Between, Against, Beyond: Challenging National Identities in Contemporary Greek Theatre

This thesis explores how contemporary theatre critically deals with the question of national identity. The theatre’s interest in the question of national identity in the twenty-first century should not be explained only as an answer to extremist nationalist voices. Much more, one should account for the reasons why the idea of nation still evokes emotional responses in our societies. In which ways might contemporary theatre, with its non-representational aesthetics, not only deconstruct, but also critically redefine the concept of identity without completely rejecting it? How is theatre’s response to nation affected by the historical, cultural and institutional context within which performances are produced and received? How different theatrical approaches to national identity (on stage as well as on an institutional level) might invite the spectators to reconsider their own national self-perceptions and (often unnoticed) national attachments? This thesis proposes a typology of three modes of theatre’s critical engagement with the concept of national identity: a dialectical, a deconstructive and a nation-transcending mode. In my analysis I focus on the case of contemporary Greek theatre in the period 2006 – 2015 and particularly on productions of the National Theatre of Greece and the Hellenic Festival (Athens and Epidaurus Festival). Due to the “national” terms under which their tradition and identity have been constructed, both these cultural institutions lend themselves well to an exploration of the relationship between theatre and nation through the suggested typology of the three modes. During the examined period, their programming choices and strategies concerning theatre space challenged homogeneous narratives and singular conceptions of nation and national identity

The NHS sometimes neglected the needs of younger people with chronic conditions during the pandemic

Children and young people with chronic conditions have faced delays in seeing a GP and getting a diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic. Lockdowns and the switch to virtual appointments made it harder for health professionals to identify problems. Jenny Greenwood (King’s College London) and Sapfo Lignou, (project lead, University of Oxford) warn that the NHS needs to understand the impact the pandemic has had on younger patients

Η οικιακή οικονομία στην σύγχρονη εποχή και στον Οικονομικό του Ξενοφώντα

Η οικιακή οικονομία, ο Οικονομικός του Ξενοφώντα και η ηθική συνδυάζονται σε ένα συναρπαστικό πλαίσιο που αντικατοπτρίζει τις αξίες και τις αρχές της αρχαίας Ελληνικής φιλοσοφίας. Η οικιακή οικονομία αναφέρεται στη διαχείριση των πόρων ενός νοικοκυριού για την ικανοποίηση των βασικών αναγκών της οικογένειας. Η ηθική διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο, καθώς καθορίζει πώς πρέπει να διαχειριζόμαστε αυτούς τους πόρους. Ο Ξενοφώντας, αναφέρει ότι η οικονομία πρέπει να είναι ενάρετη και παρουσίασε την οικονομία ως μέσο για την επίτευξη ευημερίας και ευτυχίας, υπογραμμίζοντας τη σημασία της ηθικής στην οικονομική δραστηριότητα. Η διαχείριση των πόρων πρέπει να γίνεται με σκοπό την ευημερία της κοινότητας και όχι απλά την προσωπική επικράτηση. Επίσης, στο έργο του τονίζει τη σημασία της εκπαίδευσης για να επιτευχθεί η ηθική οικονομική διαχείριση. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, η ηθική συνεισφέρει στη διαμόρφωση των αποφάσεων που αφορούν την οικονομία του νοικοκυριού. Η διατήρηση της αξιοπρέπειας, η αλληλεγγύη και η δικαιοσύνη είναι ηθικές αξίες που καθοδηγούν την οικονομική συμπεριφορά σε επίπεδο οικογενειών. Συνοψίζοντας, οι έννοιες της οικιακής οικονομίας, του Οικονομικού του Ξενοφώντα και της ηθικής συνδέονται για να υπογραμμίσουν τη σημασία της σωστής οικονομικής διαχείρισης, του σεβασμού προς τους άλλους και της ανάπτυξης ενός ηθικού πλαισίου που προωθεί το κοινό καλό. Αυτές οι έννοιες είναι σημαντικές για την ανάπτυξη μιας δίκαιης και βιώσιμης κοινωνίας.Household economics, Xenophon's Economics, and ethics combine to create a fascinating framework that reflects the values and principles of ancient Greek philosophy. Household economics refers to the management of a family's resources to meet basic needs, and ethics plays a vital role in determining how these resources should be handled. Xenophon emphasizes the idea that economics should be virtuous and presents economics as a means to achieve prosperity and happiness, highlighting the importance of ethics in economic activities. Resource management should aim at the well-being of the community, not just personal gain. Additionally, Xenophon stresses the significance of education to achieve ethical economic management. In this context, ethics contributes to shaping decisions concerning a household's economy. Values such as dignity, solidarity, and justice guide economic behavior at the family level. In summary, the concepts of household economics, Xenophon's Economics, and ethics are interconnected to underscore the importance of sound economic management, respect for others, and the development of an ethical framework that promotes the common good. These concepts are crucial for building a just and sustainable society

Πανδημία covid - 19 και εκπαιδευτικοί αποκλεισμοί: Χαρτογραφώντας τις πρακτικές προσφυγισσών μαθητριών του Κέντρου Φιλοξενίας Προσφύγων Ριτσώνας

Η παρούσα εθνογραφία αναλύει το πώς παράγεται και εγκαθιδρύεται ο εκπαιδευτικός αποκλεισμός από το ελληνικό κράτος, για τους μαθητές και τις μαθήτριες που διαμένουν στο προσφυγικό καμπ της Ριτσώνας κατά την περίοδο της πανδημίας covid - 19. Η έρευνα εστιάζει από κοινού στην ευαλωτότητα και την αντίσταση και ταυτόχρονα εξετάζει τις διεκδικήσεις για συμπερίληψη στο εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα, τις μορφές συλλογικής αντίστασης και τις έμφυλες διαδικασίες υποκειμενοποίησης των μελών της ομάδας Youth Refugees Movement. Χαρτογραφώντας τις καλλιτεχνικές δράσεις, τις δημόσιες συναθροίσεις εντός και εκτός της προσφυγικής δομής και τις εκπαιδευτικές δραστηριότητες των νεαρών προσφυγισσών από το Αφγανιστάν, η παρούσα εργασία υποστηρίζει ότι παρά τις εξαιρετικά περιοριστικές συνθήκες αναμονής που επικρατούν στο καμπ, αναδύονται συλλογικές υποκειμενικότητες με μετασχηματιστική δράση. Μέσω των παραπάνω πρακτικών, διευρύνονται τα όρια του πολιτικού και επιπλέον μέσω της συγκρότησης ενός συλλογικού και ενσώματου υποκειμένου που διεκδικεί ενθαρρύνονται οι έμφυλες διαπραγματεύσεις και οι στρατηγικές επαν-υποκειμενοποίησης των μελών της υπό μελέτης ομάδας τόσο εντός της οικογένειας όσο και της κοινότητάς τους.The present ethnography analyzes how students-residents in the Ritsona refugee camp are systematically excluded from typical education by the Greek state during the covid - 19 pandemic. Furthermore, by adopting an approach that focuses on both vulnerability and resistance, it examines the forms of collective resistance and the gendered processes of subjectification of the Youth Refugees Movement group in light of the actions they carry out so that they can claim to be included claiming in the educational system. Based on the recording of several artistic actions, public gatherings inside and outside the refugee camp and educational activities of the young refugees from Afghanistan, this thesis argues that despite the extremely restrictive conditions of waiting that prevail in the camp, collective subjectivities with transformative action clearly emerge. Through the above-mentioned practices, the boundaries of the political are expanded and, furthermore, it is the formation of a claiming collective and embodied subject that encourages gendered negotiations and strategies of re-subjectification among the members of the group under study both in the realm of family, as well as in their community

Investigating UK school-aged children’s sustainable food packaging disposal knowledge and engagement levels in ecologically valid settings

There is a growing emphasis on sustainable approaches; however, consumer-related barriers can modulate adherence. Therefore, engaging future generations from an early age in adopting sustainable food-packaging practices is fundamental. This paper investigates food-packaging-related knowledge, preferences, and engagement levels at a UK science-based event. School-aged children (n = 255; 8–18 years) completed various activities to initiate conversation encompassing food packaging disposal, symbols, issues, preferences, and behaviour, as well as educational-based discussions. Most children were able to select the correct response for disposal-related questions; however, they struggled to correctly identify the appropriate bin for used food items (e.g., pizza box). Children’s knowledge of symbols varied considerably: Mobius loop and Fairtrade symbols were easily recognisable, whereas there was no clear consensus/poor knowledge for the remaining symbols. Children’s main food packaging issues were ‘excessive packaging’ and ‘bins are full’ and key information searching locations were labels-on-pack and digital sources. Currently, 51% of the children adopt sustainable approaches; therefore, engaging more children in such practices is essential. 77% of the children were interested in changing future food-packaging behaviour. Going forward, sustainable food-packaging practices need to be incorporated into the school curriculum to promote engagement as well as improving infrastructure so that children can easily implement appropriate practices; thus, resulting in notable societal impact

Sensory and instrumental analysis of medium and long shelf-life Charentais cantaloupe melons (Cucumis melo L.) harvested at different maturities

The flavour profiles of two genotypes of Charentais cantaloupe melons (medium shelf-life and long shelf-life), harvested at two distinct maturities (immature and mature fruit), were investigated. Dynamic headspace extraction (DHE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography–olfactometry/mass spectrometry (GC-O/MS) were used to determine volatile and semi-volatile compounds. Qualitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was used to assess the organoleptic impact of the different melons and the sensory data were correlated with the chemical analysis. There were significant, consistent and substantial differences between the mature and immature fruit for the medium shelf-life genotype, the less mature giving a green, cucumber character and lacking the sweet, fruity character of the mature fruit. However, maturity at harvest had a much smaller impact on the long shelf-life melons and fewer differences were detected. These long shelf-life melons tasted sweet, but lacked fruity flavours, instead exhibiting a musty, earthy character

Sustainable paper-based packaging: a consumer’s perspective

Over the last two decades, there has been growing interest from all stakeholders (government, manufacturers, and consumers) to make packaging more sustainable. Paper is considered one of the most environmentally friendly materials available. A qualitative study investigating consumers’ expectations and opinions of sustainable paper-based packaging materials was conducted where 60 participants took part in focus group sessions organized in two stages. In the first stage, participants expressed their opinions about currently available packages in the market and their expectations about a sustainable packaging material. In the second stage of the study, they evaluated five paper-based prototype packages for two product categories (biscuits and meat). Too much plastic and over-packaging were the key issues raised for current packages. Price and quality were the main driving forces for consumers’ purchase intent. While participants were impressed by the sustainable nature of the prototypes, the design did not necessarily meet their expectations, and they were not willing to pay more for a sustainable package. The key message that emerged from the discussions was the “3Rs”—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle”—which should be the main points to consider when designing a sustainable packaging

Consumer acceptability and sensory profile of sustainable paper-based packaging

Sustainability appears to be increasingly important to consumers. In order for companies to reach their sustainability targets and offer more environmentally friendly solutions to consumers, food producers and retailers have begun to change their packaging to more recyclable, bio-based and biodegradable packaging. This study evaluated the sensory characteristics of paper-based prototype packages developed for two product categories (biscuit and meat packages) using a trained sensory panel. Consumer liking, preference and purchase intent were assessed by 130 participants. For the biscuit packages, no significant differences were observed for the liking of any of the four dimensions assessed (appearance, design, feel or overall liking). However, consumer segmentation identified three relatively homogeneous groups of consumers exhibiting differences in the hedonic reaction to the three packages. For the meat packages, significant differences and preference were observed between the original and paper-based packages. For both categories, the purchase intent was low, indicating that further work needed to be done to improve several quality characteristics (e.g., design, size and strength of the package), which would lead to better consumer acceptability

High glucosinolate content in rocket leaves (Diplotaxis tenuifolia and Eruca sativa) after multiple harvests is associated with increased bitterness, pungency, and reduced consumer liking

Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia and Eruca sativa) leaves delivered to the UK market are variable in appearance, taste, and flavour over the growing season. This study presents sensory and consumer analyses of rocket produce delivered to the UK over the course of one year, and evaluated the contribution of environmental and cultivation factors upon quality traits and phytochemicals called glucosinolates (GSLs). GSL abundance was positively correlated with higher average growth temperatures during the crop cycle, as well as perceptions of pepperiness, bitterness, and hotness. This in turn was associated with reduced liking, and corresponded to low consumer acceptance. Conversely, leaves with greater sugar content were perceived as more sweet, and had a higher correlation with consumer acceptance of the test panel. First cut leaves of rocket were favored more by consumers, with multiple leaf cuts associated with low acceptance and higher glucosinolate concentrations. Our data suggest that the practice of harvesting rocket crops multiple times reduces consumer acceptability due to increases in GSLs, and the associated bitter, hot and peppery perceptions some of their hydrolysis products produce. This may have significant implications for cultivation practices during seasonal transitions, where leaves typically receive multiple harvests and longer growth cycles