LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Greek-Born, London-Based Fashion Designer Wins Vogue Designer Fashion Fund
Greek-born, London-based fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has won this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, the British Fashion Council announced on Wednesday.
The distinction, which is accompanied by a 200,000 pound sterling grant, is billed as a 12-month mentoring support program aimed at aiding designers take their business to the next level. The fund was established in 2008 and past winners include Peter Pilotto, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Erdem.
According to Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue editor and chair of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, Katrantzou was “incredibly deserving of this year’s award. It wasn an extremely diverse shortlist but ultimately we all agreed that Mary has not only created a strong and hugely appealing identity for her work but that she has put in place measures that, along with the support of this prize, should ensure an exciting and successful next stage of her career.”
Joining Kantrantzou on the shortlist this year were fellow designers Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton, Michael van der Ham, Mother of Pearl, Osman and Sophia Webster who presented their collections and five year business plans to the Fund judging committee comprising industry professionals.
Born in Athens in 1983, Katrantzou studied architecture at Rhode Island School of Design before focusing on fashion and textile design at London’s Central Saint Martins.
To read more please visit: eKathimerini
Discover Metz - An 'Island' Among Athens' Hustle And Bustle
Proceed up the Ardittou hill via Archimedes str, which is upright to Markou Mousourou str. Turn immediately left into Dompoli str. On your right, a stylish neoclassical building lies "hidden", with a quiet courtyard, where Greek language lessons are offered to foreigners. Green balconies and courtyards, colorful doors and windows and tall vines climb up the terraces!
Turn back to Markou Mousourou str, head left to Voulgareos str. and then right onto Sorvolou str. Our destination is the site of Artemis Agrotera Temple, the ancient goddess of hunting, the presence of which though is concealed due to lack of a relevant sign. The church was built of Pentelic marble and enjoyed great fame in the classical era, being the sanctuary of commissions to the so-called “small” Eleusinian Mysteries, held every year at the beginning of spring...
To read more please visit: ForFree
Piraeus Privatization To Be Completed In Coming Weeks
The Deputy Prime Minister who is currently in China sought to put an end to uncertainty regarding the port privatization that other SYRIZA ministers had caused.
The tender process for the privatization of the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) will completed ‘within weeks’ according to the Deputy Prime Minister Yiannis Dragasakis, who spoke about the matter in Beijing where he has been meeting with Chinese government officials, Kathimerini newspaper reports.
Dragasakis added that Cosco, which is among the bidders for OLP and widely considered to be the favourite, “may submit a very competitive offer.”
Speaking to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, Dragasakis attributed delays in the sale of 67.7% of the shares in OLP to changes that were implemented at the Hellenic Asset Development Fund (TAIPED) following the January 25 elections.
Shortly after the elections several SYRIZA MPs had announced that all privatizations were to be halted specifically including the sale of OLP, provoking intense dismay from the Chinese government. However the government subsequently backtracked, confirming that the sale was to go ahead. Dragasakis’s trip to China and his comments regarding the sale of the port are being seen as an attempt to put draw a line under the conflicting messages and end the uncertainty regarding the future of the port privatization.
To read more please visit: TheTOC
Earth Hour 2015
Earth Hour 2015 will be held in Greece on Saturday March 28th from 20:30 - 21:30.
Earth Hour was first held Greece in 2009 with more than 500 municipalities and towns switching off! The Greek capital of Athens, and the cities of Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos, Herakleion, Ioannina and Alexandroupoli took part. Even more landmarks and iconic buildings than ever showed their support in 2011, from the Parthenon at the Acropolis, The Greek Parliament Building, the White Tower, the bridge of Rio-Atnirio. WWF Greece is responsible for coordinating Earth Hour in Greece.
To watch Earth Hour unfold around the world, visit:
http://www.earthhour.org/earth-hour-live-watch-the-hour-unfold-around-the-world.
Ancient Greek Nude Sculptures Dazzle In British Museum Exhibition
"Defining Beauty" is a stunning array of sculptures and ceramics that includes some of the most familiar works of Greek antiquity. The exhibition also compares how other cultures treated the human form and their attitudes to nudity, from the Mayans to the Assyrians.
"The Greeks invented the human being," Ian Jenkins, the exhibition's curator, said, pointing to Greek philosophy, mythology and democracy, not just the aesthetics of the sculptures that dominate the exhibition.
The exhibition opens with the striking view of a nude goddess Aphrodite from behind. When visitors walk around the statue, they are met with her guarded, threatening gaze.
Though Greek in origin, she is a Roman copy. So is the discus thrower, Myron's Diskobolos, a study in the perfect "balance of opposites", and some of the other statues in the exhibition.
To read more please visit: TheTOC.
Greece Says No To Racism
Greece marked the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a number of events over the weekend, across the country.
Thousands took to the streets this weekend with at least three separate events held in the Greek capital, and many more around the country.
A walk against discrimination in central Athens was organised by the Greek forum for migrants with the participations of many NGOs, civil society groups and migrant communities. The march was well attended, and culminated in the delivery of a letter to the Greek parliament which was co-signed by all the participating groups, laying out their demands on migration policy.
Banners included "Shut down the concentration camps", "Solidarity to refugees", "Citizenship for all the children". Greece's new government have pledged to close the 'closed hospitality centres' operated by previous governments where migrants were detained for up to 18 months, as well as to grant citizenship to migrants born and brought up in Greece.
To read more please visit: ThePressProject.
Picturesque Villages Of Zagori Proposed For UNESCO World Heritage list
The Greek culture ministry has announced that it intends to officially sponsor the traditional villages of Epirus' Zagori district in northwestern Greece as a Greek 'cultural landscape' to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The 'Zagorochoria - North Pindos National Park' area have been on the UNESCO Tentative List for the last two years, which is one of the conditions for inclusion in the list of World Heritage Sites.
"It is with great joy that the culture and sports ministry announces its decision to finalise its proposal for the inclusion of Zagori in the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments List," said Culture and Sports Minister Costas Tassoulas at a conference held at the culture ministry on Thursday, attended by ministry general secretary Lina Mendoni and Zagori Mayor Vassilis Spyrou.
The traditional stone built villages of the remote and mountainous Zagori area are among the best preserved traditional settlements in Greece and situated in an area of exceptional natural beauty, which includes features such as the Vikos Gorge and Voidomatis River.
In order for a cultural landscape to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, it must prove exceptional global value and its authenticity and integrity must be protected.
To read more please visit: TheTOC
To read more about the villages of Zagori of Greece, please visit:
http://www.xpatathens.com/living-in-athens/taste-experience/travel-in-greece/item/655-zagori-villages-hidden-behind-mountains/
March 25 - Greek Independence Day
On March 25th, Greek people all over the world celebrate the Greek Independence Day. Even if you are not familiar with Greek history, we have put together a brief outline of the events that led to the Greek War of Independence and the way Independence Day is celebrated today!
From 1453 to 1821 Greece was under Ottoman (Turkish) rule. Despite almost 400 years of occupation, the Greek identity remained strong, largely due to the influence of the powerful Greek Orthodox Church. However, Greeks were subjects of the Ottoman Empire, without independent political power. Over the centuries many uprisings against the oppressive rule were vanquished by the Ottoman Empire.
The Greek War of Independence
On March 25, 1821, the bishop Germanos of Patras called upon Greeks to rise up against the Ottomans once again. The War of Independence was fought fiercely under the motto 'Freedom or Death'. This time, the Greek freedom fighters would not be vanquished.
The battle raged through mainland Greece for several years, until a small region was reclaimed. The freedom fighters were known as klephts, and tens of thousands gave their lives in the war. The French Revolution both weakened the Ottoman Empire and raised European consciousness to the plight of the Greeks. Many joined the fight, both in spirit and proclamations of support, and by actually bearing arms with the Greeks. The poet Lord Byron went to fight and lost his life in Greece, as did many supporters from Europe and the Americas.
In 1832, the first official international treaty was declared, recognizing central Greece as under independent Greek rule. Over the next century, through wars and diplomatic agreements, mainland Greece and her islands were reclaimed one by one until Greece as we know it was under one rule. The last region to return to Greek rule were the Dodecanese islands, after the end of World War II.
March 25th, the day in which Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag and declared battle is also one of the holiest days of the Greek Orthodox religion. This is the day of the Annunciation when the archangel Gabriel told Mary she would bear the Son of God. The day is celebrated throughout Greece as a day of independence and also an important religious holiday.
Independence Day Celebrations
Throughout the country, both secular and religious celebrations fill the streets, churches and homes. Athens hosts a huge Independence Day parade, as do many cities and towns. Streets are blockaded and military bands, dignitaries and throngs of spectators fill them to capacity. Travel and work in the large cities comes to a standstill on March 25. Marching bands in traditional Greek military uniforms and brightly costumed Greek dancers move through the streets while vendors sell drinks and desserts to the flag-waving crowd. The churches are filled with Annunciation Day worshippers and smaller parades in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation.
People also celebrate privately in their homes. Children are dressed in new clothes, and the house is cleaned and sparkling.Feasts and family gatherings are held in honor of events both secular and religious.
Greek Independence Day is also celebrated in other countries. Every year the President of the United States declares a national day of celebration of Greek and American democracy on March 25. Cities around the world with large Greek populations hold parades in honor of Independence Day and Greek traditions and customs.
A national holiday in Greece wouldn't be complete without traditional food! Read more about it HERE!
Homemade Greek Yoghurt
Homemade yogurt requires surprisingly little prep and keeps in the fridge for a month.
Ingredients:
1 qt. whole goat's, sheep's, or cow's milk
2 tbsp. plain full-fat yogurt with live active cultures
Directions:
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of milk into a bowl and stir in the yogurt.
- In a saucepan, bring the remaining milk to a boil. Let stand off the heat without stirring, until it registers 100 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 15 minutes; a skin will form on the surface.
- Using a table knife, make a small opening in the skin and carefully pour the yogurt mixture into the milk in the saucepan. Cover the pot with a kitchen towel and transfer to an oven. Turn the light on and close the oven door. Let stand for 16 hours.
- Using a skimmer or slotted spoon, lift off the skin and discard it. Carefully ladle the yogurt into a sieve lined with a double layer of cheesecloth and refrigerate until much of the whey is drained and the yogurt is thick, at least 4 hours. Transfer the yogurt to a bowl and serve.
Source: Delish.com
Vegan Olive Oil Cake
While I am more than happy to partake in the Easter festivities of eating lamb and cracking eggs, I typically don’t participate in the 40 days of fasting and repenting. However this year I decided to become a bit more involved in all the processions surrounding Easter. By “involved” I mean that I decided for one day (hey you gotta start somewhere) not to eat meat, eggs or butter.
This also seemed like the perfect opportunity to put myself to a dairy free, egg free baking challenge. The result was this delicious polenta and olive oil cake served with a fruit compote. It was so delicious that it actually has me thinking about going for two days of fasting instead of one next year! Here is the recipe, should any of you need some Lenten baking inspiration.
- 1 ¼ cup cake flour
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. yellow cornmeal
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- zest of ½ orange
- zest of ½ lemon
- ½ tsp. rosemary, finely chopped
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup orange juice
- Fig and Orange Honey Compote
- 1 pint of fresh figs
- 2 oranges
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp. water
- 2–4 tsp. fresh lemon juice, to taste
For the entire recipe please visit: MarisaChurchill.com