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

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!

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. 

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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! 

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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! 

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!

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! 

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!

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! 

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.

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

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.

 

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.

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.

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Click HERE To View Cocoon's Full Easter Delivery Menu

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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.

 

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

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

Facts About Violence Against Women

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.

 

 

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.

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 General Secretariat For Gender Equality Consulting Centers aim to:

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 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.

It has been a strange year for us all. The pandemic has been a major change in the way we live our lives and something we all are faced with.

With the retreat season postponed until such a time when it makes sense to restart, the team at Nefeli Nine Retreat has put together a FREE program of events for you, and your friends and family. The sign-up process is a very simple.

In these unprecedented times, Technopolis, a major cultural venue of the City of Athens, becomes accessible online in Greek, providing fun online activities that everyone is welcome to participate in! 

Explore the old Athens gasworks through a fascinating virtual tour, discover the digital archive of the Industrial Gas Museum, learn more about the historical exhibition 160 years made in Greece, and watch highlights of your favorite concerts - all from the comfort of your own home!




Tour of the Industrial Gas Museum: The gasworks, which provided the city of Athens with energy and lighting for 130 years, a unique historical site of great industrial heritage invites us to discover it through this online tour. You are promised a fascinating time travel experience as you follow the gas production line, admire the mechanical equipment and learn about the workers’ role in the old plant.

VR Tour of 160 years made in Greece: A trip to 160 years of Greek Industry: from the very beginning, the glorious moments and the hidden aspects to de-industrialization, its present and most importantly its future. 3 decisions, 8 sectors of the Greek industry, 120 industries, and more than 800 items. The Industrial Gas Museum provides us with the opportunity to gain insight into Greece's industrial history, read original historical texts, study rare documents and photographs, as well as interact with the exhibits!

Digital Collection of the Museum: Explore the rich collection of the Industrial Gas Museum which includes a significant number of relevant to gas production devices, tools, machinery, and equipment (gas meters, cookers, water heaters, lights, etc.), as well as factory items and a plethora of audiovisual material.

 

Sundays At Technopolis return for the 7th consecutive year, offering children (aged 4 to 11) and their families the chance to take part in a wide range of free activities, which, this time, are made available online! 

Since 2013, more than 15,000 children have taken part in the educational programs and activities held under Sundays At Technopolis, including scientific workshops, theatrical performances, music and movement courses, interactive tours and programs recommended by the Industrial Gas Museum. Most activities will be available in Greek only, however, some of them will also be available in English and Czech. 

Sunday, April 12,  is dedicated to the city of Athens for two important reasons: The Industrial Gas Museum wishes to celebrate the International Day For Monuments and Sites, but also to commemorate the innovative educational program entitled The Kids, the City and the Monuments, an initiative of the City of Athens which this year celebrates its 4th anniversary. The purpose of the program has been to promote the development of skills in children, by providing children and educators with multifaceted stimuli and training systems, concentrating on Athens's architectural legacy. 

More particularly, The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, is an international observance held on April 18  each year around the world, with different types of activities, including visits to monuments and heritage sites, conferences, round tables, and newspaper articles. It aims to bring global attention to the need to conserve monuments and sites and to celebrate the diversity of our cultural heritage. 

Through incredible online activities, parents and children can discover the city of Athens in the most enjoyable way, as well as its landmarks and neighborhoods, and of course, they will learn more about Technopolis - today housed in the old Gasworks in Athens and a major monument of industrial heritage. The activities will become available online on Sunday, April 12 at 11:00. 

 

Color Athens (Ages 4+):  Have you ever thought of exploring Athens through coloring? Visit Acropolis, walk through the historic centre, discover the National Garden and give them life by using colors and your imagination! 

The City Through Your Window (Ages 6+): What's the view out your window? How does your neighborhood look like? You can either take a picture or get creative and begin drawing everything you see when you look outside. 

Bauhaus in house (Ages 8+): Do you know anything about the Bauhaus movement? Has the Bauhaus architecture survived in Athens? Get acquainted with one of the most important design movements in history and draw an imaginary city where the basic principles of Bauhaus apply. 

A City In The Dark (Ages 6+): Do you like mysteries? This award-winning theatrical play follows a detective as he tries to solve a puzzling mystery. Why deep darkness has covered the city? Can you handle the truth? 

Virtual Tour of the Museum (Ages 9+): Explore the Industrial Gas Museum of Athens and learn more about the factory that provided energy and lighting to the capital for about 130 years.  Follow the production line of the lighting gas, admire the old machinery, discover the role of entrepreneurs and that of factory workers, learn about the working conditions and become familiar with concepts such as industrial heritage and archaeology.

Other Suggested Activities

Video Games: Through two fascinating video games follow the gas production line, from coal loading to gas measurement, and its technological advances, get in touch with the old machinery and admire the historical treasures of the gas world.

Creative Games: Once you've virtually explored the museum it's time to test your knowledge. The museum offers a series of educational and creative games such as crosswords and puzzles that will help you remember everything you learned. 

DIY Art Lab: Using simple supplies, nurture your creative spirits with these fun crafts and let your vivid imagination show you how the old Athens gasworks once looked like!

Andy Warhol on your doorstep: Get acquainted with the visual art movement known as Pop Art, its leading figure Andy Warhol and its Factory, through incredible art games! 

The Cuban-Greek musical partnership Santa Palabra, known for their vibrant live performances around Athens and their Latin rhythms, have composed a song Son Pa Atenas dedicated to the ancient city of Athens - described as 'the immortal and eternal Greek capital.'

Son Pa Atenas is an irresistible mix of authentic Latin melodies and meaningful lyrics, giving insight into Greece's rich history and at the same time getting everyone dancing! The music video shows the artists singing and dancing against the backdrop of Athens' most iconic landmarks, such as the Parthenon and the Hellenic Parliament, reminding us how beautiful the city is.
 

Fun and unbeat this song will surely make your heart beat to the rhythm!