Thousands of people marched through Athens Thursday as part of a 24-hour nationwide strike to protest further austerity measures by the embattled government. The strike began at midnight and caused all government-run institutions -- including schools, airports, trams, subways, and most buses -- to close down. Banks and the media were also shut, meaning no broadcast news Thursday and no newspapers Friday. There were small clashes with police and protesters ...   more »

Airports, most modes of transportation (except Taxis), the local media outlets, banks, public utility departments, and many other sectors will be shut down for 24- hours. A 24-hour nationwide strike has been called for Wednesday by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY), the country's two largest umbrella unions announced the large unions GSEE and ADEDY, in protest against the g...   more »

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed his absolute satisfaction over the results of his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, since not only did he find understanding regarding proposals on the joint handling of profiteers, but secured the visa waiver for Greek citizens visiting the United States as well which, as the prime minister said, President Obama decided on Tuesday.   more »

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the efforts being made by the Greek government to handle the economic crisis and accepted a suggestion by Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou for the US and the other major economies to discuss the need to improve auditing apparatuses in markets during the next G20 summit. Papandreou stated that Greece wants normal borrowing interests, political and not economic support, adding that the necessary tools, helping to...   more »

A meeting between Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Sunday ended with the French president's pledge for solidarity toward Greece and Sarkozy's call to Greece's European partners to show their support, stressing that this solidarity was precisely the reason why the Eurozone and the euro had been established in the first place. The French president stressed that France's support for Greece would not be po...   more »

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, best-known for his black-and-white photographs of the landscapes and national parks of the United States. His exceptionally sharp and impeccably high-quality images record the magnificent beauty of the American wilderness. An exhibition with Ansel Adams' works will be presented at the Benaki Museum in Athens, Greece from 5 March to 30 April.   more »

Dassera Art Space presents a show by British artist Matt Jordan from 12 to 31 March. Using clear colours, distinctive graphics and plenty of humour, Jordan presents critical social themes in a light-hearted way which is above all "British." Don't miss this interesting exhibition by Matt Jordan at Dassera Art Space in Athens, Greece. It is the first time that his work is being shown in Athens, at Dassera Art Space.   more »

Mark Hadjipateras is presenting a brand new show featuring seven new unusually large sculptures and one large monoprint. This is being lauded as his most austere exhibition in terms of quantity, color and form. “Borderline” will run until March 20th, 2010 at the Antonopoulou art gallery in Athens (http://www.aaart.gr) Mosaiko.gr had the opportunity to meet with the renowned artist and discuss the inspiration behind this exhibition, as well as Hadjipatera...   more »

Dionne Warwick, with five Grammys, 45 albums at the top of the charts, 68 songs at No. 1 and more than 60 million in album sales, is one of the most successful singers in the world. We will be able to enjoy her in Athens, Greece on 15 March at the "Megaron" Athens Music Hall. The Golden Lady with the characteristic voice will bewitch the audience with songs like "Don't Make Me Over," "Walk On By," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and many others.   more »

A dramatisation of George Frideric Handel's oratorio, Theodora, a story of love that ends in sacrifice, will be presented at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall on 13 March. Giorgos Petrou will conduct the Camerata of the Friends of Music Orchestra (with period instruments), while Paris Mexis is responsible for directing and for the visual production of Handel's masterpiece with images and interventions which infuse the work with a fresh approach and the tec...   more »

This year the Greek-Irish Society are holding two events to celebrate St. Patrick's day! A concert will be held on March 13th, while a Gala Ball will take place on March 20th. The concert will feature a number of talented musicians and will be held at the Athens Centre (48 Archimidous Street, Mets, Athens 11636. Tel.: 210 7012-268 or 210 7015-242). For any of you out there who have not made it to the bank yet, you can get your ticket(s) at the concert. Ti...   more »

2010 Oenorama wine exhibition is back and taking place this weekend. Oenorama is held every two years, and will take place at the MEC Exhibition Center at Paeania, Athens. More than 150 Greek winemakers along with the major wine importing and distribution companies will offer their wines for tasting, for 4 days, from Friday March 12, till Monday March 15. The entrance for visitors who do not have an invitation costs 15 euros.   more »

WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY 8th MARCH 2010: As from Monday 8 March all British passport related enquiries will be handled by UK Passport Service Greece Helpline. Applicants calling from Greece should dial 00 44 208 082 4736. This service operates 24 hours per day between 0900 Monday and 1800 Friday local time. Please note that this is an English-speaking service only.   more »

The course is 5-5.5 hours long depending on how many questions the attendees have. The course is organised by the Greek charity Pnoe ( http://www.pnoe. gr/ ) who equips intensive aid wards and helps children during that difficult time and through rehabilitation. The trainer is Patty Dulligan-Varelas, a nurse, an English native speaker and a La Leche League mum with many years of experience and 4 children of her own so she has had plenty of hands-on experie...   more »

XpatAthens Events has organised English language swimming lessons for babies and toddlers in Glyfada. The lessons will last about 40 minutes and will be conducted by an English qualified swimming instructor. The lessons will take place at the Palace Hotel private pool in Glyfada so it's not necessary to obtain the doctors certificates required for public swimming pools. Whatever the age of your child, if you are interested in introducing them to the water ...   more »

Tyler (Robert Pattinson), a rebellious young man in New York City, has had a strained relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan) ever since tragedy separated their family. Tyler didn't think anyone could possibly understand what he was going through until the day he met Ally (Emilie de Ravin) through an unusual twist of fate. Love was the last thing on his mind, but as her spirit unexpectedly heals and inspires him, he begins to fall for her. Through th...   more »

The personal journey of Waris Dirie, who grew up as an African nomad girl to later become a model. The Sherry Hormann helmed movie ‘Desert Flower’ that premiered at the Venice Film Festival sheds light on the implausible journey of a ex-model Waris Dirie who turns crusader in the fight against female genital mutilation. The story replete with drama revolves around Dirie played by Ethiopia-based model Liya Kebede who at the tender age of thirteen is forced ...   more »

Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) is a fourteen-year-old girl like any other. She's trying to get along with her family, wondering whether a boy at school has a crush on her, and trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. And then, unexpectedly, she is brutally murdered. Trapped in an "in between" world that is neither life nor death, she watches over her family -- and her killer -- from heaven. Susie can't rest until her killer is found and punished. ...   more »

Momentum and Relativity Media’s family action comedy THE SPY NEXT DOOR stars Jackie Chan as Bob Ho, an undercover CIA superspy who decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-door neighbor and girlfriend, Gillian (Amber Valletta). But Bob has one more mission to complete before Gillian agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids.   more »

If war is hell, why do so many men choose to fight? In an age when armies consist not of draftees but of volunteers, and men willingly thrust themselves into military action, sometimes the rush of battle is a potent and alluring attraction, even an addiction.   more »

James, the British band from Manchester, are coming to Greece! They will be playing on May 1, 2010 at the TaeKwonDo stadium in Athens and on April 30, 2010 in Patras. They are expected to perform some of their best-loved songs, as well as songs from their new album. The band formed in 1981 and were active throughout the 80s, but most successful during the 90s. Their hit singles include "Sit Down" , "Getting Away With It" and "Laid."   more »

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary musical EVITA features some of the biggest hit songs ever written including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Another Suitcase In Another Hall, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me and many more. West End star Rachael Wooding plays the role of the extraordinary Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, who, from young and ambitious beginnings gained enormous wealth a...   more »

Alison Moyet will appear for one concert in the Friends of Music Hall at the "Megaron" Athens Music Hall on 20 March. With this year's "Revisited" tour, Moyet marks a career spanning three decades. It is the career of an important musician and great singer that began when she and Vince Clarke formed the famous Yazoo, one of the most popular bands of the early 1980s. It continued with her solo appearances and recordings that elevated her to an idol on the ...   more »

The longest running ballet in London’s West End and on Broadway that marked the opening of Badminton Theater in January 2007 and attracted 25.000 spectators in 12 days returns to Athens to enchant the Greek audience once again! Thrilling, audacious and totally original, Matthew Bourne's legendary production transforms one of ballet's best-loved stories into a stylish, witty, poignant, contemporary tale designed to reach the modern audience – excite and mov...   more »

Gagarin 205 in Athens will once again welcome the ever-popular Marc Almond on 19 March. The great artist, onetime vocalist and leader of the famous Soft Cell and Marc and the Mambas, is coming to Athens, Greece three years after his last appearance with a new album and brilliant career behind him, both as a member of the abovementioned lineups and as a solo singer, composer and performer.   more »

On Wednesday the 17th it's St Patrick’s day and the Deli Bar are celebrating with a fun Guinness Promotions. The Guinness promotion team will be at the bar with lots of promotional gifts and the bar will be providing FREE IRISH STEW to soak up some of the black stuff. So, why not head down to the bar after work and enjoy the party between 7pm and 9pm.   more »

Opening in 2008 the Deli bar has proved a very popular place for the International community, local long term expat residents and Greeks alike to enjoy great beer, tasty food and excellent company. Located on Voula high street (Vas Pavlou) you will always find a great crowd enjoying a cool beer on the comfortable outdoor seating or tucking into a tasty home cooked meal in the bar. In addition to the regular menu the Deli Bar brings you a wide selection of ...   more »

Lalu entered the Athens scene just two winters ago, and rapidly became the hot spot for after-work drinks and dinner. Eating here gives the diner a feeling of being in a luxurious, wood-paneled and leather-outfitted private living room. Lalu's DJs set the mood with music that ranges from jazz to mainstream melodies. Best known for its delicious cocktails that are made with fresh fruit and juice, Lalu also serves up beautifully-rendered plates by chef Solak...   more »

Spiliadis does not fool around when in search for new Greek tastes. Last year we enjoyed the lightly smoked salmon from Komotini while this year he amazed us with a buffalo kavourma. And while the best fish in the Greek market are most intriguing, the wonderful Swedish and American meat served are of unique taste. The most famous Greek restaurant on this planet is a valuable library of emblematic material and tastes from all over Greece.   more »

Welcome to Edodi, whose staff were part of the team of Klaus Feurbach's legendary Bajazzo Restaurant. We first opened our doors in September 1999, in an exquisite neoclassical building close to the centre of Athens and the Acropolis and a five minute walk from the Fix/Syngrou Metro Stop. Over an 8 year period owner/chef Michalis Litrivis, a specialist in haute cuisine, has been lauded with many honours and awards, including the "Golden Hat", for his crea...   more »

One of the greatest things Athens is its proximity to beautiful whitewashed Greek islands, charming villages and ancient historical cities. Each has a distinct character, culture and color. The residents themselves, known for their filoxenia or, graciousness and hospitality, will welcome you with a smile and invite you to try their local specialties. Even if you are in Athens for just a few days, we urge you to spend a day or two at one of the following de...   more »

U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano on Tuesday announced the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)-strengthening passenger information sharing and ensuring strict security standards while streamlining travel for Greek citizens visiting the United States. "Our efforts to guard against terrorism while enhancing legal travel and trade depend upon close collaboration with our international partne...   more »

The Sunday Times reveals the best places for hire around Greece this summer. 78 Haniotena Cottage, Crete Sleeps 2 A couple of history-heads will love this place in the village of Kritsa, above Agios Nikolaos. It’s said to be one of the oldest surviving villages in Crete, and there’s no doubt the ground floor is pretty ancient, with a higgledy-piggledy front door and enormous stone walls. Nearby is Lato — one of those neglected but wildly romantic classic...   more »

A team of senior police officers from Greece are in Devon to find out how to improve their policing methods. The initiative is part of a government-funded exchange programme which saw police from Devon and Cornwall visit Zakynthos last year. It is hoped that by sharing experiences and swapping policing methods both forces will cut crime and anti social behaviour in their coastal resorts. The Greek officers are spending four days in Torbay. During their sta...   more »

Hot news from Aegean Airlines. Athens to London, Barcelona and Madrid for 75 euros one way. The offer refers to direct flights operated by Aegean to and from Athens to London, Barcelona and Madrid, for bookings until 08/03/2010 and for flights from 14/04/2010 - 30/06/2010. Fare refers to one way travel, includes all taxes and the applicable internet service fee per passenger for tickets purchased through www.aegeanair.com. Fare from London is £75. In case ...   more »