For the 7th consecutive year, “Navarino Challenge”, the annual celebration of sports, comes to Messinia and Costa Navarino from October 11 to 13, 2019 with new surprises and new activities!

Greek basketball legend Nick Galis, the first Greek basketball player to have joined the Hall of Fame, and to have been counted among the pantheon of world basketball greats, will be present at the award-winning event for the first time. Emphasizing the role of sports in bringing people together, Nick Galis pointed out: “Sport unites people. Sport unites nations. The Navarino Challenge brings together professional and amateur athletes, people of different ages, genders and skills. It creates friendships and special bonds between participants who all speak the same language, that of sports. As a society, we have to send the message that sports unites people - #sportsunitespeople - but to also give young children core ethical values through sport. Costa Navarino and Navarino Challenge are pioneers in promoting this idea and I will contribute to spreading the message with great pleasure”.

Nick Galis will be the guest of honour at this year's event and he will be the one to tip off the 4on4 tournament at Costa Navarino. Participants who book their accommodation package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino will, for the first time this year, have the opportunity to form their own championship team and compete in the tournament until the finals. Basketball clinic with Joe Arlauckas Basketball will be the sport of honour with Euroleague legend Joe Arlaukas leading basketball lessons for children aged between 5 and 17.

Free participation in the Authentic Marathon of Athens for the first 50. 

The first 50 to book a package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino will earn a free participation in the Athens Authentic Marathon’s 5km race on November 10, 2019. With the main goal of promoting sport and fair play through its message “sport unites people”, Navarino Challenge will include more than 10 Olympic sports and numerous activities for everyone in its programme.

Navarino Challenge participants who’ve booked their accommodation package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and choose to take part in the main activities (running, swimming) can also enjoy all the other event activities. More information on accommodation packages can be found HERE!

Runners and swimmers can act immediately to take advantage of the early bird offer by registering to a 30% discount until 31 May (children’s participation is free of charge).

Entries for the award-winning sporting event are underway and interested parties can take part by completing the special form available HERE!

Pre-sale is also available online via www.viva.gr or by phone at 11876 as well as at all Viva pre-sale points. “Navarino Challenge” participants who book their package at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and choose to take part in the main events (running, swimming) will also have the opportunity to enjoy the full activities programme.

More information on premium hosting packages will be announced in the coming weeks.

Samsung is the official technology partner for another year.
Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas and the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”. Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event for one more year.
Official supporters are Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, Poseidonia and Avance Rent A Car. “Navarino Challenge” has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2019 programme of the European Commission and is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino , The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos- Nestor and Trifilia.
Official Technology Partner: Samsung
Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Supporters: Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, Poseidonia, Avance Rent A Car Partners: Navarino Outdoors, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, FitnessArt, Vizantinos target sport club, Red Swim Academy, Fysiotek Sports Lab, Climb Up Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Explore Messinia, Navarino Golf Academy, Target Security, Athens Easy Transfers, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Karalis Beach Hotel, Pylos Poems
Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell

The biggest festival of contemporary electronic sound in Athens, returns on the 25th of May to make Athenians dance from dusk till dawn. six d.o.g.s and Onassis STEGI unite and reactivate spaces of the building complex of the old airport at Hellinikon which have been empty for years, creating an urban music environment.

Following the “Noises Off-Street Party” in October 2018, ADD festival moves the creative partnership of Onassis STEGI and six d.o.g.s even further. Together they curate a program that covers a great spectrum of electronic sound through DJs and Live Sets featuring more than 20 international and local artists. From electronic music legends Deep Dish and (Miss) Kittin, to the rising star Nastia, and from Ben Klock, DVS1 and Detmann, to indie-favorites Kiasmos and Forest Swords.

On the 25th of May, from dawn till dusk, from the past to the present and the future of dance music, ADD returns to become a meeting point for the festival music scene of Europe

ACS Athens continues to build academic networks, form partnerships, establish collaborations and expand a framework that opens a shared path for blurring the educational lines between K-12 and Higher Education Institutions.

On April 4, 2019, representatives from Widener University and ACS Athens gathered at the Widener campus in Chester, Pennsylvania, to sign an agreement expanding the established partnership between the two schools and promoting their shared vision for education. Under the agreement, graduate programs will be offered focused on K-12 international school leadership. The agreement also allows for ACS Athens high school students to take online undergraduate courses.

Dr. Julie E. Wollman, President of Widener University, welcomed Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, ACS Athens President, Dr. Peggy Pelonis, ACS Athens Vice President and Mr. Iraklis Prokopakis, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of ACS Athens, together with Paul Beideman, Vice Chair of Board of Trustees of Widener University and Provost Dr. Fred Akl.

Dr. Wollman highlighted: “We already have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with our partners at ACS Athens and now we are expanding this MOU to be able to offer graduate programs to the outstanding teachers at this special school and also to be able to offer some courses for the students who wish to take college courses while they are still in high school. This is an opportunity to expand what is a wonderful partnership and we are very excited about it”. Also, Dr. Wollmann is now the newest member of the International Advisory Council of ACS Athens.

Dr. Stefanos Gialamas, ACS Athens President, remarked: ”It is very important that as the President of the Middle States Association told me, two institutions accredited by Middle States Association are getting together not for one more partnership but to pioneer the effort to bridge the gap between K-12 and higher education in terms of not only teaching and learning but also as a different way of thinking. Today, we don’t have to endure a financial crisis but more importantly an ethical one. Widener U. and ACS Athens have the same beliefs and both want to prepare tomorrow leaders with Ethos.” Also attending the signing were Nicholas Karambelas, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Arti Gyftopoulos, Board of Trustees member, and Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in New York, who expressed their support of this partnership.

A video recording of the signing is available HERE!

 

Athens is a place renowned for its history and culture. It is also the most famous city of ancient Greece, a part of the world where Western science is said to have been born. Many remains providing evidence of this period can be found all around, together with more contemporary scientific displays such as science museums and planetariums. The author is a native of Athens who loves travelling and writing about science. While on trips he also enjoys seeking out hidden cafes that help him relax and digest his new discoveries. This scientific guide to Athens combines all the above passions. It introduces you to little known scientific monuments such as an ancient carved calendar and the site where astronomical measurements were taken 2,500 years ago. It also informs you of museums with scientific themes, planetariums and star observatories. For each site introduced, a nearby cafe is recommended as one of the author’s favourites. A map is provided on the companion website with the locations of all cafes and places of interest. If you are a keen traveller, with an interest in science and also enjoy a good cup of coffee, this guide is definitely for you.

About The Author

Dr Vassilios McInnes Spathopoulos graduated from the University of Glasgow (UK) with a joint honours degree in Aerospace and Electronic Engineering, in 1995. The following year he completed a MSc course in Flight Dynamics at Cranfield University (UK). In 2001 he obtained his PhD from the University of Glasgow. He is currently a lecturer at Glasgow International College and is the author of several popular science and engineering books.

 

Source: My Science Walks

Roasted lamb on a spit is the traditional dish of Greek Easter Sunday! However, if you don’t want to go through the process of spending hours outside tending to the rotisserie lamb, you may want to opt for a more conventional cooking method.

 

Here is a quick guide to help you choose the right piece of meat, as well as some basic tips on cooking, seasoning, and marinating lamb.

What Part Of The Lamb Should I Choose?

1. Leg of Lamb

The leg of lamb is the most tender part of the lamb. Keep in mind that the bone-in leg of lamb takes longer to cook but doesn’t need to be tied with butchers’ twine like a semi-boneless leg of lamb. A whole leg of lamb usually weighs about 3 to 4 kilos and should feed about 4-5 people.

2. Rack of Lamb

The lamb rib rack is one of the most elegant and impressive meat cuts. Rack of lamb grills beautifully but can also be roasted in a delicious crust of aromatic herbs. Frenching the rack by removing the meat and fat that connect the individual rib bones, gives a very impressive result but may require a bit of help from your butcher.

3. Lamb Chops

Loin chops look like tiny T-bone steaks and offer a generous ratio of meat-to-bone. Season with a dry rub, or marinate for 4 to 6 hours, then grill, broil or pan fry the chops for a wonderful meal.

Shoulder chops are great for braising and require a shorter amount of cooking time than other cuts. They are a wallet-friendly, flavorful choice for quick and easy meals.

4. Lamb Shanks

Lean on fat but high on flavor, lamb shanks are stars of the braising world. Slow-cook the lamb for a delicious velvety texture.

Important Cooking Tips

• Lamb roasts and steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F), while ground lamb needs to reach at least 71°C (160°F).
• Tougher cuts of lamb are perfect for tender stews and braises in the slow cooker, but remember to sear the meat before cooking to build flavor.
• Slice leftover roasted lamb for delicious next-day sandwiches and salads.
• Cook lamb meat over an open fire to create mouth-watering, smoked flavors and aromas.
• If grilling a whole rack of lamb, cover the rib bones in foil to prevent them from burning.
  

Herbal Marinades And Seasoning Mixes

1. Yogurt-Marinated Lamb Skewers

Cut the lamb meat into 1-inch cubes and place in an overnight marinade made with yogurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice, and mint. Remove excess marinade before skewering and serve with a squeeze of lemon, coarse salt, and freshly ground pepper.

2. Aromatic Herb Rubs

a. Herbs such as mint, thyme, basil, and rosemary perfectly complement the lamb. Turn them into a seasoning paste using garlic, lemon juice, and paprika. This paste is ideal for grilled lamb chops but also for oven-roasted lamb.

b. Using a sharp knife make small slits all over the leg of the lamb. Stuff each incision with fresh rosemary and 1/2 clove of garlic. Rub with olive oil or melted butter and a blend of thyme, salt, and pepper. and Rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before roasting for even better results.

 

The use of 10 single use plastic items such as straws, cotton buds, plates, cutlery, and plastic coffee stirrers will be banned in the European Union in 2021.

 

 

Following the example of the small island of Sikinos – the first Greek island to ban plastic straws in 2018 – the island of Donousa has also joined the SeaChange Greek Islands initiative. The SeaChange Greek Islands is an environmental program made possible with the help of the A.C.Laskaridis Charitable Foundation and aims to tackle marine pollution in Greece.

 

 

 

In one of its very engaging articles, Buzzfeed put together a list of the 25 coffee shops around the world you have to see before you die. Greece has such a strong coffee culture that it comes as no surprise that one of the coffee shops listed is in Athens.

 

Located on a pedestrian street in Peristeri, Mind the Cup will become your instant favorite. The space is warm and inviting, made with wood and concrete with plenty of natural light.

 

Mind the Cup serves seasonal speciality coffees roasted in-house; espressos are mostly from Central America, while filter coffees are typically Ethiopian and Colombian single origins.

 

Apart for its excellent coffee and beautiful interior, Mind the Cup has another great asset; its people! Whatever time of day you visit you’ll be greeted with a smile and the warm-hearted staff will enlighten you in all coffee related matters.

 

Here is what Buzzfeed has to say about Mind the Cup:

‘Mind the Cup might be based on a pun, but there's nothing funny about how delish its coffee is. The hearts in your latte will win you over, but after spending only five minutes there, you will want to rotate your plans around spending more time in this cute shop, which looks like it's straight out of a film.’

Address: 29 Aimiliou Veaki, 121 34 Peristeri
Telephone: 210 5776010

 

 

Last week the Acropolis in Athens was among the landmarks that went dark during Earth Hour in an effort to call for action on climate change.

 

Alexandros Maragos, a Greek filmmaker and award winning photographer, captured Earth Hour in Athens in a beautiful time-lapse video.

 

Lights were also switched off at the Athens City Hall, Lycabettus Hill, the Greek Parliament, and various landmarks across the country, while many citizens supported the initiative by turning their home lights off.

 

Earth Hour first took place in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and since then, more than 180 countries have joined in, including Greece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every year, March 25th is a very important day in Greek history. It marks the country's Independece Day and is an integral part of Greek culture, proudly filled with customs and delicious food! So don't worry if you haven't heard of Bakaliaros Skordalia yet, after this week's newsletter you'll be ready to celebrate the day like a true Greek!

It may sound like a joke, but a Vietnamese chef, a French architect and a Greek musician have joined forces to create the funkiest Vietnamese restaurant in Athens. And if you're looking for a more relaxing way to enjoy your coffee, we have put together a list with some fabulous Bookstore cafes in the city!