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Like every spring for the past 6 years, Athens Science Festival returns this year at Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens from 3 to 7 April! For five days, we will enjoy an exciting world, comprised by various small as well as great wonders of science and technology through speeches, exhibitions, workshops and interactive exhibitions suitable for people of all age groups. From ASF2019 multifaceted program here are 10 + 1 activities that you should not miss!


1. An Astronaut at Athens Re-Science Festival

Space veteran and NASA retired astronaut Clayton C. Anderson has had the unique opportunity to spent 167 days floating over the Blue Planet, to understand its fragility and to admire the beauty of the Earth! In his talk at the Athens Re-Science Festival 2019, he will embark with us on an exciting journey beyond the limits of our planet, with photos taken during his expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), reflections about life onboard the United States’ most complex technical achievement, but also a “mock game of Jeopardy on world geography.

Title: For the beauty of the Earth // Date & Time: Sunday 7 April 2019, 20.00 Clayton C. Anderson’s talk will take place with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens.


2. Racial & Gender Bias in AI Systems

Can Artificial Intelligence systems become subjects of racial or gender-based prejudice? Should we be worried or are there effective ways to ensure the principles of equality? Alexander Fefegha invites us to talk about issues which will concern us all very soon.

Title: Racial and gender bias in AI systems // Date & Time: Saturday 6 April 2019, 20.30 Alexander Fefegha’s talk will take place with the support of the British Council. Interactive Exhibition


3. Czech Innovation Expo or in Other Words… An Invisible Exhibition

An exhibition which combines interactive audiovisual art with virtual reality (VR) and aspires to travel us through the 100 years of Czech Republic's achievements in the fields of research and science and also to introduce to us the new generation of Czech scientists, researchers and innovative entrepreneurs.

Title of action: Czech Innovation Expo || Date: 3-7 April || With the support of the Czech Center in Athens.


4. Portable Digital Planetarium - Planetarium on the Go

Do you want to see the starry sky as you’ve never seen it before, through a unique audio-visual educational experience? You’re in the right place! In this year’s Athens Re-Science Festival, 8 astronomy documentaries by Planetarium on the Go (Portable Digital Planetarium) will take you on a fascinating journey of space exploration. The Planetarium’s hemispherical shaped screen, 6 meters in diameter, projects images on the entire inner surface of the dome- surrounding viewers and creating an amazing experience of full immersion! Activity

Title: From the Earth to the Universe || Date: 6-7 April || With the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens.


5. A Trip to the Science of Meteorology

Visitors of Athens Science Festival should be prepared for a “stormy” and thrilling journey to the science of meteorology, as the scientific partners of the National Observatory of Athens and the meteorological team of meteo.gr, will show them the most interesting aspects of climate and weather phenomena. How are lightnings created? How can we predict the weather by seeing only the clouds? How likely is it to see a hurricane in Greece? What does climate mean and what does it really mean about climate change? Activity

Title: Weather Mysteries… || Date: 3-7 April || Organization: SA TITAN Cements, National Observatory of Athens / Meteorological Scientific Team of meteo.gr


6. The New Exciting Escape Room of The Athens Re-Science Festival

At this year’s Athens Re-Science Festival escape room, humanity is in danger! A series of industrial accidents have poisoned water resources around the world. People drink heavily contaminated water without even knowing it. You and your team must take action! You must create a microorganism that can detect poisonous water and warn people not to drink it. Enter the American Synthetic Biology Laboratories, transform DNA, create a new microorganism and save life on Earth! Activity

Title: Save life on Earth || Date: 3-7 April || Curation: Philippos Tourlomoussis, MIT With the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens. Workshops for kids and for adults


7. The Tower of Creativity!

Dr. Kristóf Fenyvesi, of Hungarian origin, the founder of the Experience Workshop International STEAM Movement (Hungary-Finland), brings into the Athens Re-Science festival some of the unique STEAM activities he has created. During this unique workshop, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a social design project. Warka Water tower is a social design by the Italian architect, Arturo Vittori. The tower was designed so as to provide assistance to Ethiopia’s population in its everyday challenges and specifically their quest for drinking water. Through this workshop, participants will be able to connect the digital modeling with a hands-on activity, thus to become sources of collaborative problem-solving group effort so as to develop creativity and to boost imagination. Activity

Title: Tower of problem-solving and creativity! || Date & time: Saturday 6 April, 12.00 || The workshop will take place with the support of the Hungarian Embassy and Business Grove. Labs for Adults


8. Create 3D Games and Scare Them!

What are the stages of creating a ... terrifying 3D horror game interest? How do we create script and plot? What properties do we give to the characters? These and more will be learned with the help of Unity, the world's most widespread gaming platform. Activity

Title: 3D Horror: from A to Death || Date & Time: Saturday April 6, 15.00 || Organization: SAE Creative Media Education Performances


9. Stand Up Science

For one more year, Science Reactors team will present us with humorous stories as it aspires to show us that science improves our lives through smiling and enjoyable narratives. New skits related to the theme of Athens Re-Science Festival for a sustainable planet and of course re-thinking over the three basic concepts: re-use, re- cycle, reduce.

Event Title: Stand up Science: Science stories and comedy || Date & Time: Friday 5 April, 21.30 || Organized by: Science Reactors


10. FameLab: Final Stage of The Competition:

Ten young people who stood out from the preliminary stage of the FameLab 2019 international competition, will have three minutes to present to the judges a scientific subject of their choice. The charismatic winner of the night will represent our country at FameLab International this June in the UK.

Event Title: FameLab competition || Date & Time: Saturday 6 April, 21.30 || Organization: British Council and The HUB Events, οn the occasion of British Council’s 80 years anniversary celebrations in Greece.

11: Bring Your Old Sneakers With You and Donate Them

During ASF2019, a special sports shoe collection and a re-use bin will be installed to ensure the right to sports, even for those who are not able to buy a pair of sneakers.

Activity Title: Let them run again for a good cause || Date: 3-7 April || Organization: Institute for the World || The program is under the auspices of the Hellenic Olympic Committee.
 

XpatAthens Is A Proud Media Sponsor Of The Athens Science Festival 


Saturday, 30 March 2019 13:29

Eat Smart Challenge

Get inspired and explore food and the way you eat!

The Embassy of Sweden in Athens and Impact HUB are collaborating with the Swedish Institute in Stockholm on an Eat Smart Challenge. 

The purpose of this challenge is to encourage awareness about food and its effect on the environment. Challenge yourself along with your friends to make daily changes in your food habits. During seven days and seven inspiring challenges, you will explore how to eat more sustainably.

Welcome to join and share your experience with others via social media.

Sign up HERE! 

Why? The way food is  produced, consumed and wasted impacts our lives, our communities and the planet. There is huge potential to make the food system smarter by changing the way we eat. And there is a lot we can learn from each other!

Who can join? Everyone! You sign up as an individual participant, but you are encouraged to involve friends and family in our challenges. You only need a Facebook account to share your insights with your friends on social media.

How? During the campaign week, April 8–14, one challenge will be announced daily. The challenges are fun and easy to do! You share your take on the challenge by posting a photo, video or text on the Eat Smart Challenge Facebook page

The Eat Smart Challenge is part of Food for Tomorrow, a three-year initiative organised by the Swedish Institute (www.si.se).
Monday, 28 January 2019 12:22

Athens Quinta Hostel

Athens Quinta Hostel is a wonderful, recently renovated neoclassical building, in one of the most interesting and trendy neighborhoods of Athens.

An architectural jewel in the city centre with vintage decoration and retro aesthetics based on unique art objects.

Everything is old, everything is authentic, everything has a story to tell.

The crystal ashtrays, the elaborate frames, the marble tables, the heavy wooden furniture and, of course, the fer forge of ‘the mother’ in the fairytale inner courtyard of the building make your stay different from what you have experienced so far. As for your day and night outs, it is located in the most artistic and lively corner of the city, just a few minutes from the tube.
Everyone knows that we Greeks love music; in joy and in sadness, we sing! And truth be told there’s a great number of music genres to accompany all moods and mind states. There’s folk songs, rebetika, laika, entexna (sophisticated music), as well as mainsteam music like pop & rock.
 
The two golden decades of the 50’s and 60’s produced great composers, distinguished performers, and some of the best Greek songs that were ever written.
 
Undeniably, one of the most recognizable Greek tunes worldwide is that of the song ‘Τα Παιδιά του Πειραιά’ (The Children of Piraeus). The song was first performed by Melina Merkouri, in Jule’s Dassin’s film ‘Never on Sunday’ and fascinated cinema & music lovers all over the world. Furthermore, this song earned Manos Hadjidakis an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1960. Since the 60’s ‘Τα Παιδιά του Πειραιά’ has been sung by various artists such as Nana Mouskouri, Pink Martini, and even Miss Piggy from the Muppet Show!
 
Discover more Greek songs that became international hits, here: omilo.com
Following the growing trend towards artist-run initiatives in the global art scene, FokiaNou Art Space will take part in an international art fair specifically for artist-run spaces, presenting the exhibition “FokiaNou Goes to Supermarket”, curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. FokiaNou will exhibit nine of its artists at Supermarket 19, Stockholm Independent Art Fair, in Stockholm, Sweden, 4-7 April, 2019. Initiated and run mostly by artists since 2007, Supermarket Art Fair is a showcase for independent, artist-run spaces all over the world, providing international exposure and the opportunity for collaboration and networking to such spaces. The fair has hosted exhibitors from more than 60 countries, becoming one of Sweden’s biggest art events, and has firmly established Stockholm on the art world map. In addition to the main exhibition, which takes place at Sickla Front, Uddvagen, the fair hosts a Talks and Performances program, meetings and networking events, and offers an internationally distributed Supermarket Art Magazine. https://supermarketartfair.com

FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in an intimate, small apartment in an old building in Athens. FokiaNou encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, and promotes the local art community. Founded in 2014, the non-commercial space hosts exhibitions, workshops, talks and performances under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. This is the first time an Athens initiative will participate in the fair, and also the first time FokiaNou Art Space will participate in an international event. At Supermarket 2019 FokiaNou presents artists whose work reflects the current climate in Athens: diverse, creative, difficult but at the same time optimistic. John Bicknell, Mary Cox, Panajotis Daramaras, Sarah Ettlinger, Jane Grover, Nikos Podias, Ioanna Terlidou, Iliana Theodoropoulou, and Panagiotis Voulgaris will show work ranging from painting to art books, textiles, video, and mixed media. http://www.fokianou247.gr

Participating Artists: John Bicknell, Mary Cox, Panajotis Daramaras, Sarah Ettlinger, Jane Grover, Nikos Podias, Ioanna Terlidou, Iliana Theodoropoulou, and Panagiotis Voulgaris
The Council of the Space Research Committee (COSPAR) has selected Athens to host the 44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly – also known as “Space Olympics”. The scientific assembly is scheduled to take place in the Greek capital from 16 to 24 July 2022.
 
The other candidate cities for the 2022 “Space Olympics” were Lausanne, Warsaw, and Prague. Athens was chosen at the 42nd COSPAR Assembly in Pasadena, California, where more than 3,300 space scientists from around the world had gathered.
 
COSPAR’s international assembly is hosted, on a different continent, every two years. The 2022 assembly in Athens is expected to draw about 4,000 scientists from research centers and universities from around the world, as well as delegates of major international space agencies.
 
Greece’s candidacy for the 44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly was prepared by the Space Research and Technology Bureau of the Academy of Athens and was actively supported by the City of Athens, the Ministries of Tourism and of Digital Policy, all the Universities and Research Institutions in the country, private and public entities, and Greek scientists from across the globe.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To read this article in full, please visit: ellines.com
Tuesday, 26 March 2019 13:27

Traditional Greek Dance At Pallas Theatre

I’ll lay on your handkerchief, three virtues of the world,

the Sun, and the Wind and the glowing Moon

The folk dancing lab (Theatriko Ergastiri) of the municipality of Nea Ionia, makes a comeback at the Pallas Theatre, after 25 years with a special dancing performance inspired from role of the handkerchief in the ethimical life and based on the axis of the greek traditional dances.

Over than 140 dancers are accompanied by musicians and singers and approach the use of the handkerchief in different aspects of the traditional culture. Through the dancing, the songs, the re-enactment of cultural events, the stories, the games as well as the ethimical practices, the audience will be able to come closer to the real protagonist of this performance, the handkerchief, unravelling the symbolisms related to it.

The supervisors of this performance are Dimitris Mitsis and Mantha Ziva, while the dancers will be accompanied by the musicians: Yiannis Pavlopoulos, Thodoris Tassoulas, Kostas Mitsios, Yiannis Yevyielis, Maria Anamaterou, Dimitris Varelopoulos, Theodoros Kouelis, Vagelis Psathas, Nikos Psathas, Dimitris Bakos, Yiorgos Mavridis, Kostas Fotiadis, Fokas Mourtzakis, Panayiotis Koutouzos, Dimitris Katsivelos, Thanos Stavridis, Spyros Mantalas, Tassos Gousetis.

Click and HERE and watch an inspiring video about this unique dance performance!

Sunday, 14 April 2019 12:18

YES FORUM 2019

YES Forum says YES to Sea Tourism on Wednesday, 29 May 2019, during the International Conference & Exhibition of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, at Domotel Kastri Conference Center – Kifissia, 14.00-19.00.

The YES Forum is the leading platform for open dialogue in the Greek Shipping and Sea Tourism Industries among principals, executives, university students, recent graduates and young executives, which takes place under the auspices of the Ministries of Shipping, Education, Tourism and the majority of Greek Universities.  Among the topics to be discussed are sea tourism, cruising and yachting in Greece, challenging and profitable sectors, which present a variety of professional opportunities for young people. Delegates will once again be able to submit their questions during registration and at the Forum.

Panel Moderator will be: Mr. Minas Tsamopoulos, Journalist – Proto Thema Newspaper

The YES to Sea Tourism Forum will also enable executives from the shipping industry to create networking corners with the following topics: Technical and Operations Departments of a Shipping Company, Startups, Innovation, Technology & Maritime Cluster, giving young people the chance to engage with them and ask questions in reference to the above mentioned sectors.

Participation at the YES to Sea Tourism Forum will be free of charge. Submit your questions and register HERE!


XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of YES FORUM

Trivago, the well-known hotel search engine, recently announced the national winners of the “trivago Awards” 2019.

“As a leading global hotel metasearch with data on millions of aggregated guest ratings, we are well positioned to identify the top-rated hotels that are delivering exceptional guest experiences,” said Johannes Thomas, trivago Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer.

“At the same time, being a digital marketing channel used by hundreds of thousands of hoteliers around the world enables us to recognize the hotels that are embracing technology and excelling online. The trivago Awards give us the chance to honor the hard-working and forward-looking hoteliers behind these exemplary hotels,” he added.

Among the winning hotels are: the five-star Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites on Rhodes, the four-star Rocabella Mykonos Hotel, the three-star Saint Vlassis hotel on Naxos island.

To read the full list of awarded Greek hotels, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
As announced in a recent press conference that the Goulandris Art Museum will open in just a few months, on October 1st, with a series of celebratory events.

Ship-owner Basil Goulandris and his wife Elise were active members of the art scene in Athens and Paris. Through their dedication to the arts and their travels, they accumulated an amazing collection of contemporary art that includes masterpieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, and Claude Monet, as well as many prominent Greek artists.
 
The first plans for the museum of contemporary art of the B&E Goulandris Foundation were announced in 1992. Now, years after their death, the opening day of October 1st has been announced and it seems the museum will fulfil their dream.
 
Kyriakos Koutsomallis, the couple’s nephew said: “The goal is to create a museum that’s open to all – young and old, rich and poor, connoisseurs and amateurs.”
 
Many of these priceless works of art that previously hung in the couple’s private homes will find their new home in a large space on Eratosthenous street in Pangrati. Spread over 11 floors and more 7,000 square meters, the museum is built around an early 20th century building to which new stories have been added. It consists of beautiful exhibition spaces, a workshop space, an art library, a cafe, and an auditorium.
 
This incredible museum aims to become a visitor attraction in Athens – equivalent to some of the leading contemporary art museums in Europe!


To read this article in full, please visit: Greece-Is
Image Credit: B&E Goulandris Foundation
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