During the holiday period, shops throughout the country will remain open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Hellenic Retail Business Association (SELPE) said in a statement.

On Saturdays, they will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays, December 11 and 18, they will open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., in order to help the public make their holiday purchases.

It should be noted that the member companies of SELPE have taken all the necessary measures to comply with the health rules, the association stressed.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Located in the center of the modern city of Athens, right in the middle of the high-traffic shopping area of Ermou street, Panagia Kapnikarea is one of the oldest churches in Athens. And, although the church is one of the most widely-known churches in the whole country, frequented by millions of people, both foreigners and locals, its history is not that known.

Let's uncover some of its secrets!

How did it get its name? 

In 1689, Athens was firebombed by the Ottomans. Legend has it that although the fire reached the church, the icon of the Virgin Mary survived, but the wooden frame and Mary's face were charred. Kapnikarea comes from the words "kapnos" (smoke in Greek) and "kara" (face, head).

But most people believe the truth behind the church's strange name lies elsewhere. In 802 AD, a tax was imposed on the smoke coming out of the chimneys in Byzantine Athens. Each resident, according to the number of chimneys his house had, paid the corresponding tobacco tax. The tax collector who collected these taxes was called "Kapnikarios," and such a person built the church.

Kapnikarea is a complex tetragonal inscribed cruciform with a dome. Inside, one can find the works of Fotis Kontoglou, created in the mid-20th century. Kapnikarea consists of several parts, with the main part dating back to the 11th century, while the exonarthex and the propylon date back to the 12th century. The one-room chapel of Agia Barbara was built even later.

Why is it located in the middle of the street? 

The temple was to be demolished to make way for Ermou Street, according to the new urban planning plans for Athens in 1834. However, King Otto's father, Ludwig King of Bavaria, saved it, and so the street was created around Kapnikarea. Later there were again proposals to demolish it, however, it survived once again thanks to the decision of Theophilos I Vlachopapadopoulos, the Metropolitan bishop of Athens.

This temple could have been destroyed over the years, leaving only its ruins. However, it is still standing and open to visitors. People pass by without realizing that they are next to a monument that has witnessed some of the country's most important historical events.

Originally published in Greek on: youweekly.gr

Do you remember the projects you had to do during the later years of elementary school? Were they hard or easy to do? Was there anyone helping you or did you complete them by yourself? One of the projects I remember vividly was that we had to draw a map of the geographical area we were studying. Whether with mountains and rivers or just the names of the cities this was an almost weekly project. What I also remember was that very often it was my mum who would draw the maps for me.

She was obviously trying to help me finish and go to bed on time as we had quite a lot to study. But it wasn’t only that. I also remember that what I loved to do after school and right after I’d finished lunch was to chat with my mum and aunt. So, by the time I’d started studying, it was already late. To top that, I’d start with the easy topics first and leave the difficult ones for last. I’d be way too tired and sleepy by then. And that’s when my mum would come in.

Since these days I’ve often wondered what would have happened had she not come to my rescue. What would have happened if she’d just let me do as much of my homework as I could? It would have been even better if she could have faced her feelings and coped with my not finishing my homework. After all, it was me who was going to school the next day not her. This would have been a real help. This would have definitely challenged me and probably pushed me to take responsibility early on.

There’s no parent that I know of who wants to see their child fail. We all want to see our children progress in school and in life. How are we going to do that? By letting them try – or not try – and fail; by letting them face the consequences; by allowing them to take responsibility for their actions; and by being right next to them to offer our support when needed.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

The Meet Market – the most beloved mobile pop-up market in Athens – is back for 10 days in a row, this December 9 – 18 at the Old Depot Amaxostasio in Gazi.

It was back in 2007 when we opened our doors for the very first time at a little bar called K44 in Gazi, with 20 participating brands.  Since then, 15 years have passed, and with many slow, steady and consistent steps, the Meet Market has grown, evolved, expanded and made many new friends and family members along the way.  This December, we will feature more than 150 Greek brands of talented designers, artists, producers and collectors – divided into 2 lineups – turning the industrial roof of the Old Depot into a Christmas extravaganza!

So what can you expect?  Our first line-up of creators and creations will take part from Friday December 9th till Sunday December 11th. Then we’ll switch it up with our second line-up of participants from Monday December 12th till Sunday December 18th.  Come explore clothing, jewelry, accessories, care & wellness products, art & home deco, children’s items, delicious goodies, Christmas gifts and of course street food, Glühwein, artisanal coffee, locally brewed beers and plenty of alcohol to get the mood merry.

Faithfully following our motto “First we meet, then we market”, there’s not just shopping on the agenda.  Beyond the stalls, you’ll find plenty to do and see – and for those of you who join us on the weekdays, there will be a cup of warm free Glühwein waiting for you.

Join us for non-stop dj sets with alternating DJs and plenty of free interactive games for kids including workshops in grafitti and cinema, facepainting and acrobatic adventures.  And we haven’t forgotten about the big kids of course. Together with illustradays, we will feature “Drink & Draw” events hosted by special guests throughout the course of the 10 days.  Make sure you stop by the central info point to take a chance at winning free prizes including our grand prize raffle, for 4 lucky winners who will each win a huge holiday basked filled with products from all our makers.

And DO LOOK UP, because you’ll find a very special exhibition of handmade dream catchers from Yannis Prassas “Dreamcatcher’s Project” that will fill the venue’s ceiling with color and wishes for the new year.  Each Saturday, he’ll also be hosting workshops so you can come and learn to make them yourself.  More details on our lineup of activites, exhibitors and djs below.

Come one, come all – just come on over and celebrate the holidays and our 15 year anniversary all together under one industrial roof in the heart of the city center.

Ever incisive, subversive, and surprising, the Tectonics Festival is back in Athens for the fourth year.

With new music at its core – everything from classical orchestral music to improvised solo performances, taking in electronic music, new instruments, music installations, and much more along the way – Tectonics is returning to Athens. Onassis Stegi is partnering with the Athens Conservatoire to present yet another packed and audacious program of live music events.

Touching on everything from symphonic music to noise, and from free improvisation to contemporary composition, Tectonics uncovers new affinities between differing music styles. Acclaimed conductor Ilan Volkov, who launched the event with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, in the country where the tectonic plates of Asia, Europe, and North America all meet, joins forces with Michalis Moschoutis and Anne Hilde Neset to create yet another unforgettable festival for the Athens music scene.

The Christmas Factory at Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens opens its gates on Saturday, November 26th!

Santa Claus has decided to reveal all his secrets that lead to joy this year! And this is done with 7 + 1 special workshops - from a ghostly maze to creative confectionery activities, Face Painting and choreography by the elves; a dancefloor for young and old, a more giant ice rink, the band of elves, and much more.

You can't have Christmas without food! That's why The Christmas Factory has everything: souvlaki, burger, pasta, pizza, hot dog, chocolate, treats, hot wine, food, and drinks for all appetites and moods! And because Christmas also means gifts for loved ones, the bountiful market has all the decorations, toys, and inspirational gifts you can imagine. And at the centre of this fairy-tale, magical happy "village" is the even taller and even more tufted Christmas tree.

This year, The Christmas Factory includes in its extensive program the theatrical performance "Elafontain, the Aesop in another way" directed and conceived by Giorgos Suleiman, text by Sofia Kapsouros, and original music by Themis Karamouratidis. An excellent occasion for children to get to know the myths of Aesop through the eyes of the French poet and mythmaker Jean de La Fontaine. A performance - an ode to cooperation.

From December 17th to January 1st, the holiday spirit comes to Omonia Square, and the magic of Christmas spreads joy and love to all the visitors of the Athens center.

 

The Omonoia Christmas Market will be the capital's new commercial and entertainment institution. It is organized by the Municipality of Athens as part of "Christmas in Athens," a program of various festive events, with the contribution of major sponsors and partners. It aims to add a festive sparkle to the historic square and welcomes young and old to the most spectacular Christmas event.

 

The Christmas market will host special stalls showcasing a wide variety of handmade, mouth-watering treats, beautiful ornaments, and unique Christmas gift ideas for the whole family. The festival includes numerous musical events and performances, as well as fun activities for the whole family. The best way to embrace the Christmas atmosphere!

 

 

The Christmas Factory opened its doors on November 26th and, once again, welcoming all, young and old, to a fairytale-like experience packed with joy, celebration, games, laughter, tickling smells, and, for the first time this year, theatrical performances!

 

This year, Santa has decided to reveal all his secrets! This will be achieved through 7 + 1 special workshops - from a spooky maze to creative confectionery activities, face painting, and fun choreographies - a dance floor, an ice rink, an elf band, and much more.

 

And, since there’s no Christmas without food, you can enjoy plenty of dinner options, from skewers and burgers to pizza and pasta! Not to mention the Christmasy hot beverages and drinks!

 

Christmas also means giving gifts to loved ones, so the market has everything you could possibly be looking for, including ornaments, toys, and inspirational gifts.
 

This year, the program of festivities includes the theatrical performance "Elafontaine, Aesop in Another Way," directed by Giorgos Suleimans, with text by Sofia Kapsouros and original music by Themis Karamouratides. An excellent occasion for children to get to know the myths of Aesop through the eyes of the French poet and mythmaker Jean de La Fontaine.

 

For more information in greek, please visit: athens-technopolis.gr

Athens will usher in the Christmas season on Thursday, December 1, with a brilliant tree lighting ceremony on central Syntagma Square at 7:15pm launching this year’s 38-day program of holiday events.

Concerts, performances, parties, shows, workshops, and happenings will kick off on December 1 and run through January 7 in 129 neighborhoods and 35 squares across the city. Ten Christmas villages, including Omonia Christmas Market and the Kypseli Municipal Market, complete with Santa and elves, stilt walkers, jugglers and puppets will welcome young and old and set the mood for the holiday season.

“The year’s Christmas festivities take place in the city’s 129 neighborhoods. We will decorate the streets and squares with bright lights and ornaments, sending a message of joy and optimism to all Athenians,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

Athens’ main 21-meter-tall Christmas tree comes from Karpenisi, the mayor’s hometown, and will be lit with 40,000 lights and hundreds of ornaments during the special tree lighting ceremony on December 1 with the virtual participation of mayors from across the globe sending a message of peace, unity, and solidarity.

Greek pop singer Tamta will be performing live in concert together with the Athens Big Band. Petros Kourtis and The Tin Soldiers Marching Band will be opening the evening. Other popular performers such as Rena Morfi and Nikos Portokaloglou, Stavento, Ivi Adamou, Enorasis, Evridiki and Myronas Stratis, and Dimitris Starovas will be taking the stage at Syntagma Square from December 20 onwards.

To read this article in full, please visits: news.gtp.gr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translated by: Codico Lab