The oldest library in Greece, the historical library of Zakynthos, has recently reopened its doors to the public with a refurbished 200 sqm Reading Room providing access to rare editions.

The library was founded in 1628 while Zakynthos was under Venetian rule, and its governor, Thomas Flaginis, donated 200 volumes to the city. It was formally inaugurated in 1803 and became an independent public service entity under historiographer Panagiotis Chiotis who enriched its collection with archaeological artifacts, a numismatics collection, and a gallery of art.

Today, the library contains almost 70,000 volumes, of which 50,000 are rare editions.

To read this article in full, please visit: tornosnews.gr

On September 24 and 25, the Acropolis Museum will celebrate this year’s European Heritage Days (EHD) with a family program entitled “In the houses of the ancient Greeks… life without television and internet…”

The two-day event will offer children and their guardians the chance to explore the ancient neighborhood below the Museum, the famous Makrigiannis plot, where archaeologists have unearthed layers of the city that date back to Neolithic times.

Visitors will be able to discover the similarities and differences with today’s neighborhoods, engage with replicas of everyday objects from the ancient past, and discuss with the Museum’s archaeologists the materials that were used, and whether they were more environmentally friendly than our own.

Finally, participants will be able to create their own residential environments in the Museum’s gardens, inspired by the materials and traditional practices of the inhabitants of the ancient neighborhood.

Each program at the Acropolis Museum, which is free for children, will last for 60 minutes. Registrations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

First launched in 1999, European Heritage Days was developed as a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, bringing citizens together from all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention under the motto “Europe: a common heritage.”

Over 70,000 events are organized each year, raising awareness of the value of shared European heritage and the need for its conservation for present and future generations.

This year’s shared theme celebrates sustainable heritage in the context of environmental change, Europe’s diverse cultural heritage, and the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Across Europe, events will focus on people and places, the continuity and knowledge from traditional practices, and how built and natural heritage can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Originally published on: greece-is.com

On Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece, six young ballerinas in full Giselle costume execute graceful romantic sequences in the midst of traffic, whilst on Omonoia Square, traditional Black Sea dancers, their hands clasped, dance rhythmically in file next to rushing buses and perplexed passers-by. Is this a protest of a different kind? For director Jevan Chowdhury, these images from his latest film Moving Cities: Athens could be read as such; for him, and many others, dancing in public spaces is an act of sovereignty.

Chowdhury launched his Moving Cities project in 2014 as - he told Yatzer - a ''collection of cities that are interesting or significant today.'' Following Paris, London, Brussels, Yerevan and Prague, the Moving Cities project travelled to Athens, Greece, in January 2015 where, over the course of three days, some 60 dancers were filmed improvising in the city’s streets, squares, back yards and rooftops. In the monochrome style and constantly moving camera flow that is consistent throughout the Moving Cities project, Chowdhury’s film visits several locations across the city, from the busy Piraeus port to the touristy Acropolis, accompanied by a powerful music score by composer Danny Odom.

For Chowdhury, ''the locations were very important .....All the dancing you see in the video was the result of the location. We did a casting in collaboration with the Athens Video Dance Project (AVDP), got in touch with several dancers and asked them to respond to certain locations through dancing. This way the dancers tapped into the atmosphere of the place and also expressed in their own way how they felt at that particular time. I chose mostly tourist areas because they are very transient places, but also quite generic in a way. Because these films are also a reference to how all the cities we live in are the same, and how it’s actually the people that make the difference.'' To read more, please visit: Yatzer

TripAdvisor, one of the largest travel sites, has announced its Travellers’ Choice™ awards for museums around the world in September 2015.

Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for museums around the world, gathered over a 12-month period. The Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece is among the best museums ranked 11th in the world and 8th in Europe attracting hundreds of tourists every year and receiving great reviews.

To read more, please visit: Parthenon UK

For a complete list of the top 25, visit Trip Advisor

At a "warm" event in downtown Athens, the official presentation of the 3rd "Santorini Experience" was held on Tuesday, May 30th, while the organization will take place in the enchanting Santorini from 6 to 8 October. The press Conference of the top sports tourism event for professional and amateur athletes in Greece, was hosted at the Wyndham Grand Athens hotel, with the presence of journalists and numerus eminent guests.

The event also featured the exclusive show with the best moments of "Santorini Experience 2016" before the broadcast by FOX Sports.

Several honored personalities were present in the event, people that are connected with the successful sports weekend of Santorini, which will be held for the 3rd consecutive year. The mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, the president of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos, the president of D.A.P.P.O.S. (Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini) Mr. Lefteris Tzouros, the technical directors of swimming and running Nikos Gemelos and Nikos Polias, the responsible of the Kids' Athletics program, Periklis Iakovakis, as well as Greek National Open Water Swimming team were some of the protagonists of the Press Conference.

The mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, made a very important announcement and pointed, among other things: "We are delighted to welcome the 3rd Santorini Experience this year! This sports event has become an establishment for our island and even more visitors are looking forward and arrange their holidays around it. This year, which is very emotional for us, the 5 km route will be named "Aristides Alafouzos". The route, begins from the desalination factory of Oia, which was donated to the island's inhabitants by this great man. This action, as a minimum tribute to the late Aristides Alafouzos, while in the future there will be also other acts of expressing our gratitude".

Mr. Dimitris Diathesopoulos, the president of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (ΚΟΕ), said: "The event is part of the sport tourism, which our country needs and in combination with the venue, the beautiful Santorini, gives an incentive for an important event that goes beyond the limits of Greece and is now becoming an international sport and tourism event. By incorporating it under the auspices of KOE and with the participation of the whole National Team and the top athletes in OPEN WATER, we support the event in practice, thus contributing to its promotion and establishment in the international arena”.

Greetings also addressed by the Greek National Tourism Organization General Secretary, Mr. Dimitrios Tryfonopoulos: "Last year athletes from 28 countries realized why this island offers unique experiences to its visitors. This year, those who will be involved, will experience it in practice. This event is in line with the objectives of the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) to internationally promote the country's destinations as well as the alternative forms of Greek tourism, that ensure sustainable development with a 12-month horizon. In fact, through the coverage of networks such as FOX Sports, one of the largest sports television networks in the world, we have the opportunity to spread our message to countless potential visitors, much more than the 28 million people we have hosted in 2016".

Please note that the FOX Sports premiere in Europe, of the show with the best moments of last year's organization, will be broadcasted through NOVA on 19/6, while of Asia, Africa etc.

The president of DAPPOS, Mr. Lefteris Tzouros, in his turn, said: "Santorini Experience returns on October 6-8 full of energy and new ideas.

Establishing it is a fact that makes us proud because in a very short time it has managed to gain a world-wide glamor, which was our initial goal. The successful collaboration of the Municipality of Santorini - DAPPOS - ACTIVE MEDIA, the auspices of the ΚΟΕ and the Greek National Tourism Organization, as well as our sponsors, are the factors that have given a global power to the organization. We are waiting for you to live these moments and to participate in the challenge of Santorini Experience... ".

An important part of the success of the event is also accomplished thanks to Ryanair, who as an official airline partner of "Santorini Experience", offers the connection of Athens with Santorini with direct flights from 13 cities abroad. At the same time, for those who choose a flight with an intermediate stop in Athens, the cooperation with the Wyndham Grand Athens Hotel offers accommodation with very attractive packages, which happens for the first time in a sports event taking place outside Athens.

"Santorini Experience" is the 1st Sport Tourism Event in Greece with an online special website section for the partner hotels, aiming to bring more athletes, targeting to the bloom of tourism with a higher turnout from abroad. It’s worth to be mentioned that in almost one month of registrations, 80% of them come from Russia, Austria, Italy and Germany.

The organization innovates once again by taking care of amateur athletes with the addition of a high-quality safety lifeguard buoy, which gives the participant another reason to choose the participation in Santorini Experience.

All of the above would not have happened without the great support of the sponsors who stood by the idea of "Santorini Experience" from day one. "Vikos" is one of these companies, which for the third consecutive year will offer to the athletes who will take part the opportunity to quench their thirst with the Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” that contributes to the good functioning of the body during sports.

More information regarding the activities schedule and the hospitality packages of sponsors will be announced in the following weeks.

Website
Facebook
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Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Sponsors: Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites
Official Supporters: “Vikos” Natural Mineral Water, Avance Rent A Car, Aqua Vista Hotels, Wyndham Grand Athens, Santorini Boatmen Union
Hospitality Sponsors: Aqua Vista Hotels, Athina Luxury Suites, Vedema A Luxury Collection Resort Santorini, West East Suites, 270 Oia's View, White Pearl Villas, Central Fira Hotel, Memories Hotel, Loizos Stylish Residencies, Esperas Santorini, Sienna Residencies, Hotel Rivari Santorini
Official Travel Agent: Smile Acadimos

(photo credit: Mike Tsolis)

 

Kids, whether only children or not, want to have you for themselves. They crave for your attention twenty-four hours per day. They certainly know that you have needs too, things that you not only have to do but want to do, and yet they keep on demanding your presence all the time. Okay, kids do that. It's your turn now. What are you doing? How are you handling it? Do you react? And if so, how? Do you go on doing what you want and ignore your child or do you humour them? Do you find you have to raise your voice in order to do what you want or do you keep your temper? I'll tell you what happened to me last week. A serious issue came up and I definitely wanted to visit my cousins ​​on a particular day.

I informed both my husband and my young daughter well ahead so that I would leave as soon as my husband would return home. That particular day my husband was late because he had something to do that he remembered at the last minute (Murphy's Law again!). I didn't want to stay out very late in the evening so the more time was passing by the more anxious I was getting. As it was already dark my daughter thought I would not go to my cousins. When my husband finally came home and it was about time for me to leave, my daughter pulled some serious strings – she burst into tears, wanted a hug and wouldn't let me go.

Of course not going was not negotiable! So what did I do? I gave her one of our big, long, tight hugs and when she calmed down I asked her opinion: "You want me to stay home. But I want to go to my cousins. How are we going to do this so we're both happy?" "What do you suggest?" she asked me back. We exchanged some ideas and decided that a big hug before I left and one when I would come back was the best solution. "But is it so simple?" you would ask. It may not always be so but yes! Children do understand and do cooperate. We just need to give them space and time and of course we need to make our own needs known!

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!

The award-winning sports tourism event returns for the 8th consecutive year on October 16-18, 2020 in Messinia, Pylos and Costa Navarino. Through its global message “sports unite people”, the event will offer the opportunity of discovering the magic of the Messinian landscape and the history highlighted by the top sports celebration, to people of all ages from Greece and abroad.

Participants will have a chance of running one of the top 21.1km Greek Half Marathons, along with Greek-American ultramarathon Dean Karnazes. In addition, they can choose between the 10km route or the joyful 5km route which is also suited for dynamic walking. Athletes starting from the Navarino Dunes of Costa Navarino, will run along the picturesque coast towards Pylos and cross the magnificent Voidokilia beach while passing by the Gialova lagoon. This is one of the most significant wetlands in Europe. It is the southernmost station of migratory birds in the Balkans to and from Africa that has been designated as a Natura 2000 nature protected area. The Half Marathon is the only trail running route in Greece that combines soil, sand, and asphalt. The event offers race timing for all runners. All races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

On the same day, the 1km children’s race will be held in two groups, for children 10-14 years old and kids up to 9 years of age.

The impressive 5km route that emerges by the sea, as well as all other routes, have been planned by the former marathon runner, current classic marathon course national record holder, running coach, and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias.

Navarino Challenge has remained at the forefront of the 2020 Tourism Awards, claiming the highest distinction in Greek tourism by winning the Platinum Award in the Sustainability category. The significant accolades received by the event, also include the Gold Award, once more, in the Sports Tourism category and the Silver Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category. The Platinum award is the first one to be received by a sports tourism event in Greece.

Distinctions do not stop for one of the top sports tourism events in Europe since it was also the first sports tourism event in Greece to win an award in the “Best In Wellness” category at the International Travel &Tourism Awards by WTM London last year.

In the context of this year’s recognition, Active Media Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akis Tsolis stated: “Our most recent distinction highlights the innovative sustainability initiatives that we have implemented in a sports tourism event, for the first time in Greece. Our excellent collaboration with Costa Navarino, all cooperating bodies, the Municipality of Pylos-Nestor, businessmen from Pylos and Messinia as well as our sponsors, indicates more than ever, the importance and value of solid strategic relations. Despite the unprecedented conditions we are experiencing, sports tourism is not only an integral part of the Greek tourism product, that we all need to protect, but something even more valuable for the future. There is considerable room for growth in outdoor sporting activities, which promote economic and social development for local communities, while highlighting the unique cultural elements of each place”.

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Early bird 40% discount!
Register today!

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Runners can act promptly and take advantage of the early bird offer on registrations until July 31. Athletes can register in the Half Marathon with a 40% discount and find out about valid early bird offers in all other routes. Children’s race is held at no cost. The event, always prioritizing the participants themselves, offers a refund of their registration costs until August 31.

More information on premium accommodation packages will be announced in the coming weeks.

The event continues to innovate for another year by having Samsung Electronics Hellas as its Official Technology Partner. Following last year’s successful contribution towards the organization of a paperless event, Samsung returns with the top Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra, which change the way videos and photos are captured through their 8K Video and the most advanced 100X Zoom, offering brand new features and impressive shots. At the same time, the Galaxy Z Flip, the first full screen folding smartphone, with flexible glass and excellent design, offers convenience and unique style.

Samsung and Navarino Challenge will offer all participants the opportunity to purchase the Galaxy S20, S20+, and Galaxy Z Flip, with a 20% discount.

Navarino Challenge is held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and is co-organized by Costa Navarino , The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, and Active Media Group with the support of Pylos-Nestor Municipality.

As every year, the event will be held, in accordance with the strict standards set by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the General Secretariat of Sports and the relevant sports Federations.

Always having the safety and health of all participants and staff as its main priority, Navarino Challenge will be planned and delivered based on the protocol of races, which will ensure public health and safety of all parties involved. Moreover, the event is already strengthened with top consultants specialized in this area.

Official technology partner: Samsung

Official sports supplier: Luanvi

Official supporters: Poseidonia, Pylos-Nestor Municipality

Partners: Fysiotek Sports Lab, Karalis Beach Hotel

Official rental partner: Avance 3

Athletic partners: Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Navarino Racquet Academy, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club

CSR Partner: Captain Vasilis and Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation

Assisted by: VitaNTravel, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Lifeguard Patrol, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development, Maritime Athletic Pylos Association “Nestor”, Target Security

Sports Production: Active Media Group

 

YouTube Channel

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell

Photo Credit: Babis Giritziotis

Costa Navarino is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese. One of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history.

Its philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage. It will comprise a number of distinct sites featuring five-star deluxe hotels, luxury private residences, conference facilities, spa and thalassotherapy centres, signature golf courses, as well as a wide range of unique year-round activities for adults and children.

Navarino Dunes, the first area, is home to two luxury five-star hotels, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino; Navarino Residences, a collection of luxury villas for private ownership; and The Residences at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino – fully furnished resort apartments for sale; the signature golf course The Dunes Course; Anazoe Spa, a 4,000m 2 spa and thalassotherapy centre; the state-of-the-art conference centre House of Events; specially designed facilities for children; and a variety of gastronomy venues, sports, outdoor and cultural activities.

Navarino Bay, the second area, is home to the signature golf course, The Bay Course and to the earth- sheltered Bay Clubhouse, while an ultra-luxury, all-suite and pool villas resort is currently under construction, alongside an upscale, vibrant, lifestyle resort at the nearby site Navarino Waterfront. At Navarino Hills, two new 18-hole signature golf courses are also being constructed.

From fashion insiders and digital marketers to financial analysts and fine art gallerists, Athens is attracting many international professionals, as they're discovering that the city is alive with creative possibilities and a feeling of community that is hard to beat, even during a pandemic.

Digital nomads are coveted by cities throughout the world in part because of the important role they play in the spread of knowledge and technology. Some of the most common roles include software developers, graphic designers, copywriters, and digital consultants. They bring new ideas, spark conversations, and contribute to the development of global perspectives.

The City of Athens is encouraging the creation of a digital nomad community by reinforcing innovation hubs and co-working spaces. The city is improving the accessibility of municipal services by putting them online, and the partnership between XpatAthens and This is Athens has been created with the intention of building a channel of communication with the city’s long-term visitors and expats.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis welcomed the trend: “Athens has long been a destination for people who want to share ideas and learn from each other. This is one of the reasons that we focus on hospitality as the core of our cultural heritage. Cultural exchange is a guarantee of our freedom, and we are thinking a lot about this as we celebrate 200 years of Greek independence. We’re thrilled that so many people want to make Athens part of their life story.”

Athens is one of the world’s oldest destinations for travelers with thousands of years of recorded history. Long famous as a gateway to summer, Athens has become a window to the 21st century and a year-round destination for visitors from all over the world. For many professionals, work from home has meant the freedom to set up a virtual office anywhere in the world; now with the support of their international firms, and the more widely accepted ‘remote work’, Athens is getting noticed as a city that gives a healthy balance of lifestyle.

We can’t help but be excited by the fact that - even during the lockdown - Athens has given light to people of diverse cultures and different backgrounds. It gives us joy to read the stories of international professionals who feel good because they’ve (finally) found a healthy work-life balance in the simplicities of life in Athens.

As work and workplaces continue to change around the world, we know that Athens will always provide its long-term visitors with warm community, creative inspiration, healthy work-life balance, and sunshine that soothes the soul!

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This content was created by XpatAthens in collaboration with This is Athens. This is Athens features stories of adventure, travel insights and up to the minute updates, as well as a schedule of events created with visitors in mind. The web portal is published in English, French, and German, helping first-time visitors and life-long residents find their stories; it is a project of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency.

To learn more about This is Athens visit:

 

To learn more about XpatAthens and our mission to connect and create global community, visit: https://www.xpatathens.com/about-us

As Easter approaches, Greece bursts with a kaleidoscope of traditions and celebrations, each region boasting its own unique customs that captivate locals and visitors alike.

From the thunderous Rocket War in Chios to the colorful Hot Air Balloons of Leonidio, let's explore some of the most unique and vibrant Greek Easter customs.



Chios - Rocket War (Rouketopolemos)


@panos.mavrakis

Nestled amidst the intoxicating scents of mastic and the medieval charm of its villages, Chios welcomes Easter with a spectacle unlike any other - the Rocket War. Originating from the final years of Ottoman rule, this tradition sees parishioners from opposing churches, Agios Markos and Panagia Erythiani, engage in a thrilling exchange of shots using small cannons. These cannons, brought by sailors from merchant ships, are set up in churchyards and loaded with fireworks, aiming to create a cacophony of noise that reverberates through the night.

Kalamata - Saitopolemos


@g_tsafos

In the heart of Messinia, Easter bursts into life with the captivating custom of Saïtolemos. Crafted from cardboard and filled with a potent mixture of gunpowder and oil, saïtes take to the skies, resembling playful paper airplanes. While their origins are steeped in folklore, the tradition continues to captivate with its spirited competition and thunderous roar, echoing across the banks of the Nedontas River. As Easter unfolds across Greece, these unique customs serve as vibrant expressions of faith, culture, and community, inviting all to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Greek Easter traditions.

Leonidio - Hot Air Balloons


@aris.messinis

In the picturesque town of Leonidio, Easter takes flight with the mesmerizing sight of "afani" - vibrant paper balloons adorning the sky. As the priest proclaims "Christ is Risen," the air fills with anticipation as five parishes compete to release the most balloons. Locals light oil-soaked "kollemaras," sending over 600 balloons soaring into the night, symbolizing the resurrection with a breathtaking display. Alongside this spectacle, the burning of Judas ceremony adds a poignant touch to the Easter festivities.

Corfu - Botides 


@vince_alamanos

Corfu adds a splash of color to Easter celebrations with the lively tradition of "Botides." On Holy Saturday morning, young Corfiots gather at the Liston, bearing clay pitchers filled with water. With joyful exuberance, they toss these pitchers out of windows onto the cobblestone streets below, marking the end of Lent and the beginning of Easter joy. The crashing pitchers create a cheerful symphony, echoing the island's vibrant spirit and welcoming visitors to join in the jubilant festivities.

Tyros - Coastal Processions


@anemologiotiros

In Tyros, tradition runs deep, and Easter is no exception. On Good Friday, the coastal road comes alive with the solemn procession of the two Epitaphs, accompanied by fishing boats and throngs of reverent onlookers. From inland, thousands follow the Epitaphs, honoring the solemnity of the occasion and reaffirming the community's steadfast commitment to tradition.