Euro Night SOLD OUT!

For the fifth year in a row, the European embassies in Washington, DC are hosting "Euro Night". Tomorrow night from 6:30 to 11:30, the Embassy of France will host the event, featuring more than 20 European Union embassies, each showcasing their unique cultures, traditions, and culinary specialities. There will be live music, food and drink from around Europe and a special performance from the Greek Embassy's dance group "Dynami"! Are you ready?

More information can be found here. 

Caryatid Restoration Wins Acropolis Museum 2012 Keck Award

On September 14, The Acropolis Museum was awarded the 2012 Keck Award by the International Institute for Conservation (IIC) in Vienna. The Keck Award is given every two years to the individual or group who has contributed most towards promoting public understanding and appreciation of the accomplishments of the conservation profession. Museum specialists have been restoring the Caryatids from the southern porch of the Erechtheion temple since December 2010 and it is an honor to have been recognized. Congratulations!

Courtesy of the Embassy News

Courtesy of Fantastic Greece

FM Avramopoulos’ statement following meeting with Hillary Clinton

Click here to read about Foreign Minister Avramopuolos' meeting with U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton!

Photo and story courtesy of Embassy News

Red Sky Movie Screening

The Embassy of Greece
in collaboration with the Greek Film Center

presents

On THURSDAY, JULY 5 @ 8:00 PM

RED SKY
(Kokkinos Ouranos)

Directed by Layia Yiourgou

SynopsisTwo close friends, Aris and Stelios, have their minds on a mutual goal: they "immigrate" to the south of Greece and together they begin a banana greenhouse business in Crete. There they live secluded in a house by the countryside, with a magnificent view of the Libyan Sea and their sole amusement  being Angeliki's nearby tavern.

This is a place where mostly foreign tourists arrive, drawn like magnets by the magic of the unknown, red African horizon. Determined to keep women out of their lives, the friends are unfriendly towards the newly arrived Cordoba, a friend of Aris' sister who lives and works in Germany. Stelios, after going on a casual stroll with her in the island's market, will end up going to bed with her in a mood of recklessness that "suits" summer affairs.

 But this "one night stand" will develop into a relationship and lead to Cordoba moving in the house the two friends share. Feeling antagonistic, mostly towards Stelios, Aris finds himself flirting with Cordoba. In his own way, being quite the opposite of Stelios, he fascinates her and finally wins her erotic interest as Cordoba finds in each one of them elements she is looking for in a man's personality. This split in her desire and the hesitation to decide will trigger the crash between Aris and Stelios. What follows will put their friendship to the test and will overturn balances between them.

More information about the movie: http://www.redsky-film.com/index-en.html

The Avalon Theatre
5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20015202-966-6000info@theavalon.org

BUY TICKETS: http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/avalon/advance?i=12770

For more information and next screenings visit: http://www.theavalon.org/programs-events/panorama-of-greek-cinema/

Congratulations to Kalamaria for Sustainable Innovation!

RegioStar, an EU-wide innovation competition, named Kalamaria-based GRaBs project one of five winners of their 2012 award.

GRaBs, the Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns, won in the sustainability department. Fourteen partners from 8 countries across the EU to participate in the project that aims at integrating climate change adaptation into regional planning and development. The project focuses on developing “green infrastructure including gardens, parks, productive landscapes, green corridors, green roofs and walls and blue infrastructure such as water bodies, rivers, streams, floodplains and sustainable drainage systems”, according to the GRaBs website.

For more information on the project, check out the official GRaBs website. Congratulations to Greek innovation and sustainability!

Spotlight on Greek Cuisine: Seafood

The Greek diet, long touted as supremely healthy, is once more in vogue as the summer months come upon us. Rich in fresh produce and lean meat, the “Mediterranean” or  “Greek Diet” is a great way to stay healthy and eat well this summer.

Now that summer is upon us, seafood is the seasonal dish to keep in mind. The Greek diet is not complete without a thorough exploration of the many seafood dishes that have become popular – a look at a map of Greece can show you exactly how close to the sea the country is, and how easy it is to get fresh, delicious fish.

The simplest way to cook any fish dish only involves two ingredients: olive oil and lemon.  In Lesvos, the unofficial sardine capital, the small fish are quite sought-after, and are often cooked in such a way. Lesvos’ Bay of Kalloni hosts a Sardine Festival every August to show off their delicious sardine catch. Other ways to cook sardines include baking in garlic, or wrapped in grape leaves.

Another popular way to cook seafood is kakavia, a rich fish stew made of whatever is at the “catch of the day”. A recipe for kakavia can be found here .

Although a foreign food to many Americans, octopus and squid are also great Greek summer foods. Octopus can be served as part of a tomato sauce with pasta, in a stew, or simply grilled, as in this easy recipe. Calamari are known best for being fried in rings, although grilled calamari with feta cheese is a great way to cut out some of the fat in the deep-frying process.

Finally, a last popular Greek seafood is mussels. A great recipe from the North of Greece  is saganaki. Or, one can serve them with lemon and dill risotto.

This summer, remember that light, healthy Greek recipes can be a great choice. These seafood recipes and more will spice up your summer cuisine.

Eurovision Song Contest Viewing Party at the Embassy of Australia

On Saturday, May 26, 2012, the EUNIC Washington DC Cluster is hosting a viewing party for the culmination of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be broadcast from Baku, Azerbaijan. The party will take place at 2:00pm at the Embassy of Australia, 3524 Int. Ct. NW, Washington DC, 20008. The party will feature live HD transmission on a 10x18 foot screen, as well as a cash bar with snacks and reasonably-priced drinks. Tickets costs $10 each (including 1 free drink!) and can be purchased by following this link: https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1207970-1PuDrlEz8v.

This year, Greece's contestant to the Eurovision contest is Eleutheria Eleutheriou - come join us at the Australian Embassy to see all the final performances!  

Greek Film "Unfair World" at D.C. International Film Festival

On Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19 the Avalon Theater will be presenting Unfair World, a film by Greek director Filippos Tsitos, as part of the Washington, D.C. International Film Festival.

The film centers on Sotiris, a very unusual police investigator who, one day decides to forgive all those who are treated unfairly in life, going as far as risking his own career by murdering a corrupt colleague. The crime, which has only one eyewitness, a lonely cleaning lady named Dora, brings the two characters closer together, as they are torn between love, honesty, and justice.

The film screenings are Wednesday, April 18 at 8:30pm and Thursday, April 19 at 8:45pm at the Avalon Theater. For more information, please visit http://www.filmfestdc.org/.

Returning Home to Greece: One Family's Story

Recently, the Washington Post published an article about one Greek-American family's return trip to Greece to visit the home of their grandfather in the Greek mainland. Bob Carden (whose grandfather's name was changed from Gardikys-Karandreas to Carden when he came to America), his wife, and two teenage children visited Lidoriki, north of Athens and about forty miles from Delphi. Carden paints a very different picture of Greece than the one we have so frequently seen on the news as of late. He calls the Acropolis and Parthenon "true wonders of the world", and even marvels at the political demonstrations which he calls "live Grecian theater at its best." Most importantly, howver, Carden discusses the beauty of the Greek mainland and the warmth and expressiveness of its people. To read the full article, click the link below:

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/traveling-back-to-granddads-greek-home/2012/04/12/gIQAWhXpFT_story.html

Father-Son Traveling Duo Follow the Steps of Odysseus

Several years ago, retired research scientist Jay Mendelsohn decided to take a class on Homer's The Odyssey, taught by his son Professor Daniel Mendelsohn. The class sparked a desire by both father and son to return to Greece to follow Odysseus's journey. They began their journey in Turkey, in what used to be known as the city of Troy, and then continued to visit the various sites throughout the Mediterranean where Odysseus is thought to have traveled. Though they were on a cruise ship with about eighty other passengers, the father-son pair still managed to meet some Homer-esque characters, including a Dutch man who had been injured and survived a long recovery period by reading Homer's works. All in all, the trip was a momentous one for both Jay and Daniel, particularly since it was their last trip together. Jay Mendelsohn died on April 6, 2012. His son Daniel, who recounted the experience in the April issue of Travel and Leisure Magazine, will forever remember this trip as his intrepid father's final Odyssey.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/04/15/150629440/a-father-and-son-go-on-their-last-odyssey-together

Producer and Actress Rita Wilson Reflects on Pascha

Rita Wilson, producer, actress, and wife of actor Tom Hanks is also well-known in Greek circles for producing the blockbuster film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In a recent article for the "On Faith" section of The Washington Post, Wilson discusses her feelings about Pascha (Greek Orthodox Easter). She begins her article first by clarifying the differences between Easter as celebrated by most Western churches and Pascha as celebrated by the Greek-Orthodox (and other Orthodox denominations). Wilson talks about the importance of preparing for this very revered holiday by fasting and attending church services, two activities which many Greeks and Greek-Americans know very well. She recounts one particularly amusing anecdote in which her children were debating whether or not a certain soft drink qualified as a 'soda', since they had decided to fast from soda for Lent.

Wilson's light-hearted though profound perspective on the celebration of Pascha in America is one that is familiar to many of us. To read the full article, please click below:

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/rita-wilsons-big-fat-greek-orthodox-easter/2012/04/14/gIQANb02HT_blog.html

European Union Youth Orchestra Performs at the Kennedy Center

On April 15, the European Union Youth Orchestra gave a concert at the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. The orchestra, composed of the most talented musicians aged 14-24, is representative of the 27 EU nations from which the performers come. Sunday's concert was conducted by world-renowned conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy and featured violinist Pinchas Zukerman. The program included Copland's Outdoor Overture, Bruch's Violin Concerto, and R.Strauss' Ein Alpensinfonie. The young musicians in the EUYO are the best and brightest in their respective countries, and they frequently go on to enjoy very successful music careers as adults. The performance at the Kennedy Center provided a rare opportunity for American classical music lovers to enjoy their virtuosic talents.

Joan Nathan at the Embassy of Greece

On April 5, the Embassy of Greece welcomed acclaimed chef and cookbook author Joan Nathan to discuss Mediterranean cuisine. Below are two photos from the very successful event - a good time was had by all!

Alkinoos Ioannides Performs in Washington, DC

This Sunday, April 22, at 8:00pm, Washington will welcome famed Greek songwriter and performer Alkinoos Ioannides to the Jack Morton Auditorium. Joining him on stage will be Yiorgos Kaloudis. Together, they will present an evening of unique Greek- and Cypriot-inspired music which is sure to be unforgettable.

Here is the short biography listed on the concert's advertisement:

Alkinoos Ioannidis is one of the most well loved Greek songwriters and performers. Since signingto Universal Music in 1993, his prolific output (11 solo albums and 40 collaborative releases) hasonly been matched by his touring schedule, which has included shows in major cities in Europe,the US and beyond. Standout performances include Madison Square Garden and The LincolnCentre (NYC), Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Berlin Philharmonie, The Acropolis Theatre(Athens) the ancient theatre at Epidaurus and the Glazunov Hall (St Petersburg).

The concert will take place on Sunday, April 22, at 8:00pm in the Jack Morton Auditorium at 805 21st St. NW, Washington, DC, 20052. For tickets or more information, please visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

Akrotiri: Gem of Santorini

The archaeological site of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini has recently reopened after a period of 7 years. Ancient Akrotiri was one of the most prominent prehistoric settlements in the Aegean situated in the south coast of the island. The first recorded habitation dates back to the Late Neolithic period but it was during the Early Bronze Age that a substantial settlement was founded -which eventually became one of the main urban hubs of the Aegean. The settlement is huge -approximately 20 hectares- and the state-of-art drainage system, the sophisticated multi-storied buildings with the splendid wall frescoes typical of Minoan art, along with imported furniture and pots, attest to a flourishing and prosperous civilization with an extensive network of external trade relations.
In the last quarter of the 17th century BC residents were forced to evacuate the settlement due to a major earthquake, which caused the Santorini volcano to erupt. Volcanic lava covered the entire island and the Akrotiri town, preserving to perfection buildings, vessels, artifacts, hence the rightful nickname "Minoan Pompeii."
Due to volcanic ash, everything is so well preserved that contemporary visitors still feel that a Santorinian beauty might walk out of the House of Ladies for a morning stroll in the main street, before heading to the triangular piazza and admire the view of her home town!

Source: Greek News Agenda

Read the full article at: http://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/2012/04/akrotiri-santorinis-gem-opens-again.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreekNewsAgenda+%28GREEK+NEWS+AGENDA%29

Recently, the National Geographic website featured Mykonos as one of its most beautiful beaches, comparing it to magnificent beaches in Hawaii and Thailand. National Geographic cites both Mykonos' unspoiled beaches and unique Cycladic architecture as integral aspects of its charm. To see the full photos, please visit: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/beach-photos/#/greece-mykonos_8887_600x450.jpg

Acropolis Virtual Tour

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Acropolis Restoration Service, has devised a way for lovers of Greece to visit the Acropolis from afar: the Acropolis Virtual Tour. This tour includes high-quality images that can be zoomed in and out of, an overview of each particular location, historical information, and a descriptive map. "Visitors" can explore panoramas of the four main monuments: the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Choices abound as to how the enormous images can be seen. By clicking directional arrows, it is possible to move to the left, right, up, and down to enjoy the Acropolis and its monuments almost as realistically as in person!

To visit the Acropolist Virtual Tour, please click: http://acropolis-virtualtour.gr/

New Initiative to Promote Greek Tourism

Up Greek Tourism is a new private initiative whose goal is to promote Greece as a tourist destination. Recently, Up Greek Tourism completed its first crowdfunding campaign to raise $15,000 to display a billboard advertisement in Times Square, New York. In only 20 days, 330 private donors contributed to the campaign, and a total of $20,352 was raised. For 30 days in Times Square, beginning today, March 23, Up Greek Tourism is displaying an electronic billboard encouraging tourism in Greece. Designed by award-winning Greek designer Charis Tsevis, the billboard "will remind the public that, regardless of its economic situation, Greece is a beautiful and safe vacation destination." If you are interested in the Up Greek Tourism campaign, please visit http://www.upgreektourism.gr/ to support!

Greek Cultural Events in DC: April-May

The Greek Embassy is proud to support the various cultural events happening in and around Washington in the next few weeks!

"An Afternoon with the Goddesses"
An Afternoon with renowned Greek author and performer Agapi Stassinopoulos. Stassinopoulos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She is a veteran of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and a member of the Young Vic. While her sister, Arianna Huffington, was doing research for her book about Greek mythology, Agapi’s love for the gods and goddesses was ignited and led to two books of her own: Conversations with the Goddesses and Gods and Goddesses in Love. She also performed a one-woman show and a PBS special. She writes for The Huffington Post, and her latest book is entitled Unbinding the Heart: A Dose of Greek Wisdom, Generosity, and Unconditional Love.Organized and benefited by the Hellenic Heritage Museum and Archives of Maryland. The event will begin at 4 p.m. with light refreshments provided by Ikaros Restaurant. Tickets are $45 each and available by advance sales only. To reserve your seat, send a $45 check, payable to the Hellenic Heritage Museum and Archives of Maryland (HHMA of MD), to:George D. Lintzeris (3543 Newland Rd. Baltimore, Md. 21218)Sun. Apr. 1, 2012 @5pmAt The University of BaltimoreLangsdale Library Auditorium1420 Maryland Ave, Baltimore MD (Oliver Street Entrance)For reservations email: Aglae Economides at akeconomides@mail2world.com or call her at 901.233.5725

Burning Heads (To Gala) Film Screening:
Based on the hit stage play "To Gala" by Vassilis Katsikonouris, "Burning Heads" offers an insightful perspective into the life of a family of immigrants living in today's Athens. Lefteris, a 20 year old bordering on schizophrenia, is indulged by his overprotective mother Rina as he lives life through his memories of childhood in the Russian countryside. In contrast, his older brother Antonis rejects his roots and follows his ambition as he prepares for a new life with his boss' daughter Natasa. When Antonis brings home his Greek bride-to-be, the family dynamics are unravelled as each one is forced to face reality and deal with the issues that haunt them.Wed. Apr. 4, 2012 @8pmAt The Avalon Theater5612 Connecticut Avenue, NWWashington, DC.For tickets and more information visit : www.avalon.com

"The Greek Orthodox Easter Traditions, Greek Diet, and Products"
Learn about the Greek Orthodox Easter traditions and meet acclaimed cook-book author and one of the leading authorities on the Greek diet, Diane Kochilas. Ms. Kochilas will talk about the benefits of the Greek Diet and how to incorporate Greek products into your own dietary regimen. Joining Diane will be representatives of the distinguished food retailer Dean & Deluca who will highlight their Greek food products which include 18 authentic products from Navarino Icons' small producers in Messinia, Greece.In collaboration with Costa Navarino a prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek historic region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. Thurs. Apr. 5, 2012 @6:30-8:30pmAt The Embassy of Greece2217 Massachusetts Ave, NWWashington, DC. RSVP: rsvpculture@greekembassy.org

Monastery of Saint Catherine of Mt. Sinai Lecture

The Embassy of Italy is proud to host a lecture on the conservation of the sixth-century icon of the transfiguration at the monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai. The lecture, given by distinguished archaeologist and founder of the Centro di Conservazione Archaeologica Roberto Nardi, will present the fascinating story of conservation of the magnificent mosaic icon. Minister Counselor of Cultural Affairs from the Embassy of Greece, Zoe Kosmidou, will also be sharing some remarks.

Saint Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai is known to be one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world and has an extensive collection of icons. The monastery's location at the foot of Mount Sinai is particularly noteworthy to Christians, as Mount Sinai is the mountain upon which Christians believe Moses received the Ten Commandments.

The event will take place on Monday, March 26 at 7:00pm at the Embassy of Italy's auditorium. For more information, and to RSVP, please visit: http://iicwashington.info/events/20120326/20120326_sinai.html

Congress Salutes Greek Independence Day

Yesterday, March 21, the American Hellenic Institute hosted an exceptional tribute to the 191st celebration of Greece's independence. The event was coordinated in cooperation with Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), both co-chairs of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus. The event was held in the impressive Congressional Meeting Room South, and many distinguished guests were invited.

Greek Independence Day is traditionally celebrated on March 25, and many festivities, parades, and ceremonies are taking place throughout the D.C. area in celebration!

Holomontas Mountain: Crossing the Land of Aristotle

Although Halkidiki's turquoise waters and Mount Athos usually steal the spotlight, the peninsula's northern area is a treasure trove of extraordinary beauty and rich history. Holomontas Mountain, in particular, is known for its wide variety of wildlife, including large populations of eagles, falcons, and condors. The area was granted international protection status under the EU Natura 2000 program, since it is such an important birdlife area. With a landscape of valleys and canyons, Holomontas is idea for hiking and mountain biking. Visitors who choose to drive instead will also enjoy an enchanting drive through Holomontas. The mountain's numerous driving routes afford the visitor breathtaking views and a chance to visit traditional villages and landmark sites.

Some highlights include the idyllic village of Agios Prodromos, known for its meat delicacies, as well as the mountain town of Taxiarchis, home to Byzantine-era montasteries. The most-visited spot, however, is Stageira, the birthplace of the philosopher Aristotle and an important city of the Classical period. At Stageira, there is an exceptional archeological site, which features an acropolis, remains of fortifications, an ancient temple, and remnants of Classical and Hellenistic period homes. Legend also has it that it is also the final resting place of Aristotle himself.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Byzantine Art Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

On March 13, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York proudly opened its exhibition titled “Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition”. This exhibition, which focuses on the transition period from the Byzantine era to the world of Islam, was inaugurated by Greece’s permanent UN representative Ambassador Anastassis Mitsialis and Archbishop of American Demetrios. The works in the exhibition demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship and culture of the Southern Byzantine provinces, from Syria to North Africa, at the beginning of the 7th century.
The exhibition was sponsored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Hagop Kavorkian Fund. It features pieces from the collections of both the Metropolitan Museum and the Benaki Museum, as well as works on loan from institutions in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Source: Greek News Agenda

My Sweet Canary Ensemble: Honoring Roza Eskenazi

This Wednesday, March 14, the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas will be hosting the U.S. premier of the multi-national tribute to Greek Jewish singer Roza Eskenazi. Known as the "Queen of Greek Rebetiko", Eskenazi will be honored for her tremendous vocal contributions in this extraordinary musical journey. The concert ensemble was inspired by Roy Sher's film My Sweet Canary, which chronicles the story of Eskenazi's life. Famous musicians from Greece, Israel, and Turkey were gathered together to create the concert ensemble, featuring acclaimed female vocalists and unique interpretations of Eskenazi's music. The concert ensemble has already performed in Jerusalem, Ankara, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Eskenazi's Rebetiko style is world-renowned, and her inspiration for Greek, Israeli, and Turkish music has lasted well after her death, 30 years ago. For more information on the film and touring concert ensemble, please visit: www.mysweetcanary.com.

Seventh Annual Athens Animfest Begins This Week!

The international animaiton festival Athens Animfest will be held for the seventh year ina row at the Greek Film Archive from March 1-7. The event is organized by the European Animation Center, a non-profit organization established in 2004, with the aim of bringing younger generations in contact with the world of animated pictures and their multiple uses, as well as to support artists in the field.

Thsi year, theh festival includes Greek and international short films, student film competitionns, screenings of productions by young filmmakers, masterclasses and more.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Greek-American Oscar-Winner Dedicates Award to Mom

Greek-American Alexander Payne (Alexander Constantine Papadopoulos) won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the popular film The Descendants at the Oscars this past Sunday.

Upon receiving the Oscar, Payne turned to his mother in the audience and dedicated the award to her with a very sweet Σ' Αγαπώ Πολύ, which means "I love you."

Payne has also won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film Sideways in 2005.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Upcoming Greek Cultural Events in Washington, D.C.

"Changing Faces Within the Greek Government: A Discussion of the Political Fallout from the Greek Crisis", a lecture by Professor Thanos Veremis of the University of Athens
March 6, 2012 1:00pm-2:00pm at the Woodrow Wilson Center (Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C.)For more information and to RSVP, please contact: European.studies@wilsoncenter.org

"Documentary History of Greece (1945-1951), Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan" Book presentation in the form of a panel discussion of Fotini Tomai, Head of the Historical and Archives Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Professor Thanos Veremis, coordinated by Dr. James G. Hershberg, professor of History at George Washington University.
Thursday, March 8, 2012 4:00pm-5:30pm at the Capitol Building (Woodrow Wilson Center, 4th floor, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.) For more information and to RSVP, please contact: European.studies@wilsoncenter.org

Carnival Season (Apokries) Comes to an End

As the Carnival season, called Apokries in Greek, drew to an end, it culminated this past weekend in a number of festivals and parades across Greece. Kozani in the western Macedonia region hosts one of the most spectacular folklore carnivals in all of Northern Greece. The citizens of Kozani organize huge bonfires, called Fanoi, to illuminate the city. Mezedes and wine abound, and Kozanites play pranks on each other and dance the traditional Enteka ("Eleven") dance. The Enteka dance was the last to be heard and danced during the Ottoman occupation because it was prohibited for Greeks to congregate after eleven o'clock at night.

Carnival festivities are not limited to Kozani, however. The Patras Carnival is a world-famous celebration which involves parades, masquerade parties, and children's events. Food, music, and dancing for the two weeks of Apokries help Greeks to prepare for the forty days of fasting and somber anticipation of Easter.

Source: The Greek News Agenda

Underwater Discoveries in the Aegean

Four uncharted shipwrecks were discovered around the Dia islet off the Bay of Irakleio, Crete, in a recent underwater exploration conducted by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. Two of the four shipwrecks contained rare first and second century Cretan amphorae and fifth-seventh century post-Roman era amphorae. Remains of pottery dating from the Byzantine era (eighth and ninth centuries) were also discovered.

The Aegean has long been an area of intrigue for ocean adventurers. Jacques Cousteau, for example, had theorized that the islet off which the shipwrecks were found, Dia, had been used as an anchorage point for ships during storms. The Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities has already identified three other promising shipwrecks, which will be further explored in 2012.

Source: The Greek News Agenda

World-acclaimed director Theodore (Theo) Angelopoulos died last Tuesday at the age of 76, after being seriously injured in a traffic accident and while filming in Drapetsona, near Pireaus. Winner of several international film awards, Angelopoulos had started shooting his latest film, The Other Sea, earlier this month.
Angelopoulos was born in Athens in 1935. He studied Law at the Athens University, and at the beginning of the ‘60s he moved to France where he followed courses in ethnography and studied film at the Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies in Paris. Upon returning to Greece, he initially worked as a film critic and in 1970 he completed his first feature film Anaparastassi(Reconstruction).
His next three films make up a trilogy on the history of contemporary Greece:Meres tou ’36 (Days of '36, 1972), O Thiassos (Travelling Players, 1975) and Oi Kynighoi (The Hunters, 1977), followeed by Megalexandros in 1980. With these films some of the thematic and stylistic constants of Angelopoulos' cinema were established - the weight of history, a clinical examination of power, a Brechtian theatricality, wherein the individual has no importance with respect to the group, a rejection of conventional narration in favour of an intentionally broken one, in which stationary cameras and sequence-length shots create an alternative sense of time.
Taxidi sta Kithira (Voyage to Cythera), in 1984, won the Cannes Festival International Critics’ Award for best screenplay, followed by O Melissokomos(The Beekeeper), in 1986, starring Marcello Mastroianni. With Topio stin Omichli (Landscape in the Mist) in 1988 he won the Silver Lion at the Venice Mostra.
The Culture and Tourism ministry and the Thessaloniki Cinema Festival will establish an International "Theodoros Angelopoulos" Award in memory of the Greek film director, according to an announcement by the ministry. The award will be given every November in the framework of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
The Embassy of Greece and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, have presented a Tribute to Angelopoulos with the title: “Theo Angelopoulos: History and Myths” in 2006 and the PANORAMA OF GREEK CINEMA will continue the screening of his films in the future. (Last screening was: “Ulysses’ Gaze”).

News of Angelopoulos' death has been publicized in various international newspapers. Click the below links to read more about this prolific and inspiring Greek director:
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/movies/theo-angelopoulos-greek-film-director-dies-at-76.html

Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/newssearch/search.html?st=theo+Angelopoulos&submit=Submit

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/25/world/europe/greece-film-director-dies/index.html

Euronews: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2TDXDWheeE

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jan/25/theo-angelopoulos

Odysseas Elytis Honored for Contributions to Hispanic Literature

The Embassy of Greece has partnered with the European Division, the Hispanic Division, and the Poetry and Literature Center of the Library of Congress to present: "Odysseas Elytis and the Hispanic World"

featuring the prestigious speakers: Pedro Serrano - Poet, Critic, and Professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and Rei Berroa - Poet, Critic, and Professor of George Mason University

Odysseas Elytis, the leading Greek poet of his generation and a Nobel Prize winner, influenced Hispanic literature in the late 1930s and 1940s with his exuberant style, adding a further level of passion to the established poetic romanticism of the day. In this presentation, which commemorates the centennial of Elytis' birth, poets Pedro Serrano and Rei Berroa will discuss the Nobel Laureate's importance within the Hispanic world of letters.

The event will take place on Friday January 27, 2012 from 6:30-8:30pm in the West Dining Room, James Madison Building, 6th floor at the Library of Congress - 101 Independence Avenue S.E., Washington D.C. Kindly rsvp to Robert Casper (202) 707-5394 or roca@loc.gov

Greece's Success in Food Exports

Contrary to common perceptions, Greece exports considerable quantities of traditional products. In fact, the country's exports have registered a significant increase in 2011, following the pattern of a continuous annual increment recorded during the past six years. Greek exports are primarily based on alimentary products, which represent 17% of the total export value.

Oil, vegetable fat, preserved fruit and other packed food exports have recorded the most noteworthy increase in the past year, compared to 2010. Fruit and nuts, fish, conserved vegetables, dairy products and alcoholic beverages are some of the staple products which figure at the top of the list.

Germany, the US, and Canada are some of the countries that import the largest proportion of Greek products, especially olive oil, wine, and dairy products (like yogurt and feta cheese), which may be partially attributed to the existence of extended Greek Diaspora communities there.

Greece has recently found some new important trade partners in Russia and China. The amounts of wine and especially olive oil imported from Greece both countries has shown a dramatic increase over the past three years, placing them in fifth and eight position respectively in the list of olive oil export destinations for the first semester of 2011.

The next time you visit your local grocery store or wine shop, be sure to look for Made In Greece products like olive oil, yogurt, feta cheese, and of course, ouzo!
Source: The Greek News Agenda

The Impact of Modern Genetics in Our Lives

The Embassy of Greece is proud to present the next installment in its series "Health, Nutrition, and Fitness: From Ancient to Modern Times" titled "The Impact of Modern Genetics in Our Lives".On Thursday, January 19 from 7pm-8:30pm, Dr. Constantine A. Stratakis will present a lecture at the Embassy of Greece. Dr. Stratakis is currently the Scientific Director of the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Dr. Stratakis will lecture on how sequencing of the human genome and identification of genetic risks, polymorphisms, and links can change our lives. Medicine is an ever changing art, continuously adjusting to the shifting principles of philosophy and constant discoveries of science; as it was beautifully said by Hippocrates: “…η δε ιητρικη νυν τε και αυτικα ου το αυτο
ποιεει...” (“…medicine does not do the same thing at this moment and the next…”). In the mid 1980ʼs, two advances revolutionized medicine in a way that is comparable only to some of the most important events in the approximately 3,000 years of its history. The first was theoretical; it was the introduction of the concept of “positional cloning”, the idea that one can identify genes for human disease without knowing anything, or with knowing very little, about their function. The second was technical; the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) made DNA, the genome in essence, available to biomedical researchers and, more importantly, clinicians.

These developments took Medicine by surprise: fresh in its history were the great discoveries of neuroscience, and even more contemporary and potent, the influence of molecular biology. Cancer medicine and traditional human genetics were the fields that benefited most from the first applications of the new genomic concepts and technologies. Almost two decades later, and after the first successful applications of positional cloning in Medical Genetics with the identification of a variety of genes for multiple syndromes, the Human and many other
genomes were sequenced. Thousands of genes are now known to affect almost every part of the human body; clinical practice is now confronted with the “genomically” influenced medicine.

Τhe lecture will conclude with another of the aphorisms attributed to Hippocrates; "life is short, the art long, opportunity fleeting, experiment treacherous, judgment difficult." As Richard Levin recently wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine “life is longer now, but the art is longer still”. Indeed, the unabated advances in genetics made our art much longer!

We welcome you to what is sure to be a fascinating and informative event with one of the foremost experts in the field! Kindly RSVP to rsvpculture@greekembassy.org

Greek Films Celebrated at International Festivals

The 62nd Berlin International Film Festival has announced the world premiere of a number of films, including Spiros Stathoulopoulos' Meteora, a film about the secret romance between a Greek monk and a Russian nun, in the 12th century cluster of monasteries. Stathoulopoulos is a Greek-Colombian director who has earned much critical acclaim in the past decade.

Meteora had premiered as an official selection for the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes and won the very prestigious Directors' Award at the International Thessaloniki Film Festival. The pre-release success of the film has created much hype for its 2012 release.

The Berlinale will be held on February 9-19 and will also feature another Greek film, Mustafa's Sweet Dreams by Angelos Abazoglou, in competition at the Generation 14+ section for young filmmakers.

Two Greek films will premiere in the Netherlands at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Unfair World by Filippos Tsitsos and Alps by Yorgos Lanthimos will be screened in the Spectrum section, while Ektoras Lygizos' The Boy Eating the Bird's Food will be launched as a work in progress.

Duncharon by Athina Rachel Tsangari and Hungry Mouth by Argyris Papadimitropoulos are included in this year's selection for CineMart, a film market that was launched 28 years ago and has gradually evolved into a forum for upcoming cinematographers. The Rotterdam Film Festival will run from January 25 through February 5.

And if you love Greek cinema but cannot make it to Berlin or Rotterdam, check out the Panorama of Greek Cinema series at the Avalon Theater, which presents monthly Greek films!

Source: Greek News Agenda

New Events for a New Year at the Embassy!

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a 2012 filled with health, happiness, and of course, more Greek culture! The Embassy is proud to present the following exciting events to celebrate Greek culture in the new year:

On January 4th, the first Wednesday of the month, on our regular 8:00pm rendez-vous at the AVALON Theatre, we will showcase the multiple-award winning film “Matching Jack” by the famous Greek-Australian female directorNadia Tass. Shipped directly from Down Under, we bring to the cinephiles of Washington Tass’s fresh view of life from a different yet familiar perspective.

On January 19th, at 7:00pm we will start our 2012 “Health, Nutrition and Fitness” series with an overview of the most recent discoveries in Health and Medicine, titled: “The Impact of Modern Genetics In Our Lives" by distinguished scientist Dr. Constantine A. Stratakis, MD, DMSci, NICHD, NIH. The lecture will take place at the Embassy of Greece.

On January 27th, at 6:30pm the Library of Congress in partnership with the Embassy of Greece and the National Endowment for the Arts will pay tribute to Greece’s Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis for the significant contribution and influence of his poetry to the Spanish-speaking world. This will be one of its kind and not-to-be-missed event.