Bench updates

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yoeri
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Re: Bench updates

Post by yoeri »

liverpoolken wrote:...in the meantime folk are more than welcome to come and visit the beautiful and unspoilt greek island of schinoussa where we have had our very own leonard bench since the summer of 2015....ta ken
Seems the better way, to have a bench on every island in a few years!

Idd, thanks for all the effort in the Hydra bench. Some day, it will be there!
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jarkko
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Re: Bench updates

Post by jarkko »

Demetris has got some more info from Lakis in telephone.
According to Athens, it has to be a smaller and simpler bench, like the other benches on the island. however, they did not say that it has to be wooden (almost all benches I remember are made of wood but there are some stone benches as well).
Anyway, I have sent email to both the Mayor and Mr. Panagiotis Rappas (organizer of the 2015 tribute concert on behalf of the Municipality). I asked what they are going to do after this unfortunate decision, pointing out that we really need to have the bench ready in June. Also, the bench will now be dedicated to the memory of Leonard instead commemorating his 80th birthday). I told them again that it will be an important attraction for the island, and it would be a pity if we had to move the bench to another city.
Let's see what happens next.
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Goldin
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Re: Bench updates

Post by Goldin »

jarkko wrote:I told them again that it will be an important attraction for the island, and it would be a pity if we had to move the bench to another city.
That's a nice point. Thank you, Jarkko! Fingers crossed.
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basecamp
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Re: Bench updates

Post by basecamp »

Goldin wrote:
jarkko wrote:I told them again that it will be an important attraction for the island, and it would be a pity if we had to move the bench to another city.
That's a nice point. Thank you, Jarkko! Fingers crossed.
Thanks to all who are involved to our bench project! Much appreciated!
I think nobody can understand why this little bench causes so much trouble. Anyway, fingers crossed that the problem can be solved until June!
If not we'll go to to the island of Schinoussa! ;-)
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Goldin
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Re: Bench updates

Post by Goldin »

basecamp wrote:Anyway, fingers crossed that the problem can be solved until June!
If not we'll go to to the island of Schinoussa! ;-)
And will double its population by the very fact of our appearance there 8)

By the way, I always wanted to visit the world's first LC bench!
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lizzytysh
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Re: Bench updates

Post by lizzytysh »

I'm glad that you are staying on top of this, Jarkko and Dem. It feels more important than ever that it be positively resolved. Thank you both for every effort. I only wish that had happened while Leonard was still alive. That sentence feels so odd.
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Greg Ross
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Re: Bench updates

Post by Greg Ross »

As much as I like the Hydra bench idea, I really think the various Greek governments are simply not capable of running anything, even overseeing a park bench. It's very sad to see a civilisation in such decline, especially the cradle of our democracy, but I think it would be easier to just walk away from installing a bench in Hydra, as we say in Australia, "They couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery." Conversely organise something at the tavern? Otherwise, why don't we approach the relevant authorities in Montreal re something similar? Or, an even wilder option - build a bench in Auckland New Zealand, where he gave his last concert.
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sturgess66
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Re: Bench updates

Post by sturgess66 »

This isn't really a "bench update" but in this tribute video from Hydra, the bench is mentioned, and also mentioned is that the street in front of Leonard's house will take the name of "Leonard Cohen."

Uploaded to YouTube by AFP News Agency
Published on Nov 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxAAe4VQCDY

Residents of Hydra remember Leonard Cohen
Among the legions of fans mourning the death of Leonard Cohen are the residents of Hydra, the small Greek island which held a special place in the heart of the iconic musician and poet.
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mirka
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Re: Bench updates

Post by mirka »


This cannot be happening.... :shock: :shock: :shock:
Two years of negotiations to build a bench ? I agree: the project should be taken somewhere else, where local authorities will appreciate the idea.
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jarkko
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Re: Bench updates

Post by jarkko »

From Demetris:
http://www.tornosnews.gr/permalink/21390.html

The Mayor of Hydra met the Canadian Ambassador and agreed to commemorate Leonard next summer on Hydra

Mr Rappas, who is responsible for cultural events on Hydra, was present at the meeting
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mirka
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Re: Bench updates

Post by mirka »

jarkko wrote:From Demetris:
http://www.tornosnews.gr/permalink/21390.html

The Mayor of Hydra met the Canadian Ambassador and agreed to commemorate Leonard next summer on Hydra

Mr Rappas, who is responsible for cultural events on Hydra, was present at the meeting

Let's hope this time it's for real....
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gallina
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Re: Bench updates

Post by gallina »

"Commemorate".....with our bench??? Or how?? Not really clear for me....
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ursula48
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Re: Bench updates

Post by ursula48 »

I didn't follow the "bench" thread for quite a while.
I am really shocked that the project hasn't moved any further.
No, it has moved bachwards again. It's a shame that the administration in Athens spends its precious time on thinking how a bench should be instead of trying to support the suffering population of Greece.
In my opinion we shouldn't waste any more time and money on this project. We should realize it elsewhere .In Montreal?
For me it is a shame that it has taken 3 years. Leonard will never see his bench. ulla
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jarkko
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Re: Bench updates

Post by jarkko »

A delegation from the Municipality of Hydra is going to visit the Historical Office in Athens in the next few days, to give more information about the bench and the project. The Municipality has also plans of its own (they are going to name a street etc.) so there is still something happening. However, if they are not able to build the bench this year, we will cancel the project and find something else (and elsewhere) instead.
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Re: Bench updates

Post by rike »

Let me cast an early vote if that should happen: for Los Angeles, where Leonard Cohen spent most of his later life and where he could see the sun rise and set from his room (I cannot locate the exact quote).
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