He always wished to visit
Athens because he had heard of Greek philoxenia (hospitality) because he wanted to see the Parthenon and to pay homage to this “small great world ... for all it has offered to humanity". He was, also, grateful to the ancient Greek tragedians, historians and philosophers, who broadened our minds and made us better understand the world, and the reason for our existence.
Mr. Obama praised the Greek Americans for their staunch patriotism in times of war and their zealous efforts to bring equality and further justice to the country.
He continued saying that 25 centuries ago, Democracy was born in Athens. Every individual was a "citizen". Athenians were citizens with equal rights and responsibilities who had the privilege of voting for their leaders, so the will of the majority prevailed. But also, minorities had the same rights and responsibilities as the majority. As these ideas had to be reverently preserved by laws, the citizens of Athens assembled (at the Pnyx) to debate and decide on affairs of state. Each and every citizen had the right to express his opinion before casting his vote, a white pebble for yes, a black one for no. The laws were carved on stone, for everybody to clearly see and observe. The jurors who formed the court, and took decisions according to the law, were also citizens (not leaders). But there were serious flaws in this first democracy because slaves and women had no rights (only responsibilities).
This idea that started in Athens was strengthened by the Great Enlightenment and adopted by the American Founders, who declared: "We the people shall rule; that all men are created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights". The President said that Americans "wish to live with dignity...to have control of their lives" and to have the "ability to determine the course" of their Nation.
And Mr. Obama continued that Americans believe in freedom. As, in Greece, a bishop lifted the flag of independence in 1821, so did the people across Asia, Africa and the Americas throw off the"yolk of colonialism", and later, the people behind the iron curtain, choosing freedom, brought down the Berlin wall. That is is why America backs the Ukrainians and helps the Tunisians and the citizens of Myanmar in "their transition to Democracy".
Naturally, America has diplomatic relations with countries many of which, are not democracies. "But it is our firm belief", the President continued, "to back all those who believe in self-governance, who tend to be more just, free and successful". He explained that democratic societies, besides being just and free, are more prosperous because they are free to communicate and search and exchange thoughts and ideas. Through the internet, they can discover and create new methods and new products so "technology and economy can flourish"
America has been a member of NATO, the strongest alliance in the world, since its founding seventy years ago, under both democratic and republican administrations, and President Obama is certain that it will continue being so. He, also, stressed the obligation each member of NATO has to defend every ally.
He added that our democracies are stronger than terrorists and fundamentalists, who cannot tolerate political and religious ideas different from their own, like ISIL, who brutally and savagely slaughter their innocent victims.
"Because our democracies are inclusive, we are able to welcome people in need, and refugees". He congratulated us Greeks for the kindness and largess shown towards the refugees arriving on our shores. He also stressed that, as there are tens of thousands of these unfortunate people in Greece, we cannot and shouldn't bear the burden alone.
During Mr. Obama's presidency, many international problems were solved peacefully, through dialogue and diplomacy, which never happened before, such as the shutting down of the Nuclear Weapons Programme in Iran and the re-opening of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States. Also, America joined Greece and 200 other countries, in an ambitious plan to save our world from climate change.
He continued saying that Democracy is not perfect. Conditions cannot always be the way one wishes and, very often, one has to compromise. Winston Churchill, in his famous adage, once said that "Democracy is the worst form of government ..... except all the others". And especially in the United States, with its dissimilar population (multinational, multiracial, multireligious), it can be very difficult, at times. But it makes Americans understand their differences, correct their mistakes and come closer to their goals.
President Obama added that today, Americans know that they are all equal, but this was not always the case. It took many long years and very hard work to "extend these rights to African Americans, women, disabled Americans and Native Americans". Therefore, Americans welcome people of all religions and backgrounds, and, also immigrants who are striving for better days.
Americans believe in freedom of speech and assembly because everybody's voice must be heard. Freedom of religion, "because we are all equal in the eyes of God". Free, unbiased judiciaries. A free press that "exposes injustice, fraud and holds leaders accountable". And finally, in free and fair elections, "even if one's candidate doesn't always win".
Mr. Obama continued that electoral campaigns can be very hard and competitive in the States, as in Greece, but the transition of power must be peaceful, and that is exactly how it will be this time. "The President-elect and I have completely different ideas," and ideologies he said, "but American democracy is larger than any one person." That is why the President invited Mr. Trump to the White House, according to tradition, and the administration will make sure that the transition of power will be perfect. "Because that is how democracy has to work".
Global economy, technology and integration have brought progress and wealth, lessened poverty, cured diseases, lengthened longevity, gave more access to education and training than ever before, said the President and went on to explain that at the same time, due to technology and automation, fewer workers are necessary, so jobs are lost. Also, factory units are installed across borders, where wages and taxes are lower. But workers and employees who work in foreign countries, with laws different to their own, have difficulty in bargaining for better wages and benefits.
While addressing young people, the President told them that, despite the opinion that the opposite occurs, the world, on the whole, has never been healthier, better educated, wealthier and less violent than today.
But due to the internet and the social media, more people are aware of large inequalities. All over the world, there is a feeling of dissatisfaction and grudge among people and a confirmation that the rich and powerful individuals and important corporations are becoming wealthier "while working- and middle-class families struggle to make ends meet." Also, people are aware that quite a few of the powerful and wealthy are living "by a different set of rules", not paying taxes, taking advantage of the ambiguity of certain laws. So, a firm perception of injustice prevails.
In advanced economies, the President said, that there are, sometimes, movements from the extreme right or the left who try to put an end to integration and technology. The disillusioned and the jobless who "are losing control of their future", are apt to follow these movements. It has happened in Greece, it happened across Europe, it happened in the USA, it happened with BREXIT.
Mr. Obama said that as we are living in a "global supply chain" where ideas and novelties constantly circulate cross borders, it is certain that the nature of jobs will change "so, we have to look ahead for the answer".
The connections that brought so much progress and wealth cannot be cut off, so the President believes that the "best hopes for human progress are the open markets, combined with democracy and human rights." These benefits must be offered to more people.
Bold policies must be applied that urge growth and support jobs. Also, better-paid jobs so that money circulates. "We must invest in the education and training of the young. We have to encourage entrepreneurship so that it easier to start businesses." Health care and retirement benefits must be offered to all.
The infrastructure must be modernized in order to provide new jobs to people, and science and research must be supported to generate new industries said the President.
"I took office in the midst of the worst crisis since the Great Depression and we pursued a recovery that was shared by most Americans." People were employed to build the infrastructure. Tax reductions were passed for the middle-class and "wealthier Americans had to pay a little more taxes... their fair share". Mr. Obama continued that the government saved the auto industry but he "insisted they become more energy efficient and build better cars with less pollution". Loans were offered to students and laws were passed to protect consumers. "We passed the strongest Wall Street reforms in history so that excesses and abuses that triggered the global financial crisis will never happen again."
Today, businesses in America have offered jobs to more than 15 million people, said Mr. Obama. Last year, income rose faster than 1968, also poverty fell at a faster rate since 1968, and the pay gap between men and women has started decreasing.
Healthcare in America is a privilege for all people, also the uninsurance rate is the lowest ever recorded.
Some problems are far from being solved. Most Americans worry about the future and many are under the poverty line. Young people don't find opportunities. But, the government policies strengthen the economy and provide the "hope and prosperity that people require". When people are optimistic and certain for the future it is unlikely that they will " turn against each other or appeal to darker forces....that can tear us apart."
"In Greece, similar changes are being made", said the President. It is important to build a strong basis that will permit Greece to return to a strong economic growth, to become competitive, to attract investments and to protect jobs, so a reform process had to be started.
These reforms have been and are excruciatingly painful for the Greek people who have made and will continue making tremendous sacrifices. "Today, the budget is back to surplus. Reforms have been passed. Reforms that will make the economy more competitive." Mr. Obama said and continued that as long as Greece tries to get more investments, tries to hinder old disproportions from re-appearing and tries to place the economy on a stable basis, it will have the full support of the USA.
Simultaneously, America will press our creditors to place Greece towards an economic recuperation.
The President went on to say that if we "stay in course....Greece will see brighter days," because, throughout our history, we have the strength and resilience to overcome difficulties. "Nothing can break the spirit of the Greek people. You will overcome this period of challenge as you have other challenges, in the past".
Economies preserve democracies. When economies "don't work" democracies become deformed and in some instances they break down. How can we rest assured that our diverse, multicultural, multiracial and multireligious world and our divergent nations protect both individual rights and a basic civic attachment to a common creed that unites us together?
Democracy is easy in a homogenous society, Mr. Obama continued, but it becomes difficult when the population originates from various backgrounds and religions and has to coexist. In our globalized world, the fast circulation of ideas, customs and traditions can "enrich our societies" but it can also cause serious friction.
In this Information age, the President said, where differences are amplified, we suspect that our way of life is being menaced, because " others don't do things the way we do". Faced with this reality, where civilizations collide, it is obvious that some may seek the "comfort of nationalism or tribe, or ethnicity or sect". This has happened in countries in the Middle East and Africa, where borders were marked by colonial invaders, and it might seem that "returning to the safety of enclaves and tribal division" is the only correct movement.
In this world "of growing inequality" there is fear and a growing grudge against the select few and institutions that seem alienated from lives of ordinary people who live in the most remote places on earth. Therefore many citizens might "feel disconnected from their governments."
"We must have an exclusive political and cultural strategy" continued Mr. Obama. Governments all over the world should become more competent and more responsive to the needs of the people because "people have to know they are being heard".
During the last decades, Europe has provided progress, stability and security to its citizens, said the President. "The European Union remains one of great political and economic achievements of human history" and he added that the world needs a strong, prosperous and democratic Europe.
The European government must be sure that the citizens of all the countries know that they are being heard and that their identities are established in Brussels, where decisions are taken which have serious "repercussions on their lives".
Mr. Obama continued that because governments should serve the citizens, his administration took initiatives like the Open Government Partnership that promotes clarity and responsibility so that the people know more about the decisions that affect their lives. The American government , also, created networks for the young and invested in young entrepreneurs because "we believe that the voices of youth bring hope and renewal to our society".
The globalized world is passing a time of extreme transformation, said the President. There are feelings of anxiety and doubt and nobody can predict the future. "History does not move in a straight line, neither did civil rights in America nor did democracy in Greece. The evolution of the E.U. did not move in a straight line." He also said that progress is not guaranteed it must be gained by every generation, but he believes that history gives hope.
Twenty-five centuries after the birth of democracy in Athens and 250 years after the founding of the U.S.A. the President said that he believes more than ever before in Dr. King's words: "The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice It bends towards justice because we bend it towards justice;" because generation after generation there will be people who have the aspirations and dreams and will bend the arc of our lives for a better life, said Mr. Obama.
During his presidency, Mr. Obama visited many countries, where people, especially young people, "have chosen hope over fear" and who strive to create their own future, and have visions of changing "the world as it should be".
The President continued that he met people all over the world, who "despite the differences in race, religion, creed or colour", have the ability to see each other in themselves. "Like the woman, in Greece who said about the refugees who arrive on these shores: 'We live under the same sum, we fall in love under the same moon. We are all human. We have to help these people.' Women like that give us hope."
Mr. Obama said that in all societies in all countries there is more of what Greeks call "philotimo ..... love and respect for family, community and country ...and a sense that we are in all this together, with obligations to each other....Philotimo I see it every day and that gives me hope." Because it is the citizens' responsibility, not somebody else's, the citizens of all countries in the world, have the obligation to bend the arc towards justice. That is what democracy allows us to do".
"The most important title in the world is not "president" or "prime minister" it is "citizen", said President Obama. ... because in all democracies it is the citizens who decide what the kind of countries we shall be, which ideologies we shall follow... and which merits represent us. "In this great, imperfect but necessary system of self-government, power and progress will always come from demos- from 'us the people'....and I'm confident that as long as we are true to this system of self-government. our future will be bright."
Thank you very much. Zeto i Ellas!!"
I listened to President Obama's speech twice, I read it umpteen times and was highly impressed and moved by the thoughts and dreams of this great charismatic politician.
(I wish to thank the Office of the White House Press Secretary for releasing the "Remarks by President Obama at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece" on the 16th November 2016.)
As this is primarily a cooking blog, I should like to offer President Obama and his family a Greek festive dish for special occasions, a poor cuisine dish to match the times, a modern version of a traditional dessert and a cocktail prepared with Greek ingredients.
LOBSTER WITH SPAGHETTI
(Astakomakaronada)
 |
| Lobster with Spaghetti |
Most of the Greek islands and sea resorts have their own version for “astakomakaronada”. This is one of the best! This recipe was given to my daughter-in-law Yianna by a food expert who lives in the medieval fortress town of Monemvasia, where Yianna has a house.
2 lobsters 1kg (2 lb) each, washed and halved lengthwise deveined, claws
and legs removed and reserved
4 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
2 liqueur glasses METAXA brandy, heated
About 2 cups dry, white wine
1 kg (2 lb) ripe tomatoes, halved, deseeded and grated, skins discarded
1 tsp sugar or more
1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper or a few drops hot pepper sauce, or 1 tsp hot red pepper flakes
½ kg (1 lb) spaghetti, boiled in salted water until “al dente”, drizzled with
olive oil, and kept hot
1 tbsp or more, chopped parsley
In a large saucepan, sauté the onion and garlic, in olive oil, until soft. Remove, and set aside.
Season the lobster halves and place them in the saucepan, the flesh touching the bottom of the pan. Add the claws and legs, and cook briskly for about 5 minutes until the shells change colour. Then pour in the hot brandy and ignite. Add the wine, and simmer until the alcohol evaporates. Then add the tomato, the sautéed onion and garlic, sugar, a pinch of salt and the Cayenne pepper. Stir well, without disturbing and lobster halves, cover the saucepan and cook very gently for 20-25 minutes, shaking the saucepan occasionally.
With a slotted spoon arrange all the lobster pieces on a heated dish.
Remove the meat from the lobster halves, cut into bite-sized pieces, and place them back into the shells. Also, crack the claws and legs, extract the meat, add them to the lobster shells and keep hot.
Reduce the sauce until thick, taste for seasoning and correct with salt, pepper and sugar, if needed. Sprinkle the lobster with a little sauce. Toss the spaghetti with the remaining sauce and simmer for 5 minutes more.
Place the spaghetti on a heated dish, arranging the lobster halves on top. Serve sprinkled with parsley and freshly ground black pepper.
(Serves 4-6)
STUFFED TOMATOES AND MULTI-COLOURED PEPPERS
(Yemista)
 |
| Yemista |
This meal that can satisfy a large, hungry family.
Years ago,“yemista” was a favourite summer dish, now, thanks to global markets we can prepare them all year round. The vegetables can also be stuffed with minced meat and rice, and various other tasty fillings. I’m giving you the traditional version with a .. nouveau touch.
4 medium-sized tomatoes
4 medium-size yellow peppers
4 medium-sized orange or green peppers
Sugar and salt
(The vegetables should be about the same size)
Stuffing:
250 ml (1 cup) olive oil, separated
2 medium-sized onions, grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 heaped tbsp short grain rice
125 ml ( ½ cup) white Santorini wine
1 aubergine, peeled, diced and sautéed in a little olive oil and lightly sprinkled with salt
2 heaped tbsp toasted pine nuts
Tomato flesh diced* please see below
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
A pinch of Cayenne pepper
Sugar to taste
2 cups tomato juice, separated
Hot water
2 tbsp parsley leaves, chopped
2 tbsp basil leaves, chopped
120 g (4 oz) kefalotyri or Pekorino cheese, diced
4 slices smoked ham, finely chopped, optional
90 g (3 oz) currants or raisins
500 g (1lb) potatoes, peeled, and cut into bite-sized wedges, sprinkled with salt, pepper and drizzled with a little olive oil.
Wash the tomatoes and cut a thin slice from the side of the stem. Scoop the flesh out of each tomato with a teaspoon, taking care not to tear the skin. Sprinkle with a little salt and overturn to drain. *Discard the seeds and dice the tomato flesh and reserve for later.
Wash the peppers and slice a lid from the stem side and discard the seeds and fibers, sprinkle with a little salt and arrange them in a row in a baking tin. Place the tomatoes in the tin, next to the peppers, adding a coffee spoon of sugar into each tomato. Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F).
For the stuffing, sauté the onions in 3 tbsp of the olive oil and a little water, stirring occasionally, until soft and quite dry but not coloured. Add the garlic and rice and cook stirring for 2-3 minutes more. Pour in the wine and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the alcohol evaporates. Then add the sautéed aubergine, pine nuts, the cubed tomato, and 125 ml (½ cup) tomato juice. Season the rice mixture with a salt, pepper, sugar and a pinch of Cayenne pepper and add enough hot water to cover. Stir and simmer, covered, very, very gently for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped herbs and cheese, the chopped ham if using, and the currants or raisins. Then taste, season accordingly and remove from the fire to cool.
Stuff the vegetables, cover with their respective lids and wedge the potatoes between them. Stir a little salt, pepper and 1 tsp. of sugar or more in the remaining tomato juice and pour it evenly over. Spoon the olive oil over each vegetable and bake for about 1 hour. Then taste the rice and bake 10 minutes more if necessary. adding a little hot water to the dish.
Serve with crusty, brown bread, feta and a glass of white Santorini wine.
KATAIFI SHELLS FILLED WITH PASTRY CREAM
 |
| Preparing the Kataifi Nests |
"Kataifi" derives from "kadife" which Arabic for velvet. The original way of preparing this pastry was by pouring batter from a perforated tube onto a very hot slab. After a few moments, strands of very fine strings of pastry were pulled off the slab, folded ad packed for further use.
Today, pastry manufacturers in Greece, use the same concept as their colleagues did, centuries ago, and with the help of sophisticated machinery and "know-how", they produce an excellent kataifi pastry.
This is a modern version of a traditional Greek dessert.
For the kataifi shells:
250 g (8 oz) kataifi pastry, fluffed out and covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out
125 ml (1/2 cup) melted butter or more
1 egg whipped with
210 ml (7 fl oz) milk
For the pastry cream:
250 ml (1 cup) milk
Vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
4 middle-sized eggs
60 g (2 oz) sugar
15 g (1/2 oz) plain flour sifted with
15 g (1/2 oz) cornflour
125 ml (1/2 cup) full cream, whipped to the soft peak stage
One 12-socket cupcake tin
Twelve 7.5 cm (3 inches) squares of baking parchment
Twelve balls made out of crumbled foil, large enough to fill the cupcake tin cavities.
Prepare the kataifi shells a day before serving. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C (350 F). Cut enough kataifi pastry to line each buttered cupcake hollow, separately. Brush lavishly with butter and then with the egg/milk mixture, cover baking parchment and then secure with a tin foil ball to prevent the sides from collapsing. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the tin foil ball and the parchment and bake for 5-7 minutes more until the shells are crisp and golden. Cool and store in a covered container in the fridge.
For the custard, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and salt until light and creamy. Then whisk in the flour/cornflour mixture and set aside. Meanwhile, bring the milk to the boil and remove from the heat. Add the vanilla and gradually pour it into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Then pour the mixture back into the saucepan and simmer gently, stirring continuously, until it thickens into a custard. Remove from the heat, transfer to a cold container and quickly press a piece of clingfilm to cover the custard, to prevent a skin from forming. Cool, and refrigerate until chilled. Whisk before using until smooth and creamy and gently fold in the whipped cream.
To assemble, place the pastry shells on a pretty serving dish, fill to the brim with the custard and sprinkle with cinnamon, for a Greek touch. Of course, you could, alternately, garnish the custard with a strawberry or any berry of your choice dipped in melted chocolate
TSIPOURO AND ORANGE COCKTAIL
 |
| Tsipouroza |
Tsipouro is a strong distilled spirit, from Greece, containing 40-45% in alcohol volume and is produced by the pomace i.e. the residue that remains in the wine press, after the grapes have been pressed into must. Should we call this cocktail "tsipourosa" to rhyme with mimosa?
In an iced champagne flute, pour
1-1.5 liqueur glass tsipouro, add
1 tbsp brown sugar, half fill the flute with
Iced orange juice
Top up with iced soda water stir vigorously
Garnish with half orange slice. Eis iyia!
