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The official newspaper of the 66th International Session of the EYP in Athens, Greece.
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athanatOs09.04.11. issue 5/Αθάνατος/ n. [From Greek ‘immortal’]
2 Athanatos
The year is 1850 and the new Hellenic
state is enjoying its first taste of free-
dom from Ottoman rule in 400 years.
Otto is pulling a piece of fluff from
between his toes. A German merchant
approaches and asks “how goes it,
young King?” Otto replies “The olives
and the raisins are good, but the poli-
tics and economics could be better.”
Otto was the first king of Greece, but
he wasn’t Greek. He was German,
because the European powers that be
decided that the best option for the
new Hellenic state was to appoint a
royal family in order to give it the
respectability fitting for a European
country. This young German king
was borrowed because Greece had
no royal family of its own to put
forward, and now, in 2011, we find
ourselves in a similar situation.
Greece is borrowing from Germany
once more, but this time it’s not
royalty changing hands; it’s money.
Half of the sponsors of this EYP ses-
sion are German companies. Is this
a problem? In our daily lives we
rely on others to support us, be it
emotionally, financially or physi-
cally. It doesn’t take a philosopher
to realise that man is a social animal
that cannot stand alone. But should
a state not strive to be sovereign?
Perhaps 400 years of slavery dimin-
ished the Greek people’s sense of
trust in politics and its capacity for
good. Politicians were commonly
seen as thieves and liars rather
than true representatives of the
people. But the times are chang-
ing, and with every passing day
it becomes clearer that there are
two kinds of people: those who fin-
ish their editorials, and those who
Fit for a king
Prometheus & Aesop LLUIS STAMOS
Closer to the end of the session, we asked you once more for a single word that sums up EYP in your mind. Here are the results:
3Athanatos
Dream worlds under construction
No description needed for this piece by Sini “Ελένη τη̋ Τροία̋ – Helen of Troy” Ventela and Zeynep “Πηνελόπη – Penelope” Yavuz
“It was one of those very hot days in
June. The staff of the summer camp
told the kids to form groups of five
and placed each group in a different
room. In the room there were colored
pens, cardboards, plastic cups and
used cardboard boxes. The little girl
was very excited; she always enjoyed
arts and crafts. There was an instruc-
tion written on the board: “Build the
city of your dreams, you have two
hours”. They planned and built. The
German boy built a cafe which he
called “Bier Garten”; the Swiss boy
built a huge mountain and a cable
car, which the little girl thought was
a spaceship. The Lebanese girl built
a huge mosque, all in pink, and our
little girl divided the city with a river
and built a huge bridge. The city they
created included many different cul-
tures. Yet, the kids saw only harmony
in it. When the two hours passed, the
staff placed the kids into a different
room where someone else’s dream
city had already been built. They gave
thick sticks to all kids. The little girl
understood that something bad was
going to happen. As soon as the staff
was out of the room very loud music
was heard - a mix of heavy metal
and police sirens. The staff started
shouting, “Destroy! Destroy!”. The
kids started hitting the city’s build-
ings with the sticks and tore down
the city with their hands. It took only
three minutes for them to demol-
ish it. When the music was turned
off the kids realised something and
panicking, ran back to their rooms to
check on their own cities. There was
chaos in the corridor. Kids shout-
ing, crying and some hitting each
other. When the little girl arrived
in the room where she had built the
city of her dreams she was stunned.
The spaceship, mosque, café; even the
river were all in ruins. She also real-
ised that there were new instructions
on the board: “On the table there is
glue. You have one hour. Rebuild!”
At the end of one hour the kids had
not managed to rebuild even one of
the buildings. Our heroine learned
how easy it was to destroy and how
difficult it was to maintain peace.”
Now the same girl, grown up, con-
tinues to build her dream world by
contributing to Athens 2011 as a
journo. Like the little girl building
her own dream city, we are all build-
ing our own: visioning the world as
we would like to perceive it. At EYP
sessions we are forced to take a look
at people’s dreams; we are strained
to face and share our thoughts with
people from different cultures. Does
this actually change one’s opin-
ions on other cultures though?
A short chat with two participants
of Athens 2011 offered us a view
to their opinions on the matter.
Yannick van Bogaert from Belgium
tells us that EYP has “provided some
insight but not really changed any-
thing”. However, he also believes that
“Coming here helped me to form my
national identity”. On different note,
Dmitry Vysureneytser from Russia
believes that his EYP experience has
removed some stereotypes that he
earlier had, and acknowledges that
now he never lets his stereotypes
affect his actions. Both interview-
ees also verify that EYP has made
them understand how similar we
all are, regardless of nationality.
EYP gives us the chance to inter-
act with different cultures at a
young age, before the prejudices are
formed in minds (solid). It shows us
how similar we really are. EYP also
enables us to see the diversity not
as a barrier, but as a colour of life.
EYP enables us to take a look at the
different dream worlds; not to destroy,
but to aim to coexist. EYP enables the
little girl to make her world possible
4 Athanatos
Continuing EYPAlex “Αχιλλέα̋ - Achilles” Proctor and Conor “Ηρακλή̋ - Hercules” Hamill brief you on what you could do next in this organisation
Congratulations! Nine days ago you
arrived at a stray-dog infested camp-
site to find yourself surrounded by
strangers from all around Europe.
You came with a basic understand-
ing of what the European Youth
Parliament is, what it does, and
what it represents from your expe-
riences at Regional and/or National
Sessions. Now that you have success-
fully survived the sleep deprivation,
“crazy” parties, Committee Work and
General Assembly at International
level, you have opened a window
of immense opportunity. The ses-
sion may almost be ending but your
involvement in EYP is only over if
you want it to be. Do you? A lot of you
may be wondering how to continue
on in EYP at home or abroad and as
what. With sessions taking place on a
weekly basis across Europe it’s up to
you to take action… or get action… in
a club. The possibility to be a
Journalist is already open. To be a
Chair you might want to get a bit
more EYP experience, but if you feel
capable enough there are no restric-
tions in applying. It is possible to
attend Journalist- and Chairs’ train-
ings which ready you for the task
via different training modules. The
European Youth Parliament website
has a section for alumni detailing
upcoming sessions and trainings
and it also contains the necessary
application forms for each session.
And just because you have been a
delegate at an International ses-
sion doesn’t mean that you cannot
attend another session as a delegate.
So for now, as most of you have only
been a delegate for two or three times
we strongly recommend applying to
be a delegate as long as it still feels
right for you. Delegates are the ones
the sessions are made for. A perfect
opportunity to apply to be a delegate
once more would be the upcoming
International Summer Session in
Grenoble in July but you can also apply
for many of the Regionals, Nationals,
and For a that are coming up.
Possibly the easiest way to continue in
EYP is through your nearest regional
activities. The regional activity con-
sists of EYP social events, which
are pleasant get-togethers where
it is possible to get to know other
Alumni even better and have fun.
EYP is a flexible organisation that
allows you to decide yourself on how
much you want to take advantage
of it. When you feel like you want
to attend a session every week, you
can! If you feel like your life at the
moment cannot fit EYP you can come
back when you have time. EYP gives
you the chance to take responsibil-
ity or just enjoy the fun. If you want
to do more of EYP, do it… we did
it… in a club… where we got action.
Useful sites
www.eypej.org
www.eypalumni.org
5Athanatos
GRANNY TRANSLATES
Nistazo
Kafe
Den Symfono
Iper
Kata
I gravata sou ine zavi
......................
.......................
......................
.......................
.......................
........................
I’m sleepy
Coffee
I don’t agree
Voting in favour
Against
Your tie is wonky
INTA Milan
Commentary by Panayiotis “Άδωνη̋ – Adonis” Ataou
The prestigious EYF Cup tournament ended on
Wednesday, following the finalising of the commit-
tees’ resolutions. The delegates were up for releasing all
tensions that arose during the last-minute resolution
drafting and this was clearly visible on the pitch through-
out the matches. During the semi-final game between
AFET and AFCO II, there was even some blood spilt, as
the ball was blasted into the face of one AFCO II’s players,
whilst it was being cleared away from danger. The brave
player did not give up however. Despite this, AFET’s skill
bubbled to the surface, and they were able to overcome
AFCO II. They were then coupled with INTA for the final.
Both committees had been playing excellently throughout
the whole tournament. In the day of the final, however,
INTA’s drive was simply too much for AFET to withstand.
INTA were able to power through AFET, crashing them
out of the tournament and so being crowned kings of EYF.
Congratulations to INTA for their excellent show of spirit
all through the whole tournament as they clearly showed
resemblance to the skills of the actual Inter Milan team.
6 Athanatos
So this is goodbye...Sini “Ελένη τη̋ Τροία̋ – Helen of Troy” Ventela and Mikaela
“Ερμιόνη – Hermione” Kantor bid us a heartfelt farewell
After the interesting conversations, heated debates,
long nights and many, many, many ninja games
we have now reached the time for goodbyes .
Having spent 10 days in Greece, during which we have met
new people, created firm bonds, experienced the feeling of
being a member of a team with high goals to achieve, it is
now the time we all go back home. With your arrival at
the SPORTCAMP 9 days back you signalled the beginning
of the session for all of us. You have gone past awkward-
ness and shyness and you are now at the other end of
the rope, that of friendship and mutual understanding.
We’ve together been through a whole variety of emotions:
excitement and nervousness in the beginning, satisfac-
tion for all of our achievements and now an addictive mix
of elation and melancholy as the session is about to end.
Going back home you’ll probably still be in the EYP
mode, talking to all your friends of all the things you’ve
experienced these past 10 days. You’ll most likely real-
ise that no-one really understands why playing the Ninja
game for the 10th time in a row can still be so much fun.
We have some good news for you however: Athens
2011 has set the foundations for your EYP jour-
ney to continue. This is just the beginning. It is up to
you - and only you - to choose if you’ll take advan-
tage of all you’ve learned here in Greece. We invite you
to discover even further what EYP has to offer to you.
Hold on to all you’ve gained in Athens 2011 and allow
yourselves to walk along the path this journey offers.
So here’s to those that are dead and gone
The friends that I loved dear
And here’s to you and I’ll bid you adieu
Saying Donegal Danny’s been here my boys,
Donnegal Danny’s been here.
Irish song
7Athanatos
“Growing, giving and receiving”Mikaela “Ερμιόνη – Hermione” Kantor and Sophie “Μήδεια – Medea” Debruner Hall plan on sunbathing in France this summer
Looking back at the Opening
Ceremony speeches, the ambas-
sador for the French delegation,
Guillaume Bodson, will remain in
our memories as charming but per-
haps a little overwhelmed due to
enthusiasm as he stayed hazy on
the details of Grenoble ‘11, the 67th
International Session of the EYP.
Allow us to pick up where he left off.
The session in Grenoble is a summer
session, therefore a session avail-
able for all International Session
alumni. That’s you. As a partici-
pant of a Spring International
Session, you can take part in the
two Summer Sessions which follow:
Grenoble this Augustand Tallinn in
2012. What this means is that you
have the opportunity to attend one
more International Session before
your new academic year begins.
Needless to say, Grenoble will be a
wonderful opportunity not only to
be reunited with your colleagues
from Athens, but also to meet new
people, other participants of the
International sessions from Helsinki,
Tromso (though they are rela-
tively few!), Lviv and Lillehammer.
For the most part, the session struc-
ture will be familiar. Teambuilding,
Committee Work, General Assembly,
Eurovillage, Euroconcert, Farewell.
Nonetheless, each International
Session is unique, not only because
of the huge diversity in participants
but also from the Head Organisers’
vision (Lacina Kone and Anne
Charlotte Oriol for Grenoble). The IS
in Grenoble will be held in not one,
not two but three French cities from
the 14th to the 24th of July 2011.
If you feel that you missed anything
in Athens, whether it was not par-
ticipating - or parting - enough,
Grenoble is your chance. Summer
Sessions are widely known to be more
relaxed and yet of a higher quality
since the participants are experienced.
No more timidity, no more warm-
ups needed as delegates get into the
swing of things. Just the height of
the International EYP experience.
You will hear from the EYP/HSS
in Berlin shortly after Athens
with details about registering for
the session. In the meantime go to
www.pejfrance.org and get excited!
8 Athanatos
A God’s perspective
Boaz “Οδυσσέα̋ – Odysseus” Manger and Justus “Χίμαιρα – Chimera” Goettemann visit Mount Olympus in their quest to explore what drives Zeus
Only about a day left before the usual
routine kicks off again. As you all
return home and reconnect to the
worldwide web, Facebook will be your
first port of call. All of you will add,
confirm, reject hundreds of “friends”
trying to stay in touch, keep in the
EYP loop or simply look more popu-
lar. Hamed Mobasser has his issues
with that. As much as the President
of this International Session loves the
benefits the internet and Facebook
create for our social lives, for him
they fall short of grasping EYP in its
full dimension. No doubt, Hamed, a
self-proclaimed computer nerd and
lover of virtual games, will have
nothing against the obscene amounts
of social procrastination that you
will all engage in. But the final-year
Belgian law student, who is looking
into a career in diplomacy or pub-
lic policy, has always attributed a
higher importance to the potential of
forming strong friendships in EYP.
Of course, already attending his 11th
International Session and about to
conclude a landmark chapter of his
international EYP life that started
in Durham in 2004, Hamed has not
always thought quite like that. He
started off EYP with a desire to
perfect his rhetorical skills through
debating. “The more it went on how-
ever, I realized how much more EYP
became about the people and the great
friendships I have kept.” Thus, while
his demands to have high-quality
discussions and meaningful resolu-
tions still remain a substantial part of
his idea of EYP, the friendship side of
our organisation has rapidly grown
in his appreciation. “EYP is different
from any normal university debating
club, for instance in the sense that
they are not primarily about getting
to know people,” Hamed differenti-
ates. The human/individual aspects
the/a session structure brings to
every session gathering are unique
to EYP and the fact that individu-
als have to speak for themselves
and not for their country promote
a much higher level of enthusi-
asm and teamwork at EYP sessions.
9Athanatos
A God’s perspective
Reflecting on the almost seven years,
our President, a passionate cinefil
who regrets not having gone to study
at film school, asserts that the most
meaningful aspect for him has been
to support this uniqueness of EYP. In
his opinion, a relaxed environment
where people dare to debate freely,
ultimately has great potential to cre-
ate high educational value for the
participants. EYP and education is
definitely a crucial point for Hamed.
To him however this does not only
mean to promote knowledge of the
topic issues and Europe as a whole.
Peoples’ skills and the parliamentary
routine of a session face the partici-
pants with even bigger challenges and
have a incomparably higher potential
to instil a passion and enthusiasm
into people that will put them in
position where they are unable to
describe their experience at an IS to
outsiders. Being an ambitious and
highly thoughtful EYPer, Hamed has
strived to realise his vision on many
levels within EYP, most notably by
head-organising the International
Summer Session in Leuven 2009.
His appreciation for his friendships
in EYP also shows in his vision on
the course of EYP. Having expe-
rienced EYP in every possible role
has given Hamed a comprehensive
understanding of its structure. This
knowledge has led him to the strong
belief that EYP should be an organi-
sation in which every participant has
something to say. Hamed strongly
opposes over-regulation within EYP,
as he feels it limits the input of the
participants, which once again is the
best thing about EYP as he sees it.
Leuven 2009 proved to be a stepping
stone in this philosophy. “As a head
organiser you go into a session with
very specific ideas but then have to
adjust them to the rules that EYP
imposes. If we had too many rules,
people would not be able to shape
the organisation in a way that allows
them to benefit from it as much as
possible,” the Belgian-Iranian EYPer
argues. For him, EYP is based on
young people, volunteers giving up
their free time. It is not a business
that should be regulated according
to industrial standards, but rather
a pulsating collective of youngsters
whose members are meant to con-
tribute and gain to equal extents. As
such, EYP is unique in existence as
opposed to programmes like MUN.
When Hamed applied to preside
Athens 2011, he thus envisioned set-
ting into action exactly these plans
and thus far, he feels like he has
successfully realised this philosophy.
Obviously, Hamed realises that
Athens will only be the starting point
for many of you and that, given he is
at the end of his involvement in EYP,
he will only have a limited influence
on what you take from it. EYP derives
a lot of its drive from the many ses-
sions people look forward to all year
round. As this International Session
will have been your first experience
with EYP internationally, it is akin to
a handshake or a ‘Hello’ to a stranger
in a crammed bar. You don’t really
get to know the person you’re talking
to. It is not until you have had a beer
and a long talk with a person that you
get to know them properly. EYP func-
tions in much the same way: Athens
can be seen as an introduction to EYP
but to really, truly appreciate the
EYP experience you will have to take
the time to make that long conver-
sation. Therefore, Hamed encourages
you all to apply to Grenoble. Grenoble
could be that long conversation that
starts a lasting friendship with EYP.
Hamed hopes that after this ses-
sion you will not be able to describe
the experiences you had to your
friends. The way he sees it, a good
EYP experience is indescribable.
10 Athanatos
11Athanatos
12 Athanatos
This morning we had the privilege
of briefly interviewing three of the
guest speakers at the opening of
General Assembly, namely Spyros
Nikolaou, President and Head of
Southeast Mediterranean of Ericsson,
Werner Wnendt, Director General
for Culture and Communication
of the German Federal Foreign
Office and Elvira Kovàcs, Member
of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe. We ques-
tioned them separately on a variety
of topics ranging from e-democracy
and its implications in society to
youth initiatives such as EYP and
young people’s role in the commune.
“Technology plays a very important
role because it connects people, allows
people to share ideas and at the same
time it makes more efficient and
effective governance” states Spyros
Nikolaou. This is particularly rel-
evant when observing recent events
in Egypt and Tunisia, as Werner
Wnendt brought up with regards to
the importance of technology. “The
world is changing and of course
democracy is using instruments. I
think the modern technology, inter-
active networks, social networks and
the internet do play an important
role in promoting changes whereas
to build a democracy it requires
more than just modern technology,
it requires political parties, organi-
sations.” Who quoted? Following on
from this, Elvira Kovàcs later raised
the issue of older generations fall-
ing behind and having less interest
in the role and potential benefits
of using technology in the demo-
cratic process: “It is something new
as innovations are always good but
unfortunately … in the national par-
liament back home in Serbia I can tell
you that we are working a lot on this
issue but still 30-40% of older MPs
do not want to get involved in this.”
We also questioned Werner Wnendt
about his opinion on current relations
between Germany and Greece. He
emphasised the solid basis on which
this relationship is founded, refer-
ring to their mutual membership of
the EU but also highlighted the need
for continuous, clear communication.
“There have been irritations obviously
but this is something we can deal with,
with many meetings between politi-
cians and people from both countries.
I had the chance to talk to the presi-
dent of the Hellenic Parliament who
just returned from a visit to Berlin,
this is another issue that you have
to communicate what is going on in
Europe. Of course member states of
the EU do have interests which do not
always coincide therefore informa-
tion and transparency is necessary.”
One aspect we can draw from this
is that his participation in our ses-
sion was not only of great benefit
to us, but also of use to him. LIKE!!!
“[EYP] brings together people from
many different cultures” says Spyros
Nikolaou when asked his opinion on
the importance of such youth ini-
tiatives. Mr Wnendt continues on
the same wavelength: “I think it is
the best thing I have come across
for quite some time now because we
really do need to engage young people
about the idea, the concept of Europe.
This is in history the most impor-
tant peace process we have seen, the
European integration process but it
was not given by God, by heaven. It
is something we have to work for.
That is sometimes forgotten.” As the
Director of the Committee on Culture,
Science and Education within the
Council of Europe Elvira Kovàcs fre-
quently visits youth organisations
in order to establish a connection
and mutually exchange ideas. ‘It
is always good for young people to
gather, to organise from all coun-
tries because this is the right way
to get more power.’ We are proud to
say that both Werner Wnendt and
Elvira Kovàcs were impressed by the
wide range of topics covered in EYP.
Finally, we asked Ms Kovàcs for some
last advice on how young people can
stay involved in politics today: “First
of all you have to love this kind of
job. I started when I was 18, I got
involved with different informal
trainings, then I became a trainer and
started to work with young people
from my party. One day they asked
me to be a journalist just because I
was young and a woman…everyone
was surprised, I was 25 when I got
into parliament, so you just have to
fight and work as much as possible.”
Overall, all three of the speakers
we interviewed promoted the use of
technology as an innovative and for-
ward-thinking means to strengthen
the communication within a demo-
cratic society. They appreciate youth
for the same reason, as a commu-
nication method through which to
convey ideas. They therefore encour-
age all young people to be active and
welcome initiatives such as EYP
for fostering such participation.
Hellenic experts K a t a r i n a “ Α τ α λ ά ν τ η – A t a l a n t a ” W a r g a n d G e n “ Κ υ ρ ή ν η – C y r e n e ” S h o r t h o u s e i n t e r v i e w t h r e e o f y e s t e r d a y m o r n i n g ’ s s p e a k e r s .
13Athanatos
B E FO R E T H E E N D
Irina “Ανδροµέδα – Andromeda” Gadaeva and Tim “Λερναία Ύδρα
– Lernanean Hydra” Keegtsra gather your final
words before departure.
“It’s ok, I’ll live.”
Julia Fahy, CULT
“Really liked committee work
and general assembly”
Vallette - AFCO II
“A bit sad that it is ending.”
Oliver Slattery, ENVI
“Surreal; the end is nearing.”
Hendrik Wittock, IMCO
Slowly but steadi ly the 66th
International Session of the European
Youth Parliament in Athens is com-
ing to an end. Even though your
future steps within the EYP may
have not been decided upon, you will
be welcomed with warm greetings in
every country that has EYP, because
of the new friends you have made.
Therefore, there is no need for long-
lasting sadness. Through some words
spoken by your fellow delegates on
this final goodbye, we would like to
conclude this memorable event.
Even though sadness is not truly
needed, it is a natural reaction to your
parting from newly made friends. As
Maximiliaan Michert (DEVE) made
apparent through his words, “I
couldn’t sleep last night, because I had
bad dreams about the session ending”.
This may be an extreme, because
most delegates actually combine
their sadness with sleep. Igor Kalota
(SEDE) told us that even though he
feels grief, he is looking forward to
finally getting some sleep. Similarly,
Jan Steinnietz (DROI) said he was
really sad, “but sleep is always good.”
Additionally, Colin Hablutzel (INTA)
contributed that he wished his whole
life would be like this session. Some
already found smart ways of delaying
their parting from this international
session. Upon being asked about
departure, Elien Verstraeten (ENVI)
happily answered, “I don’t mind, I
will be staying in Greece for another
ten days!” However, most of us are
not as lucky as Elien, and others may
be tired due to the intensity of this
session.
The conclusive words of Marietta
Anastasopoulou, one of our Head
Organisers are:
“”
“Even though I have not met every one of you, I know all of your faces and everything anyone did. I know what has been happening in 15A, 7B, the empty committee rooms… I am really going to miss you.”
14 Athanatos EU
RO
CO
NC
ER
T
15Athanatos
I find it kinda funny,
I find it kinda sad,
time always runs in minus,
in the prep race so indistinct,
A tie, a shower, power-nap,
a part of the magic-night buzz.
I find it hard to tell you,
I find it hard to take,
these voices, filling up their spirits,
these shoes, and cloths and diamond rings,
soulful chants and electric beats.
Poems and hymns and broken strings.
All around these worn-out faces,
crispy dresses and the light between,
so soft and bright.
It’s the width of the thrill of our memory.
Should we chase the moments away or
keep the tears in our glasses,
and thrill on the skin.
The piano keys are black and white,
but they sound like a
million colors in our minds.
Composed by Liva “Κίρκη – Circe” Kreislere who was inspired by the lyrics of Euroconcert songs
16 Athanatos
Imagine no ‘Imagine’
So yes, The Beatles were the great-
est pop band of all time. John Lennon
made quite the niche for himself in
bland, meaningless pop music with
a “message”. Yes he may have been
responsible for “A Day in the Life”
but this hardly frees him from the
responsibility of having been the
man behind “Happy Xmas (War Is
Over)”, surely the most depressing
celebration of the festive period ever
committed to tape. But even this isn’t
remotely on a part with the meaning-
less twaddle that pervades “Imagine”,
a song that even Chris Martin would
reject on the grounds that the lyrics
are little more than bland platitudes.
Yet for whatever reason, this anthem
to utopia has been adopted as the
unofficial anthem of EYP, to such
an extent that at most closing cer-
emonies or farewell parties it is
wheeled out like the grandmother
of the party, for everyone to remi-
nisce with but not really listen to
what it’s saying. So does ‘Imagine’
actually mean anything to the EYP
community? Well it does to me, and
it’s not just because it is, at best, an
average song by one of the most tal-
ented musicians of the 21st century.
Perhaps that ’ s because what
“Imagine” is saying is actually rather
contradictory to what we claim to
represent in EYP. Granted all the
people may be living “as one”, but
only in a world without possessions,
religion or much else. “Imagine” may
represent a utopian dream but if
anyone were to express Lennon’s sen-
timents in any official EYP document
then surely they would be ridiculed
for being an idealistic idiot. If the
European Union portrays itself as
an organisation that fosters “unity
through diversity” how can we hap-
pily sing along to a song that seems
to call for the abolition of so many
characteristics that define both our
country and Europe? I am certain
that when we sing ‘Imagine’ at fare-
well events the majority of people are
scarcely conscious of the meaning.
I can’t imagine this article will make
the slightest bit of difference to most
people’s perceptions of “Imagine”.
Like so many songs frequently cited
amongst the greatest ever - “One” by
U2 being a prime example - Lennon’s
work is so effective because it allows
people to map their own emotions
onto the song. Perhaps “Imagine”
doesn’t really have a meaning after
all, but is so popular because it allows
people to map their own emotions
onto it, whether they be good or bad.
And for EYP this means perhaps not
considering the lyrics, but more what
we associate with “Imagine”. Just
because we hear it at so many farewell
events we instantly come to associate
it with friendships made, laughter
shared and memory experienced.
Chairperson James “Άδης - Hades” Benge transfers from the chairs team to consider whether EYP’s unofficial anthem really represents the organisation’s ideals
17Athanatos
The Acropolis in three facts
Alex “Περσέα̋ – Perseus” Narayanin encourages some sight-seeing
Sea, sun and the Acropolis. That
is how I experienced the non-EYP
Greece so far. If you are staying in
Athens for a day longer after the
session or if you have the opportu-
nity to come back to Greece, you
should definitely visit the Acropolis
and the museum down the hill.
The many architectural styles we
witness surrounding the Acropolis
lead us to believe that the area was
attractive for populations, thus many
civilizations chose to inhabit the place
and flourished, leaving behind them
relics of their taste in architecture.
The museum boasts specimens
covering 27 centuries of history,
the oldest one dating back to the
12th century BC. Many specimens
show the transition from one his-
toric period to another, a memorable
example being the vase collection of
the museum. Each period had its own
style in vases. Sometimes in this col-
lection, the Greeks give human body
parts to the vases, as a vase may have
lips, a neck, shoulders and a torso.
An interesting fact I was told while
on a guided tour is that Greek sculp-
tures used to be colourful. Although
Michael Angelo was inspired by the
Greek sculptures he forgot this detail,
and this is why his sculptures are pale,
when compared to the original ones.
Finally, the Acropolis was partially
destroyed during an invasion of
the Ottoman Turks. The Ottomans
used the Acropolis to store their
ammunition and powder. The bat-
tle that took place to claim back the
monument led to its destruction.
Good news though, the Acropolis is
being restored from the erosion that
has been caused to it during the years
and a fair part of sculptures and vases
are exposed at the museum. Being
one of the beauties of Greece, the
Acropolis is definitely worth a visit.
Ed
ito
rs: L
luis S
ole
rvice
ns (E
S), S
tam
os T
ah
as (G
R), A
dria
na
Día
z Ma
rtín
-Z
am
ora
no (E
S), E
zgi In
ce (T
R).
Article
s: P
an
ay
iotis A
taou
(CY
), Irina
Ga
da
ev
a (R
U), J
ustu
s Goette
ma
nn
(DE
), Sop
hie
Deb
run
ner H
all (C
H),
Con
or H
am
ill (IE), M
ika
ela
Ka
nto
r (CY
), Tim
Keeg
stra (N
L), L
iva
Kre
islere
(LV
), Boa
z Ma
ng
er (N
L), A
lex
an
dre
Na
ray
an
in (F
R),
Ale
x P
rocto
r (FI), G
en
ev
iev
e S
horth
ou
se (U
K), S
ini V
en
telä
(FI), K
ata
rina
Wa
rg (S
E), Z
ey
nep
Ya
vu
z (TR
).
Illu
stra
tio
ns: L
iva
Kre
islere
(LV
)
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