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.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Anyone living in or visiting Athens with young children will find this article very useful! Our friends at Family Goes Out have created an excellent and comprehensive list of free playgrounds around Athens - each one mapped out on Google.

Below are some of the playgrounds included in the list. For a complete guide to public playgrounds and their locations in Athens, please visit: Family Goes Out

Urban park, green with water, ten acres, square with walking lanes, separate playgrounds for younger and older children, skate ramp, cobweb, electronic games, traffic park for cycling.

Public playground at Kountouriotou Square in Koukaki area. Playground and sports field.

Oumplianis & Diocharous St. Public playground in Ilissia area, near Caravel Hotel.  Playground and sports field.

Public playground located in Attiko Park (Attiko Alsos), in Galatsi.  Playground and sports field.

While it’s not rare for Athens to get snow, it usually melts before we know it! Luckily, this video captures the few pristine moments the city was blanketed in a fresh white coat. Check it out!

Source: Greek Reporter

The 6^th Petit Paris d'Athènes is already underway!

The festival will take place from the 4th to the 14th of October 2018 and will be in the general area of the centre of Athens including Omonoia square, Larissa Station and Peloponnisos Station, Metaxourgeio, St Paul square and Victoria square. These are the neighborhoods where many streets are named in French and have served as cultural meeting points between the cosmopolitan and folk culture of Athens with foreign traditions of refugees, travelers and visitors.

The festival’s theme is “May of 1968. Fifty Years Later...” (Mai 1968. Cinquante ans après...) Petit Paris d'Athènes includes music, art and photography exhibitions, street art, theatre and variete, performances, street shows and parties, lectures, “tables rondes” and “rendez-vous sociaux”, guided tours and educational programs.

The festival is co-organised by the Athens Art Network, the City of Athens Culture, Sports and Youth Organization, and the Region of Attica. It is under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and has the support of the French embassy and the French Institute of Greece.

The festival's goal is to mend through art and culture some of the most abused neighborhoods in Athens and to allow young artists to thrive. In essence, it is a 10 day celebration of art and culture in which more than 500 artists and people of intellect from Greece and worldwide participate at multiple selected places (such as streets, squares, parks, theatres, conservatoires, galleries, bistros, schools, neo-classical buildings, hotels and many other alternative spaces).

In 2013 the festival was dedicated to Albert Camus for the 100th anniversary of his birth and in 2014 to the Βelle Époque and the start of World War I. In 2015 the theme was “The culture of Café and Bistros” with a special nod to rive gauche in post-war Paris. In 2016 the festival was about Team Spirit and Arts and lastly, in 2017 Petit Paris d' Athènes was dedicated to Woman in Europe.

In 2018, the festival’s theme is “May of 1958. Fifty years later...”

How did the French revolution of May in 1968, without any racial, political, cultural or societal discrimination, but with a strong international impact, become a landmark in 20 th century history, influence and continues to influence societal struggles and cultural expression both in France and around the world? Art, either militant for a cause or simply as a product of a free mind, deeply marked the revolution of ‘68 has been a movement of timeless value.

For all artist and cultural groups interested in joining the 6th Petit Paris d' Athènes, the proposed artwork should be inspired by the revolution itself or the general ideas and values as well as the main and side actions of societal struggle to this day.

Suggestions are to be submitted via e-mail to info@mikroparisi.com and should include:

• all info on the project plus a short description of it (up to 200 words)
• a digital sample of the suggestion
• collaborators’ personal details (in both English and Greek)
• a short CV of the artist/ team

Information for volunteers

Volunteers interested in joining in photography team or organizing team of the festival are welcome to send a short CV via e-mail to info@mikroparisi.com.

Throughout the preparation of the festival, all volunteers are expected to take part in the scheduled seminars and after completing the predetermined time of participation and volunteer work, they will receive a certificate of participation.

Info & contact: info@mikroparisi.com

Website: Petitparisdathenes.com

Facebook: Petit Paris d' Athènes - το μικρό Παρίσι των Αθηνών

Some people have the guts to change their lives around and follow their dreams. That's exactly what Guts & Tales offers people through its platform. Inspiring stories.

People who went from Law students to founders and from business executives to Yoga tutors, all in a pursuit of happiness.

This city is a great place to satisfy all your carb cravings. Every neighborhood in Athens has at least one bakery where most households shop daily. You’ll find anything from the perfect loaf of sourdough to sesame-coated koulouri, and bread stuffed with just about anything. Apart from bread, these bakeries offer an array of sweet and savory pies, cookies and cakes, freshly-made sandwiches, and syrupy pastries. These five bakeries are standouts in central Athens.

Takis


Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

This family-owned “bread shrine” opened in 1961 right beneath the Acropolis. More than 30 types of bread are baked daily, ranging from dense sourdough to focaccias flecked with olives and herbs and airy, crunchy campaillou baguettes. The freshly made pies and sandwiches are exquisite, as are the cakes and cookies. Try the lipsopita, semi-sweet buns made with olive oil and spiced with orange zest. Don’t be put off by the constant queue; it moves fast and whatever you walk away with is definitely worth the wait

Location: 14 Missaraliotou, Koukaki
Telephone: 210 923 0052

Pnyka


Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

This bakery has been thriving since 1981, with three branches in Athens and one in Vienna, Austria. Founder Dimitris Kotsaris, who passed away a few years ago leaving the business to his son, was obsessed with bread and believed it had medicinal properties. The family has a stone mill, where they grind their own superior-quality grains, in their central branch in Pangrati. They use no yeast—just their homemade sourdough starter—and the bread is still baked in a wood-burning oven. Apart from their classic wholemeal and white bread—both dense and full of flavor, with an irresistible, crackling crust—they also make low-gluten buckwheat and zea (an ancient grain) and a chocolatey carob loaf. I also love their stuffed bread with olives and herbs or feta and tomato. Bread aside, boost your energy with a pasteli—the traditional honey and sesame seed bar, with roots in ancient Greece.

Location: 24 Petraki, Historic Centre
Telephone: 210 324 5162

Mama Psomi


Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis

This cute little bakery is a backstreet secret with legions of loyal customers. Mama Psomi means “Mum, Bread,” a nod to the fact that the bakery is run by husband and wife Giorgos and Rallou, both actors. Giorgos’ father was a baker himself; besides inheriting his talent for baking, Giorgos also inherited his recipes. It’s not often that you’ll find a piano in a bakery, but the one here is often used by the couple’s son. Regulars pause for a nourishing spot of classical music along with their warm loaves. They bake four types of bread, plus two occasional specials: a loaf made with cracked wheat and ground hazelnuts and a gluten-free option. Their small production of hand-made pies is a must, especially the zucchini and mint, minced meat, and chicken pie with caramelized onions. Just make sure you get here early, their goodies sell out quickly.

Location: 42 Zaharitsa, Koukaki
Telephone: 210 922 7686

To Koulouri tou Psyrri


@to_koulouri_tou_psirri

Located in the same premises since the 1960s, this local institution specializes in koulouri, crunchy bread rings covered in sesame seeds that date back to Byzantium. Alongside the classic version, they also produce a thicker, braided bread ring that’s great for sandwiches, and new-fangled variations topped with cheese or sunflower seeds, kneaded with currants and cinnamon, or sweetened with honey. Sugar-covered doughnuts are a classic here too, and so is the grape molasses cake spiced with cinnamon and clove. This bakery supplies most of the street vendors who sell this classic street food all over the city. It’s open round the clock, so if you get hungry after a late night of clubbing, you know where to go.

Location: 23 Karaiskaki, Psirri
Telephone: 210 321 5962

Lykavittos


Credit: Manos Chatzikonstantis


Mr. and Mrs. Iskidakis, the super-friendly couple who have been running this place since the 1980s, are true bread connoisseurs. They’re renowned for their organic German and Austrian-style breads, as well as their sourdough Metsovitiko (a recipe popular in Metsovo in northwest Greece). But I especially recommend their turmeric, walnut, and hazelnut loaves. Their lagana, a crusty flatbread topped with sesame seeds, is known by almost every resident of Athens. Unfortunately, you can only bite into it on Clean Monday, the start of Lent, so if you’re here at that time, don’t miss the opportunity. Their pies, sandwiches, cookies, and croissants are equally good, but the ultimate highlight is the customer service. Feel free to ask them anything you want to know about bread, they have all the answers.

Location: 59 Dinokratous, Kolonaki
Telephone: 210 721 1248

Originally published on: thisisathens.org

Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 

 

Traditional cafes or kafeneia have been an essential part of Greek living since the 1830s. What many people don’t understand is that kafeneia are not just shops serving greek coffee; during difficult times they served as a meeting point, a place to exchange opinions and ideas, a place to talk about your problems, a home away from home always there to welcome you. 

Although many of these old-school cafes didn’t manage to survive the cappuccino culture, you can still see kafeneia here or there. Almost every neighborhood has its own where men spend endless hours talking politics or playing backgammon. 

Here are 3 of our favorite kafeneia in Athens to embark on a journey through time and discover what Athens was like in the good old days. 

I Oraia Ellas 


@kokenmetelefteria

Operating since 1839, this is more like a museum than a cafe. I Oraia Ellas is intertwined with the political and cultural life of the country and has experienced days of glory in the past century. Walk up the marble stairs and find yourself browsing through old lithographs, engravings, paintings, and rare historical documents. Here, delicious greek coffee is accompanied by mouth-watering spoon sweets. You can also enjoy a glass of ouzo or tsipouro and during spring and summer don’t miss the so-called “liqueur of love”.

Location: Mitropoleos 59, Monastiraki 
Telephone: 2103216850

Svoura 


@svoura_athens

Located in the hip neighborhood of Koukaki, Svoura has it all. It serves strong Greek coffee and a delicious breakfast with omelets and bruschettas in the morning, while in the afternoon, you can choose from a wide variety of local delicacies, traditionally accompanied by tsipouro, ouzo, or raki. There are many Greek recipes from all over the country, homemade with authentic Greek products. One of the best sellers is undoubtedly the stuffed potato - you can’t miss it!

Location: Drakou 8, Athina
Telephone: 21 0922 0919

Kafeneion 111


@kafeneion111

In Monastiraki, in a 1918 building, you will find Kafeneion 111, an amiably scenic cafe retaining its traditional character for more than a century. Its vibrant colors, eccentric decor, and impromptu performances by young and old musicians give out some serious bohemian vibes, adding even more to its overall charm. It is a nice spot to hang out any time of the day or night, nosh on tasty bites, and enjoy a few drinks!

Location: Ermou 111, Athina
Telephone: 21 0323 7967

Archaeologists in Greece discovered a 1,600-year-old Roman-era wine shop that met its end due to a sudden event, possibly an earthquake or building collapse. The findings include broken vessels and sixty scattered coins, offering a glimpse into the past.

This ancient shop was active during the time when the Roman Empire had control over the region. The site of this discovery is the ancient city of Sikyon (Sicyon), situated on the northern coast of the Peloponnese in southern Greece.

As experts explored the wine shop, they unearthed not just coins but also bits of marble tabletops and various vessels crafted from bronze, glass, and ceramic, reported Live Science.

In a recent presentation at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America in Chicago, archaeologists revealed that the wine shop was situated on the northern part of a larger complex.

This complex housed several workshops equipped with kilns and installations specifically designed for pressing grapes or olives.

Scott Gallimore, an associate professor of archaeology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, and Martin Wells, an associate professor of classics at Austin College, explained via email that there is no direct evidence about the specific types of wine sold at the shop.

Although they found grape pips (Vitis vinifera), the researchers are unable to provide more detailed information at this time.

Apart from wine, the shop might have also traded in other goods, such as olive oil. Scott Gallimore said the majority of the coins discovered belong to the era of Constantius II, spanning from 337 to 361. The most recent coin in the collection was minted sometime between 355 and 361, as revealed in a Live Science email.

The wine shop, according to Scott Gallimore, seems to have experienced a “sudden event” leading to its destruction and abandonment. The sixty bronze coins discovered on the floor date back to the final moments of the shop.

The coins were all scattered about on the floor of the shop. This suggests they were kept together, possibly in a ceramic container or some sort of bag. When the shop was destroyed, it seems the container fell to the floor, as did the coins, Gallimore explained.

There is currently uncertainty about the nature of the event. The destruction could have been caused by an earthquake or a possible roof collapse caused by environmental factors, such as excessive rainfall, said Gallimore. Following the destruction, there was debris and sediment all over the place, but no attempt was made to retrieve anything from it.

The larger complex, including the shop, seems to have been deserted in the early fifth century, potentially around the time of the destructive event.

Originally published on: greekreporter.com

Photo Credit: Scott Gallimore