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I remember when I was attending elementary school, it must have been 5th grade, our teacher asked us to write an essay about the upcoming Mother’s Day. At the time I had great difficulty with essays of any kind. I never knew how to start and it would take me ages to figure out the first paragraph. So I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea: I would simply find an essay that I liked, copy it, and hand it in. And so I did.

As this was part of my homework, my mom obviously wanted to read it. She was so enthusiastic and proud of her daughter’s writings. She was also moved by the strong emotions vividly described in my essay. My teacher however had the complete opposite reaction, as she understood exactly what had happened. She even knew where I had “borrowed” the text from. Oops! It’s not difficult to imagine how I felt…

Today? No, I don’t need to read any books in order to write how I feel about my mom. I love my mom, and that’s not just by default. I love her for her big heart, for her warm hug, for always being there for me, and for her talent to make us laugh. Of course, we’ve had fights and disagreements. Of course, I don’t agree – even now – with the way she’s handled some situations. However, being a mom myself today, I can certainly understand and acknowledge the challenges she’s faced and her efforts.

I know how a mom feels towards her child but I also know how a child feels towards their mom. I read two quotes that pretty much describe both sides: “Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother” (unknown) and “The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom” (Henry Ward Beecher).

Now I know it’s not an easy ride. Motherhood is not a given. It is beautiful and hard at the same time. It can be elevating and demanding, heartbreaking and heartwarming. As much as it may be scary though it is an undeniable force of life.

Just last week we celebrated my mom’s 88th birthday. In a beautiful garden full of roses, orange trees, and lemon trees. We were all there, the whole family, all in great shape. What a blessing!

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!
Friday, 29 April 2022 13:26

FokiaNou Art Space - Collage Remix

FokiaNou Art is pleased to present “Collage Remix”, a group show curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. The increasing popularity of collage among artists and art-appreciators is due to its ability to describe the world in a multifaceted way. Often using mass-produced images, it mirrors the historical and political context in which it is created. Because of the juxtapositions used in collage, the medium can avoid both linear thinking and traditional binary dichotomies. Additionally, by using found or readymade images or objects, the medium subverts the traditional importance of the idea of the lone creative genius, while also acting as a democratic, low-tech medium accessible by most people.
 
Seventeen artists were invited to submit analog and digital collage work, in 2 and 3 dimensions. Participating artists:  Nola Abboud, Mary Cox, Kelly Koumarianou, Helen Kyrkilis, Loula Levedi, Annette Luycx, Dimitra Maltabe, Konstantine Matsoukas, Dionisios Pappas, Nikos Podias, Geeta Roopnarine, Fiona Spathopoulou, Giorgos Spyropoulos, Christina-Sylvia Simantira, Panagiotis Voulgaris, Piyi Wong, Kiveli Zachariou.
Curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris
 
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: Thursday, 12 May, 17.00
Duration: 12-28 May 2022. 
Hours: Thursday - Saturday 17.00 – 20.00

Five of Europe’s best rooftop bars are located in Greece: in the city of Athens and on the island of Santorini, according to a study released by entertainment site MrQ.

To determine its 2022 European Rooftop Bar Index, MrQ analyzed 145 rooftop bars in 30 European cities. Based on five metrics that can “make or break” a great rooftop bar experience, the study examines average rating, number of reviews, the popularity of Instagram hashtags, and average temperatures in the summer.

MrQ includes five Greek rooftop bars on its Top 10 list:

3rd spot – PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini

PK Cocktail Bar
@pkcocktailbar 

PK Cocktail Bar, Santorini’s longest-running cocktail bar ranks third. Clearly popular with its customers, PK Cocktail Bar has secured an impressive five-star rating and the hashtag #pkcocktailbar has been used 2,583 times, MrQ says.

7th spot – Thea Terrace Bar, Athens

Thea Terrace Bar
@athenshotspots

Thea Terrace Bar may be one of Athens’ hidden gems, with just 134 Instagram hashtags, however, reviewers rate it 4.5 stars.

8th spot – V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar, Santorini

V lounge Santorini
@santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar

On the top floor of the Panorama Boutique Hotel, V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar ranks in eighth place and gets reviewed well, scoring 4.5 stars with 1,092 reviews.

9th spot – Metropolis Roof Garden, Athens

Metropolis Roof Garden
@electrametropolis

With just 138 reviews so far and 187 hashtags on Instagram, Metropolis Roof Garden has secured a near-perfect 4.5-star rating.

10th spot – Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant, Athens

Acropolis Secret Bar
@divanipalaceacropolis

Rounding off the top 10 is another location in Athens, the Acropolis Secret Bar Restaurant with breathtaking views of the Acropolis Museum. Another one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, this rooftop restaurant located on top of the five-star Divani Palace Acropolis, has a fantastic rating (4.5 stars).

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

Main image: 
@santorini_vlounge_cocktailbar
Tuesday, 03 May 2022 07:00

3 Surprising Benefits Of Video Games

 
Parents all over the world have always been concerned, and now more than ever, about whether and to what extent video games can harm children. We have often blamed video games for promoting violence, making children antisocial, interfering with their school life, and negatively impacting their brain development. Sure, excessive gaming can make all of the above happen. But what if video games can actually make children smarter?
 
As with everything in life, playing video games should be done in moderation so that children can enjoy the benefits of this activity. It is also very important for parents to help their children choose video games with an educational value that can help them develop specific skills and games appropriate for their age and cognitive level.
 
Video games can improve memory 
 
With 3D graphics and immersive sound, video games are extremely rich in stimuli. Navigating the virtual world of video games is more or less like navigating the real world. So, when a child explores the environment in a particular video game, it is like exploring the environment around them, practicing various skills, one of which is memory.
 
More specifically, as children navigate the virtual world of a video game, they exercise the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for converting short-term memory into long-term memory and controlling spatial memory. 
 
Video games help children develop problem-solving skills 
 
Strategy video games and role-playing games usually require players to solve complex problems. This virtual problem-solving can be good practice for real-life problems. In fact, according to a 2013 study by the American Psychological Society, teens who played strategy video games had better problem-solving skills and better grades.’
 
Almost all video games involve solving problems, from completing a simple puzzle to finding the fastest escape route. Finding a solution to these problems may require both memorization and analysis, as well as creativity. Problems in video games are often very open without giving many instructions on how to approach the solution, which means that players have to experiment with trial and error. This way children can learn how it takes resilience, perseverance, and constant effort to achieve something in life.
 
Video games help children develop decision-making skills
 
Action video games require children to be constantly alert and make decisions. A 2010 study by the University of Rochester found that gamers who loved action games were able to make accurate choices faster than non-gamers or those who played slow-paced video games. 
 
Video games can also improve decision-making as it relates to long-term planning. When children play strategy games, they have to plan ahead and make decisions that will benefit them down the road. These games train their brains to recognize potential outcomes and implications of their choices. When a person practices these skills in a virtual world, they will be able to better apply them in the real world.
Two Greek hiking trails feature on a list of what can be considered the most scenic trails in Europe, based on online reviews and social media.

The list of beautiful trails, which was put together by workout equipment company Onbuy Treadmills, was compiled with the help of various experts and Tripadvisor reviews. The trails on the final list were then ranked according to the number of times they’ve been tagged on Instagram. Europe is home to thousands of hiking trails, and the two Greek trails on the list were ranked as number 27 and 28.

The Samaria Gorge trail, the most famous hiking route on the island of Crete, is placed number 27. A big draw for tens of thousands of visitors each year, especially during the summer, it’s a 16-kilometer hike that takes from five to eight hours to complete depending on your shape and experience, all downhill.

This ruggedly beautiful canyon is not only instagrammable, but a place you’ll remember. The trail begins at Xyloskalo, more than 1200 meters above sea level, on a steep, rocky path downward (a walking stick is a good idea here), and continues along the Tarraios river, through the abandoned village of Samaria and the natural habitat of endangered wild goats, through the narrowest part of the gorge known as the “Gates,” where the steep rock walls stand only a few meters apart.

The second Greek trail on the list, in 28th place, is perhaps less famous among hikers, but all the more recognizable in photos due to its iconic views. This is the Fira-Oia trail on Santorini – a path connecting the two famous villages running along the edge of the caldera. 10.5 kilometers long, it is a moderately challenging route that takes around 3 hours to complete regardless of the direction you choose, featuring some more demanding, steep sections with loose gravel.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Main image:
@girlwith.thecamera
“Athenian Itineraries”, a program organized by the Athens Culture Net, returns this May with five fascinating thematic walking tours of Athens available in Greek and two available in English.
 
The Athens Itineraries program first started in 2018. It was received with great enthusiasm and continued until the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was briefly revived in the autumn of 2021 and has been running again on a monthly basis since April.
 
The aim of the program is for participants to get to know special parts of the city, familiarize themselves with obscure corners and hidden gems, as well as discover unknown stories of Athens from the past through to today.
 
The program will start on Sunday, May 8, and will end on Sunday, May 29, 2022. The two itineraries available in English are the Return to New Athens, scheduled for May 8th, and Dark Athens, scheduled for May 29th. This is the first time that some of the Athens Itineraries will be available in English. 

Hosted by author Nadia Georgakopoulou, Return to New Athens invites participants on a historical and experiential journey through the first 100 years of modern-day Athens as the capital of a new state. Starting from Hadrian's Gate, the route will stop at emblematic Athenian buildings and public spaces of the 19th century, while the narrative will focus on the architecture, the history, and the words of their protagonists. Participants will also visit Zappeion, the National Gardens, Syntagma Square, the Numismatic Museum of Athens, the Ophthalmology Clinic, the Catholic Church, and the emblematic Athenian Trilogy.

Dark Athens by Arthur Antonopoulos highlights the transformation of Athens into a modern metropolis. Dark Athens is a fascinating crime adventure taking place in the streets of the city, starring the hidden symbols and the historical monuments that adorn it. Following in the footsteps of the heroine of Antonopoulos’ book, who tries to shed light on a conspiracy, the route starts at the Athens City Hall and continues to Klafthmonos Square and the Old Parliament.
 
Pre-booking is necessary to participate in the free tours. 



Wednesday, 27 April 2022 20:19

This is Athens City Festival

This is Athens City Festival, a new annual festival that kicks off this May, is a celebration for locals and visitors of the city of Athens, inviting them to a one-month, multi-layered buffet of more than 300 exciting events!

As part of the activities, museums, cultural institutions, organizations, and businesses will open their doors to welcome Greeks and foreign visitors, while, at the same time, concerts, themed hiking and bike tours, gastronomic nights, and various sports events will take place. 

Every event will highlight a different area of Athens with the aim to bring residents and visitors closer to the city through powerful and original experiences: from an all-day picnic at Plato Academy to a street party at the Varvakios market, a walk to the National Observatory of Athens or a jazz concert at the Acropolis Museum.

This is Athens City Festival is an event of “This is Athens”, the official guide for promoting the city abroad, organized by the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (EATA) with the participation of businesses, collective bodies, and foundations active in the field of culture. 

Note: All events will take place in accordance with the existing health and safety protocols against the spread of Covid-19.


To learn more about the events taking place, please visit our What's On section. 

Monday, 11 November 2024 15:24

Stavros Niarchos Foundation

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare.

SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare.


Find the Stravros Niarchos Foundation on Social Media: 

Facebook
Instagram




Wednesday, 15 June 2022 15:16

SNF Nostos Artistic Program 2022

This year, once again, the SNF Nostos stage on the Great Lawn will host acclaimed Greek and international artists. On the evening of Thursday, June 23, we will dance, sing, and celebrate to reggae, ska, and Latin music during a one-of-a-kind concert by Locomondo.

Then, on Friday, June 24, the SNF Nostos will host a dynamic musical lineup. Greek phenom and hometown favorite Good Job Nicky will kick off the evening with his soulful yet sparky signature sound. Australian rapper Masked Wolf, best known for his song “Astronaut in the Ocean,” will follow up with a stratospheric ride from emotional depths to hip hop heights. Grammy nominee Jorja Smith, who from an early musical beginning in England has bewitched fans around the world with her confident and compelling voice, closes out the lineup.

Both evenings, following the live concerts, DJ sets in the Agora by well-known producers will complete the musical experience, and on the second night the sets will be accompanied by impressive laser projections on the iconic SNFCC building.

The nights of SNF Nostos will once again light up with a spectacular drone show, kicking off on the eve of the festival’s opening. As it did last year with the first ever show of its kind in Greece, the captivating display will illuminate the sky above the SNFCC.

 
Thursday, 16 June 2022 15:08

SNF Nostos Run 2022

The SNF Nostos Run: Running into the Future is at the heart of SNF Nostos and, as every year, will set the pace at the beginning of the two-day celebration. For the first time in three years, we are planning a race without restrictions and without special requirements for entry. On June 23, Olympic Day, starting at the Panathenaic Stadium and finishing at the SNFCC, we will run—as many of us can and all together—to support a good cause.

The run is held under the organizational supervision of Regeneration & Progress and the medical supervision of the First Orthopedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

Registrations are now open!
Register here!
 
 
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