The Ministry of Culture Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού has announced the inscription of three new elements in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, in accordance with the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003).
In her statement, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said that these entries showcase Greece’s cultural richness, strengthening collective memory and historical continuity, connecting the past with the present, while shaping the future. The three elements inscribed in Greece’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage are:
Spathouraki and Spatholado: Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Practices in Doxato, Drama
Spathochorto (St John's wort) grows wild in many regions of Greece and is an important component of folk medicinal tradition. In the plain of Doxato, the plant is collected for the preparation of two traditional remedies: spathouraki (St John's tincture) and spatholado (St John's oil).
“Vale” – Women’s Dance in Aspropyrgos, Attica
The dance of “Vale” is a tradition involving the women of Aspropyrgos in Attica, on Cheesefare Sunday. Young women form a large circle to dance and sing in the Arvanite tradition, without music. Then they dance traditional Greek dances to live music and, finally, the custom concludes with local men dancing.
The Great Fire Custom on Holy Thursday in Agia Theodora, Arta
On the morning of Holy Thursday, the parishioners of Agia Theodora flock to the central square to build a large bonfire, for which they have been gathering wood for a month. During the Service of the Passion, with the mournful tolling of the bell, they light the fire, which symbolizes the bonfires outside the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, creating an impressive sight.
📌Mid-Term Review of Greece’s Development Co-operation System and Policy by the OECD/DAC
Peer Reviews constitute a useful tool of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) for promoting accountability among donor member countries and fostering mutual learning. In this context, a Mid-Term Review of Greece’s development co-operation system and policy was carried out by the DAC/OECD, of which Greece has been a member since 1999.
The process involved the participation of representatives from the 7th General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hellenic Aid) and its subordinate Directorates, as well as competent officials from the Ministries of Migration and Asylum, and Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.
The Review examined the progress made in implementing the recommendations of Greece’s 4th Peer Review by the DAC (April–November 2018).
The outcome of the MTR highlighted positive developments and prospects, as well as remaining challenges, regarding various legal, institutional, and administrative/operational aspects of Greece’s international development co-operation.
🇬🇷 REBRAIN GREECE in New York: A Great Success with Overwhelming Participation! 🌍✨
With an impressive turnout of Greeks from the United States and Canada, exceeding 1,500 participants, the fifth extroversion event of the “Rebrain Greece” initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security was held on Sunday, December 7, in New York. The event aims to facilitate the repatriation of Greeks who left our country, mainly during the period of the economic crisis. Professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators gathered to explore exciting opportunities in Greece’s rapidly growing economy. 🇬🇷💼
Minister of Labor, Niki Kerameus, opened the event by showcasing Greece’s transformative policies, including tax incentives for returning citizens, such as a 50% reduction in income tax for 7 years. These measures are designed to create an attractive environment for those eager to return home and contribute to the country’s future.
Today’s strong turnout is just the beginning. A global movement to bring Greek talent back home is rising. Rebrain Greece isn’t just an event - it’s the movement that sparks a more innovative future for Greece. 🇬🇷🌟
