The day Alexis took 200,000 "invisible" children with him to the Presidential Mansion

Every July 24, on the anniversary of the restoration of democracy, the President of the Hellenic Republic hosts a reception at the Presidential Mansion. People who fought against the junta, were jailed and tortured, politicians, state officials, ambassadors and media are invited to attend where the highlight of the evening is the Presidential address.

After 34 years of watching the reception's humdrumness, this year someone finally DID something to actually remind people that beyond the hedges of the beautiful (as I have been told) gardens of the Presidential Mansion are citizens living in our democracy with no voice, who are not recorded as existing citizens.

Unlike other guests who arrived escorted by their spouses/girl/boyfriends, Alexis Tsipras came with 200,000 "invisible" children represented by Miss Canditsa Sankio. Miss Sankio is a young lady born in Sierra Leone, raised, educated and working in Greece. Her two younger sisters, 14 and 12, were born in Greece and none of the three - along with 199,997 other children born in Greece to immigrant families - are acknowledged by the Greek state because they are refused birth certicates. Miss Sankio's mother is one of the founders of the "NO TO RACISM FROM BIRTH" campaign (more information on this campaign and issue on my Blogger's Unite for Human Rights post).

Tip of the hat to Alexis for seizing the oportunity of the reception to let the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, the MPs know that there are 200,000 children born HERE to immigrant parents, yet they do not "exist" according to the Greek state.

Miss Sankio's presence at the reception got the people and media talking about something meaningful on the day we celebrate the restoration of democracy. Democracy for all, equal rights for all.

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One the funniest Greek home-made videos

A Japanese song, misheard lyrics converted to Greek, an epic movie, a pretty boy and 4 legendary samurai.

"To krasaki tou Tsou"

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Happy Belated Blog Birthday Post for Daughter#2

Dear Daughter#2,

I know you hate having your birthday on July 2nd. Trust me I didn't plan on making your life miserable like this. Summer birthdays suck.

School's out and most of your friends have left with their families for summer holidays or they've been shipped off to their villages where hapless grandparents have the task of looking after them.

When you were younger we scheduled your birthday party in early June instead of July and all your classmates were invited. Those were good times when you didn't care about the date, the cake or food, as long as your friends came, which they did.

Since last year however, things have changed. You informed me that most of the parties you've been to this (and last) year were boring. Unsurprisngly, gathering at your friends' houses eating little spinach pies, with Michalis Hatziyiannis (who you abhor) blaring from the stereo and a bunch of adults (relatives) in the kitchen smoking their hearts out, just doesn't it cut it for you as a party.

Now that you have finished your second year of junior high school (gymnasio) you want a little more action, a little more sophistication. Unfortunately, your plan to take a few friends to the nearest cinemaplex for lunch, a movie and few bumper car rides didn't work out this June. I know it's not the same but September is near so you can postpone your birthday outing util then.

The good news is that on the day you were born your grandmother returned from her trip with tidings that your grandfather had been found, is well and things are hopeful. We all got together for dinner and we surprised you with a humble birthday cake (which we kept telling you we forgot to buy). It was a tiny get together but you were beaming nonetheless. When you kissed me good-night you told me how happy you were that we were all together that day and you thanked me and your father for making your birthday nice.

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of how I almost might not have had you in my embrace at that moment. I recalled the day you were born 14 years ago and how the doctors in the neonatal intensive care unit had informed your father and I to prepare ourselves for the worst, that you might not make it.

It was the first of two times in my life that doctors have looked me in the eye and yanked my heart out. You proved them wrong. And we are so grateful and lucky to have you.

Happy Birthday kid.
Thank you for you.

Mama

since I started blogging: for your 13th birthday, for your 12th birthday

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