Global Voices » Greek

Greece: Parliament Votes in New Austerity Deal Amidst Riots

Veroniki Krikoni — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:38:38 +0000

As 200 out of 300 Greek deputies voted in favor of the new austerity deal “Memorandum 2″, these were some of the different scenes. Jimhellas provides his perspective [el] on yesterday's #12febgr huge citizen protest and massive police teargas repression in a post entitled “Mass murder attempt at #Syntagma, as I lived it”. Jenny Hauser made a Storyful collection of photos and tweets from clashes and fires in the center of Athens last night. NassosKappa shared on his Twitter a photo of the burning Attikon cinema in Stadiou Street. Vassilis Vlachos posted a photo on Facebook, depicting Greek MPs watching television at parliament cafe.

Greece: “I Signed the IMF Memorandum Without Having Read It”

Veroniki Krikoni — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:21:36 +0000

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Shock and awe awaited Greek citizens on Monday January 23, 2012, when Louka Katseli, former minister of labour and social security (2010) and minister of economy, competitiveness and shipping (2009), revealed that she had had only three hours to read the IMF memorandum tackling the country's debt crisis.

Michalis Chrysochoidis, current minister for development, competitiveness and shipping and former minister of citizen protection, admitted on a morning television show interview [el] that he signed the IMF memorandum without having read it at all, arguing that “simply, he had other obligations during that time, as he was fighting against crime”:

Minister Manolis Chrysochoidis. Photo by Flickr user Piazza del Popolo (CC BY 2.0).

News spread quickly on the web reacting to the remarks, including extremely negative comments and derogatory insults from netizens, expressing their disdain for the political system, and mocking the minister's excuse.

Within one to two hours, the case became a world trending topic via the Twitter hashtag #de_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati (I didn't read the memorandum because…):

@northaura: Now whole twitter “parties” with the “I didn't read the Memorandum” statement of Min. Crysochoidis, in hashtag #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati

Global Voices Author and Editor Asteris Masouras (@asteris) made a Storify collection of various posts, photos and tweets. Below listed are some samples of Greek netizens' tweets and comments:

@agamemnon_st: Αφού δεν ήταν δουλειά σου να μελετάς το μνημόνιο και τους νόμους, γιατί ήσουν βουλευτής;

@agamemnon_st: Since it wasn't your job to study the memorandum and the laws, why were you a member of the Parliament?

George Kallis: den exeis tsipa epanw soy na valeis thylia sto laimo soy !!!! exete katastrepsi olh thn ellada me tis ypografesas

George Kallis: You are shameless, you should put a noose around your neck!!!! you have destroyed all Greece with your signatures

'The Dark Knight returns to fight crime on Athens' mean streets'. Image mocking Minister Chrysochoidis' statement. Photo via Twitpic by @Teacherdude.

@ngeor: #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati I was elected to lead, not to read.

@Ovelikios: Δεν έχω διαβάσει το μνημόνιο αλλά έχω δει την ταινία

@Ovelikios: I haven't read the memorandum but I have seen the movie

@natachef: #de_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati δεν άνοιγε το attachment.

@natachef: #de_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati [I didn't read the memorandum because] mail attachment wouldn't open.

@Stathisgr: Mnimonio? LoL, Too busy beating protesters

@mpampaki: “Είχα να αντιμετωπίσω το έγκλημα. Ο Ρόμπιν είχε πυρετό κι ο Τζόκερ είχε απαγάγει το γιο του Επιθεωτητη Γκόρντον.”

@mpampaki: “I had to fight against crime. Robin was down with fever and [the] Joker had kidnapped the son of Commissioner Gordon”.

@nchrysoloras: #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati μόνο ο Τσακ Νόρις έχει διαβάσει το Μνημόνιο

@nchrysoloras: #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati [I didn't read the memorandum because] only Chuck Norris has read the Memorandum

Twitter user @mirsiniloizou posted: "and here, the photo of #didn't_read_memorandum_because". Photo shows "protagonists of the day" Ms. Katseli and Mr. Chrysochoidis.

After the intense criticism, Chrysochoidis published the following Facebook status update (original text in Greek here):

I want to clarify and confirm my point. Yes, I repeat that I didn't read the memorandum. I didn't deal with either the text or the procedures of “supposedly” negotiations. This wasn't declared with pride. Even more, I don;t say this in order to shirk responsibilities. On the contrary. I consider this as one of the biggest errors of my political career; because I appreciated wrongly those critical moments and I was preoccupied with the minor issue, my work as a minister, instead of the major one, my responsibility as a member of the country's leadership. I said that to stress how much everyone has to change. We used to trust every leader, every prime minister; to vote in the Parliament and to agree in the government. Those times belong to the past and this model faded. What is needed is collectivity, personal responsibility and contribution. […]

During last year, the government and members of parliament have been the target of heavy criticism for their acceptance of the IMF memorandum and their inaction against the socio-economic crisis of the country, which has urged many of them to defend their beliefs and political actions.

Another “disclaimer statement” was made on October 2011 by former PASOK MP Thomas Rompopoulos, who argued [el] during a radio show broadcast: “Nobody had the time to read the Memorandum, neither I did nor anybody did; We authorized [Minister for Economy at the time] Papakonstantinou to sign for it. It was a matter of trust”:

In addition to the bold accusations Minister Chrysochoidis himself received, many netizens via social media have also criticized the general political scene, but also the “blindness” of they themselves, who have been conniving with the politicians' foul actions:

Panagiotis Giannoudis: Ζήτω η Βουλή των Ελλήνων!

Panagiotis Giannoudis: Hooray to the Greek Parliament!

@helena_chari: greece doesn't need weapons of mass destruction; it's got its politicians

dangler69: Τελικά το διάβασε και κανένας; Ίσως εκείνοι που διαγράφηκαν.

dangler69: Finally, did anyone at least read it? Maybe those who were removed from the Parliament.

@Dr_Troy: #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati ” και που με περιγελούν τώρα, αρκετοί απ' αυτούς θα με ξαναψηφίσουν. Ξεχνάνε γρήγορα, βλέπεις…

@Dr_Troy: #De_diavasa_to_mnimonio_giati [I didn't read the memorandum because] even if they mock me now, many of them will vote for me again. They forget quickly, you see… #bitter_truth

@cpil: Ενώ όλοι εσείς, το διαβάσατε το μνημόνιο.

@cpil: Have you read the memorandum yourselves?

@MilitaryRaiden: Όλοι πέφτουμε από τα σύννεφα με ομολογία ανικανότητος Χρυσοχοΐδη αλλά όχι με τη διατήρηση δικαιώματος ψήφου των ηλιθίων που το εξέλεξαν.

@MilitaryRaiden: Everybody is surprised by Chrysochoidis' confession of impotence, but not by the fact that the stupid ones that elected him still hold their voting rights.

@tgeorgakopoulos: Σσσσ, ακούς; Κάνε ησυχία -ακούς; Είναι ο ήχος 299 εκτυπωτών σε γραφεία βουλευτών. Τυπώνουν το μνημόνιο.

@tgeorgakopoulos: Sssshh, listen! Silence, can you hear that? It's the sound of 299 printers at MPs' offices. They are printing the memorandum.

@sVathis: Οι έλληνες ανέκαθεν δεν διάβαζαν user manuals

@sVathis: Greeks never read user manuals

Finally, during the following day, user Arkoudos concludes bitterly, reflecting the saddest part of Greek economical and social crisis [el]:

@arkoudos: Δεν σας πληρωσα το χαρατσι της ΔΕΗ;Αχχ χιλια συγνωμη,*δεν το ειχα διαβασει*,ειχα παει να ικετευσω για δουλεια,για να εχουμε να φαμε το βραδυ

@arkoudos: Didn't I pay you for the extra tax of DEI (Public Power Corporation of Greece)? Ohhh, so sorry, *hadn't read it*, I had gone to beg for a job, to have some food to eat at dinner

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Greece: Criticism of Politicians During Theophany Celebrations

Veroniki Krikoni — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:32:55 +0000

This article is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

In Greece, January 6 is the national holiday of Theophany, traditionally known as Phota (”lights”). Customs revolve around the Great Blessing of the Waters: a cross is thrown into the water and people try to retrieve it in order to receive good luck and blessings. Every year, government and civic officials attend the celebrations, after which they have an opportunity to make official statements on the spiritual importance of the day, along with political and social comments.

However, due to the economical, political and social crisis Greece is going through, this year's celebrations were marked by strong expressions of people's disapproval and criticism of politicians. This came as no surprise, as it happened earlier during the national celebrations of “Ochi” day on October 28, when President Karolos Papoulias was forced to leave after protesters called him a traitor.

Chalkida, Evia

It happened again this time, when President Papoulias appeared at Chalkida, despite the tradition of going to Piraeus, the country's major port. Citizens booed him, calling him a traitor and shouting anti-austerity slogans, as the following video [el] shows:

A small group tried to reach the dignitaries' podium, but were blocked by the police. The president departed making no official statement.

Chalkida's police arrested six citizens, three men and three women, and a file was submitted accusing them of “insulting the President of the Republic's honor”. The city prosecutor ordered their release.

Netizens commented both on the jeering of Papoulias and the demonstrators' arrest, with a large majority in favor of the arrested and against the major public figure's behavior and inaction concerning the current crisis:

Makis: ΣΙΓΑ ΤΟ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΟ.ΚΑΛΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΚΑΝΑΝ.

NO IMPORTANT PERSON IS HE. THEY DID WELL.

@stefivos: Ο Κάρολος Παπούλιας πρέπει να ‘χει κάνει ασφαλιστικά μέτρα εναντίον όλων των πολιτών. Αν παραβιάσεις την ακτίνα 50μ. συλλαμβάνεσαι.

Karolos Papoulias must probably have requested an injunction against all citizens. If you approach within a 50m radius, you are under arrest.

Sonia Andrianou: Από πότε διώκεται ρε παιδιά η ελευθερία του λόγου και της έκφρασης; Γιατί το άρθρο δε λέει να τον αποδοκίμασαν με τπτ αντικείμενα ή να τον πείραξαν σωματικά! Θα τρελλαθούμε εντελώς…

Since when is freedom of speech and expression under prosecution? Because the article doesn't mention that they [the arrested citizens] booed him by throwing objects or physically assaulting him! We will totally lose our mind…

A different view was held by a small minority:

miri: Μα τι έφταιξε ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας;

But what's the President of the Republic's fault?

user Under: Οχι οτι εχω καμια διαθεση να υπερασπιστω τον Παπουλια τον οποιο τον θεωρουσα προδοτη πολυ πριν το ξεσπασμα της κρισης αλλα απο την αλλη παραγινεται γραφικο να δινεται εμφαση σε καποια περιστατικα αποδοκιμασιων. Μαζευονται 5 γραφικοι “αγανακτισμενοι” και αποδοκιμαζουν και αυτο γινεται θεμα.[…] Λιγη σοβαροτητα δεν βλαπτει.

I'm not in the mood to defend Papoulias, whom I considered to be a traitor long before the crisis outburst, but on the other hand, it gets too “picturesque”, to emphasize some jeering incidents. Five bizarre “indignados” gather and protest and that becomes a major issue. […] A bit of seriousness is not harmful to anyone.

Kitsos stresses that nobody can impose respect on people:

Kitsos (07/01, 10:36): Τον σεβασμό τον εμπνέεις ! Άμα χάσεις τον σεβασμό του κόσμου δεν τον επιβάλεις ούτε με χίλιους στρατούς. Κάτι ήξεραν οι παλιοί ηγέτες που έλεγαν “ισχύς μου η αγάπη του λαού μου”.

Respect is inspired! If you lose people's respect, you cannot impose it, even with an army of a thousand. Old leaders knew this, these were the ones that said, “My strength is my people's love.”

Dimitris Vlachos wonders why the news was reported as if only a small percentage of people openly expressed their disrespect for the President:

Dimitris Vlachos: Apo merida kosmou? Oloi ton giouxaran!

“From a small group of people?” Everybody booed at him!

The previous day, commenting on an article that announced Papoulias' appearance in Chalkida instead of Piraeus, Dimitris N. had “predicted”:

Dimitris N. (05/01, 15:41): Καλά έχει να ακούσει τα σχολιανά του, αν και έχω την αίσθηση ότι δεν θα πάει ούτε εκεί αλλά θα κάτσει στο προεδρικό μέγαρο….όπου και να πάει ο λαός θα καταστρέψει την παράτα…

Oh well, he will be told off; however, I've got this feeling that he won't go even there [Chalkida], instead he will remain inside the presidential palace… Wherever he goes, people will spoil the show…

Secondly, citizens also criticized the fact that the Prime Minister Loukas Papadimos of the interim coalition government didn't have the time to attend any celebrations, apparently due to his workload. A post on apospasma.gr said:

[…]δεν τόλμησε να πάει στην τελετή αγιασμού των υδάτων στον Πειραιά επειδή θα άκουγε τα εξ΄αμάξης.

[…] he didn't dare go to the Blessing of the Waters in Piraeus, because he would be shot down.

Athens, Attica

Earlier, in Athens, Minister of Education Anna Diamantopoulou was jeered during celebrations at Dexameni in Kolonaki. In this video [el], people are heard to shout “Good digestion!” (usually used after the “Bon appetit” expression in Greek) and “Bring offshore companies' money back”:

The general disapproval of politicians, especially representatives of the two major political parties (PASOK and ND), caused once again a long discourse on personal responsibility and the support of current politicians:

Nikos Prassas: Καλά είναι τα μασκαριλίκια, οι αποδοκιμασίες και οι αντιπολιτευτικές διαμαρτυρίες, το μόνο εύκολο! Κάποτε όμως καταντούν και κουραστικές, όταν δεν υπάρχουν προτεινόμενες λύσεις!

Giorgos Kaminis (mayor of Athens) and Anna Diamantopoulou (Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs) at Blessing of Waters in Dexameni, Kolonaki. (Flickr user:annadiamantopoulou, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Masquerades, fanfares, protests and oppositional parades are very nice, it's the easiest thing! Someday, they degenerate, however, when there are no solutions to suggest!

Maria Kapurani: ολοι εσείς που βρίζετε τους πολιτικους(και καλα κανετε) την Ευρώπη και ολα, αναρωτηθειτε μια φορά, 30 χρονια στη μεταπολίτευση τι έκανα ”ΕΓΩ” για την πατρίδα μου για να μην φτάσει εδω? Νομίζω οτι φωνάζετε επειδή ξεβολευτήκατε. Μια αγανακτισμένη… με ολους

All of you that curse the politicians (you are doing the right thing), Europe and all that, let's wonder once: during the 30 years of the Metapolitefsi [period in Greek history after the fall of the military Junta in 1974], what did “I” do for my country in order not to reach this point today? I think you are furious because you have lost all your comforts. An indignado…along with everyone else

Same topic, different trend

Meanwhile, however, the news trending on social media was that Apostolos Gkletsos, a popular actor and now Mayor of Stylida town, managed eventually to get into the water and compete to catch the holy cross - noteworthy as he suffers from heart disease. The “importance” given to this fact was humorously commented on on Twitter:

@iokastita: Ο γκλέτσος ετοιμάζεται να βουτήξει στη Στυλίδα για να πιάσει το σταυρό.Το καλύτερο νέο μετά τη μεταπολίτευση.

In Stylida, Gkletsos is getting prepared to dive to catch the cross. Best news since the Metapolitefsi period.

@Conn_x: Ο Γκλέτσος σήμερα δεν θα βουτήξει. Θα περπατήσει πάνω στο νερό.

Today, Gkletsos is not going to dive. He will be walking on water.

The celebration of Theophany also brought out some cynicism and cold facts, for example from Teacherdude and Yns_x:

@teacherdude: ή Εορτή των Φώτων ακυρώθηκε φέτος - δεν πληρώσουμε το χαρτάτσι της ΔΕΗ

The Celebration of Phota (lights) was canceled this year - we are not going to pay the extra taxes for DEI (Public Power Corporation of Greece).

@yns_x: Στον Έβρο γιορτάζουν κάθε μέρα τα Θεοφάνεια -εκατοντάδες μετανάστες βουτούν στα νερά του προσπαθώντας να αγγίξουν το (όποιο) θαύμα.

In the Evros river [the natural border between Greece and Turkey], Theophany is celebrated every day - hundreds of immigrants dive into its waters to touch a miracle, if any.

This article is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Thumbnail and featured image show Christian holiday of Epiphany, Thessaloniki. Image by Konstantinos Tsakalidis, copyright Demotix (06/01/2011).

Greece: Traditions and Customs on the “Day of Lights”

Veroniki Krikoni — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:11:07 +0000

Epiphany or Theophany is when Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. In Greece, January 6 is traditionally known as Phota (”lights”) and customs revolve around the Great Blessing of the Waters: a cross is thrown into the water and people try to retrieve it in order to receive good luck and blessings. The day before, children sing Epiphany carols, and the following day, January 7, marks John the Baptist's feast.

This video shows a Theofaneia celebration in Lake Vegoritis, Northern Greece:

Throughout Greece, old village and island traditions and customs still survive [Greek] and are observed [Greek] by local inhabitants and visitors. Join us for a small virtual tour of folk history.

Ragoutsaria, Kastoria. Photo by Flickr user Despoina (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Kastoria: Ragkoutsaria

The first carnival of the year takes place at Kastoria in West Macedonia, Northern Greece and lasts until January 8. During Ragoutsaria (from the Latin “rogatores”, meaning “beggars”), people wear sheepskins, put masks on or paint their faces and body black and wander the streets carrying huge brass bells; their striking sound sends away all evil spirits. The celebration is accompanied by lots of traditional music played on brass instruments.

@taskar: Τα “Ραγκουτσάρια” στην Καστοριά αποδεικνύουν πως η Μακεδονία είναι μία και είναι Μουσική (χωρίς σύνορα).

@taskar: Ragoutsaria in Kastoria prove that Macedonia is one and its music (is without borders).

Lefkada: Blessing the oranges

@Nistiko_Arkoudi: Πάμε Λευκάδα όπου το ιδιαίτερο έθιμο κατά την διάρκεια τού αγιασμού των υδάτων είναι τα πορτοκάλια…

@Nistiko_Arkoudi: Let's go to Lefkada, where the special tradition during the Blessing of the Waters is the oranges…

On the Ionian island of Lefkada, people celebrate the custom of the oranges: they dive into the sea holding oranges tied with twine. Before the blessing of the waters, they throw last year's old oranges into the water. Afterwards, they carry them back to their homes for blessing and leave one near the holy icons for the rest of the year. This custom dates [Greek] from the period of the Venetian occupation of the island (1684-1797); back then, the ritual would take place at the old city aqueduct near the citrus groves of noble landowners.

Nea Karvali, Kavala: Sagia

In the town of Nea Karvali in Eastern Macedonia, Northern Greece, inhabitants celebrate Sagia every year on Epiphany Eve. They gather around big fires lit in squares, where they drink, sing traditional carols and dance. The ritualistic fires are meant to drive away the evil spirits, the “kalikantzaroi” (Christmas goblins), to the bowels of the earth; the tradition has its origins from Cappadocia of Asia Minor, from where the current inhabitants' ancestors immigrated in a 1923 population exchange.

Ermioni, Argolis: Giala-Giala

For more than 50 years, the tradition of Giala-Giala has existed [French] in Ermioni in Argolis in the Eastern Peloponnese. On Epiphany Eve, young men gather at the town port and decorate boats with palm leaves. Next morning, they dress in traditional naval uniforms and make a tour of the village gathering offerings and blessings. They sing traditional tunes until the priest casts the cross into the water and they reach to catch it.

Thumbnail and featured image shows celebration of the feast of the Epiphany and “Blessing of the Waters” in Thessaloniki, Greece, by Konstantinos Tsakalidis, copyright Demotix (06/01/2011).

Macedonia, Greece, Turkey: Bridging the Divides Through Multilingual Reporting

Filip Stojanovski — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:21:51 +0000

Two recent initiatives by civic-minded journalists added value to the e-content in local languages from Macedonia and nearby countries: Diversity Media is offering news analysis through text and audio podcasts in Macedonian and Albanian, and Balkon3.com is enabling “peeking over the neighbors' fence” in Macedonian, Turkish, Greek, and English. The former also started a competition for news bloggers [mk, sq], ending Jan. 31.

Greece: TEDxAthens, The Art of Disruption

Veroniki Krikoni — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:25:12 +0000

On Saturday 3 December, 2011, TEDxAthens 2011 took place in the Cultural Center of the Hellenic World; a 12 hour long, 23 speech marathon, it was organized and supported by 38 volunteers. This year's theme was ‘The Art of Disruption', as mentioned on the official website:

From Wikipedia and Twitter to Molecular Cuisine and the Tsunamis, our world is full of disruptions which redefine on a daily basis -some indeed more than the others- the way we live…It is now the time to rewrite the rules of the game and change. Everything.

This year's event also hosted TEDxAthens Challenge, a competition for interesting and innovative initiatives in education and learning with positive impact in everyday life. The winner was Urban Dig Project [el], whose aim was “to introduce the citizen to its city through impromptu theatrical performances at historical sites and buildings”.

From @TEDxAthens account.

The next program scheduled is TEDxAthens+Community, as announced at Twitter [el], which includes smaller events, such as brunches and dinners.

Reactions

A few days after the Saturday event, there were reports in various newspapers and news portals (such as articles in newspaper To Vima [el] and news portal in.gr [el]), as well as an extended graph analysis by BAAS, monitoring social media use and analyzing trends during all the TEDxAthens presentations.

TEDx speaker Chris Colwell sent thanks to all participants via a video from Dubai:

While speaker Joe Trippi expressed his enthusiasm in two tweets:

@JoeTrippi: @TEDchris @TEDxAthens was one of best conferences ever. Lots of ideas worth spreading. #tedxathens

@JoeTrippi: I met many of the pioneers and innovators who will build a new way for Greece @TEDxAthens a really incredible conference!

Enthusiasm and inspiration was also plain and clear from Greek netizens in the audience, expressed through various social media platforms, creating a unique buzz even for some days after the event [el]:

ilicon: Το κακό με το TEDx είναι ότι τέλειωσε. Το χειρότερο είναι ότι πρέπει να περιμένουμε έναν ολόκληρο χρόνο για το επόμενο.

ilicon: Bad thing with TEDx is that it's over. Worst thing is we have to wait a whole year for the next one.

@michaeltegos: Μετά από 1 μέρα στο #TEDxAth νιώθω ότι έχω πάρει πίσω τις μέρες ζωής που έχασα με τις βλακείες που ακούω κ ζω τον τελευταίο χρόνο.

@michaeltegos: After 1 day at #TEDxAth, I feel I have reclaimed all the days of my life I had lost with the nonsense I've heard and lived with during the last year.

@Ninetta_Sp: Όταν μετά από δύο ημέρες ξυπνάμε επηρεασμένοι από ό,τι ζήσαμε, σημαίνει ότι κάτι έγινε σωστά #TEDxAth

@Ninetta_Sp: When we wake up two days after, influenced by what we lived, it means something went good #TEDxAth

@vdavitidis: TEDx is more than networking, TEDx is a movement…#TedxAth

Massive participation through Twitter updates and retweets also caused negative comments about both the #tedxath hashtag use and the “idealistic” concept of the event.

@tasos_hardcore: Tο #TEDxAth είναι λόγος unfollow .Ειλικρινά.

@tasos_hardcore: #TEDxAth is a reason to unfollow. Honestly.

@SIakovidis: ειλικρινά, έλεος με το #tedxath. αν είναι τόσο καλό, γιατί είστε συνέχεια στο twitter;

@SIakovidis: Honestly, a little mercy with #tedxath. If it's so good, then why are you on Twitter all the time?

@mpodil: Άνεργοι και άστεγοι αυτού του κόσμου, δεν ξέρω αν το πιάσατε, αλλά αν δεν έχετε βρει δουλειά μέχρι το επόμενο #TEDxAth, εσείς θα ευθύνεστε

@mpodil: Unemployed and homeless ones of this world, I don't know if you got it, but if you haven't found a job till next #TEDxAth, you will be the ones responsible for that

@papanormal: @gflessas Προσωπικά θεωρώ πολλά από τα λεγόμενα στο σημερινό #TEDxAth αυτονόητα και ξεπερασμένα για μία κοινωνία του 2011.

@papanormal: @gflessas Personally, I consider that being said at today's #TEDxAth too obvious and outdated for a 2011 society.

@PanosJee: I wonder how many people will start smth [something] new and innovative after #TEDxAth. My guess: 0. All love to talk, few to act.

There were also several blog posts and articles from TEDx spectators. Dimitris Mallas noted [el] his key moments from speakers and Danos Tsakalos mentioned [el] the positive impact of the event the next day.

Mother blogger Aspa Tsamadi (@aspaonline) wrote her impressions both on her blog [el] and on a guest post [el] at xblog.gr:

Ζω ακόμα στο ρυθμό του TEDxAthens που έγινε το Σάββατο και είχε θέμα “Η Τέχνη της Ανατροπής”. Οι εντυπώσεις, οι καλύτερες. Τα συναισθήματα, πολλά. Το όφελος για όσους ήμασταν εκεί, τεράστιο. Έμπνευση, θετική ενέργεια και βεβαίως πολλές “ιδέες που αξίζει να διαδοθούν”.

I still feel the rhythm of TEDxAthens on Saturday themed “The Art of Disruption”. Impressions? The best. Emotions? Many. Benefit for all that had been there? Enormous. Inspiration, positive energy and, of course, many “ideas worth spreading”.

At same blog, Dimitris Tsounis wrote [el]:

Εν κατακλείδι, το TEDxAthens ήταν ένα event που ξεπέρασε τα Ελληνικά δεδομένα. Δεν έχει τίποτα να ζηλέψει από τα αντίστοιχα του εξωτερικού, πιο πιθανό είναι να συμβαίνει το αντίθετο μάλιστα. […] Προσωπικά πιστεύω ότι το ΤEDxAthens έδειξε ότι η ανατροπή ΕΙΝΑΙ ΔΥΝΑΤΗ, ακόμα και στην Ελλάδα. Το μόνο που χρειάζεται είναι θέληση και μεράκι.

In conclusion, TEDxAthens was an event surpassing the Greek standards. It had nothing to envy from similar events abroad; I believe the opposite may be true. […] I personally believe TEDxAthens showed that disruption IS POSSIBLE, even in Greece. Only requirements are will and meraki [doing something with soul, creativity and love].

Author Lena Divani, previously participated in TEDxThessaloniki 2011, expressed [el] the need for audience to “feel important” with a pinch of irony:

Σε είδα στο TEDx μαζί με εκατοντάδες άλλους σαν κι εσένα. Μοιάζατε πολύ. Είχατε όλοι το ίδιο χαμόγελο της επιτυχίας, το ίδιο εκδρομικό ύφος κι ένα smart phone ή μια ταμπλέτα στο χέρι για να βομβαρδίζετε τον έξω κόσμο με εντυπώσεις από μέσα. Γιατί ένιωθες προνομιούχος που ήσουν μέσα. Πως όχι; Δεν ήταν εύκολο! Είχες προνοήσει να παρακολουθείς τις αναγγελίες, να στείλεις βιογραφικό (;!) νωρίς, παρακαλούσες να επιλεγείς και να πληρώσεις 45 ευρώ για να πάρεις το πολυπόθητο εισιτήριο εισόδου στην αίθουσα όπου αφηγούνται τα θαύματα. Δεν είναι που είσαι ψωνάρα, ούτε που σου περίσσευαν 45 ευρώ. Είναι που έχεις τόσο απελπισμένη ανάγκη να ακούσεις πως γίνονται πράγματα στη χώρα της αποσύνθεσης, πως άνθρωποι σκέφτονται, διακρίνονται, επιχειρούν, τολμούν, οραματίζονται, αστειεύονται, ελπίζουν. Και -κυρίως- να φανταστείς πως είσαι ένας απ΄αυτούς…

I saw you at TEDx, you and a hundred others. You looked similar, a lot. You all had the same smile of success, the same excursion mood and a smart phone or tablet PC to bomb outsiders with impressions from inside. You felt privileged to be inside. Why not? It wasn't easy. You had been watching the announcements, you sent a bio (?!) early enough, you were begging to be chosen and pay 45 euros for entrance to the room of narrated miracles. No, you are not a douchebag and 45 euros wasn't spare money. You have this desperate need to hear how things can happen in the rotten country, how people think, excel, dare, envision, joke, hope. And, mainly, to imagine you are one of them…

Journalist Elena Papadimitriou (@elenapapad) emphasized [el] the key messages by various speakers: “Failure is OK”, “Don't be afraid”, “Happiness, not success, is important”. Illustrator and blogger Konstantinos Papamichalopoulos (@MilitaryRaiden) considers that “the main thing about TedxAthens though was not the speeches. It was never the speeches. It'll never be just about the speeches. It's about the meetings and the networking”.

While blogger Apostolos (@apas) argues [el] that:

Σε δύο προτάσεις: το φετινό TEDx Athens δεν ήταν ένα συνηθισμένο TEDx event. Αντιθέτως, ήταν ένα TED event — ναι, σαν αυτό της California…

In few words: this year's TEDxAthens wasn't a usual TEDx event. On the contrary, it was a TED event - yes, like the one in California…

Maria Mouzakiti describes [el] her experience as member of the event's organisation team. To conclude, Java developer Paris Apostolopoulos (@javapapo) described his impressions [el] from various speakers and underlined the need for real actions:

Στην Ελλάδα δεν έχουμε ανάγκη από παραπάνω ενθάρρυνση ούτε παρηγοριά. Απο πράξεις έχουμε ανάγκη. Σε διοργανώσεις όπως το TED πολλοί φεύγουν με μια αίσθηση αισιοδοξίας ή ανωτερότητας για το υψηλό νόημα ή ότι υπάρχει ελπίδα ή ότι θα αλλάξει κάτι. Απο την στιγμή που βγαίνεις και βγαίνω και βγαίνουμε έξω συνεχίζουμε να είμαστε οι ίδιοι μέτριοι Έλληνες μικροαστοί δεν γίνεται τίποτα. Αυτοί που φοροδιαφεύγουμε, πετάμε την τσίχλα στον δρόμο, κλείνουμε τις διαβάσεις, καπνίζουμε όταν δεν θα έπρεπε, είμαστε ωχαδερφιστές, μας αρέσει να φιλοσοφούμε αλλά δεν συγκρουόμαστε με τα κακώς κείμενα.

In Greece, there is no need for any extra encouragement or consolation. We need actions. At TEDx-like events, many leave feeling optimistic or superior that there is a higher meaning or that there is hope or that something will change. From the moment you go out, I go out, we all go out, nothing happens, we continue to be the same mediocre Greek petty bourgeois; the tax evaders, the ones that throw their gum to the street, block pedestrian crossings with their cars, smoke when inappropriate, social loafers, philosophers not confronting the wrong things.

You can see various gallery photo sets from the TEDxAthens event here, here and here. Thumbnail/featured image by Flickr user Spiros Vathis (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

Catch-up with more information and participants' impressions through TEDxAthens official website, blog, @TEDxAthens and @TEDxAcademy on Twitter, and also its Facebook page and Flickr gallery.

Greece: “Giving Birth is Not a Privilege of the Rich!”

Veroniki Krikoni — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:18:27 +0000

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Feelings of revulsion and anger were caused by news published in Eleftherotypia (Freedom of Press) [el] newspaper on December 5, 2011, which revealed some public hospitals in Greece have refused treatment to women in labour, because they did not have the money to pay hospital fees of 950 euro.

The incidents took place in November 2011, at public hospitals in Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Rethymnon. In these cases the cost of “integrated unified hospital treatment” according to Ministry of Health price list, came in at 950 euro for natural childbirth and 1,500 euro for birth by Caesarean section. Pregnant women pay the money in advance and afterwards the costs are offset with the labour allowance.

Birth. Photograph by Flickr user riqfy (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).

After several days delay, the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity intervened with a circular, stating that [el] no advance payment of this amount will be required in future, leaving however the issue of price difference between the official price list and the provided labour allowance still open to question.

Two women's rights organizations, the ‘Women's Initiative Against Debt and Austerity Measures' and the ‘Independent Women's Movement', have started to raise awareness of these incidents:

Giving birth is not a privilege of the rich! We demand free childbirth, we demand that the bailout funds go directly to health sector…

The news was shared and commented on throughout various social media channels by Greek netizens.

Dimitris Oikonomou expresses his shame about the event [el]:

@d_oikon: ΝΤΡΟΠΗΗΗΗ…! Που φτάσαμε γαμώτο!! [Έδιωξαν από νοσοκομεία ετοιμόγεννες που δεν είχαν χρήματα…]

@d_oikon: WHAT A SHAMEEEEE…! What the heck, how did we end up here? [Women in labour were cast off by hospitals because they had no money…]

While user Gangelakis adds, in the spirit of the seasonal celebrations [el]:

@Gangelakis: Και ο Χριστός σε σπηλιά γεννήθηκε: Δημόσια νοσοκομεία αρνήθηκαν α περιθάλψουν ετοιμόγεννες,επειδή δν είχαν ν πληρώσουν

@Gangelakis: Jesus Christ himself was born in a cave: Public hospitals refused treatment to women in labour, because they had no money to pay

User Nemi Vl commented [el] via her Facebook status update:

Ένα ένα τα διαβάζω σήμερα, σκάνε σαν χαστούκια…

Reading news today one at a time… each feels like a slap in the face…

User Lector stresses the very essence of this incident [el] in a discussion forum:

Δεν κοιταξαν την ταυτοτητα αλλα το πορτοφολι.

They didn't look at the identity card, they looked at the wallet.

In the same forum, user simonbolivar makes a comparison [el] with the American health care system:

Η ΑΠΟΛΥΤΗ ΞΕΦΤΙΛΑ!
Ο ΔΙΑΣΥΡΜΟΣ ΕΝΟΣ ΣΥΣΤΗΜΑΤΟΣ,ΚΑΙ ΜΙΑΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗΣ!
Μας κανανε Αμερικη,οπου αν δεν εχεις καλη ασφαλιση εισαι τελειωμενος!

A COMPLETE HUMILIATION!
THE VILIFICATION OF A MECHANISM AND A GOVERNMENT!
They turned us into America, where you are finished if you don't have any good insurance!

While, in the same vein, user Isis adds irony to the mix in a different forum [el]:

Συγκίνηση, γινόμαστε Αμερική.
Ακούς εκεί να ξεγεννάνε δωρεάν τα δημόσια νοσοκομεία. Κατάργηση και του επιδόματος τοκετού ΤΩΡΑ.

I am touched, we are becoming America.
Giving birth for free in public hospitals? Impossible. Wipe out childbirth allowance NOW as well.

In a news portal where the news were shared, user Harry expresses his anger in a comment under the original post about the hospital expenses [el] and the dealing with maternity:

Από όλες τις επιθέσεις που έχω δεχτεί από το κράτος (χαράτσια, ΔΕΗ, φόροι) πρέπει να πω ότι η μεγαλύτερη οργή μου προκαλείται από το πως αντιμετωπίζει την έγκυο γυναίκα μου. Η ασφάλειά μου δεν καλύπτει τίποτα πλέον (ΤΕΒΕ) και το νοσοκομείο είναι πανάκριβο και για κλάμματα. Κάθε κράτος στηρίζει την μητρότητα εκτός από την Ελλάδα. Αν συνεχίσει αυτή η κατάσταση θα μεταναστεύσουμε σε άλλη χώρα οικογενειακώς.

Among all the attacks I have faced by the state (heavy taxation, electricity, additional taxes), I have to say I am most furious about the treatment my pregnant wife faces. My insurance no longer covers anything (Fund for Independent Professionals and Craftsmen) and the hospital is very expensive and its service is outrageous. Every country supports maternity except for Greece. If this situation continues, I will take my whole family and we will go abroad as immigrants.

Twitter user Jordi criticizes the ones responsible [el]:

@jorjito73: Έδιωξαν από νοσοκομεία ετοιμόγεννες που δεν είχαν χρήματα…Όχι δεν φταίει ο Λοβέρδος, οι ανάλγητες διοικήσεις…

Women in labour were cast off by hospitals, because they had no money…Loverdos' [Minister of Health] fault? Of course not, blame the cruel administration…

The discussion then moved to completely different subject about the future of the country and its future citizens [el]:

@katerinas_diary: @jorjito73 επεμβαίνουν και στο μέλλον της φυλής δηλαδή.. Αν οι άνεργες κλπ ετοιμόγεννες δεν θα γίνονται δεκτές στα δημόσια νοσοκομεία!!!

@katerinas_diary: @jorjito73 They interfere to the future of the race, that is…If unemployed women who want to give birth are not admitted in public hospitals!!!

@jorjito73: @katerinas_diary Είναι μια αρχή κι αυτή για να διαμορφώσουν οριστικά & αμετάκλητα το εκλογικό σώμα τα επόμενα χρόνια… Αίσχος και κατάντια

@jorjito73: @katerinas_diary It's the beginning of forming the electorate during the following years, once and for all…Shame and abjection.

Births in Greece appear to have decreased by 15% during the last year [el], as the harsh economic situation is forcing many couples to delay having their first or second child.

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Greece: Twitter Campaign to Release Arrested Activist Reporter

Asteris Masouras — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:06:52 +0000

Several Greek users scrambled a Twitter campaign (#freemenacius) to demand the release of a young activist arrested while reporting for OmniaTV on protests in Athens on the third anniversary of the police killing of 15-year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. @menacius and others arrested, including some minors, are charged with felony offenses and were allegedly beaten after their arrest [el].

Greece: 1973 Uprising Newspaper Headlines

Veroniki Krikoni — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:05:52 +0000

‘Third Day for Polytechnic School Occupation by Protesters', ‘Athens Surrounded', ‘Tanks Emerge', ‘Dozens of Injuries From Both Sides', ‘Tanks Descend to Town', ‘Thousands Remain Inside Polytechnic School', ‘1,500 Inside Polytechnic School'. On the 17 November, 2011 - the anniversary of the 1973 Polytechnic school uprising in Greece - youth portal neolaia.gr [gr] uploaded some front page stories from newspapers of the day.

Russia: Mount Athos Monastery Photo Exhibition

Veroniki Krikoni — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:59:17 +0000

The State Historical Museum of Moscow is hosting an exhibition of 240 photographs from the Mount Athos Monastery of St Simon's collection, dated between 1848-1963. The inauguration of the photo exhibit took place on 8 November, 2011, and was attended by political and religious representatives, as well as artists from Russia and Greece. The exhibit will last until the 28 November; entrance is free.

Greece: 2 Wheels, 610 Kilometres

Veroniki Krikoni — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:16:14 +0000

Spyros Karatzoulis from Florina, Northern Greece, intends to start a bike marathon from Florina to Athens, in order to reach the Ministry of Education; his goal is to protest the lack of special school infrastructure in Florina for 33 disabled children (aged 14-28 years). On his blog [gr], he describes the route he plans to follow, as well as the reasons that led him to this initiative.

Greece: Send Your Tale of the Financial Crisis

Asteris Masouras — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:40:02 +0000

Sendyourtale is a Greek blog that invites readers, in the manner of the PostSecret project, to send in their personal tales of the financial crisis, to be published anonymously in Greek and English.

Greece: Giving Aid to Inmates of Elaionas Women's Prison

Asteris Masouras — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:38:47 +0000

A team of bloggers [el] is cooperating with social workers at the Elaionas women's prison in Thebes, Greece, in order to give aid to imprisoned mothers and their children. The blog lists the team's actions, as well as inmates' current needs, for anyone wishing to volunteer material aid.

Greece: Anti-Austerity Protests Disrupt Ochi Day Parades

Asteris Masouras — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:24:58 +0000

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Unprecedented protests in many Greek cities on October 28, 2011, disrupted parades by the military and school pupils held for the national celebration of ‘Ochi Day‘ (No Day). In Thessaloniki, the president departed his post at the dignitaries' podium after the parade was brought to a halt by protesters, some calling him a traitor, while in Athens, pupils marched holding mourning black armbands aloft.

Greeks are angry over the relentless and ineffective austerity measures, culminating in the recent “haircut” deal negotiated by banks and European politicians, which many fear signifies the beginning of a new foreign “occupation” of the country.

Thessaloniki parade “occupied”

Several local bloggers and activists in Thessaloniki found themselves in the middle of events, posting updates and photos from their cellphones:

@panws_k: Ντου από τον κοσμο στο δρομο της παρελασης, αυτοματως καπελακηδες, κλουβες και ΜΑΤ μας κλεισανε το δρομο #skg http://t.co/5qMZYAkw

@panws_k: People rushed onto the parade ground; blues, paddywagons and riot police immediately blocked our path

@gazakas: Στη Θεσσαλονίκη ο κόσμος έχει κατέβει στο οδόστρωμα και φωνάζει συνθήματα. απίστευτο. #skg

@gazakas: In Thessaloniki, people have taken to the street, chanting slogans. Unbelievable

@salonicanews: Αποχωρεί ο πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας από την παρέλαση!

@salonicanews: The president of the Republic is departing from the parade!

@panws_k used by permission" width="384" height="288" />: Police block protesters on the parade ground in Thessaloniki. Photo by Twitter user @panws_k used by permission

Citizen photojournalist Craig Wherlock later tweeted his testimony along with photos and a video, showing a squad of parading special forces reservists clashing with protesters blocking their way:

@teacherdude: There is no precedent for this.Street filled with ppl angry with the govt and they blocked the parade. In the end army etc forced to leave

@teacherdude: A lot of anger was directed towards German consulate which was next to stand set up for VIPs, Greeks see measures as an foreign occupation

Photographer Andreas Kakaris also posted numerous photos of the protest on Citizenside. The scene reminded journalist Andreas Panagopoulos of images from Egypt's revolution:

@AnemosNaftilos: Εικόνα αυτή τη στιγμή ΧΩΡΙΣ αξιολόγηση: Διαδηλωτές, στρατιώτες και τανκς στη μέση του δρόμου… Θυμίζει Φεβρουάριο, φέτος, κάπου αλλού

@AnemosNaftilos: The image right now WITHOUT an evaluation: Protesters, soldiers and tanks in the middle of the road… Reminiscent of February this year, somewhere else

The parade eventually continued, in a fashion, after protesters had replaced fleeing dignitaries on the podium, sung the national anthem and a rebel song that embodied the struggle against the colonels' junta, and marched alongside war invalids and veterans while applauding them. According to local blog Salonica News, up to 30,000 people ended up participating in the Thessaloniki protest [el].

The Ochi Day parade holds special significance for the northern city of Thessaloniki. The “co-capital” of Greece is being hit hard by chronically mounting unemployment (projected at 30% by year's end [el]), and the dereliction of industry in the Central Macedonia region. Conversely, while Greece suffers at the heart of the European sovereign debt crisis, it remains the largest importer of conventional weapons in Europe since 1999, and its military spending is the highest in the European Union.

Parade protests in many cities

Citizens while protesting vigorously for the economic misery of the country, are surrounded by riot police in Syntagma Square, Athens. Image by epoca libera, copyright Demotix (28/10/11).

In Athens, marching pupils held mourning black armbands aloft and brass band players tied black ribbons to their instruments. In preceding days, a call on social media centered around an impromptu Facebook group (since deleted) had advocated citizen protest on Ochi Day, based on the theme of the national holiday (”We Say No!”).

Theodora Economides, an indignant activist and member of the group, tweeted updates from the protest in Athens:

@IrateGreek: #Greece #Syntagma #28ogr #oxi #rbnews Cops blocking view to Amalias, ppl screaming “who will the schoolchildren parade for? For riot cops?”

@IrateGreek: #Greece #Syntagma #28ogr #oxi #rbnews Random pol are coming to me to get #oxi flyers & stickers to distribute to crowd.

Protesters, and even parading pupils, in many Greek cities similarly expressed their disapproval of the austerity policies and the perceived capitulation of the “haircut” deal. Athens News journalist Damian Mac Con Uladh reported from Corinth:

@damomac: Lots of students turning their heads the other way as they march by church and state in #korinthos #oxi

@damomac: Politicians had to make a quick exit after #korinthos #oxi parade. No hanging around, although crowd were calling for hangings

Pupils parading in Poligiros, Halkidiki did a synchronized about face to turn their backs on dignitaries while marching in place, and in Thraki pupils left the parade to join protesters. Similar protests, as well as instances of attacks on ruling party members also occured at Trikala, Kozani, Pyrgos, Lamia, Preveza and other cities (citizen media portal radiobubble news compiled a complete list in Greek), with dozens of cellphone videos posted later on YouTube. Several photosets of the protests in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra were posted on the Demotix Greek unrest hub.

Photographer Christos Roussis put both the parade and protests in Chalkida to music, in shades of grey - very much the palette of thoughts in austerity-ridden Greece:

Theodora Economides pointed out the importance of these protests:

@IrateGreek: I wonder if foreign media understand how important it is even small towns in#Greece protested presence of officials in #28ogr parades #oxi

Why “no”, and what's next?

Ochi Day campaign protest banner. "If not now, when. If not us, who?" Posted by @IrateGreek

Freelance journalist Matthew Tsimitakis laid out the reasons behind this unprecedented act of collective defiance:

The Greeks do not welcome the news of the agreement European leaders reached on Wednesday in Brussels cutting the Greek debt by 50%. Instead they fear that it will signal more austerity and deprivation affecting even greater parts of the population. Greeks feel that democracy is canceled now and the country is “occupied” by the IMF the ECB and the European Commission under the authority of the Germans and turned into a protectorate.

Blogger and newsfilter Greekdude provided a measured, pessimistic analysis of the state of affairs:

I very much fear that what we are entering in, is a circle of anger and pessimism. Greeks have enough reasons to feel that way. People are laid off every day while new taxes and austerity measures are imposed. Together with unemployment, crime and poverty rates are rising as well. The media are compounding the situation by having a negative influence on the public. [..] Saying ‘no’ is expected when your life is turned upside down and the only thing left is uncertainty. However, I’m afraid that the situation won’t get any better before people move on the next step, if not this, then what?

At the end of the emotionally charged day, usually irreverent and wacky blogger Antidrasex offered a serious admonition:

@Antidrasex: Καληνύχτα σε όλους σας. Το συνάνθρωπο σας και τα μάτια σας. Δεν κερδίζετε φως αν του βγάλετε το μάτι

@Antidrasex: Good night everyone. Look out for your fellow human. Your sight won't improve if you pluck out his eye

In an imminent follow-up post, Global Voices will focus on reactions to the unprecedented Greek protests during Ochi Day.

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Greece: Vote of Confidence and the Future Referendum

Asteris Masouras — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:52:15 +0000

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

On the evening of October 31, 2011, in a politically risk move [el], the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou called for an immediate vote of confidence in parliament [el] and a referendum for or against the latest EU bailout loan, while addressing the parliamentary group of the ruling PASOK party. Although Papandreou has ruled out elections, a premature poll may be in the cards, in case of a negative answer to the referendum dilemma.

The news took European and international power circles by surprise, as is apparent in related articles by the Guardian, Reuters, CNN, the New York Times and other news outlets.

Addressing [el] the PASOK parliamentary group, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos remarked that the referendum should be seen as an opportunity for unconventional institutional initiatives:

From page of the Guardian newspaper featuring the Greek crisis, from @guardiannews

And of course, the intervening period until the referendum must be a time of big institutional and political initiatives. It is an opportunity to take unconventional, revisionist initiatives towards a new state, a modern representative constitution.

Accordingly, he threw down the gauntlet at citizens, by essentially posing the dilemma “stay in the Eurozone and with PASOK, or return to the drachma and the financially lean conditions of post-war times”:

Now citizens themselves will be called to answer, with logical cohesion and consistency, with a beginning, middle and end, by supporting the parliamentary majority: Are we for Europe? Are we for the Eurozone? Are we for Euro? Do we consider the balance as positive? Do we believe we should stay in this group of developed states and not go back to Greece of the drachma, or to Greece of the '60s and '50s?

The announcement was received in a generally negative climate, with critical comments with respect to the timing of the announcement of the future referendum, as well as of the potential triggering of elections. Many comments on Twitter were posted under the hashtags #dimopsifisma and #referendum.

Main opposition party New Democracy tweeted:

@neademokratia: Elections are the only solution! http://ht.ly/7eoU6

Journalist Diane Shugart commented on the televised statement of the press officer of the Greek Communist Party (KKE):

@dianalizia: and the fun starts now in #greece. communist party rejects referendum, calls for elections instead.

Foivos Panagopoulos in the Netherlands comments on the impact of the referendum on the global economy:

@suorm: The Greek #referendum is going to be a snowflake that's going to create a massive avalanche across the EU/Asian/NA market. Bye-bye EU right!

While in Athens, Εliana and Cyberela comment on the announcement itself in two tweets:

@Cyberela: Too much democracy today in #Greece. #Referendum

@ElianaVou: Surreal is an understatement for today's events. Either PASOK has totally lost the plot or PASOK has totally lost the plot #dimopsifisma

Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Maria Katsikovordou wonder about the cost of the referendum in this financially difficult period:

@Pierrakakis: Who'll incur the cost of the referendum?

@mariakatsme: Good morning, let me be a bit “populist”: The referendum will cost us 110 million Euros #dimopsifisma. Maybe we should drop it and spare families from cutting off their electricity? #christmas

While Sofia Mandilara left the immediate reaction of global markets without comment:

@thesspirit: Dow Jones drops by 275 points within minutes. No further comments.

Many ironic and humorous comments followed in a similar vein, reviving an older Twitter meme with possible question choices for the referendum:

@YBoyio: #42 is the answer to the Ultimate Greek Dilemma. The question of the referendum is still unknown! [”42″ is the answer to the unknown question about Life, the Universe and Everything, in Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy]

@arkoudos: I propose to hold a referendum to decide on the question of the referendum #dimopsifisma

@jasongrig: Tolerance or guilt? #dimopsifisma

@IrateGreek: Default or bankruptcy? #dimopsifisma

Three days before, on October 28, the celebration of the “Ochi Day” anniversary to commemorate the induction of Greece into World War 2 in 1940 had been marked by protests.

The last Greek referendum took place in 1974 [el], to decide whether the system of government would be a constitutional monarchy or a parliamentary democracy.

This post is part of our special coverage Europe in Crisis.

Thumbnail image shows Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. Image by Xristina, copyright Demotix (01/11/2011).