According to a decision recently issued by the Ministry of Education, the new academic year will find Greece’s school map largely shrunken. A lot of elementary and preschools around Greece will close, merge or be degraded. According to the decision, 34 public elementary schools and five preschools will be degraded, 27 elementary schools and 13 preschools will merge with other schools, and 32 elementary schools and 89 preschools will close.   more »

There is concern about the ongoing seismic activity on the island of Crete. There have been more than 35 aftershocks since June 15 when a strong earthquake was felt across the island, causing fear to the residents. According to an assessment of the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the earthquake had a 6 Richter magnitude scale with its epicenter at sea, 85 km southeast of Tympakio, 143 km southwest of Ierapetra, and its focal depth was 10 km   more »

Hoping to one day shed the ignominious mantle of the most corrupt country in the European Union, the Greek government said it would file legislation to increase the fines for taking kickbacks and bribes to as much as 50 times the amount of the bribe. The law – which also stipulates the introduction of so-called corruption prosecutors tasked with speeding up existing graft cases – is designed to combat bribe-taking across the state sector, from ministers an...   more »

The dismissal of some 2,600 employees at public broadcaster ERT is likely to be followed up soon by the firing of another 800 civil servants from state organizations which are being merged or scrapped altogether, Kathimerini understands. Seventeen bodies are to be shut down and another 53 will be merged under the government’s plans. This will affect more than 1,300 public servants, of whom about 800 will be sacked, while others who are deemed surplus to re...   more »

It has been reported that 43 new toll stations will be established on the national highways within the next years, a fact that will result in a rapid cost increase for the citizens using the roads. It is expected that prices will triple, as by dividing the kilometers of highways by the number of toll stations, there will be tolls every 23 km.   more »

Here we feature all the community notices we receive about community events, meet-ups, courses (usually free) that are coming up, mainly around Athens but also around Greece. Join fellow expats, and take part in the rich and varied events happening all around you. Send us your community announcements at events@xpatathens.com.   more »

The Greek-Irish Society is honored and delighted to announce a SPECIAL musical event with the world renowned John Feeley on the evening of Wednesday 19th June 2013! We have be arranged a magical evening to listen to this amazing musician (and others) on the 19th June next from 7pm onwards. Come along and support this FANTASTIC and last event of the G.I.S. before we break up for the summer! The venue is the amazingly quaint Art Cafe / Bar called ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗ ΣΤ...   more »

The Athens State Orchestra honours the bicentenary of Verdi's birth with the great composer's Requiem. As prolific as he was popular, Verdi wrote 28 operas, numerous arias from which have become part and parcel of Italian popular culture. His Requiem is frequently performed as a musical commentary on tragic events. Devastated by the death of Alessandro Manzoni, the fiery patriot and Romantic man of letters, Verdi wrote a mass in 1874 for the service marki...   more »

"Fly me to the moon" is the name of the original, youthful and delightful cultural programme, which includes music concerts, performances, happenings, interactive contests. Popular music groups as well as well-known artists... are 'landing' at the airport with the aim to add vitality and imagination to this cultural journey! Starting in May 2013 and continuing till August 2014 the manifold cooperation between the Athens International Airport and ελculture ...   more »

From Friday 5th July for one week, Geoffrey Wallace will be facilitating a week on Mount Pilio (see www.kalikalos.com) of exploring actionable ideas for the next SMALL steps (lots of them) for Greece & beyond.   more »

This beautiful hacienda style villa is located in the ever popular coastal suburb of Lagonisi, just a few minutes walk from the beach and mountains. The accommodation is arranged over numerous levels and incorporates 3 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms in the main house as well as a self contained employees residence.   more »

Luxury new condo in Kifisia for rent by owner. 250 sq m, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large living room and large playroom, 300sq m garden and small pool. Independent heating system, alarm system, fire place, open kitchen, walk in closet, jacuzzi, separate storage and laundry room, closed parking space.   more »

Luxurious new 170 sqm maisonette (2013), 2nd and 3rd floors, in the very quiet REA Ekalis area, bordering with Drosia. The 2nd floor, which is 120 sqm, features a very large living room with fireplace, oak floors and amazing views of the Rhea forest. On this level you'll also find a sizable separate kitchen, one master bedroom with oak flooring and an additional WC. The 3rd floor, which is 50 sqm and can be reached by an internal staircase, features 2 bedr...   more »

Constructed in 1994 this large independent villa is located in a quiet cul d sac close to the coastal area of Lagonisi. Occupying 3 floors this well laid out villa has plenty of space for a large family and boasts a wonderful swimming pool and garden.   more »

This 2 bedroom furnished apartment is situated in an ideal location just one minute walk from Voula center with access to shops tavernas transport links and only a short walk to the sea front. The property is well maintained and enjoys a good size living room with tasteful classic furniture with a door leading to a very large balcony with views over the beautiful communal gardens and huge communal swimming pool.   more »

On Friday, June 21st, we all celebrate the five years of continuous cultural offering by Piano Plus Festival at the Theater of Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, at 7:30 in the evening in a unique musical marathon featuring numerous classical music artists, choir and orchestra ensembles, and students from the Department of Music of Ionian University. Artists and ensembles participating: Eftichis Bletsas (Chef, writer, producer), Helen Voudouraki (Mezzo Soprano...   more »

The Interwar period, which mirrors our own time in many ways, is a constant source of inspiration for the Kunigunda Theatre Group. Following their Interwar performance at the Katakouzenos House Museum, the Company now presents a freely-adapted version of the Alfred Döblin novel Berlin Alexanderplatz, which documents the rise of fascism in Interwar Germany through the tale of a man crushed by the grinding millstone of the system. In a reversal of the basic ...   more »

The high priestess of punk, the figure who changed how women rockers present themselves on stage, the post-Beat poet provocateuse, the musician who’s seen it all and who symbolizes the start of the contemporary New York art scene, is now an all-round artist who has earned – and enjoys – universal respect. Prolific and creative, she writes fascinating books, stages Beat poetry events and – perhaps best of all – records albums as exceptional as Banga, a rece...   more »

On Wednesday June 12th, Fide presents her new album Büyü (magic) in a unique live concert together with contributors and musicians that participate in it at the roof terrace of gazArte. Enjoy an exceptional night of contemporary world and pop music fusion full of songs, composed by Mimis Plessas, Yiotis Kiourtsoglou, Nikos Kypourgos, Armenak Markosyan, Nassos Sopilis, as well as Fide herself, performed live by Fide and a group of distinguished musicians.   more »

Preparations for the second Cuba Festival have already started. The Cuba Festival has already established itself in our event calendars and will be held for the second year in a row in Athens, on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at the Fuzz Live Music Club. The legendary ORISHAS will present their new music project at the event, Cuban Beats All Stars will be there, while other artists are still to be announced!   more »

There are a few food-related chores left to do here on Ikaria before taking off for Athens again, among them collecting and pickling kritama (pl.), or rock samphire, one of the most delicious edible plants on the island. Its colloquial Greek name, kritamo, comes from the ancient Greek word for barley, krithmon, because the seeds of both plants resemble one another. Rock samphire isn’t unique to Greece. Indeed, it grows wild along the coasts of the entire M...   more »

In Greek: πιλάφι, pronounced pee-LAH-fee. There are two kinds of rice dishes in Greece: rice (ryzi) and pilaf (pilafi). Rice is... well, rice, and pilaf is creamy and cooked in broth from freshly boiled chicken or beef. Pilaf is a traditional wedding dish on Crete, where it's made in enormous quantities to feed the often thousands of invited guests.   more »

This is a Greek recipe which is easy to make. Chilopites are traditional Greek egg pasta which can be found in long form, similar to tagliatelle or these are cut into little square pieces, like the ones I have used. If you cannot find chilopites see how you can make them yourselves or you can substitute hilopites with other egg pasta. To make this simple dish not many ingredients are necessary. Greek cooking is based on simple but good quality ingredi...   more »

It's summer in Athens and the chic Italian restaurant Fuga puts you in the summer mood by changing its motif to ‘no jackets required’. This year, Fuga restaurant – at the top of the beautiful gardens behind the Athens Concert Hall – "takes it outdoors" with this outdoor restaurant-Espresso Bar, called Fuga Secret Garden. The new cool Fuga Secret Garden is surrounded by aromatic plants, offering you the choice of chill-out, hipster, casual or fine dining....   more »

I saw them at the market the other day and I couldn’t resist but coming closer. I was drawn to them. They looked slim, tall and incredibly green with a touch of purple and I decided to take some home with me. As soon as I got back, I put them in the fridge; I needed them to stay crisp and cool. The green long spears were standing proud in all their freshness and I dreamed of their nutty flavors and earthy accents. They screamed for something rich and butte...   more »

People were watching us. Staring, actually. My 17-year-old daughter was uncomfortable, as was her mother, my modest and distinctly non-Greek wife. On the other hand, our 16-year-old son, who shares his father’s Zorba-like hamminess, was lapping up the attention. We were walking down the narrow streets of Lidoriki, a small village in the mountains of central Greece. Foreigners are rare here, Americans rarer still.   more »

Kastoria is one of the most interesting cities of Western Macedonia. It has incredible natural beauties, which make it the perfect travel destination all year round. The impressive byzantine monuments and the imposing mansions make Kastoria one of the most traditional and picturesque cities of Greece. The prefecture of Kastoria lies in the northwest part of Greece and the west end of Western Macedonia. More specifically in the middle of the basin that form...   more »

The Vouraikos gorge is a fantastic landscape of towering pinnacles and precipitous rock walls that you can view on an exciting train ride. In addition, a road goes directly from Diakofto to Kalavrita; the spectacular 25-km (15-mi) drive negotiates the east side of the gorge. Diakofto is a peaceful seaside settlement nestled on a fertile plain with dramatic mountains as a background; the village straggles through citrus and olive groves to the sea. If you'r...   more »

The town is of great historic importance to Greece as it was here that the war for independence against 350 years of Turkish occupation began. On 17th March 1821, a banner was raised and allegiance sworn under the motto “Victory or Death” by the various Maniat clan leaders assembled. They then marched to Kardamyli and on to Kalamata. The seven-year struggle had begun. In recognition of this role, the town was renamed Areopolis after Ares, the god of war, i...   more »

Straddling the borders of Albania, Greece and the FYR of Macedonia are the Prespa lakes. Covering a total area of 2,519 km², the region is known for its natural beauty and high biodiversity. Lakes Mikri and Megali Prespa are located at an altitude of approximately 853m., whereas the surrounding mountains reach altitudes of over 2,000 metres. Mikri Prespa is located in Greece, apart from a small part which is located in Albania. Megali Prespa is shared by t...   more »