Inco News

INCO History

Maire Menegi founded INCO in 1998. The members continually voted in Maire as President until she decided to retire from the Committee in March 2004. During her first years of presidency, INCO was at its height and had a membership average of 150 and as these members came from about 14 different countries, a representative of each country would meet with the Committee bi-monthly to discuss different nationality issues.

INCO organised and subsidised Greek lessons for adults and a specialised programme of Greek lessons for bi-lingual children. It also prides itself in being the push behind the enforcement of local laws regarding the wearing of helmets.

In Nov.2000 the problems facing children with dyslexia and the methods used to help them was on the agenda of INCO and the renowned specialist of dyslexia, Professor George Pavlides of Thessalonika, was invited to come to Aghios Nikolaos to give a talk in the Rex Theatre. This was well attended and was appreciated by parents and teachers.
Its yearly bazaar was an event that was looked forward to by locals and foreign residents alike. INCO bazaars were not only stalls loaded with different goods for sale, but face painting for the youngsters, games, music and our own little café/bar. Most of the proceeds were given to charity and the remainder used to subsidise Greek lessons and help with the general expenses of the association.

The International Children's Day was celebrated every year with a games day held in the stadium. These game days were titled 'Games without borders' and were enjoyed by literally hundreds of children. Sack races, tug-of-war, water games etc., and every child left with a certificate.

INCO organised weekend winter trips, the cost of which was determined by the number of members taking part. Hotels that stay open in winter usually give good group prices. These were popular February 'get aways'.

INCO was also involved in the Lato Festival and each year three countries were chosen to take part, e.g. a brass band from Holland, dancers from Finland, etc. In 1999 the British were one of the three nationalities chosen to participate in the Festival and they decided to perform a show of culture, fashion and music of Britain through the ages. This, of course, was the start of the Theatre Group.

Over the last two to three years great changes have been made in the Greek education sector and there is now no need for INCO's subsidised Greek lessons. The Greek Ministry of Education, financed by the European Social Fund, at long last provides free Greek lessons to foreign residents and primary schools now give extra tuition to the bi-lingual and foreign children who need help with Greek vocabulary.

The foreign population of Aghios Nikolaos has also changed drastically. There seems to be a decline in the number of young, foreign mothers and a definite increase of the generation of baby-boomers (I'm told this means 45 to 60 year olds).

In March 2004, Andreas Hadjimarkakis took over as President when INCO was in turmoil due to changing town council policies and cutbacks. He worked tirelessly keeping INCO alive until he and the five member board decided to call an EGM in Nov 2004. Here they informed the members that they were considering closing shop.

The Theatre Group is required to work under a legal association and after making enquiries about setting up its own association, was given the opportunity to take over INCO. As its main aim, at that time, was the continuation of the Theatre Group, it did not have the pressures that the previous President and Committee had. It was able to utilize theatrical performances, not only as cultural events, but also to help fund other INCO work such as the Newsletter and the website.

INCO did, and still does, a wonderful job. The Theatre Group took over the management of INCO in November 2004 and has this year alone put on six theatrical performances. But, determined to uphold the spirit of INCO, have monthly open meetings with INCO members, sent out newletters, worked with the education authorities to bring about the Greek lessons and managed to provide you with an INCO website in which we have also included our 'sister societies' the Rainbow Choir, the Gardening Club and the Friends of the Animals Charity.
Let INCO's history be an inspiration for future undertakings.

This can only be done with your input.

Jean Michaelides.
INCO Vice-President