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Under-The-Radar Museums In Athens
When a city has something as notable as the Acropolis for a backdrop, it's easy to disregard the modest cultural treasures that will help you to plunge deeper into the intriguing history and culture of Athens. Here are a few of Athens' lesser-known museums that will teach you interesting facts about the city and its heritage.
Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
The Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments comprises a collection of about 1200 Greek musical instruments, some of which date back to the 18th century. The Museum that is housed in the Lassanis Mansion in Plaka, is the brainchild of musicologist Fivos Anoyanakis was established in 1991 and aims to safeguard and preserve Greece's traditional musical heritage through various activities for adults and children alike. The exhibited musical instruments have a high decorative value and great ethnological and musicological interest.
Address: 1-3 Diogenous, Athens (Get Directions)
Telephone: 210 3254129
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00 Tuesday Closed.
Digital Museum of Plato
Dedicated to Plato–one of the greatest philosophers of all time, the digital Museum of Plato is one of the newest Athenian museums. Located on the site of Plato's Academy in the center of Athens, this contemporary, interactive venue is the first of its kind in Greece. The history and work of the philosopher dominate the Museum's exhibition, which divided into 3 different sections and is displayed in 3 halls. With digital applications, video screening, maps, and other exhibits, the Museum highlights the historical and archaeological evidence of the Academy and approaches philosophy using the latest technologies.
Address: 1 Alkmeonos, Athens (Get Directions)
Telephone: 210 5142138
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00. Monday Closed.
Political Exile Museum
Over the last 200 years, Greece has endured the Balkan Wars, two World Wars, civil war, and a military junta. During the country's turbulent history, political exile to Greek islands was a common practice. From 1926 to 1967, many Greek islands became home to political prisoners. Political exiles were usually politicians, military figures, and activists, but also poets and artists. Ai Stratis is an island with 210 inhabitants on the North Aegean Sea, which served as a place of exile for approximately 10.000 people. Exile as a means to politically control and violate human rights is the key theme around the Museum of Political Exiles of Ai Stratis. The Museum's collection includes photographs, manuscripts, press clippings, everyday objects, artworks and handicrafts, and much more that will bring guests closer to the hardship of political exiles on the island of Ai Stratis.
Address: 31 Asomaton, Athens (Get Directions)
Telephone: 210 3213488
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00. Weekends Closed.
Hellenic IT Museum
A museum which is full of historical IT achievements, rare exhibits, and memories that encourage, educate, and bring emotions! Younger and elders, veterans and amateurs, are welcome to explore the Hellenic IT Museum! Since its launch about a decade ago, the Museum constitutes the first official Greek organization that exclusively exhibits the IT history timeline from 1970 to mid-90s, and it is the only Museum of its kind in Southeast Europe.The first personal computers, the first micro computers, the first portable computers, as well as vacuum tubes, punched cards, first RAM memory and other hardware items are waiting to be discovered or reunited!
Address: 2 Petrou Spiropoulou & Thessalonikis, Moschato (Get Directions)
Telephone: 210 3007010
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. Weekends Closed.
Violence Against Women: What To Do If You're A Victim
1. 1 in 3 women has experienced physical, psychological, or sexual violence from their spouse or partner.
Where To Get Help
The 15900 SOS Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The line is operated by psychologists and social workers who provide immediate assistance in violent incidents and emergencies.
2. Visit A GSGE Consulting Center
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Inform on issues of gender equality, tackling violence and multiple discrimination against women,
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Provide social, psychological, legal and work support (in a gender perspective),
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Transfer or escort–as required–women and children to hospices, protection and aid agencies, hospitals, courthouses, etc,
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Provide legal aid in cooperation with the bar associations.
GSGE Consulting Centers in Athens:
Consulting Center Athens
11, Nikis, Syntagma
Telephone: 210 3317305-6
Email: isotita4@otenet.gr
Consulting Center Polycenter
11-13, Kratinou, Omonoia (2nd floor)
Telephone: 210 5202800
Email: polykentro@isotita.gr
If you or a woman you know is a victim of violence, please speak up and ask for help!
For more infomation about vilolence against women, please visit: www.womensos.gr & http://www.isotita.gr
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab
I Aithousa Tou Thronou - A Great Greek Series Set In Syros
Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.
Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.
Dialing Up The Heat
Photo credit: @GiannisTsou
Greek Government Announces Subsidy Program For Purchase Of E-Vehicles
The platform for submitting applications opened on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
The subsidy for individuals reaches 30 percent on the retail price of a vehicle (pre-tax) Additional subsidy was offered for the purchase of a home charger or the withdrawal of an old car.
The subsidy covers only the purchase of e-vehicles and not plug-in hybrid cars.
Skrekas said the program has four goals, renewal of car fleet, developing of smart charging infrastructure, reducing CO2 emissions, and saving funds for citizens.
To read this article in full and analytically view the subsidies for individuals and businesses, please visit: keeptalkinggreece.com
Plato's Academy: The World’s First University
Plato is the one figure who must receive the credit for giving birth to this unique institution. He firs acquired the land on which the Academy was eventually built, and began holding informal gatherings there to discuss philosophical issues with some of his friends.
The gatherings included thinkers such as Theaetetus of Sunium, Archytas of Tarentum, Leodamas of Thasos, and Neoclides. These meetings and discussions continued for years but it was not until Eudoxus of Cnidos arrived in the mid-380’s BC that Akademeia was recognized as a formal Academy.
The Platonic Academy is considered the world’s first university
The Platonic Academy was not an educational institution as we know it in modern times, but because it had the characteristics of a school and covered a wide variety of topics such as philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, politics, physics and more, it is considered to be the first university in the entire world.
The garden which Plato decided to use for his discussions had also been used previously by many Athenian groups, both civil and religious, with the Akademeia hosting a nighttime torchlight race from altars in Athens to the altar of Prometheus in its gardens.
The road that led to the University was also lined with the gravestones of many Athenians, and funeral games took place there, along with a Dionysian procession from the city of Athens to the site and then back into the city.
The teaching methods used by Plato, including both lectures and seminars, focused on his instructions, in addition to dialogue between teachers and students.
The Academy was free
It is worth mentioning that during Plato’s leadership of the Academy, its members did not pay any fees, and following his death, the Academy continued its operation for nearly 200 years.
In the year 86 BC, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a Roman general and statesman who held the role of consul twice and revived Rome’s dictatorship, laid siege to the city of Athens and conquered it. The Academy was destroyed and razed to the ground.
Tragically, the magnitude of the destruction was so massive that the school never reopened. Still, the legacy of The Academy has stayed alive throughout the millennia, giving us vital knowledge and insights even today about the world in which we live.
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
The Weekend Of Clean Monday - Festive Celebrations In Athens
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11:00: Athens Art Gallery: Collage with Confetti. Children aged 4 to 6 can create paper war collages in the Art Gallery.
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11:00: St. George's Square, Kipseli: "I'm carnival, I'm playing, I'm tumbling." Children's educational experiential program.
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11:00: Gennaiou Kolokotroni & Matrozou: Children's Apokries Celebration. Music, dancing, contests, and theatrical performances await.
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11:30: Kallidromiou Street: Musical Tour of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
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12:00: Filopappou-Troon-Dorieon-Merkouri Square: Carnival Route with the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira with dance and rhythms from Brazil.
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12:00: Papadiamanti Square - Halepa - Agios Andreas Lamprini Square: Carnival route of the revival of lesbian skating with the participation of the Lesvos Farmers' Union "Agios Dimitrios" and the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances and Cultural Activities "O Molyvos."
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11:30: Zappeio (courtyard area): Halloween children's celebration. Carnival rhythms with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
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17:30: Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square: Revival of Plakiotiki Carnival. Action of the Professional Chamber of Athens with the support of OPANDA. Carnival parade from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki Square.
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11:00: Filopappou Hill: Musical Tour of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
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12:00: Filopappou Hill: Concert by the band "Charisma" and Isidoros Pateros.
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11:00: Kapaps Park: Traditional feast with music, dances, and Lenten dishes from the Cultural Association of Ano Ampelokipi, supported by OPANDA.
Athens Strollers
The Athens Strollers walk around Athens every other weekend and invite Greek and non-Greek nationals, alike. The Athens Strollers are a hiking club, unique in 2 respects: we walk in nature, near and around Athens, which makes our venues quickly accessible; and we walk either on a Saturday or a Sunday. The length of the walks differs, sometimes it is just 2-3 hours, sometime 5-6 hours. Families with children from 6 years and up are warmly welcomed.
There is no charge for being a member or participating in a walk.
You just sign up on the mailing list and will receive invitations. The only expense is your transportation to/from the walking venue and the tavern meal after the walk should you desire to stay for the meal. The club started over 10 years ago. All necessary information is posted on the club's dedicated website: www.athens-strollers.gr. Here you will find detailed instructions on how to get to each walk start, the degree of difficulty, necessary equipment etc. Each walk concludes with an (optional) meal at a nearby taverna.
Greece Offers More Than Just Sandy Beaches
When you think about Greece it is easy to think of just golden sandy beaches and beautiful blue oceans. However, Greece has a lot more to offer, particularly to outdoor enthusiasts who like getting off-the-beaten track, according to Grecian Plato Balomenakis who thinks that more people should explore wild Greece. “My friends and I like to climb the rocky hills, but visitors seem to prefer walking,” he says.
“In Crete the Samaria Canyon is always very popular particularly in the Spring when the wild flowers are everywhere.”
The Samaria Canyon is in fact home to over 450 species of flower. By law, not a single flower may be removed from the canyon; this ensures the delicate ecosystem is maintained for the enjoyment of future generations.
To read more, please visit blog.visitgreece.gr
Households Encouraged To Install Photovoltaic Systems
Greek households will be able to offset electricity cost by installing photovoltaic systems and provide electricity both to themselves and to the power grid, according to a decision signed last week by Deputy Environment, Greece ‘s Energy and Climate Change Minister Assimakis Papageorgiou.
The offsetting system, known as “net metering,” allows households and companies who produce their own electricity through photovoltaics to share it with the local utility company that then credits them for it against the cost of electricity it provides to them.
A meter will measure both the energy consumed by the producer — e.g. a household — and that provided to the utility grid. For a household, the bill issued every four months will factor in incoming and outgoing energy; if the incoming energy is greater, the household pays the difference, if it is the lesser of the two, the household will be credited for the next four-month cycle. A final statement will be issued at the end of the year, after which any surplus will not be carried over.
Installations will not have to be on roofs only, and self-producing energy consumers will pay a fee only for the electric energy they consume from the power grid or the system.
To read more, please visit greekreporter.com
By A. Makris