PM IN USA: GREECE IS VALUED, TRUSTED PARTNER

Talks With Hillary Clinton

Prime Minister George Papandreou’s last stop in his four- city tour was Washington DC, where he met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

During their joint press conference, Clinton commended the Greek side on its latest efforts to take decisive action against the challenges posed by the financial crisis in the homeland. She also said that they discussed Greece’s role in the Balkans’ integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, as well as Papandreou’s personal efforts to revive the Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

Clinton referred to Greece as a valued and trusted partner and Papandreou stressed that all his previous meetings with European leaders (Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, Luis Zapatero) carry the message that the next G20 meeting has an opportunity to promote the idea of further regulation, in favour of citizens and growth. 

To Meet With Barack Obama

Today, Papandreou will have talks with President Barack Obama, following a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

He will also attend the annual celebration of Greek Independence Day, at the White House, in the presence of Obama, Archbishop Demetrios of America, members of Congress, and prominent Greek-Americans.

PM Address @ Brookings

While in Washington, Papandreou delivered a speech at the renowned think-tank Brookings Institution, titled ''Rising to the Challenge: Greece, Europe and the United States.''

 Papandreou elaborated on the ongoing deficit and economic crisis plaguing Greece, presenting the government’s recently announced tough measures for fiscal consolidation. 

Referring to the global crisis, he said that this is also ''a moment of great opportunity: for Greece, the chance to modernize and revitalize its governance and development model; for Europe to become more fully integrated; for the world to move toward greater democratic cooperation and governance at a moment when, once again, the global power of poorly regulated markets is proving dangerous for us all.''

AMBASSADORS OF HELLENISM 2010

Six personalities from the fields of science and culture from Greece, Uruguay, Egypt, China, Spain and the United States of America have been declared Ambassadors of Hellenism for 2010 in an event hosted by the Athens Prefecture, on March 4, at the Athens Concert Hall.

The six distinguished scientists are Athanassios Fokas, Margarita Larriera, Gregory Nagy, Dr Ahmed Etman, Chen Minhua, Pedro Olalla.

Also, a special distinction was awarded to His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania, who honored this year’s event with his presence, for his humanitarian and missionary work.

APPEAL TO GREEK EX-PATS

The Board of Directors of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) have addressed a call to all Greeks worldwide to support the campaign for a ''Solidarity Account for Greece'' which was established for the repayment the nation’s public debt.

The SAE has created a special bank account at the central branch of the Bank of Greece in which funds can be donated.

Already a Greek-Australian - sociologist and activist Dorothy Buckland-Fuller- announced that she had put her entire savings in a special account to help Greece.

HELLENISTIC COINS IN SYRIA

More than 250 silver coins from the Hellenistic period, were presented by the archaeological authorities in Syria, on March 4. The coins were discovered in northern Syria, buried in a bronze box.

Archaeologists estimate that the 137 tetradrachms and the 115 drachmas discovered date back to between 4th and 1st century BC, and some of them bear the name of Alexander the Great in Greek.

The head of Alexander the Great is depicted on one side of the tetradrachm while on the other there is a display of Zeus.

The coins were found by a resident of Μanbij, a town located in northern Syria, close to the Hellenistic town of Hierapolis Bambyce.

"RODOS ECOKIDS" UNDERWAY

The festival Ecokids Rodos 2010 - an innovative offshoot of Ecofilms International Film and Visual Art Festival (June 22-27) - takes place this year from March 8 to 12.

Screening 15 films at the Cinema of the Rhodes Municipality and the Aquarium, it is welcoming 6,000 schoolchildren from Rhodes and elsewhere in the Dodecanese. Ecokids involves more than just watching films: inviting active participation, the event offers hands-on activities touching upon the theme of human environment. 

More information: ecokidsrodos.blogspot.com; Kathimerini daily: Rodos Ecokids gets under way

AN OSCAR WINNER

Greek-American Louie Psihoyos’s documentary film "The Cove" won an Academy Award for ''Best Documentary Feature.''

The film is a about a group of activists, who using state-of-the-art equipment, and led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health. 

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Best Documentary Feature; You Tube: The “Cove” Wins Oscar  

SALZBURG MARIONETTE THEATRE

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre is in Athens with the promise of wowing children and adults with unique performances taking place until today, at the Athens Concert Hall.

The audience may experience a delightful musical performance based on ''The Sound of Music,'' as well as the ballet ''The Nutcracker.'' The enchanting show will feature actors, musicians and life-size puppets, impressive costumes and stunning sets, all in a fairy-tale atmosphere. 

Established in 1913, the Salzburg Marionette Theatre is one of the oldest and most popular puppet theatre companies to have toured the world, performing oeuvres ranging from musicals, classical opera, classical ballet, to celebrated plays, including Shakespeare’s comedy ''A Midsummer Night’s Dream.''