Greek food is often considered among the most healthy cuisines in the world, as it is linked to the Mediterranean diet, which has been proven to have countless health benefits.

As a rule, the Mediterranean diet is mainly plant-based, as it is high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and unprocessed grains while low in meat and meat products. These ingredients are bound together by olive oil, an essential ingredient when it comes to defining the basics of healthy Greek food and the Mediterranean diet.

According to several studies, the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Some have even linked it to preventing depression.

Here are some of the superstar foods in this delicious health-promoting diet!

Olive oil

Olive oil is the common denominator in the different dietary patterns of the Mediterranean diet across the region, with Italy, Spain, and Greece being the top three producers in the world. Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in carotenoids and polyphenols, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It's the main source of fat in the diet, and it is also used for cooking and baking.

Wheat is the basic grain of the Mediterranean while another traditional grain is farro (or emmer), an ancient wheat with renewed popularity in recent years. Bread is often baked using unrefined wheat and barley flours. Mediterranean wheat is also used for couscous and pasta. Traditionally, wheat was ground with millstones, producing a fiber-rich whole-wheat flour with a lower glycemic index.

Alcohol is common in the traditional Mediterranean diet, dating back to ancient times. However, it is consumed in moderation and usually in the form of wine and, as a rule, during meals. Red wine, in particular, contains antioxidant polyphenols and flavonoids while helping increase HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Chickpeas are a good source of fiber, folate, and manganese while also providing proteins, iron, and magnesium. Chickpeas are one the earliest known cultivated legumes, they are the key ingredient in many traditional Greek dishes.

This essential ingredient of all Mediterranean cuisines is often found in a variety of sauces and dishes. For instance, tzatziki, a staple in Greek food, is yogurt mixed with garlic, cucumbers, and olive oil, while aioli, an Italian sauce, is made mixing garlic with eggs and olive oil. The sulfur compounds in garlic produce both its pungent odor but are the key to its health benefits, which include anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Traditional feta cheese and yogurt are fermented, which makes them rich in probiotics, also providing an extra portion of protein to a diet that’s mostly plant-based. Authentic Greek feta is made with goat’s milk or sheep’s milk while yogurt with honey is a common Greek breakfast.

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

FokiaNou Art is pleased to present The Castro, a group show curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris, for which participating artists responded to an open call. The exhibition title refers to the famous San Francisco district that since the 1960s has become one of the most well-known centers of LGBT activism and culture in the world. The title’s double meaning is the antithesis of a free environment, that of a traditional castle as a walled-in, exclusive and restrictive institution.

Artists were asked to play with the word castro, and its double meaning, presenting the bright and open castle of freedom, acceptance and equality, as well as the dark and enclosed castle of racism, homophobia and violence. The show comprises a wide variety of media: drawing, painting, photography, video and sculpture.

Curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris

Participating artists: Sofia Archangelou, Dimitrios-Claudio Bantourakis, Sebastian Boulter and Taija Goldblatt, Aristea Charoniti, Stelios Dexis and Myrto Vounatsou, Andromachi Giannopoulou, Marietta Kallona, Vasiliki Kanellou, Christos Katsinis, Kalliopi Kouklinou, Kelly Koumarianou, Andreas Lyberatos, Alexandros Mavrogiannis, Gioula Papadopoulou, Dina Skapetoylia, Christina-Sylvia Simantira, Maaike Stutterheim, Zari Nikolov, Maria Bourbou, Eva Gkilntirim, Geeta Roopnarine, Stella Sevastopoulos, Marios Trichas, Panagiotis Voulgaris, Grigoria Vryttia.

The use of masks and social distancing are required in all areas of the space, including the roof terrace, halls and elevator.

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.

Opening: Tuesday 6 July 2021 at 18.30
Duration: 6-17 July 2021. Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 18.30 - 21.30
Where: FokiaNou Art Space, Fokianou 24, 7th floor, Pagkrati
Metro: Evangelismos.

If you had our weather you’d live most of your life outdoors too. From peripatetic ancient philosophers to today’s summer concerts and fragrant open-air cinemas, in this fifth episode, let's roam far and wide to unpack the street theatre known as “everyday Athenian life”. We’ll also explore why the protest march is inextricably woven into the modern fabric of Athens; listen to the secret confessions of a street artist; and hear the tale of the city’s most famous street dog—the Che Guevara of canines.

 

When the evenings start to warm up and stretch out every year in Athens, it’s the signal for the city’s legendary nightlife scene to spread its wings and fly down to the glitter strip known as the Athens Riviera. Whether you’re in the market for cocktails on the beach, a romantic dinner by the sea, or a flirty night out dancing under the stars, here are some quintessential Athens Riviera experiences.

Sundowners on the Athens Riviera

No night out on the Athens Riviera is complete without a sunset cocktail by the sea. With its parquet floors, high ceilings, and potted palms, Ark on Glyfada’s Asteras Beach has a country club charm (minus the steep membership fees). If in doubt about what to order, go for one of their cocktails with a Greek twist such as the Mai Tai with kumquat from Corfu and bergamot from the Peloponnese, or the margarita made with smoked salt and bee pollen.


Photo Credit: Ark Glyfada

For equally smashing sunsets all year round, head to the next venue along the Glyfada coast, Balux House Project where you’ll find a Miami beach party groove that spills over from the glass-fronted clubhouse onto the sand, with DJ sets and regular theme parties. Next door, its seasonal sister venue, Balux Pool Seaside, has a more chilled, barefoot appeal. You can sprawl on bean bags on the lawn or inside the thatched, tiki-style bar. After sunset, they light lanterns along the shore. 


Photo Credit: Balux Cafe 

Seaside dining in Vouliagmeni

Seagulls wheeling against a setting sun. Wicker lanterns swaying to subtle bouzouki music. Occasional sea spray on your toes. Taverna 37 at the Four Seasons Astir Palace nails most people’s fantasy of seaside dining in Greece. Set apart from the main resort on a stretch of boardwalk just inches from the water, this contemporary taverna is perfect for a serene dinner date. The menu is refreshingly unshowy, given the location. There’s nothing you won’t find at your average neighborhood taverna; what sets this place apart are the impeccable ingredients, smiling service, and sensational setting.


Photo Credit: @bokbokeh

It may not be exactly by the sea, but the swoony setting of Nerõ, on the shore of Vouliagmeni Lake ranks sky high on the romance-o-meter. Savor sophisticated seafood (like red mullet tartare with caviar or roasted scallops with feta cream) on the smart teak deck that flanks this spectacular, mineral-rich lake. The water glows like liquid gold after dark, illuminated by the lit-up limestone cliffs behind it. From spring to autumn, you might also catch a live jazz or classical music performance to enhance your evening.



Photo Credit: Nero Vouliagmeni Lake

Bar-hopping in Glyfada

If Vouliagmeni is the place for romantic waterfront dining, Glyfada is Riviera’s late-night playground. There’s no sea view. You go for the entertaining optics of the image-conscious locals gathering nightly to see and be seen on mood-lit pavements and in leafy courtyards. At times, it feels like one big film set. Especially on fashionable Kiprou Street, which runs parallel to the main shopping strip of Metaxa Street.

Ease into your evening at Su Casa, a stylish haunt on Nymfeon Square that’s hip but still homey. Go around 8 pm: a mellow window before most Greeks head out. Once a dilapidated house with overgrown scrub swallowing the footpath, it’s now one of Glyfada’s most atmospheric spots. It can be tough deciding where to sit. Outside on the street or garden patio, framed by fig trees and candlelight? It’s the kind of place where lovers and locals meet to catch up on each other’s news or round off a day’s shopping, and the music is accordingly chilled. There are pages and pages of cocktails, mocktails, and premium spirits, ranging from the summery applesecco spritz to margarita pesto with black pepper. If eating is on the agenda, migrate to the restaurant and try the excellent spaghetti with crab leg.


Photo Credit: Su Casa

In fact, if beach parties are more your bag, head down to Yabanaki Beach where the post-sunset scene has taken off. There’s a whole swag of affordable seaside dining options—from burgers to Italian, sushi, or Greek - and pop-up Latin dance parties all summer long. Yabanaki is open from May to October and entry to the resort is free after 7 pm, so take your swimmers. For many Greeks, this is the best time of day to hit the water.


Photo Credit: Varkiza Resort

To read this article in full and discover more places in the Athens Riviera, please visit: thisisathens.org

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

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns in the wildland vegetation, often in rural areas. Wildfires can burn in forests, grasslands, savannas, and other ecosystems, they are not restricted to a particular continent or environment, and they are responsible for vast catastrophic events.

Every year, Greece faces a great number of forest fires and according to statistics, at least twenty percent of them are a direct result of deliberate arson. During the summer of 2007, Greece experienced more wildfire activity than other European country has over the last decade; according to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Attica fires in 2018 were the second-deadliest wildfire event in the 21st century. 

Future projections show that forest fire danger, length of the fire season, and fire frequency are very likely to increase in the Mediterranean, mainly as a result of the dry weather, increased climate variability, and damaged ecosystem. 

With this in mind, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of Greece has issued the following guidelines on how to prepare in case of a wildfire. 

If you are in the countryside: 

• Don’t burn litter or dry vegetation and small branches (twigs) during the summer.
• Don’t use open-air barbecues in forests or places close to dry vegetation during the summer.
• Avoid open-air activities that may cause a fire (i.e. torch weld, wheel, or other instruments that create sparks).
• Never throw cigarette buts on the ground.
• Properly dispose of rubbish and never in forest areas.

• Create a firebreak around your home by clearing dry leaves and vegetation, pine needles, branches, etc at least within a 10-meter radius of your house.
• Remove all dry branches from trees and bushes.
• All trees within a 5-meter radius from your house should be pruned so that their branches don’t lean on the walls, on the roof, or on the balconies.
• The branches of one tree should be at least 3 meters apart from another.
• Protect the windows and the glass doors by installing shutters made from non-flammable materials.
• Cover the chimneys and the ventilation pipes with non-flammable materials.

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• Do not abandon the building unless your escape is completely secured.
• Do not take shelter in a car. The possibility of survival in a building constructed by non-flammable materials is greater than that inside a vehicle close to smoke and fire.
• If you stay indoors:
  - Close firmly all the doors and windows.
  - Block up all the cracks with wet clothes, in order to prevent smoke penetration.
  - Remove the curtains from the windows.
  - Move any furniture into the center of the residence away from windows and exterior doors.
  - Fill up the bathtub, wash basins, and buckets so that you have spare water.

• Get out of the house and at once put out the remaining hot spots.
• Inspect for at least 48 hours, at regular intervals, the perimeter and the exterior of the building for possible re-ignitions.

For more information on how to get prepared and stay safe during a wildfire, please visit: civilprotection.gr

The bountiful islands of Greece feel like a breath of fresh air in so many ways. Life by these seas is slow-paced and indulgent, simple but breathtakingly beautiful. Time seems to have slowed down here, and when things at home get hectic, that’s often just the thing we need. Nothing brings a family closer together or creates longer-lasting memories than spending a week or two just living in the moment.

One of the best things about Greece is that there are so many islands to visit (227, in fact) and that each one brings something unique to the table. You can’t go wrong choosing any of the islands for a holiday, but doing a bit of research beforehand never hurt anyone – especially when you’re bringing the kids along. 

Corfu
Spectacular Corfu is an island of lush greenery, dramatic hills, and quaint little villages where beautiful and varied beaches abound. In the west, you’ll find Glyfada and Saint Gordios with their stretches of soft sand and the pebbly playground of Paleokastritsa. Meanwhile, the island’s north side offers warm shallow waters for swimming and stunning rock formations on beaches like Sidari. From sandcastles to water sports, beaches are always a hit with the kids.

The UNESCO-ranked Corfu Town is where kids tend to love running through the mazes of traditional kantounias, winding alleyways that encircle the city’s distinctly Venetian architecture. It’s the perfect place to introduce the kids to some local cuisine and scope out a restaurant serving pastitsada (best enjoyed with some local ginger beer).

Crete
The Greeks call Crete Megalónisos – The Great Island – and it’s well worth a visit to find out why. Crete’s sunny beaches and sparkling coves mingle with ancient caves and ruins that could make anyone’s fantasy run wild. This is where you’ll find the heart of Europe’s oldest civilization, Knossos, and its spectacular palace ruins. Thanks to the efforts of modern archaeology, visiting Knossos in the twenty-first century is like walking the kids through a history lesson come to life. And for even more learning about the history and culture of Crete, head to the capital city of Heraklion and explore the interactive kid-friendly museums there. 

For a beach day, Chania on the west side of the island is the place to go. The white sandy beaches there feel like they’re on a desert island but are just a stone’s throw from the city’s gorgeous Venetian harbor and waterfront restaurants where the kids can have a taste of freshly caught calamari. Kids will particularly love the lagoons of Elafonisi and playing in the rock pools at Kato Gouves.

Rhodes
The gorgeous island of Rhodes has much to look forward to, not the least of which its magical east coast covered in beaches. For thirty miles, all you’ll see is soft golden sands and warm shallow waters. If you came to Greece looking for rest and relaxation, you’ve found it. Faliraki beach is one of its most family-friendly stretches, with plenty of recreation for kids like the Faliraki Water Park and a Luna Park. But if you’re after something more slow-paced and quieter, try Agathi and Kallithea Springs as well. A bonus is that Rhodes has the longest-lasting summer of all the Greek islands, so if you’re lucky enough to get away in the off-season you can enjoy these places when the biggest crowds haven’t arrived yet. 

Rhodes Town is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed haven of car-free cobbled streets and medieval fortresses which feels like taking a walk through history. You can even wander along the walls of the old town and take in all the great views from up high. At sunset, head to the harbor and watch the fishermen reel in their catch of the day (then head to one of the local restaurants for a fresh taste). Kids will also love getting up close to the underwater world of the eastern Med at the Marline Aquarium.

Naxos
With crystal clear waters that are completely safe for children to play and swim in, as well as soft golden sands, Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, and Agia Anna are all great central options. They’re perfect for when you want to be close to the sights as well as the affordable shops and restaurants in town. For something a bit more adventurous, head to Plaka Beach for windsurfing lessons accompanied by the prettiest sunset on the island.

Inland, you can hike 40km worth of trails that take you past the islands many ancient villages – each of which is well worth exploring but the former capital of Haldiki especially so. Take a tour of one or more of these stunning mountain villages where you’ll come across the heart of the local culture and fascinating historical monuments to match. Since Naxos is rare in that the island still produces most of its food locally, you know that no matter where you choose to dine, you’re going to get the really good stuff for yourself and your little ones.

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

When you think about Greek music, there are probably many names that pop into your head: Dalaras, Mouskouri, Theodorakis, and of course also… Manos Hatzidakis.

Manos Hatzidakis was a composer and has written hundreds of popular Greek songs. He was also one of the first composers, together with Mikis Theodorakis, who introduced the “Entechno music” in the Greek music landscape. One of Hatzidakis’ songs already became internationally known in 1959, when Nana Mouskouri participated in the first Greek Song Festival and won the first prize performing his song ‘Κάπου υπάρχει η αγάπη μου’ (My love must be somewhere out there). The song was also performed by the well-known singer Georges Moustaki.

The love for Greek music is a reason why many adults start learning Greek. It is a great way to learn the lyrics and sing along during concerts. Not only do you learn more about the Greek language, but also about the Greek culture and passion that is described in many songs.

Childhood & youth

Manos H. was born on 23-10-1925 in Xanthi, North Greece. From his childhood, Manos started reading music and playing the piano and the violin. In 1932, he moved to Athens with his family. In 1938 his father was killed in a plane crash. This tragic accident and the outbreak of World War II ruined the family financially.

Work

In 1946 he finished his first project in the film industry, whereas his cooperation with the “Art Theatre“ of K. Koun started in 1954 and would last 15 years. In 1960, Manos Hatzidakis was awarded an Oscar for the song “The children of Piraeus” from J. Dassin’s film “Never on Sunday”. He became the first Greek composer to make a Greek song popular in the rest of the world. Manos Hatzidakis died in Athens on 15-06-1994.

Rebetiko & Entechno

His whole life, Manos Hatzidakis was dedicated to and strongly related to the traditional Greek song. In 1949, in a lecture about “ Rebetico” songs, he supported this genre which was, at that time, either unknown or despised. Later, he created, together with Mikis Theodorakis, the “Entechno”, a very important music stream, in which music has very close ties with Greek poetry. Along with his interest in Greek songs, Manos Hatzidakis was also a composer with personal inspiration. He managed to create a wonderful composition, combining the world of folk music with his new musical horizons.

If you are interested to learn more about Greek entechno music by Chatzidakis, click here: omilo.com

Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.

Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.

In this summer’s Park Your Cinema Kids, we invite our young film buffs and their families to discover incredible heroes in worlds that defy the imagination, to embrace tales based on compassion, and to build bridges that abolish differences and create a universe of love and trust.

In all of these stories, the heroes break away from the safety of their world (like Elsa and Anna, who seek the truth beyond Arendelle), choose their unexpected families (like Paddington, the lovable bear, in London), meet the friends with whom they’ll share unforgettable adventures (like the boy who forges an unbreakable bond with the Iron Giant), choose kindness over prejudice (like Shaun the Sheep, when he comes across an alien weed) and, of course, the adventure that makes all of this possible (like the revelation of the Giant Pear). 

Every day, kids are faced with the reminder that the world around us is not black and white: it is multicolored, multifaceted, complex, like these wonderful films chosen by the Athens International Children’s Film Festival, which make up the most exciting summer cinema season at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Athens is often called the cradle of philosophy and democracy. Even though historically both philosophy and democracy first emerged as concepts in the Greek cities of ancient Asia Minor it was in Athens where they flourished for over two centuries, where democratic institutions became philosophy in practice.

Here philosophy was exercised and taught in the free public space amongst equal citizens. Both philosophy and democracy openly questioned traditional norms and ideals in theory and in practice; through oration and dialogue, the urban landscape forged the Athenian way of life. Philosophy was initially taught and practiced in the ancient Agora but also, eventually, Schools were founded in the outskirts of the city.

Nowadays, the traces of that ancient city are still visible in modern Athens, and invite our imagination to a venture through history and theory that combines a visit at the physical spaces where the greatest philosophers taught with a seminar about the theoretical concepts they invented.

I am definitely not the only parent who wants to have a little peace when going to the beach. I want to enjoy the water and relax on a sunbed afterwards, read my book, maybe even take an occasional nap. What do you think mums and dads? Would you say it is too much to ask? I would argue it is not but I would also add that your child’s age plays a key role. If your child is young they might want you to play with them, to build castles, to hug. When they get older they become more independent and you have more time to yourself.

But regardless of the age of the child, I would encourage them to speak calmly and not shout. I would lovingly help them to learn to respect themselves and those around them. “How do I do this?” you may ask. Well, by being the example; the positive example. If you sit on your sunbed and shout “George,” “Maria,” “Bill, get out of the water now! Do you hear me? Don’t make me come over there!” just think if this is the example you want to give to your child. If you shout at them from afar, whether to come eat their fruit or toast or to get out of the water and under the shade, your child will not pay attention to you as they know you will keep on shouting. And only when you do get up from your chair will they begin to understand that maybe you meant what you were saying.

One might point out that long beaches are too crowded and so they are noisy anyway. I agree but I don’t see the reason to add to the noise pollution. We can respect the people around us and still have a good time. Let each and every one of us set the example for our children and let’s remember that education starts at home!

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

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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!