Posts
Saturday, 11 February 2012
The Cross, Artform of Ethiopia (film)
I'm pleased to see that my documentary film, "The Cross, Artform of Ethiopia", has just passed 1000 viewings since I posted it on YouTube.
Greece, The Dangerous Choice
Reuters update
The Diaspora responds to the crisis: Global Greek World
Peter Papageorgiou on some home-grown solutions. Let's live more simply, he says (in Greek).
New York Times editorial: Greek Tragedy
The Diaspora responds to the crisis: Global Greek World
Peter Papageorgiou on some home-grown solutions. Let's live more simply, he says (in Greek).
New York Times editorial: Greek Tragedy
Byzantine Blues: If Kevin Andrews had been alive today...
After a visit to Stockholm, Amy Mims (translator of Kazantzakis and Ritsos, etc) kindly sent me a photocopy of Kevin Andrews' poem "Byzantine Blues" (Nicosia, 1980) and other works ("First Will and Testament", Athens 1974) and "Byron in a Capsule for a Coffee Break" (Athens 1990). I already had two books, "The Flight of Ikaros, Travels in Greece During a Civil War" (1959) and "Greece in the Dark" (Amsterdam, 1980), as well as his essay "Expatriation to Excess: No Blame" (The Southeastern Review, Athens, vol 1, no 1).
'Byzantine Blues, a Cradle-Song for Neodemocracy', was written in Athens in May 1979.
What sort of sequel to Byzantine Blues might Kevin Andrews have written if he'd been alive today?
Kevin Andrews (1924-1989) made the choice to become a naturalized Greek citizen (in 1975). He was drowned off Kythira, while swimming to Avgo islet, on 1 September, 1989.
His satrirical poem, Byzantine Blues, was about Prime Minister Karamanlis (this is a short extract):
"And for Greece's gentility total stability -
who (I ask you!) can give it but he?
For our freedom from tanks, plus the health of our banks
no one else is 'The Sole Guarantee'.
We read it in headlines, we see it on film,
we hear it all day on TV,
and electoral posters of him at the helm
(that are seldom removed) all agree
with the praise in the Press, and the priests as they bless
both us and the Powers-that-Be
that - to balance our budget of national pride -
a liberal lather of OMO and TIDE
has washed all our brains out to sea....
with a programme to pinch where it's heartily felt,
and Austerity Plans for uncritical fans,
and his message to Management: Loosen the belt...
The voice of the people, the voice of God,
a whisper in somebody's ear....
will remind how in Greece an election, or friend,
can sometimes be won and may often depend
on generous help from abroad."
No prizes for a 2012 update of Byzantine Blues, but why not have a go?
On Kevin Andrews, Elizabeth Boleman-Herring - A Farewell to Ikaros
Greek Island, February
Drawing by Nancy Dignan, from "Peel Me a Lotus", by Charmian Clift (Collins 1959, 1969)
About Charmian (1923-1969)
John Lucas on her son Martin Johnston, a fine poet and translator of Greek poetry and folksong.
Lawrence Durrell Centenary, Guardian Podcast, with Jan Morris
The Guardian podcast on the achievement of Lawrence Durrell.
Joice Nankivell Loch, Ouranoupolis, Halkidiki
My favourite spot in Halkidiki, when escaping from Thessaloniki in the early 1980s, was Ouranoupolis, on the border with Athos, the Holy Mountain. I very nearly bought a small house there, but the call of Corfu proved too strong.
The most beautiful spot of all was the Byzantine Tower by the sea, where I once had the pleasure of visiting Joice NanKivell Loch, who lived in it (the village was called Prosforion before it became Ouranoupolis).
If there are three women with both Greek and Australian associations whose names deserve to be better known internationally, I would suggest the following: Lady Bowen (Countess Diamantina Roma); Joice NanKivell Loch; and Charmian Clift.
Joice Loch (1887-1982), a legend to travellers to the monasteries of Mount Athos, wrote her own inspiring and highly recommended autobiography, A Fringe of Blue, An Autobiography (John Murray, 1968).
A collection of her poems was published in 1980.
An important biography, Blue Ribbons, Bitter Bread, The Life of Joice Nankivell Loch, by Susanna de Vries (Pirgos Press, Brisbane, 2000, and updated editions), helped to make her name and achievements better known to Australians.
I won't attempt to summarise or relate the fascinating story of the rich and varied life of Joice NanKivell Loch, or of her husband, Sydney Loch, but I do wish to draw attention to the autobiography and the biography.
An unforgettable woman.
About Ouranoupolis
The most beautiful spot of all was the Byzantine Tower by the sea, where I once had the pleasure of visiting Joice NanKivell Loch, who lived in it (the village was called Prosforion before it became Ouranoupolis).
If there are three women with both Greek and Australian associations whose names deserve to be better known internationally, I would suggest the following: Lady Bowen (Countess Diamantina Roma); Joice NanKivell Loch; and Charmian Clift.
Joice Loch (1887-1982), a legend to travellers to the monasteries of Mount Athos, wrote her own inspiring and highly recommended autobiography, A Fringe of Blue, An Autobiography (John Murray, 1968).
A collection of her poems was published in 1980.
An important biography, Blue Ribbons, Bitter Bread, The Life of Joice Nankivell Loch, by Susanna de Vries (Pirgos Press, Brisbane, 2000, and updated editions), helped to make her name and achievements better known to Australians.
I won't attempt to summarise or relate the fascinating story of the rich and varied life of Joice NanKivell Loch, or of her husband, Sydney Loch, but I do wish to draw attention to the autobiography and the biography.
An unforgettable woman.
About Ouranoupolis
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