Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-05-10

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM: We will tackle the challenges head on

[02] Shadow puppeteer Spatharis passes away

[03] Shadow puppeteer Spatharis passes away

[01] PM: We will tackle the challenges head on

"Not even for a moment did we think of hiding the truth, of making things look better than they are. The only people that do not concede this are those who see the crisis as an opportunity for petty political gain. The leadership of PASOK defames the country abroad, chooses levelling, denial and nihilism. PASOK's leader is investing in scandal, in polarisation, in misinformation," Karamanlis added, stressing that ND would "not follow" and remain "focused on the big, crucial issues".

The prime minister had earlier visited the work site for the Thessaloniki metro and inspected the progress of the project, stressing in statements to reporters that the "Thessaloniki metro is no longer just words, it is becoming action".

"I visited the central worksite for the Thessaloniki metro and was briefed on how the work is progressing. The two tunnel borers are in full operation, the work is making rapid progress," he said, adding that the environment ministry had recently held a tender for the first extension of the Thessaloniki metro to the Kalamaria district, while there were plans for another extension to Stavroupolis.

"The Thessaloniki metro is the biggest public works project for transport and the environment that is currently being carried out in Greece and it will be one of the most modern metros in Europe," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, in honour of Mother's Day, the prime minister and his wife Natasa visited the SOS children's village in Plagiari, Thessaloniki and gave gifts to the 45 children aged six to 17 living and being cared for in the villages 10 houses.

He then visited Greece's only 'green' school, the vocational lyceum of Kalamaria, and was briefed on issues concerning school facilities by Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis. Following his visit to the metro, the premier was then shown around new municipal parks recently created on the city's coast by Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis speaking to reporters on Sunday after visiting the worksite for the Thessaloniki metro and inspecting the progress of the work. ANA-MPA - Goulielmos Antoniou.

[02] Shadow puppeteer Spatharis passes away

Spatharis was born in Kifissia in January of 1924, the son of original shadow puppeteer Sotiris Spatharis, and became involved with painting and the making of shadow puppets after completing his studies. He began to perform himself during the German occupation of Athens during WWII, putting on shows in theatres, embassies, the Gennadion library and other venues. He continued to be involved in shadow theatre throughout his life, giving countless performances in Greece and abroad and participating in international festivals and conference on the genre.

He put on several plays based on the hero "Karagiozis" - including some using real actors instead of shadow puppets with Greek theatre companies - as well as recording and releasing about 15 Karagiozis plays as vinyl records. After 1980, his performances were also broadcast on television.

Spatharis was a member of the Chamber of Artists of Greece and the UNESCO International Theatre Institute, while he has carried out several international tours. He also took part in several painting exhibitions in Athens, Zurich, Paris and New York.

He was awarded the Rome Prize in 1962, the Toscanini medal in 1978 and several other awards, while in 2007 the Greek culture ministry awarded him the title of 'Grand Master' in recognition of his great contribution to his art.

In 1991 he established the Spathario Shadow Theatre Museum in the municipality of Maroussi, northeast Athens, which has been open since 1996 and seeks to promote the Greek shadow theatre traditions.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph showing Spatharis at work, during a 2003 Christmas show with a younger shadow puppeteer in Athens.

[03] Shadow puppeteer Spatharis passes away

Spatharis was born in Kifissia in January of 1924, the son of original shadow puppeteer Sotiris Spatharis, and became involved with painting and the making of shadow puppets after completing his studies. He began to perform himself during the German occupation of Athens during WWII, putting on shows in theatres, embassies, the Gennadion library and other venues. He continued to be involved in shadow theatre throughout his life, giving countless performances in Greece and abroad and participating in international festivals and conference on the genre.

He put on several plays based on the hero "Karagiozis" - including some using real actors instead of shadow puppets with Greek theatre companies - as well as recording and releasing about 15 Karagiozis plays as vinyl records. After 1980, his performances were also broadcast on television.

Spatharis was a member of the Chamber of Artists of Greece and the UNESCO International Theatre Institute, while he has carried out several international tours. He also took part in several painting exhibitions in Athens, Zurich, Paris and New York.

He was awarded the Rome Prize in 1962, the Toscanini medal in 1978 and several other awards, while in 2007 the Greek culture ministry awarded him the title of 'Grand Master' in recognition of his great contribution to his art.

In 1991 he established the Spathario Shadow Theatre Museum in the municipality of Maroussi, northeast Athens, which has been open since 1996 and seeks to promote the Greek shadow theatre traditions.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph showing Spatharis at work, during a 2003 Christmas show with a younger shadow puppeteer in Athens.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article