1 big celebration | 3 days of science, technology and innovation | top keynote speakers from around the world | live experiments | chemistry shows | interactive exhibits and activities | kids labs | workshops for adults

We are moving towards the future at an accelerated speed, but where are we really heading to? What challenges will we face and what do we expect to encounter? The Athens Science Festival 2022 (AFS), after three years, returns into its physical format, with the intention of taking us into the future – into the Worlds of Tomorrow!

From 21 to 23 October 2022, Technopolis City of Athens will welcome the leading scientific event of the capital, which since 2014 brings to the forefront the most modern developments in the field of science, technology, innovation and art.

The program of ASF 2022, inspired by Foresight, the strategic exploration of different possible versions of the future, connects us to “Tomorrow” and highlights how the scientific study of the past and present can both shape and shield the future.

In an ever-changing world, science consistently observes and provides the resources for development. Will artificial intelligence be the next step in education? Can climate change shape ecologically conscious generations? How is rapid technological development transforming art and science? Is rubbish the raw materials of the future?

Through talks by top keynote speakers from around the world, impressive live experiments, chemistry shows, interactive exhibits and activities, workshops for adults, children labs and many other events, the festival will attempt to answer the questions and raise new ones. 

Keynote speakers:

This year, as every year, top keynote speakers will attend the festival to share their knowledge and expertise on a number of key issues that concern “Today” and will concern “Tomorrow”. 

Among them, the Communication Officer of the Euro-Mediterranean Center for Climate Change and columnist for the digital magazine Climate Foresight Alessandra Mazzai will attend the festival with a talk on climate change, with the title "Climate: Are we prepared for change?"

Moreover, David Theo Goldberg, director of the Humanities Research Institute at the University of California, in his speech with the title, "Quantum thinking: How revolutionary is it?" focuses on the quantum thinking and whether it offers a new way of addressing our pressing social challenges. 

We shall wait for you at this great celebration of science to discover together the Worlds of Tomorrow!

The Athens Science Festival is organized by the educational organization “Science Communication – SciCo”, the British Council and the Technopolis City of Athens with the invaluable contribution from a plethora of academics, research and educational institutions.

Stay tuned for more science news!

This central Athens neighborhood’s fortunes have risen and fallen over the decades. Today, Kypseli is enjoying a thrilling period of new openings, new events, new people, and new energy, making it – once again – the trendiest and most exciting neighborhood in Athens.

Kypseli means “beehive” in Greek and that’s a great metaphor for this area that always throngs with activity. It’s one of the most densely populated urban areas in Europe – and you can feel it. The old apartment blocks stand close together and certain streets can provoke a sense of claustrophobia that sometimes detracts from the spectacular, historic architecture that abounds. The upside is that, while they might be a little cramped for space, the worker bees of Kypseli are constantly working hard on creative projects, chic eateries, and cool galleries, which all come together to form a vibrant honeycomb of cultural life.

Kypseli is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, but it only started to take on its present form in 1937 when architect Vasilios Tsagris began transforming a stream called Levidi into a long stretch of gardens with trees, water fountains, play areas and statues, including a much-loved dog statue which appeared in 1940. The now-pedestrianized Fokionos Negri Street became Kypseli’s central thoroughfare, as a middle-class to upper-middle-class neighborhood grew around it between the 1930s and the 1970s, leaving a treasure trove of architectural gems, from art deco to Bauhaus and mid-century modernist.

It’s still possible to relive the glory days of Kypseli’s golden era, a time when international stars like Frank Sinatra would hang out on Fokionos Negri whenever they visited Athens. Catch a movie at Stella, a retro open-air cinema whose bright neon-pink lighting is a throwback to the neighborhood’s glamorous, showbiz past. English-language films are screened without dubbing and the screen is surrounded by a mosaic of concrete balconies. After the film, head for a stiff cocktail at Au Revoir, a classic-with-a-Greek-twist drinking hole, run by the Papatheodorou family since 1958.

Diversity Dominates

Kypseli continues to attract people from around the world, with foreign-run shops and businesses abounding across the neighborhood and its multiculturalism extending to its food options as well. Kypseli manages to hold all of its old and new residents together in peaceful coexistence: traditional Greek kafeneios, tavernas, and bars sit comfortably alongside authentic food and social spaces from around the world, while creative spirits are constantly adding splashes of cool to the mix. Taken together, Kypseli is more than just a hive of activity; it’s a kaleidoscopic neighborhood of culture, cuisine, and creativity.

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

Main image: Dimitris Vlaikos

Annually, 3.6% of the global population is on the move to a destination that offers better work-life balance, a higher quality of living, and more overall possibilities to lead a balanced and fulfilled life (see stats here).

 

A number of businesses have been created to capture the needs of this growing market, and some have been successful in finding satisfying solutions. MoveNation is one such company - they've created a search engine for country relocation that helps users find retirement destinations. This year Athens made their list of recommended destinations together with cities like Alicante, Bilbao, Phuket, and many other cities around the world.

 

The criteria by which the destinations recommended are selected include: quality of life, the possibility of making investments, safety, cost of living, the level of English spoken, hospitality, and many others.

According to MoveNation, Athens is a fantastic destination for relocation. The city has so many things to offer, from the ancient ruins of the Acropolis to the bustling nightlife and restaurants. Athens is also a thriving economic hub with a large number of international companies operating within its borders. It's also an ideal place for ex-pats looking to settle down with their families as it has an excellent education system and plenty of green spaces for children to enjoy.

The platform uses information from Trip Advisor, Google Reviews, and Yelp to recommend the best museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions from each city in order to offer a  complete picture of what the new city has to offer.

 

MoveNation was launched in 2021, in Denmark, and is supported by Antler, a venture capital fund with investor Eduardo Saverin (ex-Facebook co-founder). The company aims to help a million people move to a new country and to make it happen by reconfiguring the way societies are built.

 

A brand new season by Impact Hub Athens in Kypseli, starts this Saturday, 17th of September from 12.00 to 21.00, with the Pawsome Festival, which will turn the Municipal Market’s open space into a huge interactive playground for our four-legged friends.

The festival will be accompanied by music from Athens 9.84, and its radio show ‘Like cats and dogs’ which will be aired live for the first time from Agora. Pets and their owners will have the chance to find whatever they wish for. High-quality food from ΚΥΟΝ, but also organic unprocessed choices based on the BARF diet from Nature’s Food. Delicacies, accessories and toys in Pawbox’s indie boutique for cats and dogs, toiletries and grooming services from  NanoSanitas.

Eugenia Samara and her colleagues will introduce us to Your Pet App, a Greek platform/app that offers help to animals in need, while the independent animal welfare group Adespota Exarcheia, will be in the Market’s space along with their merch.

At the same time, useful advice for dog care and training will be given by specialists. The Pet Foodologist  Stavrianna Manolakou, will be providing individual diet tips according to the needs of each dog separately. The experienced specialists of Dog Society will reveal secrets and innovative ways on how dogs can interact and adapt properly to their environment. Dogs Voice will entertain the audience with games and quizzes. During the afternoon hours between 18.00 to 19.30, the visitors will be able to take a walk with the excellently trained superheroes-guide dogs, of the school Lara guide dogs.

Of course, animal welfare organizations and facilities, like Animal City of Athens, Animal Welfare Association of Megara, και Animal Welfare of Elliniko- Argiroupoli, couldn’t be missing from the event.

From 17.00 to 21.00, people and pets will have the chance to be photographed in the curated by Canon photo booth, by the lens of the dog-portrait photographer Olga Amoiridou with her project The Dog Project. The visitors will be able to print and get their instant photos for free, in Canon’s expert printer.

Kypseli’s hangout spot Morning Sweetie will be in the Market too, providing us with freshly ground coffee and pupcakes (edible by people and dogs) to share with our pets.

See you on Saturday, the 17th of September!

The green light was given for the start of the tendering procedures and subsequent implementation of the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian lane linking the suburbs of Kallithea and Voula on the southern coast of Athens.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by Attica Regional Governor Giorgos Patoulis and the appointed adviser of the State Property Development Fund, Panagiotis Stamboulidis. The “Athenian Riviera Urban Walk” has secured funding as it is already included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan Greece 2.0 with a budget of 24.7 million euros.

The network of pedestrian and cycle paths will cross seven municipalities (Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko, Argyroupoli, Glyfada, and Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni). The estimated total length is 13.5 km. The project is expected to be delivered at the end of 2025.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

If you are wondering when the perfect time to plan a little trip abroad is, autumn is always the answer. Most European destinations have lived through their high season, the streets are becoming quieter, and you can experience your favorite cities off-the-beaten-track, escaping the tourist crowds and getting a taste of the everyday lives of locals.

And although almost every city is dreamy in the autumn, some cities feel even more magical. Here is a list of our favorite European destinations that you should visit this fall!

Amsterdam


@johnblutephotography

Autumn in Amsterdam is absolutely magical. The trees lining the canals start changing to the warm colors of the season, the city’s bars, restaurants, and cafes become delightfully cozy, and the streets are quieter, making it easy to wander around and take in the beauty that unfolds before you. Not to mention the numerous events you can attend during the fall season, such as the Amsterdam Dance Event in mid-October or the Amsterdam Light Festival at the beginning of November.

Barcelona


@christian_kremser

Barcelona may be a popular summer destination, but autumn is when the city really comes to life, with tons of festivals happening all around. The most famous of all is La Castanyada, or Catalan Halloween, which is a festival to honor the dead and where you can enjoy delicious local food like castanyes (chestnuts) and panellets, a typical Catalan pastry. Except for attending festivals, you can go for a picnic in Ciutadella Park and cherish the magic of nature in all its autumn glory, see a flamenco show, and, of course, visit the museums and most popular sites with no annoying tourist crowds!

Dubrovnik


@dubrovnik_tourist_guide

Dubrovnik, the shining jewel in Dalmatia’s crown, is sure to take your breath away if you visit during autumn. The temperatures remain relatively warm, and even the water stays warm through October. You can appreciate Dubrovnik’s historic centre when the crowds have thinned and soak up the last sunny days of the season with a swim or kayaking trip. Make sure to walk up to the top of the Old Town walls, the best vantage point for contemplating the vistas and admiring the city dressed in the golden hues of autumn.

Porto


@porto_portugal

The mild weather, the smell of roasted chestnuts, and the less crowded city—autumn in Porto is one of the most memorable things you will ever experience. First, it is the perfect time to discover the Douro valley and its vineyards, listed as a World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the city’s parks, such as the Palácio de Cristal and the Botanic Garden, and sip hot chocolate at cozy cafes, set in former bookstores. Last but not least, make sure to watch a fado show. Fado is the traditional music genre of Portugal, and fado songs are usually connected to the feeling of Saudade, a state of nostalgia and yearning. Once you listen to fado music, you will always carry Porto in your heart!

Bordeaux


@intercontinental_bordeaux

Named the world’s best city a few years back by Lonely Planet, Bordeaux is a year-round destination, but it shines a bit brighter in autumn. The days are warm, the nights are cool, the countryside begins its dramatic change of color, with fields and hillsides washed in the autumn color palette of mustard yellows, fiery oranges, and burnt reds, and the countless beautiful châteaux and tiny historic towns wait to be explored. Plus, wine lovers will be able to sample the city’s world-famous wines and embark on wine tours of the Medoc region and, of course, the charming medieval town of Saint-Emilion.

The Learning & Participation Department of the Greek National Opera issues an open call for permanent or temporary residents of Athens, professional and amateur musicians from every community in the city, to become members of the Greek National Opera Intercultural Choir. For one more year, the members of a diverse group of Athenians will join their voices, bringing together different traditions and highlighting the immediacy and power of singing and music.

Over the past seven years, the Intercultural Choir has had members from Slovakia, Tanzania, New Guiney, Ukraine, Cameroon, Syria, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Iran, Kenya, Kongo, Iraq and Greece.

The Choir’s constantly expanding repertoire consists of songs from the countries of origin of its members and beyond!

In this new educational cycle and under the direction of Anna Linardou, along with the expansion of its standard repertoire, the Intercultural Choir will attempt to explore voice beyond just singing, its relationship with the body, movement and improvisation, through works of contemporary composers. In this context, we invite new members, eager to sing and explore the new music, to join our forces. The selection of the new members will be made on the basis of the intention to bring out the Choir’s intercultural character and ensure a balanced representation of all age and voice groups.

The Intercultural Choir has given concerts on the GNO Alternative Stage in the SNFCC, on various squares in Athens, at the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport, and as part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s Summer Nostos Festival. It has also collaborated with the International Choir of the Göteborg Opera under the direction of composer Trevor Grahl, performing his works. For the Intercultural Choir’s new season, the GNO Learning & Participation Department is planning new collaborations, as well as a concert outside Athens. The Choir’s rehearsals are held on a weekly basis at the Greek National Opera, in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

Please note that all applicants need to upload a video or audio file with a short excerpt of a song of their choice.

Those interested in applying are requested to fill in and send the application form by Sunday 18 September 2022.

Applications for participating in the Choir can be submitted exclusively via the form you will find HERE!

 

 

 

 

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Schools open on Monday with less strict rules according to the new protocols outlined in the Government Gazette.

The use of protective masks (simple surgical or fabric masks with appropriate specifications) is optional for pupils in all classes, teachers, and other staff, as well as for visitors to schools.

However, teachers who remain unvaccinated and uninfected by the Covid-19 coronavirus must have laboratory diagnostic testing (rapid tests or PCR tests) at private diagnostic centers, private clinics, pharmacies, or a private physician at their own expense.

The compulsory laboratory tests are required once per week, before Tuesday up to 48 hours before school attendance.

If the diagnostic test is negative, then a certificate will be issued which the teacher must present to the school to attend classes. If the result of the laboratory diagnostic test is positive, then the relevant protocols of the National Public Health Organization (EODY) will be followed.

If pupils have symptoms outside school, they must remain at home. If students have symptoms at school, the family must be contacted and the child picked up. Until the pupil is collected they must be isolated in a pre-designated well-ventilated area, with supervision, away from other children.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com