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Navarino Challenge 2019 Goes Green
“Navarino Challenge” allows participants to be informed and involved in its activities to support the sacred goal of combating childhood obesity through exercise and awareness of the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
With a view to adopting a more eco-friendly strategy, the organizers: a) have declared the start and end points of the Navarino Dunes runways as strictly smoke-free areas, b) have declared the beautiful Voidokilia beach, through which the runners cross, as strictly plastic-free, c) will offer participants an eco-friendly bag by Luanvi, event’s official sports supplier.
This year, the event will further promote charity by supporting: a) the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis with a program on Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition, DIATROFI.
Additionally, Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation will support b) WWF Hellas and c) Karkinaki.
All participants can contribute any sum they wish through the GivenGain online platform. As part of this year’s “Navarino Challenge”, Barney Spender and Roddy Gibson’s award-winning documentary “The Road to Sparta” that recounts the effort of four runners, including that of Greek-American ultramarathon Dean Karnazes (who participated with the Navarino Challenge Support Team) to run the “Sparthathlon” race, will be screened at the Agora, Costa Navarino, on Friday, October 11.
Register for Navarino Challenge 2019 today!
Running routes
Participants can choose between the top-of-the-range Ford Go Further Greek Half- Marathon (21.1km), 10km by PlantBox, and 5km (running & dynamic walking). Starting from the Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino, professional and amateur athletes will run along the coast to Pylos, crossing the beautiful Voidokilia beach, following the Homeric trail that Telemachos traced for Odysseus in King Nestor’s land. It is the only trail run that combines soil, sand and asphalt.
On the same day, the children’s 1km course will take place. The routes have been planned by the former marathon runner, current classic marathon course national record holder, running coach and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. The event includes race timing for all runners.
The olive tree, a key symbol of Ancient Greece, the Olympic Games, of the Mediterranean diet, and of Messinia in particular, is given its due place of honour at Navarino Challenge. Peloponnese-based PlantBox, the award-winning team at the Athens Startup Awards, will offer an original olive tree package to each participant. Participants will also receive 2 high quality cosmetics by Messinian Spa, a range of cosmetics based on Kalamata olive oil and other natural Greek products.
Enjoy the uniqueness of the running routes in the following video!
Learn more details about the route of the Ford Go Further Greek Half-Marathon in the following video!
Accommodation Packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino Navarino Challenge participants who have booked their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, taking part in the main events (running, swimming) can also enjoy the full program that includes more than 20 sporting activities. The first 50 to book their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino stand a chance to win free participation at the Authentic Athens Marathon 5km race on Sunday, November 10, 2019.
More information on accommodation packages can be found here!
Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points. For more information on accommodation packages in the region visit VitaNTravel: http://vitantravel.gr/
Samsung is the official technology partner for another year. Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas and the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”.
Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event for one more year.
Official supporters are Poseidonia, Municipality of Pylos-Nestor and PlantBox. Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner for the first time.
Partners of the event are Pylos Poems, Fysiotek Sports Lab, Athens Easy Transfers. Avance Rent A Car is the official rental partner.
National Geographic is the strategic partner of the event and 24 Media its premium media partner. “Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 program of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.
The event is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos- Nestor and Trifilia. Athletic Partners: Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club Assisted by: Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Karalis Beach Hotel, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security, METAXA, The Blue Beetle, Fever-Tree, NoS, Southern Comfort 3
Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
Full Moon Fiesta In Technopolis: A Summer Date With Katerine Duska & Minor Project
Are you looking for a place to view the full moon from? Look no further! Full Moon Fiesta, the summer festival that has become something of an institution, is coming for the 4th consecutive year at Technopolis City of Athens. Prepare yourselves for a date under the full moonlight! Right before our summer vacation, on a working day, we set off on a fantastic journey and plunge into the most entertaining party of the city. On Wednesday, 17 July 2019, Katerine Duska, Minor Project, and Matina Sous Peau are coming with a batch of fresh sounds and dance songs to keep us cool in the heat of the summer and travel us to exotic destinations for a while...And guess what! We won’t be even needing a ticket!
20:00 | Matina Sous Peau Dj set
21:15 | Minor Project
22:30 | Katerine Duska
Earlier the same night, the band Minor Project with its indie-oriented crossover repertoire consisting of songs with both English and Greek lyrics will add to the amazing musical combo of the Full Moon Fiesta. Minor Project’s songs give off a nostalgic cinematic vibe that brings summer images and carefree days to mind. All of us got the tune of the dreamy “In Colors” stuck in our heads at some point, thus explaining why it remained in the top 3 on the Shazam and itunesGR charts for so long! The band has teamed up with many distinguished artists and takes us on a trip out on the sea with songs such as “Ekdromi”, the result of a special collaboration with Dimitra Galani, and “From Folegandros to Kos”. Minor Project have become a firm favourite with radio listeners and audiences who have seen them perform live and they will be joining us this summer night at Technopolis to talk to us about our very favourite colors and unexpected journeys.
The fiesta will open with a super groovy dj set by Matina Sous Peau who returns to Technopolis after the unforgettable Let’s be late! dance event that took place in March at the Industrial Gas Museum. She promises once again to get us singing and moving along her creative mashups and our beloved dance hits. The DJ/music producer, who has managed to win over the Greek audience at jam-packed parties taking place across Athens, could not be absent from the ultimate summer event! Sweet summer vibes, full moon, music, your friends, and... a super festive mood are waiting for you at the Full Moon Fiesta! Unless you are already on an island, you can’t miss it!
Access: Metro: “Kerameikos” station, Trolley-Bus: No. 21 (from Omonia square),
“Fotaerio” stop, Bus: 049, 815, 838, 914, Β18, Γ18, “Fotaerio” stop
Canada Day Celebration / Friends-of-Canada
Every nation is welcome to join in the laughter and fun at 19.30 on Tuesday, July 9. It’s a merry, casual atmosphere, with first-coming-first-seated/served. But you must register by Friday, July 5. Email rsvp.cu@gmail.com giving your name, your mobile phone number, the full names of each guest, and the sentence ‘Friends of Canada has my consent to process my data’.
Also note that the FoC Welfare Network, working in conjunction with the Salvation Army, will be collecting donations of hygiene products for mothers with young children.
See attachment for more details – we hope that everyone who is in town will come!
*Horiatiki pizza (smoked ham, feta cheese, olives, mushroom, fresh tomato, tomato sauce, cheese and peppers) - Caprese salad (sliced tomato on a bed of lettuce, topped with fresh mozzarella and pesto) - a glass each of house wine, white or red – Panna cotta
Street Food & Tunes: The Italian Summer Party
Street Food Menu:
Vera Pizza Napoletana
1. Margherita: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, grated parmesan cheese and pecorino 5.90 €
2. Diavola: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami Napoli, nduja 6,50 €
3. Carbonara (Bianca): cream, egg, ham, pancetta, grated parmesan cheese and pecorino 6.50 €
Pasta (Visitors can choose between Penne / Orecchiette / Strozzapreti)
1. Napoletana: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes 6.10 €
2. Pollo e Funghi: chicken, ribbed mushrooms, truffle oil, white wine, cream, onion, garlic, thyme 6,60 €
Risotto
1. Risotto ai Funghi: risotto with a variety of mushrooms, parmesan, truffle oil 6,10 €
Cocktail / Birra / Vino
1. Aperol Spritz: Aperol, Prosecco, soda 7.5 €
2. Sangria Bianca: white wine, yuzu lemon syrup, cherry plum syrup, triple sec, grapefruit juice, raspberries 6,50 €
3. Pinot Grigio, Cantine Pirovano Garganega White (glass 180ml) 4 €
4. Birra Moretti L 'Autentica (400ml) 4 €
Gelato
Ice cream 3 €
ACS Youth-to-Youth Educational & Social Integration Progams Ceremony 2018-2019
The Youth-to-Youth Programs are delivered by ACS Athens to unaccompanied refugee minors in collaboration with The HOME Project Organization, with the generous support of the Shapiro Foundation and IKEA Foundation. This academic year is the third year that the part-time and full-time Youth-to-Youth Programs are running, proving in action how educational institutions have the power to respond to the deep problems of today’s world and find reliable partners to do so.
For all participating students and faculty members, this event was a celebration of a year full of knowledge and friendships, a touching celebration of life moving forward. The students shared their experiences from being a part of the Youth-to-Youth programs, either as students or as volunteer teachers, both sides expressing the same thought: “we learned from each other, we learned from each other’s culture and history, we are friends for life.”
Performing dances, singing and smiling, the students shared their talents, dreams, and future aspirations together with their dedication to keeping up their hard work for their next steps in education.
The Director of Youth-to-Youth Educational and Social Integration Programs and Academy Vice Principal, Ms. Julia Tokatlidou hosted the ceremony and proudly introduced the exceptional young participants of the program, some of whom have started only a few months ago but are already part of the ACS Athens family.
The Youth-to-Youth Programs will continue making an impact and will keep growing. For the academic year 2019-2020, the Shapiro Foundation has granted 18 full-time scholarships in ACS Athens for the HOME Project children, securing the opportunity to continue their studies at a leading educational institution
Second-Hand Bookstore Aims To Empower Athens' Homeless
After losing his job in 2012, Mr. Koursoumis was also–eventually– left homeless. "When I was walking, whenever I felt tired I looked for a quiet place to sleep. I've slept on the ground, in the entrances of apartment buildings in Athens many times" he says.
During his time on the street, Mr. Koursoumis, collected discarded books from trashcans across the city which he later sold to the second-hand book stalls at the Athens flea market. The pursuit of old books gave him the idea to open a second-hand bookstore where he and the friends he met on the streets could work and make a living.
Today, he is confident that through the bookstore, he and his friends will be able to reclaim a part of their old lives. He is aiming to create a community center run by the homeless for the homeless at a new permanent spot he has found in Tavros, near the center of the city and hopes to move his book shop to the new premises in the next couple of weeks.
To read this article in full, please visit: dw.com
Email: booksleonis@yahoo.gr
Three Female Directors Make Their Epidaurus Festival Debut
The 2019 Epidaurus Festival premiered last Friday, June 21, with the successful performance of Oedipus by the highly acclaimed stage director, Robert Wilson.
This weekend June 28 &29 the National Theatre of Greece presents a bold, original concept; Oresteia, the only extant ancient drama trilogy is presented in Epidaurus in a single performance by three talented female directors in their Epidaurus debut, featuring a single cast and crew: Agamemnon by Io Voulgaraki, The Libation Bearers by Lilly Meleme, and The Eumenides by Georgia Mavragani.
Part 1: Agamemnon by Io Voulgaraki
In the first part of Aeschylus’ trilogy, King Agamemnon returns to Argos, shortly after the end of the Trojan War. Agamemnon triumphantly marches into the city and his palace, flaunting the Trojan princess and Apollo priestess Cassandra as his captive. Clytemnestra welcomes her husband, all pomp and circumstance. However, her enthusiasm conceals a deadly, well-orchestrated plan.
Part 2: The Libation Bearers by Lilly Meleme
In the second part of Aeschylus’ trilogy, Electra takes center stage, mourning her murdered father and obsessively anticipating the return of her brother, Orestes, her beacon of hope, with whom she plans to take revenge for Agamemnon.
Part 3: The Eumenides by Georgia Mavragani
The third part of the trilogy revolves around Orestes’ pursuit by the Furies and the holy trial he must submit himself to be acquitted. In this play, the Areopagus court is established, which is why it is often considered to be a foundational play of Athenian Democracy.
To learn more about the perfromance, please visit: Athens & Epidaurus Festival
Travel to Epidaurus comfortably, reliably, and on time with YK Executive Transfers.
Discovering The Ancient Secrets Of The Olive: An Adventure Full Of Activities
About The Book
The ancient Greeks adored the olive from the twilight of history, and even in prehistoric times they used olives in medicine, cooking, religion and many other aspects of everyday life. Until today, scientists, botanologists, archaeologists and geologists have been trying to peel away the secrets of the olive and its uses in Ancient Greece. In this book you will find out how the ancient Greeks used the olive, through paintings, activities and amusing texts... Let yourself be surprised by the facts, as the olive is still used today in multiple ways and in many cases in the same ways that it was used back then!
About The Author
Vasiliki Markaki studied International Relations and History of Art in Athens and holds two Masters Degrees, in Art Management and Museum and Gallery Management, from City University London.
She has collaborated with natural history museums in Greece and the UK, for the development of learning activities and has also worked for the London-based British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures. In 2015, she joined the team that planned and managed the development of the House of European History, the new museum of the European Parliament, designing the learning strategy and all related material for physical and online visitors. Since 2017 she has been working at the Μuseum of Cycladic Art as the coordinator of the museum’s e-learning program.
Her children’s book “Discovering the Ancient Secrets of the Olive” was published in Greek and English in 2013.
To purchase Vassiliki's book, please visit: Amazon.com
Run Along The Caldera At The 5th Santorini Experience
Real Madrid in Santorini!
Register now. For more information click here!
Register now here!
Photo by Babis Giritziotis
Exhibit At The Acropolis Museum Reveals An Entire Ancient Neighborhood
Coinciding with the 10-year birthday of the Acropolis Museum, the inauguration of new exhibition space has been announced; an entire ancient neighborhood has been excavated right below the museum building revealing ancient villas, streets, workshops, and bathhouses.
"For the first time we are able to see how people lived in the shadow of the Acropolis," said Dimitrios Pandermalis, the museum's director pointing towards a gorgeous ancient courtyard and a chamber where aristocrats held symposiums.
Building a €130m museum so close to the Acropolis in an area so rich in archaeology, was a difficult task and the discovery of so many ancient ruins – some of which date back the late classical era– significantly delayed the completion of the museum.
But the 13 years of digging paid off and helped archaeologists learn even more about ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy.
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
10 Years Acropolis Museum Celebration
Thursday, 20 June 2019
Friday, 21 June 2019 onwards
The archaeological excavation will be open to the public with the general admission fee ticket. The excavated area of 4,000 sq. meters comprises houses, workshops, baths and streets of an ancient Athenian neighborhood that existed from the classical to the Byzantine years, in successive phases. This impressive archaeological site will soon be enriched with the most representative findings of the excavation. Architectural ruins will be organized in a unique exhibition set that sheds light on the everyday life of an ancient neighborhood that existed in the shadow of the Acropolis. On this day the Museum exhibition areas will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.