If the 19th century saw the rise of romantic Philhellenes, who sought to find the answers they were looking for in the Golden Age of Pericles, then the 21st century surely requires a more contemporary definition for foreigners partaking in Greek education and who love Greece. Publisher Hameed Haroon is a true lover of modern Greece. He is not merely an admirer of Ancient Greece.
His knowledge extends from Byzantine art to Tsarouhi's painting, to Elytis's poetry, the books of Kazantzakis and Henry Miller, the films of Cacoyannis, Cretan cuisine, to the recent political events. You can start a conversation with him regarding Minoan Knossos and end up talking about the 30's generation and the situation in Athens during the crisis. He is passionate about our country, but also a very strict critic, who quite often expresses unorthodox, or even heretic, opinions on how we can exit the crisis. During his recent visit he agreed to talk to "Kathimerini" about all the things he loves and hates about us.
A sense of prosperity "I hate to say this, but I've travelled several times over the past few years from Pakistan which is on the other side of the world, to visit the Herakleion archaeological museum or the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The only thing I managed to achieve was to visit only a few halls, which were open to the public, because there was a lack of security guards. I don't underestimate the financial problems created by the financial crisis. However, I am certain that there are solutions, especially when we are talking about two of the greatest museum collections in the world. If you take a walk in Herakleion, as a tourist for example, you realise that there are many wealthy people and businessmen; the prosperity is quite obvious. So, you begin to wonder what is really going on," commented the publisher, who is in charge of the largest group of English newspapers in his country and a generous sponsor of museums in Karachi.
Inequality
Haroon knows very well the importance of a country's external appearance from his experience in Pakistan: We are a country - a crossroad - of different civilisations, with whom we must reconcile and co-exist: Iran, China, Afghanistan and India. Our country's biggest problem isn't just to establish a solid identity among these competing elements, but also to raise the living standards in order to improve the population's quality of life. The ways in which our wealth sources are distributed causes great inequalities. Our image for the West is controversial, while our geopolitical location is important, full of challenges and close to hot or war zones. As a man of the press, I understand what it means for Greece to have a bad image abroad. But that is not as important as what Greeks believe about their politicians, their economy, the wrong choices they have made and their future. I will give you an example. Quite often, the articles written by foreign newspapers ion Pakistan, focus on Islamic religion, and thus Muslims have been demonised in the West. However, in my country, values such as democracy have also been demonised, solely because they are considered as western concepts. There is a constant presence of stereotypes, prejudice, obsessions and role models imposed by the Media. But before we start reflecting on a country's image abroad, we have to start from the core of the problem. What Greece must do now is seek its true identity and go beyond how others perceive it. "
European Hypocrisy
And what is this identity? "Definitely not the one manufactured during the 10th century by European powers to suit their own needs, pushing aside and ignoring the Byzantium and the entire Hellenic history since the fall of ancient Greece. European hypocrisy lies in the fact that, even now, they talk about the cradle of Western civilisation, which they humiliate with great ease when it comes to financial negotiations. How can you accept a member-state in the European Union and then expect its citizens to forget about the meaning of dignified living conditions just because they needed to borrow money? It is true that you are responsible for this situation, but the fact that you are liable for bad management does not mean the Europeans and other foreigners do not have their share of responsibility."
European Union's 'tight-fitting-suit' and your history
Hameed Haroon, a direct and fascinating interlocutor with crystal clear thinking and views, went on to say:
"National identity stems from the fusion of several other elements. If foreigners chose to emphasise some and ignore other elements during the birth of the Modern Greek state, then now is the time for you to make your own assessment. Let's take Thessalonica for example. A great city of the Ottoman Empire and the centre of Greek Jews, it has now become the second largest, population-wise, city of Greece. I understand that its rich history was erased for historical and political reasons. However, the dichotomy between your eastern traits and your western ones is artificial and right now this is not helping you at all. You must look at your history from a different angle, with more generosity and open-mindedness, and through the cosmopolitan views of the ancient Greeks. Your wealth goes beyond the Ancient Greek heritage. It is this turbulent history - the one filled with triumphs and disasters - that makes you so special. "
"The historical depth cannot easily fit in the 'tight-fitting-suit' that you were given to wear upon your accession in the European Union. Let's go back to basics. Indeed, Greece is looking towards Europe and is a Nato ally. But since ancient times it has created unbreakable ties with all the civilisations of the South-eastern Mediterranean. This is where its roots lie, and where its experience stems from. If, for example, your country had a more wisely designed educational system, then it could attract students from all these countries. Greek business acumen and Greek shipping have spread and flourished across the globe, because [these sectors] have preserved the ability you have as a nation to converse with everyone."
-- Courtesy: (Kathimerini: translation from Greek
into English provided by Hameed Haroon)
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