The Byzantine church of Hagia Kyriaki on the Greek island of Naxos recently won the 2018 European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards for its unique frescoes that were reconstructed by a Greek and Swiss team.

This restoration meant Greece was one of the outstanding European heritage success stories in the awards’ Conservation category for 2018.

Hagia Kyriaki will be honored at a ceremony in Berlin in June 2018 during the first European Cultural Heritage Summit.

Below is a video showing the details and reconstruction of the church.



For more information about the Europa Nostra Awards and Hagia Kyriaki, please visit: European Heritage Awards

Article source: Greek Reporter

Rakaki, a modern Cretan tavern, is located in an area of Athens called Kesariani, near Mount Hymettos. The area is known for its culinary delights, particularly seafood says Culinary Backstreets. What makes the area so appealing are the relaxed, "nothing too fancy" meze houses or other types of eateries. "It’s a feeling that permeates the entire neighborhood, where old houses built by Greek refugees from Smyrna (or Izmir) still stand next to modern apartment blocks.

Rakaki is a  "small, cozy spot – there are only ten tables inside and another ten outside on the sidewalk." When CB visited for the first time, the place was packed and regulars were calling the waiters by their first name. The place opened in 2007 by brothers Marios and Kostas Petropoulos, getting their inspiration from their mother Despina, who is from Crete and knows how to cook well.

"The restaurant stays true to this familial inspiration, beginning with its name, which is the diminutive of raki, a strong spirit distilled from the residue of crushed grapes in Crete."

To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets

Photo credit: TripAdvisor

For the first time in Greece, students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens will be able to receive a four-year honors degree in Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece that is taught entirely in English. This is the first undergraduate degree in Greece that is offered in English. 

The degree is being offered in association with the International Hellenic University in Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The course, which is targeted at international students, will cost €8,000 a year.

Eleni Karamalengou, the Dean of Athens’ School of Philosophy, described the new program as a “very important and innovative educational, scientific and cultural initiative for this country."

Source: Times Higher Education

Nothing is more important than family, especially if you combine it with summer holidays! That's why we present you a list of the best Greek islands and cleanest beaches to visit with you loved ones, as well as how you can altogether contribute to the fight against plastic pollution.

Animal adoption is something we pay close attention at and treat very carefully here at XpatAthens. That's why we would like to raise some awareness towards our community regarding a recent concern and also make it easier for you to adopt an animal, with a list of some of the most trustworthy  organisations.

Ever wondered  what makes Greek people embrace life? Well you can now discover the few simple steps that lead them to well-being, as well as how May 1st is celebrated and treated like a special holiday!

Todos Tango Festival is a yearly international tango festival that takes place for the third time and that is connected since it’s early steps with quality events of high artistic value. For the first time, the legends of Argentine tango, together in one beautiful festival!

From Wednesday May 30th to Sunday June 3rd Athens becomes the capital of tango. The living legends of tango convene in TODOS TANGO FESTIVAL ATHENS 2018 to fill yet one more page in the history of tango The entire event will be hosted in Gazi Music Hall in Keramikos, an artistically vibrant neighbourhood of Athens.

One of the most significant personalities of Tango Argentino worldwide, Miguel Angel Zotto along with his extraordinary and talented partner Daiana Guspero, the absolute ambassador of the culture and elegance of Argentine Tango, Sebastian Missé with Andrea Reyero a couple with great heritage, the unique dancer and choreographer Gabriel Missé described as “Baryshnikov of tango”, with his new partner Maru Rifourcat and  last but not least the gifted dancer Stella Missé with the Greek maestro Kostas Nikolaidis.

Todos Tango Festival couldn’t be missing great tango couples from Greece, famous within and beyond the frontiers of their country, Loukas Balokas with Georgia Priskou, Vaggelis Hatzopoulos with Marianna Koutandou and Raphael Passaquay with Danaie Zeugadina. 

Our aim is to spread the beauty of tango to the world, in it’s most authentic sense and encourage the unity of nations and cultures, through the means provided by this dance of love and embrace by convening tangueros and art lovers of any age and nationality, every year in Greece.

This year Todos Tango Festival takes place in Athens under the auspices of the Municipality of the city and addresses itself to all people who love music, dance and art.It is an open invitation to anybody who wishes to approach Tango Argentino in it’s originality and get acquainted with this fascinating culture, an invitation to all people who need a new way of expression and communication in their everyday life. Under this perspective, the festival incorporates the innovative idea to add a three class seminar for new beginners in it’s schedule, giving the opportunity to newcomers to sense the taste of the original tango by most renowned maestros.

Only a few days away form the opening of the festival and the world’s first gathering of all these maestros in one event, the international tango community eagerly awaits for this moment. Meanwhile, we call to all of you to join us in this marvelus dance of love and understanding. Let go of any hesitations and let your steps guide you to a warm embrace.


MILONGA SCHEDULE

Wednesday 30 May: Gazi music Hall Rooftop "Baile de los Maestros".Entrance: € 15 (presales: €12)Dj: Aris Canaro

Thursday 31 May: Gazi music Hall Rooftop Shows from Vaggelis Hatzopoulos & Marianna Koutantou and Raphael Passaquay & Danae Zevgadina.Entrance: €18 (presales: €15)Dj: Nikos Marketos

Friday 1 June:  Gazi Live (Gazi Music Hall - Main Stage) Shows από Sebastian Missé & Andrea Reyero and Loukas Balokas & Georgia Priskou.Entrance: €25 (presales: €20)Dj: Patrizia, "La Tipica Mujer"

Saturday 2 June: Gazi Live (Gazi Music Hall- Main Stage) Shows from Miguel Angel Zotto & Daiana Guspero and Stella Missé & Kostas Nikolaidis.Entrance: €25 (presales: €20)Dj: Trifon HiouteasSunday

03 June: Gazi Live (Gazi Μusic Hall- Main Stage) Show from Gabriel Missé & Maru Marta Rifourcat and Baile de los Maestros.Entrance: €25 (presales: €20)Dj: Emilio Falsetti "El Fueye"  

FULL MILONGA PASS: €75 

 "INTRODUCTION TO TANGO" SEMINAR: €80

On May 18, 2018, Greece is celebrating International Museum Day with free admission to museums and a number of cultural events with the theme 'Hyperconnected Museums: New approaches, new publics.'

International Museum Day aims to raise awareness of museums and how they are a significant means of cultural exchange. This year’s theme focuses on the integral role of the internet in relation to museums around the world. On the occasion of International Museum Day 2018, the Greek branch of ICOM will honor the OTE Telecommunications Museum, which is operated by the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization OTE SA in Athens.

A special event will be held on May 18, at 19:00, at the OTE Teleocommunications Museum in Nea Kifissia. The event will include short speeches, guided tours and music performances. From May 17-20, the museum will also host guided tours, educational programs and workshops, and more.

For more information, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

A reader from the USA wrote to Jessica, who blogs for Athens Coast, and asked how she should plan an upcoming 7-day trip to Greece with her girlfriends. Jessica plans the week-long holiday making it the ultimate girl's trip, including seeing an island or two and staying in the great city of Athens!

 

Dear Jessica,

One of my best friends lives in the Netherlands and is meeting me in Greece in June, and we’re looking for some advice about what to do & where to spend our time!

This is is roughly what I had in mind:

• See Athens on Sunday afternoon (the Acropolis & Parthenon, maybe a hop on/off bus tour?)
• Ferry to an island on Monday (Paros?)
• Ferry to Santorini on Wednesday
• Fly from Santorini back to Athens on Saturday

Just having a Sunday afternoon/evening to do the whole historic Athens thing is a bit tight. It can be done and what better way to stay active and resist napping (don’t nap! fight the urge)?

For the center of Athens with the time you have, visit the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium with walks through National Gardens, Plaka & Monastiraki. 

---

For Paros I’d recommend staying in Parikia (hotels) which is where the port is OR Naousa (hotels).  With Parikia, you have the convenience of the port and it is the largest town on the island.  Naousa is more picturesque with a bit more of an upscale feel.  There are buses that run regularly from the port to Naousa.

Another popular island to combine with the Athens -> Santorini route is Naxos.  I like Naxos because you can stay (hotels) in the traditional village of Chora and walk to a nice beach, Agios Georgios.  I’ve been to Naxos twice and never rented a car.  We did take the bus twice from Chora to Plaka beach (which is a really nice beach!).

To read the full 7-day itinerary for a girl's trip, please visit: Athens Coast