Greece This Month – June 2012 ISSUE 146

1

Greece

In this issue:

Top Priorities of the new Government

Greek Former IMO Chief E. Mitropoulos Receives Honorary Award from the Queen

Greek Summer culinary culture

Myrtis: Celebrated ancient Athenian

EMBASSSY OF GREECE Press & Communications Office 1a Holland Park, London W11 3TP

Tel.: 020 77273071, Fax: 020 77278960 pressoffice@greekembassy.org.uk

The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO), in cooperation with the government, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, representatives of the travel industry, and other officials, set forth to launch the True Greece campaign, "to shed light on Greece as a travel destination by providing a platform of official information. Through articles, official statements and real-life testimonials, one can see that Greece, undeniably, remains one of the greatest travel destinations in the world". The Internet-based initiative aims to further promote the positive publicity of Greece as a tourist destination on the Internet through social media. On this basis, it was considered necessary to develop an online image management and brand monitoring mechanism to oversee and manage the comments, opinions and observations made about Greece as a tourist destination. The initiatives’ key priorities are: a. The promotion and communication of key elements and competitive advantages

of the Greek tourism product; b. The promotion and dissemination (through social media) of positive messages/opinions that visitors have about their experiences (via video spots, web

testimonials, reviews, posts, tweets). The aforementioned will focus on three key subject areas: 1. Business as usual; 2. Value For Money/Affordability ; 3. Safety. The initiative is already being supported by a series of government agencies including Greek Radio Television S.A, Athens News Agency and the Hellenic Foreign Ministry. The agencies will be assisting the effort by tracking and gathering news and other

related material as well as working with local, national and international media outlets. The initiative coincides with advertising campaigns by travel companies promoting the cheap vacation

opportunities in recession-hit Greece, particularly for visitors outside the euro zone. In the same context, Nicholas Kelaiditis, Director at Large of the Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Agencies, published a column on Travel Daily News, pointing out "Myths

and Reality - the whole truth about Greece". Kelaiditis starts by pointing out that "From the beginning of the economic crisis in Greece, we faced a negative publicity for our country. Many articles and images from the press were exaggerated and didn’t present the everyday reality". He designates the myths of insecurity and regarding the Eurozone, stating that "Greece is a civilized, stable, democratic, Eurozone country", and stresses that "this is the best time to visit Greece".

this month

Greek national tourism organization launches new promo site t r u e g r e e c e . o r g

Greece this month – June 2012 Issue 146

2

Top Priorities of the new Government

RESULTS OF THE GREEK ELECTIONS (JUNE 17)

Following the results of the Greek elections held on June 17 (see table on the left), New Democracy, PASOK and Democratic Left parties have participated in a coalition government and presented their common government programme. Their highest priority is to re-negotiate with the EU over changes in the bailout terms. They will make efforts so that Greece exits its deep-seated financial crisis. The programme includes several measures to support poorer social classes, pensioners and unemployed people, to strengthen social measures while the government assures public workers that no layoffs will follow. The new government has five key priorities. First of all, it will renegotiate the bailout

agreement but also pay attention to development and social welfare issues. It will also deal with the country’s financial problems and matters of foreign affairs. Last but not least, it announced that one of its main aims will be the

restructuring of the Greek political system, focusing mostly on illegal migration and security. As for bailout renegotiation, Greek leaders intend to ask extension of bailout timeline to at least 2016.

Mr. Samaras was born in Athens on May 23, 1951. He is married to Georgia Kritikos; they have a daughter, Lena, 21, and a son, Kostas, 14. He holds degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Amherst College and Harvard University (MBA). From 1977 to 1993 he was a member of the Hellenic Parliament representing the Prefecture of Messinia with Nea Demokratia and served as Minister of Finance and Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1993 he was elected member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Prefecture of Messinia with the political party "Political Spring" (Politiki Anixi), which he founded and led till 2004. In 2004 he was elected member of the European Parliament with Nea Demokratia. He was member of the Budget Committee, the Committee for Economic and Monetary Affairs, the Committee for the Lisbon Treaty and the Committee of the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation. In 2007 Mr. Samaras was elected member of the Hellenic Parliament for the Prefecture of Messinia with Nea Demokratia and was reelected in 2009. He was a member of the Standing Committee for Economic Affairs and the Committee for European Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament until January 2009, when he was appointed Minister of Culture. Under this capacity, he inaugurated the new Acropolis Museum in July 2009.In November 2009 he was elected the 7th President of Nea Demokratia by the party members.

Since June 20 he is the Prime minister of Greece.

the new Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras

Greece this month – June 2012 Issue 146

3

Greek Former IMO Chief E. Mitropoulos Receives Honorary Award from the Queen

Her Majesty the Queen of England Elizabeth II and the UK government granted the title of former International Maritime Organization (IMO) chief Efthimios E. Mitropoulos Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in recognition of his work and services to international maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment. The badge of honor was presented to Mitropoulos during an official ceremony held at the residence of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs last Wednesday. The UK honours system recognises exceptional achievement and service to the nation. There are several different types of award, each one recognising a different type of contribution. Non-British nationals who have made a

significant contribution to the UK can also be considered for UK honours. These awards are classed as honorary and

granted at the counsel of the FCO. Efthimios Elias Mitropoulos was the

seventh Secretary-General of

the International Maritime Organization (IMO),

a United Nations agency. Mitropoulos was elected as Secretary-General on 18 June 2003 during the 19th session of the International Maritime Organization Council. His four-year term started on 1 January 2004, and then was extended until 31 December 2011 by the IMO Council on 9

November 2006. He began his career at the International Maritime Organization in January 1979. He has received multiple awards and recognition throughout his career for his achievements.

According to the World Bank Group’s Global

Investment Promotion Best Practices 2012 report, Invest in Greece Agency systematically presents "a solid business case." It "leapt from being an average

facilitator in 2009 to one of the world’s best practice agencies in 2012." The Invest in Greece rates third within the top-10 investment promotion intermediaries (IPIs) at inquiry-handling, thanks to its

"comprehensive and effective" processes that recently earned it an ISO certification. The agency stood out from others, because "both of its inquiry responses presented strong

business cases for the investors to select Greece". As it is stated in the report, one of the main reasons for Invest in Greece success is that, despite being a public agency, it is run

according to private-sector principles, such as applying cost-benefit analysis to investor-targeting. Maintaining a high level of performance also requires a skillful staff;

accord to CEO Christos Alexakis, most of the personnel have Master’s degrees in business or economics. They have chosen these positions instead of more lucrative jobs in the private sector or abroad due to their desire to

see Greece succeed and are improving their performances "at a time of economic turmoil, when many IPIs would be discouraged."

THUMBS UP FOR INVEST IN GREECE

At a time when Greece is facing the serious challenge of implementing the structural reforms necessary to boost its economy, Posidonia Exhibition inaugurated on June 4, highlighted the contribution that Greek shipping already makes to the national economy and

underlined its future potential, according to the organisers. The collective might of Greek ship-owners, who last year alone invested 8.5 billion dollars on new buildings, is a main attraction for the thousands of maritime, finance and trade

sector professionals from around the world, who participated and attended the Posidonia Exhibition and its many business and social programmes. "In the decade between 2000 and 2010, Greek shipping contributed to the Greek economy

a total of 140 billion euro, or half of the country’s public debt as it stood in 2009. Posidonia has followed this trend and has grown from strength to strength ever since its inaugural event more than 40 years ago, establishing itself as the world’s most prestigious shipping

forum eagerly anticipated every two years by the international maritime community", said Theodore Vokos, Project Director of Posidonia Exhibitions.

The state-of-the-art venue hosted more than 17,000 people from nearly 90 countries from every corner of the world during a weeklong celebration of business activities ranging from networking, deal- making, product launches and conferences.

Posidonia also features a rich calendar of sporting side–events, such as the Lloyd’s Register-sponsored sailing regatta known as Posidonia Cup, the Posidonia Shipsoccer Tournament, which attracts more than 250 players, and the introduction of the first Posidonia Golf Tournament, which is hoped to become a staple feature of the event.

Furthermore, the impressive list of conferences and seminars held at Posidonia 2012 attracted additional finance and sea trade professionals from the major maritime markets around the world, increasing demand for hotels and visitor services and providing an important boost to Greece’s tourism industry.

P o s i d o n i a 2 0 1 2

GREECE this month – June 2012 Issue 146

4

LITTLE GREEK PIE IN LONDON

With Greek gastronomy steadily on the

rise, more and more Europeans turn to Greek food for nutrition and taste -

Greek delis have become a real trend throughout Europe. The recently featured

Little Greek Pie, a shop specialized in the pastry delicacy of variously filled pita in

London, has been one of many new entries, as now practically most

European metrpoles boast numerous Greek food havens. Angelo Kleftakis, a

Greek entrepreneur decided to open The Little Greek Pie in the heart of London

when he realized that Greek pies, ubiquitous in Central Greece, are a quick,

healthy snack perfect for London urbanites. The Little Greek Pie offers pies

made from organic spelt, with traditional Greek fillings. Based on fresh

ingredients, the menu is strictly seasonal

TUVUNÛ: ICED MOUNTAIN TEA

A well-kept

secret of the Greek

household is to become the

latest entry in the refreshment

shelves of

American super-

markets. Either hot and

honeyed in the winter or iced

with lemon in the summer,

the Greek wild tea (mountain tea or tsai tou vounou in Greek) is a staple of Greek

diet. Now this traditional flavor will be commercialized and exported abroad for

the first time. Macedonian Brewery is launching Tuvunû, an organic, iced

mountain tea with honey and lemon. The company plantations in Thrace, as well

as independent producers of the area will provide the organic tea. Tuvunû will

appear in the US and the Greek market in early July, while its European launch is

expected by the end of 2012.

When the Greek summer has come out

in full bloom, it’s perfect time to reap

some of the season’s most delicious

and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Watermelon, figs,

tomatoes,

zucchini,

artichokes,

eggplants and

okra are some

of them. Do you

wonder how you

can enjoy these

treasures of the

Greek land at

your home,

whether you live

in Greece or not? In fact, there are

many original ways to cook them and

taste some of Greece’s summer

flavour! Briam -Greece's answer to

ratatouille- is a delicious oven roasted

vegetable dish with eggplants,

zucchini, potatoes, onions, peppers,

and tomatoes in a savory sauce.

Yemista or Gemista is another hit for

the summer, consisting of vegetables -

usually tomatoes- stuffed with either

rice, onions and herbs or rice and

meat. Green string beans known as

fasolakia are summer’s alternative to

winter bean soups. They can be

cooked in tomato sauce, or served

boiled as a salad with oil and lemon or

vinegar. Another popular way to cook

them is as a stew in tomato sauce. An

interesting summer dish found on

Lesvos Island is stuffed zucchini

flowers -dubbed louloudakia- with rice

and herbs like dolmades (stuffed vine

leaves). All these recipes made of

summer vegetables are even more

delicious when accompanied by a large

slice of feta cheese.

In addition, feta cheese is often

combined with fruit. A favorite Greek

treat is feta cheese and watermelon.

This refreshing Greek dessert is also

made with yogurt. In general, summer

seasonal fruits are a favourite ending

to a meal or can also be eaten as a

snack or light meal served with yogurt

and honey.

Greece has a long tradition in dairy

products, especially yoghurt, but also

cheese. In fact, there are 20 types of

cheese which have received the PDO

status. Dairy products can be

consumed all year long, there are

however many examples of very

summery tastes created. There is of

course the famous feta, one of the

main ingredients of Greek salad, a

staple in the menu of most restaurants

and tavernas all over the country.

Another much-loved

meze is saganaki

(cheese battered

and fried). Many

cheeses can be

used to make this

dish; kefalograviera

is traditionally

preferred, but

other versions can

be made using

other types of

graviera, the

northern-Greek kasseri, San

Michali from Syros, batzos or

Arahova’s formaella. Formaella, as well

as feta, can also be used for a sweet

saganaki, covered with honey and

sprinkled with sesame seeds. Finally,

cream cheeses such as katiki,

kopanisti and galotyri can be used for

spreading on bread, as dips with

veggies or as ingredient in pasta

sauces.

As for yoghurt, it is by definition the

most rejuvenating thing you can have

on a steaming hot day.

Its delicate texture and refreshing

taste make it ideal either as a light

meal or a healthy dessert.

One of the simplest ways to enjoy it is

covered with honey and often nuts -

especially walnuts.

Another timeless favorite is yoghurt

topped with any traditional Greek

"spoon sweet" -a succulent

combination with a word of caution: go

easy on the quantity, spoon sweets

are caloric bombs! Yoghurt can also be

used in dips -from light versions with

herbs to the famous (or infamous, for

some) tzatziki and the eggplant salad-

sauces, pasta salads and more.

GREEK SUMM ER CULINARY CULTURE

GREECE this month – June 2012 Issue 146

5

Myrtis: Celebrated ancient Athenian on view in Delphi

There’s an added bonus if you’re visiting the renowned town of Delphi this summer. This is because Myrtis, the celebrated reconstruction of a 5th century BC young Athenian whose remains were unearthed during excavations back in the 1990s, is currently on display at the local archaeological museum. “Myrtis: Face to Face with the Past” was originally developed thanks to donations by professor and orthodontist Manolis J Papagrigorakis and Athens University. The exhibition’s interdisciplinary character has earned much praise both locally and abroad. The Delphi show will remain on view until September 30. The story of Myrtis takes the viewer back to 430 BC Athens, when a 11-year-old girl is believed to have died of the plague. Her remains were discovered in a mass grave along with those of another 150 people during a 1994-95 excavation in the area of Kerameikos at the time of the construction of the city’s metro. The remains of the 11-year-old, who

archaeologists named Myrtis, were in excellent condition and this led to the reconstruction of her face in the form of a sculpture. Meanwhile, a number of contemporary artworks related to the Myrtis exhibition are scheduled to go on display at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on August 1. The Delphi show, organized with the support of the Fokida Chamber of Commerce, explores a dramatic chapter of ancient Greek history: the fall of democracy in Athens and the tragedy of the Peloponnesian War. According to archaeologist Nancy Psalti, head of the Delphi-based 10th Ephorate of Prehistoric

and Classical Antiquities,

the exhibition will contribute to an increase in the number of visitors traveling to Delphi, while at the same

time reinforcing

local interest in ancient Greek culture and history. The exhibition is also designed to cater to visitors with hearing and visual impairments and is accompanied by educational material.

Ancient Greek in British Schools

The Ancient Greek language will be included in England’s state primary school curriculum as one of the foreign languages pupils can opt for. In an overhaul of the country’s national education system, learning a foreign language will be compulsory from the age of seven in England’s primary schools. The plans will be put out to public consultation later in the year, ahead of a scheduled introduction in 2014. Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg welcomed the government’s ideas saying, "I think it’s absolutely right. Children will get a love of languages if they start them young."

Ancient Treasures Brought to Surface on Skiathos

A large number of important findings were brought to light during the first underwater archaeological exploration conducted off the island of Skiathos, under the supervision of the Greek Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. The expedition took place on May 14-25 in various areas, including the old port of Skiathos, notable for the Venetian castle of Bourtzi, the Tarsanades area, the Platanias Bay and others. The team surveyed a wide area of the old port of Skiathos, where an ancient breakwater was discovered -on which a part of a Byzantine-era quay has survived. Ceramic shells, mainly scattered pieces of amphorae, were also found in the sea area surrounding the Bourtzi castle and in the ancient port basin. At the Tarsanades region, the specialized divers recovered part of a shipwreck from late Roman times, while at a close distance from the old harbour a shipwreck dating back to the Byzantine era, carrying mostly roof tiles and parts of Byzantine jars was also found. Another

Broadway director Loukas Skipitaris and starring Emmy award-winning Greek actor and director Yannis Simonides, has also been presented in some of the world’s most prestigious universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Columbia and Yale, combined with interactive

seminars on the Socratic dialectic technique. Starting on June 24 and until July 7, fourteen performances will be hosted at the Athens University Museum of History. The building is located under the Acropolis, near the grounds where the Heliaia court actually tried Socrates. These first 14 Athens performances will be in English, to allow the city’s foreign

visitors to participate, while a tour around Greece and performances at the Theoharakis Foundation in autumn are to follow.

The legendary play on the Apology of

Socrates, comes to Athens to be revived in its original location for the first time. The play is based on Plato’s version of Socrates’ defence speech, one of the most

important Ancient Greek scripts. The performance is a production by the Greek Theatre International that premiered in New York in 2004 and has since been

performed in 250 venues in 14 countries and in 6 languages. The play, directed by

The Apology of Socrates

C o m e s T o A t h e n s

shipwreck of the late Roman era was found at the Platanias bay.

GREECE this month – June 2012 Issue 146

6

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE RELEASED

IN SEPTEMBER 2012.

We wish you all a

wonderful summer!

.