Because we
are a small, poor country full of people with big hearts.
Because we never visit others empty handed.
Because there is no way to explain "kapsoura" (burning desire for someone) to those who are not Greek.
Because in Greece family is still something valuable.
Because we always make it, albeit in the last moment!
Because we were slaves for 400 years yet never bring that up as an excuse
for our current state.
Because "filotimo" (friend of honour, helping someone because it brings shame not to) does not exist in any other language.
Because whenever foreigners cannot find a word, they use one of ours.
Because we spend our bad and low times with our friends and family, not with shrinks.
Because Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were Greek.
Because we invented theatre.
Because we gave birth to Democracy.
Because we discovered logic.
Because we jumpstarted science.
Because we are proud of our culture, not of our wars.
Because when we were building the Parthenon, others were still sleeping
in caves.
Because we have a distinction between Eros (being in love) and Agape
(brotherly love), while we feel both of them passionately.
Because we gave the oath "freedom or death".
Because when others were clothed in wolf skin we were weaving see-through linen.
Because "Greeks do not fight as heroes, heroes fight like Greeks" (Winston Churchill,1941).
Because we gave our ancient alphabet to the Romans & our medieval alphabet to the Slavs.
Because we are not ashamed to cry.
Because we dance when we are joyful or sad, or,...........................................
Because we work to live...we do not live to work.
Because 97% of the stars' names are Greek.
Because when you shout "brother or cousin " in the streets everyone turns around.
Because the inside of all our churches are not dark but filled with "Light."
Because our parents do not forget that we exist when we reach 18.
Because when we want to sunbathe, we go to the beach.
Because we confront every difficulty with humor.
Because the Olympic games were born in Greece.
Because, with our (Olympic) Light, we unite the world and pass the
message of peace.
Because our sky is blue, not grey.
Because 40% of the Oxford dictionary is made up of Greek words.
Because we know what "Kefi" (propensity for fun) means.
© 2004 Hellenic Communication Service. All Rights
Reserved.
