The Greek Economic Crisis With a Touch of Humour: From Homer to the IMF

Greece through the Ages
From Ancient Greece .... to the IMF...

   (Source: Unknown - received by email, no copyright infringement intended)

For those that don't know  - the last one epitomises the Greek saying  ' Me ta duo podia s'ena papoutsi'... which means that things are really tight and tough, as tough as trying to walk with both feet in one shoe...

GO GREECE! Eurovision 2010 - OPA!!!!

From yesterday's Eurovision Song Contest semi-final. Fabulous performance by George Alkaios and Friends.

OPA!!! 

Ola tha t'allakso, 
kai tha to fonakso, 
Perasmena, Xehasmena, 
ki'ola ap'tin arhi ksana, 
OPA!

I'm gonna change it all, 
and shout it out loud, 
It's Over and Forgotten, 
I'm gonna start from the beginning! 
OPA! 

Catchy, foot tapping melody, Greek lyrics (at last - we've been saying it's a must for years...) and very appropriate to the times what's more, accompanied by the Pontian Lyra!

A real Greek effort!

If you are in a European country other than Greece, don't forget to vote! Looking forward to a few 'douze points' (12 points) for Greece on Saturday! 

Can you predict where it will place? Leave a comment. 

OPA!!! 

Royalties for Inventing Civilisation?" Yes", says Jean-Luc Godard "The Entire World Owes Money to Greece ..."

  Temple of Athena Lindia, Lindos - Rhodes 

Photo Source: Konstantina Fournari

 'Greece, 

Where do you think your money's going to come from? 

Royalties for inventing civilisation? '  

Never a truer word said in jest as Shakespeare said, this was the question asked by Seth at the beginning of the Tina Fey video in our previous post...


Royalties for Inventing Civilisation - What a great idea!  Why didn't we think of it?


Celebrated French film director Jean-Luc Godard didn't just think it, he said it  out loud in a recent interview for the magazine Les Inrockuptibles carried by Greek daily newspaper To Vima , protesting at what he called the appalling treatment of Greece by the Europeans. In fact rumour has it tonight that he refused to go to to the 63rd Cannes Film Festival for the same reason, despite the fact that his latest film was being screened this evening.



We should be thanking Greece...

The West owes much to Greece, the land of Philosophy, Democracy and Ancient Tragedy. We often forget the connection between ancient tragedy and Democracy. Without Sophocles there wouldn't be  Pericles. Without Pericles there wouldn't be Sophocles. The technologically advanced world that we live in owes everything to Greece... Who invented logic? Aristotle. If this and this then that....

The entire world owes money to Greece. This country could demand trillions in royalties and rights from the entire contemporary world. And it would be absolutely logical for  them to be given. Immediately...

«Θα έπρεπε να ευχαριστούμε την Ελλάδα »

« Η Δύση οφείλει πολλά στην Ελλάδα, τη χώρα της φιλοσοφίας, της δημοκρατίας, της αρχαίας τραγωδίας. Ξεχνάμε πάντα τους δεσμούς ανάμεσα στην τραγωδία και στη δημοκρατία. Χωρίς τον Σοφοκλή δεν θα υπήρχε ο Περικλής. Χωρίς τον Περικλή δεν θα υπήρχε ο Σοφοκλής. Ο κόσμος της τεχνολογίας μέσα στον οποίο ζούμε χρωστά τα πάντα στην Ελλάδα. Ποιος εφηύρε τη λογική; Ο Αριστοτέλης.» συνέχισε. 

« Ολος ο κόσμος χρωστά χρήματα στην Ελλάδα. Αυτή η χώρα θα μπορούσε να απαιτήσει τρισεκατομμύρια από όλους για τα συγγραφικά δικαιώματα των αρχαίων. Και θα ήταν απολύτως λογικό να της δοθούν. Αμέσως... 


On devrait remercier la Grèce

C’est l’Occident qui a une dette par rapport à la Grèce. La philosophie, la démocratie, la tragédie… On oublie toujours les liens entre tragédie et démocratie. Sans Sophocle pas de Périclès. Sans Périclès pas de Sophocle. Le monde technologique dans lequel nous vivons doit tout à la Grèce. Qui a inventé la logique ? Aristote. Si ceci et si cela, donc cela. Logique. C’est ce que les puissances dominantes utilisent toute la journée, faisant en sorte qu’il n’y ait surtout pas de contradiction, qu’on reste dans une même logique. Hannah Arendt avait bien dit que la logique induit le totalitarisme. Donc tout le monde doit de l’argent à la Grèce aujourd’hui. Elle pourrait demander mille milliards de droits d’auteur au monde contemporain et il serait logique de les lui donner. Tout de suite.

Food for thought indeed, but Greece won't be doing that...Ancient Greece's legacy to the world stands despite the severe economic problems the country is facing right now.  

Greece's unique and unparalleled history, culture and civilisation are what our ancestors left us  in trust for future generations, and we have chosen to share that wealth with the entire world, at no extra charge. 

It is our duty, our honour and our privilege. 

Noblesse Oblige...as our French friends would say.

Thanks for the support, Jean-Luc Godard! It means so very much!

Merci Beaucoup,  
  
Ευχαριστούμε Πολύ! 

Magnificent Moon rising over Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon

Photo source: Anthony Ayiomamitis www.perseus.gr

SNL - Tina Fey :I Love You Greece But Greek People in America Work the Register at the Diner til they Die..

Half-Greek American Tina Fey's (the other half is German-Scottish appropriately enough) latest appearance on Saturday Night Live last week had a distinct Greek flavour and has stirred up quite a lot of discussion in cyberspace!  Greeks invented satire - we have always had the ability to laugh at ourselves and Tina does it beautifully! 

What did you say? 

Retire at 54? 

Really? Αλήθεια?

Greek People in America Work the Register at the Diner til they Die...

It was hilarious, but just for your info Tina mou, in Greece a lot of people work the register til they die too - especially when it is their own business! Anybody who visited the landmark Varsos Zaharoplasteio in Athens' Northern Suburb of Kifisia would have seen Mrs Varsos senior behind the register well into her old age...it's the Greek work ethic - wherever in the world we may be!

Oh, and by the way...not too many retire at 54! This is a myth, but not a Greek one, along with the one that talks about the luxury pensions in Greece...  ask any 70 year old who  is struggling to survive on 700 euros, Greece's average pension...

Happy Mother's Day! Χρόνια Πολλά, Μανούλα!

Today is Mothers' Day... 

My daughter woke me up this morning with the gifts she had made for me at school, a heart shaped card with a lovely message, a flower, a kiss , a beautiful poem she had written herself, and a big grin. 'Χρόνια Πολλά, Μανούλα' she said as she gave me a big hug and a sloppy kiss!  

Happy Mother's Day!

As I was thanking God for the blessing of being a Mother, as I looked at my beautiful child and thought of the happiness her existence has given us - how the world always looks so much brighter with just one of her smiles, one word, one kiss, one hug, I couldn't help thinking about three less fortunate mothers who, instead of celebrating , are today in deep mourning for the children they so tragically lost  - unjustly murdered by the deliberate act of a heartless criminal in Athens on Wednesday during the demonstrations, and my heart went out to them....

My heart goes out to all those mothers whose children have been so unfairly taken away from them through war, through illness, through poverty or a murderous act, and wish them all the strength and courage in the world. 

There can be no greater loss than the loss of one's child and on days like this when Mothers are celebrating being Mothers, the loss is infinitely harder...

Let's enjoy every single precious moment with our children, our families and make every moment count, not just today. These moments are a gift from God and we don't know what tomorrow brings...

This post is for all the precious children of this world who have been entrusted to us to care for, to guide, to teach and to guard over, in good times or bad,  and for all the wonderful women around the world who as Mothers first and foremost, are doing just that... 

This post is dedicated to my daughter and my husband as well as my own beloved Mum who passed into God's hands a few years ago!  Without them I couldn't possibly be a Mummy! Speaking for myself, it's the best thing I ever did!

Happy Mother's Day to all Mummies! 

Χρόνια Πολλά σε όλες τις Μανούλες της Γης!  

Shortly after my precious daughter was born, I received the following by email...  I didn't know whether to blame it on the hormones which were topsy turvy, on the emotions which were running high, or the enormous responsibility of Motherhood, all I know is that I remember sitting in front of the screen reading it and crying my eyes out... I thought I would share it with you...

A N G E L S...

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born.

 The child asked God, 

"They tell me you are sending me
 to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being
 so small and helpless?"
 
 God replied, 

"Among the many angels, I chose one for
 you. Your angel will be waiting for you and will take
 care of you."
  The child further inquired, 

"But tell me, here in heaven
 I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
 
 God said, 

"Your angel will sing for you and will also smile
 for you everyday. And you will feel your angel's love and be
 very happy."
 
 Again the child asked, 

"And how am I going to be able to
 understand when people talk to me if I don't know the
 language?"
 God said, 

"Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and
sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and
 care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
 
 "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
  God said, 

"Your angel will place your hands together
 and will teach you how to pray.
 
 "I've heard that on Earth there are bad men. Who will
 protect me?"
  God said, 

"Your angel will defend you even if it means
 risking it's life."
 
 "But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
 
 God said, 

"Your angel will always talk to you about me and
 will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I
 will always be next to you."
  At that moment there was much peace in heaven, but voices
 from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 

 
 "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
 
 "Her name is not important.

You will simply call her Mum." 

At Global Greek World, We ♥ Greece... and it shows!

© Global Greek World 2010 All Rights Reserved

About Time! 50 PASOK MPs Demand Thorough Purging and Transparency for the Greek Political System

 Parliament Chambers 

Source:  Eleftherotypia Daily Newspaper

We welcome a move by 50 PASOK MPs who have submitted a letter to the Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou and the Speaker of the House, Philippos Petsalnikos requesting an extensive review of the personal wealth and assets of all Ministers, MPs, and Government officials. 

If the results are found to be inconsistent with each official's  earnings ability they recommend that the properties and/or other assets be confiscated and returned to the State.

Following a proposal by veteran PASOK MP Vaso Papandreou, in their letter, the 50 MPs, mainly from the rural areas of Greece, advise that the public outcry, the ridicule and the daily attacks that MPs are being subjected to by all sectors of the public, including the Press, make it imperative that the political system in Greece be throroughly 'cleaned up'  and that transparency surround all aspects of Greek Public life, in order to restore it's ethos or morality to the Greek Political System as well as regain the respect of the people the MPs are supposed to serve... 


All we can add is that it's way overdue but better late than never. Why don't the other 250 MPs support the request and add their names? Tell us what you think - Vote in the sidebar poll.


To read the article in Greek from the daily newspaper Eleftherotypia  Click Here

Wednesday, 5 May 2010 - A Black Day for Greece, the Cradle of Democracy

Life goes on normally in Athens today - the centre is quiet for the moment and the only evidence of yesterday's tragic events, apart from the buildings which were burned, some smashed windows and burnt rubbish containers...

For 3 families though, life will never be the same again... a tragic waste of life, a senseless murderous attack which has sickened everyone. Our hearts and prayers go out to them for their terrible loss...

For the people of Athens and Greece it is time to take stock and think carefully about what is next, where do we want to see this country go? Why do we allow the minority to consistently ruin it for the majority?

Let's reflect on something one of our much wiser ancestors said many many years ago...

"Η Δημοκρατία μας αυτοκαταστρέφεται διότι κατεχράσθη το δικαίωμα της ελευθερίας και της ισότητας, διότι έμαθε τους πολίτες να θεωρούν την αυθάδεια δικαίωμα, την παρανομία ελευθερία, την αναίδεια του λόγου ισότητα και την αναρχία ευδαιμονία."

Ισοκράτης (436 - 338π.Χ. )

"Our Democracy is destroying itself because it abused the rights of freedom and equality, because it taught it's citizens to consider insolence as a right, illegal acts as a freedom, rudeness as equality and anarchy as prosperity".

Isocrates (436 - 338 b.C.)

1st May 2010 - Happy May Day To All! Καλή Πρωτομαγιά σε Όλους!

Ist May, May Day today, a beautiful day in Athens and along with much of the population we decided we were going to do what we normally do on this day... go up to the mountains around Athens and  sit in the sun  and spend precious quality time enjoying nature and picking wildflowers for our May Day Stefani!

We decided to leave the officials from the IMF and the EU to do their work, and joined all those not protesting in Syntagma Square against the austerity measures to be imposed because of the economic crisis which seems to have taken over all aspects of our life in Greece.

We decided that we would protest in our own way, by not letting it affect our lives negatively ...  and had a lovely day!

And yes, in case you are asking, we did stop at a nice cafe on the way down from Pendeli Mountain and we did enjoy  a leisurely afternoon coffee in the sun... much to the chagrin, I'm sure,  of all those who would shut out our sun and have us sit inside our houses crying at our fate...

Αs we all know, tears do not become Electra and we are all descendants of Electra...

The only depressing part of our excursion was seeing the young trees which we had all planted over the last few years burnt and blackened after last year's destructive fires on Pendeli.

The encouraging part of that was seeing that natural regeneration is indeed taking place... 

The miracle of nature in all it's glory!

We gathered our flowers and carefully made our May Day wreath...

The finished product ...

And because the flowers all around Athens are in bloom, and we need as much beauty as possible to brighten the doom and gloom of the days ahead, we thought we would add some of our garden flowers too...

Hope your day was as beautiful as ours!

Καλή Πρωτομαγιά!

Kali Protomagia! 

Happy May Day!