Six Greek cities, Athens, Ioannina, Kalamata, Kozani, Thessaloniki, and Trikala have been selected by the European Commission among 377 cities to participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 in the domains of energy, transportation, and urban planning.

The Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities is a novelty of the Horizon Europe research and innovation program for 2021-2027. It aims to bring concrete solutions to the enormous challenge of climate change and digital transformation. The selection of the Greek cities is a great success for the country and it is the result of hard work and cooperation between the 6 cities and the Greek Environment Ministry in the last two years.

Kozani: The energy producing area of Greece

Kozani is a city in northern Greece, the capital of the Kozani region of West Macedonia. The city is known for its large lignite power plants making it, so far, the leading energy-producing area of Greece. After the Greek government’s decision though about the closure of all coal-fired plants by 2028 (the deadline for Kozani being in 2023), local authorities have been preparing a new Strategic Plan for the city aiming to contribute to a smoother transition toward a clean energy regime. The new plan includes policies that will be innovative in energy efficiency through the development of Renewable Energy Sources enhancing at the same time the digital transformation of the local economy and governance. 

Trikala: The first digital city of Greece

Trikala sits at the heart of the Greek mainland, located in the region of Thessaly and it has the reputation of being a frontrunner as a smart city, being labeled in 2004 as Greece’s “first digital city”. Today under the name “Smart Trikala”, public authorities have developed a wide range of digital solutions to help improve the lives of citizens and the city has performed highly in terms of innovation results. Trikala is one of the most dynamic medium-sized cities in Europe, being a pioneer in designing innovative ICT solutions in electromobility, energy, e-health, and open governance for the benefit of its citizens.

Ioannina: The lake city of Epirus

Ioannina is the capital of Epirus, a north-western region of Greece, and a beautiful lake city with long history built on Egnatia Odos, an ancient route that connects Europe with Asia. The economy of Ioannina has purely urban characteristics determined by the fact that the city is the commercial and administrative center of the region. Sustainable urban development, with respect and protection of the natural environment, is among the key elements and major strategic goals of all policy strategies and plans of the Municipality. 

Kalamata: The Mediterranean city of the southwestern Peloponnese

Kalamata is a Mediterranean city of the southwestern Peloponnese and the capital of Messinia, being faced occasionally with extreme weather events. To deal with the effects of climate change, local authorities in Kalamata have been implementing national and EU projects of more than 120 million Euros for the last 5 years, while at the same time through their participation in these programs local authorities have gained important knowledge and they have participated in beneficial synergies and networks.

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

Main image: @dimos.kozanis

Verve Juices is the first cold press juicery and juice cleansing company in Greece. Verve is about living well, treating your body right, and getting back to your roots by consuming raw, organic, fresh, and unprocessed food.

Their mission is to bring nutritious premium juices and complete cleansing programs to anyone who wishes to live life at its best. They aim to offer convenient healthy programs that fit easily into our busy lifestyle.

Their bespoke detoxification programs have been carefully studied and designed by the Nutritional Therapist & Metabolic Balance coach of London Nutrition Clinic, Lisa Blair. Their programs help the body cleanse, release toxins and shape up in a healthy and natural way. 

Along with Christina Kostara who offers support and nutritional advice to all their customers, Verve Juices has created a team to aid their customers and set nutritional programs which incorporate Verve Juices combined with a well-balanced diet to reach several goals, such as weight control, immunity boost, etc. 

Athens Gardens festival started its journey in 2013 by the Athens Art Network, which had been created just a year prior, and consisted of many independent art groups. Since then, at the beginning of the tourist season, the festival presents the opportunity to find live world and classical music in selected Athenian gardens and parks with free entrance.



May 26 - Tango concert by “Tanguerissimo”
Dance performance by dance school “Baile de Barrio” with an open “milonga” for the public to follow.

Trio Tanguerissimo has been well-loved by Athenian milongueros and aims to embark on a musical journey through Buenos Aires in the 1950s. Kostas Vlachopoulos on the chromatic harmonica, Elli Dadira on acoustic bass and vocals, and Marios Strofalis on the piano will perform traditional tango for the dancing crew Baile de barrio, lead by Kostas Nikolaides, and for every member of the public who enjoys the most erotic form of dance.

Where: Viktoria square(outside the metro station Viktoria sq)
Time: 8-10 p.m 

May 27 - Songs and music of love
Marios Strofalis Quartet & Irene Toumpaki.

The cinematic composer’s chamber music ensemble with a distinct Mediterranean hue is almost in the 20th year since its formation and will present the albums “European Taxim I & II”. Irene Toumpaki’s voice narrates a journey with songs of love from her new album called “Mystikos Kipos” with M.Strofalis music.

Where: “Kentro Technon” (Art center) - Parko Eleutherias (Freedom Park)
Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m

May 28 - Latin concert by Martha Moreleon and the “Real Latin group.gr”
Cuban and Latin dance performance

The Athenian-Mexican with the velvety voice aims to bring Cuban song and dance to the multicultural neighborhood of the central railroad station of Athens. With her, her long-time companions in music from Chile, Argentina, and Greece. To truly bring this party to life we have the help of two Cuban dancers. The audience is not obliged to join the dance, but it is strongly encouraged! 

Where: Park opposite Stathmos Larisis station (basketball court, Samou 75)
Time: 8-10 p.m

May 29 - Swing concert by “Manouchedrome” accompanying the dance group “Rhythm Hoppers” in a swing party 

ManoucheDrome go on a musical journey starting from Django Reinhardt through Belgium and onto Paris where gypsy jazz met the swing accordion of Gus Viseur, and come all the way to Britain where gypsy jazz met English verse. Ever devoted to the idioms of yesteryear and the explosive voice of Nandia Manti ManoucheDrome invite the audience to “whistle” and dance along with the musical rhythms of swing. Alongside them, the dancing crew Rhythm Hoppers will get the party rolling, and everyone can join.

Where: Pagrati Grove
Time: 8-10 p.m

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris announced that face masks will no longer be required for indoor spaces between June 1 – September 15.

Under the revised guidelines, as of June 1, masks will no longer be mandatory in indoor areas including at supermarkets, restaurants, shops, malls, hair salons, etc.

The minister added that masks will also not be necessary for means of transport with numbered seats including airplanes, intercity trains, and KTEL buses. The lifting of the measure also concerns employees in all the aforementioned areas.

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Click here to learn more about how to protect yourself, symptoms, and where to seek medical treatment. 
Click here to read about how to get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Greece.

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Where mask-wearing will remain mandatory

Mask-wearing will remain mandatory in hospitals, senior care homes, and when using public means of transport (buses, trolleys, electric railway, metro, and tram).

The health minister added that the country’s Covid-19 committee of experts will decide in the following days if mask-wearing will remain mandatory in schools, universities and when traveling on ferries to the islands. 

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

Everyone knows that Greece is the cradle of Western Civilization, the birthplace of democracy, that it has a stunningly beautiful coastline, and that our Independence Day is March 25th. However, there are some facts that very few people are aware of.

There may be some things about Greece and its history that even many Greeks don’t know. Why not take this opportunity to brush up on some interesting facts and factoids about this most fascinating country before you finally travel there for an idyllic vacation this Summer?

Facts about Greece you probably didn’t know

1. There are about 2,000 islands and islets in Greece, but only 170 of them are inhabited. The largest, Crete, has an area of ​​8,260 square kilometers (3,189 square miles).

2. Greece is the number one country in the world in the production of natural sponges.

3. Athens had a population of about 7,000 only two centuries ago. Today the capital’s residents exceed five million, almost half of the country’s population.

4. Surrounded by the sea, there is no place in Greece that is more than 137 km (85 miles) away from the sea. Greece has the tenth-longest coastline in the world.

5. In the 1950s, only 30 percent of Greeks knew how to read and write. Today, the illiteracy rate is just 5 percent.

6. Greece ranks third in the world in olive oil production. The cultivation of olive trees in the country began in ancient times. Indeed, some olive trees which are known to have been planted in the thirteenth century still produce fruit.

7. The Greek language has been spoken for approximately 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest languages ​​in the world.

8. Athens has been inhabited for 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe.

9. On average, Greeks enjoy 250 days of sunshine a year. This corresponds to 6,000 hours of sun per year.

10. Greece has more archaeological museums than any other country in the world — which is only natural considering the age of its civilization.

To read this article in full and discover more mind-blowing facts about Greece, please visit: greekreporter.com

Revani (also spelled ravani) is a Greek cake known for its citrus flavors and use of semolina flour. The sponge cake is made with lemon zest and sweetened with a simple syrup with orange zest.

Here's an easy-to-follow recipe for the perfect revani, a delightful addition to any sweet table!

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup fine semolina
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pinch salt

For the syrup: 

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 strips orange zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• Add the water, sugar, and orange zest to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and cool.
• While the cake is still warm, cover it with syrup. When the cake cools, you can sprinkle it with some powdered sugar, cinnamon, and almonds, if using.

To read this recipe in full and discover useful tips for delicious revani, please visit: thespruceeats.com

The Authentic Marathon Swim returns for the 3rd consecutive year, on July 1-3, 2022, at Artemision. Amateur and professional swimmers from all over the world will have the opportunity to swim in unique open water swimming routes at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiea - Edipsos.

The Authentic Marathon Swim was distinguished with 3 awards and reached the top of the Tourism Awards 2022, the most important institution that highlights the innovative and best practices of Greek tourism. More specifically the event received 2 Silver Awards in the “Event Organization / Press Trips / Special Events / Major Tourism Event” category for the perfect production of last year’s event and the “Storytelling Excellence” category for the successful dissemination of the event’s history throughout the world. In addition, the event received 1 Bronze Award in the “Integrated Marketing Campaign” category for the enormous publicity that was accomplished and the integrated sports tourism promotion of the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos.

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, the authentic 14.5km route “Skylias & Hydna” will be held allowing swimmers from around the world to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C., for the first time. Athletes will follow the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to the Father of History Herodotus (8.8) and other historians, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The swimmers will cover 80 stadia or 14.5km. On the same day, the 5km and 3km routes will also be carried out. On Sunday, July 3, 2022, the 10km marathon, the 1.5km race, as well as the children’s 500m race will take place. The routes of 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 500m. have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point.

 

The open water masters’ world champion, Vicky Kouveli, the three-time Greek champion and two-time English Channel marathon swimmer, Sofia Psilolignou and the English Channel marathon swimmer, Giannis Kotsiopoulos are just some of the first names that participants will have the opportunity to meet in this year’s event.

Enjoy the Authentic Marathon Swim’s 2021 highlights video HERE! 

 

Participants can now register and take part in the impressive open water swimming routes of 14.5km, 10km, 5km, 3km, 1.5km. All citizens of Istiea-Edipsos and people with disabilities can take part in the 5km, 3km and 1.5km routes, completely free of charge. Registration for the 500m children’s race is free. Register now HERE!

The certified and experienced South Evian Gulf team that was born in the Southern Gulf of Evia from its deep love for the sea and nautical travel, will not only accompany swimmers in the 14.5km and 10km races but will also offer lessons on the basic techniques of open water kayaking, acquaintance with the boats on land and then puddle at the straits of Artemision. More information on the opening of registrations will be announced in the coming days.

As part of the Authentic Marathon Swim, an exhibition of local food products and tasting will also be held in collaboration with Evia’s Federation of Trade and Entrepreneurship “Evia Epichirin”.

Accommodation packages at the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos

The Authentic Marathon Swim already collaborates with hotels in the region, with the aim of revitalizing North Evia and strengthening the Greek tourism product. Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously supported with special prices starting from 40 euros, by the following hospitality sponsors: Maria Louiza Apartments, Island, Mirtia Hotel, Hydna Studios, Sunset Pefki, Villa Anastasia, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Arethousa Hotel, Viki Studios.

Participants and visitors can take advantage of the special offers, providing reduced accommodation prices and late check out while discovering beautiful hotels in the areas of Pefki, Loutra Edipsos, Artemision, Istiea, Kanatadika, Neos Pyrgos, Orei and Agiokampos.

Visit the event’s specially designed page and discover the hospitality solutions and the special offers that apply to the participants.

Just an hour and a half from Athens, participants can take a ferry boat with itineraries that serve from 07:00 am in the morning to 23:00 pm in the evening. Learn how to get directly and quickly to Pefki and take advantage of the ferry boat offers that will be valid during the races. 

  

For the safety of all races, the event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees. The event will provide once again everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes is mandatory. For each participant in the 14.5km and 10km routes there will be an escort-boat and its cost is included in the registration price.

                                                                                                                

Luanvi is the event’s Official Clothing Partner.

South Evian Gulf Team is the event’s Athletic Partner. 

The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and the entire Local Government with the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.S.T.E.) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece. The Authentic Marathon Swim is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. ActiveMedia Group is responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

 

Use the event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim and upload on social media the unique images and exciting moments you experienced in the previous years in the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos as you prepare for the 3rd and most exciting year.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas

The Athens Epidaurus Festival is Greece’s leading cultural organisation and one of the oldest continuously running festivals in Europe. Spanning 68 years, the Festival has welcomed some of the greatest music, dance, and theatre artists of the international and local scene, in collaboration with the most prestigious Greek and international organisations, attracting large audiences from around the world.
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The Meet Market is back again, hand in hand with the 21st Jazz Athens at Technopolis, City of Athens!

Its been more than 2 years of missed Athens Jazz Festivals due to the pandemic, so we are extra excited about this very special renunion.  We are also extra excited about the theme of this years Jazz Festival, which is all about celebrating #WomeninJazz. Yaaas queen!

Join us from Monday May 23rd to Sunday, May 29th – both indoors in the Mixanourgio venue and outdoors in the Mixaourgio Courtyard – for one glorious week of free Jazz concerts, dj sets, activities for kids and of course our beloved Meet Market, with over 120 brands from local artisans, designers, collectors and producers.

Expect to find a wide and beautiful variety of creations and innovations including handmade clothes, jewelry, accessories, products for kids, homeware, art, books, records, vintage & retro collectable, self-care products, tasty edible, street food & drinks.  Come for a stroll, for a shop, for a meet or a mingle, come for some jazz – whatever the reason, just be there.