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The greek

Ελληνικο ρολοι

World clock

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“Δεν είμαι ο Έλληνας που έχεις συνηθίσει…”
THE WORLD OF THE GREEKS
"Εγώ Γραικός γεννήθηκα, Γραικός θε νά πεθάνω." (Eng: I was born a Greek and I shall die as a Greek.)
"We are all Greeks. Our laws, our literature, our religion, our arts, have their root in Greece."
MACEDONIA=GREECE

ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΥΜΝΟΣ

Why we should be proud to be greek

* Because we are European Champions in Soccer * Because we are European Champions in Basketball * Because Paparizou (singer) made us Eurovision Champions * Because we buy whole watermelons and not in slices * Because we buy whole lambs and not in pieces * Because when we buy feta we buy at least a kilo and not 150gr. * Because nights in Greece finish in the morning * Because flirting is our national hobby * Because we are world champions in sex * Because we always moan about the public sector and everyone seeks to get a job in it * Because we go out almost every night even if we are penniless * Because we respect our Grandmothers more than our wives * Because we know how to spend better than we know how to save * Because we never visit others empty-handed * Because there is no way to explain to foreigners what kapsoura” is… (a burning desire for someone) * Because we do not share the cost of petrol with those we give a ride * Because for the sake of a woman we would wage war for 10 years (Trojan war) * Because we are everywhere around the planet * Because we love and hate with passion * Because the word “filotimo” (a synonym of honour, helping someone because it is the right thing to do) doesn’t exist in any other language * Because whenever the foreigners can not find a word, they bloody steal one of ours * Because we spend our high and low times with our friends and family, not with therapists and counsellors * Because Socrates, Platon, and Aristotle were Hellenic and the whole world still quotes them * Because we invented theatre * Because we gave birth to Democracy * Because we discovered logic * Because we jumpstarted science * Because we are proud of our culture, not of our wars * Because Jesus Christ’s best friends where Greeks * Because when others were discovering meat, we already had cholesterol * Because when we were building the Parthenon, the others were still sleeping under trees * Because when others created wars, we created Games to stop wars * Because we have a distinction between Eros (falling in love) & Agape(innocent love), while we feel both passionately * Because we don’t use ketchup or mayonnaise with our food. It tastes damn good anyway! * Because we tossed our ancient alphabet to the Romans and our medieval alphabet to the Slavs * Because we get angry quickly but forget all about it even quicker * Because we are not ashamed to cry * Because we dance when we are sad and party when we are happy * Because we work to live and we do not live to work * Because 97% of the stars’s names are Hellenic * Because we always talk about getting in a diet after we had our meal * Because although we know danger well, we dare * Because when you shout “brother” in the streets, everyone turns around * Because “Greeks do not fight like heroes, heroes fight like Greeks” (Winston Churchill, 1941) * Because we speak loudly and laugh even louder!!! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

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Καιρος Helsinki

Helsinki weather broadcast

Πέμπτη 27 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

Young diaspora Greeks and ethnic antetity

Young diaspora Greeks and ethnic identity
The Hellenext network connects younger Greek Americans with eminent personalities who come from the same background














Many Greek Americans have only one parent of Greek origin. The young man in the photograph dressed as an evzone (left) is of mixed Greek and Asian parentage. He was one of those who paraded down Fifth Avenue last year to celebrate Greek Independence Day. Right: A child, wearing a top in the colors of the Greek national soccer team, watches the parade. All US cities with sizable Greek populations put on a parade for March 25. (Photos: M. Pournara)

By Margarita Pournara - Kathimerini

Every year, cities in the United States that have sizable Greek communities commemorate March 25, Greek Independence Day, with parades.

In New York City, Fifth Avenue overflows for a few hours with decorated floats as Greek Americans of all ages in traditional costumes form a vast procession. The spectators drape themselves in Greek flags or Greek national soccer team jerseys.

For decades, the trio of history-religion-language has linked Greeks abroad to their place of origin. But to what extent can names like Karaiskakis and Androutsos, heroes of the struggle for Greek independence, inspire young Greek Americans to build an intellectual and emotional relationship with Greece?

Hellenext

Some of them do not speak a word of Greek; others have one or both parents of Greek origin, while some never go to church and have no idea of the Greek struggles for freedom in 1921 and 1940. Who can imbue the new generation with a sense of Greekness? The answer comes from Hellenext, an endeavor to put leading figures in the Greek-American community, such as Michael Dukakis, George Stephanopoulos, George Genet, John Brandemas and Barbara Spyridon Pope into contact with fourth- and fifth-generation Greek Americans.

Kathimerini spoke to one of the people who started Hellenext, Leon Stavrou.

He has distinguished credentials. As the membership development director of AHEPA (the largest association of Greek Americans), regional marketing manager of the American Chamber of Commerce and creator of a major network of American and Greek enterprises, who has also helped win battles for Greece and Cyprus in Congress, he is the right man in the right position.

“The question we had to answer is how one can help 20-year-olds with Greek roots who have grown up in America to make a connection with the Greek cultural heritage. They may never go to Greece, may not speak Greek, may not be religious, yet still want to understand what being Greek means. On the other hand, many successful Greek Americans who are now of mature years feel they want to help the community,” explained Stavrou. “So we thought that both sides could come into contact through a website (www.hellenext.org) that will introduce them to each other.

“The young ones will find proper guidance opportunities for work and study, and feel part of a network that operates not on the theoretical level but also on the practical level. The older ones will be able to help the young ones find their way.

“Besides, most of the seniors are in key positions in fields from research and politics to show business and academia, and they know how to make use of talent. Just think: What budding journalist wouldn’t like to talk to

George Stephanopoulos? What aspiring politician wouldn’t like to meet Doukakis? I wish I’d had that opportunity when I was 20.”

Hellenext is growing slowly but steadily. “First we had to find a team of eminent personalities from fields who wanted to contribute to the effort. Then we had to see how to approach young Greeks in America and later all around the world through the Internet. After that we organized ways we could help out members, from scholarships to work experience. So far, we have held two events in which 500 people participated, and we’re doing better every day. Through the Internet we have contact with 6,000 Greek-American students.”

The idea sounds excellent. Why haven’t existing diaspora organizations done something like it in the past? “Those organizations are going through a difficult phase. They are trying to survive and to deal with a series of important issues. It’s very hard for them to locate thousands of young Greek Americans and bring them into contact with each other and help with their future careers. It’s also clear that the mechanisms that keep the members of an ethic community united have to evolve over time. It’s not just the message that is important, but also how the messenger brings it. Ours is the only Internet-based program aimed at contacting young people.”

Being Greek

What makes the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of migrants feel Greek?

“A certain spirit that I think makes us differ from other ethnic groups and makes us feel proud. Ethos, passion. Things that typify many of the Greek Americans who managed not only to survive and get ahead but also to do extremely well in many fields. Hellenext may give youngsters chance to gain inspiration, not in the abstract sense of our national cultural heritage but in how those values are an intrinsic part of the personalities of many eminent individuals who come from the Greek-American community.

“If the network does well, then in years to come, today’s youth will give their advice and support to future generations.”

Κυριακή 23 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

....greeks are better friends.

...greeks are better friends
1.FRIENDS: Never ask for food
GREEK FRIENDS: Are the reason you have no food.

2.FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
GREEK FRIENDS: Call your parents theio and theia.

3.FRIENDS: Bail you out of jail and tell you what you did was wrong
GREEK FRIENDS: Would be sitting next to you saying "Damn,we fucked up... but that shit was fun!"

4.FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
GREEK FRIENDS: Keep your shit so long they forget it's yours.

5.FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough.
GREEK FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, "Bitch, you better drink the rest of that, you know we don't waste!!"

Greek jokes.

GREEK JOKES

3 GREEKS AND 3 TURKS...

3 Greeks and 3 Turks are travelling by train to a conference. At the station, the 3 Turks each buy tickets and watch as the 3 Greeks buy only a single ticket.
"How are 3 people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks one Turk.
"Watch and you'll see," answers one Greek.

They all board the train. The Turks take their respective seats but all three Greeks cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please."
The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.

The Turks saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the Turks decide to copy the Greeks on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money, and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Greeks don't buy a ticket at all.
"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed Turk.
"Watch and you'll see," answers a Greek.

When they board the train the 3 Turks cram into a restroom and the 3 Greeks cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the Greeks leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Turks are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please."

HEAVEN AND HELL

Heaven is:
where the cooks are French
the mechanics German
the policemen British
the lovers Greeks
and everything is organized by the Swiss

Hell is
where the cooks are British
the mechanics French
the policemen German
the lovers Swiss
and everything is organized by the Greeks

Quotes about Greeks.

Henry Miller, American writer

When the birthplace of the finest civilization the world ever experienced, the country to which we ought what makes life superior and more beautiful, faces such an attack, the place of all real people is by her side.

William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada

Greece gave the example that each one of us must follow, until the enemies of freedom, wherever in the world they may be, suffer their justified punishment.

[A]ll free peoples are deeply impressed by the courage and steadfastness of the Greek nation. ...which is defending itself so valiantly.[1]

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States


Without Greek studies there is no education.

Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer

I have never come across someone who could inspire more respect than the Greek philosophers.

Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher

If in the library of your house you do not have the works of the ancient Greek writers, then you live in a house with no light.

George Bernard Shaw, Irish-British playwright

It's a shame to be called "educated" those who do not study the ancient Greek writers.

François Rabelais, French Renaissance writer

The world is the expanding Greece and Greece is the shrinking world.

Victor Hugo, French Romantic writer

Though Greece was conquered, she defeated the conquerer and imported the arts in the uncivilised Latium.

Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Roman lyric poet

If there had not been the virtue and courage of the Greeks, we do not know which the outcome of World War II would had been.

Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

First Greece taught us that free men can be brave, and that no defeat is meant to last forever. This small nation proved to be worthy of its history.

Albert Camus, French author and philosopher

Our country, in which virtue is especially honoured, watches with admiration the struggle of the Greeks in Albania. We are so much touched, that, by letting aside every other feeling, we shout: LONG LIVE HELLAS!.

Mainichi Shimbun, Japanese newspaper, 7 December 1940

The Russian people will always be grateful to the Greeks for delaying the German army long enough for winter to set in, thereby giving us the precious time we needed to prepare. We will never forget.[2]

Joseph Stalin, in an open letter read frequently on Radio Moscow during the war

Historical justice forces me to admit that among all the enemies who stand against us, the Greek soldier above all, fought with the most courage. He surrendered himself only when the continuation of resistance was not possible any longer, and when he had no reason not to... However, he fought so bravely, that even his enemies can not deny their respect for him... Thus, the Greek prisoners of war were released immediately, having in mind the heroic stance of these soldiers.[3]

Adolph Hitler, Reichstag, 4 May 1941 I forbid the

Press to underestimate the Greeks, to defame them... The Führer admires the bravery of Greeks. [4]

Joseph Goebbels in his diary, 9 April 1941

The brave struggle of the people of this relatively small nation, for the right to live without interventions by dictatoric states, calls forth the respect and admiration of all the nations who love freedom.

United States Congress, 3 April 1941

Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks.[5]

Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

In the name of the captured yet still alive French people, France wants to send her greetings to the Greek people who are fighting for their freedom. The 25th of March, 1941 finds Greece in the peak of their heroic struggle and in the top of their glory. Since the battle of Salamis Greece had not achieved the greatness and the glory which today holds.

Charles de Gaulle, President of the French Republic

If the sharp-sightedness of the Greeks had kept pace with their intelligence, then maybe even the Industrial Revolution had begun one thousand years before Columbus. And so, in our era, we would not just try to visit the Moon, but we would already had arrived on other close planets.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke, English author and inventor

Nobody can say a word against Greek: it stamps a man at once as an educated gentleman.

George Bernard Shaw, Irish-British playwright

Know ye the land where the cypress and myrtle

Are emblems of deeds that are done in their clime,

Where the rage of the vulture,

the love of the turtle,

Now melt into sorrow,

now madded to crime?

Lord Byron, Anglo-Scottish poet


To Greece we give our shining blades.

Thomas Moore, Irish poet[6]

How can any educated person stay away from the Greeks? I have always been far more interested in them than in science.

Albert Einstein, Jewish-American scientist

Of all peoples the Greeks have dreamt the dream of life best.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German polymath

What a city we have given over to plunder and destruction.

Mehmed II, Ottoman Sultan, 29 May 1453

Greece is the mother of science and the source of knowledge.

Moses of Chorene, Armenian historian.

I would prefer to be a Greek, rather than a heir apparent of a throne.

Ludwig I, King of Bavaria.

The Greek flag

Η Ελληνική σημαία: Η σημασία της
The Greek flag: Its meaning
Lily Technology


The meaning of the pattern and colours of the Greek flag helps to understand the inner word of the Greek people. Flags have been used since the Revolution of the Greek Nation against the Ottoman Empire, in 25th March 1821. The founders of the modern Greek state choose this pattern and colours to express themselves. The National Flag of Greece appears on the top of the page. Although it is difficult to unreveal the true intentions of the people responsible for the selection of the pattern and colours of the flag an interpretation give us a best approach.

The number of the lines is based on the number of the syllables in the Greek phrase: "Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος" (Ε-λευ-θε-ρί-α ή Θά-να-τος / E-leu-the-ri-a H Tha-na-tos), which means "Freedom or Death". Freedom or Death was the motto during the years of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. According to another interpretation the number of lines reflects the number of letters in the Greek word for Freedom which equals 9. This word stirred the heart of the oppressed Greeks, it created intense emotions and inspired them to fight and gain their freedom after approximately 400 years of slavery.

The line pattern resembles the wavy sea that surrounds the shores of Greece. The interchange of blue and white colours makes the Hellenic Flag on a windy day to look like the sea that surrounds the land. Only the quaint islands are missing!

The square Cross that rests on the upper left-side of the flag and occupies one fourth of the total area demonstrates the respect and the devotion the Greek people have for the Orthodox Church and signifies the important role of Christianity in the formation of the modern Hellenic Nation. During the dark years of the Ottoman rule, the Orthodox Church helped the enslaved Greeks to retain their cultural characteristics: the Greek language, to continue the Byzantine culture, which itself was a continuation of the Hellenistic culture which in turn was based on the classical Greek culture, and generally the Greek ethnic identity, by the institution of the Crypha Scholia (hidden (night) schools). The Crypha Scholia were a web of schools that operated secretly throughout Greece and were committed in transmitting to the Greeks the wonders of their ancestors and the rest of their cultural heritage. Today, Christianity is still the dominant religion among Greeks with about 98% of them following the Eastern Christian Orthodox Faith. For 2000 years!!!. Therefore the existence of the Cross is justified.

The two colours, blue and white, symbolizes the blue colour of the sea that surrounds the land and the whiteness of the restless Greeks waves. According to the mythic legends, the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodite emerged from these waves. In addition, it reflects the blue of the Greek sky and the white of the few clouds that travel in it. According to another interpretation the blue and white symbolizes the similar colours of the clothing (vrakes) of the Greek sailors during the Greek War of Independence.

More information in the near future...

Τελευταία Ενημέρωση: 1η Οκτωβρίου 1999 / Last Updated: 1st October 1999
Πνευματικά Δικαιώματα / Copyright (©) 1997-1999 Lily Technology.
Με την Επιφύλαξη Παντός Δικαιώματος / All Rights Reserved.

Ελληνες!

Έλληνες...!


Αυτοί είναι οι δικοί μου λόγοι που μας γουστάρω τους Έλληνες. Θα έγραφα κι άλλους αλλά όταν μιλάς για την Ελλάδα, δεν σου φτάνουν ούτε τρία χρόνια μέχρι να τα πεις όλα!!!


1. Γιατί έχουμε θάλασσα να την πιεις στο ποτήρι
2. Γιατί μπροστά στο ρεβανί τι να μας πει το μιλφέιγ
3. Γιατί το καρπούζι το αγοράζουμε ολόκληρο και όχι σε φέτες
4. Γιατί "καμάκι" και "σουβλάκι" είναι το πρώτο ποίημα που μαθαίνουμε
5. Γιατί τους μεζέδες που συνοδεύουν το τσιπουράκι δεν τους φτάνει κανένα "ορντέβρ"
6. Γιατί στην Ελλάδα κάθε νύχτα τελειώνει το επόμενο πρωί
7. Γιατί "λουλουδοπόλεμος" δεν υπάρχει σε καμιά άλλη χώρα
8. Γιατί πίνουμε κι ένα ποτηράκι παραπάνω χωρίς να μας πίνει
9. Γιατί μπορούμε να απολαύσουμε τον καφέ μας με τσιγάρο. Όχι να τον πιούμε σφηνάκι και να πάμε να καπνίσουμε κρυφά στο σπίτι μας
10. Γιατί το φλερτ είναι το εθνικό μας χόμπι
11. Γιατί στην Ελλάδα όλοι βρίζουμε το Δημόσιο και ταυτόχρονα σκοτωνόμαστε για μια θέση εκεί


12. Γιατί έχουμε δεν έχουμε λεφτά, ένα μπουζουκάκι θα το πάμε
13. Γιατί έχουμε νοοτροπία "και αύριο μέρα είναι"
14. Γιατί όταν μπαίνουμε σε λεωφορείο κάνουμε τα πάντα για να βρούμε θέση να καθίσουμε
15. Γιατί δεν το παίζουμε ψευτοπουριτανοί. Τις "λαδιές" μας τις κάνουμε με θράσος
16. Γιατί είμαστε πρώτοι στο φανάρι και κορνάρουμε τον εαυτό μας από συνήθεια
17. Γιατί ξέρουμε καλύτερα να ξοδεύουμε παρά να αποταμιεύουμε
18. Γιατί δε μοιραζόμαστε τη βενζίνη στο αυτοκίνητό μας με αυτούς που βάζουμε μέσα
19. Γιατί δεν κάνουμε ποτέ επίσκεψη "με άδεια χέρια"
20. Γιατί η λέξη "κερνάω" υπάρχει στο λεξιλόγιό μας
21. Γιατί άντε να εξηγήσεις στον ξένο τι σημαίνει "καψούρα"
22. Γιατί βράζει το αίμα μας
23. Γιατί στην Ελλάδα η οικογένεια έχει ακόμα αξία
24. Γιατί κατά βάθος...είμαστε καλά παιδιά


25. Γιατί τα καταφέρνουμε πάντα...έστω και την τελευταία στιγμή
26. Γιατί δε "μασάμε" από 400 χρόνια σκλαβιάς
27. Γιατί για τα μάτια μιας γυναίκας κάναμε 10 χρόνια πόλεμο
28. Γιατί όταν οι ξένοι δεν έβρισκαν λέξεις έκλεβαν τις δικές μας
29. Γιατί η λέξη φιλότιμο δεν υπάρχει σε καμία άλλη γλώσσα
30. Γιατί καλή η κιθάρα και το όμποε αλλά το μπουζούκι βγάζει άλλο ήχο
31. Γιατί το "Αι Γενέαι Πάσαι" της Μεγάλης Παρασκευής μας σηκώνει την τρίχα κάγκελο
32. Γιατί όποια πέτρα κι αν σηκώσεις Έλληνες θα βρεις από κάτω
33. Γιατί ερωτευόμαστε και μισούμε με πάθος
34. Γιατί τις δύσκολες στιγμές τις περνάμε με φίλους χωρίς να χρειαζόμαστε ψυχίατρο
35. Γιατί ο Σωκράτης, ο Αριστοτέλης και ο Περικλής ήταν Έλληνες
36. Γιατί η Μερκούρη, ο Χατζιδάκις και ο Ελύτης ήταν Έλληνες
37. Γιατί η συνταγή "αλά ελληνικά" είναι η πιο πετυχημένη
38. Γιατί η τρέλα δεν πάει στα βουνά...πάει στις παραλίες!
39. Γιατί οι καλοκαιρινές διακοπές είναι κοντά και... πού να τρέχουμε τώρα!
40. Γιατί όταν οι άλλοι ανακάλυπταν το κρέας εμείς είχαμε ήδη χοληστερίνη
41. Γιατί όταν εμείς φτιάχναμε τον Παρθενώνα οι άλλοι κοιμόντουσαν πάνω στα δέντρα (ναι, αλλά όταν αυτοί έστελναν ανθρώπους στη Σελήνη, εμείς δεν είχαμε φτειάξει ακόμη το Μετρό. Α.Φ.)
42. Γιατί εμείς δώσαμε τα φώτα σε όλους αυτούς που το παίζουνε ηγέτες και οδηγούν στην ειρήνη κάνοντας πολέμους
43. Γιατί η φέτα και το ελαιόλαδο μεταφράστηκαν σε ελληνικό ταμπεραμέντο
44. Γιατί "Ένα γλυκό χωρίς"! Και όλοι καταλαβαίνουν πως πρόκειται για φραπέ


45. Γιατί μπορούμε να παρατήσουμε τα πάντα για έναν μεγάλο έρωτα!
46. Γιατί στη γλώσσα μας διακρίνουμε μεταξύ έρωτα και αγάπης...ξέρουμε όμως να ζούμε με πάθος και τα δυο!
47. Γιατί αλλάζουμε κινητό κάθε χρόνο, αυτοκίνητο κάθε τρία χρόνια και ερωτικό σύντροφο κάθε τρεις και λίγο
48. Γιατί όταν οι άλλοι φορούσαν προβιές λύκων εμείς υφαίναμε αραχνοΰφαντους χιτώνες
49. Γιατί οι Έλληνες δεν πολεμούν σαν ήρωες αλλά οι ήρωες πολεμούν σαν Έλληνες (Winston Churchill- 1941)
50. Γιατί δε βάζουμε κέτσαπ στο φαγητό μας. Έχει από μόνο του υπέροχη γεύση
51. Γιατί όταν πονάμε ξέρουμε να κλαίμε και να χορεύουμε τη ζεμπεκιά με περηφάνια
52. Γιατί ο Έρωτας ήταν Έλληνας Θεός. Γι αυτό ξέρουμε και να αγαπάμε
53. Γιατί μπορεί να είμαστε οξύθυμοι αλλά ποτέ δεν κρατάμε κακία
54. Γιατί κανένας άλλος δεν χαίρεται για την καταγωγή του όσο εμείς
55. Γιατί παρόλο που γνωρίζουμε τον κίνδυνο τολμάμε
56. Γιατί η τρέλα στην Ελλάδα πάει με χίλια....Γι αυτό όλοι τρέχουν στο δρόμο
57. Γιατί το 95% των αστεριών και των πλανητών έχουν ελληνική ονομασία
58. Γιατί δουλεύουμε για να ζούμε και δε ζούμε για να δουλεύουμε
59. Γιατί έχουμε του κόσμου τα ελαττώματα και παρόλα αυτά είμαστε ακαταμάχητοι
60. Γιατί η ζωή μας είναι στο "δυνατό" ενώ των ξένων στο "αθόρυβο"
61. Γιατί αν η χώρα μας δεν ήταν η ομορφότερη του κόσμου, θα τη διάλεγαν για σπίτι τους οι δώδεκα θεοί του Ολύμπου;
62. Γιατί όταν φωνάζουμε "αδελφέ" στο δρόμο, όλοι γυρνάνε


63. Γιατί κάνουμε τις περισσότερες καταχρήσεις κι όμως ζούμε περισσότερο
64. Γιατί ακόμα κι ο Αϊνστάιν παραδέχτηκε ότι οφείλει πολλά σε έναν Έλληνα
65. Γιατί όταν συζητάμε για δίαιτα είμαστε πάντα στο τραπέζι και τρώμε
66. Γιατί κάποτε "φωτίσαμε" ολόκληρο τον κόσμο
67. Γιατί μιλάμε δυνατά και γελάμε με την καρδιά μας
68. Γιατί είμαστε οι μόνοι που ξεκινάμε το μεσημέρι για καφεδάκι και καταλήγουμε να πίνουμε ούζο μέχρι πρωίας
69. Γιατί μπροστά στο Μετσοβόνε τύφλα να χει το Έμενταλ
70. Γιατί με μια φλόγα καταφέραμε να ενώσουμε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο
71. Γιατί ξέρουμε να εκφράζουμε το σ' αγαπώ με κάθε πιθανό τρόπο
72. Γιατί τα πιο απίστευτα είναι κι ελληνικά
73. Γιατί κυκλοφορούμε στο δρόμο στις δύο το βράδυ και δε νιώθουμε ότι είμαστε σε στοιχειωμένη πόλη
74. Γιατί σουβλάκι, σουτζουκάκι και λοιπές ελαφριές γεύσεις είναι η αδυναμία μας


75. Γιατί είμαστε περήφανοι για το παρελθόν μας
76. Γιατί δεν πάμε για ύπνο με τις κότες αλλά το ξημερώνουμε διασκεδάζοντας
77. Γιατί ακόμη και το πιο μικρό ξωκλήσι μας λούζεται από φως. Δεν πιάνεται η ψυχή μας απ' τη σκοτίδα του βιτρώ
78. Γιατί τα λέμε έξω απ΄ τα δόντια
79. Γιατί ξέρουμε να "κλέβουμε" αλλά και να μην "καρφώνουμε" αυτόν που "κλέβει" στις εξετάσεις
80. Γιατί έχουμε πάντα μια λύση- έστω και πλάγια- σε όλα
81. Γιατί οι γονείς μας δεν ξεχνάνε ότι υπάρχουμε μόλις κλείσουμε τα δεκαοκτώ
82. Γιατί είμαστε των άκρων
83. Γιατί την κάθε δυσκολία την αντιμετωπίζουμε για χιούμορ
84. Γιατί το αντιπροσωπευτικότερο ελληνικό σύνθημα είναι: "Για την Ελλάδα, ρε γαμώτο!"
85. Γιατί οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες γεννήθηκαν εδώ
86. Γιατί όταν θέλουμε να λιαστούμε, έχουμε αμμουδιά και θάλασσα. Δεν ξεχυνόμαστε στα γρασίδια ούτε βουτάμε στα σιντριβάνια
87. Γιατί βλέπουμε τον ουρανό γαλάζιο κι όχι μολυβί
88. Γιατί εδώ που ζούμε όλο το χρόνο, ο ξένος το έχει σκοπό ζωής να έρθει μία εβδομάδα
89. Γιατί η Ελλάδα είναι η πιο φτωχή χώρα με τους πιο πλούσιους κατοίκους
90. Γιατί είχαμε μάγκες προγόνους


91. Γιατί ξέρουμε τι θα πει κέφι
92. Γιατί μιλάμε καλά τις ξένες γλώσσες...αλλά ποιοι μιλούν καλά τα ελληνικά;
93. Γιατί πίνουμε και καπνίζουμε περισσότερο από όλους και ζούμε περισσότερο από όλους.
94. Γιατί εμείς γράφουμε την Ιλιάδα, και οι ξένοι την κάνουν έργο χιλιάδες χρόνια μετά.
95. Γιατί το τζατζίκι, το σουβλάκι, η μαγκιά και το φιλότιμο είναι ελληνικά.
96. Γιατί μας αρέσει τα λεφτά και τα ψάρια να τα τρώμε πάντα φρέσκα.
97. Γιατί ενώ έχουμε μικρή χώρα, έχουμε μεγάλη καρδιά.
98. Γιατί το δικό μας μοντέλο ζωής έχει πολλέεεεεεες καμπύλες.
99. Γιατί η μάνα μου κάθε Αύγουστο απλώνει τραχανά. Οι άλλοι τι απλώνουν?
100. Γιατί όταν φοράμε πέδιλα, δεν τα φοράμε με κάλτσες.
101. Γιατί το σύνθημα Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος ήταν ελληνικό.
102. Γιατί πληρωνόμαστε Παρασκευή και Κυριακή πρωί δεν έχουμε λεφτά ούτε για τσιγάρα.
103. ΓΙΑΤΙ ΜΟΝΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΠΑΩ ΣΤΟΝ ΣΟΥΒΛΑΤΖΗ, ΜΕ ΡΩΤΑΕΙ ΚΑΤΑΜΟΥΤΡΑ ΤΙ ΝΑ ΣΟΥ ΒΑΛΩ ΜΕΣΑ ΚΟΠΕΛΙΑ, ΚΑΙ ΟΧΙ ΜΟΝΟ ΔΕΝ ΠΑΡΕΞΗΓΟΥΜΑΙ, ΑΛΛΑ ΤΟΥ ΛΕΩ ΜΕ ΘΡΑΣΟΣ ΑΠ' ΟΛΑ ΒΑΛΕ ΜΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ ΚΑΙ ΑΠΟ ΠΑΝΩ

We are Greeks.

Είμαστε ο λαός που δίδαξε τα πάντα. Τα οποία, δυστυχώς, οι υπόλοιποι λαοί έσπευσαν και τα έκαναν πράξη.
● ● ●
Μετά από 4.000 χρόνια, έχουμε αρχίσει να ξεπερνάμε τη βασική μας θεωρία ότι ο πλανήτης κατοικείται από δύο έθνη: Τους Έλληνες και τους βαρβάρους.
● ● ●
Κανείς δεν ξέρει γιατί τίποτα και πουθενά δεν είναι σαφές σε αυτή τη χώρα. Το πιθανότερο είναι να οφείλεται στο γεγονός ότι η Ελλάδα είναι από τις λίγες χώρες στον κόσμο που διαθέτουν υπουργείο χωροταξίας.
● ● ●
Είναι πολλές οι περιπτώσεις όπου ο Έλληνας προσποιείται στο αφεντικό του ότι δουλεύει. Είναι όμως περισσότερες εκείνες όπου το αφεντικό του προσποιείται ότι τον πληρώνει.
● ● ●
Μας αρέσει να έχουμε ένα σπίτι στο δάσος και καίμε το δάσος για να το φτιάξουμε.
● ● ●
Γεμίζουμε τα σαλόνια μας με δερματόδετες εγκυκλοπαίδειες που ποτέ δεν ανοίξαμε. Όχι μόνο γιατί ταιριάζουν με το καθιστικό μας άλλα γιατί πρέπει οι επισκέπτες μας να φύγουν με την εντύπωση ότι είμαστε μορφωμένοι άνθρωποι.
● ● ●
Η πλειοψηφία των Ευρωπαίων διαβάζει εφημερίδες. Η πλειοψηφία των Ελλήνων δεν διαβάζει εφημερίδες. Εκδίδει εφημερίδες.
● ● ●
Ελάχιστοι είναι οι Έλληνες που ξέρουν να γράφουν και οι καλύτεροι από αυτούς γράφουν στους τοίχους.

Παρασκευή 21 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

Hellenic language

"Μήπως είμαστε σωβινιστές;"
(Τού Γιάννη Παυλάκη, φιλολόγου, προέδρου του ΟΔΕΓ Πειραιώς.
Αναδημοσίευση από την εφημ. " Η Γλώσσα μας" του Ομίλου Πειραιώς
για την διάδοση της Ελληνικής Γλώσσας.):

"
Μερικοί καλοθελητές κατηγορούν κάθε επαινετή της Ελλάδος
ως δήθεν σωβινιστή. [...] Καλούμε λοιπόν εδώ, όχι Έλληνες,
αλλά επιφανείς ξένους να τεκμηριώσουν με το λόγο τους την
αξία, την ακτινοβολία, την αθανασία της Ελληνικής γλώσσας.
Δειγματοληπτικά:

Κικέρων (ο ενδοξότερος ρήτωρ της αρχαίας Ρώμης):
"Ει οι θεοί διαλέγονται, τη των Ελλήνων γλώττη χρώνται."

Huan Azio (Βάσκος γερουσιαστής):
"Διά την διεθνοποίησιν της Ελληνικής γλώσσης μεγάλην έχομεν
ευθύνην, ως ουκ ούσαν άλλην γλώσσαν αυτής ανωτέραν."

Errieta Valter (Γαλλίδα γλωσσολόγος):
"Η Ελληνική γλώσσα είναι η μόνη στην Ευρώπη που δεν υπέκυψε
σε καμμία κατοχή."

Wandruska (καθ. γλωσσολογίας Πανεπ. Βιέννης):
"Οι ευρωπαϊκές γλώσσες φαίνονται ως διάλεκτοι της Ελληνικής."

Sagredo και Puhana (Βάσκοι ελληνιστές):
"Η ελληνική γλώσσα και παιδεία αποτελουσι το θεμέλιον τού
Δυτικού πολιτισμού. Πάντες δε Ευρωπαίοι οφειλέται της Ελλάδος
εσμέν."

M. Ventris (Άγγλος επιστήμων που αποκρυπτογράφησε τη Γραμμική
γραφή Β'):
"Η αρχαία Ελληνική γλώσσα ήτο και είναι η ανωτέρα όλων των
παλαιοτέρων και νεωτέρων γλωσσών."

U. Wilamowitz (ο μέγιστος των φιλολόγων, Γερμανός):
"Η Ελληνική φυλή, ανωτέρα κάθε άλλης, είναι και μητέρα κάθε
πολιτισμού."

Βολταίρος (μεγάλος Γάλλος διανοητής):
"Είθε η Ελληνική γλώσσα να γίνει κοινή όλων των λαών."

Var. Goeger (Γερμανός σοφός):
"Ο Ευρωπαϊκός πολιτισμός ξεκινά από την Ελλάδα."

Goethe (ο κορυφαίος Γερμανός ποιητής):
"Η Ελλάδα είναι ο νους και η καρδιά της οικουμένης."

Ακαδημία Επιστημών της ΕΣΣΔ, "Παγκόσμια Ιστορία":
"Χωρίς τα θεμέλια που έθεσαν οι Έλληνες δεν θα υπήρχε ο
νεώτερος ευρωπαϊκός πολιτισμός. Η ελληνική λογοτεχνία είναι
η αρχαιότερη της Ευρώπης."

Hellen Keler (η διάσημη τυφλή Αμερικανίδα συγγραφέας):
"Όπως το βιολί είναι το τελειότερο μουσικό όργανο, έτσι και
η Ελληνική γλώσσα."

H.F. Kitto (Άγγλος κάθ. Πανεπιστημίου):
"Όλοι οι κλάδοι της λογοτεχνίας και της επιστήμης αρχίζουν
με τους Έλληνες. Η Ελληνική γλώσσα είναι η πιο καθαρή και η πιο
πλούσια στον κόσμο."

Irina Kovaleva (Ρωσσίδα καθηγήτρια Πανεπ. Μοσχας):
"Η Ελληνική γλώσσα είναι όμορφη σαν τον ουρανό με τ' άστρα."

Maurice Kruaze (Γάλλος Ακαδημαϊκός):
"Οι άνθρωποι θα ανατρέχουν πάντα στις πηγές της ελληνικής
κλασσικης αρχαιότητας για να δροσιστούν."

Furtvengler (καθ. Πανεπ. Βιεννης):
"Η Ρώμη στάθηκε μία αιώνια πόλη, αλλά η Αθήνα είναι κόσμος
ολόκληρος."

Marianne McDonald (η πρωτεργάτης του TLG)
"Η γνώση της ελληνικής γλώσσας είναι απαραίτητο θεμέλιο υψηλής
πολιτιστικής καλλιέργειας."

Karl Marx (ο θεμελιωτής του Μαρξισμού):
"Οι αξίες του Ελληνικού Πολιτισμού παραμένουν άφθαστα πρότυπα."

Bernard Shaw (ο μεγάλος Ιρλανδός συγγραφέας):
"Άν στην βιβλιοθήκη σας δεν έχετε έργα των αρχαίων Ελλήνων
συγγραφέων, τότε μένετέ σ' ένα σπίτι χωρίς φώς."

Will Durant (Αμερικανός ιστορικός):
"Τό αλφάβητό μάς προηλθεν εξ Ελλάδος διά της Κύμης και της
Ρωσσίας."

Ύστερα λοιπόν από αυτά τα τεκμήρια, τί λέτε, είμαστε σωβινιστες;
"

---

Ας προσθέσουμε όμως και μερικές ακόμα ρήσεις για την Ελληνική
γλώσσα.

Martin Heideger (μέγας φιλόσοφος):
"Για τους Έλληνες η ύψιστη προίκα τους είναι η γλώσσα τους, στην
οποία η παρουσία (φιλοσοφ. όρος) ως τοιαύτη φθάνει στην εκκάλυψη και
στην κάλυψη. Όποιος δεν μπορεί να δή την δωρεά ενός τέτοιου δώρου
προς τον άνθρωπο και όποιος δεν μπορεί ν' αντιληφθή τον προορισμό
ενός τέτοιου πεπρωμένου, καθόλου δεν θ' αντιληφθή τον λόγο περί του
προορισμού του είναι, όπως ο φυσικός τυφλός δεν μπορεί ν' αντιληφθή
τί είναι το φώς και το χρώμα." ("Εισαγωγή στη Μεταφυσική".)
Τό βιβλίο του, "Είναι και χρόνος", ξεκινά με το χωρίο του
Πλατωνος: "Δήλον γαρ ως υμείς μέν ταύτα πάλαι γιγνώσκετε, ημείς δε
προ του μεν ωόμεθα, νυν ηπορήκαμεν."
Αλλού: "Τά αρχαία Ελληνικά δεν είναι μία γλώσσα, αλλά "Η Γλώσσα"."

Werner Heisenberg (μέγας Γερμανός φυσικομαθηματικός-φιλόσοφος):
"Η θητεία μου στην Ελληνική γλώσσα υπήρξε η σπουδαιότερη
πνευματική μου άσκησις. Στήν γλώσσα αυτήν υπάρχει η πληρεστερη
αντιστοιχία μεταξύ της λέξεως και του εννοιολογικού της
περιεχόμενου."

Marriane McDonald (η πρωτεργάτης του TLG):
"Η Γλώσσα της Ελευθερίας, ο Ένδοξος θησαυρός της Ελλάδος, η Δόξα
της Ελλάδος, ανήκει σε όλους μας και έχει διαμορφώσει την επιστημονική
και λογοτεχνική κληρονομιά του Δυτικού Κόσμου. [...] Η ιστορία της
Ελληνικής γλώσσας αποτέλει την ιστορία της φιλοσοφικής και πολιτιστικής
εξέλιξης του ανθρώπου της Δύσης. Από όλα τα ανθρώπινα δημιουργήματα, η
Ελληνική γλώσσα είναι το καταπληκτικότερο. Η γνώση της Ελληνικής γλώσσας,
της ζωής και των σχέσεων στις οποίες οι Έλληνες εξέφρασαν τη σκέψη τους
και τα αισθήματά τους, είναι ουσιαστικά αντιπροσωπευτικά στοιχεία για
έναν υψηλό πολιτισμό. Δέν υπάρχει πιο όμορφη γλώσσα από την Ελληνική.
Έχει διατηρήσει την ομορφιά της μέσα στους αιώνες, όχι μόνο με τη μορφή
και τους ήχους της, αλλά και με τις ηθικές ιδέες που εκφράζει. [...]
Οι Έλληνες μάς έδωσαν το χρυσό μέτρο και τη χρυσή τους γλώσσα. [...] Η
Ελληνική γλώσσα πρέπει να διαιωνιστεί ως πολύτιμος και ωραίος θησαυρός.
[...] Πρέπει να ξεκινήσουμε μία νέα σταυροφορία για την υπεράσπιση της
Ελληνικής γλώσσας και την διατήρηση της ιστορικής μνήμης του παρελθόντος.
Η Ελληνική γλώσσα είναι ένα γερό κτίσμα όσο ο Παρθενώνας. [...] Ας
εργαστούμε όλοι μαζί για να λαμπρύνουμε το θησαυρό της Ελληνικής Γλώσσας
και να τον κάνουμε κτήμα προσιτό σε όλον τον κόσμο."

G. Murray (καθ. της Ελληνικής στο Πανεπ. Οξφόρδης):
"Η Ελληνική είναι η τελειότερη γλώσσα. Συχνά διαπιστώνει κανείς
ότι μία σκέψη μπορεί να διατυπωθεί με άνεση και χάρη στην Ελληνική,
ενώ γίνεται δύσκολη και βαρειά στην Λατινική, Αγγλική, Γαλλική ή
Γερμανική. Είναι η τελειότερη γλώσσα επειδή εκφράζει τις σκέψεις
των τελειότερων ανθρώπων."

T.L. Heath (Βρετανός μαθηματικός):
"Η Ελληνική γλώσσα προσφερόταν κατά εξαιρετικό τρόπο ως όχημα
της επιστημονικής σκέψεως. Ένα από τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά της γλώσσας
του Ευκλείδη είναι η θαυμαστή ακρίβεια. Η γλώσσα των Ελλήνων είναι
επίσης θαυμασίως περιεκτική. Στόν Αρχιμήδη, στον Ήρωνα, στον Πτολεμαίο
και στον Πάππο θα βρούμε πραγματικά πρότυπα περιεκτικών δηλώσεων."
("Mathematics and Astronomy".)

Huan Puhana Arza (Βάσκος ελληνιστής):
"Η της Ελληνικής γλώσσης σαφήνεια, η τελειότης, η ελασιμότης
και πλούτος τοσούτοι εισίν ή πάσας άλλας γλώσσας υπερίσχυκε και
ικανή του δημιουργείν και αναπτύσσειν τοσούτον πολιτισμόν ή πάσαι
άλλαι ήττονές εισιν, αλλ' αφειλέται αυτής." (Τα Ελληνικά είναι του
ιδίου.)

M. Ventris:
"Η αρχαία Ελληνική γλώσσα είχε ανωτερότητα και εξακολουθεί να έχει
απέναντι σε όλες τις νεώτερες γλώσσες και, γιατί όχι, απέναντι σε
όλες τις λατινικές, γερμανικές ή σλαβικές. Αυτό το εργαλείο είναι
το τελειότερο πνευματικό εργαλείο που σφυρηλάτησε ποτέ η ανθρώπινη
νόησις." ("Documents in Mycenean Greek".)

Jean Bouffartigue kai Anne-Marie Delrieu (Γάλλοι λεξικογράφοι):
"Μακρινή πηγή του πολιτισμού μας η Ελλάδα, βρίσκεται ζωντανή μέσα
στις λέξεις που λέμε. Σχηματίζει κάθε μέρα τη γλώσσα μας.
Οι βάσεις και ο εξοπλισμός του επιστημονικού λεξιλογίου ήρθαν από
την Ελλάδα, ακόμα και στην αρχαιότητα. Τά δάνεια όμως εξακολούθησαν,
και όχι μόνο από συνήθεια. Συνέχισαν, διότι η Ελληνική γλώσσα
προσφέρεται με αξιθαύμαστο τρόπο, πολύ περισσότερο από ό,τι η
Λατινική, για την δημιουργία των λέξεων ανάλογα με τις ανάγκες.
Η Ελληνική γλώσσα δεν παρείχε πια αρκετές λέξεις για τον
αυξανόμενο αριθμό νέων εννοιών. Παρουσιάστηκε τότε η ιδέα να
χρησιμοποιηθούν οι μέθοδοι που εφάρμοζαν οι Έλληνες για να αυξάνουν
το λεξιλόγιό τους. Η δομή της γλώσσας τους τούς επέτρεπε να συνθέτουν
λέξεις μ' έναν τρόπο απλό και αποτελεσματικό. Τούς μιμήθηκαν...
κατασκεύασαν μία νέα λέξη, την οποία μετέτρεψαν στη γλώσσα τους
(γαλλικά, αγγλικά, γερμανικά, ιταλικά). Η μίμηση τις πιο πολλές φορές
είναι πετυχημένη, διότι οι κατασκευαστές Ελληνικών λέξεων είναι
εξαίρετοι ελληνιστές."
("Tresors des Racines Greques", 1981.)

H.F. Kitto (Βρετανος κάθ. Πανεπιστημίου Bristol):
"Είναι στην φύση της Ελληνικής γλώσσας να είναι ακριβής, καθαρή
και σαφής. Η ασάφεια και η έλλειψη άμεσης ενοράσεως, που χαρακτηρίζει
μερικές φορές τα Αγγλικά, καθώς και τα Γερμανικά, είναι εντελώς ξένες
στην Ελληνική γλώσσα. Μαζί με αυτή τη σαφήνεια και τη δημιουργικότητα
και τη σοβαρότητα, βρίσκουμε επίσης ευαισθησία και άψογη κομψότητα."

Albert Zursen:
"Δέν μπορεί κανείς ν' αναφερθή στα ελληνικά γράμματα, χωρίς
να αναφέρη ότι και η ίδια η γλώσσα, μία από τις ωραιότερες απ'
όσες μίλησαν πoτέ οι άνθρωποι, εξακολουθεί να ζή και σήμερα
στην επιστημονική ορολογία της εποχής μας, παρέχοντάς μας μίαν
αστείρευτη πηγή νέων όρων." ("L' Histoire: Les hommes, les
civilisations depuis les origines".")

W. Thompson (καθ. Φυσικής Ιστορίας στο Πανεπ. St. Andrews):
"Υπάρχουν άνθρωποι που λένε ότι τα Ελληνικά δεν χρειάζονται.
Πράγματι, υπάρχουν άνθρωποι για τους οποίους τα Ελληνικά δεν
θα μπορούσαν να κάνουν τίποτα. Υπάρχουν όμως και θα εξακολουθήσουν
να υπάρχουν πολλοί άλλοι, που στην Ελληνική σοφία και στην γλυκεία
Ελληνική γλώσσα ανακαλύπτουν κάτι που το έχουν ανάγκη και που
χωρίς αυτό θα ένιωθαν στ' αλήθεια φτωχοί: κάτι που είναι σαν ραβδί
στο χέρι, φως στο μονοπάτι, φάρος-οδηγός... Και όταν κάποιος τους
ρωτήσει για ποιό λόγο ασχολούνται με την Ελληνική γλώσσα, το
πιθανότερο είναι ότι θα μείνουν άφωνοι μπροστά στην τερατώδη ύβρι
της ερωτήσεως και ο λόγος της αφοσιώσεώς τους θα μείνη για πάντα
κρυμμένος από τον ερωτώντα." (Στο "The Legacy of Greece".)

Gibbon (μεγάλος Βρετανός ιστορικός):
"Οι Βυζαντινοί εξακολουθούσαν να κατέχουν το χρυσό κλειδί που
μπορούσε να ξεκλειδώνη τους θησαυρούς της αρχαιοτητος: την μουσική
και πλούσια Ελληνική γλώσσα που δίνει ψυχή στα αντικείμενα των
αισθήσεων και σώμα στις αφηρημένες έννοιες της φιλοσοφίας."

Shelley:
"Η γλώσσα των Ελλήνων, σε ποικιλία, απλότητα, ευλυγισία και
πιστότητα ξεπερνά κάθε άλλη." ("On the manners of the ancients".)

Goethe:
"Άκουσα στον Άγιο Πέτρο της Ρώμης το Ευαγγέλιο σε όλες τις
γλώσσες. Η Ελληνική ξεχώρισε, άστρο λαμπερό μέσα στη νύχτα."

---

Φρειδερίκος Νίτσε ("Η Γένεση της Τραγωδίας", κεφ. XV, 1872)

"Αποδεδειγμένα σε κάθε περίοδο της εξέλιξής του ο δυτικοευρωπαϊκός
πολιτισμός προσπάθησε να απελευθερώσει τον εαυτό του από τους Έλληνες.
Η προσπάθεια αυτή είναι διαποτισμένη με βαθύτατη δυσαρέσκεια, διότι
οτιδήποτε κι αν (οι δυτικοευρωπαίοι) δημιουργούσαν, φαινομενικά
πρωτότυπο και άξιο θαυμασμού, έχανε χρώμα και ζωή στη σύγκρισή του με
το ελληνικό μοντέλο, συρρικνωνότανε, κατέληγε να μοιάζει με φθηνό
αντίγραφο, με καρικατούρα. Έτσι ξανά και ξανά μια οργή ποτισμένη με
μίσος ξεσπάει εναντίον των Ελλήνων, εναντίον αυτού του μικρού και
αλαζονικού έθνους που είχε το νεύρο να ονομάσει βαρβαρικό (για κάθε
εποχή) ό,τι δεν είχε δημιουργηθεί στο έδαφός του.

Μα ποιοί, επιτέλους, είναι αυτοί των οποίων η ιστορική αίγλη υπήρξε
τόσο εφήμερη, οι θεσμοί τους τόσο περιορισμένοι, τα ήθη τους αμφίβολα
έως απαράδεκτα, και οι οποίοι απαιτούν μια εξαίρετη θέση ανάμεσα στα
έθνη, μια θέση πάνω από το πλήθος; Κανένας απο τους επανεμφανιζόμενους
εχθρούς τους δεν είχε την τύχη να ανακαλύψει το κώνειο, με το οποίο θα
μπορούσαμε μια για πάντα να απαλλαγούμε απ' αυτούς. Όλα τα δηλητήρια
του φθόνου, της ύβρεως, του μίσους έχουν αποδειχθεί ανεπαρκή να
διαταράξουν την υπέροχη ομορφιά τους.

Έτσι, οι άνθρωποι συνεχίζουν να νιώθουν ντροπή και φόβο απέναντι στους
Έλληνες. Βέβαια, πού και πού, κάποιος εμφανίζεται που αναγνωρίζει ακέραιη
την αλήθεια, την αλήθεια που διδάσκει ότι οι Έλληνες είναι οι ηνίοχοι
κάθε επερχόμενου πολιτισμού και σχεδον πάντα τόσο τα άρματα όσο και τα
άλογα των επερχόμενων πολιτισμών είναι πολύ χαμηλής ποιότητας σε σχέση
με τους ηνίοχους (Έλληνες), οι οποίοι τελικά αθλούνται οδηγώντας το άρμα
στην άβυσσο, την οποία αυτοί ξεπερνούν με αχίλλειο πήδημα."

We like being Greek.

WE LIKE BEING GREEK:
Because we have a small, poor country full of people with big hearts.
Because we never visit others empty handed.
Because there is no way to explain to foreigners what is "kapsoura" (burning desire for someone).
Because in Greece family is still something valuable.
Because we always make it, albeit in the last moment.
Because we were slaves for 400 years yet never bring that up as an excuse for our current state.
Because we are everywhere around the planet.
Because "filotimo" (friend of honour, helping someone because it is a shame not to) does not exist in any other language.
Because whenever foreigners cannot find a word, they use one of ours.
Because we spend our bad and low times with our friends and family, not with shrinks.
Because Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were Greek.
Because we invented theatre.
Because we gave birth to Democracy.
Because we discovered logic.
Because we jumpstarted science.
Because we are proud of our culture, not of our wars.
Because when we were building the Parthenon, the others were still sleeping on trees
Because we gave the light to all these leaders who are "striving" for peace by making wars.
Because we have a distinction between Eros (falling in love) and Agapi (innocent love), while we feel both of them passionately.
Because Eros was a Greek God.
Because we gave the oath "freedom or death".
Because when others used to be clothed with wolf skin we were weaving see-through linen.
Because "Greeks do not fight as heroes, heroes fight like Greeks" (Winston Churchill,1941).
Because we gave our ancient alphabet to the Romans & our medieval alphabet to the Slavs.
Because we are not ashamed to cry.
Because we dance when we are sad.
Because we work to live and do not live to work.
Because 97% of the stars' names are Greek.
Because when you shout "brother or cousin " in the streets everyone turns around.
Because the inside of all our churches are not dark but full of light.
Because our parents do not forget that we exist when we reach 18.
Because we confront every difficulty with humor.
Because the Olympic games were born in Greece.
Because, with our (Olympic) light, we unite the world and pass the message of peace.
Because our sky is blue, not grey.
Because 40% of Oxford dictionary is made up with Greek words.
Because we know what "Kefi" (propensity to fun) means.

Some other features of Greek mentality:
FRIENDS: Never ask for food
GREEK FRIENDS: Are the reason you have no food.

FRIENDS: Will say "hello"
GREEK FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.

FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
GREEK FRIENDS: Call your parents Theo and Thea

FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
GREEK FRIENDS: Cry with you.

FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave
GREEK FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together

FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
GREEK FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours

FRIENDS: know a few things about you.
GREEK FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
GREEK FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' ass that left you.

FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
GREEK FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"

FRIENDS: Are for a while.
GREEK FRIENDS: Are for life.

FRIENDS: Will ignore this.
GREEK FRIENDS: Will forward this.

_____________________


[...And non-friends will tell you to take your petty complacency and shove it up where it belongs...]

Μερικαί αυθόρμηται σκέψεις:

Because we always make it, albeit in the last moment.

Μα αυτό ακριβώς είναι το κακό: ότι όλα τα αφήνουμε για την τελευταία στιγμή.

Because we confront every difficulty with humor.

Ή με το δε βαριέσαι, ή με το άι σιχτίρ, ή με το στα αυτά μου, ή με το σιγά που θα σώσω εγώ τον κόσμο...

Because the inside of all our churches are not dark but full of light.

Κυριολεκτικά, ίσως. Μεταφορικά όμως;

Because we are everywhere around the planet.

"Όπου και να ταξιδέψω η Ελλάδα με πληγώνει" (Σεφέρης)

Because we have a distinction between Eros (falling in love) and Agapi (innocent love), while we feel both of them passionately.

Ε και; Όσοι ασχολούμαστε έστω και λίγο με τη μετάφραση έχουμε πολύ σαφή, ενίοτε και οδυνηρή, την επίγνωση ότι και οι άλλες γλώσσες έχουν διακρίσεις που η δική μας δεν έχει.

Because there is no way to explain to foreigners what is "kapsoura" (burning desire for someone).

Μπα; Το "burning desire for someone" δεν είναι εξήγηση; "Having the hots" είναι το -καθόλου συμπτωματικά- ακριβές αγγλικό αντίστοιχο. ("The hots, Slang: intense sexual desire or attraction", λέει το λεξικό.)

Because 40% of Oxford dictionary is made up with Greek words.

Όπως και το 40% του ελληνικού λεξικού είναι λέξεις ιταλικές, τουρκικές και σλαβικές.

Because we are proud of our culture, not of our wars.

Σοβαρά; Τα σχολικά μαθήματα Ιστορίας άλλα έλεγαν...

Because Eros was a Greek God.

Το ίδιο και ο Άρης - όθεν ξαναβλέπε προηγούμενο.

Because when you shout "brother or cousin " in the streets everyone turns around.

Το ίδιο και αν φωνάξεις "ρε μαλάκα" ή "πρόεδρε".

Because our parents do not forget that we exist when we reach 18.

Για την ακρίβεια συνεχίζουν να μας θεωρούν παιδιά ακόμα και μετά τα 38, με αποτέλεσμα την τυπική ποικιλία ελληνικού 'ενήλικα'.

Because we have a small, poor country full of people with big hearts.

Όπως του βαριεστημένου δημόσιου υπάλληλου, του εκβιαστή εφοριακού, του ασυνείδητου γιατρού, του σαδιστή αστυνομικού, του έμπορου που θα σου πουλήσει σκάρτο πράγμα, του τεχνίτη που θα σου κάνει σκάρτη δουλειά, του οδηγού που θα σε βρίσει αν κάνεις ένα λάθος στο τιμόνι ή θα σε αφήσει αβοήθητο στο δρόμο, του συναδέλφου που θα σε μαχαιρώσει πισώπλατα, του γνωστού που δεν σε χωνεύει αν ψηφίζεις άλλο κόμμα - και όλων των άλλων μεγαλόκαρδων νεοελλήνων...

Because, with our (Olympic) light, we unite the world and pass the message of peace.

Μήνυμα σαν κι αυτό: "365 μέρες το χρόνο το αληθινό πνεύμα των αγώνων προβάλλεται από τις εταιρείες-σπόνσορες σε όλον τον κόσμο. Γιατί οι αθλητές μας δεν θα είχαν να τρέξουν, να πηδήξουν, να κολυμπήσουν, αν δεν είχαν να τραφούν, να φιλοξενηθούν και να προπονηθούν. Γι'αυτό εμείς -και όποιος αγαπά τους Aγώνες- οφείλουμε προς αυτές την πιο βαθειά μας ευγνωμοσύνη." (Z. Pογκ, πρόεδρος ΔOE, Ολ. Αγώνες Αθήνας)

Because "Greeks do not fight as heroes, heroes fight like Greeks" (Winston Churchill,1941).

"Aπό σχολικά βιβλία διάβαζα μετά μανίας ελληνική ιστορία και είχα σοβαρές αντιρρήσεις για την άποψη του πατέρα μου. Mα, του λέω, εδώ πέρα λέει πως όλα στην Eλλάδα τα έκαναν ήρωες. Άνθρωποι τα έκαναν, διευκρινίζει ο πατέρας μου. Όταν σε στριμώξουν, μπορεί να γίνεις και ήρωας, συμπληρώνει. Ώστε, λοιπόν, απ' τα πολλά στριμώγματα είναι που γέμισε η Eλλάδα αγάλματα ηρώων κι όχι απ' την «έμφυτη» ροπή των Eλλήνων προς τον ηρωισμό!" (Β. Ραφαηλίδης)

Because we were slaves for 400 years yet never bring that up as an excuse for our current state.

Never? Ατυχώς τυγχάνει να είναι μία από τις αγαπημένες μας δικαιολογίες, μαζί με την άλλη, αυτήν ότι όλοι μας επιβουλεύονται και συνωμοτούν εναντίον μας. (Και γιατί ακριβώς μείναμε 400 χρόνια 'σκλάβοι' αν είμαστε τόσο μοναδικοί ήρωαι και αν 'του Έλληνος ο τράχηλος ζυγόν δεν υπομένει' και λοιπαί παπαριαί;)

Because Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were Greek.
Because we invented theatre.
Because we gave birth to Democracy.
Because we discovered logic.
Because we jumpstarted science.
Because when we were building the Parthenon, the others were still sleeping on trees
Because when others used to be clothed with wolf skin we were weaving see-through linen.

Σωστά... Μόνο που αυτά τα έκαναν αυτοί, όχι εμείς. Το φούσκωμα για το μεγαλείο των προγόνων είναι το τυπικό σύνδρομο όσων πασχίζουν να αποκρύψουν την ασημαντότητα του δικού τους "current state".

"Oι Γερμανοί ελληνιστές, άλλωστε, είναι αυτοί που ανακάλυψαν κάτι περίεργα όντα πλακωμένα κάτω απ' τα αρχαιοελληνικά ερείπια και είπαν: Kοίτα να δεις, υπάρχουν ακόμα Έλληνες. Πρέπει να τους το πούμε, γιατί οι ίδιοι δεν έχουν ιδέα πως είναι Έλληνες και δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση να το μάθουν από μόνοι τους, έτσι που απολιθώθηκε το μυαλό τους. Kαι ούτω πως, κυρίως χάρη στους Γερμανούς ελληνιστές, προέκυψε η εθνική συνείδηση των νεοελλήνων τον 18ο αιώνα. Aν δεν μας έλεγαν πρώτοι οι Γερμανοί πως είμαστε Έλληνες, θα δυσκολευόμασταν πολύ να το μάθουμε από μόνοι μας. Θα μου πεις, και που μας το είπαν, τι έγινε; ... Aν μη τι άλλο σοβαρότερο, τουλάχιστον απ' τον 18ο αιώνα και μετά αρχίσαμε να νοιώθουμε υπερήφανοι για τους προγόνους μας. Kαι χάρη στους προαιώνιους εχθρούς μας, των Περσών μη εξαιρουμένων σε περιπτώσεις βαριάς μορφής σοβινιστικής ηλιθιότητας, συνεχίζουμε να διατηρούμε στην κατάψυξη την εθνική μας υπερηφάνεια. Tη βγάζουμε από κει δυο φορές το χρόνο, κατά τις δύο εθνικές γιορτές. Kαι τη δίνουμε στους ρήτορες των πανηγυρικών να τη φαν να καρδαμώσουν, ώστε να μην τους βγει ισχνός ο περί προγονικής δόξης λόγος." (Β. Ραφαηλίδης)

Because we know what "Kefi" (propensity to fun) means.

Τι βολικό να σκεφτόμαστε μόνο το "κέφι" και το "φιλότιμο" και να ξεχνάμε άλλες ωραίες λέξεις όπως ρουσφέτι, γλύψιμο, λάδωμα, φακελλάκι, κομπίνα, αρπαχτή, λαμόγιο, αεριτζής, αρπακόλλα, βόλεμα, ωχαδερφισμός, γραψαρχιδισμός, κουτοπονηριά, γυφτιά, μαγκιά, τσαμπουκάς, χαφιές, τραμπούκος, κομματόσκυλο, παρακράτος και τελειωμό δεν έχει... (Παρεμπιπτόντως, "κέφι' δεν σημαίνει "propensity to fun": σημαίνει "high mood". Και... η λέξη είναι τουρκική.)

"Οι Έλληνες, κάλλιστος και λίαν αξιαγάπητος λαός, ουδέν άλλον έχουν ελάττωμα πλην της δολιότητος, της αισχροκερδείας, του ψεύδους, της κλοπής και της παντελούς ελλείψως παντός ηθικού αισθήματος." (Ροΐδης)

Σταματάω εδώ και δεν σχολιάζω μία προς μία τις εκπληκτικές αντιδιαστολές μεταξύ friends και greek friends, που ανεβάζουν τη μοναδικότητα της φυλής σε απίθανα ύψη (θεωρώντας π.χ. ότι δεν υπάρχουν άλλοι άνθρωποι που αγκαλιάζονται ή που κλαίνε ο ένας στην αγκαλιά του άλλου), ή που βλέπουν ακόμα και το 'δανεικά κι αγύριστα' ως προτέρημα...

Για περισσότερα και σοβαρότερα, παραπέμπω σε ολόκληρο το blog του γιατρού μας (που είναι απείρως ειδικότερος από μένα επί του θέματος) και του παραδίδω με αγάπη τη σκυτάλη.

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Τρίτη 18 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

Το τροπαριον της Κασσιανης

Κύριε, ἡ ἐν πολλαῖς ἁμαρτίαις περιπεσοῦσα γυνή, τὴν σὴν αἰσθομένη θεότητα, μυροφόρου ἀναλαβοῦσα τάξιν, ὀδυρομένη μύρα σοι, πρὸ τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ κομίζει. Οἴμοι! λέγουσα, ὅτι νὺξ μοι, ὑπάρχει, οἶστρος ἀκολασίας, ζοφώδης τε καὶ ἀσέληνος, ἔρως τῆς ἁμαρτίας. Δέξαι μου τὰς πηγὰς τῶν δακρύων, ὁ νεφέλαις διεξάγων τῆς θαλάσσης τὸ ὕδωρ, κάμφθητί μοι πρὸς τοὺς στεναγμοὺς τῆς καρδίας, ὁ κλίνας τοὺς οὐρανούς, τῇ ἀφάτῳ σου κενώσει, καταφιλήσω τοὺς ἀχράντους σου πόδας, ἀποσμήξω τούτους δὲ πάλιν, τοῖς τῆς κεφαλῆς μου βοστρύχοις, ὧν ἐν τῷ παραδείσῳ Εὔα τὸ δειλινόν, κρότον τοῖς ὠσὶν ἠχηθεῖσα, τῷ φόβῳ ἐκρύβη. Ἁμαρτιῶν μου τὰ πλήθη καὶ κριμάτων σου ἀβύσσους, τὶς ἐξιχνιάσει ψυχοςῶστα Σωτήρ μου; Μὴ με τὴν σὴν δούλην παρίδῃς, ὁ ἀμέτρητον ἔχων τὸ ἔλεος.
Sensing your divinity Lord,
a woman of many sins,
take it upon herself
to become a myrrh bearer
and in deep mourning
brings before you fragrant oil
in anticipation of your burial; crying:
"Woe to me! What night falls on me,
what dark and moonless madness
of wild-desire, this lust for sin.
Take my spring of tears
You who draw water from the clouds,
bend to me, to the sighing of my heart,
You who bend the heavens
in your secret incarnation,
I will wash your immaculate feet
with kisses and wipe them dry
with the locks of my hair;
those very feet whose sound Eve heard
at the dusk in Paradise
and hid herself in terror.
Who shall count the multitude of my sins or the depth of your judgment,
Saviour of my soul?
Do not ignore your handmaiden,
You whose mercy is endless".

THE TROPARION OF KASSIANI

Ιπποκρατειος ορκος

Ο όρκος του ιατρού Ιπποκράτη
Αρχαίο Ελληνικό πρωτότυπο Κείμενο Νεο-Ελληνική Μετάφραση
Ὄμνυμι Ἀπόλλωνα ἰητρὸν καὶ Ἀσκληπιὸν καὶ Ὑγείαν καὶ Πανάκειαν καὶ θεοὺς πάντας τε καὶ πάσας τε καὶ πάσας ἴστορας ποιεύμενος, ἐπιτελέα κατὰ δύναμιν καὶ κρίσιν ἐμὴν ὃρκον τόνδε καὶ συγγραφὴν τήνδε· ἡγήσεσθαι μὲν τὸν διδάξαντά με τὴν τέχνην ταύτην ἴσα γενέτῃσιν ἐμοῑς, καὶ βίου κοινώσεσθαι, και χρεῶν χρηΐζοντιμετάδοσιν ποιήσεσθαι, καὶ γένος τὸ ἐξ αὐτοῡ ἀδελφοῑς ἴσον ἐπικρινεῑν ἄρρεσι, καὶ διδάξειν τὴν τέχνην ταύτην, ἤν χρηΐζωσι μανθάνειν, ἄνευ μισθοῡ και συγγραφῆς, παραγγελίης τε καὶ ἀκροήσιος καὶ τῆς λοίπης ἁπασης μαθήσιος μετάδοσιν ποιήσεσθαι υἱοῑς τε ἐμοῑς καὶ τοῑς τοῡ ἐμὲ διδαξάσαντος, καὶ μαθητῇσι συγγεγραμμένοις τε καὶ ὠρκισμένοις νόμῳ ἰητρικῷ ἅλλῳ δὲ οὐδενί· διαιτἡμασί τε χρήσομαι ἐπ' ὠφελείῃ καμνόντων κατὰ δύναμιν καὶ κρίσιν ἐμήν, ἐπὶ δηλήσει δὲ καὶ ἀδικίῃ εἴρξειν· οὐ δώσω δὲ ούδὲ φάρμακον ούδενὶ αἰτηθεὶς θανάσιμον οὐδὲ ὑφηγήσομαι συμβουλίην τοιήνδε· ὀμοίως δὲ οὐδὲ γυναικὶ πεσσὸν φθόριον δώσω ἁγνῶς δὲ καὶ ὁσίως διατηρήσω βίον τὸν ἐμὸν καὶ τέχνην τῆν ἐμῆν· οὐ τεμέω δὲ οὐδὲ μὴν λιθιῶντας, ἐκχωρῆσω δὲ ἐργάτῃσιν ἀνδράσι πρἡξιος τῆσδε, ἐς οἰκίας δὲ ὁκόσας ἂν ἐσίω, ἐσελεύσομαι ἐπ΄ ὠφελείῃ καμνόντων, ἐκτὸς ἐὼν πάσης ἁδικίης ἑκουσίης καὶ φθορίης, τῆς τε ἂλλης καὶ ἀφροδισίων ἒργων ἐλευθέρων τε καὶ ανδρῴων, ἐλευθέρων τε καὶ δούλων· ἂ δ' ἂν ἐν θεραπείῃ ἢ ἀκούσω, ἢ καὶ ἂνευ θεραπείης κατὰ βίον ἀνθρώπων, ἂ μὴ χρήποτε ἐκλαλεἲσθαι ἒξω, σιγήσομαι· ἂρρητα ἡγεύμενος εἷναι τὰ τοιαῦτα· ὃρκον μὲν οὗν μοι τόνδε ἐπιτελέα ποιέοντι, καὶ μὴ συγχέοντι, εἴη ἐπαύρασθαι καὶ βίου καὶ τέχνης δοξαζομένῳ παρὰ πᾱσιν ἀνθρώποις ἐς τὸν αἰεὶ χρόνον· παραβαίνοντι δὲ καὶ ἐπιορκέοντι τἀναντία τούτων.

Ορκίζομαι στον θεό Απόλλωνα τον ιατρό και στον Ασκληπιό και στην Υγεία και στην Πανάκεια και επικαλούμενος τη μαρτυρία όλων των θεών και των θεαινών ότι θα εκτελέσω κατά τη δύναμη και την κρίση μου τον όρκο αυτόν και τη συμφωνία αυτή. Να θεωρώ τον διδάσκαλό μου της ιατρικής τέχνης ίσο με τους γονείς μου και κοινωνό του βίου μου. Και όταν χρειάζεται χρήματα να μοιράζομαι μαζί του τα δικά μου. Να θεωρώ την οικογένειά του αδέλφια μου και να τους διδάσκω αυτή την τέχνη αν θέλουν να τη μάθουν, χωρίς δίδακτρα ή άλλη συμφωνία. Να μεταδίδω τους κανόνες ηθικής, την προφορική διδασκαλία και όλες τις άλλες ιατρικές γνώσεις στους γιούς μου, στους γιούς του δασκάλου μου και στους εγγεγραμμένους μαθητές που πήραν τον ιατρικό όρκο, αλλά σε κανέναν άλλο. Θα χρησιμοποιήσω τη θεραπεία για να βοηθήσω τους ασθενείς κατά τη δύναμη και την κρίση μου, αλλά ποτέ για να βλάψω ή να αδικήσω. Ούτε θα δίνω θανατηφόρο φάρμακο σε κάποιον που θα μου το ζητήσει, ούτε θα του κάνω μια τέτοια υπόδειξη. Παρομοίως, δεν θα εμπιστευθώ σε έγκυο γυναίκα μέσο που προκαλεί έκτρωση. Θα διατηρώ αγνή και άσπιλη και τη ζωή και την τέχνη μου. Δεν θα χρησιμοποιώ νυστέρι ούτε σε αυτούς που πάσχουν από λυθίαση, αλλά θα παραχωρώ την εργασία αυτή στους ειδικούς της τέχνης. Σε όσα σπίτια πηγαίνω, θα μπαίνω για να βοηθήσω τους ασθενείς και θα απέχω από οποιανδήποτε εσκεμμένη βλάβη και φθορά, και ιδίως από γενετήσιες πράξεις με άνδρες και γυναίκες, ελεύθερους και δούλους. Και όσα τυχόν βλέπω ή ακούω κατά τη διάρκεια της θεραπείας ή και πέρα από τις επαγγελματικές μου ασχολίες στην καθημερινή μου ζωή, αυτά που δεν πρέπει να μαθευτούν παραέξω δεν θα τα κοινοποιώ, θεωρώντας τα θέματα αυτά μυστικά. Αν τηρώ τον όρκο αυτό και δεν τον παραβώ, ας χαίρω πάντοτε υπολήψεως ανάμεσα στους ανθρώπους για τη ζωή και για την τέχνη μου. Αν όμως τον παραβώ και επιορκήσω, ας πάθω τα αντίθετα.

Κυριακή 16 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

Greek influence

Greek influence is visable in everything that we have today. Our laws, cities and even our system of goverment all come from asppects of greek civilization, but maybe what we have been influenced the most gy the greeks is in architecture. Maybe the reason this is, is that it was a new form of architecture that had little to do with function and everything to do with looks. Agood example is the Greek temple. They were built in honor of the gods, but the architects were most likely more concerned with beauty than function. Unlike the Romans who used the arch to support their buildings the Greeks used columns. their system is called the post and lintel system. This system wasn't very efficiant and is now outdated, but in ancient times it was the only way of building. Another thing that the Greeks are famous for are their great theaters, where they held many plays. Some of these plays were building blocks for moderm drama. The greek theater was incredible. The greeks spent years of time and effort to perfect their theater design. In their theater there were four things that most theaters had. The orchestra, paraskenia, theatron, and skene. the orchestra was the stage, located in the center of the theater. unlike many modern stages, which are raised above the seatsthe orchestra was located below the seats. There were sometimes, but not usually, seats located behind the orchestra. The theatron was the audiences seating. THe theatron was raised above the orchestra,which extended in circles. These circles were devided by walkways which extended outward from the orchestra. The shape of the theater allowed the actor's voices to carry without the use of modern day equiptment. The theaters were usually cut out of hillside, meaning that theywere usually one big piece of rock. most theaters could hold about 20000 people! The skene was the backdrop of the stage. It had a picture of the front of a house painted on it. Because of this, all Greek plays took place in front of a house. The skene had windows, doorways, and arches, which allowed many entrances into the orchestra. The rooms located behind the skene were storage rooms for props and dressing rooms for actors. We get the word scene from the greek word, skene. The Paraskenias were the walls that extended away from the skene so that the audiance could not see anything beyond the play. the paraskenia was also sometimes built to be a high arch above the orchestra. This framed the stage and helped keep the audiences attention. Another thing that many theaters had was the proskenium. the proskenium was a bunch of arches or columnsplaced above the skene. This was used to add more layers to the stage as the scenes changed. Greek architectureis known for its magnificent columns. Columns were used on the outsides og buildings and were the main supports of roofs. The three mostly used columns were the dorian , ionic, and corinthian columns. The dorian columns were the oldest and the most comenly used. they were first used in the seventeenth sentuary B.C. They were pretty simple and they had a stone slab at the top and the bottom of the column seperating it from the floor or ceiling. Dorian columns were masculine and were supposed to represent the male body. The Ionic columns were first used in the 16 centurart B.C. The ionic columns were thinner and mor detailed than the dorian columns. The ionic columns were supposed to represent femininity and were eventually full scuptures of woman as columns. The corinthian columns were introduced in th 14 centuary B.C. These columns are the mostly decorated of the three columns. The tops of these columns were sculptures of plants. They had a complicated base with many layers. the corinthian columns symbolized life.

Σάββατο 15 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

To be or not to be ........Greek.

Did you ever watch Spike Lee's "School Daze" growing up and wonder if you would one day share the same college experience? Maybe you caught an episode of "The Parkers" and thought after seeing Kim pledge AAA, all sorority life was exactly the same. Well, contrary to popular belief, everything you see on television or hear about Greek life is not true. In fact being Greek is not for everyone. Now you may think of that as a harsh statement but there is some validity to it. Joining a Greek fraternity or sorority is a beautiful, rewarding experience. You develop a bond that lasts a lifetime, meet people you otherwise might not have met, and experience things you might have not experienced. You learn the meaning of sisterhood and brotherhood, and endeavor to portray these ideals in every aspect of life. However, don't get caught in the hype that everything in the Greek world is peachy, because it isn't. Some people join these organizations for the wrong reasons. For example, some motives are self-gratifying, such as popularity, wearing paraphernalia, chanting at games, stepping in shows, strolling at parties, or even gaining the attention of a future mate. While these particular Greeks may be seen at only the social activities, others can be spotted picking up trash, serving the elderly, promoting health awareness, or even embracing a former friend or classmate. Several of the before-mentioned examples can be considered disturbing but the stereotypes of Greekdom exist and can be a hard pill to swallow. Oftentimes people place Greeks on pedestals and believe that we can't do anything wrong. But let one person of a particular organization do something wrong or not appropriate in the public eye, and the entire organization's image is at stake. When one becomes Greek there is a thin line between individualism and Greek association. Think about it, when the student body knows that you are Greek you are seen in a different light. You are no longer Jane, the nursing major from Mississippi; you are Jane, the Delta, who dates Joe, the Kappa. Then, there is there is the recent rumor that Greeks are devil worshippers. That's right people actually believe that we are atheists. My e-mail account has been bombarded with disturbing e-mails and links to websites that degrade the character of people who hold membership in the Divine Nine. Just recently several Greek organizations on campus found ransom-like notices on their spots accusing us of being devil worshippers and stupid, crazed individuals. Then, demeaning flyers were placed around campus regarding the same matter. I believe that this action was truly unnecessary, immature, and maybe even a sign of prior rejection. If the individuals involved in these activities were that convinced that we worship the devil, when all of our respective organizations are based on Christian principles and practices, they are more ignorant than they think we are, and are wasting their time preaching to the wrong choir. Why not put up flyers announcing an upcoming church event, an AIDS screening location, or a school tutoring program? Then perhaps, I would not be so disgruntled about the tree in the rainforest that could have been saved if that type of foolishness had not been created. I am a true believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinions; but please have your facts straight before you spread false information. My advice to anyone aspiring to be Greek is to conduct extensive research on the organization you are interested in. Observe the chapter on your campus but do not base your decision on its members; base it on the ideals and principles that they are govern by. If those principles compromise your character in any way then that organization is not the one for you. Remember that you make the organization, don't let the organization make you. Every one of us is different and unique; therefore, find your gift and share it with the world, whether you do it with the colors of crimson and crème or the pride of the American dream. Do you and do you well and that's all that counts.

Ten things to steal from the Greeks

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TEN THINGS
TO STEAL FROM...
THE GREEKS
They are Europe's heaviest smokers (66% of the adult population smokes), they put on tracksuits just to watch sport on television, they have a reputation of agreeing to but ignoring EU regulations. We have already stolen democracy, the Olympics, and most of our words from them, but we still think there are a couple of things left that we'd like to get our hands on...

TEN TOP GIFTS TO BUY FROM THE GREEKS.



1. Time. In Greece, GMT stands for Greek Maybe Time. Nothing is too urgent to require immediate attention. The siesta, which takes place between about 2pm and 5pm, is built into the day, and in many villages, the Sunday volta - or promenade in the French sense of the word - is still the highlight of the week, when villagers have a walk to pass the time of day and boys watch girls go by. The common sight of unfinished houses in Greece, with girders sticking out of the top floor, is a testament to the Greeks' relationship with the future; enough of the house is made ready for the family's present needs; when they need more room, they just build more.
2. Cinemas. In summer, most cinemas in Greece are outdoors, and have bars selling whisky, cognac, ouzo and snacks There is also an intermission halfway through the film so you can replenish your drinks and decide whether you are enjoying the movie. And the projectionist won't have to wait until the intermission for his cigarette - smoking is allowed throughout the show in Greek cinemas. Unlike other European countries, Greece does not dub foreign films into Greek but uses subtitles instead.
3. Coffee. Known as Turkish coffee until 1974, when Turkey invaded Northern Cyprus, the coffee you get in Greece is not for the faint-hearted. The young in Greece prefer frappe, instant coffee with milk. In villages, the kafenion or local cafe is the local gossip point, where Greek men go to play Tavli - Backgammon. Until the early '80s, there were always at least two kafenions in every village, no matter how small it was. Each one was decorated with different colours, signalling the political leanings of the kafenion owner. This way you avoided political quarrels. In larger towns and cities, local coffee bars still deliver trays of coffee on foot to local businesses.
4. Eating habits. Cross-generational dining, with grandma and small children of the same table, is always more entertaining even if' it does take longer. But the Greeks aren't in a hurry where food is concerned, late night dining means sitting down to the evening meal no earlier than 9pm. Even on Sunday nights taverns are packed until late. Eating alone is unheard of, so the solo diner will find it hard to get served. Meals in restaurants are paid for in cash, not credit cards or cheques, and Greeks always have enough money on them to pay for others.
5. Island hopping. Greece has 227 inhabitable islands divided up into seven island groups: the lonian Islands, the Dodecanese, Crete, the Cyclades, the Saronic, the North Eastern Aegean Islands and the Sporades. An impressively efficient ferry system operates between the island groups, and Greeks island-hop for weekends away. In fact, the islands may be the reason Greeks are so reluctant to holiday abroad, and who can blame them? August is best avoided by those who hate crowds.
6. Attempts at traffic solutions. Instead of an administration-heavy congestion charge, Athens instituted a system of driving days a few years ago, whereby motorists can only use their cars every other day, as dictated by the last digit of their number plate. This was aimed at combating both congestion and pollution. Unfortunately, the canny Athenians got round the restriction by buying a second car (often second-hand and therefore more likely to pollute) with the opposite number plate. Nice try though. The Athens metro, another traffic solution, could be seen as the eighth wonder of the world, and not only because it's a wonder they ever finished it at all. Finally opened in January 2000, the new subway system looks like a museum. Check out the station under Syntagma Square for the highest concentration of ancient exhibits.
7. The luck of being born female. Most Greek parents build a house for each daughter, but not for their sons as they are supposed to marry a girl who will get a house from her parents. Often it is also the daughter that inherits her parents' or grandparents' house when they die. Do expectant Greek parents pray for sons?
8. Plate Smashing. The Greeks love to throw things. They throw carnations to singers and smash glasses and dishes when beautiful girls dance the zeibekiko or the hasapiko on the dance floor. Back in the '30s they used to throw knives - a sign of respect and manhood -- at dancers' feet. Due to injuries, that tradition gradually changed to the present-day plate-throwing tradition, which has stuck. Luckily the Greeks take their recycling seriously, so it's not a complete waste!
9. Wacky beliefs. Superstitions and strong religious beliefs always make life more interesting. When Greeks move into a new house, the local priest comes over to exorcise and bless it. In Greece, Tuesday the l3th is the unlucky day (not Friday) because it is the day on which Constantinople fell to the 'Ottoman' Turks.
10. Periptera. Incredibly useful street Kiosks that's open late and sell everything from tobacco to cold drinks, maps, newspapers, key rings, ice creams, worry beads, and hundreds of other things. It's always worth asking if they have something as they probably will! There are around 46, 000 of these kiosks in Greece.

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The KAFENION

* The kafenion, the men's coffeehouse, is an alto together Greek institution. You used to see them everywhere, in the main square of every village, in every part of town and at every major city crossroads. Although they may have lost some of their importance in modern times, they still exist in the more rural areas, in small towns and on the islands. This is where the man meet up to talk about the harvest, complain about a bad crop, or grumble about the failure of Brussels' agricultural policy. Family tragedies and personal crises are discussed alongside politics. Anything and everything can be a potential topic of conversation. They argue, discuss, shout and make jokes. Anyone preferring quiet and contemplation can let his thoughts quiet and contemplation can let his thoughts wander in rhythm with the komboloi beads running through his fingers. They sit over a cup of mocha coffee, a glass of water, or even a glass of wine or ouzo. There is no food available here, except perhaps for a bowl of peanuts to accompany the ouzo. Hours can slip by in this way before the men have finally seen, talked, played and drunk enough. Happy and content, they leave this exclusively male world in the knowledge that the kafenion will still be waiting for them in the same place tomorrow.
* The kafenion is likely to be fairly sparsely furnished with simple chairs and tables, yet there is something enduring and timeless about it which has remained unchanged despite the great social changes within Greece. The classic kafenion has managed to maintain its role in Greek life in the face of the dynamic developments of the modern age. While cafes in the big towns have moved on to become meeting places for young people of both sexes, everything here has stayed pleasantly the same. Women do not feel they are missing out on anything in this male domain and they uphold it as part of the traditional role allocation.

TAVLI - BACKGAMMON

* Tavli is the favorite game of Greek men in the kafenion. The Greek word tavli is derived from word tavla, meaning board. The game is played on a board divided into two sections, each marked out with 12 narrow wedges or points in other words 24 wedges in all. Each player has 15 counters. Even through the moves are determined by a throw of the dice, tavli is certainly no game of chance, but a game of strategy based on a skill, intuition and a good deal of psychology. Three main versions are played in Greece. Portes (doors) is played more or less according to the familiar rules of backgammon. The second version is called plakoto (from the Greek word plakono, meaning to cover up). The third version is known as fevga (run or quick, get away). In all three games, the idea is to be the first one to get his counters from the starting position to the winning post.

KOMPOLOI - STRING OF BEADS

* The kompoloi, or string of beads, a familiar sight in the hands of many Greek men, originally came from the Orient. Once it arrived in Greece, it became a form of plaything, always with an uneven number of beads. The word komboloi incorporates the word kombos, meaning the "knot". The fascination and magic derived from these "knots" running through your fingers must come from the thoughts conjured up from playing with these beads.
* The kompoloi is certainly more than just a mean of passing time. Once is almost tempted to say that is reflects a way of life. There is the sound of the beads clocking together, the feel of the smooth beads between your fingers, the hours that slip away while playing with the beads, including an almost trance - like state. There is one important, yet very basic lesson to be learned from playing with the kompoloi beads and that is that the circular string of beads symbolizes the belief that everything returns, nothing really ends: in other words, the belief in infinity.

PERIPTERON - KIOSK

*

If there is one person in Greece who has found his heart's content, it is surely the man in the peripteron. Whether situated on the loud, hectic main road or in a sleepy suburb, all is still right with the world in a peripteron. Periptera are the smallest supermarkets imaginable. They consist of a hut with a roof, measuring one square yard inside, providing just enough room for one chair and stuffed to the ceiling with goods. There are just a few crates stacked on the floor waiting to be unpacked. No town or village would be complete without this institution. They include candies, drinks, ice creams, savory snacks, toys for the little ones and beads for the grown -ups, batteries, cigarettes, newspapers, tissues...napkins, knives, scissors, toilet articles and somehow, as if by magic, you always seem to find the very thing you forgot to buy elsewhere.

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TEN TOP GIFTS TO BUY FROM THE GREEKS. Taking gifts back for loved ones is an important part of your holiday. This is a suggestion of gifts you could take back home. these gifts can suit any budget.

1. Grecian urns - ceramic, decorated or plain, replicas of helmets or swords.
2. Pure Olive Oil Soap in decorative sack wrapping and Virgin Olive Oil in traditional bottles.
3. Komboloi - Greek worry beads (Can be from amber, silver, gold ...etc) , Key rings of Greek symbols.
4. Jewelry - Hellenic Gold inspired by the art and architecture of prehistoric classical Greece, up to the Byzantine era.
5. Bottle openers, paper clips in bronze with various Greek motifs.
6. Greek honey, sweets, chocolates, pistachio Nuts from Aegina (the most well known Pistachio)
7. Traditional style table cloths, cushion covers and rugs.
8. Natural Sea Sponge from the Aegean Sea.
9. A CD of traditional Greek music or a DVD with Greek sites, a Poster or Postcards of Greece, with stamps.
10. Leather jackets or T-shirts with Greek Scenes.

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Famous Greeks

More Greek Celebrities(Alphabetical listing)

1. Agganis, Harry (The Golden Greek) -
2. Agnew, Spiro - Theodoros - US Vice President
3. Alexander the Great - King of Macedonia & King of the Greeks
4. Angel, Criss - MindFreak - Illusionist, musician
5. Angelos, Peter - Attorney, Owner of the Baltimore Orioles
6. Aniston, Jennifer (Anastasakis) - Actress
7. Aniston, John (Yannis Anastasakis) - Actor
8. Archimedes - Mathematician, physicist and engineer
9. Aristotle - Philosopher
10. Azaria, Hank - Actor. Famous for voicing characters in the Simpsons series.
11. Buckley, Jeff - Musician
12. Bulgari family - Famous Jewellers.
13. Callas, Maria (Kalogeropoulos) - Opera singer
14. Carasso, Isaac - Founder of the Danone yoghurt Company (Dannon in US)
15. Cassavetes, John - Actor & Director
16. Cavafy, Constantine - Poet
17. Chakiris, George - Actor
18. Chelios, Chris - Hockey Player
19. Chiklis, Michael - Actor.
20. Chryssa (Chryssa Varda) - Sculptor
21. Clarkson, Kelly - Musician
22. Costacos, George - Actor and Writer
23. Davies, Marion - Actress
24. Demokritos - Philosopher
25. Dimas, Pyrros - Athlete (Weight Lifting)
26. DiScala Jamie-Lynn - Actress, musician.
27. Dukakis, Michael - Politician
28. Dukakis, Olympia - Actress
29. El Greko (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) - Painter
30. Elytis, Odysseus (Alepoudelis) - Poet
31. Euclid - Mathematician
32. Fey, Tina - Head writer of Saturday Night Live
33. Frangoulis, Marios - Tenor.
34. Gage, Nicolas (Gatzoyiannis) - Journalist, Writer (Writer of "Eleni")
35. Galás, Diamanda - Avant-garde performance artist, vocalist, and composer.
36. Gavras, Constantine (Kostas Gavras) - Director
37. Hajiioannou, Stelios - Entrepreneur.
38. Henner, Marilu - Actress and producer. Born in Chicago, IL.
39. Hippocrates - Physician, the "father of medicine".
40. Huffington, Arianna (Stassinopoulos) - Writer
41. Issigonis, Alec - Designer of the Mini car.
42. Kanakarides, Melina - Actress
43. Karmanos, Peter - Software magnate, Owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricane
44. Karras, Alexander George - Footbal player, actor.
45. Katsulas Andreas -
46. Kazan , Elias - Director
47. Kazantzakis, Nikos - Writer
48. Korner, Alexis - Musician, Composer
49. Koteas, Ilias - Actor.
50. Lee, Tommy - Musician
51. Leonsis, Ted - AOL Executive, Owner of the NHL's Washington Capitals
52. Londos Jim (Christopher Theophelus) - Wrestler
53. Louganis, Gregory-Efthimis - Diver - Olympic Athlete
54. Maharis, George - Actor
55. Maroulis, Constantine - Rock singer, actor, and writer.
56. Matenopoulos, Debbie (Despina) - Journalist, talk show host, and actress.
57. Menounos, Maria - Actress, journalist
58. Mercouri, Melina - Actress, Politician
59. Michael, George - Singer/Songwriter
60. Mitropoulos, Dimitris - Conductor
61. Mouskouri, Nana - Singer
62. Onassis, Aristotle - Socrates - Millionaire Shipowner
63. Onassis, Athina - Millionaire
64. Onassis, Christina - Millionaire
65. Pantages, Alexander - Vaudeville and motion pictures producer
66. Papanikolaou, George - Nikolas - Physiologist (Pap test)
67. Papathanassiou, Evangelos (Vangelis) - Musician & Composer
68. Pappas, Irene - Actress
69. Payne, Alexander (Papadopoulos) - Director
70. Perkins, Elizabeth - Actress.
71. Pilates Joseph - Pilates, The man behind the Pilates method
72. Plato - Philosopher
73. Pythagoras - Mathematician and philosopher, Pythagorean Theorem.
74. Sampras, Pete - Tennis player
75. Savalas, Telly (Aristotle) - Actor
76. Scourby, Alexander - Narrator
77. Seferis, George (Seferiadis) - Poet & Diplomat
78. Sirtis, Marina - Actress
79. Skouras, Spyros P. - Movie Magnate, President of 20th Century Fox.
80. Snyder, Jimmy - Gambler, TV Commentator
81. Socrates - Philosopher
82. Spanos, Alex - Real Estate Magnate & Owner of NFL's San Diego Chargers
83. Stamos, John (Stamatopoulos) - Actor
84. Stephanopoulos, George - Diplomat, Former Presidential Advisor
85. Stevens, Cat (Stephen Demetre Georgiou) - Musician
86. Suvari, Mena - Actress
87. Tavoulareas, William Peter - President of Mobil Oil Corporation
88. Tenet, George - Former CIA Director
89. Thales - Philosopher, scientist, mathematician, engineer.
90. Theodorakis, Mikis - Composer
91. Tsongas, Paul Efthemios - Politician
92. Vardalos, Nia - Actress & Writer
93. Von Karajan, Herbert (Karayiannis?) - Famous Conductor
94. Vouras, Peter - Actor
95. Wilson, Rita - Actress, producer
96. Yanni (Yannis Chrysomallis) - Composer
97. Zane, Billy (Zanetakos) - Actor
98. Zappa, Frank - Musician, Composer, Satirist
99. Zavos, Panos - Geneticist

Greek experiment

What did my parents make of Greece? They didn't like the food much, but I can't really blame them coming from such a spice-rich culture as we do. They liked pretty much everything else, and I think part of them now understands why I wanted to leave Britain. They were supremely impressed that the garbage is collected daily, seeing as how they have to cope with a twice monthly collection in the UK and had maggots in their bin last summer.

I forgot, however, to warn them about the Greece Invented Everything conversations, which come flying at you from every direction on your first visit to Greece.

"Macedonia, yes they like to call themselves a country, but Macedonia is Greek"

"That's a Greek word."

"This rock/monument/yiayia is over 5000 years old. Imagine that. 5000 years."

"XYZ came from Greece. So and so's ancestors were Greek."

Is this adorable pride in your history, or is it like a fading beauty who has removed all the mirrors from her house so that she doesn't have to face her less than dazzling present, choosing instead to brood over images of a glory long passed?

Anyone with Greek friends will notice that few of them can just stand around and admire that something is pretty - they are obliged as a term of their nationality to tell you the entire history of everything, even if you've heard it a 100 times and even if all you want to do is look at how beautiful it is. Which is fair enough. It's their country after all.

What's the nicest thing about having family and friends visit you in a foreign country? It helps you look at the familiar with new eyes and appreciate the details that you take for granted, like how the laiki is not infested with flies, or how despite there being no physical barrier to getting on the metro without a ticket, most people will still do the honest thing and line up to buy a ticket. It helps reinforce my belief that after all the tears and the upsets, I have done the right thing for my life.

Image: adapted from http://www.funonthenet.in/images/stories/forwards/Taj%20Mahal/taj-mahal.jpg

Posted by bollybutton at 10/30/2007 01:51:00 PM

6 comments:

Marrying a Greek

Marrying a Greek
I have a dear friend that is married to a Greek Man. I find her opinions very interesting so I decided to put them on this blog, here is her humble opinions:

"It is not easy. Being married to anyone takes effort, hard work, patience and understanding but being in a close relationship with anyone outside of your own culture is all of this....and some more! I don't know how far my own situation reflects other non-Greek women who have fallen in love and thrown in their lot with their Greek man. The things you fall in love with become the things that, in excess, drive you crazy. Namely, these things in my own particular Greek man are:

1. His dramatic interpretation of things. When things are good, the drama and enthusiasm he displays are infectious and enjoyable. However, when things do not go well in his life, everything is exaggerated and he seems to have little ability to control his mood or see things logically. The high drama of a Greek tragedy is released and things get thrown around and smashed, loved ones are on the receiving end of verbal abuse and it seems all the Gods are converging over his head to bring him misery. Then things get better and it is all forgotten!!!

2. One thing I love about Greece is the strong family relationships but, in my humble opinion, Greek men never leave their mothers. She is always their in the background and he knows that whatever he does she will look after him. My own Greek mother-in-law is a dear soul and has been very supportive of me...but... she never expects her son to lift a finger to help and merely tuts when he creates a mess where she has just cleaned. When we are with her, if I am not picking up after him, tolerating his lack of consideration and generally making myself his dog's body then I am not being a good wife for him. Consequently, Greek men grow up to believe that a woman's place is to cook, clean and take care of the children. When my man is not in Greece he is a completely different person - well almost!

3. One thing I love about my Greek man is his spontaneity and ability to take risks, pick himself up and start from the beginning again when things go wrong. (Bearing in mind that reaching this point means going through the Greek drama outlined in 1 above). However, the downside of this is the too easy availabilty for him to gamble when we are in his home country .

Reading through this, I am not sure if she is perhaps merely talking about all men - not just the Greek ones. I would love to hear other people's opinions on this blog.

In my opinnion ,after all ,there is no Greek Culture without the participation of both sexes. In Greece men and women know how to enjoy themselves, go anywhere in Greece ,especially in the summertime ,and you will see many local festivals happening with everybody joining in.

Παρασκευή 14 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

Greece again

*Greece is a legendary destination
Ελλάς ένας μυθικός προορισμός
and anyone who has once fallen under its spell
και όποιος μια φορά μαγεύτικε απο αυτήν
dreams of returning again and again.
ονειρεύεται το γυρισμό του σ'αυτην ξανά και ξανά
*If you could imagine a perfect place on the Earth
Εάν μπορείτε να φανταστείτε το ιδανικό μέρος πάνω στη γη
it would definitely be Greece.
αυτό σίγουρα θα ήταν η Ελλάς
*It will take your breath away.
Θα σας κόψει την ανάσα
*Visit Greece
Επισκεφθήτε την Ελλάδα
*Greece - Land of Gods
Ελλάς - Η χώρα των Θεών

There is a man who became nobelist and wrote a realistic although poetic
presentation of Hellas

"Αετόμορφα τα έχει τα ψηλά βουνά
στα ηφαίστεια κλήματα σειρά
και τα σπίτια πιο λευκά
στου γλαυκού το γειτόνεμα! "

I thought of him as the one Hellin who concludes all of us.
Maybe you can find someone that can experiment for the translation as i consider myself too small to translate poetry....

The poet was called Odysseas Elitis
__________________
Όταν οι μνήμες ξεθωριάζουν,

όταν εύκολα ξεχνάς,

την ζωή σου δεν σεβάστηκες !!!!

Για την αλήθεια μην μιλάς

την αλήθεια δεν την ήξερες

αφού δεν θυμάσαι !!!!!!!! Notis

Greece

*Greece is a legendary destination, and anyone who has once fallen under its spell dreams of returning again and again.

*If you could imagine a perfect place on the Earth, it would definitely be Greece.

*It will take your breath away.

*Visit Greece

*Greece - Land of Gods

if you could add some nice words about Greece, I wouldnt mind :P
__________________
ούτε ένα ευχαριστώ
ούτε μια λέξη ούτε μια πράξη ούτε ένα μπράβο ούτε ένα εντάξει
κι ούτε ένα σ' αγαπώ..

Greek stupidity

II. Greek Stupidity

There are three contemporary attitudes toward ancient Greece: One is indifference toward anything that happened that long ago; a second is reverence (which became widespread during the Renaissance); and the third is condemnation of a culture which retarded the development of science and inhibited progress in Western Civilization for centuries. In adopting the third of these attitudes here, we must beware our own modern tendency to equate technological development with progress. Actually, if there is any consistent theme throughout Western history, it is the underlying failure of knowledge in general and scientific knowledge in particular to promote moral development and improve people and the way they relate to each other.

While we will emphasize the shortcomings of Greek thought and the debilitating influence it had on the Greeks and those who followed them, we should be able to muster enough respect to give them the credit that is due. They did make some real contributions to intellectual life with their discoveries of mathematics and the art of deductive reasoning. Geometry, particularly, is a Greek invention, and nothing serves better to exemplify the static nature of the Greek mind. In the broader context of logic in general, the one-sided genius of the Greeks appears clearly in the way they reasoned deductively from apparently self-evident truths rather than inductively from observed facts.

Ironically, the Greeks' strong point was also their weak point in that their inventive genius in philosophical abstraction was basically the obverse of their impracticality in responding to the problems confronting them. For example, they conceived the grandiose idea of democracy but failed to unify their city-states in a cooperative effort which would have worked to the mutual advantage of all.

Generally, the world of the Greeks was as small, orderly and statuesque as they could make it, and for all their genius, everything Greek remains comprehensible in a glance. Their political ideal was the little polis—the statuary city-state. Their gods were superlative shapes rather than omnipotent forces. Their religious services were formalities of piety not expressions of soaring emotions. Their great ethical systems—Stoicism

Κυριακή 9 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

101 ways to be a cool greek.

1. Smoke as if it was your last day on earth
2. Own an alphanumeric pager with a built-in answering machine
3. Own a cellular phone, talk on it ALL the time
4. Dress as though you're headed for a club when you're actually going to class
5. Speak Greek all the time
6. Have only Greek friends
7. Learn to say the Greek alphabet really fast to impress the natives
8. Wear those tight black pants and tons of make-up (If you are a girl) or, be sure to have a pony tail (If you are a guy)
9. Travel in groups of 10 or more to parties
11. Go to Greek Orthodox summer camps (Ionian Village, Ascension, St. Sophia, BDC, CYC.. etc.)
12. Go to all Greek college parties
13. Refuse to dance to anything but Euro club or Greek folk music
14. Dance in circles at all parties and clubs
15. If you are a guy, use a lot of gel and mouse in your hair, or if you are a girl, be sure to run your fingers though your hair each time you spot a hot guy
16. Dress as though you're headed for a club when you're actually going to church
17. Wear only designer labels and make sure they are extremely visible
18. If your a guy, walk 10 feet in front of your date at all times
19. Own a bouzouki if you can, even if you know nothing about them and bring it to parties
20. Wear a leather jacket at all times, even in the summer
21. Tell American acquaintances that money is never an object even if all you have is $10
22. Guys and girls wear those big black boots (Aldo specials)
23. Make sure your parents are illiterate with a heavy accent, but crafty
24. Believe in DKNY, Versace, Moshino, and Armani
25. Make sure your parents and relatives own a pizza place or a diner or some other cash business and DO NOT pay enough taxes
26. Guys, get a hair cut once a week (if you are not of the pony tail variety)
27. Make sure you install every possible option in your car (the ashtray and the Vandi tape is a must)
28. Own a sports car (even if it's a piece of skata)
29. Use church as a social ground to meet potential dates
30. Go to every GOYA dance possible
31. If you are a girl make sure your hair is covered with highlights of brown or blonde
32. Buy a komboloi and play with it like you know how to
33. Girls and guys, wear as much silver or gold as possible
34. Tell everyone you were born in Greece
35. Know all the names of Greek foods
36. Tell everyone stories of your amazing summer in Greece (even if you've never been there)
37. Have lots of Greek pride
38. Celebrate your name day like your birthday, confuse the natives
39. Girls hold other Greek girl's hands in public as a symbol of friendship
40. Put Greek stickers all over your belongings (car, room…)
41. If someone asks you your race proudly say "Greek"
42. Girls go out with Greek guys much older than you
43. Have huge parties
44. There is no drinking age in Greece, pretend as though you're there
45. Always give kisses on both sides of cheeks (mind the excessive make-up)
46. Follow your horoscope
47. Believe in all Greek superstitions not observed anymore even in the smallest Greek village
48. Whatever you do… don't drive like a Greek from Greece (here the police takes notice)
49. Make friends wherever you go
50. Play soccer, watch soccer, pick a Greek soccer team
51. Listen to Greek music
52. Teach non-Greeks swears in Greek, then make fun of their accent
53. Go to church as much as possible
54. Be familiar with all new Greek slang
55. Do every thing "Greek Style"-as if you were perfect
56. Guys carry a wallet everywhere
57. Show off Greek money as if 100 drachmas was 100 dollars
58. Drink Greek coffee in the winter and frappe in the summer
59. Read Greek magazines
60. Go to all Greek events
61. Know about your religion
62. Know all the names of your family in Greece
63. Consider yourself as a Greek God or Goddess
64. Girls, go out with more than one guy at a time
65. Be the life of the party
66. Ouzo is your friend (so drink it)
67. Party until the morning, then go out for breakfast
68. Go to Greek cafes
69. Keep a lot of pictures of friends at all times
70. Have at least one favorite number and color at all times
71. Learn Greek pig-latin and speak it with your friends
72. Girls, carry a pocketbook everywhere.
73. Memorize the words of your favorite Greek song
74. Have at least 3 nick-names
75. Plan a trip to at least one Greek island
76. Hang a huge Greek flag in your room
77. Know at least one Greek singer (e.g. Vandi, Dallarras, etc.)
78. Start a Greek club at your school
79. Travel to places where there's a lot of Greeks
80. When ever in presence of other unknown Greeks, pretend you can't speak Greek to hear everything they say about you in Greek
81. Always talk about that special someone in Greece (even if they don't exist)
82. Never be ashamed of your given birth name (even if named after a tree, e.g. Lemonia!)
83. Always keep your last name (don't shorten it, even if named Papadimitroharalampopoulos)
84. Don't be ashamed to be full of yourself
85. Refer to all elders and friends' parents as aunts and uncles (theo and thea)
86. Know how to Greek dance, take classes, teach classes
87. Have a lot of perfume or cologne on at all times
88. Waste all your money on stuff, you can never have enough of anything
89. Know at least 20 girls each named Maria, Eleni, Irene or Sophia
90. Know at least 20 guys each named George, Nick, Gianni or Kosta
92. Go out for coffee with your friends
93. Smoke the heaviest cigarettes available
94. Wear the same outfit 2 to 4 times in a row
95. Take a nap in the afternoon
96. Don't always be in a rush, arrive late to parties and learn to chill (run on Greek time)
97. You only live once, so live the best as possible
98. Don't wear shorts or sandals in the summer (those are reserved for the natives)
99. Always show off your naturally tanned skin
100. Don't be offended if someone calls you an immigrant (take it as a compliment)
101. Fall in love with Greece, Greek culture, and everything Greek
By Ellada M.

Σάββατο 8 Δεκεμβρίου 2007

The Greek National Anthem

The Greek National Anthem is based on the “Hymn to the Freedom“, a large poem (158 stanzas) written by Dionysios Solomos, a poet from the island of Zakynthos. The poem was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. During 1828 the eminent musician from the nearby island of Kerkyra, Nicolaos Mantzaros, composed the music for the Solomos’ Hymn.

Although King Othon (Otto) decorated both them for their work (1845 and 1849), he did not think (or, maybe, did not want) to replace the Royal Anthem of that time with the Solomos/Mantzaros Hymn. That Anthem was a musical derivative from the German one, with a text glorifying Othon and its Dynasty.

After the overthrow of the Othon’s Dynasty, the new King George I and the Greek establishment decided to neglect the fashion of that time - to use the Royal Anthems also as National - and looked for a clearly Greek work, both with respect to the poetry and the music. The “Hymn to the Freedom” was readily there - extremely popular since the Revolution times, often recited or sung during patriotic meetings and celebrations. So, in 1865, the first two stanzas officially became the Greek national anthem.

“Eleftheria” - the Freedom - is a female word and also a popular female name in Greece. The Solomos’ Eleftheria is not as erotic and earthly as the Delacroix Liberty. It rather reminds an exiled ancient Goddess, which Solomos identifies with Greece itself. A majestic and demanding Goddess, an object of respect and admiration rather than of belief and passion. She has to be imperative, as the poet reviews the whole history of the Greek Revolution, comments on the negative attitude of the Great Forces, describes the pains and the offerings of the rebels, criticizes their dissensions, calls for unanimity and consolidation - always pointing to Eleftheria - the major human value.

The unusual - for an Anthem - 6/4 tempo of the Mantzaros music points clearly to the most manly traditional dance of the Greeks - Tsamiko.

The Hymn to Freedom is also the national anthem of the Republic of Cyprus.

In Greek (full) (you’ll need Greek fonts!)

Latin Transliteration

Se gnoriso apo tin kopsi,
Tou spathiou tin tromeri,
Se gnoriso apo tin opsi,
Pou me via metra tin yi.
Ap’ ta kokala vialmeni,
Ton Ellinon ta iera,
Ke san prota andriomeni,
Haire, o haire, Eleftheria!

English Translation

The Hellenic national Anthem
A translation in English by Rudyard Kipling in 1918

We knew thee of old,
Oh, divinely restored,
By the lights of thine eyes
And the light of thy Sword

From the graves of our slain
Shall thy valour prevail
As we greet thee again-
Hail, Liberty! Hail!

Long time didst thou dwell
Mid the peoples that mourn,
Awaiting some voice
That should bid thee return.

Ah, slow broke that day
And no man dared call,
For the shadow of tyranny
Lay over all:

And we saw thee sad-eyed,
The tears on thy cheeks
While thy raiment was dyed
In the blood of the Greeks.

Yet, behold now thy sons
With impetuous breath
Go forth to the fight
Seeking Freedom or Death.

From the graves of our slain
Shall thy valour prevail
As we greet thee again-
Hail, Liberty! Hail!

Literal English translation

I recognize you from the awesome
edge of your sword
I recognize you from the countenance
which surveys the earth with force
Risen from the sacred bones
of the Greeks
and, valiant as before,
hail, oh hail, liberty!

Greeks in Australia going crazy

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σεξυ ελλαδα

Ellas


Ellines tou exoterikou

Greek history 4000 years of culture

ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟ



Seksss...


Greece through the ages

Εισαι γαμωτο το ελληνας!

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psixedeleia

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300

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greek moment-2004 euro

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Zorba`s dance

Ηρακλης 1

Die for you-Antique-Greece-eurovision 2001

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300 Spartans

Lordi

Makedonia for ever

Γεια σου Μαρια/Σαρμπελ

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