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The Museum of Cycladic Art has launched an excellent online program for children of all ages!

Although the museum remains closed, through a series of online activities they invite us on a creative journey through time. The online programs aim to familiarize kids with how children in ancient Greece had fun and challenge them to try and recreate some of the most iconic ancient Greek toys and games. 

Since ancient times the pedagogical value and significance of toys has been well established. Children used to play with rattles, dolls, wheeled toys, spinning tops, carved wooden animals and more, and although most of these toys sound pretty boring today, they enjoyed their toys just as much as children do today. Team games were also quite popular as many ancient Greek vases show images of children playing games together. Hide and seek, blind man’s buff, statues, hopscotch, puzzles, and riddles are some of the games played in ancient Greece just as they still are today! 

The museum invites kids to have fun online and get them excited about ancient culture by digging deep into Greek history and culture! Discover the Museum of Cycladic Art's online repository here.


This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab.
Monday, 07 February 2022 11:59

Anafiotika: The Hidden Island Of Athens

The tiny, scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika tucked above the Plaka, just below the Acropolis, is often overlooked by visitors to Athens – and even some Athenians.

With patches of cool and quiet, Anafiotika is a hideaway for about 60 residents who want a slow life.

It was built in the 19th-Century by workers from the tiny island of Anafi in the Cyclades, hence the name. In 1841, King Otto I encouraged workers to come and help transform the new capital of independent Greece into a modern metropolis and refurbish his palace.

Carpenters and masons from the Cycladic island of Anafi came, along with other workers from the Cyclades. They took over the rocky terrain located just below the north slope of the Acropolis, hastily erecting houses, taking advantage of an Ottoman law that decreed that if you could put up a structure between sunset and sunrise, the property became yours.

The first two inhabitants were G. Damigos, carpenter, and M. Sigalas, construction workers. Soon, workers from other Cycladic islands also started to arrive there, to work as carpenters or even stone and marble workers, in a further buildings reconstruction period in Athens, but also in the following era after the end of the reign of King Otto.

In 1922, immigrants from Minor East were also established here, altering the population that was up to that time only from Cycladic islands.

In 1950, part of this neighborhood was destroyed for archeologic research and in 1970 the state started to buy the houses.

Anafiotika: Whitewashed buildings in Athens

Today, Anafiotika retains the charm of simple, whitewashed buildings of the island of Anafi with an irresistible lure of Bougainvillea flowers, clay pots, and roaming cats sitting in the sun.

There are only about 45 houses remaining, while the little streets from Stratonos to the Acropolis rock are still unnamed and the houses are referred to as “Anafiotika 1”, “Anafiotika 2” etc.

The neighborhood has small, cubic houses and narrow streets that often end up to ladders or even dead-ends at terraces, places to sit and enjoy the night view of the city.

As one travel site put it: "In this oasis of tranquility, nestled beneath the walls of the Acropolis, the intensity of Athens seems miles away."

Originally published on: greekreporter.com
Friday, 29 March 2024 18:54

Cleopatra's Sponges

This is not another marketing tale, but the real history written by the people of the Aegean Sea.

Sponge diving and trading are perhaps one of Greece’s oldest industries. From the days of Plato to the grandeur of the Byzantine empire until its last days of prosperity, but a few decades ago, sponge trading shaped the very economical and socio-political nature of Greece. Islands such as Kalymnos and Symi enjoyed a wealth that has left a legacy to this day.

Yet greed and misfortune befell this once great industry; overfishing and a succession of diseases brought these natural sea sponges to the very verge of extinction resulting in the collapse of the entire industry. An ecological tragedy, it also proved to be an economic and social disaster; 20,000 jobs were lost along with millions of dollars in export revenue. Following the collapse of the Greek sponge industry, many sponge divers migrated to Tarpon Springs, Florida, where new sponge bearing fields were discovered. Those who remained in Greece turned to fishing as their livelihood and sponge diving became a profession of the past.

Today only a few sponge divers are left on the island of Kalymnos, once an island considered to be the sponge capital of the world. Sponge diving and the ancient cultural heritage that it represented was considered a skill consigned to a fading few and the exhibitions of museums...

Until Cleopatra's was born.

Where it all began...

Anargyros is a student-entrepreneur and diver who has held a lifelong love of the sea and its hidden treasures. From a young age he became fascinated with the legends of Greek sponge divers and their tales of deep sea exploration.

In 2016, resolved to revive this fading industry and the dying sponge population he made his first journey to Kalymnos.

Interviewing the remaining sponge traders of the island he hoped to understand the problems that had plagued the industry and caused its’ demise. It was in Kalymnos that a retired sponge diver, Captain Antonis, presented him with an authentic Mollissima sponge. The Mollissima is widely acknowledged as the finest sponge in the world and is found only in certain sponge bearing fields in the Aegean Sea. Immediate excitement was tempered as the Captain explained that this particular sponge was all but extinct by a combination of a disease that had struck 30 years ago and continuous over fishing. As a consequence, it was no longer available for purchase.

From this moment  on Anargyros decided to focus his efforts on saving the Mollissima species and reintroduce it to the market. Thus ensuring that the future generation will also be able to enjoy the unsurpassed softness and velvety texture of this underwater treasure that transform every-day skin care to a trully luxurious experience. 

Today, almost 2 years after that first trip to Kalymnos and after many trials and tribulations we are proud to be the only company in the world to sustainably produce and offer you the Aegean Mollissima: the finest of all the sponges. These sponges of fine and unbeatable quality have been harvested in a sustainable, cruelty-free way that is highly beneficial to the local marine ecosystem.

With your support we succeed, every day, in our mission to save the Mollissima sponge whilst preserving the ancient cultural heritage of sponge diving and supporting local island communities. We offer the finest sponges in the world, harvested with love, from the depths of the Aegean Sea to you.

Cleopatra's Sponges. P.C. is an awarded company, that started as a romantic idea of a university student. A simple idea that grew to change an entire industry.
Tuesday, 23 January 2024 11:55

How 7 Athens Neighborhoods Got Their Names

As we stroll through the streets of Athens, a city steeped in history and culture, we encounter distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own captivating story. From the coastal charm of Glyfada to the historic Anafiotika, these districts hold tales that reflect the essence of Athens. Join us as we uncover the simple yet fascinating origins behind the names and histories of these neighborhoods, providing a glimpse into the city's vibrant past and the threads that weave its diverse urban fabric.

Glyfada

Glyfada, a picturesque suburb in the south of Athens, has stood as a model spa town since the early 20th century. The beaches, now a hub of recreational activity, underwent a transformation from their earlier association with the invigorating mountain air. The name "Glyfada" is attributed to the discovery of "glyfo nero" (brackish water) during a well-drilling endeavor in 1920.

Psychiko

Legend intertwines with benevolent acts in the naming of Psychiko. According to one account, the area earned its name when the marathoner Pheidippides, after announcing the victory of the Athenians over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon, drew his last breath there. "Psyche," meaning soul in Greek, reflects Pheidippides breathing his soul away. Alternatively, the name is associated with Osia Filothei, who, out of goodwill, opened a well to quench the thirst of passersby and farmers—an act termed "psychiko" in Greek, earning her the honor of having the area named after her.

Patisia

Patisia's nomenclature traces back to a peculiar origin. The name is derived from the phrase "papa pata isia," roughly translating to "walk straight" in English. Local children coined this term to tease a perpetually intoxicated Turkish Aga who stumbled in the area. The children, witnessing his unsteady steps, would playfully shout "papa pata isia," leading to the christening of the region as Patisia.

Ekali

Ekali draws its name from the ancient Attic municipality of Ekali of the Leontidos tribe. Numerous historical accounts place it along the Athens-Marathona axis, with ties to the myth of Theseus and the Bull of Marathon. The ancient municipality derived its name from Ekali, the host of Theseus during his quest, who beseeched Zeus for victory. Theseus, in her honor, established the Ekalisia festival.

Metaxourgeio

The name Metaxourgeio, translating to "silk factory" in Greek, finds its roots in a silk fabric manufacturing facility established in 1835. Housed within the incomplete residence of Prince Katakouzinos, a structure preserved to this day on Megalo Alexandrou, Millerou, and Yatrakou streets, the silk factory left an indelible mark on the area's identity.

Anafiotika

Transporting visitors to the idyllic carefreeness of a Cycladic island, Anafiotika in Plaka is a charming enclave. Crafted in the mid-19th century by skilled artisans from Anafi and other Aegean regions, the houses boast Cycladic architecture. Cobblestone streets and climbing plants contribute to the island ambiance, providing Athens with a touch of Aegean allure.

Chalandri

Chalandri, once a region abundant with arable lands, was originally known as the "Flyas Municipality" due to its thriving agricultural activity. During the Turkish occupation, the majority of these lands fell under the possession of the Chalas manor, leading to the eventual naming of the area as Chalandri.
The Greek language, with its long and rich history, is full of linguistic quirks that make it stand out among the world's languages. From words that exist nowhere else to mind-bending grammar rules, Greek is a linguistic treasure trove of unique features. Let’s explore some of the most unusual and captivating aspects of Greek that many people might not know!



1. The Longest Word in Greek (and in the World)

Greek is famous for its love of compound words, where different words are combined to create a single term. In fact, it holds the record for the longest word ever written. This mouthful comes from Aristophanes' comedy Ecclesiazusae and has a staggering 171 letters:

Lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimypotrimmatosilphioparaomelitokatakechymenokichlepikossyphophatto
peristeralektryonoptekephalliokigklopeleiolagōiosiraiobaphētraganopterýgōn.

This word is a description of a fictional dish that combines a myriad of ingredients, showcasing the Greeks’ love for detailed, descriptive compounds. It’s a bit of a joke in itself, poking fun at overly complex names.

2. Words That Exist Only in Greek

Greek is rich in words that are so tied to its culture and worldview that they don’t have a direct translation in other languages. Here are a couple of examples: 
  • Meraki (μεράκι): This beautiful word describes doing something with soul, creativity, or love—putting "a piece of yourself" into what you're doing. Whether it's cooking a meal or writing a letter, meraki means going the extra mile to make it special.
  • Philoxenia (φιλοξενία): Literally meaning "love of strangers," this term refers to the deeply rooted Greek tradition of hospitality. It’s more than just being polite—philoxenia is about making guests feel like family.
  • Eudaimonia (ευδαιμονία): Often translated as "happiness," it’s more accurately defined as a state of being good-spirited or flourishing—essentially, the pursuit of a fulfilling, meaningful life, which was central to ancient Greek philosophy.

3. The Dual Number: When Two is Special

While most languages today use singular and plural forms, ancient Greek also had a dual number. This unique grammatical form was used when referring to exactly two people or things. So, instead of saying “we” (plural) when talking about two people, ancient Greeks would use a specific form for "the two of us."

The dual number was used in verb conjugation, pronouns, and even nouns. For example, the word "ὀφθαλμός" meaning eye was the singular form, "ὀφθαλμοί" the plural, and "τὼ ὀφθαλμὼ" was used to refer to the pair of eyes. The dual number slowly disappeared from the language by the Classical period, but it’s a fascinating reminder of the precision in ancient Greek grammar.

4. Koine Greek: The First Global Language

Koine Greek could be considered the first global language in human history. Emerging after the conquests of Alexander the Great, it spread across a vast territory from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and even India. People from vastly different regions and cultures used it as a lingua franca, facilitating trade, diplomacy, and intellectual exchange.

Koine Greek was also the language of early Christianity, as the New Testament was written in it, and it played a crucial role in the spread of religious ideas. Its wide-reaching influence made Greek one of the earliest languages to bridge disparate cultures, a precursor to languages like English in modern global communication.

5. Compound Words: The Art of Building New Meanings

Greek has a remarkable capacity to create new words through compounding—joining two or more words together to express a complex idea. For example:

  • Anthropology (ανθρωπολογία): Comes from anthrōpos (human) and logos (study), meaning "the study of humans."
  • Television (τηλεόραση): Combines tele (far) and vision (sight), describing the transmission of visual media over a distance. 

What’s unique about Greek compounding is that it allows for incredible precision in describing abstract concepts, emotions, and scientific phenomena. Greek words were so flexible in this regard that they became the foundation for much of the vocabulary used in modern science and medicine today.

6. Greek's Contribution to Modern Medical & Scientific Terminology

If you've ever wondered why medical terms or scientific classifications sound so complicated, it’s because they’re often built on Greek roots. Greek provides a huge percentage of the vocabulary used in the fields of medicine, biology, and astronomy, among others. Terms like:

  • Cardiology (καρδιολογία) from kardia (heart) and logos (study of).
  • Photosynthesis (φωτοσύνθεση) from phos (light) and synthesis (putting together). 
Greek’s ability to form compound words made it perfect for creating precise terms that describe complex scientific processes and discoveries, many of which are still used universally today.

7. Polytonic Orthography: A Dance of Accents

For much of its history, Greek used a polytonic (multi-accented) system of writing. This system included three accent marks (acute, grave, and circumflex) to indicate different pitch patterns in pronunciation. Ancient Greek was a tonal language, and these accents were essential for clarity in meaning.

For example, the word οἶκος (oîkos) means "house," while ὅς (hós) means "who." The use of accents differentiated these meanings in both speech and writing. Though the polytonic system was officially replaced by the simpler monotonic system in 1982, many historical texts still retain this rich dance of accents, making the written language as visually distinct as it is meaningful.
Thursday, 05 February 2015 15:03

Perception vs. Reality

Sometimes perception (Spring is here) and reality (it’s still cold) are two different things. Sometimes perception (crisis continues) and reality (crisis continues) are very much in line. I’m never sure which one of those has to change first for the other to follow suit. Does reality change our perceptions, or can one’s perception change one’s reality?

My perception over the past several weeks is that Greece, somehow, has turned a corner. At least on a macro level, the economy seems to have eased away from the brink, and all signs are pointing to a slow pattern of recovery. At least this is my perception, and those of many others I’ve spoken with.

However, looking outside and overhearing conversations on the street or in the café, I’m not quite sure…

Here is my problem with perception vs. reality: I don't know which one to believe! So, as with most things, I turn to Google for help. I have a bunch of news feeds set up on my internet homepage – from around the world, but also from Greek news sources. The headlines from this week are oh-so-confusing:

Cost of borrowing via T-bills drops to pre-bailout levels

City Hall's anti-graffiti campaign reaches Monastiraki

IBM to open New center in Athens for big data analytics

Benefits to all single-parent families and new unemployed

 

But also:

Supermarket chains sense worst is yet to come

GDP falls by €40bn in four years

Golden Dawn MP praises Hitler as a 'great personality'

 

My own strong perception is that Greece is changing. In small steps, to be sure, but changing nonetheless. This perception is also echoed by my international friends and colleagues who seem to believe that Greece is getting its act together. And many of whom, it seems, have already booked a holiday here this summer. 

Perception is reality. Western self-help psychology tells us that changing our perception can change our reality. And I tend to agree. I feel (want, hope) that Greece is changing, slowly crawling to a better place. And maybe if we all started to believe this, our perception would slowly shift, our mood would slowly change, our interactions would improve, and our overall experience of Greece would improve is subtle ways. Thus, by believing we have turned a corner, we will have changed our reality.  Naïve? Perhaps…  Effective? Most likely…

In the end, I suppose we have to make our own reality, and our individual perception will constantly shift depending on where our day takes us. Maybe the trick is to ‘manage’ our perception like we manage our news feeds.

One thing is for sure: this weekend’s perception (long weekend) and reality (long weekend) are very much in line.  Happy Easter to all  :)

Until next week,

Jack

 

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

 

Wednesday, 18 February 2015 10:45

The Seaside Idyll Of The Athenian Riviera

Wednesday evening, it's just before midnight and I'm in the Athens suburb of Glyfada. At Lemoni on Kyprou Street – the most popular of the new, post-crisis breed of taverna – there are few vacant tables. Out on the pavement, four tall pine trees are corseted in gold lights.

Lavender and sweet peas spill from planter boxes made from Artemis wine crates. Greek couples and groups are smoking, sipping cloudy ouzo over shared platters; there are families with young children busting curfews.

A hundred metres further down the road, at Soleto, cafe society is at full tilt. Cars are double-parked (a bit of a Hellenic habit) and the trees are lit up like it's Christmas as Athenians venerate the holy trinity of life: caffeine, cigarettes, mobile phone. It's a scene full of kefi, a Greek word that means joyful spirits.

Something has changed of late.Two years ago, every visit to Glyfada (25 minutes from the Acropolis) meant seeing a freshly abandoned shopfront; now, the tumbleweed feeling has gone and there's a tangible pulse of optimism in this cosmopolitan, seaside town, capital of the Athenian Riviera.

Few visitors to Greece realise that less than 10 miles south of the city centre – and still defined as Greater Athens – lies this photogenic stretch of mountains, mineral lakes, seaside resorts and sandy beaches with blue-flag certified clean waters. You won't find the "Athenian Riviera" on any Google map (yet); it's more of an idea. The words are local shorthand for the 35 miles of coastal road that connect the seaside retail hub of Glyfada to Cape Sounion and the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon on the Attica peninsula.


To read this article in full, please visit: theguardian.com
By Amanda Dardanis

Thursday, 19 February 2015 12:34

Greek Fast Food Chain Expanding To Australia

Greek fast food chain,Goody’s, is looking to expand to Australia following the initiative of a Greek-Australian to take it there. In Greece, Goody’s has managed to oust all other competition from the market, however it remains to be seen whether the local chain will be able to gain a share of the international market.

Australian newspaper Neos Kosmos reports that taking Goody’s to Australia is the brainchild of Greek-Australian businessman Kostas Tagalakis. The chain’s move to the land Down Under is considered a risk for Vivartia that has so far expanded close to home, going only as far as the Balkans (Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM) and Belarus.

To read more, please visit en.protothema.gr

Monday, 30 December 2019 07:00

New Year Traditions In Greece

New Year or ‘Protohronia’ is one of the most anticipated holidays and Greeks celebrate it extensively with thunderous jubilance. There are several New Year traditions in Greece and all of them are very interesting in their own aspect. Extensive fire work shows are arranged all over the country in different cities, as well as live music concerts and festivities. January 1 is not just New Year's Day in Greece, but also St. Basil's Day - the name day of Vasilis and Vasiliki. Here are a few of the different New Years traditions in Greece:

Vasilopita

On New Year’s Day in Greece, families get together for a big feast and it is on this day that St. Basil or Agios Vasilis delivers his gifts to children. It is the day that the traditional ‘Vasilopita’ is cut - a celebratory cake dedicated to St. Basil that is cut for good fortune.

Playing Cards

As New Years is considered as an enormously auspicious day with lots of good fortunes related to it, so it is the day when many Greeks engage in playing cards. Card playing or rolling the dice happen to be a custom in the country as the Greeks consider it to be lucky and look forward to the new year ahead with good fortune.

Carol Singing

People sing the New Year Carols. The children visit the houses in the neighborhood one after another and sing the "Kalanda" and wish New Year to everyone. It is also the practice to gift the children with money on the New Year Day.

The 'Podariko' Tradition

The first custom to take place with the advent of the New Year in Greece is called ‘podariko’ which is the Greek equivalent to the Northern English and Scottish ‘first foot’ tradition. According to Greek tradition the first person to enter a house on New Year’s Day brings either good luck or bad luck to the household. To this day many hosts keep the tradition alive by specially selecting the person who enters first into their house.

Hanging A Squill Bulb Or Onion

The Greeks hang bulbs of squill or onion on their front door on New Year’s Eve. This tradition is believed to date back to the times of the celebrated 6th century Greek thinker, Pythagoras. These plants can grow fast and survive when uprooted; as such, Greeks have designated bulbs of squill to symbolize growth and regeneration. After the New Year sets in, the the bulb is taken inside and preserved for the rest of the year.



To read the article in full, please visit: 123newyear.com

Monday, 15 April 2019 07:00

Easter Shop Hours In Athens - 2019

Greek Orthodox Easter is celebrated this year on Sunday April 28th, 2019. According to the Athens Commercial Association (ESA), the extended holiday shopping hours for Athens will start on April 18th.
 
Below are the recommmended shopping hours during the Easter holidays in Athens.
 
 
 
 
2019 Easter Shopping Hours

Thursday, 18 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Friday, 19 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Saturday, 20 April – 09:00 to 18:00
Sunday, 21 April – 11:00 to 18:00

Easter Week

Monday, 22 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Tuesday, 23 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Wednesday, 24 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Thursday, 25 April – 09:00 to 21:00
Friday, 26 April – 13:00 to 19:00
Saturday 27 April – 09:00 to 15:00

On Monday 29 April 2019 all stores will remain closed.

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