LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Saturday, 08 February 2020 01:24
2nd Athens Fashion Film Festival
A 3-day international gathering where fashion meets cinema 14-16 February 2020 in Athens.
Following its successful premiere last year at Megaron, the Athens Fashion Film Festival returns with its 2nd edition, which will be hosted at the innovative Technopolis industrial museum and more specifically at the recently renovated, 300+ capacity Amphitheater, at the vivid area of Gazi, in the heart of Athens.
A cultural meeting for cinematographers, fashion designers, creative directors, visual artists, advertising agencies, production companies, brands, fashion companies, fashion-model agencies, actors, scriptwriters, journalists, VIPs, celebrities, bloggers, independent, producers, TV channels, schools of art/fashion / audio-visual studies, art curators, artists, collectors, NGO (ethical- sustainable fashion), fashion and cinema enthusiasts.
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Art
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Saturday, 08 February 2020 00:50
Technopolis Vinyl Market
Get ready for a big festival celebration of vinyl during February 7th,8th - 9th in Technopolis!
The Vinyl Market returns fresh and enriched with new collections and new vinyl releases, as well as many other music exhibits. Visitors will have the chance to wander around Technopolis and explore rock, soul, funk, jazz, Latin, blues, and ethnic discs, while popular tunes by well-known DJs will fulfill this ultimate vinyl experience!
Friday, February 7th: From 17:00 p.m. until 22:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 8th: From 11:00 a.m. until 22:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 9th: From 11:00 a.m. until 22:00 p.m.
The Vinyl Market returns fresh and enriched with new collections and new vinyl releases, as well as many other music exhibits. Visitors will have the chance to wander around Technopolis and explore rock, soul, funk, jazz, Latin, blues, and ethnic discs, while popular tunes by well-known DJs will fulfill this ultimate vinyl experience!
Friday, February 7th: From 17:00 p.m. until 22:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 8th: From 11:00 a.m. until 22:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 9th: From 11:00 a.m. until 22:00 p.m.
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Music
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Monday, 03 February 2020 07:00
Blue Air Links Athens with Bucharest
The Romanian flight carrier Blue Air will be adding Athens to its new summer flight program for 2020. As part of this new program the Bucharest-based company, will introduce eight new routes departing from Bucharest, Bacau, and Iasi.
As of June 15th, Blue Air will provide flights from George Enescu International Airport in Bucharest to Athens International Airport. It is reported that the prices of Blue Air’s new destinations will be starting from as little as €19,99 and may include other discounts through the airline’s yearly subscription program.
So, for those seeking to travel to Athens from Romania, or the other way around, it may be worth looking into the largest Romanian airline.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
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International Travel
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Monday, 03 February 2020 07:00
Greek Literature Appeals To China Book Market
China is the second-largest book market in the world, with an impressive turnover of about 10 billion euros a year.
Regarding Greek literature, translations of ancient Greek works are very popular in China coming in the first place, Nikos Kazantzakis is the most translated contemporary Greek writer. At the same time, Seferis, Cavafy, and Elytis are among the most translated Greek poets.
Author and historian, Emilios Solomos researched to investigate the image and ranking of Greek literature abroad and spoke to Hellenists and translators who bridge Greek literature with faraway languages and cultures.
Solomos spoke with Jingjing Hu, translator, and Head of the Department of Modern Greek Studies at the Shanghai International University, regarding Greek literature in China. "I adore Greece and I want to introduce it to my compatriots," she explains.
According to Hu, modern Greek literature is still relatively unknown but appealing to Chinese readers because of their genaralized admiration of the ancient Greek world. She suggests that boosting publishing exchange between Greece and China will eventually make it easier for Greek writers to communicate directly with Chinese publishers.
To read this article in full, please visit: Tornos News
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Greece In The News
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Sunday, 02 February 2020 07:00
Fanouropita – A Cake For Finding Lost Things
Have you ever lost something and would try almost anything to get it back? Well, maybe try making a Fanouropita! This spicy cake is traditionally baked in Greece to honor St. Fanourios, the patron saint of revelation, between the 26th and 27th of August. Many Greeks, however, also regularly bake a Fanouropita in the hopes that the saint of revelation will help them find their lost belongings. In fact, the cake’s name also reveals its supposed object-finding powers: it was named after St. Fanourios, whose name originates from the Greek word “fanerono,” which means “I reveal.” So, Fanouropita quite literally means, “a pita that reveals.”
Even if you don’t believe in the Fanouropita’s power, or have an app to help you find lost items, the cake is still worth making! This quick, easy-to-make, and versatile cake is perfect for the Lenten season, and can easily be made vegan—all you have to do is replace the honey with sugar and add tahini.
Just a word of caution, though. While the main ingredients for the cake are walnuts, a dried fruit of your preference (we suggest raisins here), cinnamon, oil, sugar, and flour, it is said that all the ingredients must add up to an odd number (e.g. 7, 9, 11, 13, and so on). The recipe at the bottom has 11 ingredients without the icing sugar. If you chose to include the icing sugar, which we suggest you do, consider adding a second type of dried fruit to make the number of ingredients odd again.
Hopefully, this cake will help you find what you are searching for... And if it doesn’t—at least you got a tasty treat out of the experience!
Yield: 1 cake (25cm)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cooks in: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 450g of flower
- 260g of sugar
- 1 cup of olive oil
- 1 cup and 2 tbsp of orange juice
- 100g of walnuts
- 90g of raisins
- 4g of powdered cinnamon
- 1 tsp of powdered cloves
- 20g of baking powder
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar
- Icing sugar for dusting (optional)
To find out important tips on how to prepare a Fanouropita, please visit: Kopiaste
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Greek Food & Diet
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Thursday, 06 February 2020 07:00
From Canada to Ancient Greece: Traveling with Technology
The Museum of Vancouver in Canada worked with Simon Fraser University’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies to create an exhibit called Beyond Worlds: Greek Civilization XR Experience. This exhibit used both augmented and virtual reality technologies that enable visitors to virtually immerse themselves in Greek mythological and historical sites.
The exhibit was in its nascent stages and was only for elementary students until January 2020 while the researchers calibrated the technology being used. Even in its pilot run, though, the program offered visitors a unique opportunity to put on a pair of 3D goggles and be transported to a digital reconstruction of the Tholos of Delphi. Within this virtual site, museum-goers could explore the landmark and even leave an offering for the Delphic Oracle.
The museum also offers other virtual experiences for their visitors. For example, using a common tablet attached to a round shield, a still image of battleships could be projected onto the wall. Then, via the tablet’s screen, visitors were given access to a Greek warship’s deck after the Battle of Salamis, which took place in the 5th century BCE. From the ship’s virtual deck, viewers could see orange clouds emanating from the fires that destroyed enemy ships.
At a less dramatic installation, a tablet could also be used to virtually open a door painted on one of the museum’s walls. The door led to an ancient Greek villa’s yard, where actors in costumes of clothes from ancient times sat in conversation under the sun.
Visitors were also invited to wear 3D goggles and enter the mythological Greek underworld. In this world, people were transported throughout the underworld to perform simple tasks.
Although the exhibit is still considered to be a pilot project, it points to a new type of digital tourism and immersive learning. Museum-goers will not only be able to cross geographical boundaries in a matter of seconds, but they’ll also have the chance to go back in time and participate in mythological and historical events that they could only learn about, or watch from afar in movies and documentaries.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
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Greece In The News
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Monday, 03 February 2020 07:00
Discover Tinos, A Year-Round Greek Island
While Cycladic islands like Mykonos and Santorini are well-known tourist destinations, the island of Tinos is often overlooked. Even though Tinos is an unassuming island, it attracts thousands of Orthodox pilgrims who visit the island's Marian Shrine of Panagia Evangelistria, also known as Our Lady of Tinos. Many people usually walk or, quite literally, crawl up to the church to reach the icon of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to have special healing powers.
Even if you are not inclined to go on a pilgrimage, Our Lady of Tinos is still worth visiting. The nineteenth-century church sits on a hill above Chora, Tinos' capital, and is built in a Renaissance architectural style that sets it apart from traditional Greek churches. The shrine's icon is also worth seeing, regardless of one's beliefs. Its image is barely visible through the impressive collection of votive silver, gold, pearls, and precious stones that have been left by pilgrims and encased within the frame.
One of Tinos' most impressive features, though, is that it houses over 700 small churches. Some were built during the Byzantine era, but most were built after the Venetians conceded Tinos to the Ottomans. Through a special agreement with the Ottoman leaders, the Tinian people were granted permission to construct an infinite number of churches. Since owning a church was considered a blessing, a small chapel was erected in each property-a practice that is still very common on the island. In fact, in Tinos, you will definitely come across chapels in bizarre locations such as forests and narrow mountainous valleys.
Even if you are not inclined to go on a pilgrimage, Our Lady of Tinos is still worth visiting. The nineteenth-century church sits on a hill above Chora, Tinos' capital, and is built in a Renaissance architectural style that sets it apart from traditional Greek churches. The shrine's icon is also worth seeing, regardless of one's beliefs. Its image is barely visible through the impressive collection of votive silver, gold, pearls, and precious stones that have been left by pilgrims and encased within the frame.
One of Tinos' most impressive features, though, is that it houses over 700 small churches. Some were built during the Byzantine era, but most were built after the Venetians conceded Tinos to the Ottomans. Through a special agreement with the Ottoman leaders, the Tinian people were granted permission to construct an infinite number of churches. Since owning a church was considered a blessing, a small chapel was erected in each property-a practice that is still very common on the island. In fact, in Tinos, you will definitely come across chapels in bizarre locations such as forests and narrow mountainous valleys.
Although many of the island's lures of religious nature, the island is also an excellent travel destination for those seeking a calming and authentic experience. Tinos is one of the few islands to be left almost miraculously untouched by commercial tourism. Apart from the several hiking trails that lead to secluded beaches and romantic natural vistas, Tinos is also home to about 40 charming villages that have not changed to suit the tastes of tourists. Instead, they offer a rare sense of authenticity that is incredibly hard to find on some of the more popular islands.
Tinos is also known for the unique eighteenth-century dovecotes, or pigeon houses, that spot its mountainous terrain. They are a rare example of folk Greek architecture, and, while some of the other Cycladic islands also have traditional dovecotes, the pigeon houses on Tinos are the largest and most ornate.
Tinos is also known for the unique eighteenth-century dovecotes, or pigeon houses, that spot its mountainous terrain. They are a rare example of folk Greek architecture, and, while some of the other Cycladic islands also have traditional dovecotes, the pigeon houses on Tinos are the largest and most ornate.
Whether you’re interested in religious tourism or experiencing an authentically Greek island, Tinos is worth visiting any time of the year. If you are looking to experience Tinos at its liveliest, then definitely consider going during the summer: there is the celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin in August, an annual mountain race, and even the Tinos World Music Festival!
To read this article in full, please visit: Culture Trip
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Travel Greece
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Thursday, 30 January 2020 07:00
A Year Of Cultural Events Dedicated To Melina Mercouri
The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni has declared 2020 as the 'Year of Melina Mercouri' in memory of the famed Greek actress that served as the country's first-ever female Minister of Culture, promoted 'cultural diplomacy,' and instigated the efforts for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
Among others, some of the events that will mark the 100th anniversary since the birth of Melina Mercouri are a theater awards ceremony, full moon screenings of her films, and an exhibition showcasing the Parthenon Marbles in Paris.
'Melina was known for her spontaneity, faith, and vision,' said Mendoni, adding that 'the year dedicated to Melina begins on January 29, with an international workshop on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles at the Acropolis Museum commemorating Melina's efforts for the realization of a vision that we all believe will gain the momentum and become a reality.'
The 'Year of Melina Mercouri' is co-organized by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Melina Mercouri Foundation.
To read this article in full, please visit: GTP
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Local News
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Thursday, 30 January 2020 08:21
Romantic Guide To Athens
It's almost Valentine's day, and love is in the air. So, if you are searching for romantic spots in Athens to spend quality time with your significant other, or even to pop the question, we've got you covered with some of the city's most idyllic locations!
The Diomedes Botanical Garden is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in the busy city of Athens. Even though it is located in the city center, it very often goes unnoticed. In the city's hidden paradise, you'll be able to stroll among 3,500 plant species and discover the different sections, such as the arboretum, the ornament plants section, the historic plants section, and the greenhouse. The ambiance and beautiful setting of this garden make for the perfect romantic backdrop for you and your loved one.
The Tiny Neighborhood of Anafiotika
This tiny scenic neighborhood in Athens is one of the most iconic romantic places in the city. Anafiotika lies on the northeast side of the Acropolis hill and is part of the historic neighborhood of Plaka. The settlement dates back to the era of Otto of Greece when workers from the island of Anafi came to Athens to work as construction workers in the refurbishment of the King's palace. When you reach up, you'll feel like you're in a Cycladic village within the city tiny with white houses, narrow alleys, and bougainvillea plants. In this oasis of tranquility, the intensity of Athens will seem miles away!
Mount Lycabettus
Lycabettus is the highest peak in Athens and one of the city's most iconic landmarks. At 300 meters above sea level, Lycabettus offers unsurpassed views of the city. In fact, on a clear day, you'll be able to see the island of Aegina shimmering on the horizon. The top of the hill can be reached by foot, but the easiest way to get there is via the cable car that runs every half hour from the station on Aristippou street. Mount Lycabettus is home to the picturesque chapel of St. George, a restaurant, and an open-air theater. Climb up in the evening to enjoy exceptional views of the city below!
Lake Vouliagmeni
Lake Vouliagmeni
For those of you looking to get away from overcrowded cityscapes on Valentine’s Day, consider going to Lake Vouliagmeni. It’s a jaw-droppingly beautiful geological setting with warm waters that make it the perfect place to take your significant other for a relaxing and romantic day. It’s also most definitely worth staying to see the lake light up in the evening and become even more romantic.
For the couples that bond over food, the lake also has an all-day bar-restaurant, and is very near one of Vouliagmeni’s oldest pastry shops (Aqua Marina) and the very popular Waffle House. If both of you want to be alone, though, consider packing a picnic and choosing one of the many beautiful, quiet corners to sit in.
For the couples that bond over food, the lake also has an all-day bar-restaurant, and is very near one of Vouliagmeni’s oldest pastry shops (Aqua Marina) and the very popular Waffle House. If both of you want to be alone, though, consider packing a picnic and choosing one of the many beautiful, quiet corners to sit in.
Know a great romantic spot? Share your city insight with us!
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City Discovery
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Tuesday, 21 January 2020 02:51
Exhibition At FokiaNou Art Space
Chris Hawtin: “The Angel, The Engine”
Opening: Saturday, February 8th at 19.00 p.m.
Duration: 8 – 29 February 2020
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 17.00-20.00
FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present a solo show of painting and sculpture by British artist Chris Hawtin. Using computerized imagery woven with painting and sculpture, Hawtin explores the relationship between organic and cybernetic structures and the effect of technological acceleration in relation to geographic space. Hawtin's work looks outward towards other dimensions to offer a glimpse into an alternative existence of a hybrid identity while referencing both high art and pulp/pop culture. Seemingly technological alien forms float within atmospheric landscapes or architectural spaces. These machine-entities imbue their environs with an apocalyptic sense of unease, calling to mind science fiction films or post-apocalyptic video games.
Born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom in 1974 Chris Hawtin attended Northbrook College, Worthing and Chelsea College of Art and Design. He has exhibited widely, including solo shows at Bearspace, C & C and No Format Galleries in London, Malgras/Naudet in Manchester and Artlounge Gallery in Lisbon, and a two-person show with FilipposTsitsopoulos at EleftheriaTseliou Gallery in Athens. His work was featured prominently in The Immediacy of Paint: Surface symposium at the University of Suffolk at which he was a key speaker. Hawtin has participated in many group shows, most recently in The Sky’s Gone Out at Arthouse 1, London, and Life is Elsewhere at We Need Books Gallery in Athens. His work is in private collections worldwide and The Saatchi Collection, London.
FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in the intimacy of a small apartment in an old building in the center of Athens. The space encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, thereby promoting and supporting the local art community. The space hosts exhibitions, workshops and projects under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris.
XpatAthens is proud to be a Non-Profit Sponsor of FokiaNou Art Space
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Art
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