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Farewell To Pulitzer-Winning Reuters Photographer Yannis Behrakis
The Onassis Foundation Improves The Accessibility And Illumination Of The Acropolis
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met on Wednesday, October 23 at the Maximus Mansion with Antonis Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation, regarding the Foundation’s contribution to upgrading the infrastructure on the Hill of the Acropolis.
During the meeting, at which Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the Onassis Foundation’s Director of Culture Afroditi Panagiotakou were also present, Mr. Papadimitriou informed the Prime Minister of the Foundation’s decision to fund the installation of a modern platform lift (in place of the current lift and hoist), as well as the renovation and upgrading of the night illumination of the archaeological site.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis thanked Mr. Papadimitriou for the Foundation’s valuable contribution. He stressed that through its actions, the Foundation “projects the face of a Greece that has always maintained its values and sensitivity, particularly toward its cultural heritage, which comprises the heritage of all of humanity.”
Ms. Mendoni thanked Mr. Papadimitriou for the Onassis Foundation’s long-standing and constructive collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and noted that, “The Foundation’s financial support is important for the improvement of the infrastructure and services that are offered to the thousands of visitors that come to the archaeological site of the Acropolis. It is particularly important given the fact that the Acropolis is a primary image of Greece.”
In turn, Mr. Papadimitriou noted that “With these actions on the Hill of the Acropolis, the Onassis Foundation affirms its deep belief that culture is an issue of democracy, one that concerns society as a whole. By installing a wheelchair platform lift, we solve a practical, but also a symbolic issue: we stress the importance of equal access for all. We are also renewing the illumination of the Acropolis as a small gesture of respect to the monument and to the archaeologists that protect it in all of our names—because, in the end, the Acropolis will continue to illuminate us.
For the Onassis Foundation, everything is an issue of education. The Acropolis, as a monument that expresses Athenian Democracy, cannot help but comprise a priority. The monument continues to stand there, with or without us. But we have an obligation to renew its symbolism, according to the needs of the age. In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Onassis Foundation gives residents of Athens a new incentive to rediscover their city.
This effort is part of a broader strategy we have outlined for our city, Athens, with actions that will be announced in the coming months.”
The existing lift and hoist system will be replaced by a modern wheelchair platform lift, as is now customary in similar situations elsewhere in the world; the platform lift will provide the best possible accommodations for people with mobility impairments.
As for the lighting infrastructure, which was installed in 2004 in time for the Olympic Games, the plan calls for a comprehensive upgrade on the basis of the original study, so that the lines and shadows of the monuments and the rock can emerge anew from the new environment of the nighttime Athens of today.
Both projects are projected to be completed by summer 2020, while the cost is estimated at 1.5 million euros.No Athens Buses & Trolleys On Wednesday Due To Strike
“It is inconceivable that, without providing any information to its employees, there are ‘plans’ to address transit with constant contracts with KTEL, a fact that does not promote the public nature of urban transport,” stated the union in its announcement.
Originally published on: ekathimerini.com
Athens Welcomes Christmas With Tree Lighting on December 1
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
10 Ideas To Experience Athens During The Holidays
1. Shop 'til You Drop at Ermou Street
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For DIY ideas on crafting local Christmas delicacies or to discover homemade recipes, check out our Greek Food section!
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Out And About
An oldie but a goodie.... Over the weekend I was down in Thissio, along with what I’m sure was half the city! This area of Athens is really awesome – with a mix of locals and tourists, restaurants, cafes and street-sellers, Thissio is always buzzing.
I was meeting some friends for a coffee, and had decided to meet at our ‘local’ café called Moma. Moma is along the main strip of restaurants on Adrianou Street, around the half-way point, and offers a great menu of ‘modern Greek’ food. Cool design, chilled music and friendly service have made this one of my favourite places in the city.
But Moma has a little surprise. If you ever need a reminder about the nature of the city we live in, I suggest a visit to the bathrooms in Moma. Yes, the bathrooms. The phrase ‘what lies beneath’ comes to mind. We live in a multi-layered, multi-era city, and proof of this is at Moma.
Go for the minimal styling and the great menu – but do make a ‘pit-stop’ while you’re there ;)
Moma
Adrianou 29, Thissio
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…
We Love El Taco Bueno!
El Taco Bueno is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Athens. It has three restaurants in Chalandri, a northern suburb of Athens. You’ll find that it is simply decorated with hints of Mexican culture, from the checkered tablecloths to the sombreros and Mexican wool rugs hanging on the walls; all of which bring you closer to the Mexican mentality and temperament. Once there, you’ll enjoy simple, fresh Mexican food while sipping on their famous margaritas and sangria.
El Taco Bueno
All of the food at this restaurant is superb but here is a small taste of what you’ll find.
After you are seated, you are quickly served with a little bowl of nachos and salsa dip and a large glass of water to get your appetite going while you glance over the menu.
For starters, you can order nachos topped with melted cheese or chili (or both!), Mexi Cali Fries, Jalapeno Poppers, onion rings, chili con carne and quesadillas, not to mention some of the best buffalo chicken wings to be had in Athens. Their salads, which include the bueno tostada and the Mexicana salad, both set in a scrumptious tortilla shell, are fantastic; they are enormous and tasty.
For the main course, you can choose their specialty, fajitas, which are both delicious and in such large quantities that you will definitely want to share with friends! You can also try their enchiladas, chimichangas and burritos as well as hard taco shells filled with the meat of your choice, including minced meat, chicken or beef. But if you get stuck on what to order, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for suggestions – they are more than happy to help!
The service is excellent and in the summer, you can enjoy your meal in the garden, surrounded by trees and colorful flowers.
Don’t forget to make a reservation – although the restaurants are fairly large, the tables quickly get booked up!
Note: Most of the above dishes can be made meat-free for vegetarians.
WHERE:
El taco bueno
Ethinikis Antistaseos & Psaron 1, Chalandri
Tel 210 6840460
El taco bueno autentico
Aristotelous 84, Chalandri
Tel 210 6813787
El taco bueno delivery
Pentelis Ave. 12-14, Chalandri
Tel 210 6800662-3
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday-Saturday 19:00-24:00
Sunday 13:00-24:00
Average cost per person: 20-25€
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
Films, Made All Over Greece!
The unique colours and sounds of Greece and the eternal beauty of the Greek landscape can be shared by everyone through the films that have been shot here… Greece: one of the most favourite movie locations! Hydra, Kefalonia, Skiathos,Skopelos, Amorgos, Kastellorizo, Delphi and Pelion are only some of the destinations that provided the perfect setting for films that later received international acclaim.
Many of those films have become “classic” and epitomize the Greek spirit via romance, passion, defiance, tragedy, forbidden love, guilty pleasures, and all else in between.
The international success of films such as “Zorba the Greek”, “Never on Sunday”, “Stella”, “Ilya Darling” and “Boy on a Dolphin” had the participation of all-star casts and directors and went on to receive Academy Award nominations. They continue to be favourites amongst cinephiles and are part of the annual Greek Film Festival at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. In addition to foreign movies, Greek cinema holds a special place with global audiences, highlighted by the golden age of cinema during the 50s and 60s, with elements of film noir that remain timeless.
To red more, please see visitgreece.gr