Away from Soccer for Greece

[poutismalakas]

I created this thread so that Greeks can talk about non-soccer topics in our forums. So I hope the Greeks and nonGreeks alike will post fun topics here.

Mod note: I will NOT tolerate any NON-Civil actions made here!!!

[OCFP]

Lets start with everyons favorite Greek Singer...

Mine is Ploutarxos and Terzis

[INTER FAN/BG/]

Lets start with everyons favorite Greek Singer...

Mine is Ploutarxos and Terzis

lol I like Mazonakis:)

[martin_petrov17]

I LOVE GREEK MUSIC IT IS THE BEST!!!.

[EASports]

The Zorba version from "Lock, Stock & 2 smoking barrels"

[Gennadios]

The Zorba version from "Lock, Stock & 2 smoking barrels"

Good movie,

I like Snatch too

[EASports]

Good movie,

I like Snatch too

If that type of pommy humour is up your avenue...you should definately watch The Football Factory. All those actors in a soccer hooligan story. Its tops :thumbsup:

[PAO_HELLAS]

Guys I think you must start listening Zagoreos a bit to see what hardcore men's music is :D.

[martin_petrov17]

Stop editing my posts!!


Mod note to martin: As I said in header post I WILL NOT tolerate any non-civil posts in this thread!!! So sue me!!! I've tried recently to tell you to be nice and you are STILL making antiGreek posts!!!!

Also there is concensis apparently you are NOT liked here by the Greek soccer fans who are offended by your supposed truths about how Greece won the EuroCUp and Greeks and Greece in general! So I suggest that you reframe from posting here!!!
Thank you for your understanding!

[SRBIJA]

Hey, this is pretty away from Greek soccer,




Gyros,,,, so good. Jesus so good :)



I wish i could make my own, if anyone could tell me the steps help me out :rolling:

[PAO_HELLAS]

Hey, this is pretty away from Greek soccer,




Gyros,,,, so good. Jesus so good :)



I wish i could make my own, if anyone could tell me the steps help me out :rolling:

I can tell you. The difficult thing to explain for me in English is to make the pita. In Greece they sell freezed pita in the super-markets but it is more difficult for you to find :D.

[SRBIJA]

What do u guys like more, Slovaki or Gyros. :lol:

[INTER FAN/BG/]

What do u guys like more, Slovaki or Gyros. :lol:

... u mean souvlaki:D.... well i like gyros more:)

[nachi88]

i like yanni

[PAO_HELLAS]

i like yanni

:confused:

[SRBIJA]

:yell: what?!?!?!? hahaha :lol: :faint2:

[OCFP]

Souvlaki when im drunk out of my mind

[OCFP]

i like yanni


?????????????/ :alien:

[bitsakos]

-moderated-

[bitsakos]

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[poutismalakas]

I've never been to Sparta what is it like are women as HOT as what their ancestors where discribe as?????? Is it a mostly Greek city or is it multinational like Athens???

[OCFP]

I've never been to Sparta what is it like are women as HOT as what their ancestors where discribe as?????? Is it a mostly Greek city or is it multinational like Athens???

Like most parts of greece the woman are beatiful.. not like athens but there hot.

And is Greek there.. u will never hear english.. not really a international tourist area.You do see Foreigners there on occassion. its a greek tourist area.. Ive beent here like 4 times. 3 for weddings. Good times

[PAO_HELLAS]

I've never been to Sparta what is it like are women as HOT as what their ancestors where discribe as?????? Is it a mostly Greek city or is it multinational like Athens???

I' ve been to Sparti many times. As OCFP said, women are hot like in all Greece :D. I want to say I' ve noticed Spartans are mild and logical people, in difference to many other parts of Peloponnesos :D.

It is not a multinational city or something, it has about just 20,000 inhabitants.

Oh, I must also say that in Sparti I found the best souvlatzidiko I' ve ever been. I don't remember its name, it is by the central avenue.

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

One year anniversary today, after the start/opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.

http://www.contra.gr/story.64594.html

http://www.supersport.gr/default.asp?aid=102545

[philipas]

One year anniversary today, after the start/opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.
It was an awesome opening ceremony...

http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening3-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening6-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening4-Athens04.JPG http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040816/opening/images/o10.jpg http://smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/14/a6_gallery__550x347.jpg

[OCFP]

It was an awesome opening ceremony...

http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening3-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening6-Athens04.JPG http://www.usatf.com/events/2004/OlympicGames/photos/openingCeremonies/Opening4-Athens04.JPG http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040816/opening/images/o10.jpg http://smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/14/a6_gallery__550x347.jpg

The best and proudest 2 months of my life!!!!!! euro cup then olympics

[poutismalakas]

The best and proudest 2 months of my life!!!!!! euro cup then olympics
SO VERY TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR EVERY Greek that is SO TRUE

[PAO_HELLAS]

SO VERY TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR EVERY Greek that is SO TRUE

For a Greek, every day must be the best and proudest because of the thought to be an ELLINAS - son of ELIOS. :D

[PAO_HELLAS]

A bad new now, a Cypriot airplane (Boeing 737) with 121 passengers crashed at North Attica today morning.

The most possible reason is that something happened to the pilot during the flight. The plane was followed by Greek military jets before it crashed and the pilot didn't gave any signs to the Greek planes. The Greek Defense Ministry has denied reports that the Greek F-16s shot down the plane because it gave no sign.

Unfortunately there is not any hope for finding someone of the passengers alive. The plane would follow the direction Larnaca-Athens-Prague. All Greek news sites but also CNN and BBC have this at their first page.

[poutismalakas]

Aug 14, 4:11 PM EDT

Greece plane crash kills 121, 48 children

By ELENA BECATOROS
Associated Press Writer





GRAMMATIKO, Greece (AP) -- A Cypriot plane full of vacationers slammed into a hill north of Athens on Sunday after at least one pilot lost consciousness from lack of oxygen, killing all 121 people aboard - more than a third of them children.

The cause of Greece's deadliest plane crash appeared to be technical failure, resulting in high-altitude decompression, and not terrorism, authorities said. A transport official said all 115 passengers and six crew may have been dead when the plane went down.

Helios Airways flight ZU522 was headed from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Athens International Airport when it crashed at 12:05 p.m. near Grammatiko, a town 25 miles north of the Greek capital. Flaming debris, luggage and bits of human remains were strewn across a ravine and surrounding hills.

Family members wept in anguish as they waited at the Athens and Larnaca airports. When news of the crash emerged at Larnaca, relatives swarmed the airline counters, shouting "murderers" and "you deserve lynching."



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A man whose cousin was a passenger told Greece's Alpha television he received a cell-phone text message minutes before the crash. "He told me the pilots were unconscious. ... He said: "Farewell, cousin, here we're frozen," Sotiris Voutas said - a reference to it being cold in the plane, a sign of decompression.

About a half-hour after takeoff, pilots reported air-conditioning system problems to Cyprus air traffic control. Within minutes, after entering Greek air space over the Aegean, the Boeing 737 lost all radio contact. Two Greek F-16 fighter jets were dispatched soon afterward.

When the F-16s intercepted the plane, jet pilots could see the co-pilot slumped over his seat. The captain was not in the cockpit, and oxygen masks dangled inside the cabin, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

He said the jet pilots also saw two people possibly trying to take control of the plane; it was unclear if they were crew members or passengers. The plane apparently was on automatic pilot when it crashed, Helios spokesman Marios Konstantinidis said in Cyprus.

AP VIDEO

Greece Plane Crash Kills All 121 Aboard





"When a pilot has no communication with the control tower, the procedure dictates that other planes must accompany and help the plane land. Unfortunately, it appeared that the pilot was already dead as was, possibly, everyone else on the plane," Cyprus Transport Minister Haris Thrasou said.

The head of the Greek airline safety committee, Akrivos Tsolakis, said the crash was the "worst accident we've ever had." He said the plane's black boxes had been recovered, containing data and voice recordings valuable for determining the cause

"There apparently was a lack of oxygen, which is usually the case when the cabin is depressurized," Tsolakis said.

The F-16 jets met the plane at 34,000 feet, the Greek air force said. At that altitude, the effects of depressurization are swift, said David Kaminski Morrow, of the British-based Air Transport Intelligence magazine.

"If the aircraft is at 30,000 feet, you don't stay conscious for long, maybe 15 to 30 seconds. It is like standing on top of Mount Everest," he said. "But if you are down at 10,000 feet, you can breathe for a lot longer."

The flight was to have continued to Prague, Czech Republic, after stopping in Athens. The crash occurred at the height of Europe's summer vacation, when Mediterranean resorts like Cyprus are packed with tourists. The area was likely to be particularly crowded, because Monday is a national holiday in Greece and Cyprus.

There were 48 children aboard, mostly Greek Cypriots, Helios spokesman Giorgos Dimitriou said in Athens.

Greek state television quoted the Cyprus transport minister as saying the plane had decompression problems in the past. However, Helios representative Dimitriou said the plane had "no problems and was serviced just last week."

On Cyprus, several callers to radio and television programs said they experienced severe air-conditioning problems on Helios jets in recent months. Some said the cabin was freezing and the crew provided blankets; others said it became unbearably hot.

Sudden loss of pressure was blamed for a similar crash in South Dakota in 1999, of a Learjet 35 carrying pro golfer Payne Stewart and four others. They became unconscious, and the jet went down after flying halfway across the country on autopilot.

In June 2000, a Boeing 737-200 of the Canadian carrier WestJet lost cabin pressure because pilots mistakenly shut down auxiliary power. Cabin altitude reached 24,000 feet before the plane descended and pressurization became normal. None of the 118 passengers was injured.

At the Greek crash scene, more than 100 firefighters, backed by planes and helicopters dropping water, fought a brush fire caused by the crash. The plane was in at least three pieces: the tail, a bit of the cockpit and a piece of fuselage that witnesses said contained many bodies. Sections of the plane were ablaze.

More than a dozen ambulances removed remains, and fire department vehicles brought body bags. Black-robed Greek Orthodox priests were on hand.

"There is wreckage everywhere. Things here are very difficult, they are indescribable," Grammatiko Mayor George Papageorgiou said. "All the residents are here trying to help."

Relatives from Cyprus were to be taken a reception center near the Athens airport, but the remains of many victims were charred beyond identification. The Cyprus transport minister said DNA tests would be necessary.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis canceled a holiday on the Aegean island of Tinos to return to Athens. The Cypriot president also canceled a vacation.

Helios Airways, Cyprus' first private airline, was founded in 1999. It operates a fleet of Boeing 737s to cities including London; Athens; Sofia, Bulgaria; Dublin, Ireland; and Strasbourg, France. EU newcomer Cyprus is divided into Turkish and Greek sectors. Most of its 800,000 people are Greek Cypriots.

---

Associated Press writers Derek Gatopoulos in Grammatiko; Petros Karadjas in Larnaca, Cyprus; Ondrej Hejma in Prague, and Mara D. Bellaby in London contributed to this report.

© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[OCFP]

:worried: RIP

I heard about it as soon as it happened. I happen to be up at 530AM. Sad news.

[philipas]

So tragic!!! ANAPAVETE ISIHA

[PAO_HELLAS]

This plane should not fly. It was to be stop flying some months ago, but the company putted it again on the programme. By 99% the reason of the fall was that the decompression deveices stopped to work, and the exterior atmosphere passed into the plane. The passengers felt called and could not breath, as they said with their phones to their relatives. The F-16's went one meter close to the plane and their pilots say that they saw in the pilot room a person in the ground and another one trying to control the plane.

Still some people are saying that the plane shot down of the F-16's because it was out of control and the military pilots were afraid of what would happen if the plane reaches Athens. But the first reason is the most possible. Condolences to all the relatives of the people and hope that something like that will never happen again.

[philipas]

Condolences to all the relatives of the people and hope that something like that will never happen again. megali tragodia file...poly lipero...

[PAO_HELLAS]

Anyway, even with this tragedy I would like to wish you, today is 'Panagias' day. I know it is not easy but let's forget it for a day.

Happy August 15 (dekapedavgustos) to everyone.

It is also my nameday today :).

[philipas]

Hronia Polla Panayiotis...

[PAO_HELLAS]

Hronia Polla Panayiotis...

Ευχαριστώ :).

Πάνος είμαι γραμμένος στα χαρτιά :D.

[poutismalakas]

Yup lets NOT forget what day it IS!! May the THEOTOKOS watch over their souls!!!
And Panayiotis Hronia Polla!!!!

[Milos_]

RIP

everyones prayers are with the victims and there families

[PAO_HELLAS]

Our youngster national basketball team won the silver medal in the World Championship of Argentina. Our team lost to Lithuania 65-63 in the final. (Two shots after a foul of Vasilopoulos in dead time gave the victory to Lithuania).

Mavrokefalidis and Vasiliadis were in the 5 best players of the Tournament.

http://www.contra.gr/story.64676.html

http://www.supersport.gr/default.asp?aid=102567

[bitsakos]

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[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

i really want the damn lyrics!. in greek letters or not don't care. twpa!! don't kno why but i never get tired of this song.

Well I find these songs a bit gay, but that is the place where I find lirycs when I want: http://www.kithara.vu/.

[philipas]

What's that song and singer's name who plays the Cretan lyra? The song of the passed summer? I think it ROCKS!!!

[PAO_HELLAS]

What's that song and singer's name who plays the Cretan lyra? The song of the passed summer? I think it ROCKS!!!

Can you give more details :D ? Are you talking about one which in the videoclip the singer is outside a small church?

[bitsakos]

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[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

yea where he sings a lil bit arabic too.. I luuv it. Its an old arab song and it is also in turkish. In fact there are many songs which are in greek, turkish and arabic. I dunno who was the first to make those songs which are in different languages but I assume maybe its the arabs?

I don't think he is talking about any of these florika Sabrel songs :D.

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

i know exactly what you talkin about with gayn shit. Its also shit its a young pousti who sings. Id rather he was an old greek real man you know what i mean .. with his komboloi :D

only good thing i dont look at him when i hear this track

You got me. You guys must listen to Zagoreos, to see what real music is :ronaldo: .

Is there any song of this Lebanese boy with a Cretan Lyra? I haven't heard one.

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

maybe he got it confused or we're not talkin about the same track here??
anyway PAO, this series with the greek-turk love thing goin on is it still on the air in greece? i just got myself hooked up with these internet streaming so igot some greek channels (very very unfortunately not alpha), if it is what channel and when? i know u know ;)

I think you are talking about a different song, there is not any of the florika songs of Sabriel with Lyra :ronaldo: .

These series you are talking about are in Mega channel I think. I don't know when it is, I' ve seen these series one time it it is like the Greek childish serials :ronaldo: .

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

i'm just curious bc i'm the obly one who haven't seen this shit yet. no i think it's turkish? ..with malaka niko..

Yes, the series are Turkish. And a blond malakas with a ring at the ear plays the Greek :mad2: .

What I meant is that it is LIKE most of the Greek childish TV series.

[muji]

Natalia and Mustafa Sandal - Aska Yurek Gerek in turkish, i dont know greek.

and Ziynet Sali - Amman Kuzum (she's form turkish part of cyprus but she sings it in greek aswell)

There's lebo's and greeks mix aswell. Amr Diab and some other bitch.

[bitsakos]

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[bitsakos]

heh just found out the song. it's also Ziynet Sali - Yurek Yarali Buyuyor.

[bitsakos]

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[philipas]

I' ve been to Sparti many times. As OCFP said, women are hot like in all Greece :D. I want to say I' ve noticed Spartans are mild and logical people, in difference to many other parts of Peloponnesos :D.. Sparta is in Laconia, right? Well in English when you call someone laconic, you mean a person who is reserved, of a few but good words. It's amazing that they have stayed true to their character.


Oh, I must also say that in Sparti I found the best souvlatzidiko I' ve ever been. I don't remember its name, it is by the central avenue. Souvlatzidiko...lol...doen't you love Greek, there's a word for everthing. The best souvlatzidika are in Australia my friend. :D

For me the best Greek music is the hardcore original stuff, rebetika, smirnaika, Markos Vamvakaris. It touches your soul. aman aman. But I also like lots of other Greek music, but none of the imitation, pop-star, cabaret, romantic skata.

[philipas]

yea where he sings a lil bit arabic too.. I luuv it. Its an old arab song and it is also in turkish. In fact there are many songs which are in greek, turkish and arabic. I dunno who was the first to make those songs which are in different languages but I assume maybe its the arabs? No, I wouldn't say eastern, more celtic or "country" even, but still Greek. The lyrics go s/thing like this tha se gnorizo konta....I think? I had it here, but can't find it now.... :heh:

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

For me the best Greek music is the hardcore original stuff, rebetika, smirnaika, Markos Vamvakaris. It touches your soul. aman aman. But I also like lots of other Greek music, but none of the imitation, pop-star, cabaret, romantic skata.

Yeah, I like rebetika too. I have hundrends of them in mp3 format, but my connection is slow and it is difficult to share.

I also like old or modern laika, everything that is played with bouzouki which I like a lot, I also play the toy :D.

[PAO_HELLAS]

No, I wouldn't say eastern, more celtic or "country" even, but still Greek. The lyrics go s/thing like this tha se gnorizo konta....I think? I had it here, but can't find it now.... :heh:

Maybe the one with the chorus 'Kai tora me allone pernas, tis ekklisias tin porta?''

Damn, that kid bitsakos is still talking about these junk Sabriel songs :p .

[philipas]

Maybe the one with the chorus 'Kai tora me allone pernas, tis ekklisias tin porta?'' Yeah, that's it. The lyra sounds a bit like "celtic rock" that's what I mean, not blues or off beat eastern. @PAO and bits...

Do you like that track? Bit over it now, but it grew on me.

Laika is good.

[bitsakos]

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[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

Yeah, that's it. The lyra sounds a bit like "celtic rock" that's what I mean, not blues or off beat eastern. @PAO and bits...

Do you like that track? Bit over it now, but it grew on me.

Laika is good.

Yes, the track is OK. It is a mixture of entehno and Cretan traditional music as I can hear of it. I have it not in my PC, if I get it and it's size is small I will send it to you :).

think ur the kid here. weren't you 17 :p . no I just got confused. no I do not like sarmpel! :worried: Just that one track.
I like some of sfakianakis (eutixos and ennoia sou :thumbsup: ), some tassios (specially amartoli and gia sena) and mazonakis I'm not really into slow bouzouki songs. another pousti with a great voice is christos dantis

Sfakianakis is good :thumbsup:. I liked Christos Dantis more when I was younger, now his voice became much pushtiki :lol:.

[Panathinaikos2]

I like Zatis becuase hes my god brother. Hes the guy that sang Maya maya and wrote the lyrics for your my lover.

[arestis69]

I like my self when i'm singing in the bath :D
There aren't any windows so it's ok:P

[PAO_HELLAS]

How did you like the Thessaloniki song festival songs?

[Olisadebe-13]

Greek music SUCKS
I only like Xilina Spathia & Ipogeia Revmata a little.
Oh and....
As for the souvlaki story....
Go to Leivadia.....
BEST SOUVLAKI EVER.
:sad:

[bitsakos]

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[Panathinaikos2]

The best souvlaki and Yiro is in Argos and Nea Kios.

[PAO_HELLAS]

Mili town had a tradition in good souvlaki from years ago, but I insist that I' ve eaten the best Souvlaki in Sparta :D.

[bitsakos]

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[Panathinaikos2]

I personaly never like my Yiro with fries. Anyways does anyone here like Ronopoula :D Thats the best greek food. The one at Argos and some of the small villiages in Greece have usualy the best ronopoula. In Athen the ronopoula there is crap and same in Loutraki.

[PAO_HELLAS]

2 big basketball derbies today, at the Greek cup quarter finals.

19:00 Olympiakos-Panathinaikos (Peace & Friendship stadium, Piraeus)
21:00 PAOK-Aris (Pylea athletic center, Salonica)

[arestis69]

:)

[PAO_HELLAS]

Olympiakos-Panathinaikos 51-81 :lol:
PAOK-Aris 68-58

We had serious riots before both games, especially in pao-osfp, outside and inside the stadium, between pao and osfp fans and policemen. Both teams received bans.

The semi-finals will be:

Panathinaikos-AEK Athens
PAOK-Maroussi

[texan]

I am a JACKASS

[arestis69]

footbal...euro2004,basket euro 2005 , zagorakis--->he is been voted in the 5th best player that plays in europe....and again...do u know the shape of the ball?

[PAO_HELLAS]

do u know the shape of the ball?

Haha, of the soccer ball, I don't think so.

[bitsakos]

footbal...euro2004,basket euro 2005 , zagorakis--->he is been voted in the 5th best player that plays in europe....and again...do u know the shape of the ball?
LOL prolly not

[philipas]

Guys, noticed all the new posters that have popped up all of a sudden and voicing their anti-Greek sentiments. Here's the latest stillian_petrov (could be that other voulgaro that got banned in disguise) , usaistheshow and of course everyone's favourite texan.

Jealousy is a curse.... :sad:

[PAO_HELLAS]

Guys, noticed all the new posters that have popped up all of a sudden and voicing their anti-Greek sentiments. Here's the latest stillian_petrov (could be that other voulgaro that got banned in disguise) , usaistheshow and of course everyone's favourite texan.

Jealousy is a curse.... :sad:

Why should we worry about that? They are not the first neither the last with an inferiority complex against Greece. Just let them tell their malakies and ignore them.

[miladin]

oops

[miladin]

ej greek brothers, im just trying to start in our forum a chance for everyone from all over the world to show the pictures/fotos of their favourite team's support/fans and fotos that you think show how passionate your fans are about the team you support...

come to SCG-serbian forum and if you like.. feel free to post supporters fotos..

under the heading PHOTOS ...... :smoking:

ps i know that ur support is very similar to ours... so come and show others how the greeks do it!! lol

[bitsakos]

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[philipas]

Why should we worry about that? They are not the first neither the last with an inferiority complex against Greece. Just let them tell their malakies and ignore them. You're right, but here's another malaka. (http://forums.soccerfansnetwork.com/showpost.php?p=509866&postcount=161) (Chilean not Dutch)

I'll ignore them now.

[PAO_HELLAS]

About 3 earthquakes of 6 Rihter and some more not so strong happened in Greece the last 2-3 days. Most of them were near Samos (the center was in the sea), fortunately the damages are only in buildings in Samos, nearby Greek islands and Turkish coast, mainly Smyrna. I feeled one of these quakes in my house in Arkadia. I hope we have not a bigger quake.

[Panathinaikos2]

That dutch fan is never gonna find the thrill of soccer ever becuase he does not have one favorite team. How can anyone enjoy the greek games if they dont support the team? No thrill. Thats why the greek games were fun for me.

[philipas]

LOL...efharisto pano. Nai ta hriazo....thosai mou pio polla points (reputation) yiati ego se thino esena, kai olous tous ellines, oso boro kathe fora. :D

Kai alous pou nomizo kanoun kala posts... :)

Stay safe... :shocked: (sizmos)

[SRBIJA]

Hey i watched alexzander on video,,, ANd i really didnt like it, they presented the greeks very negativly like weak. They make alexzander look really bad. when in real history he was a tough guy, they potrayed him as a wuss... :yell:


Ps, sorry for the spelling mistakes im not to good that spelling his name :lol: :p

[bitsakos]

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[Panathinaikos2]

Hey i watched alexzander on video,,, ANd i really didnt like it, they presented the greeks very negativly like weak. They make alexzander look really bad. when in real history he was a tough guy, they potrayed him as a wuss... :yell:


Ps, sorry for the spelling mistakes im not to good that spelling his name :lol: :pYea it's all fake. Alexander didn't even like he's friend that much.

[poutismalakas]

Yea it's all fake. Alexander didn't even like he's friend that much.
Alexandros and Hespestian where CLOSE but if you read the histories Alexandros gets offered a boy once and he gets PISSED! No ancient scholar states that their friendship was sexual!!

I think that that misconception of Ancient Hellas being bisexual was started by the early Christians trying to dennounce the worthship of the 12 Gods by spreading rumours. Also scholars are using modern and Christian morals and views when dealing with the issue of beauty and love in Ancient Hellas. I think that yes their was sexual pedestry but I think no more than what is going today!!! they had perverts just as much as we do today but i think for the MOST part that the petestry was a NON-sexual relationship between teacher and student!!

[Panathinaikos2]

Alexander killed he's friend actually.

[PAO_HELLAS]

Hey i watched alexzander on video,,, ANd i really didnt like it, they presented the greeks very negativly like weak. They make alexzander look really bad. when in real history he was a tough guy, they potrayed him as a wuss... :yell:


Ps, sorry for the spelling mistakes im not to good that spelling his name :lol: :p

The same garbage like most of the movies Hollywood made about Greece. I haven't watched the whole movie, but I know that Greeks are presented to ''Americanised'' in these movies. At first Alexandros is too blond in the movie :lol:. Alexandros had light coloured hair in comparison with most Greeks, his hair were brown. No blond Greeks like the actor played Alexander exist. I also heard that Persian Roxane is played by a black woman :lol:.

Better not to talk about the historical mistakes of the movie...

[Panathinaikos2]

Actually Alexander was blonde but it wasn't possible at the time for hes hair to be that blond so I guess you can say he was dirty blonde. Anyways Hollywood derectors and script writers need a history check.

[PAO_HELLAS]

Actually Alexander was blonde but it wasn't possible at the time for hes hair to be that blond so I guess you can say he was dirty blonde. Anyways Hollywood derectors and script writers need a history check.

What I told, he had lighter hair than most of Greeks, but he was not blond as a Scandinavian like the movie presents him :lol:.

And I don't like the 2nd pic in you signature :p.

[Panathinaikos2]

Anti Pasok :mad2: Anyways yea they had many Northerner Europeans playing in that movie which is stupid.

[bitsakos]

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[Panathinaikos2]

That song is my sisters favorite :ronaldo:

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

the one half arabic half greek is the best. So you ain't like it?

I think you were an Arab in your previous life. You look like an Arab in appearance, and you are crazy about all this songs :D.

[bitsakos]

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[bitsakos]

-

[poutismalakas]

so what do y'all listen to then. Pousti rock music?
ROCK KICKS ASS!!!MAN :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

I just saw Judas Priest and Anthrax over here in San Diego on Oct 28 with my Greek bros and it ROCK!!!:rockon: :rockon:

[plato-ny]

ROCK KICKS ASS!!!MAN :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

I just saw Judas Priest and Anthrax over here in San Diego on Oct 28 with my Greek bros and it ROCK!!!:rockon: :rockon:

I saw them in upstate Poughkeepsie, NY and they were good live....

[bitsakos]

-

[Panathinaikos2]

In Greece rock is quite popular among the youth.

[plato-ny]

Sign here to have Hagia Sophia be converted back to a church...

Vote YES (http://www.hagiasophiablog.com/mainpage.html)

[Panathinaikos2]

I signed it. Nice petition.

[plato-ny]

In November 2005 Transport for London reinstated an advertising campaign on London Buses and in Underground Stations promoting occupied Cyprus. This campaign was banned earlier on in the year for causing offence to Greek Cypriot refugees. The reinstatement of this offensive campaign followed a dubious British High Court judgement overturning the original ban which Transport for London failed to appeal because there was only one complaint. We therefore engorge all concerned to protest this offensive advertising campaign and provide Transport for London with enough complaints to justify and new ban.

SAMPLE LETTER

Please send your protest letters to mayor@london.gov.uk, enquire@tfl.gov.uk, travinfo@tfl.gov.uk, enquiries@asa.org.uk, info@londontravelwatch.org.uk, donnam@asa.org.uk, mattw@asa.org.uk, debraq@asa.org.uk, ryant@asa.org.uk, zoek@asa.org.uk, press@cap.org.uk, enquiries@cap.org.uk

If you are a student then make your Students Union and Hellenic Societies aware of this campaign, especially if you live in London.

The Mayor of London
Transport For London
London Travel Watch
Advertising Standards Authority
Committee of Advertising Practice

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about the reappearance of advertising on London buses and outside London tube stations promoting illegal travel and holidays to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, which had previously been banned by Transport of London and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone for being offensive to Greek Cypriots who were ethnically cleansed from their homes when Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974.

How can Transport of London and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone justify allowing these offensive adverts to reappear thereby encouraging people to travel to occupied Cyprus which has been ethnically cleansed of its indigenous Greek Cypriot majority population by Turkey including over 200,000 refugees and their families who now live in London.

None of the ethnically cleansed Greek Cypriot refugees are allowed to return to their ancestral homes and villages in the north and because of this the European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty on multiple occasions of violating their basic human rights including the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence, the right to protection of property, and the right to an effective remedy (Loizidou vs. Turkey and Cyprus vs. Turkey).

The unacceptable advertisements illegally attempt to give legitimacy to the Turkish occupation of part of the territory of Republic of Cyprus and the illegal Turkish occupation regime that has been judged to be a puppet of Turkey and the Turkish military by the European Court of Human Rights (Loizidou v. Cyprus (merits)). "In that judgment, the Court had noted that Turkey exercised effective overall control of northern Cyprus through its military presence there, with the result that its responsibility under the Convention was engaged for the policies and actions of the "TRNC" authorities. In the instant case, the Court stressed that Turkey's responsibility under the Convention could not be confined to the acts of its own soldiers and officials operating in northern Cyprus but was also engaged by virtue of the acts of the local administration ("the TRNC"), which survived by virtue of Turkish military and other support" such as the illegal advertisements now reappearing on Transport for London property.

The Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the puppet Turkish military occupation regime has been condemned by the United Nations in over 130 resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council.

UN Resolution 541 (1983)

"Deplores the declaration of the Turkish Cypriot authorities of the purported secession of part of the Republic of Cyprus;"
" Considers the declaration refereed to above as legally invalid and calls for its withdrawal;"
" Calls upon all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus;"
" Calls upon all states not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus;"

UN Resolution 550 (1984)

" Reaffirms the call upon all States not to recognise the purported state of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist this the aforesaid secessionist entity;"

After the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1974 the government of the Republic of Cyprus supported by the EU and UN imposed a ban on all direct flights to or from occupied Cyprus and banned the advertisement of such flights. All countries including Turkey have to abide by this ban. Under international law the authorities in occupied Cyprus are not allowed to issue visas and any illegally issued visas are not recognised by any other country except Turkey.

In 1994 the European Court of Justice passed a judgement that banned all trade with occupied north Cyprus unless permission was given by the legal government of the Republic of Cyprus and the trade entered or left Cyprus by official ports and airports.

The Government of Cyprus has declared all the harbours and airports of occupied Cyprus closed to traffic and any entry from these points is illegal. This is the law of the Country. The Tymbou airport in the occupied areas is built on stolen property belonging to over 200 Greek Cypriot refugees who can sue anyone in EU courts for trespassing or using their property. These people are the legal owners of the Tymbou airport land and Transport for London is encouraging people to violate their property rights and trespass on their land. Greek Cypriot refugees who are prevented from excising their property rights by the Turkish occupation regime own ninety percent of the land and property in occupied Cyprus (as judged by the European Court of Human Rights), including nearly all of the hotels and the land they are built on. Under current Cyprus law the illegal use or exploitation of refugees property carries a mandatory 2 year minimum prison senesce and the property owners can sue anyone who is illegally using or exploiting their property, including British tourists, in the Cyprus courts. The Cyprus courts verdict can be imposed in any EU member state and the Cyprus courts are permitted to issue EU arrest warrants to bring the persons to justice in Cyprus.

The offensive advertisements that Transport for London is hosting fail to warn people reading them that if they attempt to travel to occupied Cyprus by any of the illegal ports of entry or if they violate any of the property rights of the Greek Cypriot refugees who own 90% of the land and property in the occupied areas they will be violating the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and are liable to prosecution by the Cyprus government and by the Greek Cypriot refugee property owners whose right they are violating.

Therefore, by allowing these advertisements which are illegal in EU and Cyprus law Transport for London is liable to:

1.- The Violation of Cyprus laws which declare the use of all ports and airports in the occupied areas illegal.

2.- The Violation of Cyprus laws which prohibit the illegal exploitation of refugees property which now carry a sentence of two years in prison.

3.- The Violation of Cyprus laws of trespass.

4.- The Violation of the European Convention of Human Rights (Right to property).

6.- The Violation of EU customs regulations which prohibit the use of the illegal ports and airports.

7.- Promoting Illegal entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

8.- Promoting Illegal entry into the European Union.

9.- Promoting Illegal trade across EU borders.

10.- Encouraging the violation of Cyprus and EU laws through advertising and the use of illegal flights

11.- The Violation of the UN Resolutions 541(1983) and 550(1984)

12.- The Violation of the Cyprus Flight Information Region.

13.- Promoting Illegal entry into Cyprus Air Space.

14.- Ignoring the Air Traffic Control Regulations.

15.- Promoting flying without insurance.

I therefore demand that these illegal advertisements that promote and encourage people to travel to occupied Cyprus and exploit refugees property and trade with the illegal occupation regime and thereby give it legitimacy and which cause grave offence to the Greek Cypriots who were ethnically cleansed by Turkey and who now reside in London be banned once again. I also demand that Transport for London seek ways to make the reappearance of such advisements impossible such as banning advertising on Transport for London property completely, banning the promotion of foreign countries or parts of their territory and regions unless the advisements are endorsed by the legitimate authorities of the country in question, or forcing all advertisements that may be construed as promoting occupied Cyprus to carry warnings against the exploitation of refugees property, the use of the illegal ports and airports in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and the use of direct flights to occupied Cyprus and declare that northern Cyprus is under illegal Turkish occupation.


Yours faithfully,



Ken Livingstone Mayor of London
Greater London Authority
City Hall
The Queen's Walk
London SE1 2AA

mayor@london.gov.uk

http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/contact.jsp

Transport for London

enquire@tfl.gov.uk.

travinfo@tfl.gov.uk

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/contact_home.shtml

Independent Watchdog London Travel Watch

info@londontravelwatch.org.uk

Advertising Standards Authority

enquiries@asa.org.uk

donnam@asa.org.uk

mattw@asa.org.uk

debraq@asa.org.uk

ryant@asa.org.uk

zoek@asa.org.uk

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

Committee of Advertising Practice

press@cap.org.uk

enquiries@cap.org.uk

http://www.cap.org.uk/cap/

[PAO_HELLAS]

I signed it. Nice petition.

Nice petition, but I don't think something like that can happen as the situation is now...

[philipas]

In November 2005 Transport for London reinstated an advertising campaign on London Buses and in Underground Stations promoting occupied Cyprus. This campaign was banned earlier on in the year for causing offence to Greek Cypriot refugees. The reinstatement of this offensive campaign followed a dubious British High Court judgement overturning the original ban which Transport for London failed to appeal because there was only one complaint. We therefore engorge all concerned to protest this offensive advertising campaign and provide Transport for London with enough complaints to justify and new ban.


I agree what's happening in Cyprus is a travesty of justice.

Plato tell me, do you know any Turks, do you have Turkish friends by any chance???

[plato-ny]

I agree what's happening in Cyprus is a travesty of justice.

Plato tell me, do you know any Turks, do you have Turkish friends by any chance???

Why you ask?

[djani]

Um is this a bad time to ask for websites where I can listen to or download Greek music?

[PAO_HELLAS]

Um is this a bad time to ask for websites where I can listen to or download Greek music?

http://www.greekforums.de/

Download Streamload (http://www.streamload.com/) if you don't already have it and go at this site. You can find almost all Greek songs, all types old and new :).

[philipas]

Kala Christougenia everyone!!!

http://faliron.smugmug.com/photos/4849323-L.jpg

[PAO_HELLAS]

ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΑ :).

[bitsakos]

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[PAO_HELLAS]

Big earthquake today in South Greece. The center was Southeast of Kythira island and the earthquake felt in about whole Greece, South Italy, part of Turkey I heard people felt it even in Syria and Cairo!

I don't remember I felt something like this before. What is the strange thing is the big duration. We were moving for bout 30-40 seconds! Fortunately we have no victims and the only damages in old buildings were in Kithyra island and West Crete.

[philipas]

I have moved my pics to the Greece pictures thread

[PAO_HELLAS]

The aquedact is Roman.

[philipas]

Pics of Athens University, Academy and library moved to Greece pictures thread...

[ARBANITAI]

almost all white buildings...

nice pics..

[philipas]

Pics of Athens moved to Greece pics thread...

[PAO_HELLAS]

Why don't you post your pictures at the related thread?

[philipas]

Oops!!! just did...

[PAO_HELLAS]

The bad weather wave we've waited from the North finally came. It is snowing now here (even in my area where it snows every 30 yearso :D ). Panathinaikos2 in Argos it must be quite the same.

[plato-ny]

http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbmovies/alexander/clip/clip1_hi.mov

The Ancient Greeks in Afghanistan

The Ancient Greeks in Afghanistan and Their Probable Descendants Today in Nuristan, Afghanistan and in the Kalash People, Pakistan

By Michael Issigonis

Today, the region called Nuristan is one in a chain of ethnic refuge areas along the Hindu Kush, or the Indian Caucasus, named as such by Alexander the Great, located in northeast Afghanistan.

This is the home of a unique group of mixed European-Indian tribal peoples now called Nuristanis, people of the only Afghanistan province to have resisted Islam for centuries. The British established the "Durand Line" in 1893, a boundary creating the new countries of the British Protectorate (India) and Afghanistan. Nuristan was originally meant to be included in India.

When the Islamic rulers declared war on the Nuristanis, the British provided all necessary weapons to the Afghan army, thus contributing to the annihilation of Nuristanis and their subsequent forced conversion to Islam.

The male survivors were taken as prisoners to Kabul, a city whose ancient Greek name was Kofin, meaning the place were bees accumulate, or the place of honey, or a place rich in food supplies. Here, the men were forced to join the army. The women that survived were taken into the harems.1

After the occupying armies left, the more isolated Nuristanis reverted to their old religions and customs because they did not find in their invaders' qualities worth imitating.

The other Nuristanis who submitted to Islam are such devout Moslems that they were the first citizens of the country to successfully revolt against the Soviet occupation. It is unknown how many of them have joined the Taliban.

Alexander the Great

The expedition of Alexander the Great (327-325 B.C.) into what is now Afghanistan has been well documented. He laid the foundations of many cities, some bearing his own name. With the passage of time, some names were changed by newcomers to the area who could not pronounce Greek names. In this way, Kandahar is Alexander's name, Herat is Alexandria Areion, and Ganzhni is Alexandria Gazhaka, among others.

However, Alexander was not the first Greek coming to India. Legends hold that Dionysos, the god of wine, led an expedition into India several thousand years earlier. He and his companions were so amazed at the size of the then unnamed Indus river that he named it the Son of God (In-Dios). He established a settlement at Nyssa (Jalalabad) where he found Mediterranean plants growing such as ivy and grapes, possibly the only place in Asia where these plants grow. According to legends, Dionysus and his companions continued the journey eastwards and it is possible they reached the Yunnan province in China.

In Yunnan today the numerous minorities who are unlike the Chinese in appearance have preserved religion and customs, including wine-making, similar to the customs of the ancient Greeks.2

Indo-Greek Kingdoms

After Alexander, several Greek Kingdoms were created covering most of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India that lasted for 3 centuries. The inhabitants were called Indo-Greeks. Only one ancient city has been excavated so far and it lies on the shores of the Amu Darya River. The city exhibits temples, a gymnasium, a palace, numerous buildings, and a huge theatre sculpted on the side of a hill with a superb view of the river valley and the tall mountains of what is now Tajikistan across.

These kingdoms ventured into India and expanded as far as the eastern parts of the Indian peninsula. Place names are still preserved today.

However, the legacy of these kingdoms outlasted the kings in culture and art that are still admired.

Greek techniques of stone and metalworking began to be used in India, Greek coins began to appear in the bazaars, and settlements of Greek type were found as urban islands in the sea of Indian native villages. The most important example of Greek influence in India is the upsurge of Buddhist art in Gandhara during the early Christian era, since called the Gandhara Art. This Greco-Indian school of art played a catalytic role in the development of Asian art. By creating the image of Buddha with the features of Apollo and wearing an ancient Greek tunic, the artists established an art religious in its meaning, but naturalistic and humanistic in its forms.

Examples can be admired today in the museums of Taxila, Peshawar, Swat, and Lahore, in the giant Buddha statues that were recently blown apart by the Taliban without a vigorous opposition from the civilized world.

One important piece of ancient art that is still "alive" today is the amazing over-abundance of coins of the Indo-Greek kings which are continually being unearthed by Afghan farmers and provide sometimes their only source of income after they are sold in the bazaars of Pakistan. These coins represent some of the finest coin-making of all time. They depict the kings on one side with some ancient Greek god or goddess on the other.

The abundance of gold supplies from Central Asia for several centuries before the arrival of the Greeks resulted in the minting of numerous coins as well as some enormous coins. In Afghanistan, one can find the largest gold and the largest silver coins ever minted. The silver coins had a diameter of 65 mm.! In some of the coins they incorporated nickel with a technique only known to the Chinese at that time.

Precious Stones

Northeastern Afghanistan has been a supplier of precious stones since at least 5,000 B.C., and its ancient name was simply " the vault" or Valaskia. The precious cargo was making its way through the so-called "Silk Route" to ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome, and later to the Byzantines, Europeans and now mostly to the Americans. In fact, the name Kalash is the ancient Greek name for lapis lazuli, possibly the only place on earth where it exists in abundance. The area is also rich in emeralds, rubies, spinel and others that provide a substantial share of the world production even during years of war, when the income from these stones becomes essential for the survival of the Afghan people.

The Kalash People

The Kalash people of northwestern Pakistan are unique in their customs and religion. Although surrounded by Moslems in all directions (Pakistan is essentially a Moslem state), they believe in ancient Greek gods and goddessess such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Hestia, and Apollo. Their language is principally a mixture of Sanskrit and Greek. They grow grapes and make wine (an illegal action in an Islamic country) and their diet is rich in fruits, vegetables and nuts. Unlike their neighbors who sit on the ground, they use stools and chairs and their carpentry is decorated with Macedonian stars and "suns".

The Kalash people are virtually the only tourist attraction in Pakistan. However, the Kalash do not depend on tourism for survival; it is quite the opposite. The building of infrastructure to accommodate all those tourist "invaders" has brought an unprecedented pollution that the Kalash did not have to face during the 2000 years of isolation.

Recently, a group of Greek teachers have been raising money and spending their summer vacations among the Kalash for the last 7 years in an attempt to improve their standard of living. Some of the projects that the teacher volunteers have accomplished include the following: a primary school at an elevation of some 3 km, which is regarded the largest primary school building in Pakistan; water pipes for the supply of running water; a house for new mothers; landscaping and providing resource materials and pharmaceutical supplies. In this way the volunteers have contributed immensely to the preservation of the Kalash.

In the 19th century the British officers and scholars in India kept a romantic belief that, like the lost tribes of Israel, also a lost tribe of Europe of Alexander's Greeks may have survived somewhere in Afghanistan. The popular movie entitled "The Man Who Would Be King" starring Sean Connery was based upon that legend.

Other Greek Influences

Other remnants of the ancient Greek influence in the area are the characteristic "double-hat" or kausia, the ancient Macedonian hat, the Macedonian cloak or sari as worn by most women today and the polo on horseback, Pakistan's national sport. It was practiced by the Macedonian troops in the days of Alexander due to an unusual "present" given to Alexander by the great Persian king Darius.

When Alexander invaded the outlining areas of the Persian Empire and demanded taxes from Darius, the king refused, so Alexander threatened to invade. The king then sent him a bat with a ball so that the young Alexander can play ! "Those would be more appropriate to a novice than the arms of battle," thought the King. Alexander replied : "The ball is the Earth and I am the bat". A year later, Darius lost the battle and he was dead the following year.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Endnotes
1 The spread of Islam in Asia Minor and southeastern Europe from about 1,000 A.D. to the beginning of the 20th century had similar effects on the millions of its inhabitants : genocide with torture and slavery for the survivors. This became effective because the attackers had secured the help of the "superpowers" at the time who were gaining commercial benefits while assisting the spread of Islam. The recent adventure in Afghanistan will probably turn out to have different effects than the "official" aim of the operation. [back]

2 The name Yunnan simply means Greek or Ionians, the ancient tribe that migrated eastwards for reasons of trade. The inhabitants of countries east of Greece refer to the country as Yunan or Yunnan. On the other hand, to the west all countries refer to the country as Greece. The ancient Romans introduced this name when they came into contact with "Greek" colonists from a place called Grea. However, the "Greeks" call themselves Hellenes, from the country Hellas.[back]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bibliography:

1. Distributed information by "The Friends Of The Kalash", 1995 to 2001
2. Issigonis, M. Map of New Hellas (Afghanistan & Pakistan ) with original Greek names, 1994
3. Narain, A.K. The Indo-Greeks, 1962
4. National Geographic Magazine, Oct. 1981
5. Plutarch, Book III
6. Tarn, W.W. The Greeks in Bactria and India, 1984
7. Toynbee, A.J. Between Oxus and Jumna, 1961
8. Woodcock, G. The Greeks in India, 1966, Faber and Faber

[plato-ny]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/johnny_619/Zam20v20Ozkan20.gif

ironmikezambidis.com

Eurovision 2006 is a few months away and it will take place in Athens. Last year's winner: Helena Paparizou, "You're My Number One"

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=eurovision+2005+greece/v=2/OID=45bf07ba05920736/SID=e/l=VDP/;_ylt=A86.OSLNmyhEELcAy138w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=1222jopsh/EXP=1143598413/*-http://svt.se/content/1/c6/38/82/58/greece.asx

[plato-ny]

I think there were about 100,000-150,000 Greeks at the parade in New York and just as many marching. I have pics but I'm having trouble posting them. I'll try to post them...

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/b/Desktop/Picture%20001.jpg

[PAO_HELLAS]

If you want to post a picture from your hard disk, you must click to add an attachment. We use this way you tried to use only when we post pictures from an internet URL.

[plato-ny]

Soccer fan fights to save Greek flag

Heading to court; Contesting $138 fine over banner on garage

Theodore Antonopoulos painted the Greek flag on his Pierrefonds garage in a wave of patriotism following the 2004 Greek victory in the European Soccer Championships. The borough fined him for it after a neighbour complained.
Photograph by : JOHN KENNEY, THE GAZETTE

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/idl/mtgz/20060405/30084-9761.jpg

KATHERINE WILTON, The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, April 05, 2006

When the Greek national soccer team stunned the sporting world by winning the European Championships in 2004, it sparked celebrations in Greek communities from Athens to Melbourne to Montreal.

After watching the 1-0 victory over host Portugal, Theodore Antonopoulos bundled his family into his car and hooted and hollered all the way from their Pierrefonds home to Park Extension, where they were greeted by revellers in a sea of blue and white Greek flags.

Caught up in the wave of patriotism that swept Greek neighbourhoods around the world, Antonopoulos decided to paint a replica of the Greek flag on his garage door to celebrate the historic victory and the Athens Olympics.

It took Antonopoulos, his wife, Alexandra, and their sons, Christos, 9, and Nikolaos, 8, two months to complete the project. Antonopoulos even ordered a special shade of paint to match the Mediterranean blue on the Greek flag.

But the paint had barely dried when a borough inspector turned up and ordered him to remove the flag because it contravened a bylaw from 1990, when Pierrefonds was a separate city.

When he refused, the borough slapped him with a $138 fine, a penalty that frustrated Antonopoulos and several family members who live in four houses on Felix McLernan St., near Gouin Blvd.

Stung by the inspector's lack of understanding, Antonopoulos is hauling the borough into Montreal Municipal Court next week to try to save his flag.

"The inspector showed up and said: 'It has to come down.' There was no discussion," Antonopoulos, 41, said yesterday.

Borough spokesperson Johanne Palladini said Antonopoulos has been fined for contravening a section of Pierrefonds's Posters and Signs bylaw, which prohibits residents from installing "a sign that is painted or reproduced on a building or a fence."

Palladini refused to discuss the case in detail because it is before the courts, but she did say an inspector went to the house after a neighbour complained the flag was unsightly.

Antonopoulos said he decided to paint the Greek flag on his garage door, rather than just hang a flag outside his home, because "it is more personal."

"I wanted to share our victory with my children, my family and with Greeks all over the world," he said.

"It was a very emotional day for all of us. I am Canadian, but I am proud of my Greek ancestry."

Antonopoulos even went on a Greek radio program last week to drum up support for his cause.

His father, Christos, who immigrated from Greece 52 years ago, said he is outraged the borough wants his son to remove their flag. "I love the Quebec flag, I love the Canadian flag - but I also love the Greek flag," he said outside his son's home. "This makes me very mad."

A neighbour of Antonopoulos said she feels ambivalent about the flag.

"It is an eyesore and it doesn't add to the value of our homes," said the woman, who didn't want her name published. "I wouldn't complain about it.

"But I do wonder what would happen if all the Italians on our street started painting Italian flags."

kwilton@thegazette.canwest.com

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006

[Fenerliyim]

Well i have no problem with it but if someone gets offended by it, i think it should be removed. For ex. if u put a swatsika i dont think they would let u do that cause it hurts people's feelings so this shouldnt be done either if someone is offended by it. Thats the only reason i can find for it not to be allowed.

[plato-ny]

Well i have no problem with it but if someone gets offended by it, i think it should be removed. For ex. if u put a swatsika i dont think they would let u do that cause it hurts people's feelings so this shouldnt be done either if someone is offended by it. Thats the only reason i can find for it not to be allowed.

Thats stupid. The swastika flag is VERY offensive. Whats so offensive about a Greek flag?

[Fenerliyim]

Thats stupid. The swastika flag is VERY offensive. Whats so offensive about a Greek flag?

I dno who the greeks are rivals with other than turkey but if i put a turkish flag up many armenians would probably get offended cause they have a so-called "genocide". I think there is nothing wrong with showing some nationalism. Its ur property and u should be able to show pride in your mother country.

[philipas]

so you're^ not convinced that there was an Armenian Genocide?

[philipas]

Was Columbus a woolworker from Genoa or a Byzantine Prince and sailor from the island of Chios in what was then the Republic of Genoa?
The ferry that sails between the island of Lesvos and Athens port city of Pireaus stops at the island of Chios, a few miles off the coast of Asia Minor. If you are traveling from Athens it arrives at four a.m. and unless you are awakened by the change in the rhythm of the ship's engines as it slows down and backs into the quay you won't even know you have been there. But if you are coming from Lesvos you will usually arrive in Chios at around nine p.m. when the city is in full swing. The ship stays in Chios for an hour which is enough time to jump off, eat a souvlaki, have a coffee, wander around and look at the shops and perhaps buy some mastika, the gum that comes from the trees that Chios has been famous for centuries. There is also enough time to stop in to one of the bookstores and buy a small book that may change your mind about the origins of Christopher Columbus, the man who discovered America.

The book is called A NEW THEORY CLARIFYING THE IDENTITY OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: A BYZANTINE PRINCE FROM CHIOS, GREECE. It was written by Ruth G Durlacher-Wolper, the founder and the director of the New World Museum and the New World Foundation in San Salvador, Bahamas, where Columbus' ships first landed in 1492.

There has been more written about Christopher Columbus than about any person with the exception of Jesus Christ, and yet his past has been shrouded in mystery. We all have been told that he came from Genoa, a city in Italy and sailed for Isabella and Ferdinand, the king and queen of Spain, after many years of trying to convince them that the world was round, a belief that was uncommon despite the fact that Aristotle had said it over a thousand years before. But most of what we know about Columbus is conjecture and much of his history was written by people who never knew him or had reasons of their own for rewriting or presenting as truth something that was just a theory. The story of his being the son of a woolworker from Genoa for example only came from the fact that there was someone named Columbus from Genoa who was a wool worker and is a legend attributed to Peter Martyr de Anghiera. Go to Genoa and you will see that there are monuments and a show of pride in it being the birthplace of Columbus.

But I am convinced Columbus was from Chios.

The book is carefully researched and after reading it even if you are not convinced you will certainly be less sure that all you knew before was the truth. For those of you who remember your Byzantine history, you may recall that the Paleologos Dynasty were the Byzantine Emperors who traced their descendants to the Royal House of David and fled to the west after the fall of Constantinople. According to the book, Columbus and his kinsman Colon-the-Younger came to France with the Paleologi and mixed with the royalty of the period, which would make sense. Why would the King and Queen of Spain would give him three ships and a lot of money if he was the son of a Genovese woolworker?

Columbus never said he was from Genoa. He said he was from the Republic of Genoa, something much different. The island of Chios was part of the Republic of Genoa. The name Columbus is carved above many doors in the villages of Pirgi and Cimbori and a priest with that last name traces his ancestry on the island back over 600 years. There are also many Genovese families who trace their ancestry back to Chios. Columbus also wrote about the gum-mastic called mastika which comes only from Chios.

The book presents many convincing arguments and in the end summarizes them with 22 FACTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLARIFICATION OF COLUMBUS IDENTITY.

Among the most interesting:

Columbus signature "Xro-Ferens" Christophoros is Greek-Latin or Byzantine.

Columbus spelled Chios with a Greek 'X'.

Columbus named Cape Maysi in Cuba using Greek words, Alpha and Omega.

Columbus never asked Italy for ships or aid for food and shelter when he needed help. If he was from Genoa than why not? Nor does he ever mention the Columbo family of Genoa to whom history says he was related. He neither spoke or read Italian. Yet in his favorite book Imago Mundi by Cardinal Pierre d'Ailly he wrote in the margins in Greek.

Columbus was called Genovese because he dressed in Genovese fashion from Chios. He signed his name "Columbus de terra Rubra" which means of the red earth. The Mastic areas of Chios was known for the red color of the earth. He banked at St. George in Genoa which took care of the colonies like Chios.

Columbus kept two logs on his journey, one real and one false. The true log used the measurements in Greek leagues and the false in Roman. The author used the real logs and measurements to reconstruct Columbus discovery of the island of San Salvador and cleared up many discrepancies in the geography of the area.

The Colombo family of Genoa were illiterate and the Genovese Christophoro was a woolweaver. For this person to acquire the learning, experience and spirituality that Columbus had that could convince a foreign king and queen to entrust a small navy and a fortune to him doesn't seem probable. Maybe in twentieth century America a poor son of a common garment worker can grow up to become president but in the Europe of the 15th century it is unlikely he could make Captain, much less Admiral in command of a fleet. It is more likely that for Columbus to have received an audience with a king and queen he would have to be royal himself or have some pretty good connections.

Columbus' son Ferdinand wrote that his ancestors have always followed the sea. Unless the Columbo family of Genoa had a long history of being ships tailors or official shearers of sea-sheep then they were not related. In fact even though they were living in Genoa at the time that Ferdinand was writing about his father, they are not mentioned. Nor are they mentioned in the Will of Columbus.

Columbus was not a wool-worker struck by God like Joan of Arc and instantly filled with knowledge of navigation, philosophy, astronomy, psychology, languages and the power to convince kings to give him whatever he wanted. This was a man with a lifetime of education, culture, experience and inspiration who had a sense of his own destiny and the drive to fulfill it.

In the book we discover that not only was Columbus connected with the Paleologos family but many of his buddies were Greek too. Perhaps this is the most convincing argument for me. Anyone knowing Greeks in exile is aware that they are a tight group that trust each other and spend all their time together, bound by that thread of Hellenism. As convincing as all the other arguments, (and there are many in this small book), the fact that his 'parea' was Greek, (in other words his group of friends and associates), proved to me that Christopher Columbus was not the son of an itinerant Genovese wool-worker, but a Byzantine prince from Chios who came from a life of enlightened education and spiritual aspirations, and as an islander, combined it with a love of the sea.

The islanders from Chios are known for their skill on the sea and for the number of sea-captains and ship owners from there. If Columbus was Greek then Chios is the most likely island he would be from. With it's Genovese architecture and sea-faring history, the heroic exploits of the people of Chios and also the evidence that Chios was the birthplace of Homer, where else would he be from?

[PAO_HELLAS]

Is this from grecoreport?

[plato-ny]

Here's the web site for the upcoming remake of the "300 Spartans" (to be renamed "300")

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/''

[plato-ny]

Is this from grecoreport?

http://www.grecoreport.com/christopher_columbus.htm

[ARBERIA]

Comon man, why are you trying to make colombus greek :lol:

he was of italian parents, and lived in spain after that...

thats what most belive he was anyway...

[philipas]

Scorpios and a number of other small islands in the Ionian Sea are privately owned by former shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis (Aristotle Onassis). Greek shiiping magnates are major players in world shipping. So much so that they are referred to as the Empire of the Seas (Empire of the Seas). Greek shipping is truly one thing that greeks can be proud of. A maritime tradition (maritime tradition) embedded in the culture and history of Greece from ancient times to the very present.

Scorpios

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7433/362689966tcoaqgph4gy.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7307/362690219mkwwcuph6tf.jpg

with such a rich maritime heritage it would not surprise me that Columbus was Greek...

[PAO_HELLAS]

Here's the web site for the upcoming remake of the "300 Spartans" (to be renamed "300")

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/''

I am afraid that it is going to be another rape of history, like most Hollywood movies about ancient history.


Scorpios and a number of other small islands in the Ionian Sea are privately owned by former shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Greek shiiping magnates are major players in world shipping. So much so that they are referred to as the Empire of the Seas. Greek shipping is truly one thing that greeks can be proud of. A maritime tradition embedded in the culture and history of Greece from ancient times to the very present.

The relation of Greeks with the sea is known since the ancient times. Today Greece owns the largest commercial fleet in the world (about 3,700 ships - 15.5 % of the world's total - Greek ships with foreign flags not included). At the Ottoman era, even if Greece did not existed as a state Greeks played an important role in shipping.

[philipas]

I am afraid that it is going to be another rape of history, like most Hollywood movies about ancient history. so true on most occasions, however lets not judge b4 we see, but yeah, I don't have great expectations...

[PAO_HELLAS]

:lol:

Somewhere in the net I read something about an Australian movie they plan to make about the battle of Crete (WW2). Have you heard something?

[Panathinaikos2]

Comon man, why are you trying to make colombus greek :lol:

he was of italian parents, and lived in spain after that...

thats what most belive he was anyway...Only the simple minded people like you believe he's Italian.

[plato-ny]

Comon man, why are you trying to make colombus greek :lol:

he was of italian parents, and lived in spain after that...

thats what most belive he was anyway...

Instead of being close-minded, read the evidence and tell us why it wouldnt be...or tell us why it is completely false...

[philipas]

:lol:

Somewhere in the net I read something about an Australian movie they plan to make about the battle of Crete (WW2). Have you heard something? no, didn't hear, but that'll be cool... must look into it

btw did you know George Miller (Miliotis) (George Miller (Miliotis)) of Mad Max (Mad Max) fame is a Greek Australian director?

Mel Gibson and Nicole Kidman first got noticed through his films.

[plato-ny]

no, didn't hear, but that'll be cool... must look into it

btw did you know George Miller (Miliotis) (George Miller (Miliotis)) of Mad Max (Mad Max) fame is a Greek Australian director?

Mel Gibson and Nicole Kidman first got noticed through his films.

There is a film about the Battle of Crete called "The 11th Day". IT WAS MADE BY A GREEK AMERICAN BY THE NAME OF CHRISTOS EPPERSON, AND BACKED FINANCIALLY BY ALEX SPANOS (SAN DIEGO CHARGERS OWNER). IT IS A VERY NICE DOCUMENTARY! HERE IS THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE:

http://www.the11thday.com/splash.htm

[philipas]

thanks for that. it's a great albeit tragic story that should be known to all.

here's the Australian-Hellenic (Australian-Hellenic) War Memorial site.

Prevelly Park (Prevelly Park) in Western Australia was named in honour of a Cretan Monastery for the help they gave the diggers (Aussie soldiers). They even built a chuch.

http://stigmes.gr/br/images/PREVELI2.jpg

[PAO_HELLAS]

Prevelli monastery in South Crete, I've been there, great places.

[philipas]

:D went to church tonight and geez there was some talent...:eyebrows:

ended up at yiayia's and the whole place stunk with mayeritsa...
sorry, that stuff doesn't agree with my palate...:Puke:


http://www.christusrex.org/www1/pope/greco.gif

[PAO_HELLAS]

Χριστός ανέστη.

Did you already had ressurection there? I will go later.

[philipas]

Χριστός ανέστη.

Did you already had ressurection there? I will go later. alithos anesti...

yeah it's passed 4:00am here now...time for bed

kali anastasi...

[Panathinaikos2]

Χριστός ανέστη

[AlextheGreek]

Giasas!
I visited Zambidis' site and was wondering what is the name of that bouzouki tune during the into...does anyone know?
Thanks in advance


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/johnny_619/Zam20v20Ozkan20.gif

ironmikezambidis.com

Eurovision 2006 is a few months away and it will take place in Athens. Last year's winner: Helena Paparizou, "You're My Number One"

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=eurovision+2005+greece/v=2/OID=45bf07ba05920736/SID=e/l=VDP/;_ylt=A86.OSLNmyhEELcAy138w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=1222jopsh/EXP=1143598413/*-http://svt.se/content/1/c6/38/82/58/greece.asx

[PAO_HELLAS]

Giasas!
I visited Zambidis' site and was wondering what is the name of that bouzouki tune during the into...does anyone know?
Thanks in advance

This song is called "Zembekiko of Eudocia" and it is written by Manos Loizos. As you can conclude by the name it has a Zembekiko rythm.

I can play it with the 4-string bouzouki in the original tuning (C3 F3 A3 D4 ).

[poutismalakas]

Kristos Anesti

[plato-ny]

Jason's ARGO to be recreated. Just like the one you've seen in the multiple film versions of "Jason and the Argonauts"

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/04/23/greece.argo.ap/

[plato-ny]

The Victorian RSL has decided to include Turkish veterans and their descendants in this year's ANZAC Day parade. Other former enemies are explicitly excluded. We are attempting to overturn this discriminatory decision. Particularly given it leaves the door open to veterans of the invasion of Cyprus being included.
═
Please use all your contacts and efforts to spread the protest message. In particular, we are looking for Australian veterans - 6th Division men - to put their names to the protest.
═
Send your protests to the following email addresses:
nhqadmin@rsl.org.au
http://au.f514.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=nhqadmin@rsl.org.au&YY=90139&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=bslvic@rslvic.com.au
http://au.f514.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=rslvic@rslvic.com.au&YY=90139&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b
═
Panayiotis Diamadis
═
═
═
19 April 2006
═
═
═
RSL Outrage as descendants of Turkish soldiers to march with Aussie Anzacs
═
═
The _________ branch of the Returned Services League (RSL) have expressed outrage that descendants of Turkish troops who fought Australian Anzacs will march side-by-side in this year's Anzac's march in Victoria, saying Turkish soldiers mistreated Australian POW's.
═
For the first time, the Victorian branch of the RSL has allowed the move. According to═ Major-General David McLachlan, Victorian RSL President, the Turkish were a "very honourable enemy".
═
Major-General McLachlan said that the RSL is unlikely to extend the "green light" to descendants of German, Japanese, Italian or North Vietnamese soldiers.
═
This is despite eyewitness testimony by Australian POW's notably George Handsley from the Light Horse Regiment, who wrote his ordeals in a book titled Two-and-a-Half Years a Prisoner of War in Turkey, published in 1919.
═
Documenting his ordeal Handsley said: "This camp was described by the prisoners who had been there some time as the worst in Turkey, a 'hell on earth'. Floggings were given daily on the slightest pretext and very often we received thrashings for offences of which we were ourselves totally ignorant."
═
Further telling accounts are archived in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. According to official memorial website:
═
Food was poor, medical care primitive, and all experienced a casual brutality. Many laboured to build the Taurus railway in southern Turkey in extremes of heat and cold. "It was hell," an Australian recalled, "we had to fight hard to keep alive".
═
Of the Australians captured by the Turks during World War One, one man in four died in captivity.
═
The British White Paper titled "British Prisoners of War in Turkey" published in 1918 includes the following excerpt: "It is a story of national crime. The Turks killed our men slowly, deliberately, and with a luxury of torture."
═
"Australian ANZAC's risked their lives defending our country, and now we are going to allow their descendants of their combatants to march, who may have mistreated Australians in their captivity - is absolutely outrageous," Mr XXX, XXX.
═
"I welcome the fact Australia and Turkey have reconciled their differences but we should never forget the mistreatment of our Australian POW's.
═
Media contact: XXX on XXX
═
═
═
Dear Madam/Sir,
═
I write to express my utmost disappointment at the Victorian RSL's decision to officially include the "descendants of Turkish soldiers" to march in ANZAC Day parades, but to exclude their German, Italian, Japanese, North Korean and North Vietnamese counterparts.
═
If there is no room for all former enemies, then there is no room for any. Anything else is discriminatory and has has no place in 21st century Australia.
═
As an Australian of Hellenic descent, born and raised in this country, I too went through school studying the ANZAC Legend.
═
So much so that I have spent the last three years studying the forgotten ANZACs, the 300 veterans of Gallipoli and other campaigns against the Ottoman Empire who were taken prisoner by the Ottoman Turks.
═
Their experiences of brutality and arbitrary execution fly in the face of Victorian RSL President David McLachlan's assertion that they were "a very honourable enemy".
═
One has only to look at the Australian War Memorial's website for the evidence:
http://www.awm.gov.au/stolenyears/index.asp
═
and
═
http://www.awm.gov.au/stolenyears/ww1/turkey/index.asp
═
═
═
═
I sincerely hope that the Victorian RSL either opens the door to all former enemies or better still, reserve places in ANZAC Day Marches ONLY for those who have not raised a hand against this country and its people.
═
Panayiotis Diamadis
Sydney NSW
═

[AlextheGreek]

This song is called "Zembekiko of Eudocia" and it is written by Manos Loizos. As you can conclude by the name it has a Zembekiko rythm.

I can play it with the 4-string bouzouki in the original tuning (C3 F3 A3 D4 ).

Kristos Anesti and Thank You!!!!

[philipas]

This week on BBC World their is an episode on Greece from their Tales from Europe (Tales from Europe) series. I saw it last night and was very pleased and amazed to hear some of the great stories. They interviewed Dora Bakoyanni, mayor of Athens, went to the Boutaris wine estate in Northern Greece, showed Thessaloniki's thriving artistic, electronic music and bar scene amongst other Hellenic success stories. A very well produced series, so see it if you can.

Check the schedule (schedule) in your time zone.

yia...

[plato-ny]

Ajax's long-lost palace discovered on Greek island of Salamina:

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=inDepthNews&storyid=2006-05-02T122955Z_01_L27618861_RTRUKOC_0_US-GREECE-AJAX.xml

Ancient treasures fished from the Greek seas (dates from ancient Greece's Hellenistic period, which began with the reign of Alexander the Great)

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw1147107605847G626

[benfica64]

I dont understand why there is even a greek soocer forum here, greece didnt even make it to this years world cup?


Mod note.... don't make me add 10% more and ban you!!!!

If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing

[plato-ny]

I dont understand why there is even a greek soocer forum here, greece didnt even make it to this years world cup?

I dont understand why you are posting here after Greece ruined Euro 2004 for you...TWICE (June 12 and July 4). Its been almost 2 years now. Let it go.

But since you dont want to:

Portugal-Greece 1-2

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=euro+2004+greece/v=2/OID=c668b10a8e76e6c0/SID=e/l=VDP/;_ylt=A86.OSOXrWJEE28B2hf8w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=12fnibatl/EXP=1147404055/*-http://www.freedev.gr/euro2004/portugal/greece-portugal.wmv

Portugal-Greece 0-1

http://soccer.kypros.org/euro2004/Euro2004_040704_por-gre_0-1.rm

Trophy Presentation. This must hurt the most:

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96781308/K=euro+2004+greece/v=2/OID=48c94181441261b6/SID=e/l=VDP/;_ylt=A86.OSMbr2JEvnIBEj38w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=12a0nf7pt/EXP=1147404443/*-http://www.mentessidis.net/Euro/Euro/Euro2004trophy.rm

Also, dont talk about Greece not qualifying for the WC 2006 when Portugal had a much easier division than we did...

[Panathinaikos2]

I dont understand why there is even a greek soocer forum here, greece didnt even make it to this years world cup?At least Greece didn't tie Lechenstien 2-2 :lol:

[plato-ny]

Eurovision 2006 (Athens, Greece) - semifinal May 18

Maria Menounos and Sakis Rouvas
http://www.eurovision.tv/english/img/01_hosts_athens_2006.jpg
Athens, 17 May

“This will be the best Eurovision you’ve ever seen,” said Eurovision hosts Maria Menounos and Sakis Rouvas, at a press conference in the Olympic Arena in Athens today. Maria and Sakis will co-host both the Eurovision Semi-Final and Final on 18 and 20 May and are currently preparing for the first Semi-Final dress rehearsal.

“It’s going to be amazing,” said Maria. “Not because of Sakis and I but because of the quality of the performers and of the entire production. The director and his technical team have put together a great show. Sakis and I are just the vehicles that help to move it all along.

“There are going to be a lot of surprises, though. You guys are going to really enjoy it.”As the female host of the show, Maria – an American actress of Greek ancestry – is aware that much attention will be paid to her wardrobe but she’s remaining tight-lipped on the subject.

“I can’t tell you too much about what I’ll be wearing,” she said. “But I can tell you that I’m going to change as many times as possible, and that I’m going to be dressed as brightly as possible. Oh, and one of the dresses is by Dolce & Gabbana.”Sakis shot to fame on the Eurovision stage as a performer with his song ‘Shake it’ which finished third with 252 points in 2004. Would he ever consider returning to Eurovision as a performer?

“Oh God,” he laughed. “Eurovision for me was an incredible experience. Before I did it, I had no idea just how incredible it would be. It changed me in so many ways – artistically, psychologically – and it put me in a different world.“But would I do it again? Well, if I was given the chance to… actually, I was given the chance! But I really wanted to host the show. To be honest, I don’t know if I’d ever do it again. But if anyone is considering entering Eurovision and asks me if they should go for it, I would say 100% yes.”

For Sakis and Maria, the prospect of presenting two live shows to a worldwide audience is exciting. “I was thrilled when I was given the chance to be Eurovision host,” Sakis said. “I like to try different things in my career and I’m very excited. I can’t really compare it to actually performing, though.”

Maria agreed. “Is it more difficult than I imagined?” she said. “Well, there’s a lot to digest. I hadn’t really heard anything about the contest before, so coming here and seeing how big it is and how talented the performers has been an incredible experience.

“Hosting live shows like this isn’t something I’ve ever done before. But I love challenges and I love doing things that I’m afraid of. And this is something I’m afraid of!”
“You’re very good at it!” Sakis reassured her. Sakis and Maria were asked to name their favourite entries in this year’s contest.

“I’ve not heard them all,” said Maria. “In fact, I’ve only heard one but I’m really excited to see all the songs at the dress rehearsal today.”Sakis added: “Even if we did have a favourite, we wouldn’t tell you!” As with last year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the announcement of the voting results will be different to that of previous contests.

“You’ll see the points 1-7 are put up onto the board automatically,” explained Sakis. “Then we’ll announce which countries receive 8, 10 and 12 points. You’ll be able to see exactly who gets what though.”And then it was time for them to continue their preparations. “Trust me, guys,” smiled Maria, “It’s going to be amazingly spectacular.”


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The first dress rehearsal for the Semi-Final is a fact! On Wednesday, the Olympic Stadium’s Indoor Basketball Hall was full of colours and melodies, new and old, but always loved. ERT’s official ESC website, www.eurovisionathens.gr was there and witnessed everything! And because we now you are anxious to get an idea of what you will see on May 18, we will let you on some small details. The rehearsal worked out well and the presentation of the songs ran smoothly.

http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/rouvas_menounos_prova.jpg

The Semi-Final Opening Show of the 51st ESC will be echoing Greece’s sounds and breathing out Greece’s scents. Greek mythology will come to life on the impressive OAKA stage, which reminds of an ancient Greek theatre and is in tune with the ESC music history. The Olympian Gods are making their way down from Mt Olympus to welcome Europe in Athens! The presentation of the 23 entries is quite striking and each one of them stands out for its own stylistic or dance peculiarities. The hosts of the show, Maria Menounos and Sakis Rouvas entered the stage singing.

Both Sakis and Maria were very well prepared and the only glitch of the first rehearsal was that Maria almost stumbled on her dress because of the high heels she was wearing. The two hosts were in a great mood and kept joking with each other.
Actually, when the time came to announce the countries that will make it to the final, they joked and announced Bahamas first!
The choreography Fokas Evangelinos has worked on to introduce the 10 countries to qualify to the final serves as a bridge between the Greek mythology and folk tradition. Dimitris Papadimitriou composed the music for the act.

http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/fokas.jpg

A while later, in the second dress rehearsal, Olympians Emilia Tsoulfa and Dimosthenis Tabakos turned over the sandglass to the televoting countdown.
Keep visiting www.eurovisionathens.gr to find out more details on the night of the semifinal and tune in to the ESC rhythm!

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Anna Vissi
http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/vissi_press.jpg

ESC Party Greek Style
That party had it all: lots of people, high spirits and above all else, it had Anna Vissi in a great mood giving yet another unforgettable show. On Tuesday night, many Greek and foreign fans of the Greek performer and "Everything" crowded the Euroclub (located at Technopolis, 100 Peiraios St., Gazi district) to attend the Greek Delegation party. Upon Anna’s arrival, the quests burst into applauses! Actually, the venue was so packed with people that a large video wall had been set outside the Euroclub, so that those who weren’t that lucky to get inside could watch the party.

Anna thanked the people for their presence and support. She further said that irrespective of the result, she has the feeling that the Greek entry has already won, for it has stolen the limelight, since it is listed among the favourites, namely the songs worth of being voted first. Then came the songs! And what better to start off the party with "Everything." Then Anna sang other hits of hers, while Fabrizio Faniello of Malta and Carola of Sweden sang along with her. Spirits ran high, when Anna called a fan of hers on the stage, with whom they danced to some of the songs she performed. Giorgos Tsalikis’ presence was a real surprise. The famous Greek singer arrived at the party thrown by the Greek Delegation and wished Anna Vissi all the best for the May 20 big night!

Although it was the Greek Delegation party that stole the limelight, it wasn’t the only ESC party that was thrown. At the same time, the Russian delegation had their own party, while earlier the Big4, namely Germany, Spain, France and Britain, had given an unplugged party.

Apart from the representatives of the four countries performing their songs live, Brian Kennedy of Ireland, Cosmos of Latvia, Dima Bilan of Russian and Treble of the Netherlands also stepped on the stage and sang.
One of the most exceptional moments of that party was when France’s participant along with Alex Panagis sang a few verses of the French entry "Il etait temps" in Greek!

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http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/vissi_prova2.jpg
http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/anna_vissi_prova2.jpg

A little after her second Press conference, Greek participant Anna Vissi spoke to www.eurovisionathens.gr and shared her thoughts and feelings, just a few days before the Final. Anna said she feels great and although initially she had wanted for 20 May to arrive quickly, she has started enjoying the event, a fact that demonstrates she is starting to relax. The warm and positive reactions from the other countries, though, seem to be contributing towards this. "I knew that about Greece, but it is important to hear from other countries that they want you to win. It is very optimistic and extremely significant, while it is making me even more ecstatic about the decision I made," Anna told us.

Anna completed her second rehearsal earlier amid applause by her Greek and foreign fans. In fact, as per a foreign reporter, many of them are becoming huge fans!
The lighting in Tuesday’s rehearsal was more austere than Monday’s, and as she said at the Press conference, she wanted a more personal level, as she will be on stage alone and does not want many special effects that would distract the audience.

Her second Press conference, which Anna described as a "Gift conference," since many people offered her gifts, followed the rehearsal. Answering to reporters, Anna said that despite the fact that "Everything" is written in English, she is Greek and she was inspired by Greece when she wrote the song; while if it travels around the world, it will travel as a Greek song.

She further added she was happy to be participating in the ESC with the song "Everything" because it does not need any visual effects to create impressions, as it is a song that she feels. As for the ESC, she said that the relationship is not over. "I have always loved it and I was lying to myself when I was saying that I did not like the ESC. This year the time is right," said Anna, stressing that it is an honour to sing for her country. "The ESC is becoming my home and I am feeling wonderful. If I win, it will be a miracle; if I don’t, it will be a wonderful experience," she declared.

When asked what it is that she dreams of, she made a little pun, stating that since she is a woman that has everything, she wants to win with everything, underlining that naturally she does not want to lose everything. But most of all she wants to be healthy and down to earth. Finally, she said that she has met many of the participants so far and wished them all good luck, and especially Annette, since Anna comes from Cyprus.

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"This year's ESC features many records," stressed EBU Executive Supervisor Svante Stockselius in a joint Press Conference with ERT on Wednesday. As per Stockselius, there’s a special landmark this year, the 1,000th Eurovision song, which happens to be the eight song in the Semi-Final and hence will be performed by Ireland. "That seems fair since Ireland is the country that has won the most," he noted. What is more, the Athens ESC has broken the record of the most accredited reporters from around the world. "Eurovision is growing every year," said the EBU Executive Supervisor. "We’re over our limit of 2,000 accredited journalists from all over the world, making it comparable to international sporting events such as the Olympics." Besides, a new and faster system in announcing each country's points is introduced for the first time.

EBU Executive Supervisor Svante Stockselius
http://www.ert.gr/site/eurovision/photos/2006/5/Stockselius_prize.jpg

There is a change in the way that points are presented this year with points from 1 to 7 automatically shown on the board and only the countries receiving 8, 10, and 12 points being announced by spokespersons from each country. This is the first time the shows will be recorded in High Definition, laying the foundations for a high quality broadcast in the future. "For the first time, we’ll be using a spider-cam, an amazing little gadget that provides incredible pictures," he said. "It allows the director to show amazing multi-directional shots."
Mr Stockselius welcomed Armenia, "This year, Armenia will make its Eurovision debut but I hope they stay in the contest for many years to come."

It should be noted there are 37 entries this year (23 in the Semi-Final and 24 in the Final), 38 countries will be voting (Serbia-Montenegro is not represented this year but has the right to vote), while the shows will be broadcast in Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kosovo, as well as on www.eurovision.tv.
As for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, dates have been pushed forward, thus moving the Semi-Final to 10 May and the Final to 12 May. Asked about the selection of dates, Stockselius said these were the most suitable dates due to public holidays and EBU obligations.

"We’ve just had the first dress rehearsal and I’m sure those of you who saw it agree that it was fantastic. We had some small problems but that’s why we rehearse so much. We have another dress rehearsal tonight and I’m sure that will be even better," n