Yannis Tsarouchis au Musée Benaki

Etudes sur 17 thèmes

Yannis Tsarouchis est un des peintres grecs modernes les plus appréciés, grâce à son style artistique très caractéristique mais aussi à sa personnalité digne et bohème.

L’exposition présentée au Musée Benaki (bâtiment Peiraios) jusqu'au 31 mars 2013 offre une approche originale de son œuvre par le biais des études et des variations jamais présentées au public. 

En révélant un matériel d’archives très rare, comprenant des photos et des dessins inédits, l’exposition tente d’introduire le visiteur dans l’atelier de l’artiste et l’initier à la pratique créative par laquelle Tsarouchis est parvenu à certaines de ses peintures les plus emblématiques. 

A côté des séries de thèmes tels que les Saisons, les Marins, les Mois etc., l’exposition suit les différents étapes d’inspiration, d’élaboration et de perfection des œuvres jusqu'à leur forme finale.

Les tableaux et les objets exposés font partie de la collection et des archives de la Fondation Yannis Tsarouchis.

In a city silenced by the crisis, jazz continues to find its voice

A couple of years ago, as the financial crisis was starting to really show its teeth, Greek saxophone player Dimitris Vassilakis took part in an unexpected jam session in Athens alongside renowned trumpet master Jack Waller. The impromptu performance took place in the then-tiny Aperitif bar off Syntagma Square, following a joint appearance by the artists at nearby Bacaro.

Music producer I. Solomon was one of the lucky few to witness the event.
“While the bar was normally considered full with just 15 to 20 people, about 50 of us, all die-hard fans, managed to squeeze in that evening, including Greek trumpet players who hid their instruments in their jackets and ended up joining their fellow musicians on stage,” said Solomon. “It was an amazing night.”

Watching top jazz names perform is no longer a frequent phenomenon in the crisis-hit Greek capital. The Half Note Jazz Club, for instance, has scaled down its roster, while venues such as Parafono, Guru Upstairs and Bacaro have closed. Jazz, however, is not on its way out here, as plenty of bars and cafes are hosting young local acts, in some cases without charging admission.

According to journalist and jazz lover Nikos Fotakis, manager of the Petite Fleur bar in the northern suburb of Halandri (which hosts live sessions on Wednesdays), there are two ways to set up a live jazz show. “The first way is the traditional music stage way, where people listen to live music while enjoying a drink. The focal point in that case is music. 

The second way is to go to a bar where musicians happen to play music. In the latter case, the focus is on drinking and the going-out factor, and it seems to be the prevailing trend these days, because setting up a stage for gigs is a difficult and costly endeavor. At Petite Fleur, we usually host small ensembles, given that I’m never short of offers from musicians who want to perform.”

Last month, flutist Leonidas Sarantopoulos appeared at the newly established Jazz Point on Academias Street in central Athens, performing tracks from his “Black Mamba” album along with his quartet.

Located at 94 Solonos Street in Exarchia, Verve recently hosted a Greek electric jazz trio, while on nights with no scheduled live performances, guest DJs play jazz and soul.

“When you visit these smaller venues you realize that the Ionian University, state conservatories and private music schools such as the Athenaeum and Philippos Nakas have turned into a great source for young, dynamic musicians who are now appearing on various music stages around the city. 

This is very important because jazz is born the moment it is performed, not in a studio,” said Yiannis Stefanakos, known as “Professor” in local jazz circles.
On a recent Monday night, the Synergy Quartet played bossa nova-meets-jazz at a venue not usually associated with the genre, the Baba Au Rum club on Kleitiou Street.

Among a large number of venues hosting jazz ensembles are the Blue Bossa Bar and La Ronda in Vyronas, Santa Botella on Panormou Street, the Melanythros art space near Kallimarmaro, as well as bars located in central Exarchia, such as the Faeinon, on the corner of Kallidromiou and Mavromichali streets. The Numismatic Museum’s jazz evenings have also proved a success, while over at Faust on Kalamiotou Street, “Jazz Opera Shows” take place on Wednesdays.

At the same time, Vassilakis recently inaugurated a jazz stage in Thiseio. Miles View (on Apostolou Pavlou Street) aims to fill the gap left by other venues that have closed their doors. Festivals also play an instrumental role and include events such as the second edition of Greek Jazz Panorama, which recently took place at the Onassis Cultural Center.

According to director-producer Kyriakos Angelakos, the most important aspect of this jazz revival is that it showcases a new generation of musicians.
“You should listen to the fabulous Eva Kesselring and her ‘BLUEzUKI’ evenings at the Klimataria taverna in Psyrri on Friday nights,” said Angelakos. “It’s all about fabulous jazz through reorchestrations of old Greek songs or classic jazz performed on the bouzouki.”

Another act to look out for is the WonderFall Quartet, co-founded by Irini Konstantinidi and Thanos Hatzianagnostou.
Meanwhile, Solomon says that young Greek musicians boast top-level training, including degrees from excellent music schools, primarily in the Netherlands.
“Both their techniques and their aesthetics go beyond the mainstream. They are more liberated compared to the older jazz generation, whose members were taught music through listening to albums,” he said.

While the days of Athens being known as a jazz capital are over, the current revival is nothing short of a small miracle.

Princesses de la Méditerranée

Une exposition du Musée d’Art Cycladique

Grandes dames ou princesses, prêtresses ou sorcières, femmes de pouvoir local ou de savoir, femmes ayant adopté des éléments culturels de leurs maris étrangers ou celles qui, en raison de leur mariage, ont voyagé d’une région à une autre, ce sont toutes ces femmes qui font l’objet de cette exposition au Musée d’Art Cycladique d'Athènes. 

L'exposition a ouvert ses portes le 13 décembre et sera présentée jusqu'au 10 avril 2013.

Il s’agit d’une exposition de plus de 500 objets qui, à travers leur histoire, présente la contribution de la femme au développement, et à l'ouverture des horizons des civilisations du Xème au Vème siècle avant J.-C.

Bijoux et pierres précieuses, bracelets et brassards d’or et de cuivre, boucles d’oreilles d’or et d’argent, de différentes formes et tailles, bagues d’or, scarabées de matières diverses, masques d’or pour couvrir le visage, joyaux pour le buste, tout un monde d’art et de richesse se laisse découvrir à travers cette exposition.

Celle-ci est organisée en commun par le Musée d’Art Cycladique, l’Université de Crète et le Ministère d’Education et des Affaires Religieuses, Civilisations et Sports.

Lower prices are luring tourists back to Greece

Upside of the Euro Crisis

The sign on a clothing shop on Ermou Street in Athens reads “10 euro crisis special.” All along this main shopping drag near Parliament, similar discount signs abound.

As Greece’s economic troubles deepen, many prices are declining, including those for hotels. That seems to be drawing tourists back, just as concerns that Greece could abandon the euro kept many away during the summer.

The marble streets of Plaka and shops in the winding Monastiraki tourism areas near the Acropolis were startlingly empty a month ago, but they have snapped back to life. Restaurants and bars were bustling on a recent Saturday night; shoppers browsed jewellery stores and the streets were dense with crowds. But step on to any side street, and every third store is closed for business, covered by a thicket of graffiti.

Still, Greeks are going about their lives, settling into a rhythm occasionally interrupted by strikes against a government austerity plan and transportation slowdowns. Like the shuttered stores, the inconveniences are merely something for tourists to figure their way around, although there may be more to come.

TEI of Crete Pioneers in European HIPER Project

The town of Rethymno in Crete, Greece, hosted for the second year in a row the International School of Physics on HIPER matters under the auspices of the TEI of Crete and, more specifically, of the Professors Michalis Tatarakis from Chania and Nektarios Papadogiannis from Rethymno.

Dozens of postgraduate students and PhD candidates from top European universities including young scientists from the Department of Science of the TEI of Crete have taken part in this pioneering programme which ended last Friday.

HiPER (High Power Experimental Research Facility) is the first experiment designed specifically to study the “fast ignition” approach to generating nuclear fusion, which uses much smaller lasers than conventional designs, yet produces fusion power outputs of about the same magnitude. The whole project is in a preparatory phase at the moment and the TEI of Crete is in charge of the relevant researches at European level.

Under the regular financing by the EU, the HiPER’s preparatory phase is estimated to be over by 2013, while from 2014 until 2030 its manufacturing phase will have been completed. The premises housing the Project are located at the district of Tria Monastiria, Rethymno.

Head of Erasmus Programme and of the TEI, Dr. Michalis Tatarakis, claimed that everyone is very optimistic over the positive results of the project. “There is scientific evidence on the progress of the project and we hope that the Greek state will also assist our efforts” added Mr. Tatarakis.

The trees that lived with the Minoans!

Among the 20 ancient olive trees of Crete with an age of more than a thousand years, the famous ‘olive tree of Vouves’ is probably the oldest tree in the world with an age estimated between 3000 and 5000 years old. The natural monument attracts 20.000 visitors each year.

Olive trees are hardy and drought-, disease- and fire-resistant — part of the reason for their longevity and their widespread use in the region.

The impressive ‘olive tree of Vouves’ grows for centuries in the area where now lies the village Ano Vouves, 30 kilometres west of Chania. It has a diameter of 4,67 m. and a perimeter of 12,5 m. And it still produces highly sought after olives! It started as a wild olive tree and was later domesticated with the ‘tsounati’ olive tree variety.

It is not known how old it is exactly with estimations ranging between 3000 and 5000 years old but it is probably the oldest olive tree in the world and maybe the most famous one. Due to its special aesthetic, ecological and historical characteristics the tree was declared a natural monument in 1997.

One of the most famous old trees of any species, the olive tree of Vouves starred in a travel documentary for Crete, broadcasted by German channel Arte/ZDF. The age of the tree was revealed to the journalists by Professor of pomology in the Technological Institute of Crete (TEI), Spyros Lionakis. He said that some of the ancient olive trees of Crete go as far back as the Minoan Age.

Besides the famous tree in Vouves there are 10 other ancient trees in the surrounding area. And there hundreds of younger but still centuries-old olive trees in Crete with impressive growth; one in the village of Kouroupes, Rethymno has a perimeter of 22 m. A 2000 year old olive tree in Venerato, Rethymno has a perimeter of 18,5 m.

This natural wealth is what the Olive Museum of Vouves tries to preserve and promote; the age old relationship of olive tree and man. Located next to the ‘Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves’ the Museum was the vision of Mayor Polychronis Polychronides. The next step is the conversion of the Museum to an ‘Olive Museum and Mediterranean Centre for the Study of Monumental Olive Trees’. The Municipality has already proceeded to the buy of a 600 sq m land plot, near to the Museum in addition to other plots it owns in the area and has began studies for the creation of the expanded Museum.

For the time being the Design & Manufacturing Laboratory of TEI of Crete, with Dr. Manolis Maravelakis as the head of the effort, has completed the digital representation of the trunk of the Vouves olive tree. Specifically, a 3D model of the trunk was created that represents with precision the geometry of both the exterior and interior of the trunk. Modern techniques of reverse mechanics and 2 laser scanners that are available at the laboratory were used for the project.

Εγκρίθηκε η μελέτη για το αρχαιολογικό μουσείο του Ρεθύμνου.

Ιδιαίτερα θετική ήταν η έκβαση της συνεδρίασης του Συμβουλίου Μουσείων του Υπουργείου Πολιτισμού την Τρίτη, κατά τη διάρκεια της οποίας αποφασίστηκε η έγκριση της μουσειολογικής μελέτης του Κεντρικού Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Ρεθύμνου. 

Ο αναπληρωτής Υπουργός Παιδείας, Θρησκευμάτων, Πολιτισμού και Αθλητισμού, κ. Κ. Τζαβάρας, ενημέρωσε για τη θετική αυτή εξέλιξη το Βουλευτή Ρεθύμνου Νέας Δημοκρατίας, Γιάννη Α. Κεφαλογιάννη, που είχε ενδιαφερθεί για την άμεση ένταξη της μουσειολογικής μελέτης στην ημερήσια διάταξη του Συμβουλίου. 

Ο Βουλευτής Ρεθύμνου δήλωσε ιδιαίτερα ικανοποιημένος για την έγκριση της μουσειολογικής μελέτης του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Ρεθύμνου, που ανοίγει το δρόμο για να αποκτήσει το σημαντικό αυτό έργο δικαίωμα ένταξης σε χρηματοδοτικά προγράμματα. 

Ο κ. Κεφαλογιάννης σε δήλωση του αναφέρει: «Έγινε ένα πρώτο πολύ σημαντικό βήμα, ωστόσο, οφείλουμε να προχωρήσουμε όλοι μαζί και στα επόμενα, έτσι ώστε να αποκτήσει το Ρέθυμνο μια στέγη για την ιστορία και τον πολιτισμό του». Κλείνοντας, τόνισε ότι θα καταβάλει κάθε δυνατή προσπάθεια για τη χρηματοδότηση και την άμεση υλοποίηση του έργου, στηρίζοντας τις προσπάθειες των πολιτών και των φορέων του τόπου που διεκδικούν την ανάδειξη της πολιτισμικής μας κληρονομιάς.

Το νέο αρχαιολογικό μουσείο έχει προγραμματιστεί να κατασκευαστεί στο οικόπεδο δίπλα από το ΚΤΕΛ στον περιφερειακό δρόμο του Ρεθύμνου.

Noted Greek linguist details similarity between Doric dialect, ancient Macedonian.

Noted linguist, lexicographer and academic Giorgos Babiniotis on Tuesday presented here research detailing how the ancient Macedonians had shaped a Greek dialect based on the structure of the Doric dialect, best known as the form of Greek spoken by the Spartans, among others.

Prof. Babiniotis told an audience at the University of Melbourne that the ancient Macedonians used this dialect in spoken form, by ordinary people, while the Attic Greek dialect was used by the kingdom's royalty, such as King Philip II, in a bid to unify the rest of Greece, as proved by thousands of inscriptions unearthed over the decades by archaeologists.

According to research launched in the early 20th century by German and British linguists, there are roughly 250 words, mainly nouns, found in texts dating from Homer's and Herodotus' eras that were identified by commentators in antiquity as originating from the ancient spoken Macedonian dialect.

Babiniotis also emphasised that there was no "single ancient Greek language", but four main dialects, each used in the written literature of different eras. The Attic dialect replaced them after 480 BC.

Babiniotis also touched on a decidedly contemporary political difference, whose aspects have often included "antique" references, stressing that the Bulgarian-Serb language spoken in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), the landlocked ex-Yugoslav republic that mostly lies to the north of where historical and geographical Macedonia is located, stressing that “we respect the language, history and traditions of the people in the neighbouring country. However, it is obvious, based on what I have already said that the term ‘Macedonian’ they use to name their language causes confusion and is historically and culturally unacceptable.

 "Based on the analysis already made it has absolutely no relation with the (ancient) dialect of the Macedonians.”

The lecture was given in English at the university's Wright Theatre.
Source:amna

Les mots et les monnaies, de la Grèce ancienne à Byzance

du 24 novembre 2012 au 17 mars 2013

La Fondation Martin Bodmer et le Musée Benaki d’Athènes vous invitent à un voyage dans l’espace et dans le temps au fil de vingt siècles d’histoire…

Les monnaies anciennes de l’Antiquité grecque et romaine continuent de nous fasciner par la beauté de leurs images et de leurs inscriptions. Les hommes ont représenté sur ces pièces leurs dieux et leurs maîtres, les planètes et les cités, les héros et les légendes, et les textes mis en regard en disent l’histoire, la poésie et le sens…

Voilà que ces objets nous parlent. Ils témoignent de questions fondamentales : affirmation de l’identité, confrontation avec l’autre, lien au sacré et à la croyance, interrogation sur les frontières et sur la mort, inscription dans la mémoire, transmission culturelle.

Invitation au voyage dans l’espace et dans le temps, les monnaies et les manuscrits exposés esquissent les étapes de près de vingt siècles d’histoire, de la Grèce « inventant » la démocratie à la gloire puis au déclin de Byzance. Reflets et mémoire d’une aventure qui reste la nôtre.

Exposition à la Pinacothèque Nationale d’Athènes

La Pinacothèque Nationale d’Athènes organise sa dernière exposition, avant de fermer ses portes pour une période de deux ans, durant laquelle s'effectueront le réaménagement et l'extension des bâtiments. Cette exposition, inaugurée le 19 novembre dernier, a pour titre : ‘’Donations des artistes grecs à la Pinacothèque Nationale 1910 -2012’’ .   

Il s’agit d’une exposition particulière et introspective, qui met en valeur la générosité et la participation des artistes grecs à l’enrichissement des collections de la Pinacothèque, depuis sa fondation en 1900. L’exposition présente exclusivement des donations d'artistes et de leurs familles ainsi que des legs, excluant toutes donations d'institutions, de ministères ou de particuliers.

La chronologie des œuvres exposées, commence par la plus ancienne donation, le legs de Theodoros Ralis (1852-1909) en 1910, et arrive jusqu’aux plus récentes donations d'artistes contemporains, faites en 2012. Sur le total des œuvres d'art qui appartiennent à la Pinacothèque (peintures, sculptures, dessins et gravures), soit presque 19.000 œuvres, les donations en général sont de 6.800 et les legs représentent 4.500 œuvres. Plus de 3.000 œuvres ont été offertes par des artistes. Sont exclues de cette exposition les œuvres-donations qui sont déjà présentes dans la collection permanente de la Pinacothèque Nationale et dans ses succursales, ainsi que les œuvres présentées lors de l’exposition ‘’Nouvelles acquisitions en 2006 et 2007’’.

L’exposition, qui s’ouvre avec le monumental triptyque de Panagiotis Tetsis, se divise en plusieurs sections où l’on peut admirer des œuvres contemporaines, classiques ou encore des œuvres des précurseurs de l’art grec. Au total, 166 œuvres sont exposées, comprenant peintures, sculptures, gravures et installations. Des artistes connus côtoient des artistes méconnus, ignorés ou totalement inconnus, toujours avec des œuvres significatives. L’exposition rend hommage aux artistes grecs et à leur générosité.

Epirus: the rafting experience in Greece

Mainland Greece hides numerous, densely vegetated rivers, offering amazing rafting opportunities. Arachthos, Aoos and Voidomatis in Epirus region, are only some of the many rivers that offer excitement to amateur and experienced rafters alike.

River Arachtos in the region of Tzoumerka is a brilliant choice for those looking for some serious action, instead of just enjoying a peaceful trip.

It is located in the region of Tzoumerka, which consists of several small villages, the main of which are Syrrako, Kalarrytes, and Pramanda. Rafting in Arachthos is a totally refreshing activity, mainly suitable for experts, as most of the routes are graded from 3 up to 5. Rivers Voidomatis and Aoos are in Zagori, an area of 46 different villages known as Zagorochoria.

Voidomatis provides visitors with plenty of routes and stunning landscape views. It is suitable for families, as the river is considered accessible to children. On the contrary river Aoos, is the perfect place for those who are eager to experience  the thrill of challenging rafting.

Both regions, Tzoumerka and Zagori offer plenty of après-rafting activities. They are surrounded by spectacular nature: high peaks and beautiful gorges with stunning flora are there to be explored. After a full day of activities, visitors may choose to taste local products and foods, such as Epirus’s famous pies, drink rakomelo (raki with honey), socialize with other visitors and locals and relax in comfortable guest houses.

Rethymno stuns Panionios, who sacks its coach

Olympiakos is now alone on top of the Basket League, after Panionios suffered a shock loss at thome to AGO Rethymnou that also cost the job to its coach.

The Reds had absolutely no problem in thrashing bottom club Kavala 113-62 at home on Monday, with coach Giorgos Bartzokas resting his top-pick players to such an extent as to use Vassilis Spanoulis for no more than five minutes.
Panionios is now one point behind Olympiakos as Rethymno, in fourth, produced a commanding performance at Nea Smyrni to win 86-70 on Sunday, forcing the dismissal of Panionios coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos. The record of two losses in as many Eurocup games for Panionios to date did not help the Greek coach's case either.

KAO Dramas gave third-placed Panathinaikos a good run for its money, but the Athens giant emerged victorious in the end with a 63-60 score at Drama.
PAOK now forms part of the top five after defeating visiting Kolossos Rhodes 68-63, Ikaros Kallitheas saw off Peristeri 66-55 at home. 

Promoted Panelefsiniakos beat Ilisiakos at Peristeri on Sunday, with the Zografou club announcing on Monday the hiring of coach Giorgos Zevgolis.
In the other Monday match, Apollon Patras defeated Aris 64-53 to move clear of the relegation zone.

Source:kathimerini

Neanderthal sailors?

Neanderthals or other extinct human lineages may have sailed to the Mediterranean Islands long before previously thought. Here, an excavation at Akrotiri Aetokremnos, a site in Cyprus dating back to about 10,000 B.C. where pygmy hippo fossils were found.

This prehistoric seafaring could shed light on the mental capabilities of these lost relatives of modern humans, researchers say.
Scientists had thought the Mediterranean islands were first settled about 9,000 years ago by Neolithic or New Stone Age farmers and shepherds.
"On a lot of Mediterranean islands, you have these amazing remains from classical antiquity to study, so for many years people didn't even look for older sites," said archaeologist Alan Simmons at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

However, in the last 20 years or so, some evidence has surfaced for a human presence on these islands dating back immediately before the Neolithic
"There's still a lot to find in archaeology — you have to keep pushing the envelope in terms of conventional wisdom," Simmons said.

Neanderthal sailors?

For instance, obsidian from the Aegean island of Melos was uncovered at the mainland Greek coastal site of Franchthi cave in layers that were about 11,000 years old, while excavations on the southern coast of Cyprus revealed stone artifacts about 12,000 years old.

"We found evidence that human hunters may have helped drive pygmy hippos to extinction on Cyprus about 12,000 years ago," Simmons said. "This suggests that seafarers didn't need to have already domesticated plants and animals to go to these islands, which is a pretty complex set of tricks — they could have been hunter-gatherers."

Recently, research has hinted that seafarers may have made their way out to the Mediterranean islands even earlier, long before the Neolithic, and not only to isles close to the mainland, but to more distant ones as well, such as Crete.

For instance, stone artifacts on the southern Ionian Islands hint at human sites there as early as 110,000 years ago. Investigators have also recovered quartz hand-axes, three-sided picks and stone cleavers from Crete that may date back about 170,000 years ago. The distance of Crete about 100 miles (160 kilometres) from the mainland would have made such a sea voyage no small feat.

The exceedingly old age of these artifacts suggests the seafarers who made them might not even been modern humans, who originated between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago. Instead, they might have been Neanderthals or perhaps even Homo erectus.
"The whole idea of seafaring makes these extinct groups seem more human — they were going out to sea to explore places that were uninhabited," Simmons told Live Science.

Dating artifacts

The problem with these ancient finds is determining their exact age. "They're well beyond the range of radiocarbon dating," Simmons said. Although researchers can also deduce the ages of artifacts based on the ages of surrounding materials, these artifacts weren't found in reliable contexts that could indisputably attest to their age, he added.

Although the idea that extinct human lineages possessed such advanced mental capabilities might be controversial, ancient seafaring has been seen elsewhere in the world. For instance, Australia was colonized at least 50,000 years ago, while fossils in Indonesia suggest that an extinct lineage of humans was seafaring as long ago as 1.1 million years.

"If the ancient finds in the Mediterranean can be verified, they will show that Homo erectus or Neanderthals or both had the skills and cognitive ability to build boats and navigate them," Simmons said.

4eme choix de “Lonely Planet” pour l’hiver : Αthènes

Prochaine destination Athènes? D’après un article publié récemment sur le site internet du guide touristique “lonely planet”, Αthènes est parmi les dix destinations les plus populaires à visiter pendant l’hiver. En hiver, il fait froid à Athènes mais le climat devient plus doux par rapport à celui des pays à l’Europe du Nord.

Pendant la saison hivernale, les visiteurs peuvent profiter des prix bas aux hôtels et du meilleur service des musées. “Lonely planet” conseille, également, une visite au Parthénon.

 Les autres destinations populaires sont Rovaniemi, Abisko, les marchés de Noël en Allemagne et en Autriche, Copenhague, Budapest, Jasna, la Transylvanie, l´Andalousie, et Vénice.

39th anniversary of Polytechnic students' uprising

The gates of the Athens Polytechnic opened on Thursday morning for the annual three-day commemoration of the November 17, 1973 Athens Polytechnic students' uprising that led essentially led the collapse of the 7-year military dictatorship in Greece (1967-74).

Officials, trade union representatives and citizens laid wreaths and placed flowers at the Polytechnic (now the National Technical University of Athens-N.T.U.A.) monument.
The three-day events will wind up on Saturday, November 17, with a march to the US embassy in Athens.

A three-day commemoration is held nationwide each year in tribute to a student uprising against the military dictatorship ruling Greece at the time, that was violently put down in the early hours of November 17, 1973 when the army and tanks were brought in to disperse the students that had taken over the Athens Polytechnic building and the civilians who had thronged to the site in support of the uprising.

The commemoration will once again take place under stringent security measures. The various departments of Athens University scattered throughout the Greek capital closed on Wednesday night and will remain closed throughout the three-day events.

The Polytechnic gates will open every morning and close at night during the three days, while teams of students, professors and N.T.U.A. workers will remain inside the Polytechnic campus to guard the premises.




Traffic restrictions have already gone into effect in the Polytechnic environs.
The organizers of the commemoration are mulling the holding of memorial events inside the campus in addition to the traditional exhibitions and speeches.

The commemoration of the Polytechnic uprising will be held on Friday in primary and secondary schools.
Source:amna

Ο 72ος Αρκάδιος δρόμος. Κι όμως θα μπορούσε να προσφέρει πολύ περισσότερα.

Με το τέλος του 32^ου κλασικού Μαραθώνιου, η γενική διαπίστωση είναι, ότι η Αθήνα αποκόμισε πολλαπλά οφέλη. Τα φώτα της δημοσιότητας σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο στράφηκαν πάνω στην διοργανώτρια πόλη, με αποτέλεσμα να επωφεληθεί και σε οικονομικό επίπεδο. Χιλιάδες αθλητές, συνοδοί αλλά και οι οικογένειες τους, επωφελήθηκαν από το αθλητικό αυτό event και γέμισαν τα ξενοδοχεία της πρωτεύουσας.

Η Αθήνα τον Μαραθώνιο, το Ρέθυμνο τον Αρκάδιο δρόμο λοιπόν. Είναι συγκρίσιμα τα δύο αυτά αθλητικά γεγονότα;

Ναι είναι, γιατί το καθένα αντιστοιχεί στη δική του πληθυσμιακή  κλίμακα και το καθένα έχει το δικό του ιδιαίτερο ιστορικό βάρος.

 

Κι όμως ο φετινός Αρκάδιος δρόμος, όχι μόνο δεν απέφερε οφέλη στην πόλη μας, αλλά κινδύνευσε και να μην πραγματοποιηθεί, λόγω καιρικών συνθηκών (ψιχάλιζε - ιδανικός καιρός για τρέξιμο).

Επίσης κακή εντύπωση δόθηκε στους συμμετέχοντες Ρεθυμιώτες, αλλά και ξένους  αθλητές αναφέροντας τους ότι αυτός μάλλον θα είναι και ο τελευταίος Αρκάδιος δρόμος, λόγω της οικονομικής δυσπραγίας που επικρατεί.

Θα ήθελα πάρα πολύ να μάθω, ποια υπέρογκα έξοδα εννοούσαν οι οργανωτές. Το κόστος μεταφοράς με λεωφορείο Ρέθυμνο-Αρκάδι-Ρέθυμνο, τα νερά που μοίρασαν στο δρόμο και τα φτηνά μετάλλια  η το επιβλητικό φαγοπότι που δόθηκε στο μοναστήρι, για τους επίσημους καλεσμένους και όχι βέβαια για τους αθλητές.

Το ερώτημα που τίθεται είναι με ποιο τρόπο τιμούμε καλύτερα, την εθελοθυσία εκατοντάδων ηρώων του τόπου μας, για την ελευθερία και την ανεξαρτησία;

Με τα βαρετά λογίδια που επαναλαμβάνουμε κάθε χρόνο, ακολουθούμενα από το απαραίτητο τραπέζωμα η με την ευγενή συμμετοχή αθλητών που χύνουν τον ιδρώτα τους και προσφέρουν τις τελευταίες τους δυνάμεις, για να τιμήσουν τους ηρωικούς τους προγόνους;

Δεν θέλω να είμαι αυτός που θα απαντήσει στην ερώτημα αυτό. Είμαι σίγουρος ότι υπάρχουν ακόμη πολλοί Ρεθυμιώτες, με ευαισθησίες και αγνά αισθήματα για να δώσουν την απάντηση.

Είχα την χαρά και την τιμή να παρακολουθήσω τον 72^ο Αρκάδιο δρόμο, από την εκκίνηση μέχρι και τον τερματισμό και είμαι σε θέση να παραθέσω τις εντυπώσεις μου, σε σχέση για την οργάνωση του.

Μπορώ να πω με βεβαιότητα, ότι οι αστυνομικές δυνάμεις παρ’ όλες τις φιλότιμες προσπάθειες που κατέβαλαν, δεν ακολούθησαν ένα αποτελεσματικό πλάνο προστασίας των δρομέων, γιατί απλούστατα αυτό το πλάνο δεν υπήρχε.

Φταίνε βέβαια και οι ασυνείδητοι οδηγοί, αλλά είναι αδιανόητο να υπάρχουν οχήματα που παρά την απαγόρευση, κινούνταν στην αντίθετη κατεύθυνση κάνοντας σλάλομ ανάμεσα από τους αθλητές.

Εκεί φυσικά που έγινε «το έλα να δεις», ήταν στο τελικό κομμάτι της διαδρομής, δηλαδή από τον Πλατανέ μέχρι και το Ρέθυμνο, τα τελευταία 6 χιλιόμετρα, τα ποιό επίπονα και βασανιστικά για τους δρομείς.

Κι όμως εκεί ακριβώς οι αρχές πρόβλεψαν μία μέρα πριν τον αγώνα, να δώσουν την δυνατότητα στον εργολάβο να καταστρέψει το οδόστρωμα και με την συνύπαρξη της βροχής να μετατραπεί ο κεντρικός δρόμος, σε μια ωραιότατη παγίδα. Οι δρομείς έκαναν σλάλομ, μεταξύ των γεμάτων με νερό λακκουβών και των αυτοκινήτων που κινούνταν και στις δύο κατευθύνσεις.

Θέλω επίσης να ομολογήσω, ότι οι λιγοστοί θεατές που περίμεναν στην άκρη του δρόμου, με σκοπό να εμψυχώσουν και να χειροκροτήσουν τους αθλητές, είχαν τα δικά τους προβλήματα. Δεν ήταν και τόσο απλό να αναγνωρίσει κανείς τους δρομείς των 23 χιλιομέτρων και να τους ξεχωρίσει από τους υπόλοιπους των 5 χιλιομέτρων, γιατί απλούστατα όλοι έτρεχαν ταυτόχρονα !!!

Τελικά, στο δημοτικό γήπεδο της Σοχώρας, οι αφίξεις των αθλητών έγιναν μέσα σε φιλική ατμόσφαιρα (με μπόλικο αλατισμένο από την φουρτούνα αέρα). Μου έκανε όμως εντύπωση η μικρή συμμετοχή νέων ηλικιακά αθλητών σε σύγκριση με τους πολυπληθείς (ηρωικούς… και μπράβο τους) μεσήλικες.

Η τελετή παράδοσης των βραβείων ήταν σεμνή και σύντομη, αλλά έλαμψαν δια της απουσίας τους, οι τοπικές αρχές.

Ν.Β. :

1. Αγαπητοί κύριοι, αν αποφασίσετε να καταργήσετε, λόγω οικονομικών δυσκολιών τον επόμενο Αρκάδιο δρόμο, μην στεναχωριέστε. Υπάρχουν ακόμη πολίτες στον τόπο αυτό, που θα καλύψουν τα λιγοστά έξοδα που απαιτούνται, για τον υπέροχο αυτό αγώνα.

2. Τι κρίμα που για μία ακόμη φορά, αντί να έχω τη χαρά να γράψω για κάτι θετικό σχετικά με το Ρέθυμνο, βρίσκομαι στη δυσάρεστη θέση να καταγγείλω τα κακώς κείμενα της πόλης μου.

WIN MERTENS CONCERT

Le Lundi 26 Novembre 2012 au « Théâtre » du Κέντρου Πολιτισμού «Ελληνικός Κόσμος» 

Πειραιώς 254, Ταύρος, 212 254 0300

A propos de Win Mertens

Wim Mertens est un musicien belge flamand, né le 14 mai 1953 à Neerpelt. Mertens est un compositeur de musique de concert et de film ; son style va du classique à l'avant-garde mais essentiellement dans une veine minimaliste. Il est également son interprète, généralement au piano et parfois à la guitare, et vocaliste contre-ténor sur certains morceaux. Seul ou avec son ensemble, Mertens a sorti une soixantaine d'enregistrements en trente ans de carrière. Il est également musicologue, et auteur d'une étude sur les premiers minimalistes.

Il est plus connu du grand public pour ses contributions musicales à des films comme Le Ventre de l'architecte de Peter Greenaway, ou son morceau à succès « Struggle for Pleasure ».

Festival international sur le photojournalisme : “Visa pour l’image Athènes”

Dans le cadre de la troisième édition du festival de photojournalisme à Athènes, deux expositions sont organisées à la gallerie “M55”, au cœur du quartier d’Exarchia, du 01 au 15 novembre, entrée gratuite. 

L’une présente le travail de Rémi Ochlik, jeune photojournaliste français décédé en février dernier lors d’une mission en Syrie. Il fut récompensé du prix François Chalais du jeune reporter pour ses photos prises en 2004 à Haïti lors de la chute du Président Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Les œuvres de Rémi Ochlik proposent un témoignage bouleversant des conflits récents du monde entier par ses photos marquées d’un contraste surprenant entre esthétique et violence.

La seconde exposition disponible à la galerie M55 propose au public un regard particulier sur notre société actuelle à travers les œuvres du collectif de photographes français Zmâla œil curieux. 

Cette version athénienne du festival “Visa pour l’image Perpignan” a pour vocation de susciter débats et réflexions autour de la question du métier de photojournaliste. Ainsi lors de la table ronde de la semaine dernière organisée par l’Institut Français d’Athènes autour du sujet, des professionnels ont pu témoigner de leurs expériences et des exigences de leur métier. Jean François Leroy, directeur du festival Visa pour l’image, présent lors de cet échange a insisté sur l’extrême dangerosité du métier tout en réaffirmant son caractère indispensable car “il faut montrer ce qu’il se passe ailleurs”.

The 30th anniversary of Athens Classic Marathon.

The Athens Classic Marathon celebrates this year its 30th anniversary. On Sunday, November 11, athletes from around the globe will be testing their stamina and strength, on the original course, from Marathon to the Athens Panathenaic Stadium. The 30th anniversary is marked by the participation of thousands of runners in all road races, and especially of more than 12,000 runners in the 5km & 10km races.

The international Athens Classic Marathon (ACM) has been organized, since 1983, by the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) and is dedicated to the memory of the Balkan athletics champion and pacifist, Grigoris Labrakis.

It is a very popular race as well as a tourist event, held annually on the 2nd Sunday of November. Since 1983, participation in the race has gradually increased to reach 5,800 in 2004, and over 18,000 in 2011. 

Sporting figures such as Kenya’s Patrick Makau and Portugal’s Rosa Mota along with Greek champions will attend this year’s gala dinner on November 9 whereas as the 6th AIMS Marathon Symposium will be held on November 10, under the title Levels & Quality Control of a Marathon Event.