London Greek Radio

London-Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou has spoken with London Greek Radio about his new single, ‘Den Mporo’ with Bulgarian songstress, Emanuela. The talented home-grown artist has been leading a successful solo career in Athens for several years and spoke with LGR’s Tony Neophytou.

The music video which was uploaded to the Planeta official YouTube channel has surpassed an impressive 3.6 million views since it was released on 1st October.

The tsifteteli-ethnic pop track with Bulgarian percussion has catchy hooks making it a club and radio friendly hit.  

Kyriacos told his manager his idea to release a new song while in lockdown.

The 27-year-old told LGR: “After one-week release, we managed to surpass 1.2 million views and was number #1 trending on Bulgaria YouTube and ranked first on the Top 50 Bulgarian pop/chalga folk music charts.”

Speaking about his collaboration, Mr Georgiou added, “Emanuela is a pop/folk Bulgarian artist who has had over 20 hits and has been in the industry for years. Our music producer and hit maker in Bulgaria, Daniel Ganev wanted to produce a Greek/Bulgarian duet and suggested it to both of us.  I previously worked with Daniel Ganev on my last hit in Bulgaria, which was Anelia and called ‘Pos Tin Ides’ which has now had 7.7 million views.”

 Both singers worked on the creative and artistic video together, which is implicitly sensual and seductive and compliments the song. 

“We heard the song and thought it would be an instant success.” Kyriacos explained. “I instantly clicked with Emanuela and got on with her really well. We both put many ideas on the table in regards to shooting the video and combining the lyrics together so that they would make sense. It was a pleasure working with such a well-known artist once again in Bulgaria.”

LGR’s Tony Neophytou asked Kyriacos about the creative challenge of life in lockdown and what affect it had. 

“It’s been a very difficult period for all of us; artists, performers, singers, entertainment industry, as you’re not able to perform. A lot of friends and co-writers are really down at this moment in time. You have to stay positive, pray for better days.  We have to get back on the stage, entertain and make people happy, to enjoy life, because life is short.”

He added, “In lockdown I felt myself getting depressed because all of a sudden I went from a sold out summer tour with Natasa Theodoridou and Stan, to then going into a lockdown, not being able to perform or travel, is a big shock. Also not knowing when we, as artists, will be able to perform again was even more frustrating. I am grateful to God I found the energy and enthusiasm to make this new single with Emanuela.”

In his spare time, Kyriacos enjoys the gym and tries to stay healthy.  He also enjoys acoustic unplugged sessions with friends in London.

Kyriacos is patiently waiting for the re-start of bouzoukia, once the social distancing restrictions in Athens are eased.

“I have now booked a tour with Emanuela in Bulgaria and will be travelling back and forth for live shows until things get better and the entertainment industry opens back up in Greece.”

Kyriacos had acknowledged the help of the ‘LGR Music Awards’ of his fledging career. “LGR event opened up a lot of routes for me in terms of getting to Greece, to record labels. Meanwhile, Giorgos Papadopoulos, the Cypriot star singer-song-writer at this event, wrote a couple of singles for me in 2013-14 when I moved to Greece. All this came through LGR. A huge Thank you to LGR for helping me out back then in my earlier days”.

Follow @KyriacosGeorgiou on Instagram for updates.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Greek artist Konstantinos Argiros has one of the biggest hits right now with the beautiful ‘Athina Mou‘.

It’s an emotional ‘zeimbekiko’ with a timeless nostalgia harking back to the golden age of rebetiko and the roots of classic Greek Laika.

The song seems to be a massive hit with our listeners and radio presenters alike gaining a dominate foothold on the London Greek Radio air-play chart.

The melancholic zeimbekiko song has a ‘feel good’ sound with a strong evocation of patriotic sentiment about the Athenian capital and is about searching for a “long-lost love”.

The melody and lyrical depth compliment the sense of nostalgia, although there is a social conscious undertone due to it being released at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The lyrics and music are written by Lefteris Kintatos whose inspiration was the silenced streets of Athens where local Athenians obeyed the stay-at-home lockdown.

The song starts with a few lines of a rain-soaked Saturday night in the Grecian capital. The verse in the song reminisces this along with a barely audible “barrel piano” from the “jasmine and night flowers smell from the balconies”.

The chorus sings, “It’s been months since you’ve been away from me, and the baby doll I had in my shop window is fading away, but I’m desperately looking for you, in my Athens.”

It is a pain exacerbated with the verse, “The bell at Lampadiaris Church is ringing mournfully, it’s like it’s saying we lost once again today…”

In the music video, Argiros is cast in the role of a working-class man with a deeply felt-sadness as he dances a slow-zeimbekiko in a quaint taverna. The video, directed by Giannis Dimolitsa, is atmospheric and captures the taverna scene with the nostalgia and romanticism that is bellowing beneath the song.

The video appears to be an ode to the classic film “Evdokia” from 1971 by Alexis Damianos from which the legendary “Zeimbekiko Tis Evdokias”, written by Manos Loizos, became known.

Tune in to LGR to hear the song, ‘Athina Mou’ and more of today’s biggest Greek hits on 103.3 FM in London, DAB+ in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, at lgr.co.uk and here: ‘Alexa, Play London Greek Radio’.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Top 30 LGR Official UK Airplay Chart.
June 2nd to June 29th inclusive.

London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart, with some of the biggest, most in demand hits in the chart.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the “Radio Monitor” of UK-wide popular stations. 

1 Petros Iakovidis – S’ Agapo Sou Fonaxa
2 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
3 Ilias Vrettos – Mono Ego
4 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
5 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
6 Panos Kiamos – Tha Perasi
7 Christina Salti Feat. Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
8 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou
9 Natassa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se ‘ena
10 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trela Mou

11 Giorgos Mazonakis – Oinopnevma Ftino
12 Alcatrash – Xana
13 Michalis Xatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
14 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
15 Konstantinos Koufos – Parasyromai
16 Kaiti Garbi – Ilios De Vgainei An Den Peis Kalimera
17 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
18 Konstantinos Galanos – Gia Mia Matia
19 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
20 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi

21 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Valto Terma
22 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
23 Stan – Den Ftais Esy
24 Kaiti Garbi Feat. Antonis Remos – Kivotos
25 Josephine – Magia
26 Kostas Doxas – Diva
27 Panos Kiamos – Fotia Me Fotia
28 Mihalis Xatzigiannis Feat. Thanasis Alevras – Saitias
29 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
30 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea

Information and statistics credited to “Radio Monitor”.

Source: London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart.

Top 20 Greek Hits here: lgr.co.uk/chart/ and hear a few snippets, to some of our favourite songs.

Article written by

Top 20 LGR Chart Hits.

Tune in to LGR 103.3 FM and lgr.co.uk to hear the best new music, and lots of your top-rated favourite songs this month.

London Greek Radio play-lists are constantly adding even more exclusives, promos and new releases.

7th June 2020.

Listen to snippets from our chart: lgr.co.uk/chart/

1. Nikos Vertis feat. Amir – I Leksi S’Agapo/Si On N’aime Qu’une Fois
2. Melisses – Misi Kardia
3. Giorgos Sabanis – Allakse Ta Ola
4. Giorgos Mazonakis – Dianyktereuo
5. Dionisis Sxoinas – Allazo
6. Dimitris Basis feat. Christos Mastoras – Ena Lepto
7. Elena Paparizou feat. Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi
8. Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
9. Natasa Theodoridou – Hartopolemos
10. Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteutika
11. Petros Iakovidis – S’agapo Sou Fonaksa
12. Constantinos Christoforou feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
13. Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vrady
14. Antonis Remos – Ola Ta Dakrya
15. Michalis Xatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
16. Kaiti Garbi – Kormia Xamena
17. Ilias Vrettos – Ora Monaksias
18. Lena Zeugara – Oneira
19. Tamta – S’agapo
20. Thodoris Ferris – Ta Amartola Sou Matia

“Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves”

Article written by London Greek Radio

A whole host of Cypriot artists have united to create a music video especially for the island during the coronavirus pandemic.

The video was made in response to the Cyprus Government’s lockdown measures which were vigorously enforced for several weeks.

“Ego Tha’ Me Edo”, which translated into English is “I’ll be here” is a sweet melodic number which was filmed at artists homes as the country stayed home to reduce the spread of the virus.

Stalo Georgiou, a former Music Director at Manor Hill Greek School in Barnet, who now lives in Paphos, composed the music. Theodoulos Koullapi wrote the lyrics and filmmaker Charalampos Charalampous was responsible for the editing.

The four-minute video includes Konstantina, Cypriot traditional singer Michalis Hadjimichael and former winner of the 2011 LGR Music Awards, Iphigenia Loucaides.

The other artists involved are Andri Karantwni, Vasiliki Hadjiadamou, Efthivoulos Theocharous, Christina Tselepou, Demetris Souroullas, Christos Rialas, Demetra Xatzi, Stella Stylianou, Kalypso Dimitriou, Elena Polydorou, Fani Anastasiou.

Stalo Georgiou, the organiser of the video, told LGR that she became involved because she was particularly concerned about the morale of Cypriot citizens who were staying at home.

She added that the video was important creatively as a vehicle to boost morale and put in place a positive mental-mind-set at these uncertain times.

Stalo said: [Translated] “The concept envisaged was to creatively seek a positive message of love and optimism. The other intention was to honour the essential workers battling on the frontline to defeat the coronavirus epidemic. The song’s lyrics underlined that we are here for each other in lockdown, also crucially to stand together afterwards when this is eventually over.”

Watch it here at our videos section: lgr.co.uk/videos

Article written by Tony Neophytou

London Greek Radio (LGR) has recorded a huge increase in listening figures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with other local, commercial and BBC stations across the UK, whilst some stations have reported double-digit increases in online listening in recent weeks, LGR has seen our figures more than triple!

London Greek Radio has recorded a significant increase in connected radio listening, with an average increase of 173% with the most notable growth over the Orthodox Easter weekend of 346%.

The figures suggest that people staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic seem to be listening to more radio rather than listening to music apps.

The numbers are from LGR’s online streaming platforms. Some of LGR’s biggest increases have been especially noted across morning and daytime programming – which suggests that people are keeping devices on when they would normally be heading out to work.

Pierre Petrou, Head of Programming for London Greek Radio said: “LGR has been the backbone for our communities for over 30 years and provides companionship and friendship. As a result, solid relationships are formed between the listener and presenter on the radio. During this crisis, our presenters aim to inform, update and entertain.

He added, “We have developed systematic programming which includes regular live updates from Cyprus, Greece and the UK. Understandably, our regular schedule has changed but it seems that people are welcoming this as we are working in partnership with organisations who are providing essential key services to the most vulnerable – from free food packages to ‘a listening ear’.

“We’re also aware that calls, texts and emails have increased, so I think there is a bit of a general rediscovery of radio and how important it can be at times like this.”

Siobhan Kenny, CEO of Radiocentre, the industry body for commercial radio, said: “As the UK acclimatises to a new world of working from home and enforced isolation, radio proves its strength as a hugely valuable source of information, reassurance, company and, most importantly, fun. As one of the most trusted and accessible forms of media, it is perhaps no surprise that so many are tuning in right now.”

Article written by London Greek Radio

Top 40 LGR Official UK ‘Airplay Chart’ this month.

April 1st to April 28th 2020 inclusive.

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the chart.

1 Nikos Vertis, Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
2 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou
3 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
4 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
5 Melisses – Misi Kardia
6 Onirama – Pous Isoun Chtes
7 Alcatrash – Xana
8 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
9 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Katime – Ela Apopse
10 Helena Paparizou, Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi

11 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos
12 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trela Mou
13 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
14 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
15 Despina Vandi – Esto Ligo Akoma
16 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi
17 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
18 Konstantinos Koufos – Parasyromai
19 Ivi Adamou, Konnie Metaxa – Pao
20 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia

21 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
22 Giota Negka – Oxygono
23 Giota Negka – Diarkeia Mias Zois
24 Michalis Hatzigiannis, Dimitra Galani – Se Poion Na Po To S’ Agapo
25 Ilias Vrettos – I Agapi Mporei
26 Stelios Rokkos – S’ Agapo
27 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
28 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
29 Natasa Theodoridou – Den Me Afora
30 Demy – Ela

31 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Akousa
32 Dimitris Mpasis – Psithiroi Kardias
33 Despina Vandi – To Nisi
34 Dionyis Schoinas – Allazo
35 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Chari Sou
36 Kelly Kelekidou (Feat. Stamatis Kraounakis) – Vasanizomai
37 Helena Paparizou – Askopa Xenihtia
38 Knock Out – Ach Ntina (Bika Karantina)
39 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
40 Kings – Pio Poly Apo Pote

“Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves”

Source: The Official Radio Monitor detection, 28 days monthly.

London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart.

April 1st to 28th 2020 inclusive.

Article written by London Greek Radio

It’s been reported this week that 236 UK Cypriots have died in relation to Coronavirus.

The weekly Parikiaki newspaper which has continued to print it’s circulation during the pandemic have been providing regular updates.  The latest figures were published as of 22nd April 2020, however it is not known whether the deceased have died directly from Coronavirus or whether they had tested positive for the virus, but died of other causes.

The newspaper has contacted hospitals, churches, funeral directors, Turkish Cypriot media and community, plus requests for their weekly death announcements, and confirmed 236 UK Cypriots have died, with 36 deaths of UK Cypriots in the past week.

According to Parikiaki’s calculations the deceased are as follows:-

UK Greek Cypriots – 140, which includes a married couple
UK Turkish Cypriots – 80
UK Maronite Cypriot – 1

All of the above are from the London area with 5 additional UK Greek-Cypriot deaths in Birmingham, 3 (from the same family) in Weston-super-Mare, 1 in Southend, 1 in Luton, 1 in Cheltenham, 1 in Lowestoft, 1 in Derby, 1 in Cambridge and 1 in Liverpool.

With 192,262 deaths worldwide, the above total of 236 UK Cypriot deaths equates to 0.12% of deaths globally and 1.26% of deaths in the UK.

Cyprus currently has 795 cases of positive tests for Coronavirus with 14 deaths and so far, 98 have recovered from the disease, (just over 12%).

In Greece, of 2,463 cases, 127 people have died and 577 have recovered, (almost 25% so far).

Globally, from the 2,754,506 who have tested positive for the disease, 762,128 have recovered and 192,377 have died.  [An almost 30% recovery rate so far and just under 7% who have died worldwide.]

The 2,754,506 confirmed worldwide cases represents 0.035% of the world’s population who have been diagnosed with Coronavirus.

London Greek Radio (LGR) expresses our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those who have sadly died during the pandemic and continuing to work with various organisations to help and support our communities at this challenging time.

John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR said, “The LGR family are working hard to keep listeners informed, entertained and updated during this unprecedented time. I am saddened to hear of so many deaths in our communities.”

Tony Jay, Managing Director for LGR added, “LGR will continue to promote cross-partnership initiatives to help our listeners and communities. Our work to communicate the help that is available is more important than ever because we all have a role to play in fighting this virus.”

London Greek Radio – working together with partners, businesses and organisations to support our communities.  #StayHome#SaveLives#StayTuned

Information credited and attributed to Parikiaki newspaper and www.worldometers.info

Figures correct at time of publication 16:09 on Friday 24th April 2020.

Article written by London Greek Radio

LGR has teamed up with restaurateur, George Psarias, who has nearly 40 years of cooking experience to bring you a recipe every Monday for you to try one evening this week!

Tune in to Ligo Prin To Mesimeri 10am-1pm with Soulla Violaris every Monday to hear George’s latest recipe!

Click here to download this week’s recipe!

WEEK 149: 27th February 2023
TARAMOSALATA (PDF File)

WEEK 148: 20th February 2023
GLYKES KREPES (PDF File)

WEEK 147: 13th February 2023
KEIK ME AHLADIA KE SOKOLATA (PDF File)

WEEK 146: 06th February 2023
SARDELLES LADORIGANI STO FOURNO (PDF File)

WEEK 145: 30th January 2023
GIOUZLEMEDES ME FETA KE MYZITHRA (PDF File)

WEEK 144: 22nd January 2023
FAKORIZO PILAFI (PDF File)

WEEK 143: 16th January 2023
SAGANAKI TYRI (PDF File)

WEEK 139: 19th December 2022
CHRISTOUYENIATIKI YALOPOULA (PDF File)

WEEK 138: 13th December 2022
MELOMAKAROUNA OR FINIKIA (PDF File)

WEEK 137: 05th December 2022
KARYTHOPITA ATHINAIKI (PDF File)

WEEK 136: 28th November 2022
HIRINO KRASATO (PDF File)

WEEK 135: 21st November 2022
HIRINO ME FASOLIA (PDF File)

WEEK 132: 31st October 2022
FETA SAGANAKI ME MELI KE SOUSAMI (PDF File)

WEEK 131: 24th October 2022
KOUNOUPITHI AUGOLEMONO (PDF File)

WEEK 130: 18th October 2022
KOTOPOULO SOFRITO (PDF File)

WEEK 129: 10th October 2022
AFRATA TIROKOULOURA (PDF File)

WEEK 128: 03rd October 2022
HALLOUMOPITTA TOU TAPSIOU (PDF File)

WEEK 127: 26th September 2022
LAHANORIZO KOKKINISTO (PDF File)

WEEK 124: 29th August 2022

KOTOPOULO KOKINISTO (PDF File)

WEEK 122: 15th August 2022
SIROPIASTA GLYKA KEIKS ME FETA (PDF File)

WEEK 120: 01st August 2022
FETA SAGANAKI IN FILO ME SOUSAMI KE MELI (PDF File)

WEEK 119: 25th July 2022
GLYKIA STRIFTI KOLOKYTHOPITA ROUMELI (PDF File)

WEEK 117: 11th July 2022
REVITHOKEFTEDES (PDF File)

WEEK 107: 02nd May 2022
EKMEK KADAIFI (PDF File)

WEEK 106: 24th April 2022
YIOUVETSI (PDF File)

WEEK 105: 18th April 2022
TSOUREKI (PDF File)

WEEK 104: 11th April 2022
MANITARIA AFELIA (PDF File)

WEEK 102: 28th March 2022
FASOLADA (PDF File)

WEEK 99: 07th March 2022
LAGANA (PDF File)

WEEK 98: 28th February 2022
BOUYIOURDI (PDF File)

WEEK 97: 21st February 2022
SPETZOFAI PILORITIKO (PDF File)

WEEK 95: 07th February 2022
ARNAKI ME FASOLIA (PDF File)

WEEK 94: 31st January 2022
GALATOPITA (PDF File)

WEEK 93: 24th January 2022
MOUJENDRA (PDF File)

WEEK 92: 17th January 2022
TYRI SAGANAKI (PDF File)

WEEK 91: 10th January 2022
FAKES SOUPA (PDF File)

WEEK 79: 18th October 2021
SIKO GLYKO TOU KOUTALIOU (PDF File)

WEEK 77: 04th October 2021
KOTOPITA (PDF File)

WEEK 76: 27th September 2021
MELITZANOSALATA (PDF File)

WEEK 74: 13th September 2021
YEMISTA ME PIPERIES, NTOMATES KE RIZI (PDF File)

WEEK 71: 23rd August 2021
DEEP FRIED PASTRIES WITH CREAM CHEESE (PDF File)

WEEK 70: 16th August 2021
PRASORIZO (PDF File)

WEEK 69: 09th August 2021
KOUBES (PDF File)

WEEK 68: 02nd August 2021
SIAMALI CAKE (PDF File)

WEEK 66: 19th July 2021
MIDIA ME ASPRO XIRO KRASI (PDF File)

WEEK 65: 12th July 2021
KOLOKYTHOKEFTEDES (PDF File)

WEEK 64: 05th July 2021
RIZOGALO (PDF File)

WEEK 63: 28th June 2021
YIAOURTOPITTA ME SYROPI KE STAFIDES (PDF File)

WEEK 60: 07th June 2021
IMAM BAYILDI (PDF File)

WEEK 58: 24th May 2021
HIRINO ME PRASA (PDF File)

WEEK 56: 10th May 2021
HIRINES BRIZOLES ME FASOLIA GIGANTES (PDF File)

WEEK 53: 19th April 2021
GEMISTA MILA STO FOURNO (PDF File)

WEEK 52: 12th April 2021
NISTISIMES TOMATES YEMISTES (PDF File)

WEEK 51: 5th April 2021
MELITZANOSALATA (PDF File)

WEEK 44: 15th February 2021
CHONIA FILOY ME THIAFORA MOURA KE SALTZA ME VATOMOURA (PDF File)

WEEK 43: 08th February 2021
MELINTZANES YEMISTES (PDF File)

WEEK 42: 01st February 2021
AFELIA (PDF File)

WEEK 40: 18th January 2021
KOLOKYTHOKEFTEDES (PDF File)

WEEK 38: 04th January 2021
FAKES SOUPA (PDF File)

The year 2021.

The year 2020 (see below). 

WEEK 37: 28th December 2020
VASILOPITA CAKE (PDF File)

WEEK 33: 30th November 2020
LOUKOUMADES ME MAYIA (PDF File)

WEEK 1: 20th April 2020
GALAKTOBOUREKO STO TAPSI (PDF File)

WEEK 2: 27th April 2020
GREEK KLEFTIKO (PDF File)

WEEK 3: 06th May 2020
SPANAKOPITA (PDF File)

WEEK 4: 13th May 2020

ARNI YIOUVETSI (PDF File)

WEEK 5: 20th May 2020

SFOUGATO (PDF File)

WEEK 6: 27th May 2020

PSARI PLAKI (PDF File)

WEEK 7: 03rd June 2020

HTAPODI (PDF File)

WEEK 8: 10th June 2020

FAFOLADA (PDF File)

WEEK 9: 17th June 2020

VASOULLA’S STAPHIDOPITA (PDF File)

WEEK 11: 1st July 2020

PSARI SAVORO (PDF File)

WEEK 13: 15th July 2020

SPANAKORIZO (PDF File)

WEEK 14: 22nd July 2020

PSARI ME SELINO KE AVGOLEMONO (PDF File)

WEEK 16: 05th August 2020

KOTOPOULO ME PILAFI RIZI (PDF File)

WEEK 20: 02nd September 2020

MELITZANES KE TYRI STO FOURNO (PDF File)

WEEK 21: 9th September 2020

KARITHOPITA KAI ELLINIKO KAFE (PDF File)

WEEK 22: 16th September 2020

BIFTEKIA (PDF File)

WEEK 24: 30th September 2020

KOTOPOULO ME 40 SKORDA (PDF File)

WEEK 25: 07th October 2020

TOMATOKEFTEDES (PDF File)

Article written by London Greek Radio

The increasing daily death toll from Coronavirus has stunned the nation. The pandemic has caused widespread disruption to jobs, family life and individual liberty. Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is currently fighting this dreadful disease.

The media and politicians alike suggest that we will need to call upon ‘The Dunkirk Spirit’ to see us through the crisis. It was said that the “Yorkshire flood victims showed the Dunkirk Spirit as they battled the rising water”. However, what does this really mean?

A brief look at the history does at least give us a startling perspective.

The renown historian, AJP Taylor famously wrote, “Dunkirk was a great deliverance and a great disaster but it might simply have been a great disaster”. Put bluntly, had Hitler not halted the advance of his Panzers at a critical point during the allied retreat, the miracle of Dunkirk would not have been possible. The term ‘Dunkirk Spirit’ would not exist.

Hypothetically, under these circumstances, “Dunkirk Capitulation” is a more appropriate epitaph as it is likely that the whole area would rapidly have been transformed into a giant POW cage.

As we know, for reasons which have never been convincingly explained, Hitler did halt his tanks, allowing the British and French to build a defensive perimeter around Dunkirk making mass evacuation possible.

More than three-hundred thousand British and French troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk.  But make no mistake – this was a collective effort.  A brilliant feat of improvisation from our forces supported by a selfless rear-guard action from troops on the ground, notably the defenders of Calais and the French 12th motorised infantry division.

However, not everyone behaved as heroes and, like today, although most are observing social distancing, but not all, back then, some service personnel / civilians behaved selfishly.

Recently, Scotland’s chief medical officer has resigned after making two trips to her second home during the coronavirus “lockdown”.  The chief medical officer had fronted television and radio adverts urging the public to stay at home to save lives and protect the NHS.  However, it is the majority that create a collective spirit, not random individuals.

In 1940, private boat owners volunteered themselves and their vessels, (often just pleasure craft), to help with the evacuation. Their contribution was critical and is regarded, rightly so. with great pride. No doubt, in time, memories of the volunteers prepared to risk infection for the greater cause during the Coronavirus will attribute similar status.

After Dunkirk, Winston Churchill reminded the public, “wars are not won by evacuations”, but added, “there was a victory inside this deliverance which should be noted”. From this platform, based on a common spirit of defiance, Churchill was able to galvanise a nation to defend itself against invasion.

Of course, to varying degrees, this spirit was evident during the threat from the Spanish Armada and later Napoleon, although modern communication was not available then so the message would have taken time to circulate. Churchill had radio. Today our leaders have satellite TV, the internet and social media.

It is often said that the British are at their best when their “backs are to the wall.”  There is truth in this. Unlike our cousins across the pond, we champion the underdog, celebrate near misses, honourable defeats, resistance against all odds, rarely sublime victory. At the defence of the mission-station at Rorke’s Drift, which was a courageous, yet defensive engagement, the ‘hero’ status was accorded to Captain Scott after failing to reach Antarctica ahead of his biggest rival.

Our sentimental attachment with the Second World War is another factor. A couple of weeks ago, H.M the Queen made a rare televised address to the nation in which she called on the country to “remain united and resolute”, and echoed the words of Dame Vera Lynn’s wartime anthem, when she said “we will meet again.”  I can’t imagine other world leaders resurrecting our memories from the war to boost morale.

We are told hundreds of workers in small laboratories across the UK are working to create a 21st century flotilla of little ships to avert Britain`s threatened Coronavirus Dunkirk by testing the nation’s frontline NHS workers. This is truly uplifting, but is it really a version of the Dunkirk Spirit?

I believe this reaction to be a trait which is intrinsically British, but not exclusively so. “Lest we forget” the Spartans gallant stand at Thermopylae against overwhelming odds, or the French defenders at Verdun.

We may very well be a softer society than the one our parents or grandparents inhabited, but our current plight and capacity to endure should be measured against our world of 2020, not 1940.

I joined in the hand-clapping for National Heath /social workers which, although pre-ordained by the media, showed the very best of British.  In my street, (Heywood Road, Harrogate), people came together in a simultaneous act of appreciation. Whole families clapped and cheered, not only out of respect, but there was a real sense of ‘we are in this fight together – we will beat this disease together.’  Other countries have shown their appreciation in similar ways but it is unusual for the British to embrace a collective emotional outpouring of this kind.

We may very well still be influenced by past glories perceived or otherwise, but our special spirit remains intact.  Whether this is a British characteristic or the Dunkirk Spirit remains to be seen, but it is nevertheless, something we will be increasingly reliant upon in the months to come.

Michael Janes
LGR Broadcast Journalist.

Article written by Michael Janes