Wouldn't you agree that Greece, a country that has bequeathed so much to the western world, deserves all the support and appreciation we can muster? Then please join with me in watching a moving and highly unusual Athenian celebration.
Perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a heralding event than a celebration.
Let me explain.
Designed to provide a home for the Greek National Opera, the National Library of Greece and a large public park, the Centre, when complete, will be a new wonder of the modern world.
But Athenians haven't had to wait until 2016 to witness what the site can produce by way of talent and ingenuity.On the 25th June last year, under the baton of its Conductor and Artistic Director, Myron Michailidis, the Greek National Opera Orchestra gathered on the foundations of its new home to perform at sundown.
The music chosen for the occasion was 'The Planets Suite' by Gustav Holtz.
As the music swelled out over the Athens roof-tops, and the sun slowly set, ten large construction cranes, conspicuously situated on a newly-created artificial hill, proved that their creative talents weren't limited to construction. The played a starring, artistic role. Moving with a stately grace, they slowly 'danced' to Renato Zanell's innovative choreography.
Dancing cranes, dipping and swaying to the music, both heralded and celebrated the new Athenian Centre which, in two years' time, would be standing where they were standing.
Click here to watch them, and see how they wrap the present crisis in a protective bubble of art and music.Is Greece capable of dancing its way out of debt into a solvent and creative future?
Watch these cranes and you won't have a moment's doubt.
