FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present “Unfolding”, a two-person exhibition by Anastasia Denos and Grigoria Vryttia. The two artists present works that focus on bodies, spirits and materiality. Through different mediums and approaches they conjure both the universal forces and hyperpersonal narratives that flow through the body. Between Denos’ drawings, video/performance, and installation and Vryttia’s textile and found-object sculpture, they jointly evoke the realm between intuition and physicality.

Anastasia Denos is a Los Angeles based multi-media artist. She graduated from Hampshire College, Massachusetts in 2018 where she worked closely under Sara Greenberger Rafferty. Since then she’s been throwing her head against the wall of her Los Angeles studio. Using video performance, dance choreography, sculpture, drawing, and poetry, Denos is interested in the subconcious and the impressions it leaves on objects, architecture, and flesh. She has shown her work at Herter Gallery, Amherst; Non Plus Ultra and Beta Level, Los Angeles; and was chosen to participate in Hauser and Wirth’s online exhibition ‘Homegrown.’

Grigoria Vryttia is an interdisciplinary artist, currently based in Athens. She studied sculpture in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, School of Fine Arts, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and subsequently got an M.F.A. at Wimbledon College of Art, London with a scholarship from the Michelis Foundation. Her work focuses on personal narratives, universality and subjectivity, with strong feminist references. With intuitive processes and fabric and found objects as the main mediums, she creates sculptures that balance between figuration and abstraction, concept and form. They often refer to ideas of childhood, loss, sexuality and death with cryptic references to lived experiences. Works of hers are in private collections internationally.

FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in the intimacy of a small apartment in an old building in the center of Athens. The space encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, thereby promoting and supporting the local art community. The space hosts exhibitions, workshops and projects under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. www.fokianou247.gr

Opening: Saturday 11 September, 18.00
Duration: 11-25 September 2021
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 17.00-20.00

Greece’s pioneering smart mobility project on the island of Astypalea has moved into high gear, with the first Volkswagen electric vehicles undergoing test drives, a special subsidy program being in place, and leading Greek banks rolling out special lending programs to support the project.

The Smart Astypalea Project, announced late last year, is a groundbreaking joint initiative of the Greek state and Volkswagen Group. Serving as a model of sustainable development for other islands, the project aims to replace the existing 1,500 conventionally fueled vehicles on Astypalea with e-vehicles, introduce innovative on-demand mobility services, and promote the use of renewable energy sources.

The first electric vehicles arrived on the island in early June, which also marked the official inauguration of the project, for use by the police, coastguard and at the local airport. More recently, island residents were invited to test drive Volkswagen’s e-up!, ID.3 and ID.4 models of electric vehicles during a three-day event, which drew enthusiastic participation.

The Hellenic Republic has developed “e astypalea” – a special subsidy program for locals, promoting the purchase of electric cars, bicycles, motorcycles, vans and private charging points. In addition to this, two of Greece’s leading banks – National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank – announced that they would make loans available for Astypalea residents transitioning to e-vehicles. The loans are part of a broader lending initiative by Greek banks to provide financing for Greece’s ambitious Green Deal program.

Originally published on EnterpriseGreece

Craving vegetarian food in Athens? You’ve got plenty of choices, from custom-made salads to exotic Middle Eastern dishes.

Note, as of September 13th, indoor dining spaces are accessible only to individuals who are fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery. Read more here.

Not so long ago, if you told a Greek you were vegetarian they’d say: “But you do eat chicken, right?” Lately, Athens has caught up with the global trend for green-and-clean cuisine. From cold-pressed juice bars to beachfront dining and vegetarian-friendly street food joints, here’s where to refuel in the Greek capital.

It


@it_restaurant 

Casually stylish, It offers an imaginative selection of meat-free, low-calorie temptations. Stand-out dishes include mushrooms with asparagus, sweet potato, tahini cream, and linseed, and steamed greens with tomato vinaigrette, pistachios, and mizithra cheese. All served in a funky, split-level space made out of chipboard and upcycled wooden crates.

Location: 29 Skoufa, Kolonaki
Telephone: 21 0363 5773

Baba Ghanoush 


Credit: Baba Ghanoush

There are only a few stools at the counter and a handful of tables outside teeny Baba Ghanoush, just off Pangrati’s lovely Varnava Square. But it’s worth waiting for fresh falafel wraps with house-made harissa, pickles, tahini sauce, and smoky aubergine puree, alongside superb salads (try the roast beets with hummus, mint, and sumac or the carrot, ginger, and sesame). Delicious, welcoming, and amazingly good value.

Location: 25-27 Empedokleous, Pangrati
Telephone: 212 105 0351

Mama Tierra


@mamatierra_restaurant

Close to Panepistimio metro station, Mama Tierra is a bright and basic vegetarian canteen. The eclectic menu is a journey across continents, taking in sweet potato hummus, vegan moussaka, Pad Thai, burritos, and mushroom burgers, washed down with kombucha or green juice. The chocolate, avocado, and date smoothies are a meal in a glass.

Location: 84 Akadimias, Omonia
Telephone: 211 411 4420

Nice n Easy Seaside


Credit: Nice n Easy 

Nice n Easy helped to introduce the notion of “food with a conscience” to Athenians when it launched its first organic restaurant in Kolonaki in the Noughties. Now you can enjoy their fair trade menu on the sandy shores of Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni at Nice n Easy Seaside. Load up on root vegetable wedges with hummus, coriander dressing, pumpkin seeds, and pollen, or sweet potato gnocchi with crispy kale, wild mushrooms, and red wine. Our tip? Visit outside peak summer season and save up to two-thirds on your entry ticket to Astir Beach, Athens’ most exclusive summer playground.

Location: 40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni
Telephone: 210 890 1619

To Vazaki


Credit: To Vazaki

Among the many bars in the studenty suburb of Halandri, To Vazaki is a paradise for health nuts (or hangovers). Alongside a mind-boggling menu of organic superfood smoothies, cold-pressed detox blends, and turmeric almond-milk lattes, you’ll find salads and sourdough sandwiches (try the spinach, avocado, and homemade pesto). This cheerful café decked in rainbow colors is also a lovely spot for a health-conscious breakfast or brunch: options include an acai bowl, chia pudding, and avocado toast.

Location: 33 Aristotelous, Halandri
Telephone: 210 680 0067

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 

 

The new school year is a fact. Along with that come various extracurricular activities. Swimming pool, ballet, football, painting, foreign languages, martial arts, dance. The list can be huge. We want to give our children opportunities, to broaden their horizons so that they have alternatives.

But how many extracurricular activities will they have? How much will they – and you with them – be running around? The COVID-19 quarantines we’ve had have made me reconsider a few things. I’m not saying it was better that we all stayed and worked from home. However, the rhythms of our daily lives have become softer, more humane. We have had more opportunities to get closer to our children and to get to know them better; to recognize their real needs and wants; to give and receive those hugs that we “used to forget” because of all the running around.

So how about thinking a bit differently now that we are back in the “school mode”? Because there is also studying for school. And while some days studying and activities may go well together, most kids rush – and so do you – from activity to activity, and by the time they get home they are extremely tired and sleepy. Then there’s no time to study let alone time for conversation, play, and hugs.

How about rethinking the phrases we, parents, tell them? Phrases like “rush, you don’t have any time left, grab a fruit and go to bed…you have school tomorrow and an early morning wake up”? We certainly don’t want to have them so stressed to do everything (because they do not want to stop any of the activities they’ve chosen), without a single break. We don’t want robots, we want children. And of course, we don’t want to be so worried about them catching up on everything and making it to bed on time.

It’s better to think about how we may help our children and ourselves in a different way. So that we do not become their “alarm clock” and they learn how to be responsible.

One way is to discuss with your child and create together a weekly schedule that includes studying, extracurricular activities and some free time. Put it up in their room or in a visible spot somewhere in the house. Talk about possible ways to carry out the program and give your child the opportunity to implement it. Observe how things are going for a couple of weeks and ask your child’s opinion as well. You are always there to help if something needs to be changed. And one last thing that we often forget: Remember that studying is not your responsibility.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!

Much of Athens city center will be closed to traffic for up to 10 hours on Thursday, September 9th, for the start of the Acropolis Rally, which for the first time will include a special run through Syntagma Square.

To facilitate the event, all traffic around Syntagma and the Acropolis will be prohibited from 11 a.m. The prohibition on the parking and stopping of vehicles in the area will commence earlier at 6 a.m.

Also known as the Rally of Gods, the Acropolis Rally is the ninth stage of the 2021 World Rally Championship. The rally was first held in 1951 and has appeared in the WRC 38 times. This year marks the rally’s return to the WRC fold after leaving it in 2013.

The rally concludes on 12 September.

Meanwhile, police have announced that Mitropoleos Street and some surrounding roads will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. on Wednesday for the funeral of Mikis Theodorakis at Athens Cathedral.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

After a long and extensive remodel, Greece’s most important historical art gallery is now open to the public again, with essentially double the space. The sleek glass-clad site, just across from the Hilton Athens, houses the country’s largest single collection of modern art and sculpture, dating from the post-Byzantine era to the present. For the first time in nearly a decade, visiting art lovers can trace Greece’s artistic progress over the course of its modern history, all under one roof.

With a heady haul of iconic works from great Greek artists such as Yannis Tsarouchis, Konstantinos Parthenis, and Dominikos Theotokopoulos (better known as El Greco), chronologically organized over three gleaming floors, you’ll need hours to take it all in properly. To help you cut to the chase and make your visit more meaningful, we’ve scoured the permanent collection to share some of our favorite highlights. 

Portrait of Mrs. Serpieri by Nikephoros Lytras (1869)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

The son of a famed marble sculptor from Tinos island, Nikephoros Lytras is himself billed as “the father of modern Greek painting”. His most well-known portrait is Greece’s first royal couple, Otto and Amalia. But it’s this sumptuous, large-scale oil, immortalizing the wife of a prominent industrialist, that planted him on the radar of his peers. The globally renowned Greek artist Takis used to say that “Mrs. Serpieri was the first Greek portrait” (he greatly admired the textural qualities of her wine-colored velvet gown). Lytras’ portrait phase was characterized by a very studied style and lavish gold frames that sometimes cost more than the paintings. It was an affirmation of the affluent new society emerging in Greece who all wanted their portraits painted. As one of the pioneering members of the Munich School of Greek artists championed by King Otto, Lytras was in particularly hot demand.

Collecting the Nets by Konstantinos Volanakis (1871)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Greec\ce’s legendary bright light inspires endless artistic expressions. But it wasn’t always ideal when it came to the development of Impressionism in this country: no clouds to create the genre’s trademark luminosity. Konstantinos Volanakis triumphs nonetheless in this dreamy depiction of fishermen pulling the nets at sunrise. The sky is flooded with melancholy light and the rippling sea pulsates with life and variation; demonstrating Volanakis’ firm grasp of Impressionism’s primary lesson: a deep comprehension of the essence of things. This accountant-turned-artist grew into one of Greece’s most important seascape painters, known for his lyrical and atmospheric compositions of momentous naval battles and harbor scenes.

The Betrothal of the Children by Nikolaos Gyzis (1877)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

Another leading light of the esteemed Munich School of Greek artists who studied in Bavaria, Nikolaos Gyzis opens a poignant window into life under Ottoman rule. The Turks used to take young boys from their families to raise them as Muslims (their sons would often return as young men to fight against their former villages). In a bid to escape this cruel fate, families betrothed their children from the age of 10. Here, in a typical village home, the priest places a ring on a bemused boy’s finger; while the girl appears to shy away from the priest’s entreaties. A relative kitted out in the traditional Greek fustanella kilt, likely one of the fathers, stands by to toast the union from a gourd-like vessel. Notice how remarkably this prized genre painter captures the color and texture of the utensils and fabrics: from the gleam of the copper pot to the rich sheen of the silk garments.

Exodus from Messolonghi by Theodoros Vryzakis (1878)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

One of the most tragic and recounted episodes of the Greek fight for freedom is meticulously portrayed here by Theodoros Vryzakis (himself orphaned by the Greek War of Independence when his father was hanged by the Turks). On the night of April 10, 1826, the inhabitants of Messolonghi in Western Greece fled a year-long siege to be slain by the waiting enemy. Vryzakis unites heavenly and earthly axes to show an enthroned God in a golden cloud blessing the romanticized Greek fighters; while angels with laurel wreaths prepare to coronate the heroes. Mothers and children lie wounded or dying as armed Turks breach the city walls on a ladder. You can almost hear their cries and feel the uproar and terror. As one of the founders of the Munich School of Greek artists, Vryzakis’ paintings fuelled patriotism among Greeks - and Philhellenes - who believed their cause was rightful and had God’s backing.

Grandma’s Favourite by Georgios Iakovidis (1893)

Credit: Thomas Gravanis

The intimate bond between grandparent and grandchild is one of Greece’s most endearing cultural touchstones. Georgis Iakovidis, among the last great champions of the Munich School, carved out a name for himself as “the painter of childhood”. Many of his works, such as this delightful example, inimitably captured the primal relationship between grandchildren and their elderly grandparents. Here, the bronze fruit plate cements the artist’s mastery of still life techniques; while the infant’s red socks nod to Impressionism. What shines brightest though is Iakovidis’ profound insight into the psychology of the connection between these two diametrically opposed life stages. Fun fact: Iakovidis would later become one of the first directors of the newly-established National Gallery.

On the Terrace by Iakovos Rizos (1897)


Credit: Thomas Gravanis

We might have guessed that Iakovos Rizos studied art in Paris. This luxurious painting, set on the terrace of a neoclassical abode in Plaka, oozes the euphoric spirit of the Belle Epoque and the artistic milieu of the late 19th century. Rizos’ oeuvre of “beautiful, elegant women in palaces or gardens” marks a dramatic gear shift from the predominant themes of war and Hellenism that defined Greek art in previous decades. Here, a winsome sunset cloaks the Acropolis, casting its blushing light over a trio of leisurely protagonists who represent the wealthy bourgeois life. A handsome Cavalry officer recites verse to the evident delight of two stylish Athenian ladies (some say it’s Prince Nikolaos, potential heir to the throne, and known for his romantic pursuits). Rizos may sidestep the Impressionist doctrines employed to great effect by his contemporaries, but the enduring charm of this painting lies more in the wonderful feeling it evokes.

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 

 

Greece has many beautiful sights for you to check out while you are visiting the country. One thing you want to be sure to add to your itinerary is visiting some of the ancient, historical Greek monasteries. Here are 10 must-see monasteries in Greece.

Evangelistria Monastery, Skiathos 


@lauren.galtress

This historical structure, on the Greek island of Skiathos, which was first founded in 1794 by a group of monks from Mount Athos played a crucial role in the 1821 Revolution which brought independence to Greece. Also, the first-ever Hellenic flag was made on a loom at this very location.

A monastery built in a cave is what you will find when you visit the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. It sits at the top of a hill in northwest Mandraki, while the largest portion of the monastery is built inside a cave. A truly unique experience, the cave is divided into two churches and is definitely worth a visit.

Mega Spileo, Kalavryta


@marian.rptk

Another breathtaking monastery, Mega Spileo stands eight stories tall and is actually built on the sheer cliffs, at a cave opening where it almost appears to become one with the surrounding landscape. Considered to be the oldest monastery in Greece, dating back to 362 AD, it has survived four fires. It played an important role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 against the Ottomans. The monastery is also home to countless Byzantine icons, frescoes, copper plates, manuscripts and other unique treasures, such as its library featuring more than 3,000 books.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art. Dating back to the early 10th century, it is built on the slopes of Mount Helicon and was founded by the hermit, Venerable (Greek: Hosios) St. Luke, whose relics are kept in the monastery to this day.

One of the most popular destinations on the island of Patmos, the Monastery is situated near the cave where Saint John wrote the Book of Revelation. This UNESCO World Heritage site was founded in 1088 in Chora, Patmos by soldier-priest John Christodoulos, who heavily fortified the exterior of the structure to protect it from threats of piracy and Seljuk Turks.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

And, what is the birthplace of philosophy? Greece, of course!

Greeks were among the first people to break free from the tradition of mythological explanations and the overall mysticism that defined ancient history. They went from a narrow, superficial, one-dimensional view of the world to a deep and thorough interpretation largely based on reasoning and evidence. Their abstruse yet eloquent philosophical ideas about politics, science, and the universe set the basis of Western civilization's thinking and earned them the recognition that still lives to this day. Here's a list of the top 5 most influential Greek philosophers! 

Thales of Miletus (620 BC–546 BC)


Source: Wikimedia Commons

Being a mathematician and astronomer, Thales is often referred to as the "Father of Science", and he is historically recognized as the first individual to engage in scientific philosophy. He tried to explain various natural phenomena without the inclusion of mythology, using only naturalistic theories and hypotheses. According to Aristotle, he investigated a number of basic principles, such as the origin of matter and he proposed water as the basic component of the world. He also excelled in mathematics and geometry, which he used to calculate the heights of the pyramids and he is the first known individual to whom a mathematician discovery has been attributed. 

Famous Quote: "All human sufferings, come from ignorance." 

Pythagoras of Samos (570 BC–495 BC)


Source: Galilea/Wikimedia Commons

Pythagoras was an ancient Greek mathematician and pre-socratic philosopher, known for founding Pythagoreanism and inventing the Pythagorean Theorem, one of the key computations in geometry. He is associated with the concept of "metempsychosis", meaning the transmigration of souls, according to which every soul is immortal and enters a new body upon its death. He regarded the world as perfectly harmonious and was particularly interested in developing ideas and rules that could lead to a harmonious life. He may also have invented the doctrine of "musica universalis", the hypothesis that planets move according to mathematical equations and produce an inaudible symphony of music.

Famous Quote: "A fool is known by his speech, and a wise man by silence."

Aristotle (384 BC–322 BC)


Source: Lysippos/Wikimedia Commons

A student of Plato and the teacher of Alexander the Great, Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, justifiably considered one of the world’s most influential ancient philosophers. He was an imaginative and prolific writer whose writings cover numerous subjects including physics, biology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, economics, politics, and much more. At a time when most philosophers preferred a more theoretical perception of the world, one that was beyond the accessibility of the physical senses, Aristotle was one of the first to propose an interpretation of the world mainly based on facts learned from the experience. 

Famous Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Plato (427 BC–347 BC)


Source: Mary Harrsch/Wikimedia Commons

A student of Socrates, Plato is regarded as the founder of one of the world's first known institutions of higher learning, the Academy of Athens. Plato's philosophy is based on a threefold approach: dialects, ethics, and physics. His most famous theory is the theory of the forms, the fundamental doctrine of Platonic idealism, according to which only ideas encapsulate the true and essential nature of things, in a way that the physical form can't. In other words, Plato believed that the substantive reality around us is only a reflection of a higher truth, the abstraction. Thanks to his famous dialog "The Republic", where he described a city-state defined by justice, he became known as the "Father of Political Science", with his political ideas, although somewhat utopian, still being praised today. 

Famous Quote: "Reality is created by the mind, we can change our reality by changing our mind."

Socrates (469 BC–399 BC)


Source: Norto Mendez/Wikimedia Commons

Widely regarded as a founder of Western philosophy and the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought, Socrates was an enigmatic and perplexing character who didn't write any books and most of his philosophical contributions come from his students, mainly Plato and Xenophon. He became famous for encouraging people to critically question everything and attempting to construct an ethical framework based on human reasoning instead of various contentious theological ideas. His greatest contribution to philosophy was the Socratic Method, an argumentative dialog between individuals, based on asking and answering thought-provoking questions to stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presumptions. His radical beliefs led to him being tried and convicted for corrupting the youth and his legendary trial and death at the altar of the ancient Greek democratic system will forever remain in history.

Famous Quote: "The only true wisdom is in knowing, that you know nothing".

Also called the “Rose City” because of the color of the stones used in its buildings, this stunningly beautiful city was founded over 2000 years ago along the ancient trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Its beautiful rock-cut architecture makes it a place of significant archaeological value, while its innovative water management system, the one that made the region inhabitable, given that it is surrounded by desert and rugged terrain, is truly noteworthy.

A trading center, Petra soon became the bustling and affluent capital of the Kingdom of the Nabateans, an Arab Bedouin tribe that originated in what is now southwestern Jordan. Envious of its wealth, the Greek Empire attacked the city in 312 B.C. The attack was unsuccessful, but, although the Greeks didn't manage to conquer the city, they left a great mark on its architecture, and much more. 

The city's name itself is of Greek origin as "petra" means "stone" in English, while the city's most famous structure, the tomb called the “Khazneh” meaning “Treasury”, features elaborate Corinthian-style columns, showcasing the ineffaceable influence of Greek architecture. 

The breathtaking city of Petra was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.