Intercultural Association Macedonia Cuts Vasilopita
Nicky Mariam Onti – 25/1/13
The customary cutting of the Vasilopita (Greek New Year’s Cake) was celebrated in an event of the Intercultural Association Macedonia in Vienna. The Secretary of SAE, Olga Sarantopoulos referred to the Association’s goal as perhaps one of the biggest challenges it deals with, and that is preserving the name of Macedonia from any malicious action or propaganda aiming to distort the historical truth.
The Metropolitan of Austria, Exarch of Hungary and Central Europe, Arsenios, who also attended the event, in his address conveyed wishes for success in the association’s activities and the support on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Austria, blessing the Vasilopita.
Moreover, Metropolitan Arsenios highlighted the significant role of Hellenism and the Orthodoxy throughout the centuries in Vienna while praising Greek organizations in Austria for their unity, and underlined the need for mutual understanding and cooperation among all institutions in these difficult times for Greece.
Among others who also attended the event, were representatives of Greek and Cypriot agencies in Austria, including the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Austria, Kostas Papadimas, and former Greek Ambassador to Hungary, Spyridon Georgiles , as well as notable members of the Greek Diaspora, Austrian friends of the Association and Greek origin town councilor and member of the local Chamber of Vienna, Hannes Harvanek.
Among the primary objectives of the Macedonia Intercultural Association, established in late 1993 by members of the Greek Diaspora in Vienna, are the coordination of activities for the promotion of Greek views and interests on national issues, especially on the Macedonian issue, as well as the creation and preservation of contacts with political and intellectual figures, media representatives and notable figures in Austria shaping public opinion.
