When you listen to Greek radio, Greek songs, or you live in Greece, of course, you hear Greek all the time. However, if you do not understand what is said, do not worry - you can still enjoy Greece and Greek life, without speaking Greek! 

But the more you live in Greece, and the more Greek you hear on the streets, in the shops, on the radio, etc., it's only natural to desire to understand and communicate with Greeks, in their native language of course.

So why not trying to communicate in Greek with the locals? Even if you start in Greek and finish the conversation in English, it does not matter. As long you show you try, you will make friends forever.

Of course, nobody tells you it is easy! Understanding Greek or having a normal conversation in Greek always contains grammar structures, slang, a lot of vocabulary, etc. But do not be afraid of making mistakes, it is the best way to learn.

How, when, or where to start learning Greek?

A. Learn with a Greek friend or try lessons with a Greek teacher close to your home or online. You don't need to spend years learning Greek. Instead, you can use simple sentences and limited vocabulary which you use on a daily basis in Greece. The friendly reactions and comments from Greeks, impressed by your effort to learn their language, will motivate you to continue learning more.

B. Try the “Greek Speaking Starter Kit” an online multi-media starter kit, made by the Omilo Greek Language School.  

C. Learn Greek by yourself. Learning a language on your own, without a teacher, is fun, but, keep in mind, that it can be full of difficult moments and delay the entire process by many years.

 

Masaresi.com was founded by Maya Cornelissens-Andreadi, who shares her experience about how “to integrate in Greece and feel like a local”. Masaresi = μας αρέσει = we like it! Discover the “real Greece," while delving into all the aspects of Greek life – from modern lifestyle and culture to history, literature, traditions, and many more.

Explore Greece - Read About Greece - Buy Greek - Learn Greek

 

Located in Athens, Alexandria Institute organizes Modern and Ancient Greek language and culture courses. Our seminars are held in Athens, Chios, Paros and in various other places in Greece as well as Greek online courses. We also offer teacher training courses, and we organize lectures and cultural walks. If you live in Athens and you want to communicate with locals in daily life situations, the courses we offer are ideal for you.

If you want to learn more about life in Athens and in Greece in general, understand Greek culture and the locals, the way they think, their lifestyle, traditions, and customs, then join our Greek language courses! Choose what works best for you and your needs:

Focusing specifically on the students’ special needs, preferences and interests, our courses can be arranged in a way that meets those requirements. In addition to teaching the language, we offer cultural activities. The courses are part of a wide range of training and cultural activities aimed at presenting you with a complete educational and cultural experience in Athens.

If you already speak some Greek, find out your level though our placement tests and sign up for the most suitable course for you!

Whether you have limited free time (one or two weeks) or you can make more, Alexandria Institute can come up with the schedule that is suitable to your needs and capabilities.

Our purpose is to help you learn Greek and be able to communicate from the very beginning!

Do you live in Athens and you are facing everyday challenges?

At Alexandria Institute, we can provide you not only Greek courses, but also, we help you overcome challenges in communication of the everyday life of the city.

Our goal is to make our way through learning Greek in a modern, creative, and fun way! We are using contemporary tools, equipment, and educational material to help you learn the language though an exclusive and entertaining educational experience.

Location of the School: 5 minutes walking distance from the metro station NEA IONIA.

We're happy to announce a new Media Sponsorship collaboration with the "Authentic Marathon Swim". We thank them for their trust and amicable support!

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.

We love sharing events and letting our community know what's on in Athens and around Greece! Whether it’s art, music, sports, food & drink, or community events, our aim is to encourage people to embrace and experience all that Athens has to offer! We keep our readers up-to-date with what’s on, and what’s coming up in our great city.

Part of the work that we do at XpatAthens is to collaborate with many different venues, digital platforms and event planners/hosts as Media Sponsors - you're welcome to learn more and see our sponsorships here.

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If you'd like to learn more about sharing your event on XpatAthens,
please contact us here to tell us more about your upcoming event.

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We're happy to announce a new Media Sponsorship collaboration with Run Messinia 2021 We thank them for their trust and amicable support!

Run Messinia is an ultramarathon race of a total distance of approximately 421 kilometers, a tribute to the important events and unforgettable battles of the heroes of 1821. On June 5-14, 2021, during the “Run for Freedom” edition, 10 athletes per route will attempt to run 10 marathons in total, in 10 consecutive days, crossing historical places and monuments of Messinia, Laconia, and Arcadia, which are related to the Greek revolution.

We love sharing events and letting our community know what's on in Athens and around Greece! Whether it’s art, music, sports, food & drink, or community events, our aim is to encourage people to embrace and experience all that Athens has to offer! We keep our readers up-to-date with what’s on, and what’s coming up in our great city.

Part of the work that we do at XpatAthens is to collaborate with many different venues, digital platforms and event planners/hosts as Media Sponsors - you're welcome to learn more and see our sponsorships here.

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If you'd like to learn more about sharing your event on XpatAthens,
please contact us here to tell us more about your upcoming event.

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Contemporary Greek music has a deep history that expands over 100+ years. This “A Capella compilation”, an idea of the Greek artist Nikolas Raptakis and his friends, includes bits and bobs of many different hit songs, one after the other and brilliantly shows how Greek music has changed over the decades. 

The journey through the history of Greek music starts with rebetiko and the traditional. Rebetiko originated from the music of large, mainly coastal cities of Asia Minor, where big Greek communities lived and prospered during the Ottoman era. It is closely related to nightlife entertainment – ouzeries and tavernas.

Another song by Markos Vamvakaris leads us into the 40s. In the 1950s, rebetiko started changing and giving its place to a new-ish genre, laïkó. Chiotis created the idea of entertainment venues the way people understood them in Greece in the decades to follow. He is also considered one of the best bouzouki players of all times.

Towards the end of the 50s, a new music genre appears in Greece, which is called entechno – orchestral music with elements from Greek folk rhythm and melody. The lyrics of the songs are often poems written by Greek poets, to which significant composers like Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis are adding music.

1960-1970-1980

Greek cinema bloomed in the 60s and so did Greek music since many movies had music and dance sequences like modern musicals. It is thus no coincidence that this part of the videos starts with Ipomoni and Tosa Kalokairia, which are both from Greek movies of that time.

The music of that era, especially from the 1970s onwards, carries a lot of optimism, enthusiasm, and some hippie vibes.

To read more and learn some Greek music history please visit: masaresi.com

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Do you want to change something that bothers you or that you no longer like but you are having a hard time? Don’t be surprised. Habits do not change easily. Having said that, however, it is up to you to succeed. The way to do it is by training your mind.

The word “training” includes two beautiful words: Fun and Power. That’s right! Having a good time while doing something is an essential component of the learning process. It is not only the goal, the result but also the process that is important. It won’t make a real difference to reach your own “Ithaca,” to achieve what you said you want if during the way you constantly look for ways to escape. When you enjoy what you do you get multiple benefits: your interest is high, you have fun, you always find the time, you do everything in your power to keep going and at the same time you learn. This whole process makes you stronger.

Do you remember the time you were madly in love, at the beginning of the relationship, when you found all kinds of different ways to fight adversity so that you may be together with your boyfriend or girlfriend? It’s exactly like this. Regardless of the obstacles, it is this enthusiasm and this power that guide you when you want to change something that you do not like or that stresses you.

So first think about the things you enjoy doing, those that make you happy. Then write them down and prioritize them. Choose one that gives you joy and that you feel it is doable based on your current situation. It does not have to be complicated. For example, a phone call to your best friend or reading five pages from your book may be enough. Then find out what time during the day is best for you to do it. Well done! Now you have your plan ready. Start applying it at the same time every day. Remember, every day at the same time. This creates new connections in your brain and new habits that replace the old ones. It is with small, daily, empowering habits that you train your mind. Repetition has power.

Originally Published on: itsmylife.gr
Written by Nadia Georgiou

If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!

 

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.

 

Greek Maritime Golf Event, the most successful golf tournament for the shipping community, returns for the 7th year booking its annual appointment with the Greek and world shipping industry, on September 3-5, 2021, at Costa Navarino , in Messinia.

The best golf event in Greece and Cyprus, as distinguished with a Gold award at the 2020 Sports Marketing Awards, is expected to bring together more than 80 leading shipping executives, forming 20 teams of four. Participants will compete at a team level, in a shotgun scramble that will take place on Saturday, September 4 th . Golfers will have the chance to play in the two signature 18-hole courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, in an idyllic landscape full of centuries-old olive trees with stunning views of the Ionian Sea, the historic Bay of Navarino and the picturesque port of Pylos.

Participating teams will claim the significant prizes for the top three positions in the overall standings; while special awards will be given to individual players who will achieve the best scores in the “Longest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” categories.

In the context of this year’s Greek Maritime Golf Event, the tournament’s organizer Mr. Thanos Karantzias highlighted: “After the highly successful and safe implementation of our event in 2020, in the Golf Course of Glyfada, with the realization of the strict health measures we had set against the pandemic, we begin our planning in September, at Costa Navarino with the Greek Maritime Golf Event”. 

The tournament will bring together representatives of the Greek and world shipping industry, who will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite sport, golf, in a completely safe destination, with the necessary approvals of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, taking into account the strict specifications set by the Hellenic Golf Federation.

 

 

We're happy to announce a new Media Sponsorship collaboration with the Athens Jazz Festival. We thank them for their trust and amicable support!

One of Athens' most beloved festivals, the one and only Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival is back! After one year of absence and with 2021 still having a few surprises in store for us, Technopolis City of Athens invites us to a new hybrid 3-day version of the oldest music event of the city May 27 to 29 2021.

We love sharing events and letting our community know what's on in Athens and around Greece! Whether it’s art, music, sports, food & drink, or community events, our aim is to encourage people to embrace and experience all that Athens has to offer! We keep our readers up-to-date with what’s on, and what’s coming up in our great city.

Part of the work that we do at XpatAthens is to collaborate with many different venues, digital platforms and event planners/hosts as Media Sponsors - you're welcome to learn more and see our sponsorships here.

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If you'd like to learn more about sharing your event on XpatAthens,
please contact us here to tell us more about your upcoming event.

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The festival that marks the start of the summer concert season in Athens, the festival that started out with just a few ardent jazz fans under the stage and reached high levels by welcoming more than 46,000 visitors annually, the most beloved festival of Athenians, the one and only Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival is back!

After one year of absence and with 2021 still having a few surprises in store for us, Technopolis City of Athens invites us to a new hybrid 3-day version of the oldest music event of the city, from 28 to 30 May 2021.

Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival returns in a renewed, far more digital format with 16 participations from Greece and abroad, top world-famous ensembles, the best representatives of the Greek jazz scene, crossover music inspirations and more... to be announced soon.

In the meantime, the ATJF team has been working round the clock to make the festival happen regardless of the circumstances, the health measures and restrictions that may apply at the end of next month. Since the only thing that is certain, though, is that this year’s event will be way different from the previous ones, ATJF’s brand identity acts a small reminder of what a “real” festival is like, a festival with posters, merch and other “real” things, a festival as we all know it and want it to be! #StayTuned #JazzBeThere #ATJF2021

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of Athens Jazz Festival 

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