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Presentation of the book "Treasures of the Earth" at the Ioannina Municipal Cultural Center

On Saturday, March 7th, 2009, the presentation of the childrens' book "Treasures of the Earth" took place at the Ioannina Municipal Cultural Center. The book was written by Yiolanda Ziaka and is an environmental fairy tale aimining at raising environmental awareness among children.

There was also a reading of the book accompanied by improvisational theater performed by the youth theater group of RODA.

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Papandreou: Yes to consensus under conditions

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou on Sunday toured the northwest city of Ioannina, where he told supporters that he is positive on the need for consensus by all political forces to deal with the economic crisis, but under conditions and with plan and targets serving peoples' interests.

"Consensus without a plan and goals, as Prime Minister Mr. (Costas) Karamanlis asks, is just a blank cheque to proceed with his policy, which is unjust and unreliable and finally leads to an impasse that will keep supporting his 'favourites' and the few; continuing the looting of state coffers, corruption and the inequality. We will not give our acquiescence for such a blank cheque," Papandreou said.

He again repeated his demand for early elections. "Let's leave Greek people to decide what they want: PASOK or ruling New Democracy, exit from bankruptcy and the crisis, a dignified living or poverty, security or insecurity, protection or a sell-out and looting of the state's wealth, fear and obedience to European and international fora, or a proud and strong negotiation with our partners in the EU?"

Referring to European Parliament elections, Papandreou called for a change in political forces' correlation by giving preference to European socialists, asking: "Who told us that we must accept a conservative Europe that will focus on the market and common currency and not a democratic Europe … one of a new development model that will invest in education and modernisation, in human development and the environment...?"

"Without a development goal we will not be able to exit from the crisis," he said, outlining PASOK's five priorities for what he has touted as "green development."

In reference to the all-important sources for funding such initiatives, Papandreou again referred to a "redistribution of wealth", "green growth", cutting waste in public spending, better management of existing state resources, and EU funding.

"People have the power with their vote to choose between two different worlds, and they will choose PASOK," he concluded.

Source: ANA-MPA

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Easter is the main event on the Orthodox calendar. The spectacular midnight mass and candle lighting is the culmination of a 40-day period of fasting and preparations leading to Easter Sunday. Mass starts at 11pm on Saturday. Around midnight all lights go off and the priest emerges from the altar with the "Aghio Fos" (Holy Light) which is passed from one person to the next. In a few minutes, the darkness succumbs to the glow of light from the candles of the faithful. A little later, people head back home, carrying the lit candles. An early morning feast follows with the traditional magiritsa.


The first pano was taken during the midnight Easter Mass at the Church of Archimandrio, one of the oldest churches of Ioannina. The second pano is just my family preparing the lamb on Easter Sunday, as typical as it gets.

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Ioannina city center.

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The Vikos gorge is the most magnificent and best known gorge in Greece. It lies in the North Pindus Mountains in the historic area of Epirus, 30 odd kilometers north of Ioannina and 24 miles from the Albanian border. The area, called the Zagori, has 44 villages called the Zagorohoria. It is part of the Vikos-Aoos National Park and many wild species have found a safe heaven in these protected surroundings. There noumerous hiking paths and the gorge is a favorite of local and visiting hikers.

The Vikos Gorge is listed as the deepest gorge in the world by the Guinness Book of Records among others. With walls of up to 1 km in height, the 12 km gorge on the Voidomatis River is trully spectacular.