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Tuesday, 21 June 2016 07:00
Best Rooftop Bars Of Athens
Athens is not only a city full of history, it is also a city with a vibrant night scene. Regarding nightlife the city has a lot to offer from wine bars, beer gardens, bars and clubs to venues with live music. There is something for everyone. One of my favourite places to go out in Athens at night are the rooftop bars where you can have a drink while admiring the city’s landmarks.
Here, Travel Passionate shares her favourite rooftop bars in Athens:
Galaxy Restaurant and Bar at The Hilton
Where: Leof. Vasilissis. Sofias 46
Website: Click here
Where: Leof. Vasilissis. Sofias 46
Website: Click here
Located on the top floor of Hilton hotel, Galaxy bar and restaurant enjoys spectacular views of the city of Athens including the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill. At the restaurant with the open kitchen you can enjoy traditional cuisine with a modern flair while at the bar you can unwind with a wide range of creative cocktails, drinks, finger food and sushi. Galaxy bar was ranked among the best rooftop bars in the world.
Next to Kallimarmaro stadium, Skyfall restaurant and bar has a big rooftop veranda offering magnificent views to the Acropolis and the historical centre of Athens. Skyfall is divided into two levels: the restaurant that serves quality dishes and the bar with its signature cocktails and delicious tapas and finger food.
Hidden in a street near Monastiraki station, Coleur Locale is a popular rooftop bar where you can admire the view of the Acropolis Hill and Plaka. On the terrace you can enjoy delicious cocktails and creative snacks. The bar has a welcoming atmosphere and is particularly popular with the younger crowd.
To read this article in full, please visit: Travel Passionate
Photo credit: The Hilton
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Pubs, Bars & Cafes
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Wednesday, 21 October 2015 07:00
At The Captain's Table: The Restaurant Helping Refugees
A harbour-side restaurant and its tenacious owner have become a beacon of hope for refugees landing on Lesbos.
Molyvos, Greece - "It feels sometimes like I'm doing the job of the UNHCR," Melinda McRostie says with a smile. The restaurant owner is pacing up and down the kitchen of The Captain's Table, her seaside restaurant in the town of Molyvos, on the Greek island of Lesbos.
"Especially when they're phoning me up, asking me to send one of our volunteers down to their office to register refugees - like they did today," she continues, pausing for a moment, as though taking in the absurdity of the situation.
Over last year, McRostie, an Australian who moved to Greece with her family at the age of three, has found herself thrust into the centre of Europe's refugee crisis.
For the upwards of 3,000 refugees arriving on Lesbos each day - disembarking from overcrowded plastic dinghies after their short but perilous trek across the Aegean Sea from Turkey - McRostie's restaurant, nestled beside the habour, has become a beacon of hope.
In November 2014, she began to offer more than just emotional support; setting up an organisation to provide practical assistance.
One year later, her organisation, Asterias (the Greek word for Starfish) has a volunteer force of 40 and has helped shelter, clothe, and feed more than 90,000 refugees. McRostie has even created two basic refugee camps in the north of the island - all without any significant help from an established aid organisation.
"The boats were coming in; people were distressed, some in trauma because of other refugees drowning. I had to help," she says.
McRostie never seems to stand still, and multi-tasking has become her norm. She uses one hand to make pesto, "It's especially good when the nuts are still crunchy," she enthuses, while the other holds the phone via which she arranges for that day's influx of refugees to be settled into the make-shift refugee camps. It's an unusual juxtaposition, but one that McRostie thrives on.
Young volunteers from Holland, Sweden, and Denmark mill around the restaurant-turned-office: some taking phone calls, others with their eyes fixed on computer screens, undertaking administrative tasks for the fledgling refugee organisation.
"She's incredible," says Filip Valentmadse, a 20-year-old Danish volunteer, when asked about McRostie. "She's taking phone calls every second, running everything."
Valentmadse jokes that McRostie is like a mother to the volunteers under her command, as well as to the thousands of refugees who have passed through the island, not to mention "her actual kids", he adds laughing.
To read more, please visit: Aljazeera
by Matthew Vickery
Published in
People
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Wednesday, 21 October 2015 07:00
The Navarino Challenge Continues To Innovate!
Even though the “Navarino Challenge 2015” concluded a few weeks ago, the beautiful images and memories of the top sports tourism event still remain indelible! Watch the first 360-degree videos ever made for a Greek sports tourism event!
“Navarino Challenge” introduces for the first time in a sports tourism event in Greece, the 360-degree technology in its videos and brings back the unique moments we experienced this year!
The innovative event which combines the greatest number of sports and activities in relation to any other sports tourism event in Greece, presents two 4K 360-degree videos, created by Digitribe Mediahouse. The videos were created by the official portable GoPro camera of “Navarino Challenge” and the assistance of Drakos Digital, the only official exclusive distributor of GoPro products in Greece and Cyprus. Active Media undertook the coordination for the creation of both videos. Videos will also be available very soon, through the official facebook page of “Navarino Challenge”
360-degree videos are visible through any computer and mobile screen and through a virtual reality headset. When videos play on facebook, the user can see them towards any direction in desktop computers and android systems. On desktop, this is done by using the mouse, while on mobile devices by moving the device. They are also visible on iOS through the official application of YouTube.
The first video is related to the activity of running at “Navarino Challenge 2015” which included a Half-Marathon (21,1km), 10km and 5km routes (Running & dynamic gait) and a children's 1 km route, with a starting and finishing point at Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino.
The first video is related to the activity of running at “Navarino Challenge 2015” which included a Half-Marathon (21,1km), 10km and 5km routes (Running & dynamic gait) and a children's 1 km route, with a starting and finishing point at Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino.
You may see the video here: https://youtu.be/5XvWpil5v58
The second video presents the activity of open water swimming held in the Bay of Navarino in the picturesque port of Pylos which included swimming routes of one mile for the adults and a half mile distance for children.
You may see the video here: https://youtu.be/unmHxVGLqTI
The Chief Executive Officer of Active Media, Mr. Akis Tsolis stated about this new innovation of the event: “We believe a lot in the effectiveness of new technologies in our events and in the virtual reality’s future. With the innovative use of 360-degree videos, we introduce for the first time this technology in sports tourism events, hoping thereby to open new perspectives in the field of tourism. Our goal is not only to attract visitors but also to create and promote the beautiful images of our country through these special technological applications. We are very proud to begin, although timidly, such practices in Navarino Challenge.”
The multiple award-winning sports tourism event “Navarino Challenge” is organized each year with the participation of people of all ages. The non-competitive event aims to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy living, exercise and the Mediterranean diet as well as the issue of childhood obesity through its numerous sports activities. The technologically pioneering event is also held each year with respect to the environment, to highlight the Greek natural beauty and also according to the sustainable tourism practices implemented at Costa Navarino.
The event was held under the Auspices of the Department of Nutrition and-Dietetics of Harokopio University of Athens and the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia. “Navarino Challenge” was included this year in the European Week of Sport (September 7-13, 2015).
“Navarino Challenge” renews its appointment for September 2016!
Official Sponsor: Allianz Greece
Official Airline Partner: Qatar Airways
Official Supporters: Hellenic Fuels S.A., Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, GoPro, Navarino Icons
Assisted by: Health Runners Club of Messinia (SDYM), Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Explore Messinia, Promopark, Aqua Divers Club, Digitribe Mediahouse, Drakos Digital, Navarino Outdoors, Safe Water Sports, NJV Athens Plaza, Poseidonia restaurant, ThaMa restaurant, Alpha (Athlima SA), Dole
Official Broadcaster: Novasports
Strategic TV Partner: National Geographic Channel
Official Travel Agent: The Travel Company Experts
Photo credits: Photo by Vladimir Rys
Photo credits: Photo by Vladimir Rys
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 22 October 2015 07:00
A Greek Start-Up Goes Global
In the spring of 2012, 35-year-old Imperial College graduate Nikos Moraitakis was an Upstream executive in Dubai, far away from the noise of crisis-stricken Greece, but when a new round of elections was announced back home in May that year – a situation which would lead the country to the brink of Grexit – he decided to return and set up his own company together with fellow Upstream executive Spyros Magiatis. Perhaps as a response to those who felt his decision was “crazy,” Moraitakis had already created “The Drachma Start-up,” a blog with a telling subtitle: “Diary of an Entrepreneur with Incredibly Bad Timing.”
Three years later, their company, Workable, which develops software to facilitate the hiring process for companies, is reaffirming its reputation as the country’s most promising start-up firm. Recently, the company announced it was set to receive the largest amount of funding ever given to a local start-up – 27 million dollars. The financing comes from core investor Balderton Capital as well as Notion Capital and 83North (formerly Greylock IL, the venture capital firm which headed a previous round of funding).
Workable currently employs 48 people, compared to 30 at the beginning of the year, while its turnover has risen fivefold in the space of 12 months.
Meanwhile, the company’s client base is increasing by 15 percent every month and, according to Moraitakis, the target is for revenues to quadruple by the end of 2016.
More than 3,000 companies in 52 countries use the company’s software, which, according to Daniel Howden, Workable’s vice president for marketing, “democratizes hirings” by allowing small to medium-sized companies lacking specialized human resources departments to compete with larger firms in the headhunting process.
The company operates primarily in Athens – with a staff of 36 – as well as London and Boston – now the company’s headquarters. “We hope to continue with the majority of employees working in Greece, as we plan to increase our staff to 150 people within the next year,” CEO Moraitakis told Kathimerini. Most of the members of the Greek team, “who are earning salaries that are considerably higher than the market average,” belong to one of the age categories worst hit by the crisis, 25- to 35-year-old graduates, said Moraitakis. Now the fresh funding will go toward the company’s growth plans.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 19 October 2015 07:00
Athina Rachel Tsangari’s ‘Chevalier’ Wins Best Film At London Film Festival
Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari’s comedy “Chevalier” won best film at the 59th BFI London Film Festival at the award ceremony at Banqueting House in London Saturday, while Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” took the first feature prize, known as the Sutherland Award.
In her film, Tsangari, who earned critical acclaim with “Attenberg,” lampoons male antagonism and competitiveness. A group of six men are on a fishing trip when they discover a mechanical issue with their yacht, and moor in a harbor to make repairs. While stuck there, they kill time by playing “Chevalier,” a game designed to determine who is “best in everything.”
Jury president, Pawel Pawlikowski, the director of Oscar-winner “Ida,” described “Chevalier” as a “study of male antagonism seen though the eyes of a brave and original filmmaker.” He added: “With great formal rigor and irresistible wit, Athena Rachel Tsangari has managed to make a film that is both a hilarious comedy and a deeply disturbing statement on the condition of Western humanity.”
Pawlikowski’s fellow jurors were producer Christine Vachon, actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kristin Scott-Thomas, and director and screenwriter Mabel Cheung.
“The Witch” is about a 17th-century New England family torn apart by tension and the suspicion of witchcraft. Jury president, “Appropriate Behavior” director/screenwriter Desiree Akhavan, said “The Witch” “stood apart as the announcement of a new voice in contemporary cinema. A horror film that felt as though it were reinventing the genre with each frame and truly shocking moments that evoke both terror and empathy. With an impressive command of cameras as well as truly heartbreaking performances — it presented a fresh, feminist take on a timeless tale.”
The jury also commended Martin Butler and Bentley Dean’s “Tanna,” saying “It’s a rare skill to give a voice to a typically marginalized community that doesn’t condescend or patronize and for this reason the jury would like to give special mention to ‘Tanna’.”
Akhavan’s jury comprised director and fine artist Clio Barnard, who won the Sutherland Award in 2010 for her feature debut “The Arbor,” James Kent, the director of “Testament of Youth,” actor Allen Leech (“The Imitation Game”), and chief film critic of The Times, Kate Muir.
To read more, please visit: Variety
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 29 July 2019 07:00
Greek Backgammon And How It's Played
The game of Tavli is one of the most common and popular forms of leisurely board game playing in Greece. It's a game played by almost everyone, but it is especially common among men at the local kefeneio, a Greek coffee shop. Tavli literally means ‘board’ and is basically the Greek version of Backgammon…with a lot more shouting! The game is generally played for fun, but sometimes also for money.
Tavli is a very old game, which comes from the Eastern Mediterranean and the civilizations of Mesopotamia. Although there are many mentions in history and in archeological findings, the origin of Tavli has not been researched in depth and most conclusions are quite arbitrary.
Nevertheless, the traditional backgammon games that are played in Greece, were born in Greece. There are even mentions of this table top game by Homer. From the moment it was recorded, Tavli has been the mouthpiece of at least a thousand oral traditions of Greek civilization.
The 3 Games of Tavli
1. Portes – most similar to Western backgammon
2. Plakoto – a game where one checker can trap another checker at the same point
3. Fevga – (which has a Turkish origin) where one checker by itself can block a point
The games are played one after the other, in matches of 3, 5 or 7 points.
Rules
• Only one pair of dice is used.
• In the first game, each player rolls one die and the higher number goes first. That player then rolls the dice again to begin his first turn.
• After the first game, the winner of the previous game goes first.
• The first player to bear off all his checkers gets one point, or, if the winner bears off all his checkers before the loser has borne off any, he gets two points. There is no triple game.
• No doubling cube is used.
To read this article in full, please visit: Ekaterina's Greek Expectations
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
Tagged under
Tuesday, 13 September 2016 07:00
The Greek Gateway Guide To Grenglish
How many languages do you know that derive from Greek origin? There are actually hundreds, and to begin listing them would literally take up hours of our time.
However, there is one language we would be remiss not to mention. It is the one you are currently reading off this computer screen: English.
There are over fifty thousand English words that derive from the Greek language. Words like anchor, martyr, prophet chaos, photograph, and nectar. The list goes on and on.
But the rest of you out there who have grown up speaking both Greek and English on a regular basis, know very well that there are a handful of words in which North Americanized Greeks enjoy using in their everyday dialect. Heck, people in Greece are even speaking it. We use these words interchangeably, and sometimes even unknowingly. We mishmash English with Greek all the time, and in the end you get: Grenglish.
So with that being said, I now present to you a list of 10 popular Grenglish words that you may (or may not) know. Read their definitions, learn how to pronounce them, and find out the proper term.
Let's go!
μουβάρω (mou-vah-roh): move
GRENGLISH DEFINITION: to go from one place or position to another.
USED IN A SENTENCE: μουβάραμαι από ένα διαμέρισμα σε ένα σπίτι… we moved from an apartment to a house.
PROPER TERM: μετακινώ (mai-ta-kee-no)
καρπετο (car-peh-toh): carpet
GRENGLISH DEFINITION: a floor or stair covering made from thick woven fabric, typically shaped to fit a particular room.
USED IN A SENTENCE: Το καρπετο θελει καθαρισμα
PROPER TERM: χαλί (ha-lee)
λαίκι (leh-key): lake
GRENGLISH DEFINITION: a body of fresh or salt water (of considerable size), surrounded by land.
USED IN A SENTENCE: Πάμε για μπάνιο στο λαίκι… Let’s go swimming in the lake.
PROPER TERM: λίμνη (leem-nee)
τσεκάρω (tse-kah-roh): check
GRENGLISH DEFINITION: to make an inquiry into, search through, etc.
USED IN A SENTENCE: τσεκάραμε τα αρχεία, αλλά το γράμμα έλειπε… we checked the files, but the letter was missing.
PROPER TERM: ελέγχω (eh-le-hoh)
κάρο (kah-roh): car
GRENGLISH DEFINITION: an automobile. The real definition of kάρο is horse carriage in Greek.
USED IN A SENTENCE: Οδήγησα το κάρο μου στην δουλειά… I drove my car to work.
PROPER TERM: αυτοκίνητο (af-toh-kee-nee-toh)
To read more, please visit: Greek Gateway
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Monday, 19 October 2015 07:00
Greece To Honor Olympic Marathon Runner With 2 Euro Coin
A 2015 circulating commemorative €2 coin from Greece marks the 75th anniversary of death of runner Spiridon “Spyros” Louis.
Louis was known for being the first marathon winner of the modern Olympic Games, the summer event conducted in Greece in 1896.
Many sports clubs in Greece and abroad still carry his name, as does the main stadium at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, where the 2004 Summer Olympics were held.
Louis’ fame reached Hollywood, as well, as the 1962 Jayne Mansfield movie It Happened in Athens was a heavily fictionalized account of Louis and the marathon.
The coin is being issued during the third quarter of 2015, according to the announcement from the European Commission.
The coin design shows Louis and the cup that he was awarded, against the background with the Panathenaic Stadium. Inscribed along the inner center are legends in Greek detailing the country of issue and “In Memoriam of Spyros Louis.”
To read more, please visit: Pappas Post
To read more, please visit: Pappas Post
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 10 January 2019 07:00
Libraries In Athens
In the beautiful and historic city of Athens where democracy was invented and many sciences were introduced for the first time, books have been a very important part of people’s everyday lives.
It is said that the first public library appeared in Greece by the 4th century BC. The philosopher Aristotle was among the first to put together a private collection of books and to have taught the kings of Egypt on how to arrange a library. It is interesting to also note that it is said that the first libraries were not buildings specially designed to house books, but that books were stored on shelves in dedicated rooms or warehouses, and reading took place outdoors while taking a walk or seated under a porch. (Source: History Magazine)
It is said that the first public library appeared in Greece by the 4th century BC. The philosopher Aristotle was among the first to put together a private collection of books and to have taught the kings of Egypt on how to arrange a library. It is interesting to also note that it is said that the first libraries were not buildings specially designed to house books, but that books were stored on shelves in dedicated rooms or warehouses, and reading took place outdoors while taking a walk or seated under a porch. (Source: History Magazine)
It goes without saying that books and libraries still have an important part in our daily lives. For this reason we have put together this list of libraries in Athens.
Help us build a resource of libraries!
If you know of a library in your neighbourhood,
we'd like to know about it too! Email us at ideas@xpatathens.com.
we'd like to know about it too! Email us at ideas@xpatathens.com.
National Library Of Greece
A new chapter has begun for the National Library of Greece (NLG), as it has recently relocated to a new state-of-the-art building at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).
The library's collection, which includes 5.400 manuscripts dating from the 9th to the 19th century, is one of the most extensive in the world. Among others the collection includes a codex of the four Gospels attributed to the scribe Matthew, The Large Etymological Dictionary, a historic Byzantine dictionary; and the first publication of Homer's epics and hymns.
Researchers, students, and the general public have free access to collections of thousands of journals and manuscripts, while they are also able to borrow books through the Library’s Lending Department.
Address: 364 Leoforos Syngrou, Kallithea, 176 74
Telephone: 216 8091000
A new chapter has begun for the National Library of Greece (NLG), as it has recently relocated to a new state-of-the-art building at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).
The library's collection, which includes 5.400 manuscripts dating from the 9th to the 19th century, is one of the most extensive in the world. Among others the collection includes a codex of the four Gospels attributed to the scribe Matthew, The Large Etymological Dictionary, a historic Byzantine dictionary; and the first publication of Homer's epics and hymns.
Researchers, students, and the general public have free access to collections of thousands of journals and manuscripts, while they are also able to borrow books through the Library’s Lending Department.
Address: 364 Leoforos Syngrou, Kallithea, 176 74
Telephone: 216 8091000
The American Library At The Hellenic American College
The Library houses over 35,000 titles in English and Greek, an online collection of over 250,000 digital books, subscriptions to major academic periodicals databases numbering 10,000,000 articles and a Rare Books collection.
The library and its resources can be used by: Members of the general public, including students at the Hellenic American Union and students at Greek public universities, upon registering as members of the library (please note that there may be some restrictions on the use of certain collections).
Students in the Hellenic American College programs, including the Hellenic American University’s degree programs that are offered at the Hellenic American College via an Agreement of Cooperation. Registered members of the library can use the library’s digital resources on site at the library, but only Hellenic American College students can access these resources off-site. Exceptions to this policy are made on a case-by-case basis.
Registered members can also use and borrow books from the library’s lending collections.
Address: 22 Massalias, Athens, 106 80
Telephone: 210 3680044
The Blegen Library focuses on all aspects of Greece and the Greeks from the earliest prehistory through late antiquity. The collection currently holds more than 105,000 volumes including nearly seven hundred periodical titles (current and defunct), forming a major research library on prehistoric and classical archaeology of the Mediterranean region, and classical languages, history, and culture.
About two thousand readers of all nationalities use the library. The library is non-circulating, and all books must be consulted on the premises. In its field, it is one of the premier research libraries in the world and the best in Greece.
The Blegen library is open to Members of the American School of Classical Studies, and approved visitors.
Address: 54 Souidias, Athens, 106 76
Telephone: 213 0002400
Cervantes Institute Library Of Athens
Since 1991, with the founding of the Instituto Cervantes, the library is the basic information and documentation center in Greece on matters relating to the Spanish Language and Culture.
The library offers modern facilities, over 26,000 publications, 34 reading seats, and 6 computers. Access to the Library is free.
In order to be able to borrow books and use the internet visitors must hold a library member card. To issue a member card, applicants must provide the Cervantes Institute with details (name, address, phone, and e-mail), proof of identity, and pay the corresponding price.
Address: 31 Skoufa, Athens, 10673
Since 1991, with the founding of the Instituto Cervantes, the library is the basic information and documentation center in Greece on matters relating to the Spanish Language and Culture.
The library offers modern facilities, over 26,000 publications, 34 reading seats, and 6 computers. Access to the Library is free.
In order to be able to borrow books and use the internet visitors must hold a library member card. To issue a member card, applicants must provide the Cervantes Institute with details (name, address, phone, and e-mail), proof of identity, and pay the corresponding price.
Address: 31 Skoufa, Athens, 10673
Telephone: 210 3634117
Gennadius Library At The American School Of Classical Studies
The Gennadius Library, a treasure trove of books, manuscripts, archives, and works of art documenting the heritage of Hellenism since the end of antiquity, is housed in a stately marble building on the slopes of Mount Lycabettus.
It was named “Gennadeion” in pious memory of the founder’s father, George Gennadius (1786-1854) but it is equally a memorial to the founder himself, Joannes Gennadius (1844-1932), for the library that he created is a fitting symbol of his whole career. A diplomat, scholar, and bibliophile, he was always motivated first and foremost by a passionate devotion to Greece.
Joannes Gennadius’s collection is the richest private collection of books about Greece. As a collector and bibliophile, Gennadius saw Greece as a continuum from antiquity to the present and the Library he founded still adheres to that vision. His intentions are best described in his own words: “to form a library that represents the creative genius of Greece at all periods, the influence of her arts and sciences upon the western world, and the impression created by her natural beauty upon the traveler.”
Over 80 years after the Gennadeion first opened its gates to the public, its garden is a relief to the suffocating city center and the collections are now numbering over 119,000 volumes and continue to increase rapidly. New acquisitions are classified according to the original system devised by Joannes Gennadius with some minor changes and additions to the class numbers in order to encompass a large number of new books and more current subject divisions such as the collection of children’s books.
Address: 61 Souidias, Athens, 106 76
Telephone: 210 7210536
It was named “Gennadeion” in pious memory of the founder’s father, George Gennadius (1786-1854) but it is equally a memorial to the founder himself, Joannes Gennadius (1844-1932), for the library that he created is a fitting symbol of his whole career. A diplomat, scholar, and bibliophile, he was always motivated first and foremost by a passionate devotion to Greece.
Joannes Gennadius’s collection is the richest private collection of books about Greece. As a collector and bibliophile, Gennadius saw Greece as a continuum from antiquity to the present and the Library he founded still adheres to that vision. His intentions are best described in his own words: “to form a library that represents the creative genius of Greece at all periods, the influence of her arts and sciences upon the western world, and the impression created by her natural beauty upon the traveler.”
Over 80 years after the Gennadeion first opened its gates to the public, its garden is a relief to the suffocating city center and the collections are now numbering over 119,000 volumes and continue to increase rapidly. New acquisitions are classified according to the original system devised by Joannes Gennadius with some minor changes and additions to the class numbers in order to encompass a large number of new books and more current subject divisions such as the collection of children’s books.
Address: 61 Souidias, Athens, 106 76
Telephone: 210 7210536
Italian Cultural Institute
The library of the Italian Cultural Institute opened to the public in 2007. The library offers books related to literature, cinema, theater, linguistics, music, history, politics, journalism. It is available to readers some of the major Italian magazines and newspapers.
In order for someone to borrow books, they need to become a member. Membership is open to everyone residing in Athens by showing their identity card or their residence permit. Each member can borrow two books at a time.
Address: 47 28is Oktovriou (Patission), Athens, 104 33
Telephone: 210 5242646
The Infant –Toddler Library Of Athens
The Infant-Toddler Library of Athens is located in the Park for Children and Culture and is the first library in Greece exclusively for young children.
The library is divided into two sections. The first section is addressed to very young children (0-3 years) while the second section is addressed to older children (3-6 years) and also has a small auditorium in which various events take place. The library holds a substantial collection of Greek and foreign books, its services are free, and books may be borrowed by all children residing in Attica.
The primary purpose of the library is to familarize young children with reading and the library experience. The first Greek library for infants is designed to be a friendly and hospitable place for young children and their families.
Address: Trifilias & Lakonos 9, Athens, 115 24
Telephone: 210 8829735
The Infant –Toddler Library Of Athens
The Infant-Toddler Library of Athens is located in the Park for Children and Culture and is the first library in Greece exclusively for young children.
The library is divided into two sections. The first section is addressed to very young children (0-3 years) while the second section is addressed to older children (3-6 years) and also has a small auditorium in which various events take place. The library holds a substantial collection of Greek and foreign books, its services are free, and books may be borrowed by all children residing in Attica.
The primary purpose of the library is to familarize young children with reading and the library experience. The first Greek library for infants is designed to be a friendly and hospitable place for young children and their families.
Address: Trifilias & Lakonos 9, Athens, 115 24
Telephone: 210 8829735
Lilian Voudouri Music Library Of Greece
Designed and organized to international standards, the Lilian Voudouri Music Library has been housed at The Athens Concert Hall since 2007. It is home to an ever-expanding library of works on music and other arts. The collection is enormous, and growing steadily, with a wealth of books and records featuring western music, as well as all manifestations of music in the Greek world – ancient, Byzantine, folk music, popular and art music, rembetika, etc.
The material housed in the library also includes archives of composers, rare collections, jazz and examples of music of traditional cultures from all around the world. The range of subjects covered now extends far beyond music, with important collections on ancient Greek art, theatre, literature, philosophy and other subjects.
The library has more than 63,000 books and musical scores, 22,000 volumes on microfiche, 400 periodicals, 10,000 sound recordings and a wealth of other audiovisual material. There is also access to 150 digital publications and multimedia resources in various areas, rare books, concert programmes and numerous manuscripts.
Housed in its new facilities, the Lilian Voudouri Library provides its services and materials free of charge, playing an active role in music education and research in Greece through its seminars and services.
Address: Vasilis Sofias Street & Kokkali, Athens, 115 21 – Access from the The Athens Concert Hall
Telephone: 210 7282778
Central Library Of The Municipality Of Athens
The Central Public Library of Athens is one of the oldest libraries in Greece; it was founded by the first Mayor of Athens, Anargyros Petrakis, in 1835. The library’s collection includes rare editorial material and consists of 55,000 titles various themes books, newspaper archives from 1863 to date, 900 magazine titles from 1834 to date, Government Gazettes from 1833 , as well as photographs of the history of the city of Athens. Available to adult readers, there are two bright and comfortable reading rooms with free internet access.
Address: 2 Domokou, Athens, 104 40
Telephone: 210 8846021
The Central Public Library of Athens is one of the oldest libraries in Greece; it was founded by the first Mayor of Athens, Anargyros Petrakis, in 1835. The library’s collection includes rare editorial material and consists of 55,000 titles various themes books, newspaper archives from 1863 to date, 900 magazine titles from 1834 to date, Government Gazettes from 1833 , as well as photographs of the history of the city of Athens. Available to adult readers, there are two bright and comfortable reading rooms with free internet access.
Address: 2 Domokou, Athens, 104 40
Telephone: 210 8846021
National Βοοκ Centre Of Greece
A private non-profit entity established in 1994 by the Ministry of Culture to implement national policy to promote books. Publishers, authors, translators, librarians and booksellers are all involved in decision-making and work closely to achieve the centre’s objectives. EKEBI is subsidised by the Ministry of Culture.
Its objective is to play a coordinating role among these players, to create new structures to support books, to offer information and support the players involved, to record new developments in the sector, and to make a substantive contribution to establishing a friendly environment for people from the world of books.
A private non-profit entity established in 1994 by the Ministry of Culture to implement national policy to promote books. Publishers, authors, translators, librarians and booksellers are all involved in decision-making and work closely to achieve the centre’s objectives. EKEBI is subsidised by the Ministry of Culture.
Its objective is to play a coordinating role among these players, to create new structures to support books, to offer information and support the players involved, to record new developments in the sector, and to make a substantive contribution to establishing a friendly environment for people from the world of books.
Additional Information:
• The library accepts donations of books related to specialization
• Library material is available for use on the premises and for loan
• Books can be borrowed for fifteen days, and may be renewed
Address: 4 Athanasiou Diakou, Athens 117 42
Telephone: 210 9200300
• The library accepts donations of books related to specialization
• Library material is available for use on the premises and for loan
• Books can be borrowed for fifteen days, and may be renewed
Address: 4 Athanasiou Diakou, Athens 117 42
Telephone: 210 9200300
The British School at Athens is a post graduate research institute for Hellenic studies established in 1886. Situated in a green oasis in Kolonaki, the main building houses the library. The library collection covers all subjects relating to the Greek world from prehistory to the present day with an emphasis on art, archaeology, history, epigraphy, archaeological theory, material sciences and Byzantine architecture.
The library comprises more than 70,000 volumes and 1,300 periodical titles, in many different languages. There is a growing collection of digital materials with free Wi-Fi connection throughout the building. Books cannot be borrowed, but local and visiting researchers are welcome to join as Readers. Access is free, however, visitors applying for Reader’s cards are asked to provide a letter of reference.
Check the British School at Athens website under events for lectures and seminars open to the public.
Address: 52 Souidias, Athens, 106 76
Telephone: 211 1022820
Filothei-Psychiko Public Library
The Filothei-Psychiko Public Library is housed in a traditional house that once belonged to famous Greek author Kosmas Politis. It holds a sizeable collection of Greek and English books, magazines and newspapers, offers free Wi-Fi, and runs a children’s program. The library also hosts an English book club that meets once a month.
Address: 13 Stratigou Kallari, Psychiko, 154 52
Telephone: 210 6724307 & 210 6773484-5
Photo Credit: @EBE_Theophilos Gerontopoulos
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we'd like to know about it too! Email us at ideas@xpatathens.com.
Published in
City Discovery
Tagged under
Wednesday, 14 October 2015 17:05
Jack Swings Back Into Fall In Athens
As I write this, my weather app is telling me that the temperature is 29 degrees and, although ‘chance of precipitation’ is 94%, the sun seems to be peeking through the cloud cover… This is mid-October, I’m still in shorts and sitting outside day and night. I heard it once said that 80% of life is climate…
I visited 2 places this past week that I liked a lot, one that’s brand new and one that’s been around for more than 10 years. These are each very different places – and very different spaces – and I enjoyed them both, for different reasons.
Last Saturday night, I had a couple friends in town attending a medical conference (yes, apparently there are lots of these in Athens), staying at the Hilton. We decided to meet for dinner at Agora Select, which is literally behind the hotel. The area around the Hilton has numerous restaurants and night spots – including places like Cookoovaya and Pulitzer… This is not exactly a ‘cheap and cheerful’ neighbourhood, but has a number of nice choices for when your local taverna just won’t do.
Agora Select is a busy Greek restaurant – with an ‘upper class’ vibe and a relaxed Athenian elegance in the décor. I had called several hours ahead to reserve a table for 5 people – and was told that there was in fact only 1 table left. Yes, there are many restaurants in Athens that are completely booked on a Saturday night… Definitely call ahead. If I’m being honest, the space itself was not so interesting – very clean and well kept, but on the ‘classic’ side for my taste. However, I quickly discovered that people go to Agora Select for two tings – the super-professional service and the delicious Greek (and non-Greek!) food. There is an extensive menu at this place (also available to view online), offering large portions, delicious plates and surprisingly reasonable prices, considering location and clientele. The food is not ‘fussy’ – but more like really well done Greek food. A pleasant surprise.
K8 Point is on the opposite end of scale in terms of design and vibe. This is a carefully decorated, dramatically beautiful, decidedly cool space. Only recently opened, K8 is envisioned as an ‘all day/all night’ venue, for morning coffees, lunch or dinner, and drinks into the wee hours. With its multiple spaces perfectly set-up for all kinds of fun, they have numerous events and parties planned, they are sure to become a new favourite in the city.
K8 is an older structure that was originally a horse stables, and around 1880 became an inn. In recent years it was abandoned and left to fade into the background of the lower Ermou Street chaos… Today, the place has been transformed into an architectural masterpiece of exposed brick, original arches, wood, glass, graffiti and modern art. If you love unique spaces as I do, K8 is for you. Apart from this, the menu looks equally ‘curated’, an interesting take on modern Greek fare. Great drinks list too. I must admit I only stopped in for a coffee – but you can be sure I will be back.
Athens, you never stop surprising me! There is life in you yet…
Until next week,
Jack
K8 Point
Ermou 119 & Astiggos
+30 21 0331 5407
Agora Select
Chatzigianni Mexi 8 & Ventiri 9
+30 210 72 52 252,
Published in
My Week In Athens
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