It’s been a difficult year for humanity, but together, we have the power to help each other get back on our feet. Οn August 25-29, 2021, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation's (SNF) SNF Nostos events that ordinarily take place each June at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, Greece, will give us a chance to get together, to start talking, and to get moving once again. We look forward to experiencing SNF Nostos in person this summer with all of you.

SNF Nostos is an international, multidimensional festival bursting with art, conversation and ideas, music, dance, performances, participatory entertainment, and sports activities. SNF Nostos combines a fresh lineup of beloved Greek and international artists with annual signature events: the SNF Nostos Conference featuring luminaries from diverse spheres, the evening SNF Nostos RUN, and the SNF DIALOGUES in collaboration with the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Discover

How can we make sure that artificial intelligence technology emboldens the human spirit, rather than diminishes it? How might we use AI to build a healthier, greener, and more equitable world? Can we limit the risks of AI, and ensure its benefits are widely shared? Can we use AI to overcome our limitations instead of simply reinforcing them?

The 2021 SNF Nostos Conference, dedicated to Humanity and Artificial Intelligence, will explore these questions and more from August 26 to August 28.

Register HERE!

Discuss

On August 25th, SNF DIALOGUES, a series of events held through journalism nonprofit iMEdD (incubator for Media Education and Development), will host an open discussion as part of SNF Nostos on the topic of Humanity-AI Symbiosis in collaboration with the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Guided by expert perspectives and driven by the audience’s curiosity, the DIALOGUES discussion will address the ethical, philosophical and social issues that arise from the use of developed AI systems in everyday life, and what the future holds for society and democracy. The event will feature a live discussion with an AI system, giving food for thought and setting the stage for further discussion, including a Q&A with young people at the end of the event.

Register HERE!

Run

It may be the most satisfying activity at the SNF Nostos celebration, and it’s certainly the sweatiest. On August 25th, the SNF Nostos Run returns with an opportunity to join other runners from all over Greece and around the world in shaking off those lockdown cobwebs. The run will be held in-person and will also include a virtual option. Organization of the race is supervised by the nonprofit Regeneration & Progress and medical supervision is provided by the First Orthopedic Clinic at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

Registration for the SNF Nostos Run opens on June 23rd.

Enjoy

Artists from Greece and around the globe will present original works and installations that help us appreciate and rethink the world around us, including the mesmerizing potential artificial intelligence holds for humanity. Games, puzzles, and computer science conundrums will ignite curiosity and stretch brains of all ages. Electrifying musical acts will get us on our feet and moving to the beat.

Twitter LinkedIn Email Date & Time 01 June - 30 June 2021 Tuesday 01 June 2021 21:00 Wednesday 02 June 2021 21:00 Thursday 03 June 2021 21:00 Friday 04 June 2021 21:00 More dates (23) Place Canal Admission Free The Fountains of the SNFCC dance daily to disco, opera, classical music and well-known soundtracks.

From Tuesday 1 June, the program of the Fountains is enriched with impressive water shows that will present daily at 21.00 and 21.30 thematic choreographies on a different type of music per day. The program follows in detail:

Monday - Opera & Greek Composers
Georges Bizet, Carmen: Habanera Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Don Giovanni: Fin che dal vini Giacomo Puccini, Madama Butterfly, Act II, Un bel di vedremo (Instrumental) Nikos Skalkottas, Epirot dance (Ser. I/4) George Koumentakis, Serra

Tuesday - Disco
The Jacksons, Blame it on the boogie BeeGees, Saturday Night Fever Weather Girls, It's Raining Men Boney M, Daddy Cool ABBA, Dancing Queen

Wednesday - Soundtracks
Michael Nyman, theme from The Piano John Williams, theme from Harry Potter Carlos Gardel, Por una Cabeza (Scent of a Woman) Vangelis, theme from Conquest of Paradise Ennio Morricone, The Ecstasy of Gold

Thursday - Classical Music
Antonín Dvořák, Furiant, No. 1 in C major, from Slavonic Dances, op. 46 Dmitri Shostakovich, Waltz II, from the Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote, Kitri Entrance Vivaldi, Four Seasons, Autumn (1st mvt)

Friday - Disco
The Jacksons, Blame it on the boogie BeeGees, Saturday Night Fever Weather Girls, It's Raining Men Boney M, Daddy Cool ABBA, Dancing Queen

Saturday - Soundtracks
Michael Nyman, theme from The Piano John Williams, theme from Harry Potter Carlos Gardel, Por una Cabeza (Scent of a Woman) Vangelis, theme from Conquest of Paradise Ennio Morricone, The Ecstasy of Gold

Sunday - Classical Music
Antonín Dvořák, Furiant, No. 1 in C major, from Slavonic Dances, op. 46 Dmitri Shostakovich, Waltz II, from the Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker Ludwig Minkus, Don Quixote, Kitri Entrance Vivaldi, Four Seasons, Autumn (1st mvt)

The leading golf tournament for the shipping community, Greek Maritime Golf Event, is expected to gather the Greek and global shipping industry for the 7 th year, on September 3-5, 2021, at Costa Navarino, Messinia.

The Greek Maritime Golf Event is a tournament that is always distinguished not only for the competitive level of its participants but also for its social work. This year, the great golf event will strengthen through its actions the Non-Profit Organization KARKINAKI. More specifically, during this year’s award ceremony to the winners, and winning teams respectively, on Saturday, September 4, participants will have the opportunity to directly contribute with their desired amount at the specially designed area. The total amount to be collected will be given to the Non-Profit Organization KARKINAKI, which claims intervention in the effort of stopping Childhood and adolescent cancer being a taboo issue, but also finding as many allies as possible so that every child who suffers from cancer has equal access to high-quality hospitalization, effective treatment and, ultimately, the right to life. 

The awards ceremony will be glamorous and full of surprises and gifts for its participants. The event will be presented by the Euroleague legend, Joe Arlauckas and the international model Ioanna Papadimitriou. The shipping community is expected to “embrace” and actively support the event’s good cause for yet another year.

Registration for this year’s tournament continues with an undiminished pace, as participants are already forming their teams. Amateur golf enthusiasts, all of them being shipping executives, will have the opportunity to compete in the two signature 18-hole courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, in an idyllic landscape of Messinia with a unique view of the Ionian Sea and the historic Bay of Navarino.

At the same time, non-golfers will have the opportunity to discover the secrets of the Olympic sport of golf. They will learn the rules and the basic hits by attending the golf lessons that will be implemented within the golf clinic of the schedule.

MOTODYNAMICS SA is the Signature Sponsor of the Greek Maritime Golf Event, actively supporting the Greek golf industry. The company is the official importer of Porsche AG in Greece, the German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars.

Greek Maritime Golf Event is attended by some of the leading shipping companies from Greece and Cyprus as well as great Greek companies that support the event.
The Marshall Islands Registry IRI is the event’s Platinum Sponsor. Mainline Shipping Company, Onego Shipping Company, Jotun Hellas and Swift Marine are Golden Sponsors. Arrow Hellas, DNV and Drew Marine are Silver Sponsors.
MOTODYNAMICS SA is the Signature Sponsor.
Marine Tours is the event’s Official Travel Partner.
IYC is the Official Sponsor.
Tototheo Maritime, Standard Club and Poseidonia are the Official Supporters.
Under Armour is the Official Clothing Partner.
The Margi, Domotel Kastri, Karalis Beach Hotel, Dinner in the Sky, Athi Rodi and Unique Flowers Creations are the event’s Partners.
Boo Productions is the Audio Visual Partner.
Greek Maritime Golf Event, is organized by Birdie Events, through an initiative of the recognized Greek PGA golfer, Mr. Thanos Karantzias.

The award-winning sports marketing agency of ActiveMedia Group has undertaken the event’s Golf Production.

The tournament is addressed exclusively to distinguished executives of the Greek shipping community. The tournament will be held in a completely safe destination, with a health protocol and the necessary approvals of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, taking into account the strict specifications set by the Hellenic Golf Federation. More information about the full schedule of this year’s event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Hashtag: #greekmaritimegolfevent

Photo credit: Charis Akriviadis

The pandemic has opened many "digital doors" in plenty of businesses and sectors this past year, giving them the chance to flourish and create new opportunities all over the world. One of these new opportunities has been to create a more "Digitally Intelligent" Athens in regards to environmental awareness with the help of 21st-century technology.

In co-operation with Microsoft and ATCOM, the municipality of Athens has launched “Project Athena”. A system of sensors scattered around the city, (starting from the center of Athens, in Plateia Kotzia, and in Kolonaki) which will collect data on various pollution markers like air quality and noise levels, quality of life markers like a number of wheelchair ramps on the city’s streets, and much more.

With the help of these sensors, the municipality will know which action needs to be taken and in which location by analyzing the sensor’s data through a custom-built management platform. Since June 15th, a total of 10 sensors have been installed in waste bins to measure their level of fullness, and several more have been put in place near pedestrian crossings and crossings for individuals with special needs to ensure that their access is not being inhibited.

With “Project Athena” in motion, Athens is one step closer to becoming a cleaner, safer, and more accommodating version of itself, both for the environment and for the daily lives of the locals.

During a Covid-19 media briefing, Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias informed that the epidemiological picture of Greece continues to show improvement, as the number of new cases and those hospitalized is decreasing.

More specifically, the deputy minister announced that as of Saturday, June 19, amusement parks and wellness services will be permitted to resume operations.

Amusement parks will operate under strict social distancing measures while all customers and staff must wear masks at all times.

The resumption of wellness services includes the reopening of spas, therapeutic baths, and thermal springs and will take place in accordance with strict health measures.

The deputy minister also announced that indoor movie theaters will reopen as of Thursday, July 1 under a 50 percent capacity limit. Moviegoers will be allowed to enter after booking their seat online and showing either a Covid-19 vaccination certificate or a negative self-test result at the door. Masks must be worn at all times in indoor movie theaters.

With regard to people wearing masks while exercising in gyms, he said that those with a vaccination certificate are exempt from the rule.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

Are you dreaming of crystal clear waters, stunning white sand, and swaying palm trees? Well, you don't have to travel thousands of miles away to find your exotic paradise. The miniature archipelago of Petalioi, consisting of 10 unspoiled islands, is located southeast of Euboea - just one hour from Athens!

Rocky shores, golden sand, emerald waters, and lush vegetation create a scenery of pristine beauty - one that majestically combines wild nature with peaceful tranquility. The islands' beaches, hidden in scenic coves, are ideal for swimming, surfing, sailing, and diving. Access is only by boat, attracting international jet setters and wealthy travelers. 

Most of the islands are uninhabited except for three that belong to private citizens. Megalonisos, the complex's largest island, is the property of two shipping families, while 200 acres belong to Picasso's children, Claude and Paloma. 

Impressive are the imposing villas, one on each island, giving the feeling of a true VIP neighborhood. On the second largest island, one can admire the white mansion belonging to the Empirikos family, while, right across it, Karnezis' villa sits gracefully. 

Although direct access to these private islands is prohibited, one can always enjoy these glorious crystal waters by boat hire or small cruise. Sounds lovely doesn't it!?

Let’s be frank straight off the blocks: Athens is not the simplest city for a leisurely jog—but running in the Greek capital is much easier than reputation would have it. Traffic is lighter than it used to be, pollution is no longer a problem, new walkways have sprung up and it (almost) never rains.

Granted, drivers can be impatient at stop signs and the occasional pothole remains (though plans are afoot to repave half the city’s roads within the next few years), but Athens is much more runner-friendly nowadays, and the increasing number of Athenians lacing up regularly is proof.

The 5K Ultimate Athens Route

Let’s start on the pedestrian paved road in front of the Acropolis Museum. Dionysiou Areopagitou, as the walkway is called, is one of Europe’s most beautiful avenues, and meanders halfway around the Acropolis Hill.

For the first few hundred meters, run towards Philopappou Hill, with the Acropolis towering above you, on your right. After about half a kilometer, the road will begin to crest downhill towards the attractive Thissio neighborhood. In full tourist season, this popular pocket can be hot and crowded. If so, head for pine-clad Philopappou instead.

After another few hundred meters, you’ll reach the old Thissio train station from where you can make out the Temple of Hephaestus (we locals call it Theseus) amid the trees on your right. It’s time to turn right onto Adrianou Street and weave your way into historic Monastiraki, with its tourist shops, antique flea markets, souvlaki joints, and agreeable hustle and bustle.

Continue up Areos Street, then turn left into Dexippou Street, left again into Adrianou, and into Aiolou Street, first weaving around lower Plaka, and then moving uptown towards Syntagma Square.

At the 2.5 kilometers halfway point, you’ll turn right into the busy pedestrian artery of Ermou Street and run uphill past the big international and Greek stores until you reach Syntagma Square.

Cross Syntagma Square and turn left at the Hellenic Parliament which dominates the square. Run up Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, with the National Garden on your right.

At kilometer 3.6, turn right into Irodou Attikou Street and run downhill: along the way, you will pass the Evzones’ boxes where they stand guard. You’ll also see the Maximos Mansion, the seat of the prime minister, and the Presidential Palace. Be sure to keep the National Garden on your right always.

We suggest you continue running around the Zappeion cluster to clock some more city landmarks: you’ll whip past the Fokianos vintage gymnasium, the Zappeion Hall, and the Ethnikos Tennis Club as you move along the newly pedestrianized Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, back towards the Acropolis.

At 5 kilometers from your start, you will reach the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gates of Hadrian, the most philhellene of Roman emperors. Across the street, Dionysiou Areopagitou beckons, and a couple of hundred meters further along, the Acropolis museum, where you began.

To read this article in full and discover the 10K Athens Riviera Route, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis 

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Ironically, Greek mythology is itself the subject of many myths that are widely believed by many people around the world.

Some of this misinformation stems from action-packed Hollywood movies, while other such myths about mythology have been passed down from generation to generation.

No matter how the stories are told, the end result is the same: the stereotypical personifications of ancient gods and creatures are often very far from the truth.

Medusa wasn’t the only woman in ancient Greece with snakes for hair

When you think of Medusa, you immediately picture her horrific hair made of snakes. However, Medusa is wrongly singled out as being the only woman in Greek mythology to have this look.  Don’t forget that Medusa was merely the only mortal of the three Gorgon sisters; the other two sisters, Stheno and Euryale, also had reptilian locks.

Artemis held a grudge and would kill over it

The goddess of hunting is known for her shrewd skills and for being the protector of animals. However, while she is known as the goddess of childbirth in Greek mythology, she is also the destroyer of many young women. In fact, she killed six of Niobe’s daughters for insulting her mother, Leo. Clearly, you didn’t want to get on her bad side!

Apparently, the god of war had a soft spot: his sister Athena, the goddess of war. Ares obeyed his sister’s orders as she was also the goddess of defense and righteous battle. This can be seen in the “Illiad,” when Athena often intervenes to ensure a fair battle and Ares always bows to her command.

Hades wasn’t such a monster 

The god of death and the underworld wasn’t really such a bad guy. Specifically, it wasn’t his choice to rule the underworld; he was stuck with the job that no one wanted. After all, Hades wasn’t the one who was responsible for the redemption of souls; the three demigod brothers, Minos, Aiakos, and Rhadamanthys had that fun job!

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

On Sunday 20 June 2021 the Acropolis Museum celebrates its twelfth anniversary, having undergone its most difficult year to date, as it remained closed to the public for more than six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Acropolis Museum, now refreshed and renewed, welcomes its visitors on the day of its birthday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., with reduced entry (5 euro) to all exhibition areas. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the new thematic presentation “Marathon-Salamis. In traces of myth and history”. 

In this presentation, visitors will discuss with the Museum’s archaeologists about the Persian wars and their significance for the western world, the colliding opponents and the role played by gods and goddesses, the importance of the Marathon battle in the victory of the Salamis naval battle, the price paid by the Acropolis and how it was transfigured into creation and, finally, how the great moments of history are depicted in the exhibits of the Acropolis Museum.

Information:
Greek: 12 noon, 4 p.m. & 6 p.m.
English: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Participation: Limited to 8 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served. It is necessary to wear a protective mask (not provided by the Museum) and to use the whisper guide system headsets (provided by the Museum).