LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Sunday, 16 September 2018 12:41
Sophie Ravier – From PR Girl In France To Yoga Mama In Greece
Sophie left her high-flying PR career in Paris to settle on her paradise island Sifnos from where she set up The Yoga Mama Club – a boutique event company organizing yoga retreats in Greece and across Europe.
5 Things To Know About Sophie Ravier
- Relentlessly optimistic
- Spiritual junkie
- Happy Gypsy
- Yoga Mama
- Endless wonderer about life
Back in 2013 though, something changed. On paper my life was perfect; glamorous meetings across the globe, beautiful events, great money, a rewarding boss and company, cool friends and living in Paris! Inside me however, I was bored and felt totally empty. Was this my life for the rest of my life?
The process was about a full year of endless boredom and feeling pretty depressed until I decided to follow the Eat-Pray-Love plan, wondering if indeed, you can follow your guts? The question left for me was "where do I go?". I was supposed to head to Buenos Aires but as life has its own way of leading you, my plans got re-arranged and I ended up visiting Sifnos. As I stayed for some time on the island and started chatting away with locals there, I had to embrace the fact this was where I really belonged.
It didn't make any sense and it was very irrational. People around me questioned my choice, as I truly had no idea what I was going to do on a tiny Greek island, disconnected from all.
GET €100 discount on Sophie’s Yoga Mama Retreat 30 Sept – 6 Oct 2018 in Sifnos.
Use the discount code: XPATATHENS. For more info and bookings – click here.
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People
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Sunday, 16 September 2018 12:31
Dimitris - From Law student In The UK To Multi-Entrepreneur And Founder Of TEDxAthens
Dimitris was born and raised in Athens, studied in the UK and decided to come back to Greece to try-out entrepreneurship. He now is a successful multi-entrepreneur with a plethora of start-ups in the tech world all with the underlying passion of uniting people.
5 Things About Dimitris
- Easily bored
- Tech lover
- People person
- Decisions made on gut feel
- Thrives on content creation
I was born and raised in Athens in a family of lawyers. At the age of 11, I had built my first website with technology and gaming news. This was back in 1998, pre the dot.com boom. I was in love with technology from a very young age.
I was sure I belonged in the tech world but a law degree felt like the best choice as I believed that law would be a good basis for anything entrepreneurial I would want to pursuit. I guess that was partly a belief that I got from my parents of course.
“I love meeting new people and exchanging views; social interaction is vital to a live a fulfilling life for me.”
In my final year of my Bachelor’s degree I came across the announcement of TED opening up the TEDx-licenses. I immediately applied for a license and got it. I was a 21-year-old student at the time with no prior experience in anything to do with events. I organized my first TEDx-event in Athens a few months later for about a 100 people. I had no clue what I was doing and I can honestly say it was quite a failure. When I finished my Master’s degree a year later I felt that somehow, I had to save my reputation. I came back to Greece to do my second TEDx-event and had given myself 6 to 9 months to pursuit either law or do something entrepreneurial. I never left Greece.
“The financial crisis is a big excuse for all of us. We like to say “It’s not me. It’s the situation.”
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People
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Thursday, 27 June 2019 07:00
A Brief History Of Coins
Ancient coins are among the most well-preserved archeological findings and allow useful insight into antiquity; they offer a glimpse into the past in terms of international trade, prominent figures, culture, and traditions.
Even though lately there is a trend for digital money and cryptocurrencies, it is the archaic invention of coinage and its use as an official means of trade that shaped the course of history as we know it.
In ancient Greece, thin long metal rods called 'ovolos' preceded the coin. Six 'ovoloi' equaled an ancient drachma, which derives from the ancient Greek word 'drattomai' that means grasp or handful. Coinage was born when the 'ovoloi' took on a more convenient rounded shape during the Archaic Age, preceding democracy (508-507 BC).
According to Aristotle, the first coins were minted by Hermodike II, daughter of King Agamemnon of Aeolian Kyme, while Herodotus credits the Lydians, a western Anatolian people.
Although it remains unclear who first developed this method of transactions, the ancient Greeks are regarded as the earliest adopters of minted coins.
Even though lately there is a trend for digital money and cryptocurrencies, it is the archaic invention of coinage and its use as an official means of trade that shaped the course of history as we know it.
In ancient Greece, thin long metal rods called 'ovolos' preceded the coin. Six 'ovoloi' equaled an ancient drachma, which derives from the ancient Greek word 'drattomai' that means grasp or handful. Coinage was born when the 'ovoloi' took on a more convenient rounded shape during the Archaic Age, preceding democracy (508-507 BC).
According to Aristotle, the first coins were minted by Hermodike II, daughter of King Agamemnon of Aeolian Kyme, while Herodotus credits the Lydians, a western Anatolian people.
Although it remains unclear who first developed this method of transactions, the ancient Greeks are regarded as the earliest adopters of minted coins.
"...money has become by convention a sort of representative of demand; and this is why it has the term money (νόμισμα), because it exists not by nature, but by law (νόμος) and it is in our power to change it and make it useless."
- Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics
To read this article in full, please visit: Portes Magazine
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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Wednesday, 12 September 2018 10:49
XpatAthens Teams With Storytelling Platform Guts & Tales
We are delighted to announce our most recent collaboration with the storytelling platform, Guts & Tales. XpatAthens loves sharing personal and inspiring stories from our community and beyond, and we've teamed with the perfect partner to bring more of these stories to you!
Guts & Tales is a global storytelling platform that shares stories of people from all walks of life that took a leap of faith in pursuit of a more fulfilling life. People that decided to go from making a living to making a life – as the tagline announces. On XpatAthens we’ll be sharing stories of people living in Greece that have changed their lives, their careers and sometimes their country of residence in order to live a life they truly want to enjoy and live.
Guts & Tales is a global storytelling platform that shares stories of people from all walks of life that took a leap of faith in pursuit of a more fulfilling life. People that decided to go from making a living to making a life – as the tagline announces. On XpatAthens we’ll be sharing stories of people living in Greece that have changed their lives, their careers and sometimes their country of residence in order to live a life they truly want to enjoy and live.
Eleni, the founder of Guts & Tales, is of Greek-Dutch origin and left Greece at a young age. Her deep love for the country drew her back to Greece in 2016, and it is from here that she started pursuing her personal and professional dreams. One fine afternoon in Athens, Eleni and Elena, the Director at XpatAthens, connected! Having many things in common, they decided to join forces and connect their platforms in order to share inspirational stories with the all of you!
We hope you'll enjoy our newest collaboration and would love to hear from you. Visit the People’s section of XpatAthens for the latest stories. If you have a story you’d like to share on Guts & Tales and XpatAthens, click here.
Watch more about Guts & Tales here:
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Local News
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Friday, 10 August 2018 17:31
September 4 - A September To Remember
Summer might be over, but there are still lots of thing to do during September in Athens! Discover our Top-10 picks for events, the best open air cinemas and roof gardens with breathtaking views of the city. All of which will make this month a September to remember!
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
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Newsletters
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Thursday, 09 August 2018 17:19
August 28th - News & Updates
Summer may be coming to an end but news is still hot! What's around the corner for Greece after the Bailout? How can you help EU's plastic reduction campaign? Which neighbourhood of Athens was named ''The Coolest in the World''? Discover all the answers in this week's newsletter!
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Newsletters
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Tuesday, 11 September 2018 08:06
The Experience Of Driving Greece's Egnatia Odos - A Modern Ancient Highway
The Egnatia Odos is part of the European E90 highway that runs from Istanbul to Italy and as BBC writes, "one of the most fascinating (and fastest) drives across Greece." Completed in 2009, it starts from the Turkish border crossing of Kipi in Thrace and goes to the Ionian Sea at Igoumenitsa.
From BBC Travel, "While (not only) Greek drivers get a thrill out of shooting for 200km/hour speeds on the highway's long, flat expanses, for travellers the major reward lies in the close access the Egnatia Odos provides to many towns of historic and culinary interest, all complemented by an ever-changing scenery quite different from elsewhere in Greece."
"When approaching from Turkey the earthy eastern plains of Thrace are first to emerge, with their vivid patches of sunflowers, rolling fields of wheat and storks' nests dotting the telephone poles. The first major settlement, Alexandroupoli, is a pretty port town with good seafood restaurants, and just west of the Evros Delta, an important migratory route perfect for bird-watchers. Alexandroupoli is also the jumping-off point for ferries to Samothraki island."
To read this article in full, please visit: BBC
Published in
Travel Greece
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Monday, 29 July 2019 07:00
From Greece, With Love - Portes Magazine Launches
Love Greece? Portes Magazine Limited Edition Prints Debut
The world of print welcomes a gem, one that celebrates the unique aura of Greece, a perfect addition to the coffee table of those individuals seeking to discover the lesser known details of a legendary land steeped in magic.
Printed in Greece on quality matte paper that teases the touch and perfectly matches the publication’s dreamy pastel tones, Portes Magazine’s 100+ pages journey readers, perfectly weaving the present with the past through curated stories and select images highlighting the interesting, innovative and inspirational.
The publication’s minimal, yet sophisticated design pays tribute to the beauty of ancient and modern Greece through articles, photography, poetry, recipes and crafts.
Numbered, limited edition print copies are available on the Portes Shop and at various locations in Athens.
Discover more at: portesmagazine.com
In Athens In August? Join Portes Magazine Editors For Their Book Launch At Free Thinking Zone
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Local News
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Tuesday, 11 September 2018 03:23
Athens Flying Week 2018
The greatest air show of Greece, Athens Flying Week (AFW) Tanagra International Air Show 2018, with more than 350,000 loyal fans from around the world, returns for the 7th year in a row, and takes off for the third time from the Tanagra Air Base, on 22 and 23 September 2018!
Are you ready to take off with us?
At the Tanagra airport, you will experience an exciting and unique experience, having the chance to:
Enjoy easy and quick access to the main area of the show from the FREE parking located INSIDE the airport, RIGHT NEXT TO the spectators’ area.
You will experience take-offs and landings by the most popular jet and turbo prop aircraft, just a stone’s throw away.
- Enjoy a spectacular Air Show
- Take a picture of yourself next to the planes, with the fighter jet pilots as well as the world-famous aerobatic pilots, at the largest static aircraft display in recent years.
- Browse and make your purchases at the trade fair, but also learn about every type of aviation training from the competent air schools, Αero clubs, and the Hellenic Aeronautical and Air Sports Federation (ELAO).
- Our young friends can spend carefree moments at the exceptionally safe playground
- Take a short break & dine in the fully-equipped restaurants with shaded areas
- Enjoy full visual access to giant screens which will be installed in various parts of the airport
- Enjoy aeromodelling demonstrations
- Have fun at the numerous unique happenings and events
Published in
Performing Arts
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Monday, 01 October 2018 03:11
Spartacus By The Grigorovich Ballet - Odeon of Herodes Atticus
At last, after years Bolshoi legend Yuri Grigorovic returns to Odeon of Herodes Atticus! With all the actors of Grigorovich Ballet (150 people: ballet, orchestra, choir) and with top soloists of the Bolshoi Theater he presents Spartacus by Aram Chatasurian.
This is the world tour of celebrating 50 years since the first premiere in Bolshoi. Yuri Grigorowicz's wish is this tour to be hosted on the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which is the natural setting of the show.
As Grigorovich himself says in his memo:
When I first introduced Spartacus to Odeon of Herodes Atticus of Bolshoi, it was such an emotion that I promised to come back every time I was given this opportunity. I consider it the ideal backdrop for? this show. Every time I prepare the show again from the beginning based on this theater. Every time I walk through the theater and see the Acropolis above, I remember that Greece was and will be our great inspiration.
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Performing Arts
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