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Place Names
Squares
Klafthmonos
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{Κλαυθμώνος}. The official name of Klafthmonos square, on Stadiou {Σταδίου} street [Contents], is 25th of March (national holiday in celebration of the Annunciation {Evangelismos Tis Theotokou ~ Ευαγγελισμός Τής Θεοτόκου} and of the uprising of the Greeks in 1821, against Ottoman rule) square.
The Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance was based there until its demolishment a few years ago. The square was named Klafthmonos ({Klafthmos ~ Κλαυθμός} = moaning), because the "Pafsanie" {Παυσανίαι} and the "Thesithire" {Θεσιθήραι} used to gather there and bemoan their fate, since each time a new government was in office, it fired the former employees who used to gather outside the Ministry and moan.
During the premiership of Eletherios Venizelos {Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος} [People] the primary objective of the parliament was the revision of the Constitution of 1864, which took place in 1911 and this is why it is called the Constitution of 1911. Its most important clause stated that Public Servants are permanently appointed; thus turning the dismissal of Public Servants into an extremely difficult process.
Pafsanias {Παυσανίας}: Compound word; Pavo+Ania ({Παύω} = put an end, {Ανία} = boredom). 1 The one who stops boredom. 2 satirical definition for those who were relieved of their daily tedium in a sinecure public office.
Thesithiras {Θεσιθήρας}: Compound word; Thesis+Thira ({Θέσις} = job, {Θήρα} = hunt}. The one who seeks permanent appointment in the public sector (public office hunter) in order to avoid strenuous work.
02-26-2004