LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 23 April 2019 13:32
Athens Festival - Angelica Liddel And Nora Chipaumire
Two unconventionally artistic women will perform at Peireos 260 on the 30th of May, each with their own unique show.
Angelica Liddell returns to the Athens Festival five years after her last performance "All the Sky Above the Earth". In Genesis 6, 6-7, Liddell blends poetry and theatre, weaving together the myth of Medea with the Old Testament.
The title refers to the first book of the Old Testament and more specifically in that moment when God regrets creating humankind and decides to destroy all life on the planet.
In #PUNK, first part of a music trilogy, the choreographer Nora Chipaumire, draws inspiration from her years in Zimbabwe during the 1970s and 1980s.
The word ‘punk’ refers to the music of that period, but also to an uncompromising, anti-commercial way of living, built on the principles of self-reliance and do-it-yourself.
Through her one-of-a-kind visual landscapes and soundscapes, she tackles concepts such as self-depiction, biography, emancipation, independence, adopting a distinctly punk take on the concept of ‘future’: there is no future; the future is already embedded in the present.
Schedule:
- Angelica Liddell: Genesis 6, 6-7 (May 30-31 at 21:00)
- Nora Chipaumire: #PUNK (May 30-June 1 at 23:00)
XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival
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Performing Arts
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Wednesday, 19 June 2019 12:56
Greek Festival - Yo-Yo Ma At The Odeon Of Herodes Atticus
Athens will proudly be one of the 36 stops of Yo-Yo Ma's World Tour on the 30th of June.
Yo-Yo Ma is widely considered the greatest cellist globally and with the Bach Project he will perform 6 unaccompanied suites of Bach on cello, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
His performance is undoubtedly one of the musical highlights of this summer since his incredible talent has led him to some amazing collaborations with famous singers, such as Carlos Santana, and his participation in well-known movie's soundtracks like ''The Mission'' and ''Memoirs of a Geisha''.
This true world-class performance presented by the Athens Festival will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
This true world-class performance presented by the Athens Festival will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
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Music
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Friday, 26 April 2019 00:12
The Squeeze By Orange Grove
Orange Grove's thrilling pitching competition "The Squeeze" is back on Tuesday 14th of May, at 18:00, co-organized by the Netherlands Embassy and the U.S. Embassy in Greece! And this edition of “The Squeeze” is even more exciting as it features innovative startups from the Food and Agri-tech sector.
Eight Agrifood startups will go head-to-head on Orange Grove’s stage, pitching their business ideas to a panel of distinguished judges from the U.S., the Netherlands and Greece. This is a unique opportunity to be part of one of the top startup competitions in Greece that attracts investors, journalists, successful entrepreneurs, ambitious startuppers and members of the startup ecosystem, all offering inspiration and connections.
This is the international judges’ panel for this year's "The Squeeze":
- Alphons van Broekhoven, Director at Reggeborgh
- Amu Fowler, Managing Director at ViveDC
- Arjan de Jong, Specialist Lead Data & Analytics at Vattenfall
- Marisa Antonopoulou, Business Development Manager at Action Finance Initiative
We are also excited to welcome back as our presenter Jan Franke, a Dutch journalist in the field of Technology and Innovation and a startup enthusiast and mentor based in Tel Aviv.
This year, “The Squeeze” is an official “Road to GES” event, highlighting the strong partnership between the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the U.S. Government in organizing the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (www.ges2019.org) in The Hague, June 4-5, 2019. The theme of GES 2019 is The Future Now, and it will attract 2,000 entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and innovation ecosystem partners in five focus sectors: Agri-Food, Connectivity, Energy, Health, and Water. Access to finance, job creation and women’s economic empowerment will be overarching themes.
Once “The Squeeze” winners are announced, the event continues with networking, lots of beer, courtesy of Heineken, main sponsor of Orange Grove, and delicious pizza offered by the event’s sponsor L’ Artigiano. Media sponsors of the event are Kathimerini newspaper and SKAI TV channel.
“The Squeeze" competition is open to the public and entry is free.
And as always, on the day before “The Squeeze,” you will have the opportunity to meet the judges at the “Orange Stories” event, during which the judges will discuss their experiences and the challenges they faced during their path to success, and answer questions from the audience.
The event open to the public and entry is free, so please sign up HERE
!
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Business
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Sunday, 21 April 2019 23:56
FokiaNou Art Space - Lead The Way
Socrates: Let us turn aside here and go along the Ilisos; then we can sit down quietly wherever we please.
Phaedrus: I am fortunate, it seems, in being barefoot; you are so always. It is easiest then for us to go along the brook with our feet in the water, and it is not unpleasant, especially at this time of the year and the day.
Socrates: Lead on then, and look out for a good place where we may sit.
Phaedrus: Do you see that very tall plane tree?
Socrates: What of it?
Phaedrus: There is shade there and a moderate breeze and grass to sit on, or, if we like, to lie down on.
Socrates: Lead the way.
FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present the work of Sebastian Boulter, an Athens-based painter from Finland whose work often refers to environmental issues. He is interested in manipulated landscapes by human beings and other traces and tracks that humans leave behind them in nature. This exhibition of a series of drawings and paintings takes as its subject the river Ilisos, from the area between Kaisariani and Kallithea. Although this part of the river has been covered, that does not preclude one from having a philosophical discussion with a friend next to the river.
Boulter holds a Master degree in painting from The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels, Belgium. In Athens for the past year he has served as a cultural attache in the Finnish Institute at Athens, acted as a curator and has been involved in cultural exchange between Finland and Greece.The exhibition has been organized by FokiaNou Art Space and The Finnish Institute at Athens, with a grant from VISEK.
Opening: Thursday, 9 May 2019, 19.00
Duration: 9 May – 1 June, 2019.
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday 17.00 - 20.00.
Phaedrus: I am fortunate, it seems, in being barefoot; you are so always. It is easiest then for us to go along the brook with our feet in the water, and it is not unpleasant, especially at this time of the year and the day.
Socrates: Lead on then, and look out for a good place where we may sit.
Phaedrus: Do you see that very tall plane tree?
Socrates: What of it?
Phaedrus: There is shade there and a moderate breeze and grass to sit on, or, if we like, to lie down on.
Socrates: Lead the way.
FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present the work of Sebastian Boulter, an Athens-based painter from Finland whose work often refers to environmental issues. He is interested in manipulated landscapes by human beings and other traces and tracks that humans leave behind them in nature. This exhibition of a series of drawings and paintings takes as its subject the river Ilisos, from the area between Kaisariani and Kallithea. Although this part of the river has been covered, that does not preclude one from having a philosophical discussion with a friend next to the river.
Boulter holds a Master degree in painting from The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels, Belgium. In Athens for the past year he has served as a cultural attache in the Finnish Institute at Athens, acted as a curator and has been involved in cultural exchange between Finland and Greece.The exhibition has been organized by FokiaNou Art Space and The Finnish Institute at Athens, with a grant from VISEK.
Opening: Thursday, 9 May 2019, 19.00
Duration: 9 May – 1 June, 2019.
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday 17.00 - 20.00.
Published in
Art
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Thursday, 25 April 2019 17:06
Athens Street Food Festival 2019
Just like every May, this year's top cultural event, the Athens Street Food Festival is returning to Athens!
For nine days (May 10-11-12, May 17-18-19 and May 24-25-26) the Old Depot of OSY in Gazi will become the meeting point for foodies, families, friends, tourists, and all those who wish to taste new street flavors from every corner of the world.
Athens Street Food Festival started back in 2016 with the aim of making the Athenian public aware of street food culture. The public's reaction was so overwhelming that the concept of "street food" rapidly spread to become the ultimate gastronomic trend in the country!
With more than 250,000 visitors in total, Athens Street Food Festival is the largest food festival in Greece, a real institution for the gastronomy of the country.
In this year's fourth edition, the "recipe" remains the same with love for food, careful selection of participants from all over Greece, new ideas and a wide variety of flavors.
Published in
Food & Drink
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Thursday, 28 April 2022 09:00
How To Make A May Day Flower Wreath
May Day or Protomagia is one of the most anticipated holidays in Greece. The 1st of May is also Labor Day and is celebrated in many counties across the world. Taking place during the peak of the flower season, Protomagia is profoundly connected to flowers. Flower shows and festivals are very common during the month of May and people spend time grooming their yards, balconies, and gardens.
Many families in Greece spend the 1st of May holiday outdoors, and making a wreath from wildflowers is one of the most iconic Greek Protomagia traditions. The wreaths are then hung on entrances, doors, and balconies and are left to dry until they are burned on June 24, for the celebration of St John the Harvester.
Even though wreaths are sold in flower shops, at regional flower festivals, and even on the street, making your own is even better! The result will probably not be as skillful as a store brought wreath, however, it’s a great and rewarding family activity.
Don’t forget to bring along your gardening shears, some string or florist wire, and loads of enthusiasm!
Main Image: @travellingwithgiannis
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Greek Traditions
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Tuesday, 23 April 2019 00:28
Thessaloniki Metro Construction Reveals A Startling Number Of Ancient Artefacts
The construction of the metro network underneath the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece has unearthed an extraordinary number of ancient artefacts.
In fact, archaeologists have discovered more than 300,000 artefacts, including jewellery, coins, amphorae, oil lamps, perfume vases, and marble statues. During the metro construction works, more than 5,000 tombs and graves were uncovered, some of them containing exquisite golden wreaths.
These relics of Thessaloniki’s ancient past have been in what would have been the thriving commercial center of the ancient city, which, after Constantinople, was the second most important conurbation in the Byzantine Empire.
The progress of the city's network of 18 stations was severely stalled due to the discovery of so many antiquities. It is now expected to be operational next year.
'The quality and the quantity of the findings is really impressive. They reveal the continuity of the history of Thessaloniki and Macedonia.' Yannis Mylopoulos, the chairman of Attiko Metro, the company building the network, told The Telegraph.
To read this article in full, please visit: The TelegraphPhoto: Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Thessaloniki
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Greece In The News
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Sunday, 14 April 2019 18:40
ACS Athens And Hope Initiatives International Partnership
ACS Athens continuously takes an active stand in civic responsibility and environmental issues.
“The school’s dedication in Serving Humanity drives ACS Athens to seek strong partners who share the same vision for a better world,” said ACS Athens President Dr. Stefanos Gialamas. Such an opportunity presented itself at the World Human Forum Convergence at Delphi, when Dr. Gialamas, met Don Mullan, a renowned social entrepreneur and founder of the Hope Initiatives International project under the DonMullan Organization.
During his recent visit to ACS Athens, Mr. Mullan discussed with Dr. Gialamas the significant synergy potential between the two institutions and announced their partnership regarding Africa’s Great Green Wall, an initiative of the African Union, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
ACS Athens, through its civic responsibility and volunteer programs, that are embedded in its academic curriculum, will involve its community to become active supporters of this cause.
ACS Athens is the first school in the world to partner with the Great Green Wall initiative in order to develop a similar environmental project in Greece according to the needs and biodiversity specifications of its ecosystem.
“Through the collaboration and partnership with ACS Athens we hope that we can inspire schools, colleges and universities around the world to join with us in planting millions of trees worldwide and across the Sahel Region in Africa in an effort to halt desertification, grow food security, restore degraded lands and combat the threats posed by Global Warming.” Don Mullan noted on the foundation of this alliance.
African countries have taken the initiative to restore degraded land and thus prevent the estimated 60-million people fleeing sub-Saharan Africa due to desertification. The Great Green Wall is planned to span 13 countries with 8,000 kilometers from east to west and 15 kilometers in depth.
Inspired by this effort, Don Mullan has initiated a number of projects and has been instrumental in achieving a EUR 1.2 million contribution from the Irish Government for a transcontinental UNCCD inventory of the Great Green Wall with a view to a major upscaling of efforts to ensure this 21st Century New World Wonder is delivered by 2030.
“The school’s dedication in Serving Humanity drives ACS Athens to seek strong partners who share the same vision for a better world,” said ACS Athens President Dr. Stefanos Gialamas. Such an opportunity presented itself at the World Human Forum Convergence at Delphi, when Dr. Gialamas, met Don Mullan, a renowned social entrepreneur and founder of the Hope Initiatives International project under the DonMullan Organization.
During his recent visit to ACS Athens, Mr. Mullan discussed with Dr. Gialamas the significant synergy potential between the two institutions and announced their partnership regarding Africa’s Great Green Wall, an initiative of the African Union, under the auspices of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
ACS Athens, through its civic responsibility and volunteer programs, that are embedded in its academic curriculum, will involve its community to become active supporters of this cause.
ACS Athens is the first school in the world to partner with the Great Green Wall initiative in order to develop a similar environmental project in Greece according to the needs and biodiversity specifications of its ecosystem.
“Through the collaboration and partnership with ACS Athens we hope that we can inspire schools, colleges and universities around the world to join with us in planting millions of trees worldwide and across the Sahel Region in Africa in an effort to halt desertification, grow food security, restore degraded lands and combat the threats posed by Global Warming.” Don Mullan noted on the foundation of this alliance.
African countries have taken the initiative to restore degraded land and thus prevent the estimated 60-million people fleeing sub-Saharan Africa due to desertification. The Great Green Wall is planned to span 13 countries with 8,000 kilometers from east to west and 15 kilometers in depth.
Inspired by this effort, Don Mullan has initiated a number of projects and has been instrumental in achieving a EUR 1.2 million contribution from the Irish Government for a transcontinental UNCCD inventory of the Great Green Wall with a view to a major upscaling of efforts to ensure this 21st Century New World Wonder is delivered by 2030.
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 22 April 2019 07:00
Mazi Farm: Farming For The Future
Mazi Farm
Located on the island of Euboea in central Greece, Mazi Farm is a 5-hectare farm that produces fids, pomegranates, almonds, and pistachios. Unlike most farms in Greece and the Mediterranean, Mazi Farm is a farm of regenerative agriculture, a technique that strives to produce quality food whilst having a positive environmental impact, enriching our social context and being financially sustainable.
The team of farmers are applying agricultural techniques capable of building soil, protecting biodiversity, keeping rivers clean, and capturing carbon from the atmosphere while producing an abundance of healthy nutritious food. At the heart of their approach is agroforestry, the union of agriculture and forests. Forests are vital to the health of our ecosystems and provide numerous ecosystem services that we can include in our farming practices.
The Farmers
Back in 2017, the Tsitsos family took a leap, a very big leap… they decided to become agroforestry farmers. The family, which was spread out in different parts of the world, reunited to become full-time farmers, restore a rugged 5-hectare plot, regenerate the land, and manage to grow highly nutritious food.
Dimitri, Georges, Etienne, Christine, and Solene have put their previous lives behind and have committed to actively participate in the restoration of our ecosystem and to harvest nutrient-dense produce that’s healthy and wholesome.
Together, they are farming for the future and so far, have planted 8,000 fruit & wild trees.
Located on the island of Euboea in central Greece, Mazi Farm is a 5-hectare farm that produces fids, pomegranates, almonds, and pistachios. Unlike most farms in Greece and the Mediterranean, Mazi Farm is a farm of regenerative agriculture, a technique that strives to produce quality food whilst having a positive environmental impact, enriching our social context and being financially sustainable.
The team of farmers are applying agricultural techniques capable of building soil, protecting biodiversity, keeping rivers clean, and capturing carbon from the atmosphere while producing an abundance of healthy nutritious food. At the heart of their approach is agroforestry, the union of agriculture and forests. Forests are vital to the health of our ecosystems and provide numerous ecosystem services that we can include in our farming practices.
The Farmers
Back in 2017, the Tsitsos family took a leap, a very big leap… they decided to become agroforestry farmers. The family, which was spread out in different parts of the world, reunited to become full-time farmers, restore a rugged 5-hectare plot, regenerate the land, and manage to grow highly nutritious food.
Dimitri, Georges, Etienne, Christine, and Solene have put their previous lives behind and have committed to actively participate in the restoration of our ecosystem and to harvest nutrient-dense produce that’s healthy and wholesome.
Together, they are farming for the future and so far, have planted 8,000 fruit & wild trees.
To support Mazi Farm, please click here.
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 18 April 2019 13:41
Kea Island ~ A Hiker's Paradise
When we think of the Cyclades islands, the traditional white houses of Mykonos and Santorini immediately spring to mind, yet not many have heard of Kea – an unsung destination, the closest Cyclades getaway to Athens, but one that feels much further away. Within an hour from the port of Lavrio, you reach a haven of serenity, an island of distinct charm and surprisingly varied landscape. Wild, rugged slopes and steep mountains contrast with vast green valleys interspersed by almond groves and oak forests. Kea or Tzia has always been popular among Athenians but still remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Kea is a hiker's paradise with a large circuit of exciting trails that lead to fascinating coves and the ruins of ancient cities. Walking is the best way to explore the island, starting from the capital, Ioulis, a traditional Cycladic settlement amphitheatrically built on the slopes of two hills, with stone-paved streets and picturesque cobbled paths that offer the ideal setting for atmospheric strolls. Some of the major attractions include the island’s mascot, the imposing statue of the Lion of Kea, and the Venetian castle. Kea has also been blessed with lovely off-the-beaten-track beaches. The long sandy beaches of Otzias and Gialiskari are the most popular, while Koundouros is yet another incredible beach, awarded with a blue flag. The fishing village of Vourkari as well as the port of Korissia, which teems with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants are worth exploring. Last but not least, the monastery of Panagia Kastriani located at the northeastern part of the island, structured on precipitous rocks offers sweeping vistas.
The well-preserved network of footpaths provided the ultimate setting for Kea Challenge, a trail running event that took place on 13 and 14 of April 2019. In order to promote the traditional trekking paths and the cultural history of Kea, the island participated in the Cyclades Trail Cup 2019, a series of running events in Greek islands, aiming to provide incentives for athletes to explore the Cyclades islands via unique routes, specially tailored to the topography of each area.
Kea Challenge, the first event of the Cyclades Trail Cup 2019, welcomed 120 athletes from Greece and abroad and comprised 3 unique running routes. The athletes had to combine a downhill race on the first day with either a 5 km or 18 km route on the next day. The Karthaia downhill race took place on Saturday, April 13, under pouring rain. From the Stavroudaki settlement, the participants followed the traditional paths and dirt road that led steeply down to the ancient theatre of Karthaia. After a total descent of 240 meters, the athletes were rewarded with a landscape of impeccable beauty; an unspoiled beach and the remaining fragments of columns that proved the city’s former glory. On Saturday night, the participants visited the Folklore Museum of Milopotamos village in order to listen to traditional music, mingle with the locals, and get to know Kea.
On Sunday, April 14, the athletes had a choice to participate in either the 5 km or the 18 km race. The starting point of the race was next to the Municipality building of Kea, in Ioulis. The first kilometer was along the sun-drenched streets of Chora and then the runners followed amazing hiking trails to discover Kea’s verdant and diverse landscape, green covered hills, and lush foliage. The traditional, local treats at the finish line were undoubtedly a delicious reward!
Whether you enjoy hiking, exploring historic sites, strolling down stone-laid trails, sailing or swimming in crystalline waters, the island’s distinctive morphology and amazing coastline offer unlimited options. Kea is an underrated, enchanting destination that will definitely seduce nature lovers, and is just a stone's throw away from Athens!
Photo Credit: Ypatia Kornarou - GreekTV.com
Published in
Travel Greece
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