NEWS

50 Years Ago Today

TIF AFTER 11 YEARS’ ABSENCE: Thessaloniki – After an absence of 11 years, the Thessaloniki International Fair opened its gates once more yesterday, visited by thousands of working people. The official opening was at 10.30 a.m. in the presence of King Paul and Queen Frederika, Cabinet members, and the military and political establishment. Right after the arrival of the royal couple, who were warmly welcomed by the people and greeted by the fair officials, Thessaloniki Bishop Pandeleimon held a service, followed by official speeches by the president of the board, Professor Haralambos Frangistas, and the ministers Grigorios Kasimatis and John Glavanis. FOREIGN NATIONAL ANTHEMS: By order of the police, it is forbidden to play the national anthem of any foreign country in theaters, cinemas, cabarets, cafes, dance halls and any kind of public area. The measure has been taken to avert incidents. MILK DISTRIBUTION: As of September 26, the September milk ration will be distributed to children. Those up to two years of age will be entitled to 15 tins of condensed milk at 30,900 drachmas for those with means and 14,400 drachmas for those without. Distribution will end on October 19. At another time, this might have been ignored as primitive chest-beating that hooligans indulge in to cow their opponents. But this was a serious blow against Greece’s image in America and its credibility as an ally. The insult was printed and broadcast from coast to coast, enraging readers and listeners. Here was an ally whose citizens seemingly cared nothing for the terror victims. It mattered little that the culprits were a few youths who see enemies among everyone but their fellow fans, who owe allegiance to no one but their team. These are the fanatics (in every Greek team) who would cheer a Turkish team as long as it was beating their crosstown rival. They get away with such outrageous behavior because they have never been disciplined, especially not their teams’ officials who, despite paying lip service to the law, see the hooligans as occasionally useful shock troops – not least when teams demand that the government write off their monumental debts.

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