One of Athens’ inner-city neighborhoods, Eleonas, will get its own metropolitan park in 2019 offering repose and recreation for its residents, according to the Greek capital’s municipal authority.

The project includes landscaping, outdoor sports facilities, including skating, basketball and volleyball courts, walking paths, fountains, and event areas as well as cafes. All areas will be accessible to via ramps.

Future plans include linking pedestrian walkways from the Botanical Garden of the Agricultural University of Athens to its olive groves and with the archaeological site of the Plato Academy.

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

Photo credit: Greek Travel Pages

On March 25th Greece celebrated it's Independence day. But, how much do you know about it? Read a brief outline of this historic day, the story behind the Greek national anthem and much more in this week's newsletter!

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Ryanair is interested in developing more routes from Greece to Cyprus. The airline recently announced a new route connecting Paphos and Mykonos for the summer of 2019, while maintaining the routes of Paphos-Thessaloniki and Paphos-Chania.

 

“We are always interested in new routes from Paphos and Larnaca, including to Greece, in accordance to demand and which provide available aircraft capacity, a viable airport deal and see that required operational needs are being met,” Nikolas Lardis, Ryanair's sales and marketing manager for the Eastern Mediterranean, told GTP Headlines recently.

 

 

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

In a world where kids are hooked on their TV’s, ipads, and online games it’s great to be reminded of the benefits of action-packed outdoor games. Outdoor activities allow children to let off steam, stay fit, and socialize with their peers! In fact, it is proven that playing outdoors increases vitamin D levels, reduces stress, helps concentration, improves physical fitness, and boosts the immune system.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UOA) has announced Greece's first undergraduate course of study to be taught exclusively in English, marking a new era for the Greek educational system.

 

The course, which is named "BA Program in Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece," will be focusing on the study of the Greek Antiquity and will be delivered by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in collaboration with the International Hellenic University.

 

The program will accept up to 100 students per year and is aimed exclusively at non-EU citizens in order to attract overseas students to Greek universities. The program is intended solely for non-EU citizens and will be accepting up to 100 students per year.

 

The undergraduate program will offer foreign students a unique opportunity to study the culture of ancient Greece and gain first-hand knowledge of some of Greece's most important archaeological monuments and sites, such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Delphi, and Olympia. The curriculum will include courses in Greek archaeology, ancient Greek history and literature, and modern Greek.

For more information about the course, please visit: The University of Athens

 

On February 18-19, 2020, American Community Schools - ACS Athens hosted the 3rd Annual Innovation Summit in the Learning Commons, managed by the school’s Incubator of Student's Creative Ideas (ISCI).

 

For 2 days, the Innovation Summit featured a wide range of workshops including the areas of Mathematics, Technology (Fusion 360, Scratch and Makey Makey, Python with Micro:Bit), Health, Athletics, Optics, Energy, Recycling, Plastic Management, Sustainable Education and Entrepreneurship.

Students shared their intellectual passions by presenting their well-researched projects such as hydrogen cars, LED lightsabers, 3D and laser printed objects/labels. Piezoelectric drums and bio tanks used to generate energy were visible and the green city model displayed solar, electrical, wind, hydrogen, and oxygen energy used in everyday life.

According to Ms. MaryAnn Augoustatos, Director of Learning Commons at ACS Athens, the success of the Innovation Summit serves a greater purpose: “The innovation summit provides students with the highest level of student leadership that can exist in an educational institution. Students decide what topics will be taught for two school days. As educators, our responsibility is to channel students’ interests/passions/curiosities and research, to create positive changes, as responsible global citizens. The two days of the summit served this purpose. What an incredible celebration of learning!”

Finally, the President of ACS Athens Dr. Peggy Pelonis in her message remarked: “ Watching the students present with such enthusiasm and providing the platform for such projects to come to fruition was at the very least impressive. Hats off to each of the students (all three schools) and congratulations to you and your team for organizing such a meaningful event.”

Greece has become the top country in the world in improving the business environment over the last few years, a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) found recently.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2019, Greece’s business environment ranking (BER) increased by 16 places, the report says.

“This significant improvement reflects its poor starting point, given a long-delayed recovery from the government debt crisis that began in 2009, but also the impact of a pro-business majority government that has undertaken reforms, cut taxes, and restored confidence in the country,” the EIU adds.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed the report's findings, saying that it is very encouraging to see our efforts to reform the economy recognized.

The business environment in Greece was aided by “reforms, tax cuts

Chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Patelis said that the significant improvement reflects its poor starting point, but also the impact of a pro-business majority government that has undertaken reforms, cut taxes, and restored confidence in the country.

The EIU report says the most significant improvements over the past three years since before the ructions caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, are in the business environments of Greece, Qatar, the US, and the UAE. The biggest deteriorations are in Latin America, the lowest-ranking region, as well as in Russia and Ukraine.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Learning Greek can be a rewarding experience, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the language is through reading. Here are five books by Greek authors that are easy to read and perfect for those who are new to the language.





1. "Ο Μικρός Πρίγκιπας" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Greek Translation)



While not originally by a Greek author, the Greek translation of "The Little Prince" is a great starting point for language learners. The story's simple language and enchanting illustrations make it accessible and enjoyable. This beloved classic offers a gentle introduction to Greek vocabulary and sentence structure.

2. "Η Τελευταία Μαύρη Γάτα" by Eugenios Trivizas



Eugenios Trivizas is a popular children's author known for his imaginative stories. "Η Τελευταία Μαύρη Γάτα" (The Last Black Cat) is a charming tale with a simple plot and clear language. Although it's a children's book, its themes and humor appeal to readers of all ages, making it a great tool for language learning.

3. "Ο Μεγάλος Περίπατος του Πέτρου" by Alki Zei


"Ο Μεγάλος Περίπατος του Πέτρου" (Petros' Great Walk) by Alki Zei is a touching story set during World War II, seen through the eyes of a young boy named Petros. The straightforward narrative and historical context provide a compelling and accessible read for language learners, helping them gain insight into both the language and Greek history.

4. "Ένα Παιδί Μετράει τα Άστρα" by Menelaos Lountemis



"Ένα Παιδί Μετράει τα Άστρα" (A Child Counts the Stars) by Menelaos Lountemis is a beautifully written coming-of-age story about a boy's journey of self-discovery and dreams. The poetic and evocative language makes it a rewarding read for those learning Greek, offering both literary and cultural enrichment.

5. "Έγκλημα στο Κολωνάκι" by Giannis Maris



"Έγκλημα στο Κολωνάκι" (Crime in Kolonaki) by Giannis Maris is a captivating mystery novel set in one of Athens' most prestigious neighborhoods. The intriguing plot and well-developed characters make it an engaging read. Maris' clear and concise language is ideal for those looking to improve their Greek while enjoying a thrilling story.

Tips for Reading in Greek

1. Start with Translations: Beginning with translated works like "Ο Μικρός Πρίγκιπας" can make the transition easier, as you're already familiar with the story.

2. Use a Dictionary: Keep a Greek-English dictionary handy to look up unfamiliar words and expand your vocabulary.

3. Take Notes: Jot down new words and phrases as you read. This helps reinforce learning and makes it easier to remember.

4. Read Aloud: Pronouncing words out loud can improve your speaking skills and help you become more comfortable with Greek pronunciation.

5. Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Try to read a little bit every day to steadily improve your language skills.

Diving into Greek literature is an enriching way to deepen your understanding of the language and culture. These five books are excellent starting points that will make your learning journey enjoyable and engaging. Happy reading!