Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotaki, announced that a new national support program to counter the energy price spike will be announced soon and stressed that Greece is quickly and methodically into an energy hub of the region.”  Greece’s energy adequacy is fully guaranteed and gas supplies will be made in such a way so as not to violate the EU sanctions on Russia,” he said on Friday, after a cabinet meeting. The Prime Minister made a special reference to the “imported price spike” which as he says, besieges houses and businesses noting that the new method support program will be announced soon.  He stressed income support is a key priority and referred to the increase in wage as of Monday, which sends the message that the state stands by the low-wage citizens,” as a fair way to distribute the growth dividend to all the fellow citizens.”

 

Acknowledging that the measures do not cover all the energy he stressed that “at the national level, however, all we are building are our own embankments.  “Specifically,” he said “We feel, we try, we act. There are three verbs that dominate our daily lives. 

 

 

LETTER “Z”

 

 

 Friday, 28^th April 2022

 

  

Russian soldiers, government officials, and civilians have been displaying the letter Z as the country’s war against Ukraine as the war, unfortunately, rages for weeks. The letter Z is part of the Latin and not the Cyrillic alphabet first appeared on the sides of tanks headed for the Ukrainian border. Since then, authorities and state media have worked to appropriate Z as a symbol of support for the Russian army, during what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine despite no one really knowing what the letter stands for.  Here is a photograph of how the letter is appearing across the country.

We have declared ur horror many times since Russian policy has been to attack Ukaraine.  

Thursday, 28th April. 2022 MASTIC ICE CREAM 1 flat tsp mastic granules 200 g sugar 2 cups milk 2 cups pouring cream Place the mastic granules with 1 tsp of sugar in a grinder and grind them into powder. Heat the milk with the remaining sugar and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool a little, whisking occasionally, and mix in the cream. When completely cold place in the freezer. After an hour remove it from the freezer and give it an energetic whisk and return it to the freezer. Repeat the procedure thrice more.

 MASTIC ICE CREAM

1 flat tsp mastic granules

200 g sugar

2 cups milk

2 cups cream

Place the mastic granules and 1 tsp of sugar in a grinder and grind until they turn into powder. Heat the milk with the remaining sugar, and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool a little, stirring occasionally, and mix in the cream.

When completely cold place in the freezer.  After one hour, remove it from the freezer and give it an energetic whisk and return it to the freezer, Repeat the procedure thrice more.

  The infamous Israeli Pegasus Spy Work is suspected to have infected official UK networks, including the Prime Minister's Office at Downing Street 10 and the foreign commonwealth office, Toronto University's "The Citizen Lab" which has notified the UK government.  The lab says suspected infections were associated with Pegasus operators linked to the United Arab Emirates, India, and Jordan. 

LATEST GREEK NEWS

 

Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and Chief of Armed Forces of Greece, Konstantinos Floros, expressed their best wishes over the name day of Saint George, patron saint of the Greek Armed Forces.

 

Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, congratulated Emmanuel Macron for winning the second term of France’s national elections on Sunday.   In a tweet, in French, the Greek Prime Minister congratulated Macron and said:  “It was an important victory for France, Europe, and democracy.”

 

The Greek Prime Minister delivered an address on the occasion of the 107^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Embassy in Greece reported.  According to the Prime Minister, 107 years have passed since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks where 1.5 million innocent people were exterminated due to religious and national extremism.      

 

Greece’s Presidential Guard Evzones led the Allies and Greeks considered today’s Anzac Day march and wreath-laying ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, hosted by the Victorian Services League.  

I wish to thank my beloved daughter-in-law, Elpida, and my son, Yiannis, for their warm hospitality during Easter lunch. Elpida had prepared Greek Easter soup (magheritsa) roast lamb and potatoes, tabbouleh and a delicious pavlova. Her parents, her sister and nephew and two friends were there. We enjoyed keeping in touch with our latest news. Thank you Elpidaki mou!

PRESIDENT MACRON WINS THE FRENCH ELECTIONS

 Preliminary results are given by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the reelection of President Macron for a second term. Vive President Macron! Vive la France! Vive l'Europe!  

EASTER .

 Easter is an annual Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox, as calculated according to tables based in Western churches, on the Gregorian calendar.  

Easter is the most sacred of Greek Orthodox holidays.  It takes place in spring and it symbolizes the cycle of life, as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ,  If you follow the religious rituals, they can lead to reflection, discipline, compassion, and gratitude. 

In Greece, people go to church and receive the resurrection light from the priests and return home to a warm Easter soup (magheritsa)  allowing the candles to burn out.

Greek families gather together and enjoy Pascha, cracking each other/s eggs, wishing health, prosperity, and self-improvement.  They roast lambs on the spit and in the meantime enjoy eating Easter bread (tsoureki) and other Easter delicacies and drink wine. The Easter lunch ends with a delicious chocolate dessert. 

JUNE MARINOS

 I had forgotten to tell you in my last post, that June was a fantastic cook, and she was married to Themis Marinos who was a famous World War 2 hero and an expert LSE economist.  They had three talented children,  

HOLY SATURDAY

  HOLY SATURDAY. THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

  JUNE MARINOS' DEATH                                                         

 

Holy Saturday, the day before Greek Easter marks the last day of Holy Week.  On the morning of Holy Saturday the Greek Orthodox Church commemrat4s our Lord Jesus' burial.  According to the Bible, the chief priest and Pharisees asked Pontius Pilate to secure Christ’s tomb for three days before His resurrection.  On Holy Saturday, psalms are read and hymns are sung about conquering death.

 

In Greece, the Resurrection Mass takes place on Holy Saturday a few minutes before midnight, all the lights are turned off, and the priest exits from the altar and announces the resurrection of our Lord.  Fireworks and crackers go off and the night is filled with light and colorful explosions CHRISTOS ANESTI.  

 

Unfortunately, Penny my dear friend June Marinos’ daughter told me that she died peacefully. I am devastated because I was very fond of her.  My profound condolences to all the family and friends and let them remember that she was highly esteemed by all who knew her.  May she rest in Peace  

 

HOLY FRIDAY HOLY FRIDAY On Holy Friday our Lord Jesus Christ died, nailed on the cross, after the tragically wrong decision of Pilatus from Po.

                                                            HOLY FRIDAY

 

On Holy Friday our Lord Jesus Christ died, nailed on the cross, after the tragically wrong decision of Pilatus from Pontus.  His mother, the Virgin Mary, and some of his disciples were also present, weeping but being certain of His resurrection, according to the scripts.

 

In Greece, it is usually a sunless day, with the church bells ringing mournfully for this great religious tragedy.  

HOLY THURSDAY On Thursday of Holy Week four events are commemorated: The washing of the disciples feet, the institution of the institution oof the sacrament of the Holy Eukarest at the Last Supper, the agony in the Garden of Gesthemany and the betrayal of Christ our Lord by Judas.

GREEKS ARE GETTING BACK TO NORMAL

 Here is all the useful information you need to know for the festivities.

 

Two Easters ago, most Greeks celebrated their first-ever low-key Easter in lockdown.  Since as a group, we don’t tend to favor minimalism when it comes to celebrations. lt may be the last holiday of its kind.  Shouting: “Christos Anesti” to our neighbors from Greek balconies trying somehow to fit a  lamb into our flat area may be an experience to remember, but we do prefer to retreat to our country homes and create large gatherings until morning during this special period of the year. In 1921, many got back to their villages, although travel was prohibited by COVID-19 regulations, kept the normally big events become small. This year, on the other hand, few people are expected to stay at home, as now there are no limits to the size of gatherings anymore.

 

Once again, the islands and the countryside are about to come alive as people return to their summer homes for the first time of the year and nature is at its most verdant.  This is the best time to visit Greece.

 

This year, the Holy Week falls on April 18^th – 25^th

  

 

PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED SURVEILLANCE OF GREEK JOURNALIST THANASIS KOUKAKIS. The head of the Prosecutors Office ordered on Monday a preliminary investigation into the alleged surveillance of Greek journalist, Thanasis Koukakis, financial editor of CNN Greece and regular contributor to international media outlets. Chief Prosecutor, Sotiria Papageorgacopulou ordered the investigation following reports by investigative media INSIDE STORY or coinvestigate journalists network in Greece REPORTERS UNITED. Papagergakopulou will seek to determine whether there has been a breach of promise of telecommunications secrecy and by whom.

 The head of the Procecutor's Office ordered, on Monday, a preliminary investigation into the alleged surveillance of Greek journalist Thanassis Koukakis Financial Editor of CNN Greece, and a regular coordinator to book international media contacts.   

Chief Prosecutor, Sotiria Papageorgakopoulou ordered the investigation following reports  by the investigation media INSIDE STORY on investigative journalists in Greece REPORTERS UNITED Papageorgascopoulou will seek to determine whether there has been a breach of telecommunication secrecy and if yes by whom

LENTEN DISHES

                                                      LENTEN DISHES

 

In the Greek Orthodox Church, the Lenten fast involves abstinence from dishes with meat, fish, milk and by-products but other seafood like shrimps and mussels are allowed

 

                                GREEK SPINACH WITH RICE (SPANAKORIZO)

 

¼ cup olive oil

1 ½ cup large grain rice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pinch Cayenne pepper

1 bunch of spring onions, thinly sliced

½ cup of chopped dill

¼ cup chopped mint

500 g (1 lb) spinach, trimmed

2 ¾ cups cold water

 

Heat oil in a saucepan, over medium heat. Add the rice and stir until every grain is coated with oil and you can hear it sizzle.  Season with salt, pepper, and Cayenne pepper to taste add the spring onions and cook for 1 minute. 

 

Add the dill, mint, and spinach and 2 ¾ cups of water.  Mix and bring to a simmer.  Cover and cook gently until the rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Uncover and stir well, cover again, and let sit for 5 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

 

Serve with lemon juice, feta, pickled onions, a drizzle of olive oil, and warm crispy brown bread, and enjoy.    

HERODOTUS THE BIRTH OF HISTORY

 Our understanding of the cultural and political forces which gave rise to the Classical Age of Greece, the beginning of Western Civilization.

Herodotus of Halicarnassus newly arrived in Athens, set down and began to write his history and in doing so led the foundation of history itself.  By the time Herodotus got there, Athens was home to the literary culture, like the plays of Aeschylus enthralling audiences. 

The Greek language was establishing itself as a powerful cultural instrument, at the same time as other features of culture like architecture, politics and navigation were also developing in new exciting ways.  

The main subject of Herodotus's history was the Persian wars, fought in the 480s and 90s BC, as Greek city-states struggled to repair Persian invasions of the city of Athens providing an opportunity for a dramatic rebuilding scheme that began in 447 BC.  The center piece was the Parthenon, the magnificent temple of Athena, and still astonishes visitors to Athens today and is an international emblem of ancient Greek civilization              

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS  .

 TOP THINGS TO  DO IN ATHENS

EXPLORE THE ACROPOLIS 

CLIMB MOUNT LYCABBETUS 

LEARN HISTORY AT THE NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

WATCH THE SUNSET AT CAPE SOUNION 

VISIT PIRAEUS

CELEBRATE CULTURE AT SYNTAGMA SQUARE

EXPLORE PLAKA AND OTHER NEIGHBOURHOODS 

SEE ATHENS BY NIGHT 

KASTELLORIZO

 So close to the Turkish coast Kastellorizo is just 2 km away that you almost taste the East, the tiny island of Kastellorizo is extremely beautiful.  One passes near the ruined castle and the pastel-painted neoclassical houses 

PALM SUNDAY

 Palm Sunday is celebrated in Greece with fried salt cod and garlic sauce.

PRIVATE COLLECTION DASKALLOPOULOS DONATES WORKS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

 PRIVATE COLLECTOR DASKALOPOULOS DONATES 350 WORKS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

 

 

Prominent private collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos has announced the donation of a large part of his collection of important works of contemporary art, which consist of more than 500 pieces to four museums located in Greece, Britain and the USA.

 

The donation consists of more than 350 work of art by 142 Greek and international artists. Of these works 140 works are intended for the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens, about 100 will go to the Guggenheim in NYC and Museum of Contemporary Art at Chicago, while 110 will go to the Tate in London.     

THE HISTORY OF ATHENS

 

Cradle of Western civilization the history of Athens is eventful and fascinating.  Discover the city’s past from its’s foundation until it became the political, cultural and economic hub of Greece. 

Athens is named after Athena the goddess of wisdom and war.  And daughter of Zeus The story of Athens is very similar to the story of Greece.

 

The first settlers in Athens  were from various ethnic groups that were organized in several kingdoms. The establishment was near the situation which would later become the Acropolis.  According to Greek mythology, Cecrops, who was half man and half serpent founded Athens and became the first king.  Around the 10^th century BC the settlers formed twelve cities of which Athens was always dominant

 

The mythical King Theseus was responsible for unifying the cities of Attika under Athens When the cities were unified the Panathenaic Games were held to honour Athena.

 

When Athens was ruled by Kings, the Monarch directed the political and military efforts and was assisted by the Areopagus, the King’s court.

 

Athens evolved from a city dominated by monarchy, then the aristocracy and finally by Athenian democracy.  During the 8^th century BC the monarchy was replaced with nine Archons, (leaders) The social tumult obliged the aristocracy to make concessions for the rest of the population.  To avoid the abuses of power and laws they were written down. 

 

In 621 BC, Draco was the first legislator in Ancient Greece to impose a written law code that would become famous as an example of severity, but it was a great step compared to the justice system which had existed before.

Draco was replaced by Solon, one of the sages of Greece renowned for his honesty and patriotism.  He made new concessions for the working classes considered who was the first democracy on each. Solon was elected Archon in 594 BC and made great reforms including the forgiveness of peasants their debts, limiting the right of life or death  father or family and dividing the population into four groups according to their income and military service He also formed the Boule, a council of 400 – 500 people and  the Ekklisia (assembly) and the Heliaea (court) 

 

After the wise Solon, there were new social revolts that fractioned the city until Peisistratus took Athens by force and was considered a tyrant.  He was succeeded by his sons who compared with their father  were a lot more brutal and created many divisions among the Athenians.  Eventually, Cleisthenes, leader of the Democratic Movement in 508 BC granted citizenship to all free men and reformed  the constitution of ancient Athens. 

 

510 BC is considered the year of the birth of Athenian Democracy.  Cleisthenis is famous for establishing the “politically ostracized” figure.  To defend democracy from tyrrany, the Ekklesia had the power to banish for a certain period a citizen that is considered a threat for the state.

STUFFED TOMATOES

 7 tomatoes. lids removed and reserved 

2 tbsp olive oil plus extra 

1 onion peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, peeled and mashed

1 cup rice boiled in salted water and drained

The flesh of the tomatoes

Salt, pepper and sugar to taste

1 cup chopped parsley.

Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent add the rice the tomato flesh, and season to taste and add the chopped parsley. Stuff the tomatoes with the above filling, brush with olive oil and bake in an oven preheated to 180 C (350 F) and bake for 35 minutes until thoroughly cooked and delicious.

 

 

1 DAY SARONIC CRUISE

 

A carefree one-day cruise to three picturesque islands of the Saronic Gulf. You will visit Hydra, the haven of the art world's favorite jet-set destination. The quaint island of Poros and the historic Aegina, an island that was a major naval force in antiquity, now has its ruins to prove it. 

MACRON VERSUS LE PEN

 Emmanuel Macron has won the first round of the French elections from the far-right Marine Le Pen "Make no mistake, nothing is yet decided," he told his cheering supporters. 

In the end,  he won a convincing first-round victory. but opinion polls suggest the run-off could be much closer. 

The European Union is 100% for Macron. 

GREEK EASTER MUSHROOM SOUP

                                        GREEK EASTER MUSHROOM SOUP

 

 

Olive oil

1 onion, peeled and chopped

8 spring onion, trimmed and finely sliced

6-7 lettuce leaves finely chopped

250 g portobello mushrooms sliced

500 g oyster mushrooms finely sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup wine

1/3 cup rice

5 cups hot water

1 pinch of nutmeg

2 tbsp tahini

Juice of 1 ½ lemons

 

In a large pot, over medium heat, add the onions in olive oil until transparent.  Add the mushrooms, the spring onions and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir until the mushrooms release their water,,  Sauté until the water evaporate.and the mushrooms are tender. Pour in the wine, the rice, lettuce and the water and stir.  Next add the nutmeg, tahini and the lemon juice and simmer for 20-23 minutes and serve.        

MOUNT LYCABETUS

 Why is everyone in Greece determined to climb Mount Lycabettus?  The highest of Athens' seven hills is twice as high as the Acropolis.  The climb rewards you with all Athenian landmarks.  It is covered with interesting flora and fauna,  Be on the lookout for 65 different varieties of birds and ...giant tortoises lurking in the shade.  The climb from the bottom to the top of Mount Lycabettus passes through

Kolonaki.   

NAOMI OSAKA

 

Japanese tennis ace and four=time major winner, Naomi Osaka has sent stunning photos of her vacations in Myconos, Greece, as she celebrated her 24th birthday with her family and friends in the island paradice.  

NAOMI OSAKA

 Japanese tennis star and four-time major winner, Naomi Osaka, has posted stunning photos of her vacation in Mykonos, Greece. as she celebrated her 24th birthday with family and friends on the island paradise  

PRESIDENT ZELENSKY AT THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

 The speech of the Ukrainian President,  Volodymyr Zelensky at the Greek  Parliament on Thursday April 7^th.   All 300 deputies have been called to a6tend 6he address which will be translated in Greek and English. It is recalled that the relevant invitation to the Ukrainian President was from the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, after a telephone conversation of the two politicians “I spoke to the Greek Prime Minister of our future defense cooperation,” wrote Zelensky on Twitter.  Mostly all Greek political parties agreed with Greece’s help to Ukraine.

 

 

                                                     CRETAN RUSKS – DAKOS

 

4 cups plain flour

2 tbsp dry yeast

2-3 cups warm water

4 cups barley flour

2 tsp salt

2  tsp honey

½ cup olive oil

Mix the yeast with half the plain flour, the barley flour the salt and make a hole in the centre and allow I rise until doubled in bulk, . Dilute the honey with a little warm water and mix with the olive oil and the risen yeast. Knead he dough well and cover with clingfilm and allow to double in bulk. Preheat the oven to 180 C  (350 F) and shape he dough into a roll bake for ½ an hour then slice and bake until crisp and golden.  Serve with chopped tomatoes and crumbl4d feta cheese.                            

GENOCIDE OF UKRAINE BY RUSSIAN NAZIS

 Unbelievable atrocities are taking part in Ukraine, people are shot by the Russians with their hands tied behind their backs.   Naziism has unfortunately returned to modern Europe.  The European Union and the

USA consider them criminals and should be punished with life imprisonment without parole.  

PISPIRIGOU THE MODERN GREEK MEDEIA

 ..An investigating magistrate has assigned a new lawyer to represent a woman accused of intentionally killing her nine-year-old daughter while in hospit6al this year. lawyer, Konstantinos Zardas, is expected to go to the Attika Police Headquarters on Friday.  Ge is also due to make a statement after his 33-year-old Roula Pispirigou testifies on Monday.  Pispirigou, who is under police detention, denies that she has murdered her own daughter, Georgina.  Her two other daughters died under mysterious circumstances in the last three years. 

She should be punished by life imprisonment without parole.  An unheard-of tragedy for modern Greece. A woman killing her own daughters.         

MRS ZOE RAPTI'S VIEWS ON PUTIN

 We have written profoundly about the unlawful Russian invasion of Ukraine but reading an article by the Greek sub-Minister of Health, Mrs Zoe Rapti I was delighted to hear Greece's reaction to the issue.  She said that, unfortunately, for the last four weeks Europe is living a situation of the past, and people living on the continent believed that peace and prosperity were facts.  "It shows us the worst part of human nature.  In a war there are no victors or conquered only thousands of dead and injured."