The film titled ‘Like Stone Lions at Nightfall’ (original title: Comme des lions de pierre à l’entrée de la nuit) is constructed in three ceaselessly intertwined literary and pictorial spaces.

The story of the film dates back to 1947 and 1951 when the Greek government interned around 80,000 soldiers and civilians (men, women and children) for “communist activity”. They were forced to go through ’re-education programmes’ in order to get back “on the right track”, guided by the ideology of the extreme right-wing nationalist King Paul.

Numerous prisoners, including the famous poet Yannis Ritsos, wrote texts there, “poetry” that they buried inside bottles and managed to bring home from the camp. These texts fuel images of this barbaric laboratory which was set up specifically in order to facilitate the “mental reprogramming” of members of the communist resistance.

They will be brought together in a written script depicting the life and survival of this prison colony and the brain-washing techniques used there. This film will focus on the insight of these poems and images of the rocky ruins of what is left of the camp, recorded like “cinematic archaeological excavations”.

In addition to the poetic backbone of the film, there will be significant, highly aesthetic material – etchings, survivors’ accounts on the voice-over, military propaganda photos – which will be worked in to the project using sound and video techniques borrowed from experimental cinema.

The film is a co-production of Switzerland, Greece and France.

The traditional vasilopita cutting event was attended by the newly enthroned Greek-Orthodox Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Mid-Europe, Arsenios, the Chargé d’affaires of the Republic of Cyprus, Poli Ioannou, the Greek Consul to Vienna, Dimitris Daskalakis, the Greek-born municipal counselor and member of the Federal State Parliament of Vienna, Hanes Harvanek, many diplomatic representatives from Greece and Cyprus, as well as many Cypriots and Greeks living in Vienna and Austrian friends of the two countries.

In his greeting speech, the President of the Cypriot Cultural Centre and renowned baritone Kiros Patsalidis paid tribute to the deceased historic figure of the Greek-Orthodox church of Austria, Metropolitan Michael. He also referred to the challenge Cyprus must face by taking up the next rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. Mr. Patsalidis pointed out that the Greek-Cypriots will never forget the occupied lands and the occupation, wishing at the same time that 2012 may be the year to bring the final and much desired solution to the Cyprus Problem, so that Cyprus can become a united and peaceful country.

Mrs. Poli Ioannou has also characterized Cyprus’ rotating presidency of the Council of the EU as a “historic event” and stressed that it is a matter of national pride to exercise the 6 month presidency with absolute dignity.

Mr. Daskalakis on his part commented on the actions and initiatives taken by the Cypriot Cultural Centre in promoting Hellenism in Vienna, and highlighted the need to fight the Greek debt crisis through unity and joint efforts.

The newly elected Metropolitan Arsenios also made reference to the Cyprus Problem and expressed his hopes and optimism that the Cyprus presidency will be a success story.

The event included a music programme with parts from well-known opera works and Greek and Austrian operettas.

According to recent data, 85% of the passengers of Ryanair Airlines travelling through Thessaloniki end up in Halkidiki, which is the gateway to Mt Athos.

The discussion for the promotional campaign of Mt. Athos was held on the occasion of the International Tourism Exhibition ‘Salon Des Vacances’ in Brussels, where Greek presence was very strong.

At the Greek stand of the exhibition was presented Mt. Athos, the place of the so called Holy Mountain including 20 monasteries of Eastern Orthodox nations (mostly Greek but also Bulgarian, Russian, Serbian, and Georgian) dating back to the early Middle Ages.

Even though only men are allowed as visitors to the site of the monasteries, the Greek tourism organizations have advertised the area adjacent to the Holy Mountain as a place suitable for women as well.

People in Brussels seemed to become interested in this emerging tourist destination, which can become an alternative competitive destination for vacations.

The protocol has already been signed by Italy, France, Spain, Lithuania and Poland, while all European travel agency unions, the union of European tour operators and Alitalia, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa and TAP all cooperated towards the success of the project.

The aim of the European program is to strengthen tourism cooperation between Europe and other countries, based on the common traditions, culture, linguistic and educational bonds. The countries which have signed this protocol will take measures to facilitate tourism between European and South American countries by promoting travel to the benefit of local economies.

The minister discussed with the Commission’s vice-president issues related with European tourism policy.

This is the first decision of the General Directorate of Foundations Council under the new law which was published last August, and according to the webpage of the Association for the Support of Greek Community Foundations (www.rumvader.org), it is expected to somewhat set a precedent for the council’s subsequent decisions too.

President of the Ephorate – Committee of Galata School, Mary Komorosano, stated “the decision fills us with great joy”, adding that in the near future the Ephorate – Committee will also apply for the remaining properties of the foundation. On his part, Giorgos Demir, member of the Ephorate – Committee, stated that the decision to return Galata School justifies the foundation and acknowledges its indisputable right.

Both parties extended their gratitude to Lakis Vingas, representative for minority foundations at the General Directorate for Foundations for his efforts, as well as the Association for the Support of Greek Community Foundations.

With this new agreement both Greek students and those with other ethnic backgrounds in Belgian schools will have the opportunity to choose the course of Modern Greek or Greek Culture, which will be taught up to three hours per week. The programme will be in force for the next five years and will provide the students with a Greek Language Proficiency.

Besides the Greek language lessons, the programme includes the teaching of the “Greek Culture”, which will focus on presenting the Greek language and history through personal or group projects. In this case, electronic material and interactive teaching methods will be employed for the better understanding of the cultural aspects of Greek history.

Signing the Chart confirms the willingness of the Greek Ministry of Education to support and further enhance the teaching of the Greek language abroad. The initiative is part of the “Languages and Cultures of Origin” programme.

The Pergamon Museum – which opened in order to house the Ancient Greek masterpiece in 1930 on Berlin’s renowned Museum Island -  will undergo a complete renovation in several phases, between October of this year and 2019.

“Preliminary restoration work in the Pergamon Hall will likely begin in May 2014,” the state cultural authority said in a statement.

“The main attraction on Museum Island will likely be closed to visitors from October 2014 for three years,” it said, referring to the Pergamon altar.

German archaeologists discovered ruins of the altar between 1878 and 1886 and sent them back to Berlin based on an agreement between the German government and the Ottoman Empire. Its reconstruction lasted until 1902.

The most popular institution on Museum Island, the Pergamon attracted 1.3 million visitors last year, according to official figures published Tuesday.

(Source: AFP)

Oikonomou admits that the Berlin branch spends 25% of the government’s funding, but emphasizes that it does great work with plenty of activities and many sponsorships from various sources.

Moreover, Oikonomou emphasized that he fully understands the difficult economic times in Greece, but through the Berlin branch of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the Greek presence in Germany is very strong.

Oikonomou emphasizes that it would be a strategic fault if Greece restricts its presence in Southeast Europe and especially in Germany, given the dominant role that Germany is playing at the moment within the European Union.

Notably, the Berlin branch is the only one in West Europe. Other branches of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture are located in Tirana, Belgrade, Alexandria, Odessa, Sofia, Bucharest, Trieste and Melbourne.

The meeting produced positive messages regarding German interest in investing in the Greek tourism sector.

Participants decided on the establishment of two working groups comprising representatives of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and private entrepreneurs, that will focus on the promotion of the tourism sector while seeking new tourism destinations.

The forum was held under the auspices of the presidents of the Greek and German national parliaments, coorganized by the Bundestag tourism committee and the Greek embassy in Berlin.

(Source:AMNA, Emg.rs)

According to the Turkish newspaper ‘Radikal’ the construction works had been prevented one month after the construction of the hotel had began, and parts of the ancient ruins had been completely destroyed.

Necmi Karul, chairman of the Istanbul Archaeologists’ Association, told ‘Radikal’ that this is evidently a vandalism case. It is evident that the ruins are part of an ancient Byzantine Palace.

Finally, Karul recalled a similar case from the past, when the hotel Four Seasons has been constructed on the remnants of a palace built during the Byzantine period.