In Greece, this summer.

Free Press... or not? Albanians rally in Tirana.

Albania : Large Rally in Tirana in Defence of Press Freedom

Around 100,000 people gathered in Tirana's main square on 13 April in protest against government pressure on the news media. Prime Minister Sali Berisha has accused certain media of being in the service of organised crime and, a few weeks ago, the judicial authorities began investigating some news media on suspicion of tax evasion. Press representatives claim that only media critical of the government are being targeted.

www.mjaft.org

Thank you Anoush. (exerpt taken from anousharmenia.blogspot.com)

_____________________________

Free press should be free- of organized crime, of political intervention, of government pressure.

100,000 Albanians rallying in the Albanian capital is impressive, and one can only hope that they don't give up the fight to keep their media outlets from outside pressures.

kudos Tirana friends. keep it up.

Monty Python - International Philosophy

Amusing.

Greece V. Turkey, Saturday at 9:30pm (Greek time)

Independent Diplomat

In a publication reminicent of other "insider" confessions published in recent years (such as Confessions of an Economic Hitman)... a political insider shakes up the diplomatic community with his perspective on the immorality of international diplomacy.

See Anoush's blog: http://anousharmenia.blogspot.com/2007/03/morality.html

Common Ground

Greece and Turkey have always shared a few things in the face of severe divisions... food & music.

And really, what better way to bridge those vast divides?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/world/europe/30athens.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Thanks Anoush :)

The Athens I Didn't Know...

Maybe it's the weather. Or maybe it's that I've only been here for 10 days. Or maybe it's even that my Swedish friend Filipo, who seems to know more about Athens than Athenians, showed me a side of Athens previously unbeknownst to me- one away from the tourist attractions, the downtown traffic, and the chaotic shopping districts. This past weekend I experienced "thn Athina ton xeimona" (Athens in winter), and understood why the distinction is often made between the "cold" months and the summer months.

In the summer months, everyone in Athens is waiting to leave the city heat and smog for the beaches, if they haven't already, and cursing whatever it is that is keeping them in the city. All of August, the country's all but official month of vacation, the city is virtually empty as a result of the mass-exodus for pretty much anywhere else. It is in the "winter" months (because here, anything other than summer, is winter...) that the city comes to life, and the rest of Greece sleeps.




new museum next to the Acropolis- slated to be done by the end of February

From Psiri, to Gazi, to Kolonaki, every night looks like a weekend in Athens. What is particularly refreshing to me, as a Greek-American, is that people here really make it a point to enjoy their lives. Even though Greece is one of the most expensive countries in Europe (relative to GDP) Greeks spend the most per capita on nightlife, clothing, cigarettes, and (i'm willing to bet) coffee. It's not that people don't work- they just don't really seem to make sleep a priority. In a cab, passing through Omonia at 3am, a friend of mine noted "only in Athens is 3am like 3 in the afternoon." I have to agree.


graffiti on Eolou street in Plaka




club "Bondage"


club "Place X"

I have definitely zoned in on a number of topics I want to explore more in-depth, for all of your enjoyment- and of course, my own. This little posting is just scratching the surface after a quick 3-day visit. There will be much more to come, but thus far I can tell you this: Athens is full of juxtapositions and contradictions. People that live here seems to love it and hate it, live it and leave it- but (to quote Mazonakis) the truth of the matter is... {insert thick Greek accent} "like here, no where."

Kalhmera ELLADA

Endiaferon. Ellada, akou.

Pontian dance

Greek folk dance (Pontian) This is AWESOME. If the beginning is too slow for you, just fast foward to (just under) the 1/2 way point- these guys are great.