A long, long time ago, before there was football, there was episkyros, an ancient Greek ball game. Highly team-work oriented, the game was played with one ball, between two teams each consisting of around 12 to 14 players.

The field was marked with a central white line called the ‘skyros’ dividing the two teams, and another white line behind each team to mark the ends of the field. In the game, which was often quite violent, particularly in Sparta, each team would attempt to throw the ball over the heads of the opposing team. The objective of the game was to play until one team was forced behind the line at their end, with agility and speed being a player’s most useful skills.

However, it wasn’t easy as it sounds as players had to pass within their own team several times whilst also evading the defenders from the other team before they were able to toss the ball over the opponent’s line. If a team had possession of the ball on their own line, defenders could gang tackle him back over the line for a point.

A very similar game to episkyros was phaininda, which takes its name from Phaenides, who first invented it, or derived from the Greek word ‘phenakiein’ (to deceive) because the players would show the ball to one man but then throw it to another, contrary to expectation.

These Greek games of episkyros and phaininda were later adopted by the Romans.

FIFA has acknowledged the ancient Greek game of episkyros as an ancient version of modern-day rugby league. 

“ The Greek Episkyros – of which few concrete details survive – was much livelier, as was the Roman Harpastum. ” FIFA.com explains.

A vase on display at the National Archaeological Museum, Athens shows a depiction of a young Greek athlete, balancing a ball on his thigh. It is this same vase that inspired the design of today’s European Cup football trophy.

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

The Municipality of Athens created the first-ever Japanese garden in Greece, located in Nereidon Park, in Pangrati, just behind the National Gallery.

With a total area of ​​3,500 sq.m, the new thematic park is fast becoming one of the most important recreational areas in the Greek capital. Part of Athens' "Adopt Your City" program, this project was realized with the support of JT International Hellas, under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Greece. The idea behind the design of such a special meeting point between Greek and Japanese culture was inspired by the President of the Greek - Japanese Association, Demosthenes Vratsanou.

Based on the “biophilic design”, an architectural concept aiming to increase connectivity between people and the natural environment, the garden includes various elements from different eras of the Japanese tradition, featuring spots with lush vegetation and water, set in accordance with the principles of Japanese culture for a balanced shift between earth, water, and fire. 

The selection of plants has been based on the local climate. The garden includes both Japanese and Mediterranean plants. Japanese maples, cherry blossoms, and bamboos coexist in harmony with laurels, myrtle trees, and daphnes. The garden also features shrubs, rocks, and pebbles forming beautiful paths, as well as charming relaxation areas made from granite. 

A ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the project was held last week in the presence of the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, the Ambassador of Japan, Yasunori Nakayama, and other officials.

“Athens is dynamically evolving into a metropolis that looks forward. The newly upgraded park of the city, covering an area of ​​3.5 acres, creates a green "oasis" in the dense urbanscape of Athens, radically changing its appearance. We invite Athenians to visit the park, walk along its paths, and discover the feeling of peace that this special place offers. Big projects for the city are ahead. Athens will continue to become greener, more beautiful, and more sustainable.", Costas Bakoyannis stated. 

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.

Prior to the lockdown, travel had become so affordable and easy that distances seemed to have disappeared. The pandemic dramatically changed the way we travel, making it almost prohibitive. At this point in time, as people begin to travel again, albeit with restrictions, FokiaNou Art Space has invited artists to contemplate anew the whole idea of travel. In various media including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, collage and video, 23 artists  have ruminated on travel and how it has been affected by the pandemic, the internet, Google Earth, climate change, and nostalgia.

Participating artists: Clemence B.T.D. Barret, John Bicknell, Clancy Cavnar, Mary Cox, Sarah Anne Cox, Susan Daboll, Jane Grover, Chris Hawtin, Werner Hermann, Maria Karachristou, Nina Kotamanidou, Kathryn Laing and Iliana Theodoropoulou, Loula Leventi, Dimitra Maltabe, Lea Petrou, Eleftheria Rapanaki, Stella Sevastopoulos, Maaike Stutterheim, Angel Torticollis, Georgia Touliatou, Alina Tsompanelli, 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:  Saturday 20 November, 18.00
Duration:   20 November - 18 December 2021
Hours:  Thursday – Saturday 17.00-20.00

CNN Travel has included Greece’s Nafplio on its list of Europe’s most beautiful towns.

The online magazine’s list includes some of the most attractive small towns across Europe, from humble fishing towns to hilltop medieval power bases.

A town in the area of Argolis in eastern Peloponnese, Nafplio was selected for its history, castles and impressive old town.

“Gorgeous Nafplio straddles the Aegean Sea in the Peloponnese, with its Venetian-built castle thrusting into the water (there are three castles to visit there) and a pretty Old Town spooling out behind the old walls,” the article says.

CNN Travel also refers to the town’s long history: Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece. Furthermore, it suggests that travelers visit the archaeological museum which contains items dating back to the Mycenean age.

Other European towns included on CNN Travel’s list are Giethoorn, Netherlands; Guimarães, Portugal; Roscoff, France; Anghiari, Italy; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzigovina; Mazara del Vallo, Sicily; Clovelly, UK; Dinkelsbühl, Germany; Korčula, Croatia; Kenmare, Ireland; Piran, Slovenia; Reine, Norway; Regencos, Spain and Tarnów, Poland.

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

Greece has moved up 10 spots in the Climate Change Performance Index’s 2022 ranking released last week.

Greece went from the 24th to 34th place in the CCPI’s 2022 report. The authors note that Greece was able to rise the ranks of the index partially because of its plan to eliminate lignite, a form of coal that is less carbon-dense.

The improvement was also attributed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ climate law presented at the COP26 summit, as well as the latest edition of the country’s National Plan for Energy and Climate, which aims to hit the European Union’s emissions goals for the end of the decade.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) analyzes the impact 64 countries and the European Union (counted as a whole) have made on the world in their response to the issue of climate change, ranking them based on their positive engagement with the environment.

Greece lands in the “yellow” zone of this year’s Climate Change Performance Index

The team behind the index stated that none of the countries evaluated met their standard for the top three spots in the index this year which qualify a country’s positive effect on climate change as “very high.”

Leading the group at number four, however, is Denmark, with an overall index rating of 76.92. The country was joined at the top by fellow Northern European countries Sweden and Norway — which ranked fifth and sixth, respectively – -all meeting the standards of “high” performance in working atop ameliorate the climate crisis.

Of the countries so evaluated, Greece landed somewhere in the middle, coming in at number 24 on the index, a yellow coded ranking that denotes a “medium” amount of engagement with climate change.

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

Stunning digital reconstruction of the site of the ancient Olympic Games by Microsoft’s Augmented Reality app “Ancient Olympia: Common Grounds.” the project allows visitors to travel back in time, to the site of the Ancient Olympic Games and find Common Ground in values inspired by Ancient Olympia.

The digital revival project allows viewers around the world to explore the site of the Ancient Olympia as it was more than 2,000 years ago. It is an exciting experience through an interactive mobile app, the PC, and the exhibition of Microsoft HoloLens 2 housed in the Olympic Museum of Athens.

The project restores digitally and in 3D a total of 27 monuments in the area, among them, a Gymnasium where athletes trained and a Stadium that was home to the Olympic Games in honor of Zeus, the Temples of Zeus and Hera, the workshop of Pheidias.

To download the Microsoft Augmented Reality app “Ancient Olympics" please visit the Microsoft website or olympiacommongorunds.gr

Digitally recording and accurately representing all the details of everyday life in Ancient Olympia was no small task. In the 3D experience, buildings are recreated in lifelike detail, painstakingly researched by the Hellenic Ministry’s expert archaeologists to be as true as possible to their original forms. This includes historical timelines of the site’s changes over time and depictions of artifacts from each period, the Microsoft notes.

Through its AI for Cultural Heritage initiative, Microsoft partnered with technology company Iconem, which specializes in digitizing historic sites in 3D, to create the foundational model of Ancient Olympia. Using both on-the-ground cameras and drones to take hundreds of thousands of images of the site, Microsoft AI then processed the pictures to create models so precise, they render as photo-realistic, the company said.

These days I’m contemplating with the meaning of two small words that when put together they have the power to create miracles: “accept yourself.” I’m sure you hear and read about it all the time. But what does it really mean for you though?

One of my clients just got a new job. She’s a young woman, climbing the corporate ladder. She’s also the person that will wholeheartedly give a hand when needed. Another is a supermom of two who tries to keep the family balance while at the same time teaching part-time and volunteering in a children’s center. Both are kind and sweet and smart and good-looking. Both are amazing women. But when you ask them “what does accepting yourself mean?” and “do you really accept yourself?” you won’t get quite the positive response you’d expect.

And they’re not the only ones dealing with issues of self-acceptance. “Why?” you may ask.

Because one may have dark spots on her skin and believe no one wants to be with her; or because she cannot accept her curly hair and is constantly trying to make them straight; or because she doesn’t have the super career her sister does; or because she doesn’t have a university degree; or because her boyfriend/husband left her; or because her mother doesn’t approve of her way of raising her children; or because she’s not as slim as that model on TV. Any reason will do.

Does this sound familiar to you? Have you or any of your close friends been in this position? I know I have and it’s taken me a while to get out of there and into greener fields. I’d like to share with you what I’ve learned and am still learning.

Accept yourself as you are. Accept yourself with pride, not self-pity. Accept yourself when you’re happy and when you’re moody. Accept yourself when you have a fabulous day and when your day is ruined. Accept yourself without any criticism or self-judgment only with the will to become better, do better. Because when you accept yourself as you are a brand new world of opportunities opens up. Your horizons broaden and new choices make themselves visible. And that, my dear friend, is the first step of a new chapter in your new life.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

The Athens English Comedy Club is back!

Is the Athens comedy scene “all Greek” to you? Are you on the lookout for English language events which do not require you to read surtitles? Do you want to try your hand at stand up in English? We are here for YOU!
 

Founded in 2019, the Athens English Comedy Club is the first, and only, purely English comedy club in Greece, presenting local and international comedians, right in the heart of Athens. 

 

Keen to get involved and join us on stage? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date with open mic registrations!

Come and laugh! Nay! Come and chortle. Or better yet, guffaw!

We also offer 3 free tickets per show to persons with disabilities or unemployed persons (phone reservation required, and the relevant card/proof will be checked at the box office).

The theatre is wheelchair accessible.

Upon entry you will need to provide a vaccination certificate OR negative rapid test from within 48 hours prior to the show, OR a valid proof of recovery/antigen test.

Greece emerged as the second-best (Silver) tourist destination in Europe after Italy, during the 25th edition of the annual American Readers’ Choice Awards (RCA 2021).

The RCA award is organised by Worth Publications and the bi-monthly travel magazine “Recommend”.

Greece shared second place with Ireland.

The poll was conducted online between July 8 and August 31.

More than 135,000 readers of the magazine made their choices in various categories, such as best destination, hotels, and resorts, travel agents, cruise companies, car rental companies, airlines companies, etc.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are handed out each year to countries and travel/tourism agencies and companies around the world that have established themselves in terms of excellence while attracting the strong interest of the global tourism industry.

Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com

The cosmopolitan Winter Garden City Lounge is open again to welcome its valued guests in the relaxing and elegant atmosphere of Hotel Grande Bretagne. 

Featuring special events and a refreshed menu curated by the Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and his talented team, the Winter Garden graciously invites guests to new experiences in the city’s most ideal gathering space. 

Intimate gatherings with your loved ones over an authentic afternoon tea featuring a new kids version or over the most elegant weekend brunch in town is always a good idea! Spending a relaxing evening listening to classic piano tunes and enjoying the live music nights of opera, jazz and harp inside Winter Garden’s warm embrace is another experience not to be missed.

Traditional Afternoon Tea

The renowned Afternoon Tea of Winter Garden, holding its own part of history in the hotel’s journey through time, welcomes you to a journey of flavors and aromas.  

The Afternoon Tea of Hotel Grande Bretagne, traditionally served, includes a rich variety of accompaniments and tea flavors. Enjoy a selection of tea sandwiches from our bakery with crab, smoked salmon, roast beef and egg salad, freshly baked almond scones with Corinthian raisin,  seasonal jams and clotted cream as well as delectable desserts and cakes prepared by the Hotel Grande Bretagne pâtisserie and the ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ Pastry Chef Arnaud Larher. 

Afternoon Tea for kids

If you are looking for an authentic experience for your children, the Afternoon Tea of Hotel Grande Bretagne is a lovely picture-worthy ritual that will always be cherished.

Introduce your children to the opulent tea experience of the historic hotel and delight their moments with irresistible savories and desserts such as mini sandwiches, cupcakes, marshmallows, macarons and cookies. 

Weekends at Winter Garden 

Hotel Grande Bretagne’s elegant brunch returns and invites you to savor it at the Winter Garden City Lounge. 

From November 6 and every weekend from 11.00 until 14.00, experience moments of relaxation and warm gatherings with your loved ones under the sounds of soft music while enjoying the refreshing menu of sweet and savory delicacies curated by Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and his talented team. The familiar taste of the hotel’s warm, handmade butter and chocolate croissants meet the homemade marmalade and the exquisite vanilla cream, which was inspired and created by the pastry team of the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne, and altogether craft the finest harmony once they blend with the indigenous fresh local butter and fir tree honey. One of the highlights of this elegant brunch is the handmade “tsoureki” with mastiha, an exclusive creation of the hotel’s pastry team. A delicacy that will exceptionally accompany the cup of coffee or tea or the glass of fresh juice that our valued -Winter Garden- guest will select.

The savory palette of “Weekends at Winter Garden” is complemented by exquisite appetizer options such as the smoked salmon cannelloni with crab, avocado and green apple and the ‘Jamon Serrano’ salad with forest mushrooms, foie gras and dry sour cherries. The menu finds its best expression when it comes to the perfect serving of organic farm-fresh egg dishes such as: soft-boiled eggs with potato cream, smoked eel and caviar, eggs benedict with lobster, asparagus and hollandaise sauce or the Chef’s dish of the day.

For the sweetest epilogue, the opulent selection of desserts is the one that will perfectly seal your very own “Weekends at Winter Garden” experience.

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Music nights at Winter Garden 

The iconic Winter Garden City Lounge of Hotel Grande Bretagne invites you to the finest music nights with live tunes of jazz, opera and harp. 

Jazzy Wednesdays 

Every Wednesday enjoy live Jazz performances within the warm and inviting ambiance of the Winter Garden and immerse yourself in a timeless atmosphere of vivacious jazz tunes.

Experience captivating performances by a trio combination consisting of piano, double bass and saxophone and let the fusions of various local and international styles of jazz create the perfect musical backdrop for your evening.

Genuinely originated by New Orleans, United States, it now journeys all the way through continents and centuries and allows us to journey ourselves while enjoying the warm embrace of the Winter Garden.

Every Wednesday as of November 10, 2021 | 19.30 – 22.30.

Opera Nights at Winter Garden 

The elegant ambience of the Winter Garden City Lounge embraces the fine sounds of Opera and welcomes some of its most renowned repertoires. 

Gracefully aligned with the fine essence of the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne and the enchanting environment of the hotel’s city lounge, the “Opera Nights at the Winter Garden” debut with a duet of a soprano and a tenor.

Renowned arias and sophisticated sounds surround the stylish and opulent setting of the Winter Garden and set the background of this unique experience.

Every Thursday as of November 11, 2021 | 19.30 – 22.30.

Harp Tunes at Winter Garden 

Indulge in a music journey through the centuries. Captivating melodies will unveil the beauty and romance and take you to mythical times through the airy, crystalline, almost divine sounds of the harp accompanied by piano.

Enjoy an exceptional musical experience in the warm atmosphere of Winter Garden.

Every Friday as of November 12, 2021 | 19.30 – 22.30.