Not too much to report. We are still in lockdown. Cases and fatalities are much the same as last week, but ten mutations were found today (28th January 2021). How is Greece doing? According to this study by the Lowy institute https://interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/covid-performance/ the answer is very well. 32nd in a list of 98 countries, and... Continue Reading →
Greek Word of the Week 4/2021
μπουρλότο – burloto, literally a fireship, a small vessel loaded with explosives and/or combustible materials sent towards an enemy ship in order to destroy it. Maybe it comes from the French brûlot. (The switching of the “r” like fromage and formaggio in French and Italian respectively, is called rhotic metathesis.) Amusingly, in what must have... Continue Reading →
Greek Word of the Week 3/2021
καριόλης/καριόλα kariolis (man), kariola (woman) “Κανένας κα ριόλλης απο αυτούς που κανόνισαν αυτή την συγκέντρωση θα πάει ΦΥΛΑΚΗ!!!!!!! ΓΑ ΜΗ ΜΕ ΝΟΙ!!!!!!!!” If we employ certain words on a post, sensors kick into action followed by censors banning our posts. Which is why we employ tricks like sh!t or f@ck to get round any potential... Continue Reading →
Irish Music Scene & Life in Northern Greece 3/2021
Just a couple of questions on the Epiphany diving accident I mentioned in my last post. The report below does not really give much information, and most of the pertinent questions are raised in comments following the article: https://www.iefimerida.gr/ellada/amarynthos-tetrapligia-24hronos-boytixe-theofania Why did the dive take place given there was a ban?Was the dive moved to Amarynthos... Continue Reading →
Greek Word of the Week 2/2021
ποστάρω (postaro) = post something online My word of the week is loosely connected with my post on this year’s Epiphany. I mentioned a tweet posted by Professor Dermitzakis. The headline said: “Ο Δερμιτζάκης πόσταρε δύο φωτογραφίες…” = “Dermitzakis has posted two photographs…” I was taken aback by the verb ποστάρω because I thought the... Continue Reading →
Irish Music Scene & Life in Northern Greece 2/2021
Today, 6th January 2021, is the Epiphany. Though ‘epiphany’ derives from Greek, the feast is called ‘Theophany’ (Θεοφάνια). I have not been following the debate closely, but it seems that the Church and government reached a compromise: the churches could open but the ritual blessing of the waters would be prohibited. This ritual involves priests... Continue Reading →
Irish Music Scene & Covid Episode #16
With everything shut because of Covid, I am seeing in 2021 in my little study/music room, with a small can of Heineken and some crisps. It is 10 minutes to midnight, but some people have already set off fireworks. It has gone silent again. The Greek health services seem to have regained some control over... Continue Reading →
Greek Word of the Week #16
A few days ago I made a mess of the two doors on the driver’s side of my car. Bollard 1 Car 0. I took it to the dealer who quoted a price not much lower than the car’s current value. My neighbour told me I should take it to the nearby φαναρτζή. I replied... Continue Reading →