The non-EU open embassies were better

The European Union Delegation building at K and 22nd was the only "open embassy" I found Saturday which had no waiting, perhaps because it was far (relatively speaking) from the embassies and because it's not an embassy!/By Patricia Leslie

Better for shorter wait times, more food and drink, more tours, more interiors, almost three times as many open (59 v. 24) which helped spread out the crowds and afforded opportunities to see more embassies!

Comparing last week's "open embassies" with this week's and there was no disputing the winner.  

No close horse race.  Not even a horse in sight May 13 but Saudi Arabia had one May 6. (Huh?  See last week's link above.) 

No overweight ambassadors allowed at the ambassadors' table at the EU Delegation building since it's a bit of a squeeze to get in and sit down/By Patricia Leslie

Although not a member (yet), Ukraine had a table and representatives at the EU Delegation building/By Patricia Leslie

Between the couple is a signature on the Ukrainian flag by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy which says "Ukraine is Brave!" The fellow pictured above did not appear that glum when chatting, only when photographed. They gave out lapel pins which said "Ukraine NOW." Yes!/By Patricia Leslie

Only at the European Union Center on K Street was there no waiting on Saturday to enter and check out the digs for a few moments, welcome the Ukrainian delegation, see the ambassadors' meeting table (so small and crowded, even empty), collect an EU bag (nice) and  thermos and move on.

The crowds Saturday!  

Oh, my!  The waits!  Of no less than an hour each at Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Romania and Slovenia.  

Too much and too many!

Student art depicting the importance of water was displayed in a hallway at the EU Delegation building. A description of the artist, an elementary school student in Croatia, Nela Bolfek, included: "The water in Croatia is still clean and she [the artist] realizes that she is the one who will in the future protect the cleanliness of the water."/By Patricia Leslie

A gallery of student art at the EU Delegation building/By Patricia Leslie

From the EU building, up 22nd I walked to find massive crowds, here at the Luxembourg embassy on the left and, across Mass Ave., a line waiting for Greece/By Patricia Leslie

The line at Luxembourg wrapped left around the building and then down a street. Beer's always a good draw but it wasn't necessary Saturday since the crowds came, beer or not which was usually the latter/By Patricia Leslie

After an hour's wait, finally!  Here we are at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Nothing to consume at Romania (like I only go for the eats, but they do make a difference; sure) but dancers and singers to entertain under a tent outside.

 Romanian dancers entertain those in the line/By Patricia Leslie

More Romanian dancers entertain/By Patricia Leslie

At last!  Inside one of the EU embassies which was Romania here where a wine salesman talked about the goodness of Romanian wines, but (sorrow) none to sample! Perhaps, I was too young/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy. See the beautiful railing and the luxurious room which overlooks 23rd/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Upstairs at the Romanian embassy/By Patricia Leslie

Meanwhile, back on the streets, take a look at this!  The line on the left was waiting for Greece, while the line on the right which is hardly visible, was waiting for Bulgaria.  Wait on, brothers and sisters!  Wait on! I won't be there/By Patricia Leslie

The line to Croatia was too long but these musicians played for the weary/By Patricia Leslie

Alas, the line was too long at Slovenia for me to wait. After three hours, all I got in was one embassy (Romania) and the EU House. Last week I visited eight of the embassies where none of us starved.  Maybe, the non-EUs can give classes to the EUs and show them how "open embassies day" is done right/By Patricia Leslie

At Croatia I did not wait, nor at Bulgaria, Greece, Slovenia, or Luxembourg, but on the sidewalk beyond the line at Luxembourg, I chanced upon some lads who told me they skipped the tour line and headed straight for the tented outdoor bar (okay with the guard) which took me about 20 seconds to join them and sample beer (which tasted like apple beer ?) and collect American candy bars (?) and cookies.

Ahhh...some sustenance.  It was after lunch, but everyone seemed happy and no one was complaining, although several gave up waiting in the lines and moved on.  Smart people!

On my way to Slovenia (having missed the California Ave. turn), I passed by the former Venezuelan embassy and residence, all closed up now but not several years ago when Hugo Chávez was president, and the Corcoran Gallery (or the Smithsonian? can't remember) hosted a wonderful (paid) dinner for members and a first-floor tour of the facility.

Nice!  

Today we were blessed by cloudy skies, a drizzle here and there, excellent waiting temperatures and, after all, opportunities to visit embassies, presuming you had all day and night, if they were open that long. Not!

patricialesli@gmail.com

Free Greek literature and book festival Saturday at Georgetown

             Constantine Cavafy by Yiannis Kephallenos

 

 

The 150th anniversary of the birth of Greek poet Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933) will be commemorated Saturday at the first Greek literature and book festival to be held in his honor in Washington.

The public is invited to attend the event at Georgetown University at no charge.

Cavafy, considered "one of the finest modern Greek poets" (Wikipedia), and his achievements will be recognized by Greek authors and poets who will present their own writings. Greek publishers will participate, and some of Cavafy's original books from the collection at the Library of Congress will be on display. 

The keynote speaker will be Vassilis Lambropoulos who teaches classical studies and comparative literature at the University of Michigan.

The event will include short films about Cavafy and readings of his poems with audience participation.

Sponsors are the Embassy of Greece, Georgetown's Modern Greek Language Program, the Athenians' Society of New York, and the Library of Congress.

From Wikipedia:

Cavafy was instrumental in the revival and recognition of Greek poetry both at home and abroad. His poems are, typically, concise but intimate evocations of real or literary figures and milieux that have played roles in Greek culture. Uncertainty about the future, sensual pleasures, the moral character and psychology of individuals, homosexuality, and a fatalistic existential nostalgia are some of the defining themes.

What: The celebration of the 150th anniversary of Constantine Cavafy's birth

When: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., March 16, 2013

Where: Bunn Intercultural Center Auditorium, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 20057

Cost: No charge

Metro station: Are you kidding? This is Georgetown. Take a taxi or get off the Metro at Foggy Bottom and take the bus at the top of the escalators to Georgetown or walk from Foggy Bottom (about 30 minutes). Use Metro's Trip Planner for more exact routing.

For more information: 202-687-0100 (Georgetown) or 202-939-1300 (the Embassy of Greece)

 

patricialesli@gmail.com

 

Olympic history was the talk at the Embassy of Greece

One of the photographs at the"Olympic Memorabilia" exhibit at the Embassy of Greece is this one of the 1896 100 meters semifinal race.  American Thomas Burke, second from left, was the winner.  Note the different starting positions.  His was controversial because it was deemed uncomfortable and unfair, but the Olympic Committee allowed it/International Olympic Committee

Last week at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, there was no mention of the critical vote Sunday in the homeland; the talk was all Olympics at the opening of a new embassy exhibit, "Olympic Memorabilia."

Photographs dating from 1894 of Olympic athletes and artifacts make up the exhibit. The pictures and some of the original items featured in the photographs were included in an exhibition last month in Athens at the World Olympics Collectors Fair, an embassy official said.

Artist Yoshiko Oishi Weick holds a replica of an Olympic torch at the Embassy of Greece/Patricia Leslie

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Welcoming visitors to the opening of the Washington event were embassy and Olympic Committee officials, and an Olympic basketball star, Tom McMillen, who later became a Democratic congressman from Maryland.  Mr. McMillen was a team member for the U.S. in 1972 which ended in a highly controversial ruling in the contest versus the Soviet Union.

Tom McMillen at the Embassy of Greece/Patricia Leslie

Because officials kept re-setting the clock to favor the Soviet athletes, Mr. McMillen said, they collected the gold medal.  The U.S. team voted unanimously to boycott the medal ceremony and refused to accept their silver medals which are in a vault in Lausanne, Switzerland.  (Read the Wikipedia account of the game and the controversy.)

Before he talked about the game, Mr. McMillan recalled the horror of the murders of the 11 Israeli athletes at the Olympic site in Munich.

On July 27 the 2012 Summer Olympics shall begin in London.

What: "Olympic Memorabilia" pictorial exhibition

When: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. until August 31, 2012

Where: The Embassy of Greece, 2217 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Cost:  No charge

Metro station:  Dupont Circle  (Connecticut Avenue and Q Street exit) and walk .25 mile to the embassy or ride the L2 bus towards Chevy Chase Circle after you get off Metro

For more information: 202-939-1300

patricialesliexam@gmail.com