Solidarity gone?, a photo from Attiki, Attica

Photographer's Note

‘Athens – Solidarity gone?’

Instead of telling a nice story, I can now only express my concern about an actual problem.

The European Union has always stated that cooperation and solidarity are much better than competing and making wars.
But does the current treatment of the problem in Greece have anything to do with cooperation and solidarity ?

Political leaders in the rest of Europe blame the Greek mismanagement, the weak state apparatus, the loans that were not used to invest but to consume, high-level corruption, etc.
And the solution is that Greece should save enormously.

But the Greek cost savings plan is largely based on additional taxes to be paid by the working class that no longer has the possibilities to pay more. In Athens the food banks have problems to meet the need of people with financial difficulties (Daily meals must be provided for about 12.000 people). The rigorous savings and reform program is an attack on employment, social protection and the minimum wage. Workers saw their salaries decrease in one year with 20 to 40 %. There are reports of children at school fainting from hunger because they have to skip meals.

Austerity measures don’t solve the problem. Even more they are pushing the country further into crisis.

So I wonder, what happened to that European project or dream of cooperation and solidarity?
Where has the solidarity gone?
Is it so hard to provide a solution that isn’t impoverishing the Greek nation ?
I have no faith in state leaders that find such a plan correct and fair.

BTW the picture shows the Gate of Athena Archegetis which is part of the Roman Forum in Athens

Sonata11, jjcordier, jhm, prasun984, Nard, patdeph, Charo, danos, maria-v1981, sacimar, adramad, ikeharel, lakshmip1949, nobuikehonda, yanastallerova, nikkitta, Schnappilic trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

bayno (16209) 2012-02-12 17:31

Hi Paul,
beautiful backlighting of the forum of Athens, the colors in the sky are fantastic, the bird on the column is a great bonus, superb shot,
have a good day, Valter

Sonata11 (28341) 2012-02-12 17:36

Hello Paul,
Wonderful and very interesting ancient architecture of this gate. Excellently executed image with marvelous splendid colors, great exposure, contrast, POV and DOF as well. I like it.
All the best,
Barbara

batalay (32860) 2012-02-12 18:09

Hello Paul,

You've provided a sensitive message of empathy to augment this package. The photograph is excellent, but I believe you are correct in your assessment of the situation.

Warm regards,

Bulent

jhm (122458) 2012-02-13 2:20

Dag Paul,

Uw beeld weerspiegeld de donkere toestand in Griekenland, maar hoelang zal het nog duren voor België aan de buurt is.
Onze politiekers kunnen het wel goed uitleggen, maar de een blunder na de andere komt te voorschijn.
E wie kan het oplossen, dit is maar de vraag!
Toch hou ik van uw foto met het contrast en de verscheidenheid van kleuren.
Goed gedaan, bedankt.

Groeten uit een dooiend Oost-Vlaanderen,
John

Sergiom (39259) 2012-02-13 5:21

Bonjour Paut,

Une composition pleine de charmes qui utilise parfaitement les ruines en ombres chinoises pour nous montrer ce très beau coucher de soleil Grec.

Amicalement

Serge

DjoleE_ (0) 2012-02-13 8:28

Hi Paul.
Excellent work.
Architecture is a silhouette.
Odlino.
Greetings.
Djole.

prasun984 (5590) 2012-02-13 9:17

Hi Paul,
wonderful composition with nice perspective...like the seated bird on the pillar...nice old age silhouette architecture part in FG...nice texture sky in BG with nice color tones...
good chosen POV with suggestive details...

Prasun

wolf38 (28190) 2012-02-13 9:25

Hi Paul. The silhouette of the temple stands out beautifully against the sky. And the dove on the column fits perfectly into the overall composition. Everything is perfectly complemented by informative text. Well done. Worth seeing. Rgds, Wolfgang.

Jeppo (17623) 2012-02-13 11:43

dear Paul,

EU is actually a union of oligopoles, banks, finance riders who don't give a s..t about solidarity etc...
they just want to make money, destroy everything, bartering our know how, welfare etc against more money....

ciao
jeppo

Nard (6913) 2012-02-13 12:07

Hi Paul
As said Bob Marley for another reason "Get up, stand up, don't give up the fight,... stand up for your right.
We have to don't accept this "money dictatorship", the word is definitively crazy. And then I think that it will change.
Your picture is beautiful, regarding the colors, sky and the silhouette of the temple. I like the bird on the column,it reminds me of a vulture landed on the ruins of our society like these political leaders.
Regards
Bernard

patdeph (35738) 2012-02-13 13:05

bonsoir Paul
la façon dont ce Monde fonctionne me révolte, je voudrais savoir quoi faire pour provoquer une révolution d'une ampleur mondiale.
En ce qui concerne la photo, je trouve superbe cet oiseau pris au travers de la silhouette du temple, et se détachant sur un très beau ciel de coucher de soleil. malgré une petite surexposition au centre.
Amicalement
Pascale

Afsanehbagheri (3206) 2012-02-13 13:13

سلام دوست من

نور از نمای روزنه ها خیلی زیبا به نظر رسیده و به

سیاهی زندگی بخشیده

تبریک روزها خوش

mesutilgim (67982) 2012-02-14 12:16

Hello Paul,
Great capture with perfect photographic quality and great symbolism !
Yo are absolutely right with your concerns. Nobody can understand why it came so far.
I think our neighbours should also consider, why still enormous amounts of money is been spent for military !
Really sad .
I wish cordially that they shall recover very soon.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

mauro61 (52527) 2012-02-14 14:57

ciao Paul,
hai dato il massimo nella resa dell'immagine avendo di fronte un difficile controluce.
Resa del tempio buona e bella colorazione del cielo,
saluti
maurizio

Charo (51174) 2012-02-14 18:12

Hello Paul,
Magnificent reflections on the current state of Greece, a country that is one of the cradles of knowledge and science, but that's politics ...
Bella captures the silhouette of the temple on a beautiful sky full of color. I like the presence of the bird, as anonymous witness of what was once this country.
Best wishes,
Charo

Waylim (22357) 2012-02-14 23:09

Hi Paul,

A great shot and there is a symbolic meaning for the current situation facing Greek's financial crisis. I hope this problem will soon be over, but people must be willing to make some compromise and sacrifice in a short run until the problem is over, then they can work it back the way it was. But It will be a long and struggling road.

Beautiful color sunset with a touch of melancholic mood.

Thanks.

Way

danos (74020) 2012-02-15 0:25

Hello Paul,
nice your contribution to our economic crisis with your informative note about it.The difficulties for Greece and general for the population were started two years ago with the quisling Governor of Greece, Papadreou that tie hand and foot the country to Troika.
I doubt about for the solidarity in EE,that it was one of the main target of its existence.

Regards,Danos

TopGeo (37994) 2012-02-15 1:19

Hello Paul, very impressive photo, very atmospheric, Technically,contrast! the silhouettes is wonderful and very interesting ancient architecture of this scenery sunset in gate! A very spectacular image. Great management of light, colors, sharpness, clarity. Fantastic POV I like it a lot. Great job ! Thanks for sharing.
Georgios

maria-v1981 (10403) 2012-02-15 10:51

Guten Abend Paul,
Thank you for your concern and excellent note for economy problems of Greece. Beautiful composition with soft light creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Have a nice evening,
Tfs,
Maria

ciakgiak (30331) 2012-02-15 11:38

Hello Paul,
Mi piace moltissimo questa foto, al di là dell'interessantissimo significato espresso dalle tue note. Il tempio , attraverso il quale spicca la sagoma solitaria dell'uccellino, in un'atmosfera di grande suggestione. Bravissimo.
Un caro saluto
Giorgio

sacimar (25957) 2012-02-16 6:53

Hello Paul,

all of them are good questions, I think this not the Europe most of citizens want..... good image with a beautiful sunset over the Greek ruins, I hope Europe changes soon...

Best regards,

Sergio

ChrisJ (86876) 2012-02-16 7:02

Hello Paul,

Fantastic warm vs cold cold contrasts between the upper blue sky & the lower orange sunset tints, nicely framed by the silhouetted columns. Good sharpness & graphism. Superb shadow detail & the solitary bird is a nice addition. Tfs!

tober (8748) 2012-02-18 2:02

Hello Paul, I've read the note which I agree every letter of it. I hope our Greek neighbours will recover soon, even without the help of the EU. Your composition is also nice with the pigeon on the pillar. Best regards, Tolga

adramad (27556) 2012-02-22 9:22

Hi Paul.
A wonderful picture, with the backlight of the door of the Forum, but the magnificent text you entered is not less beautiful and true, I agree with everything that you post and I agree ...., which crush the citizens, is not the answer, I am very sorry all I have going on lately with the decisions of the European leaders.
But regarding your picture has made me enjoy pleasant memories still very recent. Well Done.
Have a great evening.
Best wishes.
Luis.

ikeharel (37356) 2012-02-22 21:38

Red your note, as the title intrigued me, Paul.
Yes, many problem rose lately, difficult task to solve - but hope is yet there for a rational outcome.
Your post here is optimistic, and I like the sillhouet of the old ruins, with bird along, against the sun - marvelous colors as well.
Ike

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2012-02-25 3:28

Hello Paul,

A well written note about the present situation in Greece. Politicians look for themselves . The middle class people get hurt the most.

A very nice capture of the silhouetted Gate at sunset.The silhouetted bird makes it more interesting. Lovely colors of the sunset.

Lakshmi

nobuikehonda (3846) 2012-02-25 14:05

Hello Paul !

It seems that it is always the weak who pay when economic crisis or other types of problems arise. The current problem discussed in your note is no different. Does the image of the broken temple seem to echo the current crisis? The setting of the sun really symbolises the end of Euro currency. The presented photo reflects upon the current situation in Europe, the visually provided message and the symbolism of the photo carries a very strong message. The spirit of the union is about to fly away like this bird sitting on one of the columns. I wonder…

With my very best and kind regards,
Have a very nice evening, Paul
Nobu.

anokutan (15097) 2012-02-27 10:34

Hello Paul,
Wonderful and very interesting ancient architecture of this gate.Excellently executed image with marvelous splendid colors,great exposure and contrast.

Fis2 (73114) 2012-03-03 6:30

Witaj Paul!
Interesting POV and composition.
I like colors and contrast.
Well done.
Nice weekend
Krzysztof

nikkitta (5886) 2012-03-05 12:52

Hola Paul

I like photos with dark silhouettes against the BG
This is a very great one with the help of the bird on the column
The sky colors are fantastic
Greeting and TFS

Maria

I quite agree with your point of view about the financial crisis in Greece

Schnappilic (7929) 2012-05-22 12:20

Hello Paul,

Splendid postcard from Greece. Lovely composition using silhouettes and soft colors. Great effect!

Best regards,

Ovidiu