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Thursday, 21 May 2020 20:00

SNF Dialogues Webcast: Art on Lockdown


The SNF DIALOGUES discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Arts & Culture


Since the initiation of lockdowns as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, art has served as a way out and an outlet of expression for people confined indoors. From theatrical and musical performances, films, museums, and books made freely accessible from home to individual artistic endeavors, art in all its forms has been critical to sustaining our well-being as human beings.

On Wednesday, May 27 at 18:30 (GMT+3), the SNF DIALOGUES will hold its fourth live webcast, “Art on Lockdown,” to discuss the deep new challenges arts and culture professionals face as a result of the pandemic. Through an open conversation with these professionals and the audience, SNF DIALOGUES will explore the impacts of the pandemic, what comes next, and our collective responsibility to ensure that art and culture do not succumb to lockdown.

Participants in the DIALOGUES webcast on “Art on Lockdown”:

-Foivos Delivorias, Singer-Songwriter, Chairman of the Board at EDEM
-Prodromos Tsinikoris, Director, Dramaturge

Katerina Evangelatos, Artistic Director of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival
Linda Kapetanea, Artistic Director of Kalamata Dance Festival 
Nikos Kolovos, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Northern Greece
Dimitris Lignadis, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Greece
Thomas Machairas, Artistic Director of Release Festival
Giannis Paltoglou, Artistic Director of Ejekt Festival
Mily Paschali, Artistic Director at SNF
Anna Fonsou, President of the “Actor House,” will contribute video messages that will be streamed during the discussion.

The DIALOGUES are curated and moderated by Anna-Kynthia Bousdoukou.

About SNF Dialogues

Through its monthly series of events, entitled SNF DIALOGUES, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation presents individuals and representatives of civil society who inspire others through their work, actions and vision, coming from different fields, backgrounds, and countries.

SNF DIALOGUES delve into different themes that cut across the key pillars of the Foundation’s work: Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Sports, and Social Welfare.

Through this series of events, which are free and open to the public, the SNF seeks to catalyze conversations around critical issues, create a platform for the exchange of ideas, present individuals who inspire a new way of thinking, and encourage collaboration among individuals and organizations across the globe.


Register online here: dialogues@SNF.org



 

XpatAthens is very happy to welcome Eleni Meraki as an official content contributor!

We're especially excited about sharing some of the inspiring content from her Be Your Own Muse platform which will be published for our readers in our Conscious Living section.

We will also work closely with Eleni to share some of the life-changing stories from her storytelling platform Guts & Tales - this content will be shared with our readers in the People section of our website.

XpatAthens works with writers, bloggers, cultural platforms, and local media in order to give our readers unique, useful, and up-to-date content. We're always looking to meet and connect with new content contributors and if you believe that your content would be a positive contribution to XpatAthens, learn more about working with us here.
More About Eleni Meraki
 
Eleni Meraki is a life and business coach, multiple online entrepreneur, and writer, and has devoted her life to assisting people on their journeys to living a more authentic and happy life. She has coached and interviewed hundreds of people on their journeys of transformation towards a more meaningful life and conscious business making.

Visit Eleni's Websites


Eleni Meraki: www.elenimeraki.com
Guts & Tales: www.gutsandtales.com
By Your Own Muse: www.beyourownmuse.com
Monday, 18 May 2020 01:10

Drive-In Cinema To Open In Athens

Drive-in cinemas were very popular during the 50s and 60s, and their popularity has lately been on the rise, due to the global coronavirus outbreak and the need for social distancing.
 
According to the Athens Drive-In website, in a few days, Athens will get a drive-in cinema, after many decades. There is a countdown timer counting down to June 1. The drive-in's location is a secret and is not mentioned anywhere on the cinema's website or Facebook page.
 
On the website, there's one bold question, 'Do you want to be the first to live the drive-in experience?' prompting users to sign-up for updates!

We are looking forward to giving our evenings a dash of retro charm while staying safe at the same time. Stay tuned!

 

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

Picture this: You've just had your first souvlaki in the heart of Athens. You've strolled down a few blocks, browsed at a few shops and cafes along the way when suddenly, something has changed. You've started to crave something sweet, something to put "the cherry on top" of your day.

Luckily, we've put together a list of 5 different pastry shops where you can give your sweet tooth something to remember Athens by.

Afoi Asimakopouloi

Asimakopouloi
Credit: Αφοι Ασημακόπουλοι ζαχαροπλαστείο

This pastry shop dates back to 1915 and is mostly famous for its galaktoboureko, a traditional Greek custard pie baked in phyllo and drizzled with sugar syrup. This pastry shop has been located in the area of Exarcheia for more than 100 years and has used the same recipes since its establishment, keeping its products authentic and fresh. Another fact that makes this pastry shop so unique is that it is one of the few pastry shops in Greece that produces its milk from imported Dutch cows to use in their products. As far as desserts in Athens are concerned, it doesn't get much better than Afoi Asimakopouloi.

Address: 82 Charilaou Trikoupi, Athens, 106 80
Telephone: 210 3610092

Le Greche Gelato

La Greche
@xixios_photo

Le Greche Gelato is a genuinely Italian-style gelato shop, serving more than 28 different flavors of gelato and sorbets, all made from fresh milk, seasonal fruits, and 100% Greek and Italian products. Since 2014 the capital's ice-cream loving crowd has been delighted by their smooth, creamy, velvety gelato and Italian delicacies such as panettone, chocolates, and coffee! If gelato is your dessert of choice, you must try a scoop of their most famous specialty: Pistachio from Sicily. If you're in the mood for more, combine it with an extra scoop of their Stracciatella, or Baklava flavor to create the perfect combination.

Address: 16 Mitropoleos, Athens, 105 63
Telephone: 216 7006458

Lukumades

Lukumades
@lukumades

Everyone loves loukoumades or, in other words, Greek crispy donuts. Loukoumades are a classic carnival treat or traditionally served at yaya's (granny's) house topped with honey, cinnamon, and nuts. At Lukumades, you can customize your serving with a massive variety of chocolate or cream fillings, spreads, toppings, and ice cream. Lukumades is a "heaven on earth" little shop that opened its doors in 2013 and has been delighting customers from all over the world ever since; even Prince Charles of Wales and Duchess Camilla visited Lukumades during their visit to Greece in 2018! Quite the historic visit, for a popular dessert!

Address:  21 Eolou & Aghias Irinis, Athens, 105 51
Telephone: 210 321088

Choureal

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Credit: Choureal - Choux & Profiterole

We have saved the best for last. Everyone loves a good old bowl of profiteroles, but have you ever been able to modify it to your liking? Well, at Choureal, you can! Choureal first opened in Thessaloniki in 2014 and spread its magic to Athens in 2019. This little pastry shop has been the talk of the town for its unique concept and mastery in choux pastries. Everything they make is "à la minute," using top-quality ingredients, such as Valrhona chocolate, fresh dairy butter, and milk to make their crème patisseries and many other fillings. Choose your filling, and extra toppings to make your very own profiteroles, eclair, simple cream-filled choux pastry! At Choureal, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied..

Address: 2 Diomeias, Athens, 105 63
Telephone: 210 3317883

Main Image Credit: Choureal - Choux & Profiterole

 

The European Commission, in collaboration with the President of the European Council, has put forward a Joint European Roadmap for the gradual lift of measures that were taken during the COVID-19 outbreak.
 
With the lifting of restrictions on travel-related activities, citizens are expected to gradually resume domestic and intra-EU travel. However, lifting measures too quickly may cause a sudden increase in infections, so until a vaccine is available, the need for travel and tourism should be weighed against the risks of a resurgence of the virus.
 
While drafting the 'roadmap,' the protection of the health of citizens, tourism workers, and tourists remains the key priority.

The guidance provides criteria and principles for the safe and progressive restoration of tourism and for the development of health protocols for the hospitality sector.

The EU Guidance for health protocols in hospitality establishments proposes policies to guide Member States in the design and implementation of infection prevention, control measures, and protocols for hospitality services providers, such as hotels and other hospitality establishments, to ensure the health and safety travelers as well as workers in the hospitality sector.

Epigramamatically, the guiding principles are the following:

a) Epidemiological situation, b) The health and safety of guests and workers is a key priority, c) Local arrangements, d) Action Plan in case of infection, e) Training, f) Management of staff, g) Information for guests, h) Physical distancing and hygiene, i) Infection prevention and control measures (IPC measures) such as: Respiratory etiquette, Hand hygiene, Use of face masks, Ventilation, Cleaning and disinfection, j) Potential infections among guests or staff

The European Commission will continue collaborating with the Member States' officials, tourism stakeholders, and international organizations to expedite the implementation of this guidance.

To read the full set of guidences, please visit: ec.europa.eu
Friday, 08 May 2020 17:32

Ways To Support Us

XpatAthens has been serving and connecting the international community in Greece since 2007. True to our mission and values, we are commited to connecting people with information, resources, and services that contribute to their personal and professional journeys in Greece.

To facilitate our work, we depend on the support of our readers, local businesses, and corporate sponsors. Thank you for considering to support our efforts.


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Friday, 08 May 2020 15:46

Mission & Values

Our platform is all about creating and inspiring real, honest, and authentic connection, where honorable work gives life, health and happiness to everyone. We aim to live globally, connect people, bridge cultures, and share knowledge. 

We believe that sustainable community creates sustainable economy, which provides us all with a sustainable existence. Our organization creates community, provides community, and supports community – globally and locally – virtually and physically.


                                      We love living globally and contributing locally!
 
 
OUR MISSION
 
Our mission is to create and support, connect and develop local communities - their people, businesses, educational systems, social structures and organizations.
 
OUR CORE VALUES
  • Consciously, sustainably, and creatively building physical and digital community.
  • Global connection through local living.
  • Respect and acceptance of all local cultures, their land and their people.
  • Moving about the globe respectfully, with care, awareness, and with low impact on local communities and our Earth.
  • Balance, harmony, excellence, responsibility of self, and compassion for others.
WE BELIEVE IN
  • Global citizens with unique cultures.
  • The ease of communication and understanding, and the growth of knowledge between all people and their cultures.
  • Bridging people, knowledge and information.
  • The continued improvement of our lives and the lives of others in the communities that we live in, as well as the communities that we visit.
  • Sustainable communities to create sustainable economies to create sustainable existence.

Learn about ways to support us or get in touch with us directly.

We welcome you to join us and become part of the community in Greece!
Stay connected with us through our newsletter, on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

When the word “Greece” comes to mind, one image can describe it and it involves marble statues. For centuries, Greece has been globally famous for its mythology, architecture, and marvelous statues. However, throughout the course of time, many of these artifacts have either been destroyed, lost or taken from their homelands and given new homes in different museums, scattered all over the world. Here is a small list of artifacts that can be found abroad.


1. Venus De Milo, Louvre Museum, Paris, France
 
Venus, originally named Aphrodite by the Greeks was the goddess of beauty and love. This statue was sculpted by Praxiteles around 130-100BC and represents the perfection of Greek female beauty. It was found later in 1820 during the Ottoman Empire, amongst the ancient ruins on the island of Milos. Her arms for unknown reasons were lost and this is the form of the statue we know today.
 
2. The Red-Figured Water Jar (Hydria), British Museum, London, United Kingdom
 
Date of creation 420-400BC by potter Meidias and assembled by Sir William Hamilton who sold it to the British museum in 1772. The vase is divided in two zones. The upper zone illustrates the story of the abduction of the daughters of Leukippos by the Dioskouri and the Goddess Aphrodite conspiring in the abduction. The lower zone portrays Hercules’ final labor, Cerberus the guardian of the gates to the Underworld.
 
3. Statue Of Zeus Enthroned, National Archeological Museum, Naples, Italy
 
This 29-inch statue, who’s sculptor’s identity is unknown, was influenced by the 40-foot tall statue by the sculptor Phidias made by ivory and gold in around 430BC. The statue was displayed in the temple of Zeus in Olympia and was deemed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
 
4. Apollo The Python Slayer, Cleveland Museum Of Art, Ohio, USA
 
This is another statue by Praxiteles, made in the 4th century BC. This statue is made in bronze and portrays the god Apollo, god of the sun, poetry, and music. According to mythology, Apollo slayed Python, a dragon-like serpent, sent by Hera to harass his mother Leto, while she was pregnant with him and his sister the Goddess Artemis. Python had them on the hunt for a long time, until many years passed and when Apollo was old enough, he went after him and slayed him with the bow and arrow given to him by the God Hephaestus.

5. Caryatid, British Museum, London, United Kingdom
 
This statue is one of the 6 pillars of a temple named Erectheion (or Erechteum), located on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, that was built around 421-406BC. In the early 1800s, Lord Elgin had one of the statues removed from the temple and sold to the British museum. Today, the remaining 5 statues can be found in the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

 


Greece is undoubtedly one of the most appealing travel destinations, but amidst the Covid-19 crisis, the idea of a summer vacation in Greece sounds like an unlikely scenario! Or maybe not, according to Greek officials.
 
And that is because Greece appears to be a rare coronavirus success story. The safety measures and a strict lockdown was enforced very early, keeping the death rate extremely low compared to European countries.
 
This week, some small businesses–such as hairdressers and bookstores–were allowed to re-open for the first time after the long closure. This gradual lifting of the lockdown measures may be a model for welcoming back some travelers this summer, thinks Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
 
"The tourism experience this summer may be slightly different from what you've had in previous years," Mitsotakis told CNN's, Nic Robertson. "Maybe no bars may be open, or no tight crowds, but you can still get a fantastic experience in Greece – provided that the global epidemic is on a downward path."

However, opening up to tourism unavoidably means opening up to travelers possibly carrying the virus. Currently, every international traveler is screened for Covid-19 upon arriving in Athens; however, the Prime Minister is hoping for something more comprehensive such as global, or at least European standards that set the same travel protocols for all countries. "I would assume that people will be tested before they get on a plane, not after they arrive here. They can only get on the plane with a negative test, or with a positive antibody test," he said.

All going well, Greece will probably be able to start welcoming tourists by July 1.


To read this article in full, please visit: cnn.com
Wednesday, 06 May 2020 14:37

Welcoming The Digital Citizens' Academy

What is the Digital Citizens' Academy?
 
It is a cutting edge initiative to gather, on a single platform, educational content aimed to improve the digital skills of citizens. The platform combines content from 29 different thematic units and includes 156 courses, more than 1500 teaching hours, from 23 vendors.
 
 
How Can I Use The Academy To Improve My Digital Skills?

Joining is free and does not require a complicated registration. All you need to do is select a category, a thematic unit, and a course that suits your interests and level of knowledge, which you can complete online at your own pace.
 
How Was The Content Selected? Is It Valid?
 
The content has been selected by a team of experts from the Ministry of Digital Governance in collaboration with Greek academics and experts in digital education. Greek and International experts warrant a) the quality of the content and structure of the educational platform and, b) the simplicity of use.
 
Will I Be Able To Find Courses That Meet My Needs?
 
The Digital Citizens' Academy is a dynamic platform, and the number of topics and courses will continue to grow, covering even broader educational needs. More and more vendors will contribute educational content, enabling citizens to make more extended use of the Digital Citizens' Academy.
 
Soon, the Digital Citizens' Academy will be offering self-diagnostic tools so that every citizen can assess the level of their digital skills. Depending on the results of the self-diagnostic tools and the personal goals of each trainee citizen, the platform will offer personalized 'educational paths,' combining courses from various providers.
 

Originally posted in Greek on nationaldigitalacademy.gov.gr
Translated by Codico Lab



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