LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Wednesday, 19 February 2020 22:28
Carnival In Athens
IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - Carnival celebrations cancelled!!
Kostas Bakoyannis: the City of Athens celebrates Carnival Season with festive and colorful events all over the city!
As we enter the Pre-Lenten season, the City of Athens is transformed into a colorful setting spreading streamers and Carnival fun and joy around the city. For this year’s Carnival season, the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA) together with Technopolis City of Athens, have co-created a rich program of events starting from February 15th.
The city streets fill with confetti, masks, capes and hats while percussion and bass drums give the rhythm. Harlequins, pierrots and clowns hide near the Acropolis Hill, the city center and all around the neighborhoods with the intention to carry us away with their joyful tunes… All these happenings together with many more will unravel the vibrant maypole of this year’s festivities as the joyful dance of the Athenian carnival begins!
For 17 days, 32 spots around Athens will be hosting more than 60 festive activities with free admission to all. The carnival agenda has it all: concerts, music tours, serenades, performances and parades, revival of traditional Athenian carnival customs, treasure hunt, dancing, satirical songs, tarantella dance sessions, guitars, mandolins, ocarinas and bass drums along with afro-brazilian percussions!
The Carnival events program has also provided for our younger carnival enthusiasts, including plenty of activities for kids and families: educational programs and art workshops invite our little friends to put on their costumes, explore different materials, experiment with the tradition, create and play leisurely. Undoubtedly, an exceptional event among the many children’s activities is the -well established- Carnival Celebrations for Children at Zappeion. On Sunday the 23rd of February, little ones and grown-ups celebrate with music, jugglers, magicians, dancers, stilt walkers, crafts, face painting and much more...
As for Tsiknopempti (Smoked Thursday) the 20th of February, the festivities begin early in the morning in the center of Athens! Celebrations start at 11.00 and continue - where else? – in Varvakios Market with a music program by BabisTsertos performing the most beautiful songs of the Greek repertoire. A bit later, the most distinctive folk carnival celebration with the maypole dancers begins, starting from the “Aggeliki Chatzimihali” Museum of Folk Art and Tradition, and will fascinate whoever meets along its way.
The festivities, as expected, will take off on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday). On Friday the 28th, Saturday the 29th of February and Sunday the 1st of March, many of our favorite Greek artists will be entertaining us in a series of some very special concerts… under the Acropolis. Having Thissio as our base, we begin for a colorful and multidimensional musical journey having joy and happiness as our destination goal. Our vehicles will be the celebrated festivals of Ikaria and the Cyclades, those of mainland Greece, the memorable folk hits of the golden decades from the 60s to the 90s. We will have the pleasure to see Glykeria and Melina Kana in an unexpected musical collaboration, EleniTsaligopoulou, and Boğaz Musique at a post minor asian palco, Kostas Makedonas, one of the best - not only but mainly - folk singers of his generation, Petroloukas Chalkias, the master of the clarinet, Michalis Rakintzis along with his super band throwing a thrilling party, Nikos Fakaros and the Musicaroi with their Aegean vibes, Wedding Singers for a love “attack” full of stardust and 90s dancing moves and we will remember that “those were the days” along with: Dakis, Lakis Giordanelli, Robert Williams, Yorgos Polychroniadis, Bessy Argyraki, and Katerina Adamantidou.
The peak, however, of the carnival period comes on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), the 2nd of March. We meet up at Filopappou Hill to fly our kites and celebrate the “Koulouma” tradition. Headliner of this festive day is GogoTsampa! The singer who managed to revive the audience’s interest for folk music will be there and nothing will stop us from dancing! This year, Athens gets dressed in its most beautiful and fancy jewels and invites us to celebrate Carnival through a colourful mosaic of activities and events, be carried away by the music and experience our city as we’ve never had before…
"Another great opportunity to see Athens dressed in colors and festivities. We have carefully designed a number of Carnival events so that Athenians of all ages as well as our visitors feel that they belong here. It's the Carnival itself which has this familiar, sweet taste of tradition while at the same time is in an open dialogue with the fresh and the new! It's the Carnival itself that's not afraid to have fun, to dress up in the craziest colors and laugh out loud" points out the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis.
The peak, however, of the carnival period comes on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), the 2nd of March. We meet up at Filopappou Hill to fly our kites and celebrate the “Koulouma” tradition. Headliner of this festive day is GogoTsampa! The singer who managed to revive the audience’s interest for folk music will be there and nothing will stop us from dancing! This year, Athens gets dressed in its most beautiful and fancy jewels and invites us to celebrate Carnival through a colourful mosaic of activities and events, be carried away by the music and experience our city as we’ve never had before…
"Another great opportunity to see Athens dressed in colors and festivities. We have carefully designed a number of Carnival events so that Athenians of all ages as well as our visitors feel that they belong here. It's the Carnival itself which has this familiar, sweet taste of tradition while at the same time is in an open dialogue with the fresh and the new! It's the Carnival itself that's not afraid to have fun, to dress up in the craziest colors and laugh out loud" points out the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis.
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Saturday, 22 February 2020 07:00
Upcoming Traffic Restrictions Due To The 6th Lycabettus Run
According to the Greek authorities, there will be traffic restrictions in Athens this Sunday, the 23rd of February. The restrictions will be set in place to ensure the safety of those participating in the 6th Lycabettus Run.
Starting at 9:00 A.M., certain roads in the center of Athens will be closed to drivers until the Run ends. To make sure that your Sunday plans don’t get delayed by the Run, we’ve compiled a list of the avenues being affected below.
Restrictions will apply to the entire length of the following avenues: Paligenesias, Daskalogianni, Sarantapihou, Ksanthipou, and Evelpidos Ragakou. These limits will not affect the two major intersections between the aforementioned avenues.
Koniari Avenue will be closed between its junctions with M. Merkouri Avenue and Nikotsara Avenue. This closure includes any intersections between these two points.
The entire length of Kleomenous Avenue and its adjoining intersections will also be closed off.
Finally, traffic will be restricted on M. Merkouri Avenue, between its junctions with An. Polemou Avenue and Lahitos Avenue, as well as any other intersections between these two points.
If you don’t have any Sunday plans, though, consider making your way down to the center to support the runners!
Originally posted on Athens Voice, translated by Xpat Athens
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Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:16
Greek Entrepreneur Cycles Around The World Against Climate Change
Paul Evmorfidis, the founder of COCO-MAT, a highly successful Greek company, has challenged himself to cycle 7.500 kilometers from Athens to Nepal. At the age of 61, Evmorfidis has taken up a difficult task. Once he reaches Nepal, he will climb 8.848m to Mount Everest, the highest peak of the world.
As a proud ambassador for the WWF's “Move for Nature” campaign, Evmorfidis aims to raise awareness about climate change and about restoring the relationship between people and nature.
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Tuesday, 18 February 2020 22:13
Navarino Challenge Returns For The 8th Consecutive Year In October 2020
Internationally awarded wellness event returns in Messinia & Costa Navarino!
The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge; distinguished last year as the 2nd best event in the world in the “Best In Wellness” category at the World Travel Market in London (the only Greek event to have achieved this overall to date), returns for the 8th consecutive year on October 16-18, 2020 in Messinia, Pylos and Costa Navarino.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
The event follows the ideals of the Olympic Movement, contributing towards the development of a peaceful and better world without any discrimination, through sports, promotes the benefits of exercise and raises awareness on the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, considering the global issue of inactivity of youth, the event exhorts young people to get involved in games and sports, through the Active Kids program, by adding even more kids’ activities.
Navarino Challenge, annually demonstrating its charitable nature, announces Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) as this year’s first CSR partner, reinforcing the breast cancer prevention and information campaign that takes place in the month of October. FTBC through its successful journey in Greece over the past nineteen years has been openly speaking about breast cancer. Operating through the invaluable work of many of its volunteers, it has funded various public information campaigns, helped more than 9,000 women get free breast screening and 25,000 women get free mammograms.
Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality.
More information on the activities and opening of registrations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Enjoy some highlights from last year’s Navarino Challenge!
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
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Saturday, 15 February 2020 19:37
3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College of Greece
On February 22nd, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the American College of Greece, Pierce Theater, will be hosting PAMEMMAZI’s third forum entitled “Integrative Approaches on Cancer Care: Evidence and Strategies.”
PAMEMMAZI was founded in 2017 for the psychosocial support of oncology patients and their families and to fight stigma through programs of art, programs for health and wellbeing, programs to encourage creativity and share information, through annual forums about integrative care, through participation in awareness-raising races with the team “Untouchables by Pamemmazi” and through publishing stories on our blog www.scarsandscarves.com
The aim of this year’s forum is to highlight the importance of palliative care in the framework of embedded integrative care, the role of complementary therapy programs as well as the research that supports their use. We stress the powerful effect that psychology can have on psychosomatic health, with the therapeutic qualities of music, dance, and of art in general, as well as the importance of expression, communication, and personal strength and resilience in dealing with cancer, resulting in better results and better quality of life.
The forum is directed at health professionals, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and the students of those fields, but also to the general public who are interested in approaching cancer in a holistic manner, or who are interested in matters of health generally.
The Program includes an open discussion amongst scientists, health professions and the audience as well as informative/interactive workshops with topics such as the therapeutic approach of music and tango, advice of dentists for good dental health from diagnoses to post-treatment, and the works of two non-profit organizations that also support cancer patients and their families, KEFI and Pnoi Agapis.
The first part of the Forum (10:15-12:30 and 13:00-14:30) will include presentations and round table discussions. The second part (14.30-16:30) will include 5 different workshops to address the variety of interests held by our audience.
In the reception area we have a) Art Exhibition that represents the work done by Eva Grigoriadou, Art Therapist, in the Art Therapy program offered by PAMEMMAZI at the G.O.H.K. hospital “Agioi Anargyroi” b) Therapeutic Photography exhibition, a program offered by PAMEMMAZI in collaboration with Eyes of Light and Dimitra Ermeidou and, c) Drawing exhibition by students from the program SMOKEFREEGREECE of the Institute of Public Health of the American College of Greece.
Participation in the forum and the workshops is free.
Register HERE!
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
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Monday, 17 February 2020 07:00
Nea Smyrni: An Athenian Neighborhood Among The Best In Europe
The Guardian recently published a list of the 10 best city neighborhoods in Europe. The 10 areas were selected for attributes such as parks, under the radar museums, or great-value restaurants.
Among the best neighborhoods are Wilhelminapark in Utrecht, Vallecas in Madrid, Moabit in Berlin, and Nea Smyrni in Athens.
About Nea Smyrni
Nea Smyrni is a family-friendly neighborhood halfway between central Athens and the Athenian riviera. Nea Smyrni has a fascinating history as the area where refugees from Smyrna-now Izmir-settled in the 1920s. In the heart of the neighborhood lies a car-free square with fountains, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars for all tastes and budgets. For visitors, Nea Smyrni is a rare find since it's not on the typical tourist route.
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
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Greece In The News
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Thursday, 13 February 2020 12:32
PAMEMMAZI
Who we are:
PAMEMMAZI is a newly established Non-Profit Organization that aims to improve the psychosocial health of cancer patients in Greece and to promote the holistic approach of cancer.
What we do:
PAMEMMAZI is a newly established Non-Profit Organization that aims to improve the psychosocial health of cancer patients in Greece and to promote the holistic approach of cancer.
What we do:
- We provide meaningful, creative and educational activities to cancer patients and their caretakers in welcoming and cozy spaces in Greek hospitals
- We organize forums and events to promote psychosocial and psychosomatic care of cancer patients in Greece - 2017 Forum: Psychosomatic care in Cancer: Empathy, Understanding and Communication
- We encourage patients and survivors to share their story on Scars & Scarves blog in order to destigmatize cancer
- We provide tips on side effects’ management, nutrition, physical activity and personal care
- We participate in the annual Greece Race for the Cure Marathon organized by Alma Zois, under the Untouchables team that Emma created in 2014
We aim to:
- Empower patients, their families and their caretakers through creative and educational offered in hospitals
- Build a community that will foster resilience, quality of life and normality using creativity and learning as tools
- Eliminate stigma toward and encourage community support for patients
- Raise funds for research purposes to help cure cancer
We envision to
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Make hospital visits and stays more constructive, fun and less unpleasant
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Encourage patients and caretakers to engage in creative activities and therefore to express their feelings through them
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Strengthen their sense of productivity/staying active and creative
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Create welcoming spaces in hospital facilities fostering the development of a community that encourages patients to share their story and to lead a normal life
- Eliminate social stigma towards cancerShape patient-centered healthcare.
3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College Of Greece
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
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Thursday, 13 February 2020 07:00
Family Activities At The Museum of Cycladic Art
Going to the Museum of Cycladic Art with your children will allow you to bond with them. Whether it's reading labels under the artifacts and explaining what they mean, or laughing over a strange ancient object, you will leave the Museum with new knowledge and, most importantly, unforgettable memories. If your children are 2 and 10 years old, this is even more true with the Museum's weekend family activities running from October to May.
By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.
By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.
There Was A Little Book
In this workshop, children are introduced to a book whose story and illustrations will inspire their artistic projects. Here kids will be encouraged to experiment with painting, drawing, impressions, collage, clay, and various construction methods. It will get everyone's creativity flowing by sparking their imaginations and perceptions. As an adult, you may discover creativity, you never knew you had; if you're a creative, you may find a new source of inspiration for your works! The benefits for your children, though, are clear: they will develop motor skills and learn to express themselves through art. Overall, though, you'll get the chance to spend time together while listening to stories and exploring new worlds!
For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.
For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.
Language: Greek only
Ages: 2-5
Ages: 2-5
Ticket price for both parents and children: €12
Note: Parental presence required.
Songs Tell Their Story
Like the “There was a Little Book” activity, your children will listen to music from around the world that will get them dancing, and will inspire them to represent music through different media, like paint, collage, stamps, photographs, and smudging. At the end of these sessions, children will invite their parents to present their works and dance together!
For February, the workshop titled “You’re the One that I Want Grease (musical)” will focus on 1950s rock ’n’ roll music. Children will also dress up and dance to music from the musical Grease. Then, kids will get the chance to enter a fairytale, where a princess leaves her castle, goes on escapades, and meets her prince. Using Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints for inspiration, the children will use the love story they participated in to make posters for a musical. Parents will be invited to help decorate the room with their children’s posters, and even help stage the kids’ show!
Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.
Language: Greek only
Ages: 4-5
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
The World Is A Vast Mirror
In these workshops, children explore how the self has been portrayed in the visual arts of different cultures and time periods. It will also raise questions about how, as humans, we form our views about the world and people. Using different creative and artistic techniques each time, children will be encouraged to explore and develop aspects of their individual personalities, while learning how to navigate things like conflict, change, and diversity.
This February, the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop will allow children to think about true and imaginary selves, and what happens when they meet. To do this, kids will get the opportunity to transform into imaginary heroes in an inclusive story. They will use paints, collage, and cameras to transfer their story on paper and make it come alive!
Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.
Languages: Greek and English
Ages: 5-7
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
The World Is A Vast Mirror
This activity’s concept is exactly like the aforementioned one, but it is geared towards older children.
For February, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 can take part in the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop mentioned above, or they can choose to participate in the “Who Am I?” workshop. In this workshop, children discover more about themselves by taking on a different identity. They will be encouraged to describe and transform themselves, while also learning how to improvise in front of the camera. Unlike the other programs, this activity will teach children fundamental video and photography techniques to create mixed media works of art.
Languages: Greek and English
Ages: 8-10
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
Although there are several kid-friendly activities in Athens, the Museum’s emphasis on teaching self-expression through artistic activities at different ages offers a unique experience that should definitely be considered!
To learn more about the various activities, please visit: Museum of Cycladic Art
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Sunday, 09 February 2020 16:29
Valentine's Night At Jazzét Café
A special night with a special duet!
Jazzét Café in Chaidari invites you on Friday, February 14th at 10.30 pm to spend a romantic Valentine's night with your other half while listening to romantic piano tunes by top pianist, teacher, and inspirer of the new generation of jazz musicians, George Contrafouris in a duet with his exquisite artist, exceptional pianist, and singer Dimitris Kokkidou.
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Tuesday, 11 February 2020 16:06
Celebrate Valentine's Day At Two Of The Most Historic Hotels In Athens
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and two of Athens' most iconic, luxurious and famous hotels invite you to spend this special day with your loved one by benefiting from their exclusive offers!
The most renowned 'corner of Athens' welcomes St. Valentine’s Day and invites you to a world filled with authentic gifts and indigenous delicacies by French Pastry Chef Arnaud Larher. On that special day, visit the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne and gift your loved one with the most elegant products as well as with the exclusive Valentine’s Day dessert that the awarded Chef Pâtissier inspiringly has created.
On Valentine’s Day, surrender to the nurturing of the awarded GB Spa. Visit the best spa of Athens and embark on a journey of rejuvenation and relaxation, revitalize your senses with an amazing range of spa treatments and an extensive spectrum of health and beauty therapies performed by our professional spa experts.
For the month of February, the awarded Spa will be providing its valued guests with a 20% discount on the two following treatments:
More than a simple skin cleansing, the new Purity of the Alps treatment offers a true revival for the face. Designed to purify, balance and unify the complexion, this treatment is intended for all
For 40' feel the tension in your back, neck and shoulders simply melting away after a long, demanding and stressful day with this wonderful classic massage.
Accommodation Experiences
Visit the landmark Hotel Grande Bretagne or the elegant King George, celebrate the most romantic day of the year and enjoy the opulent selection of privileges with an outstanding accommodation package that includes:
- Room service full breakfast in bed
- Champagne & Chocolate strawberries, upon arrival
- Complimentary late check out at 4 pm, subject to availability
Offer is valid for stays between February 13th and February 15th 2020.
- Room service full breakfast in bed
- Bottle of Bava Moscato D’Asti & Box of Valentine macarons, upon arrival
- Complimentary late check out at 4pm, subject to availability
Romantic Dining Experiences
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall Restaurant. Experience an alluring atmosphere and a romantic menu with the most beautiful view in town.
GB Roof Garden - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 85€/person
Tudor Hall - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 75€/person
Tudor Hall - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 75€/person
HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
grandebretagne.gr | gbspa.gr | 210 33 30 000
KING GEORGE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
kinggeorgeathens.com | 210 32 22 210
Syntagma Square, Athens
grandebretagne.gr | gbspa.gr | 210 33 30 000
KING GEORGE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
kinggeorgeathens.com | 210 32 22 210
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