Constantine P.Cavafy: the poet of the major Hellenism
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Where USA meets the greek culture Constantine P.Cavafy: the poet of the major Hellenism
The name of Cultural review
is inspired by the Patrons of Arts
in Ancient Greece, MUSES.
Where USA meets the greek culture A Muse is pronounced
in Greek as 'MUSA'.
So, we find in this word
an inspiring combination with
the initials of the United States
of America (M+USA).
CONTENTS
CULTURE
heaven & earth:
art of Byzantium from Greek Collections
in Washington DC - Los Angeles 5
CULTURE
Constantine P. Cavafy:
the poet of the major Hellenism 11
TOURISM
Greece dressed in blue 18
GASTRONOMY
greek olive oil: the liquid gold 22
Founding & Editor Chief
Christos G. Failadis
Design
2yolk
Design Management
Designlobby
Where USA meets the greek culture
AMBASSADOR'S MESSAGE
Greece and the U.S. have been linked with longstanding deep ties for
many decades now. The two countries' common values form the strong
foundations of Greek-U.S. excellent relations. Among those ties and val-
ues, culture holds a prominent position.
Greeks have inherited a unique cultural heritage dating back to the an-
cient times. This heritage is now the legacy of the world. Through this
cultural review, we aim to present a refreshing compilation of information
to rethink Greece and Greek culture amidst its historical significance and
natural beauty.
I believe that 'M U S A' will not only complement our outreach among
Americans and Greek-Americans but will also highlight and revamp a new
way to look at a culture everyone fell in love with.
Christos Panagopoulos
Ambassador of Greece in U.S.A.
EDITOR'S MESSAGE
As Greeks, we are proud of our society's contributions to global
standards of excellence in the arts, academia, social values, and
many other areas of cultural achievement.
To continue this legacy, the Press & Communication Office of the
Embassy of Greece in Washington, DC is pleased to present the
first Cultural Review 'MUSA', a publication dedicated to showcasing
Greek spirit and innovation.
Our title is inspired by the Muses of ancient Greek mythology, known
as the goddesses of Arts and the companions of the God Apollo, in-
corporated with the American acronym, USA.
In anticipation of Greece's fifth successful EU Presidency in 2014, our
magazine launches in an exciting time. MUSA will be the platform for
voicing cultural trends in Greek public diplomacy for the American
art-lover and the intellectual. We hope our magazine continues the
tradition of deepening Greek-American relations.
Christos G. Failadis
Press & Communication Counsellor
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CULTURE heaven & earth: 5
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art of Byzantium 8
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from Greek
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Collections
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In the first exhibition devoted to Byzantine art in Washington D.C. saloniki, as well as from collections in Argos, Corinth, Crete, Kastoria, 14
titled 'Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek collections', Sparta-Mistra, Patmos, Rhodes, Larissa, Lefkada and Serres. 15
some 170 rare and important works from the Byzantine and post- The exhibition was organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Educa-
Byzantine era, drawn exclusively from Greek collections were on 16
tion and Religious Affairs, Culture, and Sports, Athens, with the col-
view at the National Gallery of Art from October 6, 2013, through laboration of the Benaki Museum, Athens, in association with the Na- 17
March 2, 2014, offering a fascinating glimpse of the soul and splen- tional Gallery of Art, Washington, and the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los 18
GETTY MU S E U M dor of the mysterious Byzantine Empire to the American public. Angeles, and supported by the Embassy of Greece in Washington DC. 19
L OS A N G E L E S Two of the exhibition's main goals were to familiarize visitors with Almost 200.000 visitors attended the exhibition recording a big
Byzantine civilization which is an integral part of Greece's cultural 20
The public will also have interest for the art and culture of Byzantium in the American capital.
heritage, and to highlight the important role played by the Greek The attendance exceeded the expectations given the shut down of 21
the opportunity on the 16th and 17th region within the broader context of the Byzantine Empire. the American government and the bad weather that devastated the 22
of May to enjoy an evening with Recognized masterpieces, many never lent before to the United city of Washington. Both volumes of 'Heaven and Earth' catalogue 23
the enchanting sounds of the States, with newly discovered and previously unpublished objects were sold out which is another sign of the exhibition's tremendous
success, according to the NGA's final report. 24
Capela Romana chorus. from recent archaeological excavations in Greece were showcased
in the West Building of NGA. The artifacts ranged from sculptures, Numerous side-events organized on the occasion of the exhibi- 25
Invitations are also extended to
prominent Greek Byzantinologues
icons, mosaics, frescoes, manuscripts, metalwork to jewelry, glass, tion were met with the same enthusiasm. The Gallery presented a
embroideries, and ceramics from the Benaki Museum, Byzantine and variety of public programs to celebrate the exhibition, including a
in order to launch a series of lec- Christian Museum, National Archaeological Museum, and Numismatic public symposium, colloquium, lectures, concert, high school studio
tures in universities in California. Museum, all in Athens, and the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thes- workshop, and gallery talks.
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The Embassy of Greece organized and hosted a series of suc- -Intellectual Life presents illustrated manuscripts containing works 14
cessful lectures on 'Greek Byzantine Cities and their cultural splen- of scripture, theology, and liturgy, subjects that dominated intellec- 15
dor', on 'Words and Coins from Ancient Greece to Byzantium' and an tual life in the Christian empire.
evening 'Dialogue of Cultures' in cooperation with the EU Delegation 16
-The Last Phase: Crosscurrents concludes the exhibition with
to the U.S. At the reception hall, the guests of the Embassy were works of art reflecting the final flowering of Byzantine art under the 17
introduced through a photo narrative to the most representative ar- emperors of the Palaiologan dynasty (1261_1453), the most long-lived 18
tifacts of the exhibition and their city of origin. of all Byzantine dynasties. 19
The exhibition includes approximately 170 works of art presented The Press and Communication Office of the Embassy gave the 20
in five thematic sections: exhibition broad publicity through its various communication chan-
nels and media contacts, and its promotion efforts, in collaboration 21
-From the Ancient to the Byzantine World includes works dating
from the fourth to the sixth century, when Christianity and paganism with the NGA, were met with success in terms of media coverage. 22
coexisted. Relevant articles in Washington Post, Washington Times, The New 23
York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler,
-The Christian Empire: Spiritual Life showcases works dating from Town & Country Magazine and Washington Diplomat, only to name a 24
the 6th to the 14th century made for the church or private worship. few publications, spoke highly of the importance of the exhibits. A 25
-The Pleasures of Life focuses on secular works of art for the lot of effort was put also by the Greek Embassy for the preparation
For the complete calendar of home, such as floor mosaics, silver dinnerware, ceramic plates, per- of the press conference as well as the opening reception with the
events, visit www.getty.edu/museum/ fume flasks, bronze and glass lamps, and exquisite jewelry, including presence of the Greek Prime Minister, both of which were cancelled
and www.mfa.gr/usa. gold bracelets, armbands, necklaces, rings, and earrings. because of the government shutdown.
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After Washington, "Heaven and Earth" travels to the J. Paul Getty 14
Museum, Los Angeles, where it will be displayed at the Getty Villa 15
from April 9 through August 25, 2014.
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On the occasion of the exhibition, a series of events are organ-
ized by the Getty Museum with the collaboration and support of the 17
Greek Consulate of Los Angeles. On the 25th of March the opening 18
of the exhibition of manuscripts 'East meets West' took place in 19
the Getty Center. Between the 10th and the 13th of April, promi- 20
nent Greek Byzantinologues spoke at the convention of the Medieval
Academy of America in UCLA. Moreover, the Greek Consulate in 21
collaboration with UCLA organizes a symposium on Byzantine art 22
between the 1st and 3rd of Mai, with the participation of prominent 23
Greek and American experts on Byzantium. The public will also
have the opportunity on the 16th and 17th of Mai to enjoy an evening 24
with the enchanting sounds of the Capela Romana chorus. Invitations 25
are also extended to prominent Greek Byzantinologues in order to
launch a series of lectures in universities in California.
We hope that the American public in the East coast would show
the same appreciation for the exhibition as it did here in D.C.!
Most of the envious or contemptuous stereotypes linked with
Byzantium in the past, which for a long time dominated scholarly
literature and affected collective perceptions and ideologies,
have today been largely left behind. Now we tend to find Byz- 1
antine history and art ever more impressive and charming, and 2
at the same time we realize that there is a wealth of knowledge 3
to be drawn from them. We are thus discovering anew a pow- 4
erful state with an elaborate administration, robust legislation,
well-developed taxation system and finances, effective army, and 5
flourishing education. We are further astonished as we get to 6
know the material remains of an exceptionally high cultural level, 7
both with respect to the urban arrangement of Byzantine cities,
their churches, palaces, civic buildings, private residences and 8
infrastructure, as well as the multitude of monasteries and mo- 9
article by nastic communities scattered throughout the countryside, and the
Dr. Lina Mendoni 10
General Secretary, glorious examples of mural painting, unique portable icons and
Hellenic Republic, illuminated manuscripts, masterpieces of sculpture, silver- and 11
Ministry of Culture & Sports gold-working, and works of other minor arts. 12
All these artworks and artifacts are an abundant source of 13
'We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For information about institutions, mores, customs, and practices that 14
on earth there is no such splendor or beauty. 'These were the have survived down to the present and constitute a sizeable part
of our living intangible heritage. In the same spirit, the poet Con- 15
words used by a number of foreign ambassadors in describing
the impression the church of Agia Sophia made on them during stantine Cavafy refers to the memories awakened every time he 16
their visit to the 'Queen of Cities' in the tenth century. Indeed, entered a church of the Greeks: its aroma of incense, its liturgi- 17
the fame of what later scholars named "Byzantium" _ i.e. the cal chanting and harmony, as well as the majestic presence of 18
empire that ruled in the eastern part of the Mediterranean for the priests. He concludes by recalling what he calls the great
eleven consecutive centuries, which at its apogee embraced glories of our race, the splendor of our Byzantine heritage (C. 19
three continents (Europe, Asia, and Africa) _ was enormous Cavafy, "In Church" trans. John Cavafy). For Byzantium was a mul- 20
and decisive during the Middle Ages. At that time, Byzantium tinational state distinguished by the Orthodox Christian faith and 21
was a model, a benchmark, and a standard of comparison for Greek education. The language substrate of the Hellenistic koine,
the entire then-known world. This also explains the successive accompanied by the study and preservation of ancient Greek 22
attempts to besiege Constantinople, which the Byzantines man- literature and the growth of a literate society, functioned as a 23
aged to repulse for a long time (also halting the Arab invasion unifying component par excellence within a multicultural reality. 24
of Europe in the eighth century), until the first fall to the Franks Through a process of assimilation, mediation, and transformation,
in 1204 and the city's final fall to the Turks in 1453. In the eyes the secular heritages of Greece and Rome eventually became 25
of people that lived in those times, Byzantium never ceased constituents of the cultural distinctiveness of Byzantium, to the
to be compared to an earthly paradise, against which many point that the last emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, thought
measured themselves and strove to compete, and which others appropriate to describe himself as a descendent of the Greeks
fought to conquer. and the Romans.
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The third major contributor to Byzantium's long lasting pow- The secular and the religious, the earthly and the heavenly, 14
er and prestige was undoubtedly the adoption of the Orthodox earth, paradise and hell, the Greco-Roman heritage in conjunc- 15
faith, which for a long period made it the sole model of a tion with Christian theology and Orthodox dogma, all permeate
Christian kingdom. The concurrence of secular and religious the objects displayed in this exhibition, whose goal is to shed 16
power, the formation of an official ideology according to which new light on the many aspects of Byzantium by suggesting a 17
imperial power emanated from divine power, the osmosis be- new way of "reading" and interpretation. The -more than 170- 18
tween the Christian ideal and civic agendas played a decisive exhibits from museums and collections around Greece present-
role in the creation of an idiosyncratic but exceptionally co- ed before the American public on this occasion are in the lead 19
herent system of sovereignty. A system with both the Emperor of the fascinating journey. This exhibition would not have been 20
and the Patriarch at the core. While the imperial court ap- made possible without the active participation and arduous ef- 21
peared as the reflection of the heavenly one, at the level of forts of almost every archaeological department of the Hellenic
the common man, earthly obligations and pleasures in concert Ministry of Culture and Sports that committed to the necessary 22
with the expectation of eternal life and the consequent care preparations since 2010, together with the staff of the Benaki 23
for the soul defined the axes of life in the present. In this life, Museum. Collaboration between the Greek side and museums, 24
the "here" and "now"were directly linked with the hereafter academic institutions and individual scholars and researchers in
and eternity. At the same time, a novel and fuller picture of the USA was also exemplary. I therefore wish to congratulate 25
the various aspects of Byzantine private and social life, as well and express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all of them
as of the venues and artifacts associated with it continues to for their dedication and contribution to the success of this
emerge from ongoing research. major endeavor.Constantine 1
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CULTURE
P. Cavafy: 4
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the poet of
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the major
sketch 10
"C. P. Cavafy", Yannis Kefallinos 11
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Hellenism
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Σα βγης στον πηγαιμό για την Ιθάκη, 21
να εύχεσαι να είναι μακρύς ο δρόμος, 22
γεμάτος περιπέτειες, γεμάτος γνώσεις. 23
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As you set out on your journey for Ithaca, 25
pray that the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.1
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article by 9
Christos G. Failadis
Press & Communication 10
Counsellor
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Dimitris Yeros 12
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The Greek Ministry of Education, Religion, Culture and Athletics centration of archetypes that gives an elusive and allusive meaning 14
has designated 2013 as the year of Constantine Cavafy to mark the to his speech. He draws memories from the past, from the collec- 15
150th anniversary of the world - renowned poet's birth. Born within tive soul of the Greek race and deposits at present, sometimes
the then thriving community of Alexandria of Egypt, in a lively as a warning to things to come in the future. Therefore, Cavafy is 16
literary activity environment city, considered as forerunner of the 20th century literature's relation- 17
An Ecumenical Poet Cavafy (April 29, 1863 - April 29, 1933) was one of the most ship with the collective consciousness. 18
in his long journey influential literary figures produced by Greece in the early 20th In order to understand Cavafy, one must have some knowledge 19
century and instrumental in establishing modern Greek poetry on about Alexandria, for the spirit of that city and its history contrib-
for Ithaca the international scene. uted much to Cavafy's poetry. Alexandria was founded by Alex- 20
Cavafy is a unique case not only in Modern Greek poetry, pos- ander the Great in 331 B.C. and served as the Ptolemaic Empire's 21
sibly in world poetry too. He spent all his life outside Greece, in capital in the center of Hellenistic World. Cavafy was not con- 22
Greek diaspora, he became one of the modern Greece's greatest cerned with great figures and incidents which have altered history.
poets, produced little - considered by himself publishable - pub- 23
He is instead concerned either with people and incidents of no
lishing privately only, in 100-200 copies, a book with his 154 po- historical importance or at best with people who lived on the edge 24
ems during his life, but today he is the most studied and translated of great events but who contributed little by little to them. One of 25
poet, with more than 161 translations, in major and minor languages, Cavafy's achievements lies in his ability to invest such individuals
followed by thewriter Nikos Kazantzakis. and events with emotional consequence and passion. He was fa-
Characterized by strong symbolism, Cavafy's poetry is always miliar with all periods of Greek history, and Cavafy's manipulation
connected with plain speech but always current. His art is the con- of history is something fascinating, being relished only by people1
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well versed in it. Of Cavafy's 154 poems, 90 revolve around his- adaptation of the so called "demotiki" tending to exaggerate in 14
tory. Furthermore, the figures of ancient leaders on the Hellenistic colloquialisms and regional dialects. So he inserted demotiki ele- 15
coins seem to provoke an exceptional emotion upon Cavafy. The ments in a katharevousa matrix or vice versa. This linguistic factor
unique expressive portraits reveal, better than any other analysis, is an asset for Cavafy's poetry to the Greek reader, but it is lost to 16
the cores many of his inspirations. the foreign one through translation. The great value of his poetry 17
Cavafy's ironic mood, a combination of verbal and dramatic consists mainly of dramatic content and sincerity depth of analysis 18
irony, the so called "Cavafian irony" was combined with the tragi- of human emotions. The Cavafy's poetry argues with Doric simplic-
ity verging on prose. He rejects embellishment, with his lyrics to be 19
calness of the reality, in order to become socially instructive and
his hedonistic orientations are mixed with social labelings. The released by established rules. Besides the very first negative cri- 20
language and the lyrics of his poems were idiosyncratic but avant- tique, it was a matter of time for the intellectual circles of Greece 21
garde for his epoch. His basic characteristics are the peculiar to approve and admit the great poet. 22
language, a mixture of refined formal Greek language and vernac- Cavafy had to the extreme all the sensitivities characterized
ular with elements from Constantinople, a simple speech with few 23
all the devoted to spiritual life, great love for reading, dreaming
adjectives, exceptionally short poems with a well-working iambic upper the books, habit of writing notes on the margin, that opens 24
rythm, with complete absence of rhyme, and a special significance dialogue ideational with the writer of the book, he loved the cuts, 25
on the punctuation that helps his irony. the pleasure of searching in the libraries. His companies very rare,
His language is related to the "notorious question" of Modern with young people mostly, fanatic for literature. He was possessed
Greece of that time. He started writing in "katharevousa", the for- from an extreme aestheticism, he was dedicated to the search
mal refined language with archaic origin-roots, and continued with of ancestors, his weakness for valuable stones and rare myrrhs1
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Manuscript of the poem
'Waiting for the Barbarians' (1904) 12
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(strongly imprinted at his poetry) his devotion at the ancient Greek may be was just following in the steps of Hellenistic poets - among 14
charm, the mystical attraction exerted on it, what was associated them Kallimachos, Meleager, Philocles - who openly, yet subtly, 15
with rituals and formulas of faith. But the bureaucrat civil servant spoke of boys' love.
of mornings, and the poet of afternoons dedicated to his art, when 16
Cavafy also inspired musicians, with 50 Greek composers and
the night was coming, with its own advises and promises, with its 30 international ones using his works as the basis of 350 composi- 17
own strength - weakness of the body which wants and requests, tions in 20 languages. Furthermore, one of the well known recent 18
then Cavafy far from places, where he was known, was enjoy- publications internationally, inspired by the poems of C.P.Cavafy, is
ing his passion of his double life, the binge and the intoxication 19
the Dimitris Yeros' photographs "Shades of Love" with a foreword
of hedonism.... But Cavafy was familiar that the Victorian England by Edward Albee. The inspired correlation between the aesthetic 20
traduced, put in prison, crashed the writer Oscar Wild of "DORIAN Yeros' photos and the famous Greek poet's works is in a fantastic 21
GRAY" (how common characters the two!) keeping his night life identification. Also, from all the recitations of Kavafy's epic poems 22
secret away from the eyes of society, in order to avoid public in the internet, I should recommend that of Sean Connery's "Ithaca"
scandal, which could ruin him both socially and professionally. set to the music of Vangelis Papathanassiou. In the film industry 23
The major, and intriguing, subject of Cavafy's poetry is homo- I choose the filmdirector Yannis Smaragdis' film "CAVAFY" a co- 24
sexuality, occupying 56 - more then one/third - of the 154 poems. production of Greek Film Centre and the Greek Television. 25
The contents are mostly remembrances of men's love in young age Cavafy, even living in Alexadria, out of Greece, was not isolated
and in humble surroundings, guilt about it but also regret of not from the Greek historic national Questions, like the Cyprus or the
having enjoyed it more, admiration of faces or bodies of handsome return of the Parthenon Marbles. In his critical article about Cy-
young men, with an explicit but not at all crude language. Cavafy prus Cavafy was supporting one of the four written proposals by1
a known Cypriot lawyer - _the excellent' as he was saying - _to 2
concede Cyprus to Greece, to compensate Turkey..., and finally
the British people to show to the Cypriots the same magnanimity 3
like to the (Greek) Ionean islands. Let's wish one day the Cypriot 4
desires and the desires of all Greeks to be united. May be, the 5
British conscionable, enlightened and powerful public opinion will
help matters to this direction!" 6
About the Parthenon Marbles, Cavafy was writing: "These Mar- 7
bles are completely different from all other statues. They are 8
parts of a unique and the most prestigeous in the world monument, 9
which even ruined, is a national symbol and the palladium of a
brave people, a place of pilgrimage for the civilized mankind... For 10
'Eros' by Yannis Tsarouchis for the Greeks, Parthenon is the external, visible monument of national 11
Italian translation of Cavafy poems existence and regeneration. There is no example in the whole
Christos Failadis' Collection 12
world of one nation has not conquest but with a recent purchase
from the oppressor the national symbols of another nation. If the 13
British Ambassador to France bought the tomb of Napoleon from 14
Bismarck, when the Germans were in Paris, I think the issue should 15
ne discussed extensively and British buyers will not sing the an- 16
them "Reign Britain" with such a provocative tone!."
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Cavafy, the most original and influential Greek poet of 20th
century, one of the cornerstones of Greek poetry with interna- 18
tional brilliancy, besides his indelible mark, he didn't create a 19
school because anyone understands that imitating him, should be a 20
copyist. He is classified as the one and only one CAVAFY, commit-
ted to Hellenism. The Ecumenical and all-time Cavafy constitutes 21
a constant value, always realist and opportune with aesthetic per- 22
fectionism, who converses with the cultural and identity concerns 23
of our era, with his fluid, open and available poetry, so his readers
recognize there themselves. 24
Finally, let's remember what the other great Greek writer Nikos 25
Kazantzakis tells for Cavafy: "Here he is a man in front of me,
who performs the feat of art with pride and silence, leader _ her-
mit, and he subdues curiosity, ambition and sensuality in a strict
rhythm of Epicurean ascetic!".1
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Δέησις / Prayer (1898)
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Το Διπλανό Tραπέζι /
The Next Table (1918) 9
Εκόμισα εις την Τέχνη / Η θάλασσα στα βάθη της πηρ’ έναν ναύτη— 10
I’ve Brought to Art
(C.P. Cavafy, Collected poems. Η μάνα του, ανήξερη, πειαίνει κι ανάφτη 11
Translated by Edmund Keely
and Philipp Sherrard) 12
στην Παναγιά μπροστά ένα υψηλό κερί
για να επιστρέψει γρήγορα και ναν’ καλοί καιροί— 13
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η εικών ακούει, σοβαρή και λυπημένη
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ξεύροντας πως δεν θαλθει πια ο υιός που περιμένει.
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The sea engulfed a sailor in its depths. 19
Unaware, his mother goes and lights 20
a tall candle before the ikon of our Lady, 21
praying for him to come back quickly, for the weather to be good_ 22
-her ear cocked always to the wind. 23
While she prays and supplicates,
the ikon listens, solemn, sad, 24
knowing the son she waits for never will come back. 25
American actress Olympia Dukakis
Athens, 20101
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Η Ιθάκη σ’ έδωσε ωραίο ταξίδι. 7
Χωρίς αυτήν δε θαβγαινες στο δρόμο. 8
Αλλά δεν έχει να σε δώσει πιά... 9
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Κι αν πτωχική την βρης, η Ιθάκη δεν σε γέλασε
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έτσι σοφός που έγινες, με τόση πείρα, 12
ήδη θα το κατάλαβες οι Ιθάκες τί σημαίνουν! 13
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Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey 16
Without her you would have not set out. 17
She has nothing left to give you now... 18
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And if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you, 20
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, 21
you will have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.
”
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25Greece 1
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TOURISM
dressed in blue
Cool and careful mornings. Peaceful hot noon.The Earth's rich and
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multiform life is lighted up by the golden Greek sun.Limpid Water 8
article & photos by through the playing light. Glorious Splendidness under the large light 9
Greek National blue sky. For sure Gods were generous to this blue-dressed country!
Tourism Organisation 10
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Greece, a country of incomparable natural beauty, blessed with shining light of the eternal and true. 14
sun and sparkling waters, is par excellence definied by the blue The Theseus legend rambles from the sculptures of the glorious
colour.A blue that changes shades following the daily course of the 15
temple in the Ancient Market to the proud columns of Sounio,marble
sun. A blue that becomes even more vivid as it approaches the white lyre opposite to the Archipelagos. With each step in central Athens, 16
islands, as observed by the Greek poet Odysseus Elytis. In Mykonos you can meet the historical past of the city. Near by to Athens, Pi- 17
the whaves reaches the doors of the houses and knit white laces raeus is one of the most modern, humming Mediterranean ports.
around the golden beaches. In Santorini, with its snow-white houses 18
Under a Lighthouse in the Saronikos gulf, on an island named by
built on the edge of the cliff.Alleys roofed with arches and snow- Zeus when he fell in love with nymph Aegina. Hydra's port coated 19
white country churches ornament Serifos. by the sun. With the old captains rocky mansions built on the rocks. 20
Cyclades, thirty-four islands in the middle of Aegean Sea caught The well-kept mansions of old ship owners reminding us of the 21
hand-by-hand dancing infinitely around the holy island of Delos.In days of glory during the 18th and the 19th century make Galaxidi a
Delos, stone lions protect the place where Apollo, god of light and symbol of the marine tradition in Central Greece. On the sources of
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music was born. Parnassos, climbs Arachova, a mountainside village with an unsual, lo- 23
In Milos, windswept where the white rocks burn in the light and cal architecture. The roads leading to the nearby ski resorts and Del- 24
emphasize their ancient songs in the peaceful and motionless moon. phi begin from Arachova. In Delphi, the temple of Apollo, the Navel
The hidden ports replace the sandy beaches in the beautiful land- 25
of the Earth. Here Pythia announced the oracles after her catharsis
scape of Ios.Picturesque villages keep the historical charm of the in Castalia spring. Next, Nafpaktos port with the Venetian towers
insular architecture. According to tradition, in Ios lies Homer's tomb. under the all green hill with the castle, which is one of Greece's most
Attica, Athens, glorious ornament the Parthenon. beautiful castles. Real works of modern art and technology, the gates
A hymn to beauty rising like a prayer and spreading the everlasting linking Evia to Viotia raise in the sky, with Chalkida, the town with twoIn Central Greece, huge rocks dotted in the Thessaly plain, Me-
teora. On their towering peaks, there are monasteries and histori-
cal churches built rock by rock. In the large villages of Pilion, small
houses with ornate facades. Up, in Agrafa, lake Plastira is surrounded 1
by fir trees, chestnuts and sycamores. 2
Sporades Next to them, Sporades islands with cool winds. Bays 3
with pine trees. Houses garmented with Skyros weaves and wood- 4
cut furniture.Courtyards and balconies full of flowers are harmoni-
cally combined with the insular landscape of Skiathos. Sweet summer 5
morning. In Skiathos there is only musing and freshness and a magical 6
reflection in the crystal clear waters. In Skopelos little white houses 7
and old churches climb up to the quarter of Kastros, high on the cliff.
Surrounded by many small islands, Alonissos is well known for its 8
beautiful beaches and also for the Mediterranean seals threatened 9
with extinction which found refugee in its surrounding waters. 10
Epirus Built in the old times from experiential local craftsmen, the 11
arcaded bridges of the Epirus rivers stand out for the plain, fine line.
Its deep blue water and numerous isles and little sandy gulfs make 12
Parga one of the most beautiful towns of Epirus. On the slopes of 13
ports in the Evrippos channel while on the eastern coastline of Evia, Pindos, Zagorochoria are distinctive samples of local architecture. 14
Chiliadou,the best known beach of Evia.. On the western side of Zagori, there is Papigo built next to the rivers
turbulent waters. 15
In Peloponnese, the noble city of Achaia, Patras, while under Chel-
mos Mountain the touthed-locomotive Diakofto-Kalavrita is climbing An invitation for the liquid, limpid routes to the seven smaragdine 16
all the way up to Vouraikos river. Laconia, with castles, houses made Ionian islands of the Ionian Sea. Perpetual changes of colours in 17
of rock and Byzantines churches where the Myrtoan sea hags Laco- the blue caves of northern Zante. The island's ecological symbol:
the caretta-caretta sea turtle. Myrtle in Cephallonia. Sand, white- 18
nia's end, Monemvasia. Historic memories, legends and dreams are
sculpted on the rocks. In Githion, the ancient Phoenicia merchants cap, shells and all these in the water's azure dress.In Paxi, the fish- 19
of the purple shells debarked.Pastoral songs echo in Parnon gullies ing boats bob on the water and the sun shines onto the small port. 20
describing the rare beauties of mountainous Arkadia. On the vast Homer's Odyssey made Ithaca island a symbol of adventure and nos-
talgia for the homeland. On Lefkada's west coastline, the picturesque 21
sandy bay of Simos in Elafonissos which is a dream painted blue. In
Argolis, today a landscape, in the past the castellated isle Bourtzi,was beach, Kathisma with its white sand and limpid blue water. The spring 22
the sleepless guard of the Nafplion port. High above between the festival in the alleys of Corfu revives the old Venetian houses.In the 23
Saronicos gulf and the Gulf of Coirnth, lie the ruins of ancient Corinth. sky and and sea's infinite light, the little isle of Vlacherena and the
well-known islet of Pontikonisi. 24
In Crete, peaceful mornings in Chania, in the little port with the
Venetian lighthouse in its entrance. A town rich in mythical tradi- In Macedonia, the golden beaches of Chalkidiki with background 25
tions and historic memories, Rethymnon, with traditional mansions, the twinkling sunrays on the sea and the imposing Mount Athos with
medieval fountains and beautiful Byzantine churches. The high walls its unique monasteries. In Philippi, The Apostle Paul taught the word
and castle with its impregnable ramparts, talk of the long historical of God. Hstoric findings are here from the ancient times up until
tradition of Heraklion. the Roman and the first Christian years. The water flows down from1
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Vermion and passes through the town of Edessa, its journey will end Limnos, the island of Ifaistos, surprises you with its natural beauty. 14
in the plain forming beautiful falls. A modern big city with excep- The gulf of Kalloni in Mytilene, is known with this name since 1300 15
tional beauty and great wealth of the Byzantine sites, Thessalonica. BC.A small Aegean church in the Fourni group of islands, between
The White Tower is what is left of the ports fortification. Thassos, Samos and Ikaria, a stroke of white within the blue vastness. 16
an island which has many trees, gives the opportunity to drive on In Dodecanese, Kalymnos sponge-fishing boats carry on the tra- 17
charming routes, many of them by the sea, and the beaches are dition. Divers keep dividing in the deep sea and fish exceptional
well known for their excellent sandy bays. On the banks of the 18
natural sponges. Approximately in the center of the Dodecanese
lake, the well known mansions of Kastoria. And in the quarterrs lies the island where Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, was 19
of the town you can find more than 70 exceptionally decorated born. It is Kos with its beautiful sandbanks and many archaeologi- 20
churches. cal sites. Even though Halki is very close to the cosmopolitan island 21
On Thrace, a narrow streak of earth separating Lake Vistonis of Rhodes, peace and tranquility dominates. Castle and monastery
from the homonymous bay in the Thracean sea. Above this is the combine, the imposing building is visible from everywhere in Pat- 22
picturesque fish-village Porto Lagos. A natural border of Macedo- mos. Here lived St. John where he dictated the Apocalypse to his 23
nia and Thrace is Nestos, a river, which flows from the sublime student Prohoros. On the azure island, the crossroads of people 24
mountains that are full of legends and traditions. and cultures, the town of Rhodes is in the same place as it was
Pinewoods, perennial olive trees and vast vineyards cover Sa- built at 400 BC and is considered to be the most beautiful town 25
mos, the homeland of the great mathematician, Pythagoras, is an in the Mediterranean. And last but not least, the tiny picturesque
island well known for the exquisite wines produced here in North- Kastelorizo island. Overlooking the port of the island, the houses
east Aegean.The famous beach of Na in Ikaria. The island's name climb amphitheatrically to the top and are surrounded by the castle
is linked to Greek mythology and the wings of audacious Ikaros. walls and ramparts, like the heroic Akrites, guards of Hellenism!1
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GASTRONOMY olive oil: 5
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the liquid
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article by 9
Christos G. Failadis
Eleni Moutsaki 10
gold
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The olive tree has a multiplicity of meanings. It is the ab- 24
solute symbol of peace and victory. It symbolizes prosper- 25
ity, immortality, fertility and fruitfulness.1
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Above all, the olive is indissolubly linked with Greece and the its people. The culture of the olive tree and its products have deeply 14
Greeks. As a prize given at the Olympic Games, it has been linked influenced the civilization of ancient and modern Greeks, and have 15
throughout history with the Games and the values that they repre- played an important role not only in the Greek economy, but in
sent. The importance of olive and its products and the part it played all the aspects of Greek civilization, historical, folkloric, traditional, 16
in the history of Greek Culture from prehistoric times until today is medicinal and artistic. 17
undeniable. It led to the intensive cultivation of the tree and the use In the past it was mistakenly believed that the cultivation of ol- 18
of its products in diet, worship and medicine. Although the role of ive trees was brought to Greece from Palestine. New findings from 19
the olive changes throughout history and from place to place, it is analysis of pollen give evidence that the olive trees' presence on the
tightly linked to the regimen of Mediterranean populations. It is still Hellenic space dates back to the Neolithic era. Systematic cultiva- 20
used in religious ceremonies, as it was in the Classical world, and in tion of olive trees has been confirmed during the Minoan period in 21
the ceremonies of the early Church. One need hardly stress its im- different places in Greece. Furthermore, the small plates of Linear 22
portance in myths, history, tradition and life. The connection of the A and B from the palaces of Knossos, Pylos and Mycenae testify its
olive with Athena and Prometheus means that the olive becomes the 23
economic importance during the 14th & 13th centuries B.C. Ancient
bearer of Knowledge, technology, life and cultural values, and it fi- vessels from Crete with olives and olive-kernels, the 16th century 24
nally becomes a symbol of peace, virtue and reconciliation. Olive oil B.C. depiction of an olive grove at the Cretan Knossos Palace, the 25
follows man even into his grave. Today, the nutritional value of olive traces of oleaster and the fossil leaves found on the Aegean island
in a balanced and healthy diet is recognized throughout the world. of Santorini - dating back some 50,000 / 60,000 years, the golden
Since antiquity, the olive tree has had a continuous presence in glasses with the anaglyph olive-trees found in the 16th century B.C.
the landscape of Greece, as well as in the daily life and habits of Mycenean tomb of Vafi in Sparta-Laconia, the planted olive tree1
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by the mythical hero Hercules in the holy location of Olympia, the life, the 'olive-oil of gladness', the 'holy myrrh', and the 'chrism' of the 14
mythological tradition of Athena's and Poseidon's conflict for the Christian Orthodox Church, the olive-oil of the oil-lamps for heat- 15
name of the city of Athens, and Athena's offer of olive tree (symbol ing and lighting, the olive oil of the important natural medicines for
of reconciliation and peace), against Poseidon's horse (symbol of treatment or for cosmetics. 16
war), and the salty water (symbol of sea), the golden holy olive tree Greeks are well aware that olive oil is a precious ingredient for 17
of Apollo in Delos, the crowned by olive-branch statue of Zeus in their nutrition that has beneficial and miraculous qualities upon their 18
Olympia - a sculpture by Feidia-, the Panathenaic amphorae with health. The well known Greek Cretan diet, rich in olive oil, bread, 19
the cultivation of olive trees, leave no doubt as to the role of the fresh vegetables and fruits, and low in saturated fats, maintains a
olive in ancient Greece, and that the present day perceptions of the healthy heart, reduces arterial blood pressure, is anti-aging, increas- 20
olive are profoundly shaped by the ancient past. es longevity, and tastes great! 21
Although the olive tree has been cultivated by many other Medi- The role of olive oil and its products changes over history and 22
terranean civilizations, which have also used its products in vari- place to place but it is always connected to the Mediterranean 23
ous ways, no other culture has regarded it as the Greeks did, and basin with a great importance in myth, history, tradition, art and life.
nowhere else did the olive tree leave its profoundest traces on the 24
The olive trees and its products from a cause of Peloponnesian wars
artistic, economic and social history as it did in Greece. become the bearer of knowledge, technology, everyday life and 25
It's from the Greek olive trees that the olive oil awarded to the cultural life as well, a common theme in Greek Coinage from the
first and second winners of Panathenaic Games, in honor of god- first Athenian drachma up to the present Greek one-euro coin, po-
dess Athena, came, as well as the plain olive branch for the Olympic ems and painter's oils, so that finally it becomes a symbol of peace,
winners, the oil for the worship of the gods and the needs of daily virtue and reconciliation, a personified symbol of continuity, of our1
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The beneficial and therapeutic elements of olive oil, known and 7
respected for thousands of years, are due to its high content
of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and its high content of anti- 8
oxidative substances. 9
It is widely believed that olive oil provides protection against can- 10
cer and especially against some particular types, such as breast 11
cancer, and reduces the metastatic phenomenon. The consumption
of olive oil contributes to the decrease or elimination of the appear- 12
ance of coronary disease and other cardiovascular diseases. The 13
ancestors, of time and all its experience, which is translated in the olive oil supports the normal function of the digestive system, reduc- 14
nature as heavy vegetation, and, in conclusion, as fertility, life, love. ing to minimum the chances of ulcer creation and other related
diseases, and it is the best natural medicine for the fight against 15
In conclusion, the olive oil was and still is vital for Greek culture. constipation. It also increases the absorption of calcium, and pro- 16
As Greece's Nobel laureate poet Elytis said, "If there were no olive tects women against osteoporosis. Olive oil consumption protects
groves, I would dream up one". 17
the kidneys from the toxic action of other fats or medicines, and, 18
therefore, reduces the probability of renal insufficiency. Besides, in
Olives and olive oil Precious and unique, sacred and secret, powerful and shin-
ing, old and eternal, the olive tree, rooted in the Mediterranean
the case of diabetes type II, most dietitians advise patients to cover
30% - 40% of daily calories with olive oil. Additionally, it has been
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The elixir of life soil and in the life of humankind, passes through the history of proven that the use of olive oil in nutrition helps sustain human me- 21
human societies loaded not only with the valuable weight of its tabolism at a good balance, and the body and bone growth at a good
by Eleni Moutsaki fruits, but also with the charming lure of a symbol, and encom- level. Olive oil contains antioxidants, which help protect the body 22
passes major practical and intellectual aspects of Greek civili- from free radicals, and delay the change of cellular structure, which 23
zation through its long journey. accelerates the aging process. 24
Significant medical research attributes important health-giving The eternal passion of people of Greece for the blessed olive 25
benefits to the daily consumption of olive oil - especially, Ex- oil and their determination for quality and taste gave birth to high
tra Virgin Olive Oil, and of olives. Olive oil constitutes a basic quality organic Greek extra virgin olive oil, extracted from the silver-
product of the Mediterranean diet pyramid, which is based on green olive groves of Greek land, the Greek Gold and the Elixir of
the dietary traditions of Crete and southern Italy in the 1960s. Life since the time of 12 Gods of Olymbus!You can also read
