June 14, 1952
TURKISH ACCLAMATION: Istanbul, 13 (From our correspondent L.G. Koromilas) – Greece’s King Paul and Queen Frederika were given a truly enthusiastic welcome upon their arrival in Ankara. Greeks and Turks applauded, cheered, laughed and cried. The women especially drew the men and children into emotional outbursts. THE QUEEN’S INGENUOUSNESS: Turkish officials are most satisfied and the press say that the crowds are unprecedented in the history of Istanbul. The people were ecstatic about the king’s noble bearing and the ingenuousness of the queen, who smiled continually and greeted people in Turkish. ‘COK SYMPATIK’: These words, meaning «very charming,» are what one hears most frequently in the main streets of Istanbul in reference to the Greek queen. SPYROS SIMITIS: Results of the French composition examinations, held in mid-May in Athens and the provinces for school pupils aged 16-18, have been sent from Paris. The Paris committee of the Alliance Francaise, after judging the compositions from candidates in 15 nations, observed that those from Greece were clearly superior to those of all other candidates – a pleasant surprise. The top Greek student who wins a 15-day trip to Paris is Spyros Simitis (Ed. note – brother of the current prime minister of Greece), a student of the Athens French Institute and Athens Experimental High School.
