Motorsport enthusiasts… start your engines! As for the rest of us, while we wait for our lives to resume something approaching their former speed and spin, here’s some exhilarating news to stir up the dust. 

One of the rally world’s most legendary events – the Acropolis Rally of Gods – is set to return to the Greek capital this September, after an eight year absence.  

Since its debut in 1951, the Acropolis Rally has built a cult following and is considered one of the World Rally Championship’s most fearsome and glorious rounds. Twisty and rocky mountain roads conspire with the ancient Athenian dust and intense heat to provide rally drivers with a Herculean challenge - and many recognised drivers have found themselves humiliated in the attempt. 

There were some murmurs last year about this iconic gravel road rally revving up in Athens once again, but Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has now officially waved the flag to confirm that the competition has been added to the 2021 calendar of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), and a multi-year agreement reached. This year, Rally of Gods will form round 10 of the season from September 9 – 12, 2021, replacing the Copec Rally Chile, which was sidelined due to the pandemic.

The Acropolis Rally Greece will start from its traditional location beneath the Parthenon, restoring one of the sport’s most sought-after picture postcard images for rally fans across the world.

The Greek Prime Minister celebrated the WRC’s revival in Greece in a recorded message of support:

This content was originally published on This is Athens
Photo Credit: WRC Promoter

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

An iconic landmark of Athens, the Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro, is one of the most important stadiums in the world, brimming with historic value. 

It is the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place. It is a timeless, global symbol of athleticism and Olympism, part and parcel of Athens' history and culture. 

Just a few months before the official launch of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Athens' vision for a world full of light, peace, and democracy shines bright across the globe. 

The Hellenic Olympic Committee launched the new lighting system of the Panathenaic Stadium in order to showcase its uniquely rich history which is inextricably linked to the city of Athens and the modern Olympic Games. A project that gives a breath of fresh air to Athens' urban landscape and adds a sense of splendor to this emblematic landmark.

The new system was inaugurated in a small symbolic ceremony attended by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Athens' Mayor Kostas Bakogiannis, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, and some other members of the Greek Government.

During the ceremony, Mr. Costas Bakogiannis awarded Mr. Thomas Bach the Medal of the City of Athens, an award made in recognition of Thomas Bach's continued contribution to the promotion of sports and the fundamental values, principles, and ideals of the Olympic spirit.

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing news and inspiring stories about how Athens aspires to be a clean, friendly, and welcoming city to live in.

A short walk through the National Garden, in the heart of Athens, is enough to convince anyone that a whole colony of exotic green parrots has found refuge in the capital.

The presence of the impressive, and slightly “noisy” parrots is very intense all around Athens’ parks, as they fly from tree to tree and make passers-by wonder how it is possible that exotic parrots – that we are used to seeing in documentaries for jungles and rainforests – live in the centre of Athens.

According to a research by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS), more than 1,500 parrots live in Athens at the moment, and have conquered almost all the parks of the city and their surrounding areas. In fact, Athenians reported that they have witnessed the parrots in many places in Athens from Tritsi Park to Pedion of Areos, the park of Evelpidon and the Archaeological Museum in Patision Street, as well as the town of Glyfada and the residential neighbourhood of Goudi.

The HOS reported that the green parrots in Athens are a species that normally lives in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range in Asia or in tropical forests south of the Sahara desert in Africa.

According to experts, just one pair of these parrots is enough to multiply into an entire colony of parrots on foreign soil, and increase their population very rapidly.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com
Photo credit: agonaskritis.gr

11 major investments in cruise, marina, and airport infrastructure are expected to take Greek tourism to the next level after Covid-19, according to a report released this week by Axia Ventures.

Titled “Greece: Post-Covid Perspective”, the report’s analysts forecast better and faster-than-expected tourism recovery after the pandemic subsides.

“For Greece, we believe that recovery will come sooner rather than later, given that demand for destinations with ‘sea & sun’ will be high on the list of those who will travel after the pandemic,” said the report.

It goes on to add that strong demand in 2022 may reach 2019 levels, provided the tourist season is extended to include spring and autumn. Axia analysts expect the robust demand for Greek destinations to continue in the coming years as well as increased spending, which will be a direct result of upgraded tourism services and products.

Greece is set to benefit from people’s desire to go on vacation, particularly in view of key infrastructure projects that will help upgrade Greece’s brand name, the report notes.

More specifically, listed in the report are the following projects, investments and privatizations:

– Hellinikon on the Athenian Riviera, which includes an integrated casino resort;
– a new cruise terminal at Piraeus port expected to be operational by 2023;
– a new marina at Alimos;
– the new Heraklion airport in Kastelli, Crete;
– the expansion of the Naxos and Chios regional airports;
– the new marina in Monolithos, Santorini;
– the privatization of a number of ports countrywide;
– the privatization of Athens International Airport;
– the upgrade and increased connectivity of the country’s train/rail network;
– modernized road networks including Crete’s North Road Axis;
– and finally, the framework for the operation of some 150 waterways.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
Photo credit: thehellinikon.com

A magnificent tapestry depicting the School of Athens painting by the Italian master Raphael has been loaned to Greece by France to adorn Greek Parliament. The priceless 18th-century tapestry was sent to Athens in honor of the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution and War of Independence.

Parliamentary President Konstantinos Tasoulas and the French Ambassador in Athens, Patrick Maisonnave, attended the hanging of the tapestry on a wall in Parliament.

The masterpiece has adorned the French National Assembly since 1879 and arrived in our country as a gift from the French Republic to Greece on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
Photo credit: AMNA

Welcome to the age of virtual tours! Would any of us actively choose a virtual tour over a real life one? How could it possibly measure up; stripped of the sounds, tastes, smells and general hubbub of life? But with so many postponed holidays, many tour operators are stepping into the void with immersive and live guided city interactions that provide wonderful “appetisers” for the real thing.

 

Not only can they be a great way to stay close to the places we love, from afar; they’re also a fun and engaging way for separated friends, families and colleagues to bond. So, This is Athens and some of their friends went on a virtual tour of 10 city highlights that challenge the common perception of Athens, through a mix of informal narration, video clips and photography.

Here are some of the colourful revelations that inspired them to dig deeper into their exploration of Athens (even for those of us who live here)!

That Old Black Magic
In the historic neighbourhood of Keramikos lies one of the least visited archaeological treasures of Athens, we’re told. The Ancient Necropolis of Keramikos, built atop the Eridanos River (which once flowed through the area until the Romans covered it up). This below-radar site spans 11-acres and is filled with monumental graves, tombstones and dramatic marble statues from the 4th to 5th century BC (including a rather menacing bull!). Most visitors miss this extraordinary spot. Even fewer encounter its fascinating dark history, apparently.

“In 2016, a very big well was discovered here with many nice objects such as cups and coins and tablets made of lead,” says Thomas. “And these tablets were found to have some ‘bad words’ on them to invoke harm on other people. So these ‘curse tablets’ are said to be like an ancient form of black magic.”

Kalliopi takes over the tale: “Ancient Athenians believed that water was sacred and a way to connect to the underworld. It was very common to place these tablets with curses written on them in the water of the wells, to communicate their wishes to Hades.”

“So if you come and visit the on-site museum here, you can see these curse tablets for yourself. They are in a small corner though, so you have to really look out for them.”

More Poetic Tales Of The Dead
From ancient souls to departed modern Greek heroes, we venture to another remarkable off-grid burial ground. This one is the First Cemetery of Athens and you’ll find it near the Panathenaic Stadium in Pangrati. It’s the final resting place, we learn, for a poetic pantheon of the great and good of Greece. Built in 1837, shortly after the founding of the modern Greek state, there’s everyone from eminent politicians, artists and actors, to prominent Philhellenes and beloved figures of the Greek Revolution interred at this prestigious listed space.

We flip through a series of beautiful photographs. Magnificent marble tombs graced with exquisite sculptures; whimsical white chapels; all framed by towering pines and cypresses. It feels like half-park and half open-air museum. Or a free outdoor sculpture gallery, if you like.

Thomas stops at the star of the show: “Here is the Sleeping Maiden, created by one of Greece’s most important Greek sculptors, Yannoulis Chalepas, from Tinos; an island renowned for its famous marble and sculptors. It is the diamond of the First Cemetery.”

And again, at a particularly grand tomb with a soaring sculpture that resembles a mini-Parthenon: “This is the mausoleum of Heinrich Schliemann who excavated ancient Troy. He had a great love for Greece and asked to be buried here.”

You’ll need to carve out a chunk of time to see all the marvellous sights at this unexpected architectural trove, advises Thomas. “It’s very big, so you might need maybe five hours to wander the whole site. But believe me, it’s very, very interesting, with many amazing monuments.” Adds Kalliopi: “You will also find a lot of cats. Cats are everywhere in Athens.”

How Street Art Is Rebranding Athens (One Mural At A Time)
“We have made it our mission to track down and photograph all the best street art in Athens,” says Kalliopi, as we arrive at what is clearly their favourite part of the tour. “Do you recognise anything about this mural? Something about the eyes, perhaps?” she asks. On our screens is an arresting black and white street art canvas, from the urban neighbourhood of Gazi. “They’re the eyes of Mona Lisa?” guesses Ellen. Correctly, it turns out. Thomas elaborates: “In Mona Lisa’s left eye, you can see a protestor. In her right, there is a policeman holding a riot shield. So it’s a comment that if the real Mona Lisa was watching over the streets of the modern city of Athens, this is what she would see.”

The acrylic paint mural was created in 2018, by Athens’ most internationally famous street artist INO, and forms part of his extended homage to Leonardo da Vinci. The collective work stretches for nearly one hundred metres across the old Bus Depot building in Pireos Street. Like Banksy, INO’s identity is a closely-guarded secret.

More evocative murals from other artists light up our screens one by one. I won’t spoil the fun for everyone else—but my personal favourite is the sky-scraping reading lady (aka “So Many Books, So Little Time” by SimpleG). It appeared on the side of a building in Metaxourgeio in 2019 as part of the Little Paris Festival and apparently it’s been voted as one of the world’s top 50 street art murals.

“What do the residents of Athens think of all this street art?” asks Ellen. “Are they divided?” “It is controversial,” admits Thomas. “The younger people generally like it. For them it’s uplifting. Many older people consider it all graffiti, even the murals.”

Regardless, over the past ten years, Athens has become one of the hottest European capitals of street art; its movement now active and diverse.

“The motivation was the financial crisis,” elaborates Kalliopi, “The city felt like an open notepad where people could express their feelings and anger outside. But nowadays, it’s become more creative and artistic. We have artworks whose only purpose is to beautify the area.” We all find this street art segment the most engaging part of the tour. As Helen says: “It’s so interesting to see how street art has changed in Athens. It’s gone from angry slogans to some truly stunning pieces of work. It definitely makes me want to wander around and see more.”

To read more and book your own virtual tour visit This is Athens!

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.


Photo Credit: Awesome Athens Experiences

The Panhellenic Student Negotiation Competition Athens Negotiations Tournament is back for the third consecutive year! On May 8 th and the two weekends after that students from Universities in Greece and Cyprus will be the protagonists of real time negotiations.

The Athens Negotiations Tournament (ANT) is an initiative of the Business Administration Department of Athens University of Economics and Business, supervised by Assistant Professor, Dr. Ilias Kapoutsis.

The aim of the competition is to be the annual meeting place for students across Greece and the world to resolve disputes and strengthen the negotiating skills that are necessary for transition and prosperity in the 4th industrial revolution.

The first two qualifying rounds are divided into two phases (8-9 May and 15-16 May respectively), and will be held remotely. The 24 teams that will collect the highest scores from the first qualifying round will progress to the second and then, the 8 highest ranking teams will participate in the third round on May 22nd. On May 23rd the two highest- scoring teams will participate in the finale of the competition. Participants, throughout the qualifying rounds, will get the chance to show off their negotiating skills, test their speed and effectiveness and gain valuable experience.

Those interested may submit their application from 18 March to 18 April 2021 through the website of the event: www.ant.aueb.gr (Website is in Greek).
Participants will be selected based on their education, past work experience, any awards and distinctions, their geographical origin, as well as, an accompanying video in which they explain the reasons why they believe that they should be selected to take part.

 

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of Athens Negotiations Tournament

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The cultural platform GREECE IN USA is a New York based organization that promotes Greek culture in the US and promotes international cultural cooperation. Founded in New York by the curator and adjunct professor at CUNY City University of New York Sozita Goudouna, one of America's most prominent Greek art professionals. GREECE IN USA makes an impressive launch amid a pandemic, launching, under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, the group exhibition "The Right to Silence" / "The Right to Silence" on the penitentiary system, prison and incarceration regimes and the reform of criminal justice, in different geographical and political contexts. The first edition of the exhibition is currently being presented at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, City University of New York with the participation of 43 Greek and Cypriot Artists, while the second parallel program is expected to launch in May 2021 at "Undercurrent", one of the most influential exhibition venues for American and European cultural programs like EUNIC.

What is GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA is a non-profit organization of global scope, which promotes the knowledge of modern and ancient Greek culture abroad and promotes international cultural cooperation and social participation. The platform focuses on the dissemination of innovative and unique programs in the field of the arts and education, exploring the evolving diversity and richness of Greek culture, seeks to create and provoke new (original) thinking about the arts and to promote intercultural dialogue through and “new” expression platforms. The non-profit focuses on a number of cultural activities, including the development and support of creative, academic research with an emphasis on cultural policy and the extroversion of Greek culture. As well as in the production of commissions and festivals in collaboration with prominent US cultural partners, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops and cultural exchanges through 'art residencies' hosting programs.

GREECE IN USA presents Greek-American and Greek contemporary productions focusing on the visual arts, performing arts (theater), experimental cinema, cinema, new media, architecture and dance. The organization develops productions that meet the needs of the spaces (on-site-specific) and the new and intermediate media (new media & intermedia). The promotion of the international exchange of practices and knowledge in the arts, the exploration of the methods used in theatrical and curatorial practices and the points of intersection between the arts, society and the public sphere through interventions, collective actions, educational programs and publications, is in progress. of interest to the organization. The Board of Directors of GREECE IN USA consists of prominent personalities including Yiannis Kaplanis, General Manager of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Andreas Takis, President of MoMUS, Nektarios Antoniou, Head of Culture, St Nicholas, Rachel Katwan, Pomegranate Arts among others.

What are the goals of GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA aims to collaborate and build long-term partnerships with leading institutions and individuals active in Greece and its culture and to transfer a comprehensive representation of Greece and Cyprus through the production of cultural and educational programs that encourage interdisciplinary and allow cultural participation.

The main objectives are:
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To recalibrate the assumed center of Greek national narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition.
- To transform the way Greek histories are told and produce projects that reflect the vast, rich complexity of Greek culture.
- To support Greek inspired cultural practices by welcoming and nurturing new ideas and influential perspectives
- To commission, produce and present contemporary Greek and Cypriot culture that grapple with many of the pressing social and political issues of our time
- To foster Greek scholarship and cultural research within the American educational system
- To develop a transatlantic network for the exchange of culture and ideas
- To strengthen the development of structures in cultural policy & leadership and foster worldwide mobility.

The woman behind GREECE IN USA
Sozita Goudouna is the inspirer, founder and artistic director of GREECE IN USA, head of the Raymond Pettibon Foundation, one of America's most prominent artists and adjunct professor at CUNY City University of New York. She is the author of "Beckett's Breath: Anti-theatricality and the Visual Arts" published by Edinburgh Critical Studies in Modernism and researcher at the Organism for Poetic Research supported by NYU and Brown University. Sozita has taught from 2015 at New York University as the inaugural Andrew W. Mellon Post-Doctoral Curatorial fellow at Performa Biennial in NYC. Her internationally exhibited projects include participations at New Museum NYC, Performa Biennial and Institute in New York, Documenta, Onassis Foundation New York, Hunterian Museum London, EMST, Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum among others.  She served as treasurer of the board of directors of AICA Hellas International Art Critics Association and as member of the board of directors at ITI International Theatre Association, Unesco.

 

The Authentic Marathon Swim returns, after its historical revival, for the 2nd consecutive year, on July 2-4, 2021, at Artemision. Amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad will have the opportunity to enjoy the great sports event, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos, with absolute safety.


The Authentic Route
Further to last year’s participation of world-class names, after 2,500 years, the authentic 10km route revives once again allowing swimmers from around the world to swim over the shipwrecks of the naval battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C. Athletes will follow the example of Skyllias and his daughter Hydna, the very first “marathon swimmers”, according to The Father of History, Herodotus, who helped the Greek forces in the historic naval battle of Artemision against the Persian fleet. The demanding route will be held at the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia and Fthiotida

Early Bird Registrations – A new 5km route is added
Participants can now register and take part in the impressive 10km, 3km, 1.5km routes, as well as in the new 5km route that will be held this year for the first time, taking advantage of the early bird prices. Offers are valid until 30/04/2021, reaching up to a 33% discount. Registration for the 800m children’s race is free. The routes of 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 800m. have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point.

Last year’s absolutely successful adherence of the safety measures and the historical revival of the authentic marathon swimming route, set an example and composed a guide for the safe implementation of all races, again this year. The event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol to be established by the experienced team of ActiveMedia Group, based on the instructions of the special scientists-collaborators of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the recommendations of the Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Scientific Committee, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees.

All routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim have been designed by the Greek national swimming coach with distinctions in Olympic Games & world open water swimming championships, Nikos Gemelos. The event prioritizing the absolute safety of its athletes, will provide once again everyone with a safety lifeguard buoy since its use by professional and amateur athletes is mandatory. 2

The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos, while ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its sports production. The event’s official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim is again this year, the way of communicating on social media, for the use of unique images and videos from the exciting moments and memories of the participants in the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos.

Photo Credit: Elias Lefas