With schools having just started, kids and parents are getting prepared for the new school year; children are happy to see their friends again and share their summer vacation news.

 

However, this year, the return to school will be different. With COVID-19 still going strong, this year's return will be a new experience for children, parents, and teachers – it's much like mapping an unknown territory. So how do you prepare your child to deal with the new conditions in their daily life? I'm not referring to masks or hand washing. I'm talking about the emotional part that we accidentally overlook sometimes.

 

Start with yourself. How do you feel about your child going to school? If you are worried, so will your child. If you think that the situation will continue to be terrible, your child will believe the same. If your attitude is positive and centered, your child will have the same attitude. Let me remind you that children copy and reflect on our emotions. The more calm and stable you are, the better it is for your child. If you have younger children, there's no need to add to their stress. It is very imperative to assure them that it's okay if they forget some rules. After all, that's what the teachers are there for.

 

Listen to your child and their concerns, let them speak, and don't rush to offer your opinion. They may be afraid their friends won't go to school this year, and they will lose them. If you notice a denial on their part, this may be why they don't want to go either. Talk to them about friendship, how relationships change so that if there is a change, it'll be easier for them to accept it.

 

Take their worries seriously, even if they do not seem important to you. Research shows that today's children are under a lot of stress–they do not need any more from us. What they need is our love and support to meet the challenges that this school year will bring.

 

Here's to a great start!

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!

One of the most active and acclaimed Greek artists, Ilias Papailiakis, is engaged in an ongoing conversation with the history of Greek art. The solo exhibition Theoretical Objects: Works 2017–2020 comprises paintings, drawings, and sculptures produced in the last three years. In Papailiakis’ work, the ‘theoretical object’ is the object of study and research: It is the human body, violence, and history, art and archaeology, landscape and nature, the genealogy of desire, the history of civilization, the cultural traces of the past.

The exhibition consists of the sections: "Studies for a Thinker" (2008-2018), eighteen oils that reveal the transitional stage and the research that preceded until the artist was led to schematic painting. "The Archaic Members" (2018-2019), seven works in oil on canvas, mostly portraits, "The Warrior and the Sleep" (2019-2020), consisting of nine paintings, with the most recognizable The sculptor and the sleeping (2019), as well as six new works. The above sections are completed by 250 drawings with ink or pencil on paper

The exhibition is presented by the City of Athens Cultural, Sports & Youth Organisation (OPANDA) and is curated by Christoforos Marinos, art historian and OPANDA curator.

Renowned Italian actress and beauty icon Monica Bellucci is coming to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on September 28 - 30, 2020.  Having one of the most talented actresses in the world perform under the Acropolis is big news enough, even without mentioning the role she will be performing. Belucci will be incarnating opera singer Maria Callas and she will be doing so while struggling with her own fear of the stage.

"Going on stage is almost a kind of violence that I put myself through", says Belucci adding that as opposed to films, where scenes are shot one by one, in theatre one's concentration must last for the duration of the show.

Bellucci recently brought Maria Callas to life at the Studio Marigny in Paris, reading excerpts of Tom Volf’s “Lettres et Mémoire”, a monologue based on unpublished letters of the great soprano. These three unique performances in Athens will bring to light hidden and unknown aspects of the iconic singer, taking audiences on a journey into the life and career of the great diva. From her childhood in New York to the years of the war in Athens and from the first steps of her career to her marriage and her stormy love affair with Aristotle Onassis. 

Calling all vinyl lovers! Your favorite event, the Technopolis Vinyl Market is back for its regular fiesta on April 15-17, 2022.

The vinyl market returns enriched with new collections and fresh releases, as well as many other music exhibits. You'll get the chance to dig amongst what both vinyl stores and private sellers will be showing off and discover disks from the entire music range, from rock and jazz to ethnic and reggaeton. 

Of course, as always, pleasant music will thrill you throughout the event. You can expect DJ performances, contests, and sideshows, but don't let them distract you from that sought-after catalog number! 

Days & Hours:
Friday: 17.00-22.00
Saturday & Sunday: 11.00-22.00
 

It was 1983 when the world got to know Wim Mertens thanks to his contemporary classic, Struggle for Pleasure. The Belgian composer has since explored the minimal genre with over 65 album releases, having boldly ventured into experimental and avant-garde territory. His ideas on various forms of composing have been executed on ensembles, voice compositions, piano, and keyboard arrangements, often accompanied by his remarkable high-pitched tenor voice. Mertens is coming to Athens as part of his Inescapable Tour in celebration of a 40-year-long career. In this single show, Mertens will also perform his latest LP, The Gaze of the West.

Note: The audience will be limited to a specific number of seated spots. The use of a face mask is obligatory while entering and remaining in Technopolis and is strongly advised during the concert.

The historic race of The Authentic Marathon Swim revived at Artemision 2,500 years later. Amateur and professional swimmers from Japan, Russia, Great Britain, Germany, Bulgaria, and Greece enjoyed the remarkable sporting event with utmost safety, uniting the legend with history, on September 4-6, 2020, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.

The authentic route

For the first time, after 2,500 years, the historic authentic 10km route revived with the participation of world-class names that swam over the shipwrecks of the historic naval battle of Artemision in 480 B.C. following the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to The Father of History, Herodotus, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The demanding route took place at the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia, and Fthiotida, with the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Mrs. Angela Gerekou, Governor of Central Greece Region, Mr. Fanis Spanos and Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Ioannis Kontzias. A common reference from all those honoring the event with their presence was made for the absolutely successful compliance of the measures and the historic revival of the authentic swimming marathon route.

In the context of the races held, the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Kontzias, stated: “It was a special honour for our Municipality to revive this historic sporting event. With the principle of Plutarch’s ascertainment about the Naval Battle of Artemision “ἀρχὴ γὰρ ὄντως τοῦ νικᾶν τὸ θαρρεῖν” meaning “Courage is the beginning of victory” we faced the special conditions of our times with responsibility and emerged as winners. I would like to warmly thank the entire Greek state, the Greek National Tourism Organization, the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports, the Hellenic Swimming Federation, the Region of Central Greece, the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece and all sponsors who supported us in this effort from the first moment, recognizing the historical background of The Authentic Marathon Swim. Our goal is for the event to become an institution and to be repeated every year”.

The support of the local government

The entire local government of Central Greece joined the Municipality of Istiaia- Edipsos, supporting the revival of The Authentic Marathon Swim. The event was held 2 with the support and cooperation of the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.ST.E.), and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece.

World-class athletes were present

The Authentic Marathon Swim was honored by the presence of the silver Olympic medalist, world champion in the open water swimming, and member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame, Spyros Gianniotis. Among participating swimmers, the event had the Bulgarian Olympic champion Petar Stoychev with 4 Olympics participations, 11 consecutive titles in major international open water marathon swimming FINA series, and the impressive achievement of being in the Ice Swimming Hall of Fame, the Japanese Olympic champion in Rio, Yasu Fukuoka and top names from Greece. Specifically, the open water masters’ world champion, Vicky Kouveli the bronze medalist in the 2011 world open water swimming championship, with 4 participations in the Olympics, Marianna Lymperta, the three-time Greek champion and two- time English Channel marathon swimmer, Sofia Psilolignou, the English Channel marathon swimmer Giannis Kotsiopoulos, along with the elite athletes of the Greek national open water swimming team with Dimitris Negris, Andreas Georgakopoulos, Stellina Aplanti, Ilektra Lebl, Olga Ntalla and the swimming champion George Skotadis who competes with the colors of the Dutch national team.

In the context of the races, Spyros Gianniotis, Nikos Gemelos, Petar Stoychev, Yasu Fukuoka, Vicky Kouveli, Marianna Lymperta, and Sofia Psilolignou were honored for their presence, while the Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos, Mr. Ioannis Kontzias was honored for his idea and work.

The activities

On Saturday, September 5, the action began with the 3km open water swimming race, while the 1.5km race followed at Pefki beach.

Respectively, on Sunday, September 6, the event culminated with the revival of the authentic 10km marathon swimming route at the straits of Artemision. The event also included an 800m children’s race offering joy and smiles to dozens of kids. The warm-up of all athletes was held by the physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki.

The Authentic Marathon Swim, honoring the history of the region, held a symbolic event at the ancient settlement of Artemision where Mavroelia from Artemision or Olive Mavromandila can be found. It is a monument of nature and local history, one of the oldest olive trees in the world, dating back over 2,500 years. Winners of the routes were symbolically awarded a branch of Mavroelia.

The races’ results

In the authentic 10km marathon swimming route, the Bulgarian Olympic champion Petar Stoychev finished first in the men’s category, while the world champion of open water masters, Vicky Kouveli took the first place in women. In the 3km route, the champion Dimitris Negris won the first place amongst the men while the champion Ilektra Lebl was first in women. Respectively, in the 1.5km route, the champion Andreas Georgakopoulos finished first in the men’s category and Despina Dogia was first in the women’s category. You may check all the detailed results for the 10km route, the 3km route, and the 1.5km route. 

Opening the gates for safe sports tourism events

The event was held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol based on the instructions of the expert scientists-collaborators of the Hellenic Swimming 3 Federation and recommendations of the Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee, established by Active Media Group, ensuring the health of athletes and attendees.

The mandatory use of a mask by the staff and encouragement of its use by everyone with its free provision, the temperature measurements by the team of Target Security, although several athletes entered the venue with a mask showing a high sense of individual responsibility, the use of gloves where needed, the disinfection of all areas, equipment, and office materials, the demarcation of a 2,000 square meters space through the use of railings, swimmers starting in different waves to avoid interactions while maintaining long distances between them, the isolation of foreign athletes in different hotels and their entry in Greece with PCR tests were just a few elements on the first page of the safety measures implemented.

In the context of The Authentic Marathon Swim, Active Media Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akis Tsolis stated: "With our experienced and certified staff from the World Health Organization, we put in action with absolute success, an even stricter health protocol than the one approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the General Secretariat of Sports, taking all necessary measures for the safety of our participants. We created a recording system of outgoing and incoming people in order to always be aware, of the number of people that were present at the area of ​​the sports facility we built. Moreover, for the first time in the world, in these health conditions we experience, individual awarding was held for the 10km athletes. A huge effort was made by the organizing committee, the Municipality, the volunteers but above all by the participants who mostly came to the venue wearing masks. We did not write history, because history was written 2,500 years ago in the naval battle of Artemision, in the Battle of Thermopylae, and in the route swam by Hydna and Skyllias. We are adding to the glorious book of our place’s history; we are filling in the blank pages that are left from the authentic marathon swimming route 2,500 years ago, and we are opening a new chapter in the history of swimming and sports tourism”.

Safety throughout the races

All routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim were designed by the Greek national swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games & world open water swimming championships, Mr. Nikos Gemelos. The event prioritizing the absolute safety of its athletes provided everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes was mandatory. On the 10km route, each swimmer had an escorting boat next to him for safety reasons. Numerous lifeguards with boats and staff from Lifeguard Patrol and European Lifeguard School contributed to the safety of the races with the support of the Hellenic Red Cross with Chalkida’s Regional Department and dozens of volunteers from the region who helped in the event’s smooth delivery. The judges of the race were appointed by the Hellenic Swimming Federation, which had given its approval for the organization of the event, while the Port Authority of Orei and the race’s doctor also supervised all athletes.

Hospitality Sponsors’ dynamic support

The Authentic Marathon Swim collaborated with 40 hotels in the region, with the aim of revitalizing the sports tourism industry of Northern Evia and strengthening the Greek tourism product. The event was enormously supported with special offers and prices by the following hospitality sponsors: Hydna Studios, Island, Maria Louiza Apartments, Hotel 40 Platania, Altamar Hotel, Ellaeon Throesma, Artemision Hotel, Galini Hotel Edipsos, Ilios Studios, Villa Anastasia, Κochili Apartments, Mirtia Hotel, Irene Studios, Aidipsos Hotel, Aktaion Hotel, Aenaon Studios, Alex Spa Hotel, Anesis Pefki, Athina Studios, Apolonio, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Arethousa 4 Hotel, Avli Hotel, Ermis Spa Hotel, Evia Dream, Galini Hotel Pefki, Gioula Studios, Kallithea Hotel, Katerina Apartments, Kerasiotis Apartments, Konstantinos Hotel, Lito Hotel, Maria Studios, Melikari Studios, Mitho Hotel, Niki Studios, Jenny Studios, Papadioti Αpartments, Rodon Hotel, Sunset Pefki.

The Authentic Marathon Swim was held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization, it was listed in the “Thermopylae-Salamis 2020” Anniversary framework while joining the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission being held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. The event was co-organized by the Municipality of Istiaia- Edipsos Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.ST.E.), and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece, while Active Media Group was responsible for its sports production.

The Authentic Marathon Swim joined the swimming community Global Swim Series (GSS).

NP Insurance and Philosofish were the Official Sponsors.
Vikos Natural Mineral Water was the event’s Official Water.
Luanvi was the Official Clothing Partner.
Mosconi was the Official Sports Supplier.
Avance was the event’s Official Car Rental Partner.
Messinian Spa was the Official Beauty Partner and Target Security the Security Partner.
The event’s Partners included Piraeus Bank, Syconia, Almanda, and Fysiotek Sports Lab.
Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Leandros, Swimmingclub.gr, LA Elite Fitness, APS TRIAS, Kallithea Open Water Team were The Authentic Marathon Swim’s Athletic Partners.
Swimbikerun.gr was the Media Partner.
The event was assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, European Lifeguard School, Hellenic Red Cross with Chalkida’s Regional Department, Meliriton, and To Kochili.

Photo Credit: Dimitris Andritsos Photography 

The event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim created its own wave on social media bringing unique images and videos from participants’ exciting moments in the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.

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Plato was the founder of the world-famous Academy in Athens, the first higher learning institution in the western world. The philosophical school he developed at the Academy was known as Platonism, while its later branch is Neo-Platonism.

To learn more about Plato and his teachings, please visit: history.com

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The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has issued a new directive regarding towing and trailers which affects all passengers with private and commercial vehicles.

All trailers will be considered to be separate vehicles from now on, and will require their own separate registration document. The new registration documents must be issued by December 12, 2020. Old tow notes will no longer be valid. The owner must also keep both registration documents (can and trailer) in the car.

Regarding tow-bars, these must all be retractable or detachable and should not protrude when a trailer is not towed. Cars with old tow-bars are required to replace them with removable or retractable ones. When not used, the tow-bar must either be detached or folded so that it does not protrude from the bumper.

It is also clarified that in KTEO tests (MOT), a vehicle with a fixed, non-removable or non-retractable tow-bar will be flagged, and the owner will have to go for a re-inspection within a month.

This content was originally posted on Insurance-Greece.com.

XpatAthens is grateful to Insurance-Greece for being a Silver Partner and supporting our efforts to connect and inform the international community in Greece.

Insurance-Greece is an online insurance advisory portal focused entirely on ex-pat insurance matters in Greece. They do not have call centers and never send automated email replies. An actual person deals with your insurance needs at all times. Whatever your insurance plan, an Insurance Advisor is there for personal advice! You will have an experienced insurance advisor assigned to you so you'll always have someone to talk to regarding your insurance needs. Find out more here.

Navarino Challenge, the award-winning sports tourism event that every year brings together people of all ages and abilities, returns for 8th consecutive year in Messinia, Pylos, and Costa Navarino, on October 16-18, 2020. The top wellness event, as highlighted at the World Travel Market in London, which promotes Olympic values ​​and “fair play” will be held with the utmost safety of all participants and attendees.

The event, taking into account the current health conditions, is organized with the strict specifications set by the Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the relevant sports federations. With the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be conducted based on the health protocol established by experienced staff, certified by the World Health Organization, following the instructions of General Secretariat of Sports’ expert scientists-collaborators as well as the epidemiological data and suggestions of the General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee.

Navarino Challenge promotes and supports actions that highlight the history and cultural heritage of our country and more specifically the undeniable value of the Greek language. The Greek language has been a source of inspiration and culture for many countries since many foreign languages ​​use words deriving from ancient Greek. Words such as athlete, energy, harmony, ideals which are used around the world, are highlighted in this year’s video that presents all wellness activities of the 8th Navarino Challenge. 

Participants in this year’s Navarino Challenge will have the opportunity to enjoy exercising along with significant personalities from the wellness field, such as: the physical education instructor Mandy Persaki, the trainer of F45, Barrio Salamanca, Tess Arlauckas, and the personal trainer Dimitris Moros, as well as athletic partners such as FitnessArt, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, with the experience and dynamic of the Panellinios Agora Games and the Navarino Golf Academy. In addition, the following instructors will be present: the boxing champion Christos Gatsis, with the 2 support of the Vizantinos target sports club, the kickboxing champion Alexandros Nikolaidis, the table tennis champion and international career model Ioanna Papadimitriou as well as athletic partners such as Swim Academy and Red Swim Academy. For the first time, a beach volley tournament will be held by the champion and pioneer of the sport, Michalis Triantafyllidis.

Top international female basketball player of all time Evina Maltsi meets Euroleague legend Joe Arlauckas at the Navarino Challenge 2020.

The Greek Women’s National Team all-time top scorer and former WNBA player will be an honoree guest at this year’s event. In the context of her participation, Evina Maltsi stated: “It is my honor and pleasure to participate in the 8th Navarino Challenge which is a huge sporting event in a beautiful tourism destination. I hope that this event can live on for one thousand years. What the event stands for, is completely in line with my beliefs, the dissemination of the Olympic idea. It is a wonderful place that can combine sports tourism and attract more people who will adopt the Olympic values ​​as a way of life. As a basketball player, it will be my pleasure to introduce the sport that I have served for more than 25 years, to as many children as I can”.

Dynamic sports will also be included in this year’s award-winning event’s schedule. Specifically, the Olympic and world champion in 400m with hurdles, Periklis Iakovakis, the two-time silver Olympic medalist Alexandros Nikolaidis, the gold Paralympic medalist and world champion of Boccia Grigoris Polychronidis, the European champion, Miltos Tentoglou, as well as the top track and field coach George Pomaski, will be present at the event.

A demonstration of sailing races with OPTIMIST and LASER boats will be held in the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor at the bay of Navarino, by the Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”. The “Forgotten Heroes” races will be held in honor of Anastasios Tsamados, Nikolaos Votsis, Stavros Sachinis, Georgios Sachtouris, and the ghost sailors of the warship (brig) Aris of Tsamados. The “Aris” ship (also known as “Athena” during the period 1829–1879) is considered as one of the most glorious ships of the Greek navy in the Greek war of independence, which was owned by the fearless captain, the admiral Anastasios Tsamados. It was the last ship to break through the enemy siege, putting seven enemy ships out of battle, during the siege of the island of Sphacteria at the Battle of Sphacteria on April 26, 1825.

This year, Navarino Challenge through its actions will support the following CSR partners: Through the “Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation”, it will support a) Karkinaki and b) Dogs’ Voice, while will also directly support c) Fashion Targets Breast and Prostate Cancer.

The energy you need to start your day stronger

The favorite breakfast cereal bars FITNESS®, as the Official Breakfast Partner of Navarino Challenge, will be by the side of the participants, giving them the energy they need to meet the challenges they will encounter during this unique event! With their B- complex vitamins that help release energy from food, they form the ideal choice for a delicious and balanced breakfast.

Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor wellness activities for people of all ages. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070.

Entries for the event’s top Greek Half-marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km by Samsung and 1km children’s races are underway and interested parties can participate by completing the available here. 

Take advantage of the offer by the event’s Official Technology Partner, Samsung Electronics Hellas. Samsung and Navarino Challenge will offer all participants the opportunity to purchase the Galaxy S20, S20+ & Galaxy Z Flip, with a 20% discount upon completion of their registration.

The top Greek rental company Avance, as the event’s official car rental partner, provides participants of Navarino Challenge with an opportunity to make their reservation, with a 15% discount on the official price list, for any vehicle of their choice regarding their travel to Messinia during the period of the event. In terms of bookings, participants need to send an email to reserv(at)avance.gr.

Navarino Challenge is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality. Navarino Challenge has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. All running races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.