Zebekiko king is dead

He did not have the silkiest, most melodious voice in the world. His songs often had difficult lyrics to remember. He did not have Brad Pitt looks or a well built body. Yet, Dimitris Mitropanos was the Zeibekiko king for the last 20 years at least. An unadorned, honest,no frills, genuine performer Mitropanos filled any stage with his down to earth charm and art. Because besides being a great popular singer Mitropanos was also a true artist. He chose his songs well and kept away from the easy one week hits. He enjoyed his work and shared his enjoyment with his audience.

He often danced his zeibekiko songs on stage and looked like a bird poised to fly but tied down to earth. An unforgettable performer difficult to describe but so easy to love.

Illegal immigration: the Trojan Horse of Greek elections.

True to its craving for power at all costs PASOK – through the Ministers of Health and social security Mr. Loverdos and Citizens’protection Mr. Chrysohoidis – is using the illegal immigration issue to attract votes.

The creation of immigrants’ concentration camps was announced as a measure to curb criminality in the Athens historic center. While the issue is real and pressing the project was presented without any concrete planning, without any previous discussion with the communities that would be called upon to host the camps and without any preparation of Greek society. What has really happened is that this move has re-enforced the right wing propaganda that illegal immigration is to blame for the high unemployment rate and the rise of petty crimes in Greece.

Human rights organizations and left wing parties have submitted a number of proposals regarding the issue but have met with the government’s inability to fund the smallest project and its unwillingness to claim funds from the EU for the specific issue which is an all European one.

Mr. Chryssohoides, who publicly admitted that he signed the first Mnemonium without reading it is desperately seeking a way to ingratiate himself to his voters. Mr. Loverdos stands by him stating that illegal immigrants are a health hazard but making no proposals about how to face this hazard – how could he since he cannot deal with the health hazards of legal Greek citizens.

So, there is a whole speculation game played around the issue aiming at political gains and nothing more. The illegal immigration issue is used as a Trojan horse to create impressions without any real and tangible results.

 

Will May 7 dawn be golden in Greece?

In a desperate effort to chain himself and his party  to power Mr. Chryssohoides, Minister for the protection of the citizen (an elegant term meaning  ministry of public order..), has announced the creation of detention centers for illegal immigrants. The very real problem of illegal immigration, a problem Greece shares with the rest of Europe, has become – without ever being named – the central problem of the Greek crisis to the delight of the exreme right neo nazi group “Golden Dawn”. Rising unemployment, poverty and criminality are blamed on the “xenoi” – the foreigners. The Greek public has been trying to comprehend all the new terms of PSI, haircuts, bonds, British law and so on. This latest, subtly suggested reply to the crisis is much more easily understandable.

Foreign workers who visit the social security system are faced with an impatient and aggressive manner by their co-workers. It is easier to blame them than the State which has shrunk the services and the civil servants sector resulting in long hours at endless cues. The lack of nursing stuff at hospitals leads people to look askance at all foreign workers (legal immigrants as well as illegal) who try to get the medical care they pay for.

This situation nurtures the populist demagogy of the extreme right. The power thirsty parties that have governed Greece since World War II pave the way for the entry into Parliament and the central political stage of a neo fascist party. One more crime they are committing in their efforts to “save Greek economy”.

 

 

Greece – uphill on the way to elections

Easter is over and the short pre-electoral period is well under way. Politics has been a major Greek sport for ages – literally. Soccer and tavli come second with caffe frappe taking third place. We Greeks often manage to combine all three in one and then it is a real feast.

This pre-electoral period finds Greek citizens more perplexed than usual. They all know (or at least claim that they do) that they don’t want to vote for either PASOK or New Democracy; they consider these two parties as jointly responsible for the present situation. On the other hand, with a 15% exception, that’s what’s been hapenning for a long time. After democracy we seem to have invented a new system: partitocracy. Well, not actually invented, but adopted and refined it to an art. Now, faced with more than 13 (unlucky number) parties to choose from we are at a loss. TV presenters have chat shows with more than 6 candidates: they manage to show them all by opening windows on our screens that seem to get smaller every day as the number of candidates increases.

The left wishes to govern and favours a multi party government. The possibilities are slim especially since the Communist party refuses to cooperate with any other party.

The far right has made its first steps in the political stage at last year’s local government elections and is now on the verge of acquiring the necessary 3% to enter the national Parliament.

PASOK and New Democracy are promising all the things they have not managed to accomplish since World War II.

The Greens are performing very well but their voice is not heard since the citizens are trapped in the dilemma:”Do you want a government or new elections?’ at the best and “If you don’t vote for one of the two big parties anarchy will reign” at the worst.

The present Government is playing dangerous games with the immigrants’issues and the rising criminality while unemployment is rampant.

Politicians of all colours find it difficult to hold rallies or approach the people – they are often verbally attacked and in some cases physically attacked with water bottles. So far the only injury has been to the politicians’pride but Greek society is steadily poisoned by this lack of values and seriousness.

The role of the mass media is becoming apparent even to the most naive. People avoid television like the plague. It is the social media for the youth and the coffee shops for the elderly that provide them with information.

Spring is in the air and even though money is tight the people cannot stay at home. The crisis is providing the opportunity to return to simpler and far more enjoyable forms of entertainment like card playing on the balconies, walks and chats in the street, souvlaki, beer and politics  at the neighbourhood souvlatzidiko.

Could this be the profit of the crisis? That we shall re-discover our humanity? The price is high if the present immigration trend continues. But at least we shall be getting something back.

 

PASOK leadership struggle becomes a farce

During the week end PASOK – Panhellenic Socialist Movement – held a national Conference.

I tried to listen to Mr. Papandreou’s speech ( he spoke for more than an hour) out of simple curiosity. My conclusion is Mr. Papandreou lives in another country! He insisted that for two years he has been saving Greece from bankruptcy (!)  without mentioning that his party and himself had actually led the country into bankruptcy during their 30 year rule; no self criticism, not the slightest hint of self reproach. If a foreigner was to listen to Mr. Papandreou’s words he would think Greece is Eldorado, the perfect country with the perfect system and the happiest citizens!

On the other hand, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, the present Minister of Finances and a candidate for the leadership of the party, appeared more down to earth, expressed his regrets for the situation of the country and stated that PASOK must rediscover its social roots and values. He would have been more convincing if he had made this speech at a non pre-electoral period, when opinion polls show PASOK below 10%!

The crucial question was not the state of the country, the suggestions for an exit from the crisis but the future leader of PASOK!!

The last, decisive, master stroke to complete the farce is that Mr. Venizelos is the ONLY candidate for the PASOK leadership!! PASOK members are urged to go and vote for him – do not ask why.. Mr. Venizelos has to prove that PASOK still has members and in addition they care!

In the following video an elderly PASOK member throws a yoghurt pack at the future leader!

Goodnight Domna Samiou

 

Domna Samiou is one of my favourite performers. Far from being a simple folk singer she was the person who opened my eyes to the genuine, uninhibited “dimotika” songs –i.e. songs of the people, literally. Having never lived in a village all the folk music I ever heard was second hand renditions imitating western style lyrics. Domna Samiou researched Greek folk music; she traveled far and wide to record Christmas Carols, wedding songs, funeral songs, songs dedicated to saints and songs dedicated to sin. Her album of traditional Carnival songs is played every year. She brought to all her performances the aroma of the genuine artist doing what he really loves and it was invigorating. She passed away tonight. Good night Domna Samiou.

Dodecanese celebration turns to a scuffle with politicians

On the 7^th of March the Dodecanese islands celebrate their integration to the Greek State. This year the parade was livened with attacks against the politicians present: verbal abuse was followed by yoghurt and water bottle throwing. The incidents did not stop until the political personnel present left the parade. Eight people were arrested on the spot but only two were actually charged.

The most disturbing fact is the comments made on the social media: “Rhodes was the rehearsal. The independence day will be opening night”.

The 25^th of March is Greek independence day. It marks the beginning of the revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Parades and celebrations happen all over the country. The Greek public is looking for any opportunity to express its anger and mistrust of the political elite. Independence day is a great opportunity since it embodies patriotism to its highest degree and in spite of what is said to the opposite the majority of Greeks feel threatened and slandered as a nation.
25th of March 2012 will definitely be a “special day”.

You can see a video of the Rhodes incidents on the following link:

http://tvxs.gr/news/ellada/rodos-diakopike-logo-epeisodion-i-parelasi-gia-tin-ensomatosi-tis-dodekanisoy

From tragedy to comedy – Greek government mini reshuffle

In a country that is literally going to the dogs, where people commit suicide because they are unable to pay their debts and support their families, where the PASOK(Panhellenic Socialist movement – also the majority party in the Greek Parliament) employees go to the community kitchens because they are unpaid for a few months, the Minister for the protection of the Citizen (it actually means that he is responsible for the citizens’ security, for the police force and all its branches) Mr. Christos Papoutsis resigned from his post not because of the police brutal behaviour or the recent catastrophic fires in Athens during the recent demonstrations,but because he wants to take part in the elections to be held soon for the PASOK leadership!!

Mr. Papoutsis’resignation caused today’s mini reshuffle. A reshuffle that caused a lot of speculation not so much for the “new arrivals” but for what it means in connection with the national elections that are often spoken of but not for a specific date.

Mihalis Chrysohoidis, who has already served an eight year term as Public Order Minister has moved back to his old post.

 

Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou who has had a controversial term as Education Minister has moved to the Ministry of Development.

Prof. Babiniotis - Ms.Anna Diamantopoulou

The appointment of Prof. George Babiniotis to the post of Minister of Education was a surprise. Professor Babiniotis is no politician – as he stated on his first day at the Ministry but his successful carreer as an educator augurs well for this key ministry.

The discussion on the Greek media is how much can any of the new Ministers achieve in a 30 or 60 day period. The insecurity of the situation feeds the citizens’mistrust towards the present Government.

Greece on its way to the crucifiction….

Monday 27 February is Clean Monday (literally translated, what is actually implied is “pure”) for the Greek Orthodox Church. It is the first day of the Easter fasting period. Traditionally it is spent in the countryside, with picnic food and the flying of kites. I have always believed that it is a memomy of our pagan festivities: it is the beginning of Spring, the rebirth of nature, when the air is still cool but is starting to warm up and the earth is slowly turning green from the new grass. Easter suits our climate and our temperament.

Despite the bad financial situation of most of the average income people everyone is preparing for the celebration: after all it is the feast of the poor. No meat or dairy is allowed, eggs are forbidden. It is “fasolada” (bean soup) day. Shellfish is frowned upon by the older people but is well represented on the fasting menu while calamari and inkfish are widely considered to be ok.
On Monday morning everyone rushes out to buy the special azyme bread called lagana that is eaten with tarama (fish roe mashed with stale bread, olive oil and lemon juice to taste) and eggplant dip (grilled and peeled eggplant, its flesh mashed with garlic and olive oil).

The women have a tacit competition: they try each other’s fasolada making the relevant comments. The modern housekeepers add innovative touches like saussages or chillis but usually what makes the day is the quality of the beans themselves. Raw salads, pickled vegetables, olives are the absolute must on Clean Monday and of course halva:a mixture of tahini, sesame butter and honey or sugar. Fresh fruit are the best desert, actually the only desert allowed.
Clean Monday is a family day and a day when old traditions are brought to the fore. Municipalities organize festivities and the skies fill with kites.
Could this return to the roots be part of our financial crisis too? A return to the values of social solidarity, hospitality, sharing, respect and so on.. I think it could.

New coffee fashion in Greece: Merkel coffee

Early today morning, sitting in a coffee shop, I heard a customer ask for a Merkel!!! A Merkel? I wondered what this order is.
The shopkeeper enlightened me fast: Cold coffee, no milk, no sugar!!!
If this is not an accurate description and a lovely sense of humor sue me!!!