developing new activities and pro- grams, turning into an integral part of the city’s - and The Nafplio branch of Harvard University’s Centre for its environs’ - academic and cultural life, as well as Hellenic Studies is housed in the Iatrou Mansion. a point of reference for foreign educational institu- tions. groups have participated in a program centered During a recent visit, Kathimerini witnessed the dy- around digital education and the CHS digital library, namic collaboration between the educational center for instance. and other local institutions and observed a twofold “Free access to this huge volume of scientific data generosity which is bearing fruit. is the best expression of the center’s mission, well “Besides Nafplio’s historical importance, its practi- described in the motto ‘Free knowledge for all,’” not- cal size, safety and beauty, the city is what we ed Professor Ioannis Petropoulos, the Nafplio cen- abroad call ‘Greece.’ This is one of the reasons why ter’s director. we decided to establish the center here,” said Pro- This also applies to the Theatre Studies Depart- fessor Kenneth Morrell, director of fellowships and ment of the University of the Peloponnese. The two curricular development at the Centre for Hellenic institutions already have an established collaboration Studies at Harvard. and are in the process of examining further joint Then there are Harvard’s summer courses in projects, such as the development of a series of Greece. Both programs, which are aimed at Ameri- teleconferences with professors based in the United can and Greek students alike, have been operating States. for a number of years now, long before the center’s “We like to host a variety of people, irrespective of establishment in Nafplio. Nowadays, the courses are their status and hierarchy. We are sending out a planned and organized around the activities of local sense of optimism. Culture and education are the so- society and its institutions: the Archaeological Muse- lutions to the current crisis,” said Petropoulos. um, the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, the Naf- Professor Dimitris Kostouros, deputy mayor of plio Annex of the Greek National Gallery, the Gener- Nafplio, seems to agree: “You can imagine how ben- al State Archives, the Fougaro Cultural Foundation eficial it is for children, not to mention teachers, and the Foundation of the Hellenic World. when schools situated in the broader Nafplio area Also in the works is the development of a summer come into contact with the highest educational level program for high school students. The program, that exists. Beyond that, whoever wants to benefit which is being created in collaboration with local au- from this contact may do so. The existence of the thorities, will act as a foundation course for universi- center is very important as far as the city of Nafplio ty admittance as well as an introduction to the Greek is concerned. The fact that our community is taking and US educational systems - and finding out about advantage of its establishment justifies the choice of opportunities in the latter. its location. What we need to do now is develop the This is not the first time the Centre for Hellenic kind of infrastructure that will enable us to benefit Studies is catering to the young. More than 70 school from the center even more.” SCULPTOR and STAINED GLASS MASTER

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Contact for more details Ivan Polak [email protected] www.sculpture-glass.com mobile: +61 402 044 096 JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21

Hillary Clinton visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchy in Constantinople, Saturday July 16, 2011. Aussie cities most affordable in region

Australian cities remain among the most affordable des- 10 places to 14th highest, while Melbourne was ranked Sydney is ranked 14th in the list tinations for businesses to operate in across the Asia-Pa- 21, up from 33, and Perth surged 30 places to number 30. cific region, despite the strength of the Australian dollar. The survey measures the comparative cost of over 200 Business consultant Mercer found in its 2011 Worldwide items in each location such as housing, transport, food, Cost of Living Survey that the strength of the currency clothing, household goods and entertainment. against the US dollar has pushed Australia up the rankings New York is used as the base city with all other loca- in the past year. tions compared against it. Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore and But Mercer's head of information product solutions Hong Kong remain the most expensive destinations in the Georgina Harley says this hasn't diminished the appeal of Asia-Pacific. Australian cities in the eyes of international businesses. Globally, the Angolan capital of Luanda is the world's "Despite a rise in the cost of living, the Australian most expensive city for the second year running. lifestyle is still very appealing," Ms Harley said, releasing Ms Harley said organisations managing an international the survey. workforce should not view costs associated with currency "Our relatively strong economy and business growth op- fluctuations in isolation, but factor them into the longer- portunities mean employers are likely to absorb any term growth plan for the business. The continued migra- short-term increases associated with relocating staff tion of skilled workers to Australia is important for the Down Under." growth of the national workforce, she said. national skills shortages and helping to broaden and In its annual cost-of-living survey that covers 214 cities "The domestic employment market will benefit from deepen the capability of our local workforce," Ms Harley across five continents, Mercer found that Sydney jumped continued attraction of expatriates to Australia, alleviating said. 4/22 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2011

Breakfast at St Catherine’s, Mascot

On a crisp but sunny morning in May, my for making this day possible, as well as more than 70 students had breakfast at the our dedicated scripture teachers Mr Parish of St Catherine’s in Mascot, Sydney. Nicholas Evangelou (Mascot Public School) They were Orthodox pupils from the local and Mrs Katerina Theocharides (Gardeners primary schools of Mascot and Gardeners Rd Public School). Road. “Our Parish has been teaching Orthodox They had attended a Divine Liturgy or- Scripture at these schools since the early ganised at the same time as their regular 1980s. weekly religious education or Scripture. “Our Church always made it clear that Children attended with the permission of Orthodox Scripture at school is a signifi- their parents and the school authorities. cant part of our mission - to connect our The local press was in attend-ance to children with Christ, to make them feel record this historic occasion. happy being Orthodox Christians, to re- For many Orthodox children it was a rare mind our children that our Church loves privilege to be able to attend. them and cares and prays for them! They were instructed on how to take “This is why it is imperative for me to Communion and guided in aspects of give our Scripture children a taste of our Church etiquette. They were then treated Church worship in English, so they can un- to a breakfast from the ladies of the derstand what is happening at Church.” philoptochos of the church. Fr Athanasios added, “My dear children, I This service was an initiative of the am so happy to see you all today at Parish Priest Fr Athanasios Giatsios. In his Church. You remind me of when I was y- welcome, Fr Athanasios said: “Together oung and I would go to Church with my with Father Nicholas and the whole Parish school. of St Catherine’s Orthodox Church, we “Always remember that your Chu-rch would like to welcome the teachers, stu- loves you. I want you to see both myself dents and parents. It is a very exciting day and Fr Nicholas as your friends who care for all of us to have our Orthodox Scripture for you and pray for you. May God bless students attend a Divine Liturgy at our you.” Church, our beautiful Orthodox Church, At the conclusion of these words, as the your Church - where many of your parents children filed past to receive the antidoron were married and whe-re many of you from the hand of Father Nicholas, there were baptised.” was scarcely a dry eye in the who-le In his greeting, Fr Athanasios indicated church. that, “This is the first time our Parish has It was a privilege and honour to be pres- organised this gathering and I would like to ent. thank sincerely the principals of both schools, the school scripture coordinators Mrs Makis, Mrs De Angeli and Mrs Econo- Jim Athanasou

St Andrew’s Orthodox Press

is pleased to announce the release FUNERAL SERVICE of its latest publication ǹȀȅȁȅȊĬǿǹ ȃǼȀȇȍȈǿȂȅȈ

THE FUNERAL SERVICE

in Greek and English, using the translation

of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia

(Hardback, gold stamping, 188 pages, 110mm by 170mm, $12) St Andrew’s Orthodox Press SYDNEY 2011 “Not only the Priest, but all the congregation should follow the words of the deeply significant prayers and hymns of this Service” CONTENTS

Funeral Service: In the Home - In the Church - Enquiries and orders: At the Grave - For Priests Funeral Service in Renewal Week: In the Home - In the Church - At the Grave www.standrewsorthodoxpress.com.au Funeral Service for Children: In the Home - In the Church - At the Grave - In Renewal Week ph: (612) 9549 3103 e: [email protected] For an Unbaptised Child Funeral of a Non-Orthodox Christian JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 5/23 Our Primate’s View

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHURCH IN POLITICAL MATTERS

Throughout the entire course of the twenty Christian cen- itics directly or to identify itself with any party. (Needless to turies, perhaps there existed no single field with more and say here that the model which the so-called “Christian greater misunderstandings than the chapter of the relations Democracy” aspired to project as the presence of Christian between Church and Socio-political problems. It is not responsibility in the post-junta Greek Parliament not only has only the extreme aspects of Caesaropapism or Papocen- no relation to the theological problematics of the article, but trism which give evidence that a certain basic misunder- fortunately has rendered very analogous endeavour unwor- standing prevented to this day a satisfactory solution for a thy of credit forever!) balance between secular and ecclesiastical authority. Even In order to be able to have a responsible and creative say the various modern patterns which the relations between in socio-political matters, the Church must first have not only Church and State adopted both in the East and in the West lawful independence - as its freedom is often misunder- did not give to the serious researcher the impression that, stood - but mainly ethical independence and integrity before even by approximation, the golden way and the ideal pattern the political ruler. Secondly, the Church must have in its cen- was discovered. It appears that, rather from the very nature tral administration, namely as the auxiliary instrument of the of the problem, it is impossible to formulate a theory of uni- Synod, an elementary staff from its faithful and distinguished versal acceptance that will finally regulate the entire spec- members, specialized in matters of socio-political analysis, By ARCHBISHOP trum of the relations between Church and State. The fluidity in order to follow systematically and responsibly the various STYLIANOS of the political systems on the one hand, but also the fluidi- relevant developments, firstly at the local level, but simulta- OF AUSTRALIA ty of the persons as the bearers in both institutions on the neously also in their broader geopolitical and even universal other, allows no margin for a permanent solution especially connection. Only thus will the Church be able to express an of universal validity. Therefore, when the problem is posed opinion responsibly for every pre-election campaign of the under the general form “Church and Politics” or “Church and particular parties, but will also be able to judge freely on any State” we have in advance the given contradiction and Government initiatives at least in matters of major impor- axiomatic opposition, not only among the exponents of the tance. two conversing institutions but also among the “faithful” of For it is not only inconceivable, but also especially scan- each side. dalous, for the Church to put to oath, in the most official and Consequently, what alone may be safely formulated on festive manner, the various governments and their particular this question as far as the Church is concerned is the most ministerial officers - even if some of them officially declare fundamental articles of the Faith, namely the doctrinal rea- themselves to be atheists - and then to remain silent and sons that set the god-given responsibility of the Church in unparticipating in regards to the whole manner in which the general socio-political matters of every era. By setting these gentlemen handle the public affairs. What is even forth these axiomatic reasons the Church, in the very con- unheard of, is that this whole indifference is audaciously crete and extremely responsible form of the confession of characterized as “objective neutrality” not only for the factors Faith, makes it clear to everyone in advance that it is impos- of the State (who have every reason to secure such a guilty sible to circumvent these doctrinal principles and presuppo- toleration of the Church), but by the very persons “who hold sitions without having betrayed its very nature and mission the first place in the Church”, sometimes naively believing in the world. It is true that whenever the Church avoided - that the people admire their supposedly “realistic flexibility”. out of negligence or lack of bravery - to state explicitly this Precisely at this point, however, we must indicate a blatant public proclamation of self-consciousness before each inconsequence and hypocrisy: when the secular ruler is a worldly ruler, it paid a double price: on the one hand with its conqueror, namely a foreigner, then they all regard the role bitter disappointment and the consequent leakage of its of the Church in the socio-political affairs not only lawful, but more vigilant members, and on the other hand with its also imperative. Then, they all expect the Church not only enslaving and humiliation before the commands of the sec- to reprove the secular ruler, but also to fight him even with ular ruler. a struggle in arms, in which case the clergy that fight in such There are three main doctrinal positions that set the ina- a struggle are considered to be the undisputed heroes of the lienable responsibility of the Church in relation to socio-polit- Faith and of the Country! ical matters: The question, therefore, arises: Why is it that when the sec- ular ruler is our own - and especially, at least formally, a (a) The sacredness of the entire created uni- member of the Church - we absolve ourselves of all respon- verse - and, therefore, of everything that happens sibility? Should not the Church, precisely in the case, have within space and time - is given from the fact that increased responsibility to reprove correctively those whom God created the world out of nothing, and, there- it not only baptised at some stage but also recently put to fore, destined it for transfiguration, not the oath? As for the argument that one might put forward, that destruction and annihilation. the conqueror has been arbitrarily imposed from the out- (b) Man in particular, who was created “in God’s side, while our own political leadership is elected by the image and likeness”, concentrates in his person the “sovereign people”, we must say that with the facts of the whole created universe. And because “he stands in known methods “of force and illegitimacy”, and the continu- the midst” between the material and the spiritual ally perfected systems of election frauds of the contempo- worlds, he is himself of two natures, and, there- rary electoral cuisines, no one now knows who “was elect- fore, his body is not underestimated but also par- ed” and who “was forced in”. Now an internal tyrant is a takes in the expected resurrection. thousand times more sinister and more dangerous, and (c) The present life and its problems are not under- therefore more hateful, than the most blood-dripping invad- valued, but as the human body is considered to be er. “the temple of the Holy Spirit”, so the entire life in We particularly emphasise the responsibility of the Church the world is considered to be the struggling stage, for the socio-political affairs of the Greek people at this time, on which the position of everyone in the future life because the impending elections apparently will affect our will finally depend. future as a Nation in a decisive manner. No longer is any one entitled to invoke ignorance or incompetency for the After these doctrinal presuppositions, it will indeed con- unprecedented plight into which the country has entered in stitute betrayal for the Church to be indifferent towards “the all fields, not only of the public, but in many respects, unfor- public affairs” at the local or international level. The question, tunately, of private life as well. For there has been absolute- however, is what and how should the Church affect the var- ly no single institution unaffected in the wretched modern ious socio-political solutions. For surely on no account do we Greek society, from the family and the school to the Church, imply that the Church should found its own party, since from Law and Parliament. Now when the Church knows how to its nature and mission it is not permitted either to enter pol- Cont. page 6/24 JULY 2011 6/24 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

J ereign entity. The Minister said that access to sites and events of religious significance in northern Cyprus is fa- Letter cilitated by the United Nations Force in Cyprus but im- provements are still needed. Yet, the issue is broader than Egypt or Cyprus. As the from Minister indicated: “The Australian Government will con- tinue to monitor and liaise with foreign governments, multilateral organisations, NGOs [non-government or- Maroubra ganisations] and religious communities around the globe on the right to freedom of religion and the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians.” This is important. For instance, the Pew Research I am grateful that life in Maroubra is peaceful. Sure, it Photo: theconservativetreehouse.wordpress.com Centre’s Forum on Religion & Public Life conducted a can be a little quiet at times especially after everyone study, Global Restrictions on Religion. This covered 198 has rushed off to work. During the day all you might see The U.S. Commission on International Religious Free- countries. About one-third of the countries in the world is an occasional mother pushing a pram, someone de- dom indicated that in 1960, the Greek Orthodox popula- had high restrictions on religious minorities. In testimony livering leaflets or a senior citizen coming home with tion in Rizokarpaso was estimated at 3,000; today, there to the US sub-Committee on Foreign Affairs in June their shopping. Then there is the postal officer deliver- are approximately 350. The church was one of seven 2011, harassment was reported against Christians in a ing the mail on her bike. Seeing her stop, I marched out religious sites where services could be performed on a total of 130 countries, Muslims in 117 countries, against to the mail box to collect whatever bills or other adver- regular basis without obtaining permission. Jews in 75 countries, against Hindus in 27 countries and tising material was in store for me that day. Buddhists in 16 countries. Where does Australia rate? We are moderate in Social Hostility and low in Govern- ment Restriction.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd (photo: www.aph.gov.au)

Here it was - a manila envelope marked “Department Church and mosque side by side of Foreign Affairs”. It was from the office of the Hon- (source: www.greeknewsonline.com) ourable Kevin Rudd MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs. “Good,” I said, “at least they replied.” I pointed out to the Minister that these actions were in Actually, they all respond. You see I tend to write to direct opposition to the Third Vienna Agreement of Au- everyone about everything: from local councils, to State gust 1975 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Governments, Lord Mayors and editors of newspapers. This provides for the treatment of Greek Cypriots living I might complain about an unsafe awning or the rezon- in the occupied areas of Cyprus. ing of some land or ethics classes or help to establish a Moreover, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Source: Pew Forum on Religion and Life (adapted) community garden; sometimes I write just to give a Rights from the United Nations states, “Everyone has the compliment like the support from the staff at our local right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this To press home the point a little more, I came across hospital or for good service when I travel. right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, a list of targeted acts of terrorism on Christians. These In this case I thought the Australian Government de- and freedom, either alone or in community with others attacks have nothing to do with war. The list is from served a compliment for its statement of concern about and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief September 11, 2001. How many do you think have been the attack on Coptic Christians in Egypt. On 1 January in teaching, practice, worship and observance” (Article killed? How many have been injured? I cannot vouch for 2011, a suicide bomber killed 23 people and wounded 18). its accuracy. The answers were 3585 killed and 6877 100 in Alexandria. The Acting Foreign Minister, Martin The reply was written by an officer in the department. injured from September 2001 to June 2011. Last year Ferguson had issued a statement which strongly con- It stated that the Australian Government believes that was by far the worst. demned this attack. the right to freedom of religion must be respected in all Now you know why I am thankful that life in Maroubra In my letter, I added that the Australian government countries. The official went on to say Australia sponsors and Australia is very quiet. So while I am waiting for to- an annual resolution on Elimination of All Forms of Intol- day’s mail, I think I will finish the next letter I have just might also speak out about the treatment of Orthodox … Christians in the occupied areas of Cyprus. This related erance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Belief started: “Dear Mr Obama ” to the interruption of a Christmas liturgy, by police of the at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Turkish occupation regime. They entered the Church of In the response to the events in Cyprus, the letter in- [email protected] Saint Sinesios in Rizokarpaso and demanded that wor- dicated that the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” is The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily ship activities cease. not recognised by the Australian Government as a sov- those of the VEMA or St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHURCH IN POLITICAL MATTERS

Cont. from page 5/23 of the many social groups in the contemporary pluralistic homes” has already become a romantic recollection!), the society. Church should demand that the various parties speak a march down to the pavements with standards and icons in The sporadic statements of isolated Hierarchs, even clear language, already at their pre-election campaign, order to protect its own honourable interests, it is unac- though they are not entirely incalculable, finally remain concerning the institutions of the Greek people, instead ceptable that it should remain blissfully silent before the ineffective, especially when they are not entirely rid of of pandering the unsuspected citizens with purely con- recently mass attempted enslavement of the entire Greek selfishness and the intention of self-projection. sumer criteria and with utopian and sterile internation- people, for whose sake it is primarily entitled to secure its One last point, but no less substantial: Since the Greek alisms. This is imperative not only out of national interest, freedom and property, in order to serve them as God people in their great majority are not engaged only with but also out of elementary honesty. wants. their peptic functions, but always suffered sacrifices and Otherwise, it gives the impression that it is not the eth- struggles for their sacred institutions (alas, if we believe Source: “Paronta kai Epiousia” ical backbone of the Nation, but a partisan power or one that for the Greek people to fight “for altars and for (Publ. Domos, 1999) JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 7/25

Growing up fast and furious Media’s impact on our children: Internet addiction

By Deacon George Liangas Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

“If you are untroubled by any passion; if your heart yearns more and more for God; if you do not fear death but regard it as a dream... then you have attained the pledge of your salvation and, rejoicing with inexpressible joy, you carry the kingdom of heaven within you”.

St Theognostos, Philokalia - the complete text - Vol. 2.

In the last 20 years, the internet has gone from being very small to being everywhere and central in our lives. This includes today’s children. The exposure of today’s children to the internet starts from very young: A quar- ter of 3-5-year-olds have been on-line. By kindergarten, one-third of children have used the internet. By high- school, almost all children have done so1. Much of chil- dren’s education today requires children to use the internet, and in some schools it is obligatory. As the monitoring of internet use can be a big problem, the slippery slope from education to recreation can very easily lead to inappropriate, excessive and often addic- tive internet behaviour. Problematic internet use (a more formal term for ‘inter- net addiction’) has become such a problem, that it is being considered as a formal psychiatric diagnosis2, alongside some more established disorders of addiction such as alcohol dependence (alcoholism), illicit drug use and problem gambling. This is astounding for at least two reasons: (1) that the onset of the problem has been so recent and so dramatic, and (2) that the people most media for 24 hours. Some of the findings were as fol- once described a passion as such: If our souls are like at risk are children rather than adults. Problematic inter- lows4: a field of tall grass, by walking on the grass once, we net use is, however, somewhat different to drug addic- 1. Abstinence led to strong cravings, anxiety and leave behind a trail of bent grass which in time will tions in that it is not a chemical addiction, but rather depression. One participant said, “Media is my grow back. That is a sin committed once, which can be “more like an intoxicated, immersive, seductive experi- drug; without it I was lost”, and another, “I felt easily healed. However, if repeated often enough, a ence”3 that is difficult for people, and especially children sad, lonely and depressed”. path will form, the grass will die, and eventually a high- and adolescents, to resist. 2. Students reported that media have literally way will form, which takes a lot more effort to heal. Initial research in this area came out of South Korea become an extension of themselves. Going As Mihailoff, a former addict writes, “Whenever we only 5 years ago, where problematic internet use was without media, therefore, made it seem like want comfort, confidence, consolation or celebration, first noted as a public health concern, following 10 car- they had lost part of themselves. One student we turn to a substitute of God. Substitutes for God are diac arrests in internet cafes, and a game-related mur- said, “It was an unpleasant surprise to realise actually idols”. Electronic media can thus very easily der. In 2006 in South Korea, 210,000 children (2.1%) that I am in a state of constant distraction, as if become idols, as they can seduce us at many of our were afflicted with internet addiction and required treat- my real life and my virtual life were coexisting weak points and away from God. The famous Scripture ment. 80% of these required medication, and 20-24% in different places, but in equal time”. Going quote, “no servant can serve two masters”6 is very rel- required admission to hospital. The problem is now without media, therefore, meant that the stu- evant here. globally more pervasive, since more children and ado- dents not only had to confront their media If we want our children to be free of the stranglehold lescents have internet access in their bedrooms and on habits, but their sense of self. of the media, the first step for us would be to search, their phones rather than in internet cafes. 3. Media is not just a habit, it is essential to the identify and confront our own passions. Problematic internet use is difficult to treat. In severe way they construct and manage their friend- The following quote from the Philokalia provides some cases it can be a sign of further underlying problems ships and social lives. consolation and motivation about confronting our pas- such as depression, social anxiety, relationship prob- 4. For many students, going without media for 24 sions: “If you wish, you can be a slave to passions, and lems and family problems. hours ripped back the curtain on their hidden if you wish, you can remain free and not submit to their Two big problem areas causing addiction are social loneliness. yoke; for God has created you with that power. A man media (e.g. Facebook) and internet games. The study found no differences in responses between who overcomes passions of the flesh is crowned with For adolescents, social media can trap them in a “ne- students in developed countries (e.g. US, UK) or devel- incorruptibility. If there were no passions there would ver ending feedback loop of information”. They “can’t oping countries (e.g. Uganda, Mexico). Seventy-nine per- be no virtues, and no crowns given by God to those who switch off their mobile phone at night because they are cent of participants noted some level of distress. They are worthy”. scared that they’ll miss out on what people will say all used virtually the same words to describe their reac- about them behind their back”. These people had trou- tions, including: fretful, confused, anxious, irritable, inse- bles sleeping, fell asleep in class and ignored their daily cure, nervous, restless, crazy, addicted, panicked, jeal- 1 Donnerstein E. The internet. In: Strasburger VC, Wilson BJ, Jordan AB. needs. ous, angry, lonely, dependent, depressed, jittery and Children, adolescents, and the media. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; Online video games such as World of Warcraft can be paranoid. The study showed that students were 2009; pp.472-473. just as big a problem. There have been reports of peo- unaware of how much the media have come to domi- 2 Block JJ. Issues for DSM-V: Internet addiction. American Journal of Psychiatry 2008; 165(3); 306-307. ple dropping dead after marathon WoW sessions. Other nate their lives; it has become not just a convenience or 3 Tam P. Personal communication. In: Sydney Morning Herald. Addiction young people drop out of school or completely isolate a way of communication. alarm sounds as Facebook goes mobile. 4-11-2010. themselves as they cannot control their urges. 4 Moeller S, Eckert S, Golitsinski S, Koliska M, Oh SK, Powers E, Roberts J. While the problem is very severe in some, the inter- Comment The world unplugged. , Accessed 8.7.11. 5 Mihailoff, V. Breaking the chains of addiction: how to use ancient Eastern net has the capacity to have a stranglehold on all users. In Orthodox spirituality, an addiction is called a pas- Orthodox spirituality to free our minds and bodies from all addictions. In one study, 1000 university students from 10 different sion. A passion can be defined as “the object or activity Salisbury, MA: Regina Orthodox Press, 2003. countries were instructed to abstain from using from all of any strong desire or fondness”5. An Orthodox monk 6 Luke 16:13, NKJV. JULY 2011 8/26 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

‘SANTA IS NOT REAL’ Is it wise for a Scripture Teacher to tell a would love some help with this program. child that Santa Claus is not real? This sen- Fr Stylianos from St Spyridon, Kingsford, sitive issue was faced by one of our Scrip- attended with Fr Sotiris. They highlighted ture Teachers. In this instance parents re- the innovative curriculum at St Spyridon acted with hostility when their child was and mentioned the need for training in the told that Santa was not true. They with- use of Smartboards. Fr Stylianos noted the drew their child from Scripture and com- effect of demographic changes on the plained to the principal that the teacher number of young students in different ar- had ruined their child’s future. The inter- eas. vention of the parish priest was required Other priests present on this historic oc- to pacify the situation. casion were Fr Dimitri Kokkinos from St This topic was one of many raised at a John, Parramatta; Fr Panagiotis Protopsaltis meeting of some 18 Parish priests and from St Euphemia, Bankstown; Fr Athana- Scripture Coordinators. They were drawn sios Giatsios from St Catherine, Mascot; from all over Sydney and met with the and Fr Constantine Varipatis from St blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Sty- Stylianos, Gymea, who is the Archdiocese lianos at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox The- representative on the Inter-Church Com- ological College for this first-ever meeting mission on Religious Education in Schools. of religious education coordinators. Coordinators and representatives in atten- Louis Chambers from St Stylianos, Gy- dance included: Zaharias Boyiazis, Maria mea, emphasised that most parishioners Clergy and lay Scripture teachers meet joyfully in the Main Hall Camelin, Christa Georgiou, Dimitri Kepreo- are happy to send their children to Scrip- of St Andrew’s Theological College tes, Constantina Markopoulos and Maria ture but the presence of Orthodoxy needs Sakaris. to be made known to high schools. He de- 400 children at one school, and from ing craft and role play. They hand out By the way, the meeting concluded that scribed “a fair amount of proselytising”. Kindergarten to Year 2 there are 50 in Bibles and Prayer books plus icons at the there was no Santa! Mrs Cathy Anthony attended with Fr Lou- each class. end of Year 6. kas Kordonouris of the Parish of Metamor- Mrs Patty Pserras from Liverpool said Mrs Helen Drakakis from St Michael at phosis, Earlwood. She indicated that a big that St Raphael, Liverpool, has 17 schools Crows Nest said that all her students are challenge was teachers with bilingual com- with nine teachers. She also said that there from mixed marriages. There are also Ser- Dr Jim Athanasou petence. She also mentioned that recruiting is a need for more teachers. Her parish is bian students. In Year 6, she also gives St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox teachers was a problem. There are 300- always looking for new approaches involv- each pupil a Bible. She mentioned that she Theological College Locky’s flying in bronze

This is the first glimpse of what Darren Lockyer will look like in bronze at Suncorp Stadium and it’s classic Locky. Thanks to the unyielding support of Queenslanders, The Sunday Mail’s “Put Locky On A Pedestal” cam- paign is moving fast and this figure is a taste of what’s to come. The full-sized statue, costing an estimated $65,000, will be funded by the State Government and The Sun- day Mail and it will join “King” Wally Lewis on the northern plaza of the stadium. The Maroons skipper, who played his final State of Origin clash on Wednesday July 6, has given the work his tick of approval. The man with the Midas touch is elated to go bronze. “I put a lot of time into studying his style on the field. I needed to capture the essence of his talent in one single freeze frame,” said Brisbane sculptor Phillip Piperides, who will be working on the life- sized piece for the next few months at his Brendale studio. “Locky has liaised with me and is happy. He be- lieves the pose suits him. His magical delivery of the ball is his signature and it sums him up beautifully.” The bronze sculpture master is a big fan of the Broncos and believes the Lockyer statue will comple- ment legend Lewis beautifully. “The action shot of Locky will work with the tri- CAPTURING LEGEND: Sculptor Phillip Piperides works on the statue of Darren Lockyer umphant stance of Lewis. It’s a very proud time for to stand at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Mark Cranitch Source: The Sunday Mail (Qld) me,” said Mr Piperides. Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Locky statue erations, a meeting point to pay tribute to this footy 36th and final match for Queensland in the Origin de- would be symbolic of his playing prowess - immor- legend.” cider, Mrs Lockyer was not able to hold back her e- talising him in full flight. There was no prouder person at Suncorp Stadium motions. “The statue shows Darren captured in a moment in on Wednesday July 6 than Sharon Lockyer. “There were tears when Darren walked off,” she time - as he would be at the height of his career for As the mother of the Queensland skipper, she has said. the Broncos, the Maroons and for Australia,” Mr witnessed the highs and lows of her boy’s remark- Other family members also made the trip to Bris- Reeves said. able 16-year career in the NRL. bane for Lockyer’s Origin farewell. “It’s a fitting image for his fans and for future gen- But when the Maroons champion ran out for his Source: Sunday Mail JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 9/27

Revering an Image of the Holy Trinity

The mystery of the cross features at the culmination of all revelations). And if the very centre, as an encryption of the entire revelation of a person is what makes an i- plan, like in St Maximus’ vision of the w- con possible, then the representation of hole creation established on the Lord’s the Father as an old man is legitimate. I am sacrifice, which in turn ‘exegetes’ the thinking here of that canonical epiphany of meaning and purpose of creation... τa φαι- the Father as the Ancient of Days in Daniel νόμενα πάντα δεῖται σταυροῦ... And thus, 7:9-10,13-4, toward whom walks the Son the divine epiphany announces at once the of Man, a prophetic revelation which might origins of everything and the climax of the have very well served as a pretext for the whole plan, opening the window towards Moldovița fresco. Plus, unlike other, more the purest and universally demiurgic act of celebrated representations of the Holy Tri- crucifixion, this whole-burnt offering of the nity, our icon makes an important differen- Lord. Furthermore, this icon shows that, far tiation between the unincarnated Father, from being an accident in history, Christ’s depicted in a white, translucid attire un- crucifixion reiterates “in the fullness of stained by matter, and the incarnated Son, time” his original and foundational sacri- clothed not only in the flesh but also in the fice, of the Lamb upon whose life the life heavier colours of creation. of the world is built (cf. Revelation 13:8). In- Last but not least, this icon talks to me of deed, nothing can be without being found- a different yet not unrelated level of reali- ed on a sacrificial bedrock... ty. It seems to recast upon the mystery of I take this opportunity to add that I am the Trinity the light of another mystery, that worried about the new waves of icono- of spiritual guidance, where the two per- clastic denial of the iconographical repre- sons in the icon reflect the spiritual elder sentation of the Father as an old man. Ac- and the spiritual child. Indeed, the elder cording to the promoters of this new icon- teaching the disciple under the wings of di- oclastic trend, any icon of the Father is ille- vine inspiration - thus forwarding the lega- gitimate, given that the Father never took cy, signified by the identical scrolls held by flesh... How silly this is. The Holy Spirit nev- both Father and Son in the icon - can very er took flesh and we still represent him/ well be recognised in this archetypal im- her/it as a dove and tongues of fire; and age of an eternal council, where the Father we do this given his/her/its epiphany in entrusts the Son with the accomplishment such forms. In fact, the epiphany/revela- of salvific economy... tion/manifestation is a significant presup- position of icon-making - if not the ultimate * Revd Dr Doru Costache lectures in Patristics one (the incarnation of the Logos being the at St Andrew’s Theological College, Sydney

By Doru Costache on the idea behind this tremendous image of the divine council to which the whole of The icon reproduced on this page, paint- creation is called, with or without mention- ed by an anonymous artist in the 15th cen- ing the famous fresco. Not without reason tury, is in fact a mural depiction to be an exegete of his work, namely, Maciej found at Moldovița Monastery, Romania. Bielawski, OSB, penetratingly remarked This icon of the Holy Trinity offers glimpses that Fr Stăniloae’s legacy can be sum- into numerous mysteries, recapitulating the marised along these lines: “in the begin- whole divine economy for our sake and for ning there has been a dialogue, and at the the restitution of our wholeness (one of the endless end there will be another dia- meanings of the word ‘salvation’ in the logue”... Classical Greek). Below, I will try to share Every time I contemplate this icon, it with you a few thoughts that come to my looks to me like a pointer to the divine plan mind when gazing upon its beauty. of creation, which begins with the pretem- The Holy Trinity, whose revelation is the poral moment when the Son of God and content of the feasts of Theophany (Epi- true God turned his face toward the Father phany) and Pentecost, is uniquely repre- as Christ and Logos of creation (cf. John sented here in a colloquial posture. The Fa- 1:1), saying: “let us make the human being ther, represented as the Ancient of Days, according to our image and according to and the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, face likeness” (Genesis 1:26 LXX). This is the one another as if talking, and both bless moment when the Son of God as Logos of the holy cross in concord - a summary of creation put on the “form of God” (cf. Phi- the entire economy, accomplished not lippians 2:6), becoming the Prototype of without the sacrifice of the Lamb. On top of our fashioning (for we are called to be- the cross rests the Dove, in a clear sug- come in the image of God’s Son; cf. Ro- gestion of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, mans 8:29) and thus anticipating his pro- the final outcome of the crucifixion. Fr Du- found kenosis in the “form of a servant” (cf. mitru Stăniloae insisted on many occasions Philippians 2:7).

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA www.greekorthodox.org.au 10/28 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2011

They eat like Greeks

The longer expatriates live in Greece, who has conducted extensive research in- ses to find out whether time spent in ration in Greece, and the consumption of the more olive oil they eat. This is based to the health effects of the Mediterranean Greece correlated with expatriates’ dietary sweets decreased.” on the preliminary findings of research diet. The findings of her study are expect- changes. She used the MedDietScore - a She also noted that red meat is less conducted in Greece by Fulbright fellow ed to be available in the autumn. computer programme that evaluates the available in Greece, as compared to the Shauna Gunaratne, a neuroscience gradu- “My study is still in the process of being adherence to the Mediterranean dietary United States, and this may lead to the de- ate from the University of Illinois-Chicago written and re-edited, so it has not been regime. The findings suggested there are crease in consumption. in the United States. published yet,” Gunaratne said. “I inter- some changes in certain foods in the diet. According to Gunaratne, the prevalence Gunaratne came to Athens last year to viewed about 150 expatriates from differ- “The frequency of meat consumption actu- of olive oil may have contributed to the in- study the traditional Mediterranean diet un- ent nationalities - American, British, Aus- ally decreased slightly with the duration of crease in its consumption. der the guidance of Harokopio University’s tralian, French, etc.” stay in Greece,” Gunaratne explained. “The Professor Demosthenes Panagiotakos, Gunaratne conducted statistical analy- consumption of olive oil increased with du- Elix volunteers helping to make PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS Greece a safer place OF GREECE Two years ago a group of young volun- tivities. For the last 25 years, Elix (former- teers taking part in a fire protection pro- ly know as PEEP) has been giving young- gram for the Nea Makri forest detected sters over the age of 18 the chance to get one of the sources of a major fire which better acquainted with their own country, FRIENDSHIP GROUP ravaged a large area of Mount Pendeli, as well as others, through a series of north of Athens. The volunteers, who two-week programs based on various were participating in a program organ- activities ranging from environmental pro- ized by the nongovernmental organization tection to cultural heritage. FORMED IN S. AUSTRALIA Elix, notified the fire brigade, which as a “Due to the Kallikratis scheme [the gov- Leesa Vlahos (photo), South Australian result was able to extinguish that part of erment’s plan to redraw administrative State Member of Parliament, announced the blaze and stop it from spreading. boundaries] and reduced funding, there earlier this month that she has initiated the This year, as the NGO and the Munici- were delays in agreements this year. As formation of a Parliamentary Friends of pality of Marathon celebrate 11 years of a result, only 16 programs have been or- Greece Friendship Group. fruitful collaboration, a group of more ganized so far, as opposed to our yearly The Speaker of the Parliament, Lyn than 50 volunteers from countries includ- average of about 36,” Dora Vougiouka, Breuer MP, facilitated the inaugural meet- ing Turkey, Korea, Germany and France Elix’s communication manager, stated. ing which will be attended by a number of are taking part in forest and beach pro- What’s more, it seems that this year Ministers as well as Members of Parlia- tection projects in the broader area. The young Greek volunteers are more likely to ment from a cross-section of political par- programs got under way on July 5 and opt to participate in local rather than in- ties. Martin Hamilton-Smith MP co-hosted run to September 1. ternational programs. Up until recently, the meeting with Leesa Vlahos. Guided by specialists, the volunteers going abroad had become the norm, giv- The Friendship Group aims to encour- are taking part in patrols covering areas en that volunteers were given the oppor- age the development of friendly relations in Eastern Attica. Led by Elix group lead- tunity to discover new places at minimum and ties between the South Australian ers, the volunteers will also undertake to cost. Since the organization’s establish- Parliament and the nation of Greece. clean Nea Makri beaches and raise pub- ment in 1987, more than 280 volunteer “It is anticipated that we will foster cul- lic awareness about environmental is- programs have been organized in over tural links and opportunities between sues. 104 areas around Greece. Greece and South Australia including with Meanwhile the current financial crisis South Australians of Greek heritage”, Kathimerini has without doubt affected the NGO’s ac- Leesa Vlahos said.

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             JULY 2011 12/30 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Informal reunion of graduates of St Andrew’s Theological College in Melbourne

On the evening of Friday July 1, graduates of St Andrew’s Theological College who re- side in Melbourne, together with their families, enjoyed dinner at St Dimitrios Parish Hall in Moonee Ponds. . Amongst the guests were His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and the Abbot of St George Monastery Fr Kyriakos, both graduates of St Andrew’s Theological College. It was an opportunity for the alumni to get together, for an informal reunion to share sto- ries and journeys during and after college life. It was a successful night, and many more have been planned for the near future. JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 13/31 Health

Who does PMR affect? Polymyalgia Rheumatica affects people between the ages of 60-70. It is rare under 50 years of age. It is more common in women compared with men by ap- HEALTH proximately 2:1 and is more common in Caucasians. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is not a common condition, but NEWS it is by no means rare, approximately one in two hun- NEWS dred people may develop Polymyalgia Rheumatica. WITH DR. THEO PENKLIS * Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica The main symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica are what doctors call ‘proximal muscle pains’. That is, pain in the muscles in the neck, shoulders, hips and upper thighs. These pains are associated with early morning Polymyalgia stiffness. This stiffness is often worse upon waking or prolonged inactivity. The patient will usually describe difficulty getting out Rheumatica of bed, difficulty walking up and down stairs, difficulty er, it is usually necessary to take this medication for many months and sometimes it may be necessary to Last week a seventy-two year old lady came to seem getting up from chairs, or getting in and out of cars par- ticularly if they have been in the car for a long period. take it for two or more years. complaining of severe pain and stiffness across the Cortisone has a number of side effects which include muscles of her shoulders, neck and hips.The stiffness Often the person with Polymyalgia Rheumatica may have difficulty combing their hair or putting on a coat. weight gain, high blood pressure, swelling and a was worse on waking in the mornings. She found it dif- cushingoid appearance. Other side effects can include ficult to hang out the washing and had trouble getting in Along with the symptoms of proximal pain and stiff- ness, the patient with Polymyalgia Rheumatica may also peptic ulcers and diabetes. and out of cars. She did not have joint pain. Therefore, the patient on treatment for Polymyalgia Clinically this lady was suffering from Polymyalgia have generalised symptoms such as fever, malaise, anorexia, weight loss and sometimes depression. Rheumatica requires close monitoring by their general Rheumatica. practitioner to avoid adverse effects from medication Polymyalgia Rheumatica often called PMR is an in- In Polymyalgia Rheumatica the inflammation involves the muscles and so there is no joint pain. and to aim to control the symptoms with the smallest flammatory rheumatic disorder which affects older peo- effective dose. ple. Poly of course means ‘many’ and myalgia means The diagnosis of Polymyalgia ‘painful muscle’. Therefore, people with Polymyalgia Complications Rheumatica complain of rheumatic type pain in many of Rheumatica their muscles. The muscles involved are the muscles of Some people who develop Polymyalgia Rheumatica the neck, shoulder and hip area. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a clinical diagnosis. There is no specific test to diagnose the condition. A number may go on to develop a potentially dangerous compli- cation called Giant Cell Arteritis or Temporal Arteritis The onset of Polymyalgia Rheumatica of non-specific tests may support the diagnosis. As Polymyalgia Rheumatica is an inflammatory rheumatic which causes inflammation of the arteries including the disorder the patient’s inflammatory markrers will be el- temporal artery in the head. This condition causes irre- Polymyalgia Rheumatica can come on gradually, but versible blindness due to inflammation in the arteries sometimes it may come on suddenly appearing over evated. These markers known as ESR or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and CRP or C- Reactive Protein which supply the eye. Therefore patients with Polymyal- one or two weeks. It has been known to occur follow- gia Rheumatica who report throbbing headache, scalp ing a flu-like illness. when elevated support the clinical diagnosis and are used to monitor response to treatment. tenderness and disturbance of vision need urgent at- tention. This condition is completely treatable and usual- The cause of Polymyalgia Rheumatica As Polymyalgia Rheumatica is an inflammatory condi- tion, it responds to a powerful anti-inflammatory agent ly requires higher doses of corticosteroids. The cause of Polymyalgia Rheumatica is not known. It known as cortisone, or more specifically Prednisone. is thought to be an autoimmune reaction of the body a- Patients feel dramatically better within forty eight hours * The information given in this article is of a general nature and gainst its own muscle tissue, causing a strong inflam- of taking the medication. The dose of Prednisone is de- readers should seek advice from their own medical practitioner before embarking on any treatment. matory reaction. creased as the symptoms come under control. Howev- New melanoma drug Liquor industry brings ready for use in Australia in new health warnings The world's first drug to prolong the The drug will only be available to pa- lives of people with advanced melanoma tients with similar medical backgrounds The liquor industry-funded organisation "I think it is always preferable that an has been approved for use in Australia. to those in the study because that is what DrinkWise Australia is introducing labels external agency determines what sort of The breakthrough drug Yervoy received the TGA based its approval on. displaying new consumer warnings on al- information is in the best interests of the the green light from the Therapeutics However, a separate study, published coholic drinks. public so they can make an informed Good Association (TGA) amid hopes it in June, which showed similarly improved Labels will now include messages that choice about the use of something like al- could add two years to the life of people survival rates for patients with newly di- alcohol should not be drunk by children, cohol," he said. with the deadliest form of skin cancer but agnosed advanced melanoma, has raised can cause self-harm and should be avoid- Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg says for whom other treatments have failed. hopes that Yervoy could be made more ed by pregnant women. the DrinkWise campaign is positive but he Clearance for the drug's use in Aus- widely available. For that to happen, the The labels also include the address of believes the organisation should have tralia, the world's melanoma capital, fol- drug's manufacturer would have to pres- the drinkwise.com.au website. consulted more widely before embarking lows similar approvals by the US health ent more data to the TGA proving Yervoy "There is some evidence overseas that on the label changes. regulator in March. is safe to use in a wider group. labelling alone won't change everything, it "I think what the industry are worried Advanced melanoma is extremely diffi- Yervoy works by attacking and de- needs education as well so that is why about is that the government might bring cult for doctors to treat, with the average stroying cancer cells. we are trying to bring the two together in more stringent, tougher label-ling and patient surviving just six months. Patients are hooked up to an intrave- and bring people onto the website," might make them put them on all their ad- But a global study of 676 people with nous drip once every three weeks for a DrinkWise Australia chair Trish Worth said. vertisements as well," he said. previously treated or inoperable mela- total of four doses. But the Cancer Council says the new "Now, I'm not opposed to what Drink- warnings do not carry the same authority Wise does - I think some of the stuff they noma found that 45 per cent of patients While it may improve survival rates, as warnings from an independent body. do is very good - but a cynic would sug- given Yervoy were still alive after one Yervoy can produce side effects from di- Chief executive Professor Ian Olver gest they're just trying to thwart tougher year. More than 20 per cent lived at least arrhoea and vomiting to serious blood in- says information is missing - like the link regulations." two years, with a small number manag- fections and kidney failure. between cancer and excessive drinking. ing to survive for six years. AP 14/32 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA JULY 2011

On the trail of Alexander the Great As local politicians in Athens bicker over the place- The initiative, which marks a collaboration between ment of a statue of Alexander the Great in front of City the municipalities of Veria, Dion-Olympus, Naoussa and Hall on Kotzia Square, and the residents of the Former Pella, is, according to Naoussa Mayor Anastasios Kara- Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s capital Skopje gaze batzos - whose idea it was originally - “forms an arch upon their own 24-meter effigy of the Macedonian war- on the periphery of Thessaloniki that will certainly play rior, the regions of Pella, Imathia and Pieria in northern a significant role in the present and future of northern Greece have teamed up in a program aimed at promot- Greece and the Balkans.” ing the legacy of Alexander the Great in their region by The Alexander project is the first step in a more ex- developing a network of museums and monuments. pansive endeavor that is to create an even broader net- The network will be promoted as a unified destination work with protected status encompassing all of the im- of archaeological interest called “At the Roots of Alexan- portant archaeological and historical sites in the region, der the Great,” and will include the sites of Aeges- which will, according to Karabatzos, provide a much- Vergina, Dion, Ancient Pella, the School of Aristotle, the needed boost to the local economy. burial site of the kings of Macedon, the Ancient Theater The project is being developed and carried out under of Mieza and others. the supervision of the Ministry of Culture. China names Aristides Faliro Delta culture park Alafouzos Friendship Ambassador gives hope By Dimitris Rigopoulos

While Athens was experiencing its toughest day yet this year, presentations of the final architectural plans for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFC) in the Faliro Delta down on the city’s southern coast struck a hopeful note as austerity measures were passed through Parliament and violent riots were taking place in the city center. Most Athenians have seen nothing like what is being planned for the former Athens Race Course on the seafront at Faliro, if the two presentations given on Wednesday by the chief architect and designer, Renzo Pi- the pulse of the land, especially under the conditions of Kathimerini SA President Aristides Alafouzos (c) receives a ano, are any indication. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Athens, the wind, the energy and the sun.” medal and the title of Friendship Ambassador from Chinese is funding the architectural study for the complete over- Piano insists that the project is not just about buildings, Ambassador to Greece Luo Linquan. haul of the 17-hectare plot with 566 million euros. but that it is park, harmoniously attuned to the landscape, Following the unveiling of the plans and the scale mod- nature and the history of the city, facing the sea on one Aristides Alafouzos, president of Kathimerini SA, was el, Piano took journalists to the site that will one day side and the imposing presence of the Acropolis in the awarded the title of Friendship Ambassador by the gov- house the new National Library and Opera House for a distance on the other. ernment of the People’s Republic of China at a recent presentation that was also attended by thousands of “The idea was to raise the natural inclination of the land ceremony at the Chinese ambassador’s residence in Athenians who wanted to see with their own eyes where and to create a hill,” Piano said. “The spaces are sculpted Athens. the biggest single urban renovation project to be carried out of the earth beneath this hill.” The distinction comes as a recognition for Alafouzos’s out in the Greek capital in several decades will take The two buildings that will house the new premises of the National Library and the Greek National Opera will be contribution in promoting bilateral ties with the Asian gi- place. The award-winning Italian architect confirmed the good impression he had generated in 2009 during his united by a common glass volume, providing a large ant. The presentation, which was attended by a select first presentation of the visionary project, which he sees open space called the Agora that will emulate the concept group of friends and business partners, was made by as a place for exploration and discovery. of the ancient Greek marketplace. Chinese Ambassador to Greece Luo Linquan. “We are not trying to put on a display of strength or Construction on the site is slated to begin at the end of “I feel great pride and pleasure at the honor of being wealth,” he told the press. “We simply want to highlight 2011 and to employ between 1,500 and 2,400 workers recognized as a friend of the great people of China,” the fact that the building needs to breathe, to breathe to until its completion in 2015. Alafouzos said at the ceremony. “The distinction is an honor that I will treasure for all my life,” said Alafouzos, who was accompanied by his wife Lena. Dazzling end to 'phenomenal' The president of Kathimerini praised the character and generosity of the Chinese people and their achieve- ments in the areas of science and technology. Speaking Special Olympics at the ceremony, the Chinese ambassador described Alafouzos as a good friend of the Asian country, who By Spyridoula Spanea has worked toward strengthening ties between the two The 2011 Special Olympics came to an impressive con- nations. clusion in Athens on Monday evening. “He loves the Chinese people and Chinese culture - The Panathenaic Stadium witnessed the closing cere- and he has helped to spread that culture,” Linquan said mony of the Games that graced the city as well as the of Alafouzos. Special Olympics movement and involved as many as The Chinese ambassador praised Kathimerini news- 7,000 athletes from 180 countries around the world. paper and Skai television for their objective reporting on The ceremony had “The History of the Child from Antiq- China. The Faliro-based news organization has repeat- uity to Today” as its main theme, and involved cinematog- edly collaborated with Chinese media, playing a key role raphy, painting and photography. in cultivating ties between the two peoples. Major names from the Greek music scene participated Among the people present at the ceremony were as volunteers, adding to the effect of the spectacular cer- Yannis Alafouzos, president and executive director of emony that lit up the Athens night. Skai television, Themistocles Alafouzos, executive man- "This was a phenomenal Special Olympics”, the head of aging director of Kathimerini, Alexis Papachelas, Kathi- the movement, Timothy Shriver, told Kathimerini. “There birthplace of sports”, he added. merini’s editor-in-chief, Nikos Konstandaras, chief edi- were great events in all venues. As we had said before The next Special Olympics will be the Winter Games tor, and several members of the Kathimerini board. the start, the Special Olympics has come home to the scheduled to take place in South Korea in 2013. JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 15/33

Adelaide residential land Australians hooked on credit cards values shoot up as debt climbs to almost $50 billion by 200 per cent Australians owe a record $49.4 billion on credit cards with households maxing their plastic to cover escalating Adelaide’s residential land is now the second-most living costs. expensive in Australia, topping Sydney for the first time. New Reserve Bank of Australia statistics shows total The price per square metre has jumped by almost 200 credit card balances have blown out by almost 45 per per cent, from $165 to $487, in the past eight years, fig- cent in the past five years to $49.4 billion in May, with ures released recently show. $37 billion of this racking up interest. Housing Industry Association SA executive director The number of credit and charge card accounts is Robert Harding said the latest figures had contributed to about to top 15 million, an increase of almost 20 per a 39 per cent slump in the sales of vacant land to less cent in the past five years with an average debt of than 800 for the March quarter. $3322 a card. The HIA-RP Data Residential Land Report showed the However, the typical family credit card debt is likely to median price for a block of land in Adelaide in the 2011 be much higher, with many households juggling repay- March quarter was $180,000 - down 3.7 per cent on the ments on two or more cards. previous quarter. The massive mountain of debt will continue to esca- Adelaide's median block size of 370sq m is the small- late indefinitely with many lenders charging interest est of all capital cities. rates on credit card accounts four times higher than the Only Perth in resource-rich Western Australia - at $532 official RBA cash rate of 4.75 per cent. per sq m - was more expensive than Adelaide. More than two-thirds of consumers’ outstanding debt "What it says is for the size of land that you are get- is accruing interest at the average rate of nearly 20 per ting, it's not good value for money," Mr Harding said. cent - a 20-year high. "It's only the small size of the blocks in Adelaide that Meanwhile, despite the record number of Australian keeps us affordable. sliding into credit card debt, one in three consumers ex- "If our blocks were the same size as in Sydney or Mel- pect to use their plastic during the September quarter to collar jobs are more likely to say it will be difficult to bourne, then it would be very difficult for people in Ade- purchase something they could otherwise not afford, meet their credit obligations in the September quarter. laide to afford it." new research shows. High income earners also suffered the biggest fall in Mr Harding said while demand for land was being A fifth of consumers expect their household debt lev- confidence in June, Westpac-Melbourne Institute data met, Adelaide's land price was still recovering from a els to rise in the September quarter and the same pro- shows. period of minimal land releases during the past decade. portion say they will apply for a new credit product dur- Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level "We had four of five years where we had restricted ing that time, a Dun & Bradstreet survey of 1226 con- since the height of the global financial crisis, ahead of land supply, and that was a deliberate policy," he said. sumers found. the introduction of a price on carbon, a private survey "In the past 12 to 18 months, it seems that more land Almost 30 per cent of people expect to have difficulty shows. has come on stream, though we are still suffering be- meeting credit commitments in the next three months, The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer cause of those years of restrictive land supply. despite trying to cut back on spending and credit use sentiment fell 8.3 per cent to 92.8 in July, down from "While the supply side of it has improved, what we are over the past two years, the survey found. 101.2 in June. still facing is the speed with which land releases are The only positive news is that only a quarter plan to The index dropped below its neutral mark of 100 for progressed through the planning system." make a major purchase, down 6 per cent from two the first time since May 2009, meaning the number of Urban Development Institute of Australia SA executive years ago, pessimists now outweighs the number of optimists. director Terry Walsh said the high cost of infrastructure The survey showed that consumers with the least Economists said such a steep fall was typically only in new developments was often passed on to con- ability to repay debt were the most reliant on credit, Dun seen after a major event, such as recession, interest sumers as higher land prices. & Bradstreet's chief executive Christine Christian said. rate rises or the collapse of investment bank Lehmans. He said the slump in sales was hitting the economy. "We are seeing the most likely demographics to use Sentiment fell hardest among high-income earners, "If people aren't buying land, then they are not getting credit, particularly as a last resort, are also the least who were worst hit by the carbon pricing scheme as building contracts, which then has a flow-on effect for able to manage that debt.'' compensation was targeted at middle and low income the whole market," he said. Almost half of low income earners (earning under $40,000 a year) have a credit card, and those with blue earners. Rudd pledges aid for millions of starving Africans

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has announced Australia will contribute more than $11 million to help African drought victims. The UN says 12 million people are being affected by the worst drought to hit the Horn of Africa in nearly 60 years. Mr Rudd says the money will go to starving people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Djibouti. He says the UN has described the food shortages as the most severe humanitari- an crisis in the world today. “Australian assistance will help the World Food Program provide food for Somali and Sudanese refugees that have fled their homes for Kenya,” he said. “It will support the UN Food and Agriculture organisation to help farmers in Soma- lia through livestock vaccinations and veterinary services. “It will also improve access to food and health services in Somalia through a joint fund managed by the UN.” Faced with starvation, tens of thousands of Somalis are fleeing their country every day and heading for Kenya and Ethiopia. UN World Food Program spokesman David Orr says the agency is operating in all the affected areas. “Somalia is obviously a particularly difficult one for us, and for all humanitarian or- ganisations because of the conflict ongoing there,” he said. “But we are reaching people in large numbers - six million people we’re feeding throughout the Horn of Africa at the moment - and we expect that to rise in coming months.” Mr Rudd made the announcement in Hobart while delivering a lecture at the Uni- versity of Tasmania. Starving and desperate: refugees and children wait to go to a refugee camp in Ethiopia JULY 2011 16/34 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA

Diaspora to the rescue

Cont. from page 1/19 products of Greek origin that are available.” However, the Australian MP points out that producers in Greece also WHIA has members in 26 countries and its president ac- need to adopt a different approach and the structure of cepts that Greeks abroad have not always adopted a con- the economy needs to be transformed if the campaign is structive approach to helping Greece deal with its eco- going to succeed. nomic crisis. “Greece needs to develop an export-based culture,” he “We have had a tendency to think we know best be- said. “That helps move small manufacturing and small cause we can throw the dollars about, but we need to agricultural production to a larger base. These can be move on from that. Let’s try and be part of the change strengths for Greece but they haven’t been structured to process.” support large-scale international trade with places where Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, a German MEP who has been there are large Greek communities. very active in recent months in trying to ensure there is a “Look at China: their diasporas open up markets for Chi- balanced debate in Germany about the Greek crisis, said nese goods but in many parts of the world where there that the Diaspora needs to help Greece make the most of are Greeks, it’s hard to get Greek products. what it has to offer. “It’s partly to do with the way the economy is structured “Greece has a potential abroad that it does not realize here: you have inefficient agricultural cooperatives, people sometimes,” he said. We don’t see anyone in Greece try- don’t speak foreign languages, they don’t understand the ing to make something of this dynamic. We have taken a concept of a market. They expect the government to help decision to help through our network of politicians and in- but producers have to work out how to create economies tellectuals of Greek origin. We want to create something of scale and find markets they can supply,” said Panda- like the Greek Davos. zopoulos. “We plan to bring together businessmen, experts, intel- With a recent survey indicating that seven out of 10 lectuals and politicians of Greek origins as well as friends young Greeks are considering leaving the country, Panda- of Greece to discuss the issues.” zopoulos believes that short-term emigration could actual- Pandazopoulos and Chatzimarkakis feel the time is right ly benefit Greece by creating new markets for local prod- for opening up this channel of communication not only be- ucts. cause Greece needs help but also because they were en- “I don’t think that migration from Greece is a bad thing,” couraged by the positive response from Greek MPs to this he said “In Australia, when we had our big recession 20 year’s four-day WHIA general assembly. Both pointed out World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) years ago, everyone thought the brain drain was disas- that in the past Greek politicians had a rather dismissive President, John Pandazopoulos trous. But we all started realizing after a while was that attitude to the organization’s meetings. these guys are our eyes and ears in the global market.” “This is the 8th WHIA meeting and we have never had so time that they genuinely felt that politicians from the Greek Whether it is exporting a greater amount of goods, many Greek MPs show a genuine willingness to take side were interested in engaging in ideas,” said Panda- drawing in more tourists, tapping into the resources of the part,” said Chatzimarkakis. “This time, we had an open and zopoulos. “There is openness and we want to encourage Diaspora or opening up new channels of communication, honest discussion, which was something new. more of it.” the WHIA president is adamant that Greece needs to seize “Despite the fact that we were open and systematic in Pandazopoulos said the group also decided to embark the opportunity that has been created by its debt crisis to our criticism, the MPs responded. This suggests that on campaigns to get the Diaspora, estimated to number transform its fortunes. His message for his parents’ Greek politicians are willing to accept a way of thinking between 3 and 7 million people, to support Greece’s homeland is “Reduce the mourning process, be deter- that is beyond what they’re used to. This is significant.” economy by promoting travel to Greece and by buying mined, explain the story and try to build trust.” Some 70 Greek lawmakers took part in the workshops Greek products. “It’s hard to do but you don’t start building some broad that WHIA organized last week, ranging from topics such “Greek food importers, Greek media, Greek restaura- consensus until you start doing these things. In a crisis, tap as foreign policy to the economy. teurs and coffee shop owners, and the Greek community into the goodwill, not the pain.” “The view from our members was that this was the first all need to change their culture to increase the amount of Kathimerini Why bank with Beirut Hellenic Bank?

In a letter sent to all the Bank’s customers, James cantly more features than any other local bank’s Online Wakim, MD & CEO of Beirut Hellenic Bank, took the op- Savings Account. MD & CEO portunity to highlight recent achievements and mile- of Beirut • A full review of fees and charges has been under- stones the Bank has delivered in line with the Core Val- Hellenic Bank, taken in order to better align the fees charged with the ue of “Expect More From Us”. All of this translates into James Wakim high level of service now provided. A copy of the up- better banking and deals for customers. dated Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement In short, Mr Wakim updated customers on significant (SPDS) is available online at beiruthellenic.com.au. projects which have been implemented; • The Trade Finance Division is now up and running • The new ‘concept branch’ with state of the art de- and the experience of the people in this area is second sign and technology at Shop 3, 28 Macquarie Street, to none in the market. The Bank is convinced that the Parramatta will open its doors on the Monday the 18th new International Trade business will have a positive of July. impact on the growth of the Bank and in supporting • Four additional concept branches with the new de- trade between Australia, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon and sign and feel will open in 2011 in Sydney at Burwood other countries in the Middle Eastern, North African and Road, Burwood; Railway St, Granville; Waterloo Road, Mediterranean regions. Chullora; and in Melbourne at Sydney Road, Brunswick. • The importance of good and regular communication • The growth in new branches and the establishment with our customers is understood. In this regard, TV of new business channels has resulted in an increase Union to provide customers and the community with monitors have been installed in branches designed to of 25% in staff numbers over recent months. Also, the their services to remit and receive money from over- continuously provide customers and visitors with regu- establishment of the ‘Beirut Hellenic Bank Institute’ de- seas. lar updates regarding the Bank and the initiatives that monstrates the Bank’s commitment to the training and • The new Internet Banking platform will be launched are undertaken, as well as to promote the Hellenic and development of its staff in all areas of customer service in July and will include advanced business banking ca- Phoenician heritage to the younger generation of cus- and leadership development. pabilities and significantly increased speed and cus- tomers and to the community at large. • An alliance with Australia Post has been developed tomer data security. • The Bank is also moving increasingly into the social to further enhance the distribution capabilities of the • The Bank’s Term Deposit products continue to be networking media. Bank. Now more than 3200 participating outlets Aus- leading the market with a 12 month term deposit of Mr Wakim also took the opportunity to thank all its tralia wide are available to create increased ease for 6.60% p.a and a 5 month term deposit of 6.25% p.a. customers and supporters for the continued support new customers to open accounts with the Bank. • Soon the Bank will launch a new Online Savings Ac- and promotion of the Bank and looks forward to the mu- • Final arrangements are in process with Western count with a very competitive interest rate and signifi- tually beneficial continued growth. JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 17/35

Και του Χρόνου?

This grandmother of the boy was not alone in her per- make an effort and then simply return to the previous ef- ception of Holy Communion as a yearly event. In actual forts. Why do we lack consistency? fact, there are many who view Holy Communion as an an- In the early years of Christianity everyone attending nual experience, hence the reason why the grandmother would receive Holy Communion. The people understood of the boy was so proud and happy to say the words “και that the reason for their presence at the Liturgy was to του χρόνου!” In other words, she was looking forward to participate in and receive Holy Communion. Regrettably, By DIONYSIOS next year when he would receive Holy Communion again. over time the number of people participating has dissipat- A. KRINAS * Holy Communion is certainly not something which we ed. What we must remind one another about though, is should observe yearly. It is the one Sacrament that tran- that the Divine Liturgy is a banquet and we are invited to scends all other sacraments. When we receive Holy Com- attend, eat and drink. munion we receive Jesus Himself into us. Obviously, the When invited to someone’s house to sit with them and DEFINITION: ‘Και του χρόνου’- encore a la prochain, is used for birthdays, name days and any cel- more often we receive Jesus the better it is for us, right? eat and share food and company together, we don’t at- ebration that occurs annually. It can also be a toast be- It’s very simple then. By starting the week off receiving tend and simply watch the others eat. It is considered rude tween a group of friends who wish that the wonderful Holy Communion, by receiving Jesus on the first day of the and offensive. The householder, the one who has invited summer holiday will be revisited again the following week, we set ourselves up to stay away from sin and to you is well within their rights to be affronted and feel dis- year. have the strength to draw closer to God. On the other respected by your actions. We can all understand this. hand, by receiving Holy Communion only once or twice a Why then, do we accept God’s invitation to His House, to It was a Sunday morning and a family was lining up to year, we are limiting our reception of Jesus to a yearly oc- share the central and most important worship experience receive Holy Communion. Both parents with their 10 year currence. of the Orthodox Church, the Sacrament of Sacraments old son and a grandmother were present. They had come Sadly, in many Orthodox Churches, the people who re- which is at the centre of the life of the Church, but we to church because it was the 10 year old boy’s name day. ceive the Sacrament of Holy Communion are only a small don’t eat? Is it because we are lazy? Is it because we When their turn arrived to receive Holy Communion, sur- portion of the congregation. Usually, the majority are have forgotten the reason why we are attending the Eu- prisingly, only the boy communed. The grandmother then young children and people who are of an older age. Why? charist? Is it because we do not maintain a consistent re- said the Greek words we Greeks know so well, in a loud, Where are all the people in between? If we ask most peo- lationship of guidance with our spiritual father? Whatever audible voice “και του χρόνου!” ple why they are not receiving the Sacrament of Holy the reason, we need to do something about it for our- The Church fell silent as the chanter suddenly stopped Communion they would probably answer that they have selves now. chanting. He, like many others, was shocked by the words, not prepared with fasting and/or have not gone to Con- We all need to keep this in mind and avoid excuses. Just not only because of their inappropriate use but also be- fession. These reasons are valid as it is important to fast as the host cleans and prepares the house to receive the cause they were said so loudly. The priest gave the and go to Confession, not only for forgiveness of sins guests, we too must make the necessary effort to disci- chanter a quick glance, urging him to continue. Hesitating through the Sacrament but also to receive spiritual guid- pline ourselves to make a determined effort not to sin, to to find where he was up to, he started to chant the piece ance. It is important however, that we do not use fasting pray and fast to prepare our bodies to receive Christ. This from the beginning. The chanting continued and everything and Confession as excuses that will keep us away from way, Christ will give us the spiritual gifts to maintain a seemed to return to normal. The priest made a mental the Sacrament of Holy Communion which is the most im- close relationship that is not a yearly event, but rather a note of the family in order to speak with them after portant element in the spiritual renewal of the Orthodox consistent experience every day that culminates in a per- church. He continued to commune the remainder of the Christian. Unfortunately, many people do use fasting and sonal relationship when we attend the Divine Liturgy and people. Most of them were either older people, perhaps Confession as excuses though. Most however, don’t even certainly not something that encourages us to call upon above 50 years of age or much younger, mainly newly know that they are doing it. They simply don’t receive Holy the words “και του χρόνου.” baptised infants and children, brought by their parents Communion and don’t make an effort to do anything about who did not receive the Sacrament with their young ones. * Graduate of Saint Andrew’s Greek Orthodox it. They wait until Easter, Christmas or their name day, Theological College Wave of northern holidaymakers boosts Greek tourism

By STAVROS TZIMAS Greek brethren” have seen the number of ern regions including Halkidiki, Pieria, pared to last year. Moreover, a recent poll Balkan and Russian visitors to Greece Skiathos and Corfu. And, according to esti- carried out by Serbia’s National Associa- A drop in local hotel prices as well as surge since early June, with the most pop- mates, arrivals from the former Yugoslavia tion of Travel Agencies found that 62 per- feeling of solidarity for their “beleaguered ular destinations being the coasts of north- and the former Soviet Union are expected cent of respondents are ready to vacation to increase significantly over the next few in Greece. months. A Serbian journalist who specializes in Christian Dior, Gucci, Ted Baker By the number of visa applications it has tourism told Kathimerini that, “even though processed, the desk of the Greek National Croatia is closer, the majority of Serbs will Katerina + Kyriacos Mavrolefteros Tourism Organization (GNTO) in Moscow choose Greece for their holidays. Even estimates that more than 550,000 Russians Bosnian Serbs - who mostly opt for Mon- will be choosing Greece for their summer tenegro - will be coming to Greece in large holidays this year, while the country’s For- numbers this year as part of package eign Affairs Ministry sees that number be- tours. In part, this does have to do with the ing closer to 700,000. sympathy Serbs feel for Greeks, whom “The Russians are increasingly discover- they see as their closest friends.” ing Greece as a holiday destination,” one Exact figures are not known for the num- tourism professional specializing in the ber of holidaymakers coming to Greece Russian market stated. “The reasons are from bordering countries like Bulgaria and Ray Ban Ray the obvious ones, but this year Greece has the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedo- become more attractive thanks to a drop in nia (FYROM), as improvements in northern the price of package deals but also - as Greece’s road networks as well as those odd as it may sound - because of the cri- across the borders mean that thousands sis. The Russians are sympathetic toward descend every day over the summer to Greece and are somewhat fed up with the enjoy the beaches of Halkidiki and Pieria treatment it has received in the internation- and even the Ionian. al press and would like to offer their sup- A general decrease of 10-15 percent in port if only by choosing it for their holi- package holiday prices has been catalytic 874 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction days.” in increasing the number of visitors to (at bus stop, on RTA block) Serbians, it seems, see the situation in a Greece this year.

(at bus stop, on RTA block) Rodenstock, similar way and are doing what they can According to Grigoris Tasios, president TTeell:: ((0022)) 99331144--00339933 for Greece, which offered Serbia a good of the Halkidiki Hoteliers’ Association, “the Serengeti, Maui Jim, Fendi deal of support during its own dark chap- price cut has brought results since the [email protected] ter of history in the early 1990s. Figures winter from the markets of the Balkans published in Belgrade suggest that this and Russia.” But, he warned, “things will go year, Greece can expect some 700,000 ar- a lot better for tourism if there is calm all Nina Ricci, Oakley, La font rivals from Serbia, a rise of 200,000 com- over Greece.” JULY 2011 18/36 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Arts, Food & Wine Editor: Imogen Coward Films: a history Part 8

By Leon Coward and Dr Ann Coward and first-time/non-professional actors; a ‘slice-of-life’ plot in 1935. The Centre, along with Cinecittà (‘Cinema City’), construction; on-location shots; the exploration of contem- the largest film studios of the day set up by Mussolini in Over the next few articles in this series on the history porary social conditions and themes including poverty, 1937, were integral to an era when Italian films were of film, we’ll be taking a look at Neo-Realist films and film- unemployment, and indifference; small production compa- booming, in part due to the moves against Hollywood makers. In this first article we introduce the main ‘players’, nies; directors intent on presenting ideas rather than movies by the Fascists. (3) while later articles concentrate on de Sica’s Ladri di entertainment; a photographic style resembling documen- Initially the films of the Neo-Realists, particularly Luchino Biciclette (Bicycle Thieves/The Bicycle Thief, 1948) and tary film-making; political statements on the failures of the Visconti, were supported by the Fascists (although the Umberto D. (1952), before turning to a discussion of some socio-economic system; a preoccupation with war; harsh Fascists favoured films which aimed to do nothing more of the films influenced by Neo-Realism from 1950s up to criticism of those in authority, be they individuals or insti- than entertain). In particular, they were supported by the present day. tutions; and films that express the values belonging to Vittorio Mussolini, who was at one time editor of Cinema, It’s difficult for anyone in the opening years of the 21st ordinary people.(1) one of the two journals which influenced both film-makers century to fully appreciate the originality of certain aspects However, one feature of Neo-Realism, compassion and audiences in Italy. The other journal was Bianco of Neo-Realist films, as many of their film-making features towards the human condition, stands out as being partic- e nero (‘Black and White’), the official publication of the have entered mainstream movies over the past sixty ularly identifiable with this period and style of film-making, Centro. Both journals disseminated foreign information years. These include: the use of a mixture of professional and is possibly the greatest reason for its enduring about film theories and techniques, plus they contained appeal. translated reviews of foreign films. Ironically, although up As a movement, Neo-Realism - with its roots in the until 1948 the Neo-Realists had “enough friends in the gov- wartime movies of Fascist Italy - reached its peak in the ernment to be relatively free of censorship,” the ordinary late 1940s - early 1950s. The names most associated with people - that is, those who were being portrayed in Neo- the style are the writer Cesare Zavattini (1902 - 89) and Realist films - proved to be “relatively uninterested in their Écoutez! his collaborator of over twenty films, the director Vittoria own screen image”. (4 & 5) Although during the Fascist de Sica (1902 - 74), as well as the directors Luchino period little was known of Italian cinema outside Italy Visconti (1906 - 76) and Roberto Rossellini (1906 - 77). Of because of the Italian preference for Hollywood films after Arts Review these, Luchino Visconti was to return to Neo-Realism after the Second World War, it was to be in countries abroad a period when his work more closely resembled his first where Neo-Realist films achieved their greatest critical love (opera), while Vittorio de Sica later went on to make success among audiences, critics, film-makers and intel- more commercially appealing, but “less interesting” (2) lectuals.(6) films in the mid-1950s, and Roberto Rossellini continued to build on his Neo-Realist experiences up until 1970. References Amongst earlier directors, the French filmmaker, Jean Renoir, (1894 - 1979, son of Auguste), possibly most re- 1. Peter Bondanella, ‘Italian Cinema’, in Zygmund G, Barański and membered for his film La Grande Illusion (‘Grand Illusion’, Rebecca J. West (eds), The Cambridge Companion to Modern Italian 1938), was to be particularly influential. Luchino Visconti, Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 222 for example, who directed Ossessione (‘Obsession’) in 2. James Monaco, How to read a film: Movies, media, multimedia. 3rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, p. 302 1942, had worked earlier with Renoir and again in Rome 3. Bondanella, op. cit., p. 217 in 1939 prior to Italy entering the War. Renoir had been 4. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film art: An introduction. 6th sent to Rome by the French government to teach at the edn. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001, p. 418 school, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia 5. Bondanella, op. cit., p. 223 (‘Centre for Experimental Cinematography’) which opened 6. ibid., pp. 217, 223

Down Came the Rain A mother’s story of depression FFoooodd && WWiinnee and recovery by Brooke Shields Daringa Mead (published by Michael Joseph) Cost: under $15

While the broadcast media is having a field day Made from fermented honey and called the ‘Nectar of the Gods’ by the Ancient Greeks, reporting on one of its own, it’s interesting that no- mead is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks known to man. Daringa Mead is mildly alcoholic, one appeared to find it appalling that celebrities, or light golden in colour, and has a subtle honey flavour. While the label suggests serving it as the Royals, were having their telephones tapped. Yet a dinner wine with white meat (which could work quite well), or as a chilled desert wine some celebrities are more than willing at times to (not so sure about that), it works well served in the classic way...hot and mulled (spiced). To reveal very intimate details about their life if, for mull the mead, you need to heat it to just under boiling point with some cloves and cinna- example, they feel it may benefit others. One such mon sticks (the instructions on how to do this a supplied on the mead label). I’d recommend person is the actress Brooke Shields. In her book, letting the spices steep for around 15 minutes once they’re heated, in order to impart the Down Came the Rain, Shields talks about her and her maximum flavour to the mead, and then reheat just before serving. A warning, as it’s ef- husband’s determination to have children. She details fectively a honey wine, it will continue to ferment once opened. It’s best to finish the bottle the devastating emotional impact after suffering a no more then a day after opening (unless you find the idea of spiced, honey flavoured vine- miscarriage, but for most of the book it is her inabili- gar appealing). There is nothing quite as comforting and relaxing on a cold winter’s evening ty to bond with her long awaited baby that is the as a glass of warm, mulled (spiced) mead. focus. The lack of awareness and understanding of T.C. postnatal depression, both on the part of health pro- fessionals and people such as herself and her hus- band as well as family members, is what compelled her to write about her own experiences. The book displays a lack of an understanding of some areas GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA she touches on, including the feedback loop of breast- feeding and milk production, but it does achieve what it sets out to do, that is, to expose the severity and Visit our website reality of postnatal depression. More importantly, her writing aims to show that this situation, although high- ly distressing and confusing, is common and curable, once it is recognised. www.greekorthodox.org.au JULY 2011 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 19/37

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242242 ClevelandClevela d Street,Stn reet, RRedfern,edfern, MaMainin Hall,Hall, startingstarting atat 77.00pm.00pm On sitesite parkingparking isis limited.limited. Please,Please, considerconsider www.sagotc.edu.auwww.sagotc.edu.au alternativesalternatives VisitVisit oourur FFacebookacebook GGrouproup No rregistrationegistration nneeded.eeded. For enquiries,ennquiries, ppleaselease St Andrew’sAndrew’s PatristicPatristic SymposiumSymposium 20112011 contactcontact tthehe RRegistraregistrar oonn (02)(02) 99549549 33100100 oror [email protected]@sagotc.edu.au JULY 2011 20/38 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA Travel Kozani A powerful attraction Although blighted by a large electricity plant, this prosperous district has preserved much of its impressive architecture and traditions

The district of Kozani in west- surviving mansions, like small, ern Macedonia offers some three-story castles with fine in- sharp contrasts: Its overwhelm- ternal decoration featuring artful ingly mountainous terrain hosts woodcarved ceilings, colorful fi- an abundance of flora and fauna replaces and stained-glass win- but also includes one of the dows. country’s most environmentally The 1677 Church of Aghia Pa- damaged areas, around the raskevi has wonderful frescoes, power production complex near including - curiously - several Ptolemaida. Plus, its rich archite- ancient Greeks such as Solon, ctural heritage is a far cry from Plutarch, Thucydides and Aristot- the dominance of poorly styled le - a reflection of contact with urban apartment blocks, particu- Western classicists. Most house- larly in the town of Kozani itself, holds are still occupied in the fur the capital of the district (popula- and leather industry and the tra- tion 37,000). ditional, sweet wine is still pro- The Public Power Corporation duced. A stroll around Siatista’s complex in Ptolemaida is the lar- cobblestone streets takes you gest power production center in ment and heritage, which in- the evenings are bitterly cold.” edicts and rare publications, in- back in time. the country and one of Europe’s cludes ancient and Byzantine Since then, much restoration cluding a copy of the map Some 43 km south of Kozani, most polluting - spewing thou- cities (Apidea, Aiane, Servia) as work, development and pedes- (“Charta”) of the Balkans by at Mikrolivado, are the rare sands of tons of carbon dioxide well as churches, stone bridges trianization in the city center 18th-century Greek patriot Rigas “bouharia” and “nochtaria” geo- from burning lignite into the at- and mansions. have considerably improved this Velestinlis. logical formations - first publi- mosphere and causing serious The landscape is marked by glum picture, including a number The town is livened by a con- cized only in 2004 - which are health problems to the inhabi- Greece’s longest river, the Aliak- of surviving traditional and neo- siderable student population. clusters of pillar- and pyramid- tants of surrounding villages. monas, in the western and east- classical mansions. It is worth Siatista (population 6,000), 28 shaped formations of red earth, While it is a sight, it is best ern parts, as well as the artificial seeing the 1664 Cathedral of kilometers west of Kozani, is a some with large stones balan- avoided, except perhaps in the Polyfyto Lake. Aghios Nikolaos - with excellent worthy destination by itself, hav- ced on top. context of an educational visit. A Until about two decades ago, frescoes - and the Municipal Li- ing retained much of the charm South of Kozani is the exten- questionable benefit of this pre- Kozani town, devoid of charac- brary, one of the richest in of its heyday in the 18th and sive archaeological site and roy- sence of heavy industry is that ter and color, presented scant Greece, with more than 100,000 19th centuries, when its furs and al necropolis of Aiane, with finds the Kozani prefecture boasts the reason for a visit. The dullness volumes, manuscripts, Ottoman wines were highly sought after dating back to the 14th century fourth-highest income per capita was best expressed by song- from as far away as Venice and BC. in the country after those of writer Yiannis Kakoulidis in “Ti Moscow. A number of villages around Athens, Attica and Thessaloniki. Lozani ti Kozani” - “Two coffee Its traders and artisans for- Kozani engage in the extensive Apart from this relatively small shops, two cinemas / sesame med a wealthy community, who- cultivation of Crocus sativus, the area, the district is well worth candy bar, ouzo and pastrami / se prosperity and lifestyle is re- flower of which is used to pro- exploring for its natural environ- girls abound, men are few / and flected in the twodozen or so duce saffron.

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Where to eat Where to stay Museums What to see Saffron

In Kozani: the Archaeological Muse- The remains of a Byzantine fort and Greek red saffron, which is grown In Kozani: Trata, award-winning re- Prices per double room include um (tel 24610. 26210) is expected to acropolis at Servia, on the eastern si- in a number of villages around Koza- staurant (2009) specializing in fish and breakfast. In Siatista (area phone co- reopen in a new building this year; de of Polyfyto Lake and next to a gor- ni, is considered the best in the world. seafood, menu includes organic dish- de 24650): Iberis (tel 47054), newly the rich Historical, Folk Art and Natural ge with intriguing human - and ani- Saffron is the most expensive spice, es section, excellent wine list; Pla- built hotel on the edge of town, very History Museum (tel 26713, see Page malshaped rocks. The lake is crossed one that gives particular flavor and tanos, very good local dishes; Kliougi, good and friendly service, from 70 43); the Vourkas Mansion, a listed over by the longest highway bridge in color to various dishes, beverages Anatolian meat dishes. In Siatista: Pe- euros; Siatistino Archontariki (tel 470- monument; and the Lassanis Mansion, the Balkans (1,372 meters). Other op- and cheeses. It comprises the dried trino, classic Greek and grilled dishes; 20), traditional, ambient guesthouse, hosting an exhibition of old maps of tions in the area include touring the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower. Gravadika, popular taverna, local and from 50 euros; Siatista, welcoming, Crete until March 14. In Siatista: the lakeside, water-skiing and visiting the One kilo of saffron includes about grilled dishes. Sample the fish in one wonderful mountain views, mixes tra- excellent Bourinos Botanical Museum pretty, leafy little town of Velvento - 150,000 stigmas. A local cooperative of the many lakeside tavernas around ditional and modern elements, good (tel 24650.21353); the Paleontological famed for its fruit orchards and as the has exclusive rights to collecting and Polyfyto Lake. In Ptolemaida: Tothelo, breakfast, from 50 euros. In Kozani Collection. Ptolemaida’s Paleontologi- birthplace of Giorgos Zorbas, who selling the product. Annual production modern bar-restaurant. In Siatista, (area code 24610): Elena (tel 30294), cal and Historical Museum (tel 24630- provided inspiration for Nikos Kazan- varies between 6 and 8 tons. look for saliaria - sweets stuffed with quiet hotel on the edge of town, very .54444) includes mammoth bones and tzakis’s “Zorba the Greek” - and the walnuts and spices. good service, from 90 euros. elephant tusks. waterfalls at Skepasto.