Scotland on Sunday

Sun 21 Sep 2003

Pagans fight for divine rights of old Greek gods

MATTHEW BRUNWASSER IN LITOCHORO, GREECE

IN THE shadow of Mount Olympus the toga-clad worshippers sway to the
beating of a drum as the bearded man leading the ceremony throws a pinch of
grain into a torch, then circles his hand above the flames.

While the group, dressed in yellow, red and blue robes, may appear to be
taking part in some bewildering historical re-enactment, they are members a
growing pagan movement dedicated to resurrecting the religion and way of
life of ancient Greece. Continue reading “Pagans fight for divine rights of old Greek gods in Greece” →

“‘Laws still prevent Pomaks living outside their traditional villages’”

Published Date: 07 September 2003

By MATTHEW BRUNWASSER IN THESSALONIKI

THEY were sent into exile and scattered to every corner of the world. For more than half a century the Macedonian Diaspora cast out of Greece during the country’s bloody civil war have been barred from returning to their homeland.

Now the army of elderly refugees has been granted a temporary homecoming, if not the return of the money and property seized during the savage conflict that pitted them against their fellow countrymen.

Greece is finally facing up to its history of ‘ethnic cleansing’ and beginning the process of extending full rights to its minorities, who faced decades of persecution and discrimination under successive oppressive regimes and right-wing dictatorships. Continue reading “Exiles bring Greek guilt home” →

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