ON the occasion of the 1979 Nobel Prize for literature being awarded to 68-year-old Greek poet Odysseus Elytis, Brenda Marder writes: In a world torn by terrorism, depressed by starvation, and strangled by technology, Elytis’ reaffirmation of joy and life, his praise of sea, rock, sun, sky and love, his pervasive sense of euphoria is a salutary tonic.
IN mid-April an item in the classified ad section of a local newspaper ran something like this: “Young, attractive, progress-oriented couple interested in Byzantine chamber music and group readings of Erotokritos with licence plates ending in an odd number, seeks relationship with similar couple with licence plates ending in an even number”.
THE central military camp of Athens at Goudi has been the scene of several notable events in the past which it might be best to forget. The latest, however, which took place on January tenth, was a happy exception.
WITH the approach of the holiday season, we braced ourselves for the annual appearance of the Vasilopitta— the ceremonial sweet bread or cake, which is the traditional symbol of welcome for the New Year. Commonly referred to as the pitta (not to be confused with the ubiquitous, flaky variety containing such fillings as cheese or spinach), it makes its official debut on the first of the year when it is ritualistically cut up.
IN NOVEMBER, the fifth anniversary of “the Polytechnic” was observed with official wreath-layings, marches, demonstrations, television specials, and simple gestures from ordinary people who placed garlands of flowers or a single blossom on the gates of the Institute.
THE plethora of tax bills tabled in Parliament in recent months has generated considerable gloom through-out the population.
A FEW months ago, it seemed unlikely that the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair would take place. Yet it opened on September 10 with hardly a wrinkle, and only the tents, still pitched in the public parks, remained to remind visitors of the devastation caused by earthquakes earlier this year.
WE received a letter from Janet Kanellakis, a staunch urbanite: It’s September in Athens and if you live in the heart of the city, this is your season.
IN mid-July, the Liaoning Acrobatic Troupe of China installed itself, without particular fanfare, for nearly a month of performances at the Veakio Amphitheatre in Piraeus.
AT NOON on June 5 we arrived at the Saint Nicholas Terminal in Piraeus for the press preview of Posidonia, the international shipping exhibition which brings the luminaries of the maritime world to our shores every two years.
