Greece has not stopped breaking one record after another in recent years - from tourism to important economic indicators that testify to the enormous dynamics that the country has developed in recent years, and this time, Athens has been listed as a Top 10 most beautiful city.

"World of Statistics" ranked the Greek capital as among the ten most beautiful cities in the world.

More specifically, Athens is in sixth place, with a rate of 77.5%, and right behind the Italian cities of Venice and Rome, as well as Barcelona, ​​Prague, and New York. The top ten is completed with Budapest, Vienna, Bordeaux, and Milan.

And while this victory of Athens may seem quite insignificant when compared to economic and social indicators, it can have a decisive effect on important sectors, such as tourism, and therefore the economy, work, and innovation.

The records in tourist arrivals this summer from every corner of the planet confirm that the ancient city is in the eyes of many the most beautiful city, hence their decision to spend the most carefree period of the year in this unique city.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) presented a new cartoon spot that introduces Greece as a destination that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Screened for the first time on Thursday during the 15th Animasyros International Animation Festival on the island of Syros, the spot, titled “Greece. More than the eye can see”, presents the country as an ever-evolving sustainable destination, accessible 365 days a year.

Created in collaboration with Animasyros Productions (Zedem Media), the cartoon aims to inform travelers of all ages, from all over the world, about the multitude of alternative and thematic tourism options Greece offers.

The one-minute “Greece. More than the eye can see” cartoon showcases a significant variety of Greek landscapes and tourism activities, available to any traveler, inspired by well-known and unknown locations around the country.

The cartoon has been released in two languages – English and German – and was created with 2D animation techniques.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

This year's theme will be: 1922, Foundation for today.

100 years after the destruction of Smyrna we have come to realize its great heritage.

Petit Paris d’Athènes gives tribute in recognition of the cultural impact of the Ionian peoples in Greece.

The cultural mosaic of Smyrna, In music and various arts, became a focal point for the east and the Mediterranean. One can still find its echoes from the middle east to the depths of Europe.

All of these cultural vectors will be the inspiration for this year’s festival.

Ranging from rebetiko to franco-Levantine music and to café chantant, various theatrical, dance and musical performances will be held along with street shows, painting and photo galleries,  lectures and discussions, murals, and education programs for children. Alongside these, the now-established “Jazz n World music festival” will also be held as a part of the overall organization.All this will aid in emulating the cosmopolitan character of Smyrna of 1922

10 years after its first showing, another 10-day celebration of art will take place in the centre of Athens. There will be more than 500 artists, scholars, and creatives In many chosen venues as well as on public stages.(theatres, music stages, galleries, public squares, pedestrian areas, conservatories, schools, neoclassical historical monuments, hotels). From Omonia square to Larissa and Metaxourgio station, many roads are named after french scholars and have been meeting points for the Athenian cultural scene, the folk scene, large immigrant waves, travelers, and tourists. 

In all these years the festival has found ways to showcase and utilize public as well as private venues such as the National Conservatoire, Aggelon Vima theatre, the musical stage of Lux(former Acrovatis), bar-restaurants like Beeraki and Typografos, Matchpoint gallery, the central library of Athens Municipality, park petanque, Karaiskaki sq, Agios Pavlos sq, Peloponnese station, 51 Public schools of Athens, etc. The festival's contribution to the commercial and tourist potential has been recognized by every relevant public and private party. 

- Open gigs and various street performances in public venues for kids and adults

- Gigs in closed venues

- Theatre

- Photography and painting galleries

- Lectures
- Open discussion sessions

- Freestyle football tournament for the youth

- Petanque tournament

- Instructional program for children about Smyrna and its history.

- Street painting-murals with an ever-expanding mosaic in the city center expanding every year

- Cultural management academy consists of seminars and practical lessons. The lectures and training will be done by the experienced managerial staff of the Athens Art Network.
- The established ten-day celebration happening just under omonoia square will once again arrive to signal a restart of cultural events for the Athenian downtown as it has for the past 10 years.

 

 

 

 

William Barnhart presents us with a new body of work that was created during his residency and first visit to Athens in August and September 2022. The work has been crafted from William’s detailed observations and sketches of Athens and is further informed by a desire to connect vitally with the city of Athens and its citizens. 

A lifelong career artist, Barnhart’s paintings are marked by a heightened sensitivity and reverence to human gesture and expression; however, one can’t help but sense that the figures in his paintings are both trapped by and affecting the space they inhabit. This gives us a hint into Barnhart’s philosophy about painting as a form and a practice that is inextricably connected to understanding others and one’s environment. A close look at both the imagic scope and sheer volume of works displayed in MOSAIKO, reveals that narrative is just as important in each painting as it is in the overall arc of this collection. From scenes of the fish market on Athinas Street to the star-crossed  lovers and misanthropes at the cafés and bistros of Exarchia, we are taken on a journey through  William’s impressions of Athens and his growing love for this diverse and exciting city. 

For Barnhart who has also been classically trained in painting, color is an important focal point. The cool violet and azure shadows of the Southwest and the glorious glow of gold and orange light one finds in Arizona and California are repeated in these paintings. As an artist that was born and raised in Indiana, he also knows the works of the Ashcan school and understands how light is used sparingly to describe the urban environment. He has carefully analyzed colour, figuration and composition as  it was used by the [San Francisco] Bay Area Figurative School (Wayne Thibeaud and Richard  Diebenkorn).  

William Barnhart (b. 1959) is an American painter from Mesa Arizona who completed a BFA in  Painting from Brigham Young University, followed by post-graduate studies in painting at Arizona  State University. He has created public sculptures throughout the region of Phoenix, Arizona and has  created a 400 m2 studio where he is also currently developing a residency space for international  artists. 

Opening: Sept. 23rd, 7-11 pm 
Dates: Sept. 23rd - Oct. 11th  
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 12-6 PM. Saturdays by appointment 

Have you ever thought about how much power you have in your hands? Every day you can make a difference by choosing to consume products that contribute to a more ethical, fairer, more sustainable world. This is the driving force behind Ten Μillion Ηands project, created by Impact Hub Athens with the support of Helidoni Foundation. The first organization in Greece, which through continuous research and interaction with the public, intends to highlight the power of collective effort with small changes in our daily habits, towards a more sustainable future.

 

The project is launched through a – not ordinary – Pop up Market! On the last weekend of September, on the 24th & 25th, the Municipal Market of Kypseli opens its doors to the public and welcomes sustainable brands from every part of Greece.

 

Visitors will have the opportunity to choose between a wide range of home items, such as The Nook Project’s furniture, Margarita Gallery’s artworks, but also daily living and decorative objects as the second hand plants of Papigion Project, the rich vintage toys collection of Replay Toys, or the trendy eco-friendly and/or biodegradable plastic-free items of Plastikourgeio and Boobam. They will also be able to find selected nutrition products, such as organic foods from Synallois organization, agricultural products, pulses, flour and wine directly from Sandalis producer or fresh fruits and vegetables from Mpostani, certified organic, sweet but sugarless, alcoholic drinks from Aithra Spirits, and of course all the products of Wise Greece, which by supporting and selling products of small Greek producers, buys and donates food to children, homeless families and elderly people who are on the verge of poverty.

Of course, fashion could not be missing from the Ten Million Hands Market, with the vintage clothing collections of The Hazel Ray Vintage, and Anthologie Vintage, the size-inclusive bodysuits of Femad, the ecological streetwear of Blank Studio, but also the Swaplanet’s kids clothing. Ankaa Project and Life With You, will be there with their amazing accessories, and the girls of Apiliotis with their handmade jewellery. Cosmetics and personal care items will be provided by the local Kypseli’s BeautyBar, while at the same time the public will be able to be informed about the electric mobility services offered by Kineo, but also to recycle for a good cause their old laptops, peripherals and computer components at Epanekkinisis.

Interactive and educational workshops for the whole family will be running concurrently on both days of the event. 

The detailed schedule of the workshops:

 

12.00 – 13.00 Swaplanet - Creative game for children on the concept of sustainability

14.00 – 17.00 Epanekkinisis - Repair Cafe

17.00 – 19.00 A Shiny Day - FASHION UPCYCLING WORKSHOP (iron pattern & embroidery, painting, processing with sewing machine) 

 

17.00 – 18.00 Restia project – Filter presentation

17.00 – 19.00 A Shiny Day - FASHION UPCYCLING WORKSHOP (iron pattern & embroidery, painting, processing with sewing machine) 

At the presentation of the event, Alex Kavdas!

 

Let's discover together how much power ten million pairs of hands have!

 

Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 of September 12:00 - 20:00, Kypseli Municipal Market, Fokionos Negri 42, Entrance Free

 

Ten Million Hands acts as a platform that brings together all companies that produce sustainable and ethical products and services, offering consumers immediate, quick and easy information, ideas and advice for a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle. A way of life towards a better and more humane world for everyone, environment, animals and people.

Saturday September 24, the duo of Woo York, originally from Kyiv, known for their productions and special appearances at Afterlife, in a melodic techo live performance at Βolivar Beach Club. Along with the Italians EarthLife and Voices Of Valley.





Sunday Sunset September 25, Bolivar Beach Club will host Mikele I Cleopatra Fyntanidou I Maria Papidaki I Trixx I Steph b2b Andianna I Rezo b2b Magda Kay in a music marathon!

The ATRIUM of Alexander's Lounge, an outdoor "secret garden" located on the first floor of the Hotel Grande Bretagne, is the ideal meeting point at anytime of the day. Olive trees, laurels, small cypresses and flowers perfectly blend with the elegant surroundings, away from the city’s soundscape while still in the heart of Athens.

As the sun goes down, Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and his culinary team invite you to discover the “Il Giardino Segreto” in order to enjoy a unique aperitivo while savouring authentic Italian accompaniments prepared in his open kitchen using carefully selected Mediterranean ingredients that elevate the taste. No one can resist the delicious aroma wafting from the garden’s oven while baking different styles of handmade sourdough pizza with fine organic tomato sauce and special international  cheese varieties, aromatic flatbreads with rosemary to match the homemade spreads and crispy focaccia with olive oil and sea salt for the bruschetta of your choice. The cold cut of the day - Jamon Iberico, Prosciutto San Daniele, Sbriciolona among others - is thinly sliced ​​on the spot with the impressive red vintage machine and served with artichokes from Tinos island, olives and crunchy focaccia bread. The cheese selection of the menu features Greek cheese specialties including truffle graviera, manoura from Sifnos, aged kaseri from Sohos, Arseniko from Naxos and Skotiri from Ios, served with sweet and spicy pepper chutney, ‘salami’ made of fig and breadsticks to ideally pair with your wine or cocktail.

In this unique atmosphere, additionally to a remarkable wine list, the award-winning bartenders of the historic hotel, prepare refreshing aperitifs to complete the experience and serve premium drinks. For the cigar aficionados, the ATRIUM of Alexander’s Lounge features a worth-exploring variety of perfectly preserved cigars. 

Visit the ATRIUM of Alexander’s Lounge, the most elegant city escape to unwind and recharge. 

 

DAILY | 11.00 - 02.00

APERITIVO | 17:00 – 23:00

On September 24 and 25, the Acropolis Museum will celebrate this year’s European Heritage Days (EHD) with a family program entitled “In the houses of the ancient Greeks… life without television and internet…”

The two-day event will offer children and their guardians the chance to explore the ancient neighborhood below the Museum, the famous Makrigiannis plot, where archaeologists have unearthed layers of the city that date back to Neolithic times.

Visitors will be able to discover the similarities and differences with today’s neighborhoods, engage with replicas of everyday objects from the ancient past, and discuss with the Museum’s archaeologists the materials that were used, and whether they were more environmentally friendly than our own.

Finally, participants will be able to create their own residential environments in the Museum’s gardens, inspired by the materials and traditional practices of the inhabitants of the ancient neighborhood.

Each program at the Acropolis Museum, which is free for children, will last for 60 minutes. Registrations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

First launched in 1999, European Heritage Days was developed as a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, bringing citizens together from all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention under the motto “Europe: a common heritage.”

Over 70,000 events are organized each year, raising awareness of the value of shared European heritage and the need for its conservation for present and future generations.

This year’s shared theme celebrates sustainable heritage in the context of environmental change, Europe’s diverse cultural heritage, and the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Across Europe, events will focus on people and places, the continuity and knowledge from traditional practices, and how built and natural heritage can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Originally published on: greece-is.com

Autumn is here to stay, and although it is one of the most magical seasons, we may sometimes feel a little low. In fact, this is a very common phenomenon called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or, in simpler words, autumn blues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schools have opened and children’s, as well as parents’ lives, are affected. Children must cope with a new class, perhaps a new teacher, old and new friends, old and new activities. Parents are running around trying to put together a schedule that includes everyone’s activities.

Do you remember those days when you were going to school? Maybe your life was a bit simpler and you didn’t have so many extra-curricular activities – if any. But how did you feel at the beginning of each school year? Was it easy for you to make friends or were you anxious about it? Were the other kids nice to you or not? How did you deal with it? Were your parents helpful or did they put more attention on your performance as a student?

Why am I asking you all these questions? Because it’s important to put yourself into your child’s shoes and pay attention to their feelings. Are they happy going to or coming back from school? Do they talk about their friends? Perhaps you will notice small changes in their behavior. Instead of taking it personally try to see what the real story is.

It’s not easy for everyone to make friends. My daughter changed school last year and I know she’s still very conscious about making friends. She’s also very sensitive and this tends to complicate things sometimes. Moreover, in her effort to be accepted by her peers she may do or say something she wouldn’t otherwise. This doesn’t help her self-confidence.

So instead of focusing mainly on her academic performance, I try to understand how she feels and try to boost her self-confidence. One way I do this is by using some phrases I have found to be helpful. They may serve you too:

• Your opinion matters.
• It’s absolutely ok to say no.
• Not everyone will like you. And that’s ok.
• You are beautiful just the way you are.

The second and third points may not be so easily accepted even by adults. When they come up during a session some of my clients have a hard time dealing with them. By the way, what kind of feelings do you have while reading these statements? Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?

As for me, I wish my parents would have told me these phrases or taught me to think this way when I was a child. They would have saved me from a lot of trouble as these principles apply to all areas of our lives whether we are children or adults – school, work, family, friends, and relationships in general. It’s a great life attitude to have and one that our children will certainly benefit from.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr