The 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Together We Stand”: It Was Not I But We

The 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival screened from 6-16March2025. “Together We Stand” is a Greek documentary focusing on the 1973 occupation of the Polytechnic University in Athens in protest against the military dictatorship in Greece that seized power on 21April1967 and surrendered it on 23July1974. Through archival news footage, photographs, interviews of the participating studentsContinue reading “The 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival: “Together We Stand”: It Was Not I But We”

RKS Literature: The Timeless Excellence of Wine from Samos, Greece (Voltaire)

“He immediately approached them, greeted them, and invited them to come eat at his inn to eat some macaroni, Lombardy partridges, and caviar, and to drink some wine from Montepulciano, from Cyprus and Samos and some Lacrimae Christi.” Voltaire, “Candide or Optimism”, 1759.

The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous (The Final Version):Chapter 44: Cooling My Heels in the Greek Eastern Aegean

I spent three days in Vravrona, a short distance from the Athens airport, enjoying the ocean and eating plenty of grilled octopus, fresh fish, stuffed vegetables and Greek Salads. I researched my island destination of Samos a relatively small island in the Eastern Aegean at points as close as six kilometres from the Turkish coast.Continue reading “The Penniless Pensioner: Misaligned, Maligned but Marvellous (The Final Version):Chapter 44: Cooling My Heels in the Greek Eastern Aegean”

RKS 2024 Wine: Agiorgitiko Greek Supermarket Champion

When travelling in Europe I usually visit supermarkets for various items particularly bottled water. Supermarket prices for cheese in Paris would reduce you to tears with just how inexpensive French cheese can be. Almost like a staple whereas here in Canada it is a luxury. I always look at wine prices too and in PortugalContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Agiorgitiko Greek Supermarket Champion”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Acheron” (Short)

Acheron is that mythical river in northwestern Greece where legend would have it Charon the ferryman transported souls of the damned to Hades.  Coins were given to Charon in return for transportation. Yet there is a school of thought describing the Acheron River as a place of healing, cleansing and the purging of sin fromContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Acheron” (Short)”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Strangers’ Case”

The Strangers’ Case” was filmed in Jordan, Turkey and Greece. It recounts the journey of several refugees from Aleppo in Syria to the island of Lesvos, Greece in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Amira is a successful pediatric radiologist working in a hospital running short of supplies but is never short of blood and suffering.  AfterContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “The Strangers’ Case””

RKS 2024 Wine in Greece: Nicolas Repanis Agiorgitiko from Nemea

Here in Greece as far as red wine goes in larger urban areas, you’ll find a great deal of Agiorgitiko in supermarket and corner market shelves. You have to discover a large liquor store where for example here at Thessaloniki at a Cash and Carry Store primarily supplying restaurants there must have been close toContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine in Greece: Nicolas Repanis Agiorgitiko from Nemea”

RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Utopolis”: An Extreme Case of Migrant Bashing

Under international law Greece and all other countries having “asylum seekers” land on their shores must offer basic assistance until asylum proceedings have been completed. The cost simply can’t be deported away as deportation is not a legal option. The numbers are so staggering that Italy has outsourced migrant housing and administration to Albania! AreContinue reading “RKS 2024 Film: The 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival: “Utopolis”: An Extreme Case of Migrant Bashing”

RKS 2024 Wine:  The Black Sheep from Nico Lazaridi and “The Attack of the Giant Moussaka”

The Black Sheep is a blend of non-indigenous grapes to Greece, namely Syrah and Merlot. The grapes are from vineyards grown on the foothills of Mount Pangeon in Kavala. Aroma: Think of black fruit particularly blackberry, black currant, cassis and black cherry enveloped in a gentle smoke. Palate: At room temperature expect a dullard asContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine:  The Black Sheep from Nico Lazaridi and “The Attack of the Giant Moussaka””

The 4th Annual Greek International Film Festival Tour (Canada): “Listen to Who’s Talking”:  Yes, Greeks Can Make Romcoms

Looking for something bright, breezy and humorous? Look no further than “Listen to Who’s Talking” a Greek feature film playing at the Greek International Film Festival Tour 1-31October24 in 11 Canadian cities. Buried under the covers or dreamt up by my film weary mind is the concept of mindfulness meditation possibly present in the film.Continue reading “The 4th Annual Greek International Film Festival Tour (Canada): “Listen to Who’s Talking”:  Yes, Greeks Can Make Romcoms”