*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
__________________
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Καιρος Helsinki
Helsinki weather broadcast
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Παρασκευή 14 Δεκεμβρίου 2007
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
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.
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!
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!
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