XpatAthens
Monday, 24 February 2020 05:00
Education Meets Innovation As Students Showcase Their Ideas
Students shared their passions and intellectual curiosities at the 3rd Annual Innovation Summit - February 18-19, 2020
On February 18-19, 2020, American Community Schools - ACS Athens hosted the 3rd Annual Innovation Summit in the Learning Commons, managed by the school’s Incubator of Student's Creative Ideas (ISCI).
For 2 days, the Innovation Summit featured a wide range of workshops including the areas of Mathematics, Technology (Fusion 360, Scratch and Makey Makey, Python with Micro:Bit), Health, Athletics, Optics, Energy, Recycling, Plastic Management, Sustainable Education and Entrepreneurship.
Students shared their intellectual passions by presenting their well-researched projects such as hydrogen cars, LED lightsabers, 3D and laser printed objects/labels. Piezoelectric drums and bio tanks used to generate energy were visible and the green city model displayed solar, electrical, wind, hydrogen, and oxygen energy used in everyday life.
According to Ms. MaryAnn Augoustatos, Director of Learning Commons at ACS Athens, the success of the Innovation Summit serves a greater purpose: “The innovation summit provides students with the highest level of student leadership that can exist in an educational institution. Students decide what topics will be taught for two school days. As educators, our responsibility is to channel students’ interests/passions/curiosities and research, to create positive changes, as responsible global citizens. The two days of the summit served this purpose. What an incredible celebration of learning!”
Finally, the President of ACS Athens Dr. Peggy Pelonis in her message remarked: “ Watching the students present with such enthusiasm and providing the platform for such projects to come to fruition was at the very least impressive. Hats off to each of the students (all three schools) and congratulations to you and your team for organizing such a meaningful event.”
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Local News
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Monday, 24 February 2020 07:00
How Children Learn About Love
On the occasion of Valentine's Day, the teacher at the Art club asked the children to paint love. Children in this class range from 4 to 17 years old. It's great to see their paintings and what love means to them. Hearts, hearts, many hearts everywhere. Houses with chimneys forming heart-shaped smoke. Swings and playgrounds with boys and girls playing together. The Eiffel tower, a bridge in Venice and boys getting down on their knees proposing to girls. Wedding rings and flowers. Pink and blue birds. "The Wedding" was the title of a painting."What does love mean to you?" the teacher asked. "When two people get married and are in love and are together," replied one girl – different from the one who gave the wedding title to her painting.
Hmmm?? What does love really mean? And how do children learn about it? That is how do us parents, grandparents, the immediate and close environment of children teach them about love? What is love for us? Because that’s what we show to our children as children mirror us. Love is making you breakfast when I know you are tired. Love is giving you my toy when you ask for it or my cardigan when you are cold. Love is offering you my shoulder and a big hug when you need it, when you want to cry, without asking how and why. Love is giving you the space and time you need. Love is supporting you to evolve the way you want even if I do not fully agree with you. Love is wanting to be together during good times and bad times. Love is not running away when we disagree but trying to find a solution together. Love is doing a good deed without spreading the word around. Let’s think, how do we as a unit and as a group express and accept love in our various relationships? Because that is exactly what our children will learn.❤️
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!
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Kids Life
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Monday, 24 February 2020 07:00
Omonia Is Back! The Revamped Square To Be Revealed At The End Of The Week
The much anticipated revamped Omonia Square will be revealed to the Athenians at the end of the week, Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis stated on social media last Thursday.
"Very happy that Omonia square has entered the final stretch and will be delivered to the Athenians," he said.
For years Omonia Square has been one of Athens' most central meeting points and has undergone many transformations. The plans include reinstalling a fountain removed from the square in the early 1990s while a few luxury hotels are opening this year around the square, on Pireos and Stadiou streets.
A video from the testing of the new fountain at Omonia Square.
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Local News
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Wednesday, 19 February 2020 00:57
1896 Classic Marathon Race Revival V
Greece’s premier track bike race, in memoriam and appreciation of the epic brakeless race to Marathon that took place on 1896 at the first Modern Olympic Games of Athens.
2020 marks its 5th edition and the race will take place on the coastal road connecting Acropolis to its most iconic peninsula at Cape Sounio.
Race Details:
- long-distance race
- total distance approx 75klm
- first 15klm (controlled pace)
- race distance 60klm (between km 15 and 75)
- fixed gear only
- helmets obligatory
- front brake allowed
Registration: 20 euros (including race pack)
Register through info@48x17.com
Race starts at 48x17 Cycles, Veikou 2, Acropolis.
Ends at Cape Sounio.
There will be an after-party at a private villa by the beach.
There will be a bus that can take racers and their bike back to Athens.
Historical Background:
At the first Modern Olympic Games the sport of cycling was introduced. There were several track cycling events held at the Phaliron Velodrome (Stadio Karaiskaki) and one road cycling event. At that time the “bicycle” was quite a novice idea people were not familiar with. Gears, brakes and deralleurs were not yet invented and all bicycles were fixed gear and brakeless.
The only road race of the Games took place on April 12. It was 87 kilometres long, with contestants cycling to the village of Marathon and back. Five Greeks registered for the race, one of them Aristides Konstantinides, and a few foreign cyclists including the German August von Gödrich and the Briton Edward Battel. Konstantinidis was one of the first bicycle enthusiasts in the country and a member of the first Greek cycling club.
He won the road race, covering the 87 kilometres from Athens to Marathon and back in a time of 3:22:31 despite his bicycle breaking down on the way back to Athens. Legend has it that he borrowed a bicycle from a spectator to finish the race.
Konstantinidis led from the start until his first fall that allowed Battel to briefly pass in front of him. Both Konstantinidis and Battel fell again before finishing, with Battel’s fall being severe enough to drop him from first place to third as both Konstantinidis and Gödrich passed him. Konstantinides entered the city battered and bleeding but trioumphant giving Greece one of its most glorified gold medals as groups of bystanders cheered him on his way to the finish line.
2020 marks its 5th edition and the race will take place on the coastal road connecting Acropolis to its most iconic peninsula at Cape Sounio.
Race Details:
- long-distance race
- total distance approx 75klm
- first 15klm (controlled pace)
- race distance 60klm (between km 15 and 75)
- fixed gear only
- helmets obligatory
- front brake allowed
Registration: 20 euros (including race pack)
Register through info@48x17.com
Race starts at 48x17 Cycles, Veikou 2, Acropolis.
Ends at Cape Sounio.
There will be an after-party at a private villa by the beach.
There will be a bus that can take racers and their bike back to Athens.
Historical Background:
At the first Modern Olympic Games the sport of cycling was introduced. There were several track cycling events held at the Phaliron Velodrome (Stadio Karaiskaki) and one road cycling event. At that time the “bicycle” was quite a novice idea people were not familiar with. Gears, brakes and deralleurs were not yet invented and all bicycles were fixed gear and brakeless.
The only road race of the Games took place on April 12. It was 87 kilometres long, with contestants cycling to the village of Marathon and back. Five Greeks registered for the race, one of them Aristides Konstantinides, and a few foreign cyclists including the German August von Gödrich and the Briton Edward Battel. Konstantinidis was one of the first bicycle enthusiasts in the country and a member of the first Greek cycling club.
He won the road race, covering the 87 kilometres from Athens to Marathon and back in a time of 3:22:31 despite his bicycle breaking down on the way back to Athens. Legend has it that he borrowed a bicycle from a spectator to finish the race.
Konstantinidis led from the start until his first fall that allowed Battel to briefly pass in front of him. Both Konstantinidis and Battel fell again before finishing, with Battel’s fall being severe enough to drop him from first place to third as both Konstantinidis and Gödrich passed him. Konstantinides entered the city battered and bleeding but trioumphant giving Greece one of its most glorified gold medals as groups of bystanders cheered him on his way to the finish line.
Published in
Sports & Wellness
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Wednesday, 19 February 2020 22:28
Carnival In Athens
IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - Carnival celebrations cancelled!!
Kostas Bakoyannis: the City of Athens celebrates Carnival Season with festive and colorful events all over the city!
As we enter the Pre-Lenten season, the City of Athens is transformed into a colorful setting spreading streamers and Carnival fun and joy around the city. For this year’s Carnival season, the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA) together with Technopolis City of Athens, have co-created a rich program of events starting from February 15th.
The city streets fill with confetti, masks, capes and hats while percussion and bass drums give the rhythm. Harlequins, pierrots and clowns hide near the Acropolis Hill, the city center and all around the neighborhoods with the intention to carry us away with their joyful tunes… All these happenings together with many more will unravel the vibrant maypole of this year’s festivities as the joyful dance of the Athenian carnival begins!
For 17 days, 32 spots around Athens will be hosting more than 60 festive activities with free admission to all. The carnival agenda has it all: concerts, music tours, serenades, performances and parades, revival of traditional Athenian carnival customs, treasure hunt, dancing, satirical songs, tarantella dance sessions, guitars, mandolins, ocarinas and bass drums along with afro-brazilian percussions!
The Carnival events program has also provided for our younger carnival enthusiasts, including plenty of activities for kids and families: educational programs and art workshops invite our little friends to put on their costumes, explore different materials, experiment with the tradition, create and play leisurely. Undoubtedly, an exceptional event among the many children’s activities is the -well established- Carnival Celebrations for Children at Zappeion. On Sunday the 23rd of February, little ones and grown-ups celebrate with music, jugglers, magicians, dancers, stilt walkers, crafts, face painting and much more...
As for Tsiknopempti (Smoked Thursday) the 20th of February, the festivities begin early in the morning in the center of Athens! Celebrations start at 11.00 and continue - where else? – in Varvakios Market with a music program by BabisTsertos performing the most beautiful songs of the Greek repertoire. A bit later, the most distinctive folk carnival celebration with the maypole dancers begins, starting from the “Aggeliki Chatzimihali” Museum of Folk Art and Tradition, and will fascinate whoever meets along its way.
The festivities, as expected, will take off on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday). On Friday the 28th, Saturday the 29th of February and Sunday the 1st of March, many of our favorite Greek artists will be entertaining us in a series of some very special concerts… under the Acropolis. Having Thissio as our base, we begin for a colorful and multidimensional musical journey having joy and happiness as our destination goal. Our vehicles will be the celebrated festivals of Ikaria and the Cyclades, those of mainland Greece, the memorable folk hits of the golden decades from the 60s to the 90s. We will have the pleasure to see Glykeria and Melina Kana in an unexpected musical collaboration, EleniTsaligopoulou, and Boğaz Musique at a post minor asian palco, Kostas Makedonas, one of the best - not only but mainly - folk singers of his generation, Petroloukas Chalkias, the master of the clarinet, Michalis Rakintzis along with his super band throwing a thrilling party, Nikos Fakaros and the Musicaroi with their Aegean vibes, Wedding Singers for a love “attack” full of stardust and 90s dancing moves and we will remember that “those were the days” along with: Dakis, Lakis Giordanelli, Robert Williams, Yorgos Polychroniadis, Bessy Argyraki, and Katerina Adamantidou.
The peak, however, of the carnival period comes on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), the 2nd of March. We meet up at Filopappou Hill to fly our kites and celebrate the “Koulouma” tradition. Headliner of this festive day is GogoTsampa! The singer who managed to revive the audience’s interest for folk music will be there and nothing will stop us from dancing! This year, Athens gets dressed in its most beautiful and fancy jewels and invites us to celebrate Carnival through a colourful mosaic of activities and events, be carried away by the music and experience our city as we’ve never had before…
"Another great opportunity to see Athens dressed in colors and festivities. We have carefully designed a number of Carnival events so that Athenians of all ages as well as our visitors feel that they belong here. It's the Carnival itself which has this familiar, sweet taste of tradition while at the same time is in an open dialogue with the fresh and the new! It's the Carnival itself that's not afraid to have fun, to dress up in the craziest colors and laugh out loud" points out the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis.
The peak, however, of the carnival period comes on Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday), the 2nd of March. We meet up at Filopappou Hill to fly our kites and celebrate the “Koulouma” tradition. Headliner of this festive day is GogoTsampa! The singer who managed to revive the audience’s interest for folk music will be there and nothing will stop us from dancing! This year, Athens gets dressed in its most beautiful and fancy jewels and invites us to celebrate Carnival through a colourful mosaic of activities and events, be carried away by the music and experience our city as we’ve never had before…
"Another great opportunity to see Athens dressed in colors and festivities. We have carefully designed a number of Carnival events so that Athenians of all ages as well as our visitors feel that they belong here. It's the Carnival itself which has this familiar, sweet taste of tradition while at the same time is in an open dialogue with the fresh and the new! It's the Carnival itself that's not afraid to have fun, to dress up in the craziest colors and laugh out loud" points out the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis.
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Community
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Saturday, 22 February 2020 07:00
Upcoming Traffic Restrictions Due To The 6th Lycabettus Run
According to the Greek authorities, there will be traffic restrictions in Athens this Sunday, the 23rd of February. The restrictions will be set in place to ensure the safety of those participating in the 6th Lycabettus Run.
Starting at 9:00 A.M., certain roads in the center of Athens will be closed to drivers until the Run ends. To make sure that your Sunday plans don’t get delayed by the Run, we’ve compiled a list of the avenues being affected below.
Restrictions will apply to the entire length of the following avenues: Paligenesias, Daskalogianni, Sarantapihou, Ksanthipou, and Evelpidos Ragakou. These limits will not affect the two major intersections between the aforementioned avenues.
Koniari Avenue will be closed between its junctions with M. Merkouri Avenue and Nikotsara Avenue. This closure includes any intersections between these two points.
The entire length of Kleomenous Avenue and its adjoining intersections will also be closed off.
Finally, traffic will be restricted on M. Merkouri Avenue, between its junctions with An. Polemou Avenue and Lahitos Avenue, as well as any other intersections between these two points.
If you don’t have any Sunday plans, though, consider making your way down to the center to support the runners!
Originally posted on Athens Voice, translated by Xpat Athens
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Local News
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Thursday, 20 February 2020 10:16
Greek Entrepreneur Cycles Around The World Against Climate Change
Paul Evmorfidis, the founder of COCO-MAT, a highly successful Greek company, has challenged himself to cycle 7.500 kilometers from Athens to Nepal. At the age of 61, Evmorfidis has taken up a difficult task. Once he reaches Nepal, he will climb 8.848m to Mount Everest, the highest peak of the world.
As a proud ambassador for the WWF's “Move for Nature” campaign, Evmorfidis aims to raise awareness about climate change and about restoring the relationship between people and nature.
Published in
Local Environment
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Tuesday, 18 February 2020 22:13
Navarino Challenge Returns For The 8th Consecutive Year In October 2020
Internationally awarded wellness event returns in Messinia & Costa Navarino!
The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge; distinguished last year as the 2nd best event in the world in the “Best In Wellness” category at the World Travel Market in London (the only Greek event to have achieved this overall to date), returns for the 8th consecutive year on October 16-18, 2020 in Messinia, Pylos and Costa Navarino.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
The event follows the ideals of the Olympic Movement, contributing towards the development of a peaceful and better world without any discrimination, through sports, promotes the benefits of exercise and raises awareness on the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, considering the global issue of inactivity of youth, the event exhorts young people to get involved in games and sports, through the Active Kids program, by adding even more kids’ activities.
Navarino Challenge, annually demonstrating its charitable nature, announces Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) as this year’s first CSR partner, reinforcing the breast cancer prevention and information campaign that takes place in the month of October. FTBC through its successful journey in Greece over the past nineteen years has been openly speaking about breast cancer. Operating through the invaluable work of many of its volunteers, it has funded various public information campaigns, helped more than 9,000 women get free breast screening and 25,000 women get free mammograms.
Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality.
More information on the activities and opening of registrations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Enjoy some highlights from last year’s Navarino Challenge!
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
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Local News
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Saturday, 15 February 2020 19:37
3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College of Greece
On February 22nd, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the American College of Greece, Pierce Theater, will be hosting PAMEMMAZI’s third forum entitled “Integrative Approaches on Cancer Care: Evidence and Strategies.”
PAMEMMAZI was founded in 2017 for the psychosocial support of oncology patients and their families and to fight stigma through programs of art, programs for health and wellbeing, programs to encourage creativity and share information, through annual forums about integrative care, through participation in awareness-raising races with the team “Untouchables by Pamemmazi” and through publishing stories on our blog www.scarsandscarves.com
The aim of this year’s forum is to highlight the importance of palliative care in the framework of embedded integrative care, the role of complementary therapy programs as well as the research that supports their use. We stress the powerful effect that psychology can have on psychosomatic health, with the therapeutic qualities of music, dance, and of art in general, as well as the importance of expression, communication, and personal strength and resilience in dealing with cancer, resulting in better results and better quality of life.
The forum is directed at health professionals, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and the students of those fields, but also to the general public who are interested in approaching cancer in a holistic manner, or who are interested in matters of health generally.
The Program includes an open discussion amongst scientists, health professions and the audience as well as informative/interactive workshops with topics such as the therapeutic approach of music and tango, advice of dentists for good dental health from diagnoses to post-treatment, and the works of two non-profit organizations that also support cancer patients and their families, KEFI and Pnoi Agapis.
The first part of the Forum (10:15-12:30 and 13:00-14:30) will include presentations and round table discussions. The second part (14.30-16:30) will include 5 different workshops to address the variety of interests held by our audience.
In the reception area we have a) Art Exhibition that represents the work done by Eva Grigoriadou, Art Therapist, in the Art Therapy program offered by PAMEMMAZI at the G.O.H.K. hospital “Agioi Anargyroi” b) Therapeutic Photography exhibition, a program offered by PAMEMMAZI in collaboration with Eyes of Light and Dimitra Ermeidou and, c) Drawing exhibition by students from the program SMOKEFREEGREECE of the Institute of Public Health of the American College of Greece.
Participation in the forum and the workshops is free.
Register HERE!
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
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Community
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Monday, 17 February 2020 07:00
Nea Smyrni: An Athenian Neighborhood Among The Best In Europe
The Guardian recently published a list of the 10 best city neighborhoods in Europe. The 10 areas were selected for attributes such as parks, under the radar museums, or great-value restaurants.
Among the best neighborhoods are Wilhelminapark in Utrecht, Vallecas in Madrid, Moabit in Berlin, and Nea Smyrni in Athens.
About Nea Smyrni
Nea Smyrni is a family-friendly neighborhood halfway between central Athens and the Athenian riviera. Nea Smyrni has a fascinating history as the area where refugees from Smyrna-now Izmir-settled in the 1920s. In the heart of the neighborhood lies a car-free square with fountains, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars for all tastes and budgets. For visitors, Nea Smyrni is a rare find since it's not on the typical tourist route.
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
Published in
Greece In The News
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