Ancient Greek theatre

A year has passed since the tragedy at Tempe which scarred our collective soul. Like others investigative initiatives before it, the parliamentary committee assembled to probe the deadly train crash expended itself on public relations stunts; its hollow proceedings were an insult to the families of the victims and to the public as a whole, who demand answers.

There are times to keep silent. When we can only lower our heads and allow words that must be heard to fly unimpeded to the farthest corners of the land, to wherever on earth Greeks dwell. Because, despite the great progress of the past 200 years, we must acknowledge that our country still does not secure the basic needs of its children, of all its inhabitants.

A presentation of "Greek Pioneers in Medical and Biomedical Sciences, 1821-2021" (2023), which was published recently in Greek and English, will take place on December 14 at The Demos Center (17 Ipitou, Plaka).

Marking one of the most important holidays in the Greek Orthodox calendar, the Naxos Festival (naxos festival.gr) is holding its own "panigiri" at the Bazeos Tower on August 15.

Today is World Refugee Day. It is also the day of humanitarian posturing for political leaders, religious groups, international organizations and sundry philanthropists sending their customary "messages" of support and sympathy.

If Athens' population is estimated at roughly 4 million today, back in ancient times, Attica as a whole was home to just 300,000 to 400,000 people, the majority of whom resided in the valley around the Acropolis and the Agora, the center of political, social and commercial activity.

Every major tragedy in Greece is met with a lot of dust and noise. Briefly. Then the matter vanishes. The course of justice is desperately slow. Catharsis takes so long in coming, the matter is forgotten or loses its urgency. 

Wednesday's tragedy at Tempe in central Greece should serve as a wake-up call for the entire political system. Answers will be demanded over the lives that were lost and those that were irreparably damaged by injury or trauma, as will decisions that will ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

A tribute 20 years after the tragedy

The Greek Exports Forum & Awards 2020, postponed last month, will take place on Wednesday, from 1 to 8 p.m., in the form of a LiveOn hybrid event on the Ethos Group platform.

For more information, visit ethosevents.eu.