LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 28 April 2020 18:16
Beyond Coronavirus: Greece To Start Lifting Lockdown Measures
To contain the spread of the coronavirus, Greece went into full lockdown on March 22. However, on Tuesday, April 28, the Greek Prime Minister finally revealed the timeline for the gradual loosening of the lockdown measures that will permit locals living in Greece to return to some of their everyday activities and allow the battered economy to begin recovering.
Mitsotakis stressed the importance of keeping sanitary rules and social distancing; he also revealed a new motto, "We Stay Safe," as the sequel of the "We Stay Home" campaign we've seen across the media since the beginning of the outbreak.
In his scheduled speech, the Prime Minister praised Greeks for adhering to the rules and restrictions, adding that Greece "is now ready to proceed to the second phase" of the plan. Below is a timeline of the progressive lifting of safety measures in Greece that will unfold in phases, beginning on Monday May 4 and until mid-June.
Mitsotakis stressed the importance of keeping sanitary rules and social distancing; he also revealed a new motto, "We Stay Safe," as the sequel of the "We Stay Home" campaign we've seen across the media since the beginning of the outbreak.
In his scheduled speech, the Prime Minister praised Greeks for adhering to the rules and restrictions, adding that Greece "is now ready to proceed to the second phase" of the plan. Below is a timeline of the progressive lifting of safety measures in Greece that will unfold in phases, beginning on Monday May 4 and until mid-June.
Monday, May 4
More specifically, small retail shops such as bookstores, sporting goods stores, and hair salons will open on May 4, while the SMS procedure for leaving our house will also be dropped on the same day. People will be allowed to travel freely within their prefecture of residence, but not outside. For example, those living in Athens can travel freely within the Attica region only. Churches will also re-open for individual prayer, abiding, however, to the strict rules regarding how many worshippers will be allowed in the church at the same time. Church services are still banned.
Monday, May 11
On May 11, senior high schoolers will be able to return to school, and all retail stores will re-open for business.
Sunday, May 17
On May 17, churches will be allowed to resume religious services and sacraments, still having to adhere to firm social distancing safety measures.
Monday, May 18
Further relaxation of the measures will come on May 18, when the rest of the high schoolers will be returning to school. On the same day, archaeological sites will re-open for visitors.
Monday, June 1
Malls, cafes, and restaurants with outdoor seating areas will be back to business on June 1, following social distancing rules. Finally, year-round hotels will open again, adopring all the required public health measures.
Mid June
Depending on the developments, the rest of the economic activity will resume by mid-June. The Prime Minister also mentioned said that the gradual lifting of the measures is going be to be accessed by a panel of experts every 24 hours.
Depending on the developments, the rest of the economic activity will resume by mid-June. The Prime Minister also mentioned said that the gradual lifting of the measures is going be to be accessed by a panel of experts every 24 hours.
When To Use A Mask
As the Prime Minister stressed, it is crucial to remember and follow safety measures.
The use of a mask is mandatory by customers and workers in hair and beauty salons and in every service that requires physical contact.
Workers in supermarkets and food shops will also be required to wear a mask. It is strongly recommended that commuters and workers in the public transport system also wear masks.
Due to their susceptibility to the virus, elders are also advised to use a mask.
CLICK HERE to learn more about how to protect yourself, symptoms, and when to seek medical treament.
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab
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Local News
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Thursday, 21 May 2020 13:55
Erasmus For Young Entrepreneurs - Online Info Day
Do you have a great idea but you need help translating it into a successful business? Have you already created a business plan and want to expand it abroad? We present to you, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs – an opportunity to connect with experienced entrepreneurs from all over the world.
On Wednesday May 27 at 15:00 you are invited to attend the Info Day of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, which will be available in Greek, in order to learn more about the program and get information on how you can participate. During the event, you will be able to get acquainted with the Academy of Entrepreneurship and the current educational and research projects in which it is involved, which aim at enhancing the entrepreneurship competences of youths and socially vulnerable groups, as well as to expand your professional network.
About The Program
Εrasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a promising program aiming at equipping aspiring, new or social entrepreneurs with expertise, knowledge, and skills in order to develop their business model. It offers the opportunity for participants to communicate, exchange, and share business ideas with experienced peers, and learn to live, work, and collaborate with people in the environment of a foreign country. The program also addresses existing companies in Greece which are provided with the opportunity to collaborate with foreign entrepreneurs, gain important knowledge that can substantially contribute to the development of their activities, and expand their established business.
On Wednesday May 27 at 15:00 you are invited to attend the Info Day of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, which will be available in Greek, in order to learn more about the program and get information on how you can participate. During the event, you will be able to get acquainted with the Academy of Entrepreneurship and the current educational and research projects in which it is involved, which aim at enhancing the entrepreneurship competences of youths and socially vulnerable groups, as well as to expand your professional network.
About The Program
Εrasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a promising program aiming at equipping aspiring, new or social entrepreneurs with expertise, knowledge, and skills in order to develop their business model. It offers the opportunity for participants to communicate, exchange, and share business ideas with experienced peers, and learn to live, work, and collaborate with people in the environment of a foreign country. The program also addresses existing companies in Greece which are provided with the opportunity to collaborate with foreign entrepreneurs, gain important knowledge that can substantially contribute to the development of their activities, and expand their established business.
To register please click here
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Business
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Thursday, 23 April 2020 07:00
How Greece Has Become A Shining Example During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Every day at 6 in the evening, Greeks turn on their TV's to watch a broadcast that at other times they might have missed. It is the health ministry's daily coronavirus briefing then begins with Sotiris Tsiodras, a soft-spoken Harvard-trained professor of infectious diseases, delivering the latest facts and figures with the occasional emotional plea.
Nikos Hardalias, the civil defense minister, invariably follows, straining the seriousness of the situation while urging Greeks to "stay at home." The bookish professor and no-nonsense minister are the faces associated with the government's effort to contain the spread of the virus. Their efforts to keep Greece virus-safe seem to be paying off: in a population of just over 11 million, there were, as of last Monday, 2,145 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 99 fatalities–much fewer than any other European country.
From the outset, the scientific advisory committee pushed for the socially disruptive choice of lockdown, a devastating prospect for a country that had only just begun to show signs of economic revival. Carnival parades were canceled throughout the country, and on 4 March, before most of Europe, schools were closed. Within days, bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, malls, cinemas, retail stores, museums, and archaeological sites were also closed down. Next, the government shut down beaches and ski resorts, banned gatherings of more than 10 people, prohibited travel to islands to all but permanent residents, and took-on the Greek Orthodox church to give up services and the rite of Holy Communion. At the same time, air links with the most affected countries were suspended.
But the pandemic was also a catalyst for the administration to enact long-overdue digital reforms aimed at both protecting citizens' health and modernizing the state. "When the pandemic broke, the need to simplify government processes became paramount," Greece's minister of digital governance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, told the Guardian. "One of the first things we did to limit the incentives for people to exit their homes was to enable them to receive prescriptions on their phones. That, alone, has saved 250,000 citizens from making visits to the doctor in the space of 20 days. It has dramatically helped reduce the number of people exiting their home, which can only be a good thing." Documents that once required going to government offices and dealing with Greece's complicated bureaucracy were made available online.
During these challenging times, Greece has also managed almost to double the number of ICUs. "If we pull through this, if we show that we are competent and can deliver, the rest will come," said Alex Patelis, the Prime Minister's economics adviser."The faster you deal with a health crisis, the greater the short-term economic costs, but then the greater the long-term benefits too."
From once being the black sheep of Europe, Greece is now a shining example of crisis management and efficient administration!
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
From once being the black sheep of Europe, Greece is now a shining example of crisis management and efficient administration!
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
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Greece In The News
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Tuesday, 21 April 2020 18:02
Homeschooling During Lockdown: Adapting To New Conditions
During the early days of the coronavirus, we were careful but a bit more relaxed. Although we were staying home, our schedules had changed. It was almost like a vacation. We were waking up late, leisurely helping our daughter with her school studying, sleeping late, doing everything late. But that's how it got a bit out of hand. The day would pass, and I would still find myself on a chair trying to assimilate the role of my daughter's teacher as the school was sending new material every day. I know she felt secure being with me, but with all the breaks and delays, studying took way too long. Let alone math was not my forte at school.
It was a challenge to persuade her to study as she did when she was still going to school. "But this is our home, it's not school," she would complain. "It doesn't matter if I go to bed later." She was fighting and negotiating for her rights. "We have to have a program." my husband would argue, and of course, he was right, but his critical tone of voice was not much help. So we did have some "battles" in the beginning.
I remember telling myself that neither my daughter nor I deserved such treatment. I wanted to hold her in my arms more, play, and laugh together more. Instead, I had to play a role that didn't belong to me. It didn't take long before I realized that facts had changed and that nothing was the same as before. We were all facing a new situation, and the best we could do was to accept it and then take time to adapt to it. We started with baby steps, and eventually, we found the way – the way that would work for us. The truth is that creating a daily schedule and finding a new routine helped us all a lot. Now we laugh more, hug more, and make the best of our time together.
If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!
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Parenting
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Tuesday, 21 April 2020 14:27
Lycabettus Theater To Undergo Major Makeover
The area around the theater on Lycabettus Hill in central Athens is about to undergo a complete makeover. According to Topio7, the architectural and landscape design firm, which won the competition to undertake the project, the redesign will concentrate on highlighting the hill's rugged scenery and the stunning views of the capital that spreads below the hill.
Panita Karamanea, one of the company's 3 partners, stated that "Lycabettus is not just any hill in the capital, it's not just a green space. It is a place with a mythological and cultural dimension, something very important for its identity."
The remodeling will convert the parking lot and its surrounding areas into a space for walks and recreation. At the same time, the redesign of the supporting buildings will accentuate the aesthetic value of the theater.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
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Local News
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Tuesday, 14 April 2020 13:05
How To Celebrate Greek Easter 2020 At Home
Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays and the biggest religious holiday in Greece; it is a time to celebrate faith, new life and family gatherings.
This year, however, things are going to be a little different, as social distancing measures prevent families from gathering around the table on Easter Sunday for lunch and attending church services. Yet, this, of course, doesn’t mean Easter is canceled. It just means that our holiday routine needs some refreshing!
This year, however, things are going to be a little different, as social distancing measures prevent families from gathering around the table on Easter Sunday for lunch and attending church services. Yet, this, of course, doesn’t mean Easter is canceled. It just means that our holiday routine needs some refreshing!
Our friends at MILI LO Design & Event Planning have put together these really great tips to help us make the most of our Greek Easter 2020 in isolation.
This article was originally published on MILI LO's blog here. Mili Lo is a boutique event design and planning company located in Athens. Emily and her team are exceptionally creative and make life's precious moments absolutely magical. Thank you for sharing this article with us and for brightening our Easter in Greece 2020!
This article was originally published on MILI LO's blog here. Mili Lo is a boutique event design and planning company located in Athens. Emily and her team are exceptionally creative and make life's precious moments absolutely magical. Thank you for sharing this article with us and for brightening our Easter in Greece 2020!
1. Prepare & Share Traditional Recipes
Food is often the main focus of holiday festivities, especially in Greece, a country with a rich gastronomic tradition! From tsoureki, the traditional Easter bread, to magiritsa soup, and of course, ovelias, the Greek Easter tradition where a whole lamb is roasted on a spit; find recipes for your favorite Greek Easter holiday foods and spend some quality time in the kitchen with your closest ones. To make things more interesting, you can make it a family affair and have all your family members try creating the same dishes in their own kitchens!
Food is often the main focus of holiday festivities, especially in Greece, a country with a rich gastronomic tradition! From tsoureki, the traditional Easter bread, to magiritsa soup, and of course, ovelias, the Greek Easter tradition where a whole lamb is roasted on a spit; find recipes for your favorite Greek Easter holiday foods and spend some quality time in the kitchen with your closest ones. To make things more interesting, you can make it a family affair and have all your family members try creating the same dishes in their own kitchens!
2. Throw A Virtual Easter Egg Hunt
The egg hunt is one of the most popular Eastertide games and, although it’s not a typical Greek tradition, it can be a reason for children to look forward to Easter and have fun even while they are stuck indoors! To host a virtual hunt, hide eggs around your house or yard in places that would be easy to see on FaceTime or Zoom and then invite the youngest members of your family to participate. When they find an egg, pick it up and award the child a point. At the end of the game, count each child’s points and have their parents give them treats, one for each point they scored!
3. Tune In To Online Church Services
Many churches are now taking their services online so you can attend from the comfort of your home. See if your church organizes any special virtual Easter events and after the service set up a call to share the message of Easter with your loved ones!
4. Create Your Own Dye for Easter Eggs
In Greece, dying red eggs is a long-standing tradition that takes place each year on Holy Thursday. This year, however, try taking it one step further by decorating and designing colorful eggs with cool patterns - all on your own! Instead of running to the grocery store to buy a fancy dye kit, try creating your own with what you already have in your pantry and the help of your family. All you need is boiling water, eggs, vinegar, and food coloring. Let the Easter egg dyeing begin!
5. Make An Easter Basket
Design a colorful basket, fill it with all kinds of goodies, from chocolate bunnies to pastel-colored eggs, and then leave it on a neighbor’s doorstep. This delicious gift will give a smile to anyone who receives it! After all, what greater way to fully embrace the Easter spirit than with random acts of kindness!
6. Get Creative With Sidewalk Chalk
Continue spreading the love by writing cheerful messages on the sidewalk to brighten your neighbors’ day! Chances are your neighbors are feeling stressed out and cooped up these days and they could use a glimmer of hope and optimism. You can also draw some colorful Easter eggs or bunnies for them to find the next time they pass by.
7. Show Your Support To Healthcare Workers
In times like these, we shouldn't forget the doctors and nurses who are working through the holidays, risking their lives and sacrificing time with their families to care for patients. You can show your appreciation and gratitude with a small gesture such as tying a white ribbon somewhere in your front yard or sharing a thankful message on social media with the hashtag #HealthCareHeroes.
8. Have A Virtual Easter Dinner
8. Have A Virtual Easter Dinner
While some families are awaiting Easter lunch with great anticipation to break up the monotony of their quarantine routine, others who are alone this year need to come up with ideas to bridge the distance. Luckily, technology makes staying connected easier. Even if you can’t gather in person you can still celebrate and have a special dinner with your loved ones over Zoom, Facetime, or other video conferencing apps. Don’t forget to include the elderly as they need to feel involved and loved more than anyone!
While no one could have imagined that Greek Easter 2020 would be celebrated indoors without traditional outdoor festivities and gatherings, with a little bit of creativity we can still find ways to fill our holiday with color and joy, honoring our favorite traditions, or even inventing new ones! A change in plans doesn’t mean the deeper meaning of Easter has to change too.
Happy Easter from our homes to your homes! #StayHome #StayPositive #StaySafe
Published in
Greek Traditions
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Monday, 13 April 2020 17:03
Cocoon Catering - Easter Delivery Menu 2020
Cocoon Catering's mouthwatering Easter Delivery Menu will undoubtedly make your family Easter feast extra special! No matter how small your gathering, the professional chefs at Cocoon Catering will create mouthwatering dishes and delicious desserts to satisfy your every need.
The Hellenic Thoracic Society is authorized to contribute the amounts collected in any way they believe is best to fight the disease.
Cocoon Catering strictly follows the hygiene rules dictated by national and European legislation regarding the management of raw materials, preparation, transport, and delivery of meals.
Click HERE To View Cocoon's Full Easter Delivery Menu
Cocoon Catering, wanting to contribute to the national, extremely difficult effort to deal with COVID-19 disease, supports the Hellenic Thoracic Society and calls on all citizens to contribute and donate a symbolic amount, for the enormous effort made to fight this disease.
Please contact the Hellenic Thoracic Society at htsinfo@otenet.gr for information regarding the donation procedure.The Hellenic Thoracic Society is authorized to contribute the amounts collected in any way they believe is best to fight the disease.
Published in
Food & Drink
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Monday, 13 April 2020 14:02
How To Watch Greek Church Services Online This Easter
Due to this year's unique circumstances and unprecedented events, people around Greece will celebrate Holy Week and Easter Sunday in a very different way.
Social distancing has become the new reality for Greeks who will be celebrating Easter in quarantine and only with their immediate family.
Following the closure of churches, religious services and all events surrounding Orthodox Easter in Athens are suspended to prevent the virus from spreading. The Greek National Television network will broadcast (on tv and online) all Holy Week services from both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Diocese of Athens.
Holy Monday, April 13, 2020
Holy Monday, April 13, 2020
18:00 Service of the Bridegroom from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
19:00 Service of the Bridegroom from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Holy Tuesday, April 14, 2020
17.30 Service of the Bridegroom from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
19:00 Service of the Bridegroom from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Holy Wednesday, April 15, 2020
15:00 The Mysterion of Unctionfrom the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
19:00 Service of the Holy Nipter from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Holy Thursday, April 16, 2020
17:30 Service of Holy Passion (The Twelve Gospels) from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
19:00 Service of Holy Passion (The Twelve Gospels) from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Good Friday, April 17, 2020
07:30 Service of The Royal Hours from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
18:00 Service of the Lamentation from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
17:00 Service of the Lamentation from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Holy Saturday, April 18, 2020
07:30 Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St Basil from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
23:00 Service of the Holy Resurrection from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
23:00 Service of the Holy Resurrection from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
Easter Sunday, April 18, 2020
11.00 Vespers of Love from the Patriarchal Church of St. George on ERT3
11.00 Vespers of Love from the Athens Cathedral on ERT2
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab
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Local News
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Tuesday, 28 April 2020 08:00
Violence Against Women: What To Do If You're A Victim
Facts About Violence Against Women
1. 1 in 3 women has experienced physical, psychological, or sexual violence from their spouse or partner.
1. 1 in 3 women has experienced physical, psychological, or sexual violence from their spouse or partner.
2. 1 in 5 women are victims of rape or attempted rape.
3. 40%-50% of women in the EU have reported some sexual harassment in their workplace.
4. 500.000 to 2.000.000 people worldwide–mostly women and children–are victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor.
How Is Violence Against Women Defined?
According to the UN's Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women "violence against women" means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
Accordingly, violence against women encompasses but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;
(b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;
(c) Physical, sexual, and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.
Where To Get Help
1. Call The SOS Helpline
The 15900 SOS Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The line is operated by psychologists and social workers who provide immediate assistance in violent incidents and emergencies.
The 15900 SOS Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The line is operated by psychologists and social workers who provide immediate assistance in violent incidents and emergencies.
2. Visit A GSGE Consulting Center
The General Secretariat For Gender Equality Consulting Centers aim to:
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Inform on issues of gender equality, tackling violence and multiple discrimination against women,
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Provide social, psychological, legal and work support (in a gender perspective),
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Transfer or escort–as required–women and children to hospices, protection and aid agencies, hospitals, courthouses, etc,
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Provide legal aid in cooperation with the bar associations.
GSGE Consulting Centers in Athens:
Consulting Center Athens
11, Nikis, Syntagma
Telephone: 210 3317305-6
Email: isotita4@otenet.gr
Consulting Center Polycenter
11-13, Kratinou, Omonoia (2nd floor)
Telephone: 210 5202800
Email: polykentro@isotita.gr
If you or a woman you know is a victim of violence, please speak up and ask for help!
For more infomation about vilolence against women, please visit: www.womensos.gr & http://www.isotita.gr
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab
Published in
Everyday Tips & How To’s
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Friday, 10 April 2020 17:17
ADAF Live ~ Athens Digital Arts Festival
The International Festival for Digital Arts in Greece, Athens Digital Arts Festival, acting according to the circumstances and in full convergence with #DigitalSolidarityGR, is offering during the Greek quarantine a series of live digital art broadcasts for adults and kids.
The international audience can enjoy live video art and animations of exceptional aesthetics dedicated to adults and kids, as well as video documentation of performances and installations, tributes to artists and art currents. Moreover, in its 16 years of presence, ADAF has hosted a variety of international artists who will be talking about contemporary art, their experience in ADAF and in Greece and who are hoping to soon relive this experience.
The program will be aired every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 19:00, while on the weekends the “ADAF Kids Live” program will air at 11:00. Special tributes will be announced separately on social media and will be aired in the afternoon zone. The live broadcast will be available on ADAF's Facebook Page, Twitch, and Youtube channel.
The program will be aired every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 19:00, while on the weekends the “ADAF Kids Live” program will air at 11:00. Special tributes will be announced separately on social media and will be aired in the afternoon zone. The live broadcast will be available on ADAF's Facebook Page, Twitch, and Youtube channel.
The content specially chosen by ADAF''s curatorial team, on total confidence that art and creation can contribute to the human soul on such difficult times, is aiming towards creative amusement for all of us, filling our houses with beautiful and interesting input which will help us mentally to break free from the quarantine. Unfolding our fantasy wings, we can accomplish another kind of freedom that will actively help us cope with the difficult requirements of our time.
The Αthens Digital Arts Festival has chosen for 2020 the thematic Technotribalism, stating that we are the first generation of people, in a world that is headed towards the over-crediting data. More current than ever on the Coronavirus circumstance, where every biometric and every scientific data is of vital importance, and every digital imprint feeds the entertainment hunger of the quarantine, ADAF is promoting, under the framework of their digital activities, collectivity, openness towards the treasure of knowledge, art, and science, proposing these ideals as the foundation for this new world. With their so far digital ventures, ADAF Live and #AthinaioiMesa in collaboration with Project210, they are expressing their solidarity towards all of us, responding to the call of the Ministry of Culture in Greece, for support towards cultural creativity.
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Art
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