XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Thursday, 30 November 2017 09:17

Jamie Oliver Visits Ikaria, Greece

To investigate what superfoods can do for us, Jamie Oliver traveled to Ikaria, Greece, where the residents live an average of 10 years longer than anyone in Europe and America. In this video, Oliver searches for the answer to Ikaria’s longevity. What’s their secret? Find out below!

*Unfortunately as of December 1, 2017 this video is no longer available online.
 
 
Source: Greece by a Greek
The Istanbul Biennial, one of Turkey's biggest art festivals, reached international waters with this year’s theme of ‘a good neighbor.’ As Lonely Planet reports, part of the biennial’s series of ‘neighboring events,’ Turkish art Volkan Aslan has installed his video work of ‘Home Sweet Home at the Municipal Art Gallery of Mytilini on Less.

The strong cultural and historical linkages between Turkey and Greece recur throughout the Lesvos exhibition. The gallery itself is housed in the restored former mansion of Halim Bey, the island’s last Ottoman governor and the great-grandfather of Turkish art collector Can Elgiz, whose family photos and mementos fill one first-floor room.

The couple, who own the Elgiz Museum of contemporary art in İstanbul, helped bring Aslan’s work to Lesvos as part of an on-going cultural-exchange agreement with the local municipality.

To read this article in full, please visit: Lonely Planet
Tuesday, 28 November 2017 07:00

Student Finds B.C.-Era Sword In Thebes, Greece

Max Novak, a 22-year old student from USC Dornsife, was in Thebes, Greece when he was participating in an archaeological dig where there was a sanctuary of Poseidon. He was working for 5 hours when he found a B.C.-era bronze sword. As USC Dornsife reports:

“As I was digging in the periphery, I noticed the tip of this thing,” said Novak, who graduated in the spring. “I tapped on it and it had a metallic sound.” It was a bronze sword, likely from the Hellenic period, fourth-third century B.C.

Novak used brushes and a small stick to scrape away sediment, then slowly lifted it out.

This summer trip was possible due to the Kallins Hellenic Studies Summer Fellowship, a new opportunity for undergraduate and graduate research and travel through the Classics Department at USC Dornsife. Novak, who studied classics and art history, was one of three students receiving the fellowship for the first time.

To read this article in full, please visit: USC Dornsife
In a recent study conducted by Caterwings, highlighting the best gastronomic destinations in the world, included Athens and Thessaloniki among the top picks. Destinations were judged by the quality of the food and variety of choices and were given ratings by 20,000 journalists, as well as top restaurant critics. Athens came in 54th with a score of 8.9/10 regarding the gastronomic destination, while Thessaloniki ranked 75th with a score of 7.2 in the category of the quality of offered services.

San Sebastian, Tokyo, New York and Barcelona ranked first in the list.

To read this article in full, please visit: Tornos News
Thursday, 23 November 2017 08:28

Evia - The Whole Of Greece On Just One Island

“Firs and tamarisks, imposing mountains and endless beaches, fish and game, “drakospita” (dragon houses) and lighthouses, the Edipsos thermal springs, old monasteries, waterfalls, ravines, industrial monuments, stone-built guesthouses, the Cavo Doro Cape… and one capital, Chalkida, friendly and affordable, ideal for endless promenades by the sea. Yes, Evia, one of the most impressive greek islands, with its unique beauty, looking out towards the Aegean Sea,” Discover Greece takes you on a holiday of a lifetime!

The Best Beaches of Evia

There is a magnificent beach hidden around every bend on Evia. In the north, discover the beaches of Edipsos, Politikon, Limnionas, Kavos, Gregolimanos and, of course, everyone’s favorite, Agia Anna – Agkali.

Famous Thermal Springs

Famous since antiquity thanks to the unique properties of their waters, the Edipsos springs help heal the body and soul.

Sports and Activities on Evia

For those who love adventure, Evia is a paradise on earth. In Chalkida you can kayak the turbulent Evripos waters. On Eretria’s mainland, at Malakonta, you can go horseback riding. At M. Nikolaos mountain lodge you can rest after hiking the area’s trails.

To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece
 
Photo Credit: Discover Greece
Thursday, 23 November 2017 08:03

Greece - How It All Started

According to the creators of Geography Now, 'everything we see today has some correlation to Greece...'

Greece is described as the birthplace of civilization and thought, this fun and factual video gives some really great insight about Greece and just how much this small country has touched the entire world. Watch the video and find out more!

Tuesday, 21 November 2017 17:51

November 21 - Thanksgiving In Athens

Learn all about an Ancient Greek tradition quite similar to Thanksgiving, discover some of the best Deli bars in Athens and get festive with Christmas bazaars all around the city!

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletterFacebook, and Twitter!
Thanksgiving day is celebrated primarily in the US and Canada. It is celebration dedicated to giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, something that the ancient Greeks also did thousands of years ago.

Thesmophoria - An Ancient Greek Thanksgiving Celebration

Thesmophoria, in Greek religion was an ancient festival held in honor of Demeter Thesmophoros which was celebrated by women in many parts of the Greek world. The meaning of the name Demeter Thesmophoros still remains unresolved, although it perhaps translates to “bringer of treasure or wealth,” an obsolete sense of thesmos. 

Ever since ancient times, festivals for giving thanks have been celebrated in many regions around the world.

When Hades, the god of the underworld, abducted Persephone, her mother Demeter wouldn’t feed the world, and winter came upon the land. When Persephone was returned Demeter gave the gift of agriculture to humanity.

The Greeks believed that it was because of Demeter that the earth provided the harvest it did. Honoring her with offerings and ceremonies would guarantee a new and fresh harvest every year. The holiday dedicated to Demeter was called Thesmophoria.

 
To learn more about Thesmophoria, please visit: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Tuesday, 21 November 2017 07:00

Plastic Recycling In Athens - Plastikourgeio

After a holiday in Serifos and not being able to drink the tap water, Daphne and her husband Fran were shocked to see how many plastic water bottles had piled up during their stay. When they returned to Athens, they were determined to do something about plastic waste.

After discovering Precious Plastic, an initiative started by Dave Hakkens who shows how easy it is to set up your own plastic recycling space, Daphne and Fran decided to set up one of their own in Athens called Plastikourgeio.

Daphne says, "Our mission is to show how plastic CAN be recycled but to also stress the point that although the recycling process can be very creative, it requires a lot effort so our over arching goal as a society should be to reduce the use and production of plastic. Recycling is our last best option."

To read this article in full, please visit: Plastic Free Greece
 
Please click HERE for more information on Plastic Free Greece.
Sunday, 19 November 2017 13:46

1st Athens Innovation Festival

1st Athens Innovation Festival: The great celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship is here!

From 20 to 22 November, Zappeion becomes the ultimate meeting point for businesses, startups, universities, private and public institutions.

Three days devoted to innovation and technological developments and opportunities to learn everything you need to know regarding education, networking and dynamic synergies.

Representatives from emerging and acclaimed businesses, investors, researchers, academics and government agencies will be present through interactive discussions, workshops, parallel presentations, and interviews.

Exhibitors from the most emerging industries, from agri-food and health, to fitech and e-commerce, come to showcase next-big-things and bring with them all the experience and know-how.

Top companies that generate value, create jobs and have a significant footprint inside and outside of Greece, come to meet promising startups that bloom within the ecosystem.

At the same time, with the presence of institutions from the central administration and the government, the participation of universities and investors from different institutions is composed of an innovative mosaic of innovation and entrepreneurship, helped by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Incubator of Young Enterprises in Greece, in cooperation with the Attica Region, the Regional Development Fund of Attica and Industry Disruptors - Game Changers under the aegis of SA. of the President of the Republic Mr Prokopios Pailopoulou.

The detailed program of the Athens Innovation Festival on speeches, panels, exhibitors, operators, workshops and workshops will be announced soon.

Click HERE to learn more about this event or the Athens Innovation Festival's Facebook page.





Page 248 of 437