The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-13

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] The Day of the Great Parades Carnival Forever!

By Christos Stathakopoulos

Greece is ever ready to say its official goodbye to this years carnival, making sure to celebrate it in the best possible way. The carnival celebrations, accompanied by sunshine, in every part of the country, are underway. The epicentre of the celebrations is the city of Patras, where 35,000 carnival goers are ready to perform until the end of the day. Xanthi, Kozani, Chalkida, Kria Vrisi in Giannitsa, Methana, Loutraki, Zakynthos, Nafplio, Megalopoli and many other towns in all of the country are fully prepared, while a little after noon the parades will start and the streets will be filled with colors and dancing carnival goers who will rouse everyone into a delirious celebration. Popular Greek traditions such as the Venetian wedding in Zakynthos, and the fire lighting in Giannena will also take place. In Athens, since this morning, fun filled and musical programmes have been planned in Zappeio, Pagrati and Thiseio, while the reins of the Carnival in Piraeus are held by the municipality of Rendis. In the meantime the Athenians continue to exit the city and in the Afidnes and Elefsina tolls, cars have formed a line measuring one kilometer.

Fire in Patras' City Centre

The citizens of Patras awoke to an unpleasant surprise, when a fire broke out at a caf&#233;-bar in the historic town centre.

The fire began a little before 9 in the morning, and due to the flammable materials spread to a neighboring building, which was part of the caf&#233;-bar, while the causes remain unknown. At that time the restaurant was empty, while the Fire Departments mobilization was great, since there was the danger of the fire spreading.

The Patras Fire Departments interrogation over the cause of the fire is underway.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Funeral on Tuesday at Kalamaria Cathedral Stavros Kougioumtzis Passed Away

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

Stavros Kougioumtzis, the popular Greek composer of songs that lasted through time and were loved by all, breathed his last, on Saturday, aged 73. The composer from Thessalonica started his studies in the piano School of the Thessalonica State Conservatoire, aged 15. He wrote his first song entitled "Peristeraki" in 1960, with which he participated in the EIR Festival with singer Zoi Kouroukli. Stavros Kougioumtzis wrote many popular songs such as "An Deis ston Ipno sou Erimia," "Mi mou Thimoneis Matia mou," Kapou Nichtonei," "Pou nai ta Chronia," "Ola Kala ki ola Oraia," "O Ouranos Fevgei Varis," "Kokkino Foustani," "Enas Kombos i Chara mou." He also cooperated with popular Greek singers such as Giannis Vogiatzis, Giannis Poulopoulos, Giorgos Zografos, Giorgos Dalaras, Kaiti Chomata and Charoula Alexiou. His funeral will take place on Tuesday, at 13:00 at the Kalamaria Cathedral.

"I Did Not Want False Songs"

"I was not a doting father to my song, that is the truth. I did not support them. I did not promote them. I left them helpless. I used to say that they would make it on their own or they would die. But I did not want them to be false, or with crutches," stated the composer in his autobiography "Anoixta Parathira me Kleista Pantzouria."

"All of my life I have been anti-anarchist. The powers are anarchistic. They do not have values, but laws. The youth, regardless of how, fight against anarchy, are anti-anarchists and not the opposite, as every given government says otherwise. There is anarchistic youth. But they are old, we have made them old, we took their youth away."

Songs that Will Live in Our Hearts

In 1966 he entered the world of theatre writing music for Giorgos Themelis play To Taxidi, premiered by the Northern Greece National Theater, and directed by Evgenios Spatharis.

Following, he moves to Athens and starts cooperating with Minos record company and with upcoming singers Giorgos Dalaras, Charoula Alexiou, Giannis Kalantzis and Vicky Moscholiou.

Some examples of his extensive discography are Natane to 21 (1970, Dalaras), Mikres Politeies (1974, Dalaras, Vissi), Sta Psila ta Parathira (1975, Dalaras, Vissi), Mikrainei o Kosmos (1982, Kalogiannis, Aimilia Kougioumtzi, Koutras, Bogdanos, Christianopoulos), and Evreche o Kosmos (2000, Maria Kougioumtzi, Dalaras, Giorgos Christodoulou).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Solution Will Contribute to Area's Stability Discussions for FYROM Underway

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8- ANA

The meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister, Giannis Valinakis, Greeces permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Adamantios Vasilakis and UN Mediator, Mathew Nimitz, took place in a good climate, yesterday in Manhattan, N.Y. The Deputy Foreign Minister explained the position of the Greek government, which was of a mutual acceptable solution in the issue of the name, which will "facilitate the bilateral relation of the two countries, help in the attainment of stability in the Balkans and accommodate Skopjes course towards the Euro-Atlantic institutions." He noted that the Greek side supports the transformation of the Balkans into a European neighborhood. "We want to hope that the other side will show the same constructive stance we have shown, and will recognize the need to go forth with its European prospect through the road of a mutual and acceptable solution."

"A Compromise is not a Solution"

From his side, the UN Mediator indirectly admitted that the two sides continue to approach the issue differently, and "the Greek government is dedicated to solve the issue in a way, that satisfies everyone." He also expressed the hope that progress will be noted supporting "a compromise is not a solution, which will only come if the two sides will be more understanding," stating that "both governments are responsible and recognize that if the issue will be solved it would be positive for the countries and the area." Mr Nimitz stated that the attempts will continue. In the meantime, according to information by NET Radio 105.8 correspondent in N.Y, Dimitris Filios the American diplomacy has made clear to Skopje that it has to be flexible in order to find a solution.

Mr Valinakis will visit Washington on Monday in order to meet with officials of the U.S. government, in the White house and the State Department.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article