Afoi Asimakopouloi 


Credit: @afoi_asimakopouloi

Asimakopoulos is a landmark pastry shop in Athens that has survived for over 100 years thanks to the quality of its ingredients and respect for authentic flavors. Since it first opened in 1915, it has been offering mouth-watering pastries, cookies, and cakes, as well as savory pies for those who don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Melomakarona promise to take us on a culinary journey to the flavors that defined our childhood. This holiday season, don’t miss their Melomakarono Isli—a stuffed melomakarono filled with walnuts and sprinkled with Aegina pistachios. It’s a modern twist on a beloved classic!

 

  

 

  

Konstantinidis 


Credit: @konstandinidis

 

Ta Gioulia


Credit: @ta_gioulia

This historic pastry shop in Nea Ionia, carries a legacy of authentic flavors inspired by its founder's Asia Minor roots. Their honey-soaked delights are stuffed with whole walnuts and are made to perfection with a unique syruping method. Made with honey from Agrinio, the melomakarona strike the perfect balance of juiciness without being overly dense, making them a standout choice for the holiday season. 

The beach of Chiliadou in Evia is in the running for the Best European Location Award 2022 by the European Network of Film Commissions (EUFCN), according to an announcement by the Hellenic Film Center and following a proposal by its Directorate for International Audiovisual Productions.

 

This is the second time a Greek location has reached the finals of the annual European Film Location Award. It should be noted that Corfu won the award in 2019 when it hosted the filming of the British series "The Durrels."

 

During the pandemic, Chiliadou was the location for the award-winning film "Triangle of Sadness,"  starring Charbli Dean, Harris Dickinson, and Woody Harrelson. The Greek production company Heretic was also involved. The natural landscape of Chiliadou became one of the film’s protagonists, playing a huge part in its atmosphere and aesthetic character. The film won a Golden Palm at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. 

 

 

From November 28, 2022, until January 30, 2023, the public can visit the EUFCN European platform and vote for their preferred location. You can vote for Chiliadou here. 

 

The winner of the EUFCN Location Award 2022 for Best European Filming Location of the year will be revealed at the European Film Market 2023 in Berlin.

 

The five nominated locations for the 2022 Award are: 

• Brissago Islands for the film "Dawn Chorus" – Ticino Film Commission (Switzerland) 
• Chiliadou Beach for the film "Triangle of Sadness" – Hellenic Film Commission (Greece) 
• Portsoy for the series "Peaky Blinders (Season 6)" - Screen Scotland (Scotland)
• Schlosshotel Kronberg for the film "Spencer" – Film Commission Hessen (Germany) 
• Stari Grad district for the film "How I Learned To Fly" – (Croatia)

Originally published in Greek on: kathimerini.gr

Translated by: Codico Lab

The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens celebrated the beginning of the holiday season with its traditional Christmas Tree lighting event in its lobby in a festive atmosphere. The ceremony included Christmas carols performed by the children’s choir of the educational institution “Themistoklis”. Volunteers of the non-profit organization PNOE were also present at the event informing guests about their important initiatives. 

 

Everyone enjoyed themselves with the overwhelming Christmas spirit, exchanged happy wishes, and had the chance to watch the Hotel’s new Christmas video. Every year, the glittering 7.5 meters tall Christmas tree has been the highlight, decorated with impressive garlands, special ornaments, and more than 10,000 lights creating a glowing festive background in the lobby.  

 

Being part of a socially responsible company, Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George continue their special fundraising campaign. From December 1st and for six months, €1.50 will be added on top of each bill issued at the GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall restaurants with the customers’ consent and will be donated to support PNOE non-profit organization in its pioneering work, aimed at providing medical equipment to Intensive Care Units for children and neonates. 

The Greek island of Karpathos in the south Aegean Sea is included in National Geographic’s annual list of the world’s 25 most impressive, “breathtaking destinations for 2023.” 

 

Karpathos is the only area in Greece included in National Geographic’s subcategory of preserving local communities. 

 

National Geographic refers to the island of the Dodecanese as an amazing and beautiful place, where businesses owned by women lead the way in sustainable tourism. 

 

“The Greek island of Karpathos, a growing center of ecotourism, features striking landscapes surrounded by the Aegean Sea.The isle is part of the Dodecanese archipelago, one of Nat Geo’s Best of the World destinations for 2023,” it is noted. 

 

In the same subcategory on the extensive National Geographic list are Milwaukee, Alberta in Canada, Laos, and Ghana, while 20 more destinations in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia follow in the categories of nature, adventure, family, and culture.

Originally published on: keeptalkinggreece.com

During the holiday period, shops throughout the country will remain open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Hellenic Retail Business Association (SELPE) said in a statement.

On Saturdays, they will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays, December 11 and 18, they will open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., in order to help the public make their holiday purchases.

It should be noted that the member companies of SELPE have taken all the necessary measures to comply with the health rules, the association stressed.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Located in the center of the modern city of Athens, right in the middle of the high-traffic shopping area of Ermou street, Panagia Kapnikarea is one of the oldest churches in Athens. And, although the church is one of the most widely-known churches in the whole country, frequented by millions of people, both foreigners and locals, its history is not that known.

Let's uncover some of its secrets!

How did it get its name? 

In 1689, Athens was firebombed by the Ottomans. Legend has it that although the fire reached the church, the icon of the Virgin Mary survived, but the wooden frame and Mary's face were charred. Kapnikarea comes from the words "kapnos" (smoke in Greek) and "kara" (face, head).

But most people believe the truth behind the church's strange name lies elsewhere. In 802 AD, a tax was imposed on the smoke coming out of the chimneys in Byzantine Athens. Each resident, according to the number of chimneys his house had, paid the corresponding tobacco tax. The tax collector who collected these taxes was called "Kapnikarios," and such a person built the church.

Kapnikarea is a complex tetragonal inscribed cruciform with a dome. Inside, one can find the works of Fotis Kontoglou, created in the mid-20th century. Kapnikarea consists of several parts, with the main part dating back to the 11th century, while the exonarthex and the propylon date back to the 12th century. The one-room chapel of Agia Barbara was built even later.

Why is it located in the middle of the street? 

The temple was to be demolished to make way for Ermou Street, according to the new urban planning plans for Athens in 1834. However, King Otto's father, Ludwig King of Bavaria, saved it, and so the street was created around Kapnikarea. Later there were again proposals to demolish it, however, it survived once again thanks to the decision of Theophilos I Vlachopapadopoulos, the Metropolitan bishop of Athens.

This temple could have been destroyed over the years, leaving only its ruins. However, it is still standing and open to visitors. People pass by without realizing that they are next to a monument that has witnessed some of the country's most important historical events.

Originally published in Greek on: youweekly.gr

Do you remember the projects you had to do during the later years of elementary school? Were they hard or easy to do? Was there anyone helping you or did you complete them by yourself? One of the projects I remember vividly was that we had to draw a map of the geographical area we were studying. Whether with mountains and rivers or just the names of the cities this was an almost weekly project. What I also remember was that very often it was my mum who would draw the maps for me.

She was obviously trying to help me finish and go to bed on time as we had quite a lot to study. But it wasn’t only that. I also remember that what I loved to do after school and right after I’d finished lunch was to chat with my mum and aunt. So, by the time I’d started studying, it was already late. To top that, I’d start with the easy topics first and leave the difficult ones for last. I’d be way too tired and sleepy by then. And that’s when my mum would come in.

Since these days I’ve often wondered what would have happened had she not come to my rescue. What would have happened if she’d just let me do as much of my homework as I could? It would have been even better if she could have faced her feelings and coped with my not finishing my homework. After all, it was me who was going to school the next day not her. This would have been a real help. This would have definitely challenged me and probably pushed me to take responsibility early on.

There’s no parent that I know of who wants to see their child fail. We all want to see our children progress in school and in life. How are we going to do that? By letting them try – or not try – and fail; by letting them face the consequences; by allowing them to take responsibility for their actions; and by being right next to them to offer our support when needed.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

The Meet Market – the most beloved mobile pop-up market in Athens – is back for 10 days in a row, this December 9 – 18 at the Old Depot Amaxostasio in Gazi.

It was back in 2007 when we opened our doors for the very first time at a little bar called K44 in Gazi, with 20 participating brands.  Since then, 15 years have passed, and with many slow, steady and consistent steps, the Meet Market has grown, evolved, expanded and made many new friends and family members along the way.  This December, we will feature more than 150 Greek brands of talented designers, artists, producers and collectors – divided into 2 lineups – turning the industrial roof of the Old Depot into a Christmas extravaganza!

So what can you expect?  Our first line-up of creators and creations will take part from Friday December 9th till Sunday December 11th. Then we’ll switch it up with our second line-up of participants from Monday December 12th till Sunday December 18th.  Come explore clothing, jewelry, accessories, care & wellness products, art & home deco, children’s items, delicious goodies, Christmas gifts and of course street food, Glühwein, artisanal coffee, locally brewed beers and plenty of alcohol to get the mood merry.

Faithfully following our motto “First we meet, then we market”, there’s not just shopping on the agenda.  Beyond the stalls, you’ll find plenty to do and see – and for those of you who join us on the weekdays, there will be a cup of warm free Glühwein waiting for you.

Join us for non-stop dj sets with alternating DJs and plenty of free interactive games for kids including workshops in grafitti and cinema, facepainting and acrobatic adventures.  And we haven’t forgotten about the big kids of course. Together with illustradays, we will feature “Drink & Draw” events hosted by special guests throughout the course of the 10 days.  Make sure you stop by the central info point to take a chance at winning free prizes including our grand prize raffle, for 4 lucky winners who will each win a huge holiday basked filled with products from all our makers.

And DO LOOK UP, because you’ll find a very special exhibition of handmade dream catchers from Yannis Prassas “Dreamcatcher’s Project” that will fill the venue’s ceiling with color and wishes for the new year.  Each Saturday, he’ll also be hosting workshops so you can come and learn to make them yourself.  More details on our lineup of activites, exhibitors and djs below.

Come one, come all – just come on over and celebrate the holidays and our 15 year anniversary all together under one industrial roof in the heart of the city center.

Ever incisive, subversive, and surprising, the Tectonics Festival is back in Athens for the fourth year.

With new music at its core – everything from classical orchestral music to improvised solo performances, taking in electronic music, new instruments, music installations, and much more along the way – Tectonics is returning to Athens. Onassis Stegi is partnering with the Athens Conservatoire to present yet another packed and audacious program of live music events.

Touching on everything from symphonic music to noise, and from free improvisation to contemporary composition, Tectonics uncovers new affinities between differing music styles. Acclaimed conductor Ilan Volkov, who launched the event with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, in the country where the tectonic plates of Asia, Europe, and North America all meet, joins forces with Michalis Moschoutis and Anne Hilde Neset to create yet another unforgettable festival for the Athens music scene.