Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-29

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Psomiadis plays 'bridenapper' in Momoeria revival

[02] PM and Yiannakou discuss university bill

[01] Psomiadis plays 'bridenapper' in Momoeria revival

The "Momoeria" are essentially a symbolic re-enactment of the ancient myth of Persephone, who was abducted and taken as a wife by the god of the underworld Pluto, that is heavily laced with satire, ribald jokes and ad-libbed repartee.

The central figure is Momos, the ancient Greek god of mirth and satire, who urges his 12 followers to find ways to provoke laughter and satire among those present. The central aim was to make people laugh at their faults, expose and come to terms with social misconduct and thus bring good luck and plenty in the coming year.

Though pre-Christian, the custom survived through the centuries and was included by the Church in the 12-day Christmas holiday period in areas of Macedonia and the shores of the Black Sea.

In its present-day form, the protagonists are the bride, who is abducted by a 'man of the village', the devil that incites all forms of mischief, a doctor that determines the "condition" of the bride and a judge that imposes penalties on the abductor.

Psomiadis proved himself an able "bride-snatcher" on Thursday and was heartily cheered on by onlookers at Aristotelous Square, where the custom was re-enacted by local associations of Black Sea Greeks.

[02] PM and Yiannakou discuss university bill

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Yiannakou pointed out that New Democracy's programme included a position for private, non-profit universities, which will be proposed during the revision of the Constitution.

She said that public dialogue on the universities' bill had essentially begun with the proposals submitted by the expert committee and that the government was now waiting to hear the proposals of university deans.

Answering questions about the separation of Church and State in the framework of a Constitutional revision, Yiannakou said that certain issues could be settled without revising the Constitution.

As an example she listed cremation of the dead, saying that this will soon be discussed in Parliament and had been suggested by MPs of all parties.

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