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Mafia Dance Festival
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Dovla
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
43
Posts :
748
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 00:29
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The attacking group, did everything at this exact time on purpose, as they knew that the reaction time would be to short to save the festival. They proved clearly to me, that they wanted to fuck all of us and our customers too, as they could stop it before (as it seems now, they could) but they let it reach this point to make more harm to everyone inlolved and to make sure that not even a last attempt would be possible in the time remaining to rescue the festival. (dont forget in Africa things go very very slow). Rather than place all of you at further risk the incredibly difficult decision was made to cancel the festival.
The local community Bweni next to which the festival would be held, had given written permission, acknowledging the benefits from the organization of Mafia Dance festival. This was the permission that were asked to show to Mafia Authorities, for the fest to go on from their side. We had agreed even the charity program that will apply to the community and many ancillary partnerships and alliances with residents of surrounding areas. Still, the police of Mafia island, had supervised the area and gave the approval for the conduct of the festival.
Unfortunately, once again, and at this battle ground of our planet, our scene and our family are facing unproper and coordinated attacks.We reserve the right of lawsuites for everyone involved in the case and we intend to release even more details on the what and how they brought the organization to this point. Therefore, you can rest assured that we are fully aware "who" and "why" this group of people is actively expressing its opposition in such an insulting way. Time is so short (the festival doors would open in 20 days), and we reserve our right for the disclosure of documents and evidence in the near future but for now we would like to summarize the case to you, the festival participant.
If you take the time to examine the preparation for over a year now, the artists involved, the support from the global trance family worldwide and the unconditional involvment of numerous other trance organizations you should clearly be able to see that no scam or con was intended. This remains a genuine case of a party organizers worst nightmare, the cancellation of an event within a timeline that has major impact on all involved. We are truly sorry for the difficulties which have been created for all artists, guests, associates, agencies, ambassadors and of course to you, our real supporters. We know this is not easy for anybody. The case is now out of the control of the organizers and will be discussed in Tanzania PARLIAMENT shortly. Until then, the organizers where told to be carefull in where they are based, what they say and what they write!
The known New Order wants to impose new conditions of the game. A game that aims to harm our personal freedoms and our way of expression. Once again, we apologize for the inconvience, and we remain committed to the psychedelic trance scene and its promotion into the future.
For those that think that we are a big corporation, that has loads of cash on the side, for cases like this:
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE TRANCE FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD, that is not based on presale money (together with personal investments) to help this kind of organizations. All fest organizations WORLWIDE spend presale tickets money to pay all that has to be paid in advance (flyers, artist fee, plane tickets and so on...). They don't keep it safe somewhere just in case they had to cancel! Also we are not the first or the last festival, that has faced this kind of attacks, the list of same incidents in the past is LONG! We will release even some of our paid invoices so you can understand where your money and our (personal) money were spend. The organization has spend over 300.000 euro when the ticket sales income was not more than 200.000 euro (about 1500 tickets and not everything delivered to us, just about 65%). All artists and crew were booked long in advance and their flights paid too. of course, we have the responsibility for our people and thats why we are here to solve the situation. We have many plans going on about refunds, swapping tickets with other festivals (or at a discount rate) and even organizing various small festivals (in the next 2 monts) in different countries where the ticket holders (if they choose to) they will be able to enter for free with their Mafia tickets and much more. More for these actions in the next days will be released in our website (www.mafiadancefestival.com)
I read in forums now people saying that the Mafia festival was a scam from the begining. I'm a bit dissapointed by how some people react (still only just few of you). And it's not the fist time.
As soon as a promoter try to make a little bit of money (or just try not to lose some!), many people start saying their are bloody capitalists doing commercial parties, betraying the trance spirit and so on...Then, as soon as there is a problem, they expect them to act like they were big corporations backed with vast amount of money (like when you buy something at your supermarket, it's supposed to work. If not, you bring it back and get a refund).
Our scene is small, not based in sponsors but based on ALL of US and our contribution to the scene.
We are indeed, working on different ways to refund people for their money spend on tickets.
Already ambassadors are refunding tickets from different periods (All periods) and we are willing to give a solution for everyone, as you are truly our supporters and family.
We are still positive and we will fight to prove who we are and what we do, to those who want the societies hypnotized and subordinate. The struggle continues ...
More to come ... more to be announced....more to be released... this is not the end...
One Love
Mafia Dance Festival Team
  DJ Dovla | Interchill Records, Flow Records
www.dovla.info |
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DETOX
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
296
Posts :
6194
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 01:49
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For me the image of the whole thing is clear now and i will say things as i undestand them.
1) This festival was not a fraud or a scam neither anyone of the organisers intented to steal any money from anyone. It turned out to be badly organised on the basis of legal licensing and bureaucracy which is ofcourse the responsibility of the organisers in any case.
2) The MDF team probably has a signed license but as Mike also stated this came from the local authorities which i know and he also knows because he is a smart person and this is not the first time that he organises a big festival that has no power at all when problems arise. Mike got the license in the first place and felt safe with it because probably he never considered anyone would create a big problem with this festival and he probably underestimated the Tanzanian authorities plus ignored some facts like the upcoming elections in October and the religious time in August. He should have hired a good local lawyer who would advice him 2 years ago (maybe even more) which were the full and proper licenses he needed for such a project to be bulletproof and approved from all sides, seems like he didnt think of that and unfortunately this was his one and big mistake. A local license is ok when you do something small in a specific area (like a party for 100 people maybe) but when it comes to an international festival a local license is useless since the mayor and the local council cant protect you when the police, justice authorities and higher political authorities intervene.
3) A lot of money have been invested on this project both from presale tickets and personal investments and savings, these money are 90% lost and i can understand that MDF organisation is not and will not be in the position to refund the first and second presale period ticket holder whose money have been invested on the festival (promotion,air tickets,artists advances,etc etc). The only people that might get their money back are the third and last period ticket holders mainly because their money are still in the hands of the embassadors and havent been spend anywhere by the organisers. Yes this is very sad for the people (not so much for the festival tickets but mostly for the air tickets money that will be lost) but unfortunately this shit happens and will happen again in the future.
To sum it up in a few words, this event WAS NOT a fraud from the beggining, the organisers didnt do a good job with the licensing and legal part of the festival, people from first two presale periods shouldnt expect a money refund, and last but not least this is a good (though unfortunate) lesson that its not easy to organise a festival in a foreign country when you are a foreigner yourself because the authorities will always look at you as an outsider and you will face more difficulties than a local citizen would face if he decided to do exactly the same things.
Nothing more to add from my side except my sympathy for the organisers and people who lost money from this festival.
Toodaloo Motherfuckers!!!!! |
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Beat Agency
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
53
Posts :
1752
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 11:16
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Oh so all should be forgiven and just dandy and let's support Mike & Co. next adventure (called utopia) in a few years time?
Here are some facts too.
Mistake no. 1
The organizers did every attempt to get into a fight with some local lodge owners behaving very unprofessional and IMO extremely rude and disrespecting.
Mistake no. 2
The organizer has all along claimed they had a permission yet they have, when asked many times since march, failed to proof they indeed had such a permission. In this new statement they claim they have it but has yet again not shown it to anyone.
Mistake no. 3 (And this is the worse one and why I call it a scam).
The organizer kept receiving people's money, promoting the event making people buy flight tickets (many non refundable), planning their holidays, buying equipment etc. well knowing this Festival would not happen. I have no doubt in my mind they knew from at least late March when they had the huge fight with the Lodge owner. But they did not stop and people lost tons of money.
Mistake no.4
The organizer knew from the start (a year ago) that this was a very religious Island where 99% are Muslims and that August month is RAMADAN. They could also not fail to notice that Ramadan is on the 11th and that there would be many preparation from 1st of August for this very important religious tradition. Yet they pushed on to have a RAVE in a Muslim Island in the month of Ramadan.
Now we are told by you Detox that those who paid the tickets in the first period probably will not receive a refund. You call it sad. I call it a SCAM and sorry for not buying into the wild fantasy that people can get their Mafia tickets exchanged into another Festival ticket.I doubt that will happen as I doubt other Festivals want to loose money in entrance fees to help out Mike & Co.
And yes I am still here and speak my mind no matter how much some of you dislike it. It's a free world with free speech 
www.beatagency.dk |
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Dovla
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
43
Posts :
748
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 12:01
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@beat agency ...could you please say something you haven't already said 10 times? free speech is one thing, spamming the same arguments over and over is lame, you've made your point and I'm sure everyone has read it 10 times by now
DJ Dovla | Interchill Records, Flow Records
www.dovla.info |
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Beat Agency
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
53
Posts :
1752
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 12:34
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As long as you guys keep posting Mike's words with no questions raised I will be on the other side telling a different story. To balance things. We have also read your (as in those who still stand behind Mike & Co) points many many times. Nothing new is said there too www.beatagency.dk |
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aje
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
99
Posts :
1145
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 12:39
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DETOX summed it up perfectly, IMHO. A fair and balnced overview of the shit that went down.
I am one of the first period ticket holders who wasnt gonna go anyways because I cant make it, so I dedicate my 100 Euros to the organizers. I dont want it back, please use it Mike to get out of all the trouble you got yourself into.
As a general rule of thumb in my life I am always much more appreciative of those who try to make something happen and fail for whatever reason than those who sit on their ass, do nothing, and complain. And as far as I can tell Mike had the best of intentions, he was just maybe not very smart about it and had some bad luck.
But, if it weren`t for people like Mike who take some risks sometimes, there wouldnt be any parties, particularly in cool far-away locations, we would all be dancing around in our basements drinking cheap beers and looking at the same drunken faces we see all year around. When I forked over those 100 Euros for a party in Tanzania, I was totally aware of all the risks involved and gave it a 20% chance that i would actually end up dancing on a beach in Tanzania, for one because I didnt know what my schedule would look like in 10 months time, and also because I was aware that there is a huge probability that this party wouldn`t happen. I was right on both counts, I cant make it and the party doesnt happen.
Anyways, Ozora here I come, that is a 100% safe bet, all the time 
Check out my album: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/gay-satanic-hippie-tiefenrausch |
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dave arc-i
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
179
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 13:10
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But it wasnt bad luck though was it?
Reading what Mike said to that hotelier on his blog ensured he pissed the guy off and that guy was far better connected to the people that really counted and needed being onside.
Mike sabotaged himself and the festival, I am sure he didnt do it deliberately as that would have been real stupid, just like being rude to the hotelier was.
I am sure there is room in there for a conspiracy theory that Mike was maybe clever enough to know this because he has already posted that they have spent 75,000 euros over the ticket sales, MAYBE he is clever enough with numbers to realise he had already fucked up way back then?
BUT as I dont do conspiracy theories I obviously wouldnt be thinking that, no not at all.
I have no suggestion as to what he would have been trying to achieve but what he did achieve is a festival that hasnt happened and a little bit of foresight before being rude might have prevented this getting to where it is now. Some people in Tanzania might interpret the being rude as typical white colonialist attitude in full flow and get a little annoyed.
It annoyed me and I am neither the hotelier nor somebody from Tanzania.
www.makedavefamous.com |
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Dovla
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
43
Posts :
748
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 13:32
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@aje I agree on pretty much everything you said...looking forward to Ozora as well
DJ Dovla | Interchill Records, Flow Records
www.dovla.info |
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Tris
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
296
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 16:56
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FROM MDF PROMOTERS :
July 14th, 2010 / 11 pm
-----------------------------------------
Mikes Statement
In recent weeks, coordinated attacks by politicians and para-political bodies and also by dark nuclei and competitors in Tanzania have contributed to the situation we all now find ourselves in. These attacks, designed to discredit the festival and to present the participants as monsters, addicts, homosexuals and to show the organizers of the festival as a corruption of society and youth. On the pretext of homosexuality and the destruction of the environment (although the organization applied a huge Sustainability Project to preserve the natural environment of Mafia and was taking part in the "Greener Festival Awards" for this reason), this nucleus tried to destroy the base created by the organizers together with the local authorities of Mafia and the Central Government for the smooth running of the festival.
In a political sensitive time, and taking advantage of the ignorance of many politicians with regards the organization of such festivals, the enemies of freedom and development decided to hit below the waist. With a series of letters to various institutions of central government, mafia authorities and other parliament members (MPs), they persistently tried to stop the festival and unfortunately made it, based finally on the religious state of most people of Tanzania and the overlapping slightly of a major religious event (even though that was never been a problem for the authorities before). The National Arts Council (BASATA), responsible for the authorization of all events taking place in Tanzania, were asked to answer to Parliament for its support for the festival, although the benefits of Tanzania, Mafia and people are non-questionable. This is precisely the reason the Tanzanian authorities originally embraced the principle of the festival and provided a green light for us to proceed, acknowledging the benefits of MDF. Unfortunately, as a result of the ill-intended efforts of the aforementioned groups, extreme racism and xenophobia have been created, and the relevant authorities of Tanzania and particularly the National Art Council (Basata) decided to revoke our local license that had been issued for the Mafia Dance Festival.
These people have even launched a website saying that they will move with the above mention actions in order to stop the festival and now the same people thru blogs etc, try to convince all of you that this was a scam! Remember, these people are not locals but rich colonials acting on their own intrerest and definaltely not on behalf of the local society. Since according to them this festival was never supposed to happen and we all “know” that for months now, they were attacking us and doing campaings in Mafia villages (where they failed big time), in internet and in parliament. Do u attack something that doesnt exist and is a scam? Please think!
All residents of Mafia expected the festival with great anticipation, because this would be something that will change and significantly improve their lives.The landowners of the area, where the festival would be held, an area located between the villages Kanga and Bweni, north of Mafia, had to deliver early to Mafia authorities all the documents of ownership property and area consent for the organization of the land. All preparations were in the final stages of completion ie. transportation, catering, sound, deco, crew, generators, safari tents (etc etc) and most importantly the safety of all the participants. The production team of the festival is in Tanzania since December 2009 along with the organizers of the festival and numerous members of the production crew arrived June 2010 to work at the venue of the festival.
Even the sound system has been shipped from South Africa a few weeks ago and its on the way to Tanzania! Materials, contructions etc are all at Mafia Island, and were ready to be transport to the site, so that together with the final preparations (wc,showers) we would be ready to open the gates on 27 july. We will be releasing pictures from the venue, crew, materials etc. Decoration and almost all the festival gear is inside the container that is coming from SA (incl sound) and wil arrive in Dar es Salaam soon, if we dont find a way to stop it in another port before Tanzania. Do u believe we would do all that if the festival was a scam? Please think that this sounds like a bad joke!
I want you to know that all this happened in the last 2 weeks and they called us in BASATA office to announce the cancelation only last Monday. We notified you, the valued participant within 48 hours of the decision, this is clearly not the actions of someone trying to perpetuate a scam.
The attacking group, did everything at this exact time on purpose, as they knew that the reaction time would be to short to save the festival. They proved clearly to me, that they wanted to fuck all of us and our customers too, as they could stop it before (as it seems now, they could) but they let it reach this point to make more harm to everyone inlolved and to make sure that not even a last attempt would be possible in the time remaining to rescue the festival. (dont forget in Africa things go very very slow). Rather than place all of you at further risk the incredibly difficult decision was made to cancel the festival.
The local community Bweni next to which the festival would be held, had given written permission, acknowledging the benefits from the organization of Mafia Dance festival. This was the permission that were asked to show to Mafia Authorities, for the fest to go on from their side. We had agreed even the charity program that will apply to the community and many ancillary partnerships and alliances with residents of surrounding areas. Still, the police of Mafia island, had supervised the area and gave the approval for the conduct of the festival.
Unfortunately, once again, and at this battle ground of our planet, our scene and our family are facing unproper and coordinated attacks.We reserve the right of lawsuites for everyone involved in the case and we intend to release even more details on the what and how they brought the organization to this point. Therefore, you can rest assured that we are fully aware "who" and "why" this group of people is actively expressing its opposition in such an insulting way. Time is so short (the festival doors would open in 20 days), and we reserve our right for the disclosure of documents and evidence in the near future but for now we would like to summarize the case to you, the festival participant.
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Tris
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
296
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 16:56
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If you take the time to examine the preparation for over a year now, the artists involved, the support from the global trance family worldwide and the unconditional involvment of numerous other trance organizations you should clearly be able to see that no scam or con was intended. This remains a genuine case of a party organizers worst nightmare, the cancellation of an event within a timeline that has major impact on all involved. We are truly sorry for the difficulties which have been created for all artists, guests, associates, agencies, ambassadors and of course to you, our real supporters. We know this is not easy for anybody. The case is now out of the control of the organizers and will be discussed in Tanzania PARLIAMENT shortly. Until then, the organizers where told to be carefull in where they are based, what they say and what they write!
The known New Order wants to impose new conditions of the game. A game that aims to harm our personal freedoms and our way of expression. Once again, we apologize for the inconvience, and we remain committed to the psychedelic trance scene and its promotion into the future.
For those that think that we are a big corporation, that has loads of cash on the side, for cases like this:
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE TRANCE FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD, that is not based on presale money (together with personal investments) to help this kind of organizations. All fest organizations WORLWIDE spend presale tickets money to pay all that has to be paid in advance (flyers, artist fee, plane tickets and so on...). They don't keep it safe somewhere just in case they had to cancel! Also we are not the first or the last festival, that has faced this kind of attacks, the list of same incidents in the past is LONG! We will release even some of our paid invoices so you can understand where your money and our (personal) money were spend. The organization has spend over 300.000 euro when the ticket sales income was not more than 200.000 euro (about 1500 tickets and not everything delivered to us, just about 65%). All artists and crew were booked long in advance and their flights paid too. of course, we have the responsibility for our people and thats why we are here to solve the situation. We have many plans going on about refunds, swapping tickets with other festivals (or at a discount rate) and even organizing various small festivals (in the next 2 monts) in different countries where the ticket holders (if they choose to) they will be able to enter for free with their Mafia tickets and much more. More for these actions in the next days will be released in our website (www.mafiadancefestival.com)
I read in forums now people saying that the Mafia festival was a scam from the begining. I'm a bit dissapointed by how some people react (still only just few of you). And it's not the fist time.
As soon as a promoter try to make a little bit of money (or just try not to lose some!), many people start saying their are bloody capitalists doing commercial parties, betraying the trance spirit and so on...Then, as soon as there is a problem, they expect them to act like they were big corporations backed with vast amount of money (like when you buy something at your supermarket, it's supposed to work. If not, you bring it back and get a refund).
Our scene is small, not based in sponsors but based on ALL of US and our contribution to the scene.
We are indeed, working on different ways to refund people for their money spend on tickets.
Already ambassadors are refunding tickets from different periods (All periods) and we are willing to give a solution for everyone, as you are truly our supporters and family.
We are still positive and we will fight to prove who we are and what we do, to those who want the societies hypnotized and subordinate. The struggle continues ...
More to come ... more to be announced....more to be released... this is not the end...
One Love
Mafia Dance Festival Team
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B3nj@min
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
7
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 17:18
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don't get it by surprise but same organizers did the same thing some years ago 5 or so, with presale tickets for a party that supposed to take place in Lootraki and guess what ,they cancel it.
A friend of mine got a ticket for that event ,never got his money back.
Don't fooled but surely they will come up for some new con events ;/
Sola Luna was the first samothraki 2001 wich was in my opinion one of the best events I've ever been to.
Samothraki was cool too.
Samothraki 2003 was a piece of crap ,how stupid they are they let the cops in to the camp, arresting people and searching the tents and shit.
Next one samothraki dance festival other name and now finally the biggest one mafia dance fakestival.
I was kinda curious why no one from twisted records
was not booked for that one.??
Be careful at the future ...
peace out ;] |
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Beat Agency
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
53
Posts :
1752
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 17:33
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@ Tris
I am sure everybody read the statment the first time it was posted here just before you by Dovla
www.beatagency.dk |
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Tris
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
296
Posted : Jul 15, 2010 21:28
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Ah, yes, sorry.
I didn't see it.
If someone can just delete my 2 posts...... |
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Meisha
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
4
Posted : Jul 16, 2010 07:58
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We're mounting a LEGAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THESE WANKERS as there is ample evidence to suggest there never was a Party: THEIR NAMES FOR YOUR INFORMATION ARE: Mike Athanassakis, Mike Simopoulos and Marios Ekseiriou. All three of whom are known to the authorities in Greece for various criminal offences and petty crime. Better the LAW then us as we are definitely unforgiving!!! |
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Meisha
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
4
Posted : Jul 16, 2010 08:05
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These parasites have been lying since day one there never was a party nor was there any intended. They have just done a runner and are hoping for the storm to weather out . In addition the artists have not been paid. Twisted, 3D Vision Rec, Neurobiotic, Etnicanet, Ambivalent Records,Iboga Records have confirmed that they have not been paid.
SO WHERE ARE OUR REFUNDS YOU PETTY THIEVES, IT ONLY GOES TO SHOW THE MENTAL CAPACITY THAT YOU CARRY TO CARRY OUT SUCH A PATHETIC SCAM!!!! These people are the epitomy
of FAILURE, they have nothing else...they do not work,nor have a stable job NOTHING!!
They are well known in Greece for owing monies and generally living the life of beggers. ( not that there is anything wrong with beggers bless them) But these wankers live on the principle of screwing people over. Well not anymore, we are taking legal action against them and will report them to the relevant authorities both in Greece and abroad. |
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- Free Parking
- ChillOut Area
- VJ
- Deco
- Eco Friendly
- Children Zone
- Workshops/Market
- Water Access
- Transportation
- Discounted Presale