Greece was recently awarded as the leading tourism destination in the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe for 2018 by SACEN International, the international center for the promotion and development of the tourism and catering sectors, during a special ceremony held in Belgrade, Serbia.

Known as the “Oscars of Tourism”, the award has been given to countries and enterprises active in the field of tourism in the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe for the last 17 years.

The winners are selected in seven categories: Tourism destination; business tourism; cultural tourism; tour operator; gastronomy tourism; best enterprise in the catering sector; tourism personality of the year in the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

This week the whole country of Greece was in the unfortunate state of witnessing one of the most tragic wildfires to ever break out in the country, taking the lives of many people people.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to all the families affected by the event, and help as much as possible by gathering information about emergency contacts and ways one can help individually.

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As part of the municipality's urban overhaul program that aims to bring life back to the inner-city neighborhoods, Athens' has revived its Theatrou Square, which is off the central Varvakeios Market.

The first seven shops as part of the POLI² pilot project, which subsidizes neighborhood upgrade and renovation projects, have opened for business.

At the recent announcement of the shops opening, the mayor highlighted the symbolic meaning saying, "Light always drives darkness away. That’s what we are doing now on Theatrou Square near the central market, which will also be carried out at the Merchant’s Arcade on Voulis St."

The selection process of businesses lasted four months, including the renovation of the shops and handing these over to the winning teams, which are Astika Motiva, Niroi, I Love Athens, Creators of Cosmos, Book & Play, COCO-Mat.bike, and O Horos.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

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!

Want to scratch beneath the surface of a city? Who better to ask than a former anthropologist?

 

Especially one who has spent two decades living in the said city; bringing up her two daughters around Greek traditions; and penning several best-selling novels set in Athens. London-born Sofka Zinovieff, the author of “The House on Paradise Street”, global bestseller “Putney”, and the memoir “Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens”, studied social anthropology at Cambridge and researched her Ph.D. in Greece. It was the beginning of a lifelong bond with the country. Especially Athens, where she still lives in Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera, with her Greek husband Vassilis.

Recently, she launched her new podcast series “Athens Unpacked” for This is Athens and she shares some snappy tips for digging beyond the Acropolis—to the heart and soul of this captivatingly complex city. 

You’ve called Athens home for 20 years. How has your relationship with the city changed and matured since you first moved here from England?
I’ve had several phases in my relationship with Greece. I first came as a research student in the late 80s, learned the language, and became involved with the place. During the last two decades, my relationship with Athens has been like a marriage – committed and based on love, but with squabbles and occasional rough patches.

What’s the most common misconception people have about Athens that you’d most like to correct?
People often visit during the hottest time of year, in a rush on the way to an island. Athens appears impenetrable and overheated. It’s a completely different city at other times of the year and can’t be rushed. I’d advise talking to locals and adopting their timetable (not going out during the middle part of the day in summer). I’d also suggest that it’s the perfect city to visit in autumn, winter or spring.

Athens is a hectic metropolis with the heart and soul of a village. Would you agree with this statement and if so, how does that village vibe manifest?
Yes, Athens has been settled by villagers ever since it became the capital of modern Greece in the 1830s. Even today, most people have roots elsewhere and return to their village or island. And that’s before we look at how neighborhoods can be quite villagey, designed around their plateia (main square) with a traditional coffee shop and church, etc.

Would you classify Athens as a city that’s easy to get to know; that reveals itself readily to visitors?
Athens is a mysterious city and sometimes challenging. But many of its charms are readily apparent: the intertwining of the ancient and the modern; the neighborhoods for strolling; and the fabulous places for eating out are all there and waiting.

If someone has only 48 hours or a weekend here, how can they best tap into the authentic pulse of Athens?
Stroll around the neighborhoods. Eat and drink where Athenians do. Pause to notice the details rather than ticking off a list of ‘the sights’. And, to get a sense of perspective, go up a hill—I don’t mean the Acropolis—there are plenty of others, such as Lycabettus, Philopappou, or even a more off-radar one like Tourkovounia (the Turkish Mountains).

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo by: Thomas Gravanis 

 

A New Year,
Full Of ​New Beginnings 

Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!

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With a celebratory mood and rhythm, the musical nights of Athens Jazz take off with a series of exciting parallel events for all ages.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Athens Jazz returns to the Technopolis City of Athens from Monday, May 25 to Sunday, May 31, featuring a rich program of parallel events that frame a dynamic lineup of 20 bands from Greece and abroad. In a festive atmosphere charged with creative energy, Technopolis transforms for an entire week into a vibrant meeting point for music, art, and immersive experiences, hosting activities for every age group. Exhibitions, installations, performances, a film screening, the Meet Market, children's activities, and parties come together to form a multifaceted parallel program, giving this year’s edition a distinct character and creating a festival experience unlike any before.

A special place in the 25th edition's parallel events program belongs to the photography exhibition "25 Years of Athens Jazz: Images of a Journey." Moving from the stage to the photographic frame, the exhibition—curated by Thodoris Markou and Vangelis Patsialos—offers a retrospective look at the festival's history. It captures some of the most unforgettable moments of this long-standing musical institution through the lenses of 10 photographers who have been historically linked to the festival's journey.


@Vangelis Patsialos

Concurrently, the comic book exhibition "Musicoma," held in collaboration with Comicdom CON Athens, presents pieces from the journey of the interactive comic of the same name by Maria-Olia Ntakogianni, creating a unique dialogue between imagery, narrative, and music. The exhibition includes guided tours led by the creator, while teenage visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a special workshop that connects the core principles of comic book creation with the history of jazz, following a dedicated tour through the world of the artwork.

The festival energy peaks with thrilling experiences presented by the Grand Sponsor of Technopolis, COSMOTE TELEKOM, at the ART/TECH AREA by COSMOTE TELEKOM. Continuing to explore the intersection of art and technology, COSMOTE TELEKOM presents live sketching with doodles by the Do Do and Do creative team, a unique multi-performance project by Dimitris Vassilakis, and an impressive interactive hologram installation in collaboration with the Athens Digital Arts Festival.

Two steady companions of Athens Jazz in recent years, the radio station Kosmos 93.6 and the Meet Market, will also be present at this anniversary edition. The now-established Kosmos Jazz Party returns on Saturday, May 30, at the Gazarte Roof Stage with a unique mix of Latin and jazz rhythms, while the station's broadcast van will be stationed at Technopolis during two of the festival's most vibrant days—Monday, May 25 and Friday, May 29—broadcasting the festival’s musical lineup live. And of course, The Meet Market #JazzEdition returns with a summer mood, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and a rich program of side activities, including DJ sets and children's entertainment, turning Technopolis into an open-air hub for creativity and social gathering.

The parallel program also features a special film screening for cinephile festival-goers, expanding this year’s Athens Jazz experience beyond the live music stage. Johan Grimonprez’s film, "Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat," screening on Saturday, May 30, blends political tension, jazz music, and historical intrigue against the backdrop of the 1960 Congo, illuminating the profound relationship between music, politics, and history.

Finally, the 25th Athens Jazz dedicates a special day—Sunday, May 31—to the festival’s youngest friends through Jazz for Kids. This program is packed with activities where music becomes a catalyst for expression, play, and participation. A treasure hunt, an arts and crafts workshop, music-movement and theater activities, face painting, and a specialized workshop for crafting wooden musical instruments all combine to create a festive experience full of rhythm, imagination, and creativity.

Detailed Program of Parallel Events for the 25th Athens Jazz:

Athens Jazz celebrates its 25th anniversary with a retrospective photography exhibition dedicated to the evolution of an institution that has championed music as a space for communication, connection, and shared experience. Ten photographers—regular patrons and companions of the festival throughout the years—present images born from the live presence of music: the silences between the notes, the glances, the movements, and those moments of absolute devotion to sound and improvisation. The exhibition captures the relationship between musicians and the audience, the intensity of musical creation, and the deep human expression that jazz evokes. Through diverse perspectives, it highlights the spirit of a festival that, for a quarter of a century, has remained a gathering place for people sharing the same love for music and the live listening experience.

• Participating Photographers: Thomas Daskalakis, Thrasos Eirinis, Christos Kisajekian, Christos Kopsacheilis, Thodoris Markou, Michalis Mpothos, Kostas Mproumas, Ippokratis Navridis, Vangelis Patsialos, Stefania Tsoupaki

• Curated by: Thodoris Markou, Vangelis Patsialos

• Hours: 19:00 - 00:00

Musicoma, the comic book by Maria-Olia Ntakogianni that fuses the reading experience with jazz history and original music, comes to Technopolis in collaboration with Comicdom CON Athens. The exhibition showcases pieces from the entire lifecycle of the project—from the initial drafts to the musical composition, timelines, and references, as well as photographic material from its musical theater adaptation by the Parnassos Literary Society. Scheduled guided tours by the creator will take place as part of the exhibition.

• Exhibition Hours: Monday – Sunday: 19:00 - 00:00

• Guided Tour Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 20:00 - 21:00 & Sunday: 19:00 - 20:00

The most jazzy version of the Meet Market is hosted once again at Technopolis, featuring over 100 exhibitors showcasing unique vintage items, handmade goods, and creations from local brands. But the surprises don't stop there. Infused with positive energy and good vibes, this year’s Meet Market #JazzEdition features live DJ sets, street food, and children's activities to further enrich the days of this celebratory event.

• Hours: Monday – Friday: 19:00 – 00:00 & Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 – 00:00

What happens when the spontaneity of raw sketching meets the rhythm of jazz and interacts live with the audience? The creative team Do Do and Do presents the Jazz Doodle Universe—a live illustrative performance where artists create digital sketches in real-time. Projected live on a giant screen, they transform moments, audience expressions, and personalities into an unpredictable, interactive jazz universe where visitors become part of the artwork itself.

• Hours: Monday - Sunday: 20:00 – 00:00

With the help of high-end technology, internationally award-winning saxophonist and composer Dimitris Vassilakis, along with his team, present a distinct multi-performance exhibition to the public. Saxophone improvisations train an AI system, which responds and converses with him through music, poetry, and prose, generating multi-layered soundscapes. The experience is enriched by screenings, videos, multi-performances with visuals, theater, dance, and a panel discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in the creative process.

• Exhibition Hours: Monday – Sunday: 19:00 - 00:00

• Live Performance: Monday - Sunday: 21:30 & 22:30

The Athens Digital Arts Festival curates and presents the interactive holographic installation "Astral Music Projections" at Athens Jazz. Using the installation's controllers, the audience dynamically influences the composition, triggering millions of potential visual and audio variations to create a multicultural universe of music and human interaction. Created in collaboration with MDH Hologram and Strange Pill, the installation invites visitors on a participatory exploration of music as an ever-evolving experience.

• Hours: Monday – Sunday: 19:00 – 00:00

As part of the "Musicoma" comic book exhibition, teenagers aged 15 and up have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of this unique display by the creator herself. This will be followed by an interactive workshop where they will be introduced to the fundamental principles of comic design and a touch of jazz history. Guided by music and creativity, they will craft their own unique stories.

• Hours: 17:00 - 19:00

• Ages: 15+

In a brilliant amalgamation of jazz atmosphere and political gamesmanship, Johan Grimonprez’s film screens at the 25th Athens Jazz, bringing a compelling cinematic edge to our festive evenings in a special screening in collaboration with Cinobo. The critically acclaimed film tells a story full of tension, music, and collusion in the heart of 1960 Congo. It serves as an indictment of colonial and corporate interests against the backdrop of the conspiracy against Patrice Lumumba, the country's independence leader and first democratically elected Prime Minister. It is not simply a film, but a profound history lesson.

• Screening Hours: 19:00 – 21:30

Marking five years of their shared journey, Athens Jazz and radio station Kosmos 93.6 bring us the most electrifying Kosmos Jazz Party to date. Get ready for a night of non-stop dancing and music, moving not just to jazz, but to vibrant Latin rhythms! The star of the night is none other than Rosanna Mailan, who brings her Cuban fire alongside the 11-piece Rosanna Mailan Orchestra for an unprecedented, high-energy musical evening. Additionally, Kosmos 93.6 radio producers will take over the decks to keep the energy high with a night full of rhythm, dance, and authentic Latin flair.

• Start Time: 21:00

@kamarotos

The 25th Athens Jazz dedicates a full day to children through a specially designed program that promises a Sunday full of color, music, and fun. Arts and crafts workshops, performances, music-movement and theater workshops, face painting, and a treasure hunt promise an exceptional experience filled with notes and creativity—proving that jazz knows no age limit.

• Activity Hours: 11:00 – 14:00

Brought to life by the Industrial Gas Museum team, this unique treasure hunt combines the history of the old gas factory and its production line with the secrets of jazz. Parents and children can explore and discover one of the best-preserved industrial museums in Europe through an exciting and thoroughly entertaining adventure.

• Hours: 11:00 – 14:00

The Moutzoures team comes to Athens Jazz to fill smiling faces with colorful, jazz-inspired face painting. For children and... kids at heart!

• Hours: 11:00 - 13:00

• Ages: 2+

How many shapes are hidden inside a saxophone? How many circles make a drum? Our young friends will cut, assemble, decorate, and create their very own jazz instruments using recyclable materials in a fun arts and crafts workshop by the Industrial Gas Museum. Once finished, they can wear their creations and form the most imaginative jazz band together!

• Hours: 11:00 – 11:40, 11:40 - 12:20, 12:20 - 13:00

• Ages: 5-8 years old

Children are invited to become mini jazz luthiers (instrument makers), crafting string and percussion instruments by combining wood with various everyday materials found at home! Real woodworking tools, such as hand saws and sandpaper, will be used during construction under guidance.

• Hours: 11:00 - 13:00

• Ages: 5+

Children will play and experiment with rhythm, creating an improvisational musical piece where sound and movement blend freely. Guided by the music, they will move through the space with "dancing feet," exploring different styles of walking and physical expression. Through theatrical play and improvisation, each child will transform into a unique "jazz animal," expressing themselves creatively and engaging in rhythmic dialogues. A delightful program designed by the Industrial Gas Museum team.

• Hours: 12:00 – 13:00 & 13:00 – 14:00

• Ages: 5-8 years old

Two multi-instrumentalist music educators and a magical totem (!) will guide children on a quest to discover the first sound ever created in the world, using the accordion, bagpipes, bouzouki, various percussion, and other improvised instruments. An interactive performance by the 2 Laloun team, filled with music and sounds that will enchant both young and old.

• Hours: 13:00 - 14:00

• Ages: 2-6 years old

The 25 candles of Athens Jazz are blown out this year alongside the most impressive parallel events in its history. Throughout the week, visitors have the chance to actively participate in a series of happenings designed not just to entertain, but to build lasting memories. Seven days of music, seven days of endless energy and fun!