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Hash

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When I saw Tanks on the streets up and down Paleo Faliro and Athens Airport it was a normal way of life....I was too young to realise the implications of what was really going on..
 
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I remember seeing a tank at the Athens airport in 1973. I remember thinking that was odd but was too young to realise the full implications of what was going on in Greece. Definitely a dark time for Greece.
 
I remember seeing a tank at the Athens airport in 1973. I remember thinking that was odd but was too young to realise the full implications of what was going on in Greece. Definitely a dark time for Greece.
Thats so scary...I've heard many stories like this as well. There is a famous movie about the junta called "To Tango too Christougenoun" or "The Christmas Tango"

 
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I remember seeing a tank at the Athens airport in 1973. I remember thinking that was odd but was too young to realise the full implications of what was going on in Greece. Definitely a dark time for Greece.
If I remember the US Army tanks also were cruising up and down Glyfada and Voula where we had a Clubhotel for our subsidiary Club 18/30,Tour Operator for the younger generation and I used to bring LPs and Vinyls from London for the music on rooftop disco.🎵..... Santana,Pink Floyd,Bob Marley, Rolling Stones...Credence Clear Water Revival, Eric Clapton, ....Doors....the list is too long.... Just imagine all this fun and dark times for a country I fell in love with....and that love is Eternal.♥️♥️🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷.... Kalley Mera.
 
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If I remember the US Army tanks also were cruising up and down Glyfada and Voula where we had a Clubhotel for our subsidiary Club 18/30,Tour Operator for the younger generation and I used to bring LPs and Vinyls from London for the music on rooftop disco.🎵..... Santana,Pink Floyd,Bob Marley, Rolling Stones...Credence Clear Water Revival, Eric Clapton, ....Doors....the list is too long.... Just imagine all this fun and dark times for a country I fell in love with....and that love is Eternal.♥️♥️🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷.... Kalley Mera.
You played some good music! A pity the beach bars play pop trash these days...
 
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You played some good music! A pity the beach bars play pop trash these days...
Aw thank you!!♥️♥️....I know what you mean....electro wow wow music as I call it in this computer age,in those days one had to play the lead guitar,the bass and rhythm, drums and percussions....Nice to remember my youth here,Plaka was really cool in those days, unbelievable atmosphere after my duties in Mallorca, Greece was so different and diverse, bouzouki in Syntagma Square and Filoxenia ouzo and olives Mezedez...the Hippie culture at the American Express Building...👌...
 
Aw thank you!!♥️♥️....I know what you mean....electro wow wow music as I call it in this computer age,in those days one had to play the lead guitar,the bass and rhythm, drums and percussions....Nice to remember my youth here,Plaka was really cool in those days, unbelievable atmosphere after my duties in Mallorca, Greece was so different and diverse, bouzouki in Syntagma Square and Filoxenia ouzo and olives Mezedez...the Hippie culture at the American Express Building...👌...
I love bouzouki music, I get so sad when I go to Greece and all they're playing is top 40 pop music from the states
 
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I love bouzouki music, I get so sad when I go to Greece and all they're playing is top 40 pop music from the states
Me too, first time I heard it when Asteri was just opened back in 72/73!!.... They were smashing plates and chucking loads of flowers on the singers....it blew my mind that music like this made people happy and escape from the realities around them....Then I was introduced to Nana Mouskouri and my love for Greek music began... Believe it or not we played a lot of Greek music back in those days... After Flamenco in Spain this was such a pleasant surprise and very new to me!....In Mykonos when we were totally crazy we made an Ekdhromi .... Going to all the Bouzouki bars in one night!!!!.....Can you imagine how much alcohol was consumed and how many plates were smashed?..... Finishing at dawn, took 2 days to recover!😂😂😂😢..... Kalley Mera from Thailand..
 

Learning about Greek Independence Day

March 25th marks a significant celebration in Greece, but I realize my knowledge on its historical context is quite limited.

From what I understand, this day commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821, where Greece sought to end several centuries of Ottoman rule. However, I'm eager to learn more about the intricacies of this period, the key figures involved, and how the struggle for independence unfolded over time.

Additionally, I'd be interested in understanding how this day is celebrated across Greece today and whether any particular traditions are tied to it. For example, are there specific ceremonies, parades, or family traditions that uniquely mark this day in Greek culture?


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History of the tradition of decorating boats for Christmas

One of the most interesting Greek Christmas traditions to me is the one where people decorate boats. So, I started to research the history. Here's a bit of what I discovered:

The roots of the tradition of decorating boats in Greece for Christmas can be traced back to the country's longstanding ties with the sea. In Ancient Greece, people would often looked to the sea for both sustenance and inspiration, and it was not uncommon for ships to be adorned with religious symbols and decorations.

It also has ties to early Christianity in Greece. According to Greek Orthodox beliefs, Saint Nicolas (aka Santa Claus) was a sailor, and he is the patron saint of sailors. Decorating boats is often seen as a way to honor him.

Over time, this practice became associated with the Christmas season, and the boats began to be decorated specifically for the holiday.

People also make paper boats to decorate. Some call these the "yule boat" or karavaki. One of the most famous examples of this practice is the Yule boat, or karavaki.

The earliest known evidence of decorating boats for Christmas in Greece dates back to the 19th century. During this time, sailors would deck out their boats with lights and tiny boats. These tiny boats were often placed inside the larger boat, symbolizing protection from harm while at sea.

Does anyone have anything to add?

Studying the Trojan War - Was it Real?

Did the Trojan War really happen? I am doing a bit of research and wanted to know what you guys thought:

The war is believed to have happened around 1200 BCE, and while there is no concrete evidence to support its occurrence, it is widely accepted as factual.

What is confusing me is how prevalent it is in Greek Mythology. In addition to the gods' involvement in the conflict, various stories and legends were added over time to give the tale more depth and drama. For example, the character of Achilles was said to be invulnerable except for his heel, which led to the phrase "Achilles heel" being used to describe a person's one weakness.

While some scholars once dismissed the Trojan War as pure myth, modern archaeological evidence has suggested that it may have been a real event. Excavations at the ancient site of Troy have revealed evidence of a long period of conflict and destruction, and historians have found similarities between the tale as it is told in ancient texts and what is known about the region's history at the time. While many details of the Trojan War are still shrouded in mystery, it seems increasingly likely that it was not just a legend but a real event that has been passed down through the ages.

Interesting Greek History Topics I Like

The Persian Wars: The wars fought between Greece and the Persian empire in the 5th century BC were some of the most consequential conflicts of ancient times. Learn about the key events, such as the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Thermopylae, and the strategies that allowed the Greeks to repel the Persian invaders.

The Rise of Athens: Arguably the most influential city-state in ancient Greece, Athens was the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the arts. Follow the rise of Athens from a humble village to a powerhouse of trade and culture.

The Peloponnesian War: The decades-long conflict between Athens and Sparta was a turning point in Greek history, leading to the decline of Athens and the rise of Macedon under Philip II and his son Alexander.

The Life of Alexander the Great: The young conqueror who led his armies across the known world, Alexander the Great is one of the most famous and admired figures of ancient history. Learn about his upbringing, his conquests, and his legacy.

The Olympic Games: A tradition that continues to this day, the ancient Olympics were a celebration of sports, culture, and political power. Explore the origins of the games and the events that took place.

Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts- I find this stuff interesting.
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