For the 12th consecutive year, the esteemed NY Times put together its annual ‘Places To Go’ article by receiving feedback from regular contributors, many of whom live overseas, as well as having ‘marathon-length’ meetings to narrow down their suggestions. This year, Athens was recognized for its art scene and put on the ’52 Places To Go In 2017’ list!

 

Coming in at number 28, Athens is described as ‘a post-crisis art boom in an ancient capital.’

‘Prices have dropped, but the Greek debt crisis has not dampened Athens’s thriving arts scene. Recent years have seen a surge of galleries, collectives and nonprofit art organizations built for leaner times, like Radio Athènes, which hosts pop-up lectures and performances, and the immigration-focused Nomadic Architecture Network.’

A few notable and up-and-coming destinations also made the list including Tijuana, Mexico, Detroit, Michigan, and Greenville, South Carolina. And of course, classic cities like Madrid in Spain, Osaka in Japan, and Napa Valley in California were also listed among the top places to go in 2017.

To view the NY Times list of ’52 Places To Go In 2017’ in full, please visit: NY Times

Meet Culture, the culture company founded in Athens, was invited by the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai to attend the Reception of Greek National Day. Miao Bin – the Founder and CEO, Chang Jing – the Artistic Director and Zhang Di – the Music Director met with the Consul General Mr Vassilis Xiros in Yuyuan, Shanghai.

In August 2016, Meet Culture organized the Aegean Music Tour in China, including several cities such as Lishui, Chengdu, Nanjing, Wuxi and Shanghai. In the concert in Shanghai, Meet Culture invited Mr Vassilis Xiros to join the Chinese and Greek musicians with his bouzouki to perform the Greek traditional music. Since then, Meet Culture has kept close relationship with the Consulate on the culture projects.

Based on the great contribution to the culture exchange between Greece and China, Chang Jing was awarded the Cultural Ambassador by the Consulate General of Greece in Shanghai.

As said by Mr. Consul General, Music unites the two civilizations. Chang Jing has been contributing to the culture exchange between China and Thailand as the teacher of the Princess of Thailand, and now she devote her efforts to the relationship of Greece and China.

Chang Jing invited Miao Bin, the founder of Meet Culture, to the stage to present the gift from Meet Culture to the Consulate General. This is gift is the calligraphy from Mr Xie Qianhong, the calligrapher in Chengdu.

To read this article in full, please visit: Meet Culture

The Epidaurus Lyceum – International Summer School of Ancient Drama will be active for the third year in a row in Epidaurus on 2 – 16 July 2019, in collaboration with the Theatre Studies Department of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Peloponnese, which also accredits the programme with ECTS credits.

Prospective students can now apply. For more information, terms and conditions, and application forms, prospective applicants may click HERE! 

This year’s theme, Reinventing ancient drama on the contemporary stage will pervade all Lyceum classes and related events.

The 2019 teaching staff will include the following: Xu Jiali, actress and professor of Chinese Opera at the Shanghai Theatre Academy; Ichinosuke Umekawa, teacher and actor of Kabuki theatre; the dance group known as Sine Qua Non ART (Jonathan Pranlas – Descours and Christophe Beranger); Kamila Klamut, director, co-founder of ZAR Theatre and collaborator of the Grotowski Institute; Christiane Pohle, award- winning director and head of programme of the Academy of Performing Arts Baden- Wuerttemberg; Andrea De Rosa, director; Gabriele Vacis, director, writer and theatre scholar; Vangelis Theodoropoulos, director, and Anastasios Karakatsanos, composer and music teacher. Lectures and masterclasses will be given by the following: Kostas Georgousopoulos, writer, translator and theatre critic; Konstantinos Markoulakis, actor and director; Efimia Karakantza, assistant professor at the Department of Philology, University of Patras; George Sampatakakis, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Patras; Anna Tsichli, member of the special teaching staff at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese; Maria Mikedaki, assistant professor at the Theatre Studies Department, University of Peloponnese, and Georgina Kakoudaki, director and theatre scholar.

The programme is realized with the support of the Institut Français de Grèce, the Istituto Di Cultura – Atene, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities in Italy, the Municipality of Epidaurus and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolis. The Epidaurus Lyceum is a member of the International Network of Ancient Drama of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.

The Acropolis Museum celebrates 10 years of operation and throughout this period over 14,5 million local and international visitors have passed through its doors and enjoyed its exhibits. The Museum publicly expresses its thanks to all of them. On the occasion of its ten years anniversary, the Museum invites visitors to the following celebrating events:




Temporary exhibition ‘CHISEL AND MEMORY. The contribution of marble craftsmanship to the restoration of the Acropolis monuments’
11.06.2019 – 31.10.2019

Since opening its doors ten years ago, the Acropolis Museum has highlighted the close relationship between the famous sculptures it displays and the monuments from which they originate. It is with great pleasure that the Museum is hosting an exceptional exhibition of photographs of the marble craftsmen of the Acropolis at work. Imbued with a new curatorial spirit, the exhibition was initially organized by the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments and the Acropolis Restoration Service. The exhibition takes place in the ground floor Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Entrance will be free.

Lecture “The true colors of the Parthenon sculptures: evidence for traces of original polychromy and its interpretation”
Thursday, 13 June 2019, 7 p.m.

The Acropolis Museum will host a lecture of the Italian professor Giovanni Verri on the polychromy of the Parthenon sculptures, which has long been the subject of scholarly research and this debate has continued now for almost two centuries. Giovanni Verri is a Reader at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. He holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Ferrara in Italy, and an MA in Conservation of Wall Paintings from the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Throughout his career, he has endeavored to develop scientific techniques for the analysis of color, in particular on Greek and Roman antiquities. The lecture will take place in the ground floor Auditorium and entrance will be free.

Music concert ‘Stavros Xarchakos – Instrumental’
Wednesday, 19 June 2019, 9 p.m.

The Acropolis Museum invites its visitors to a unique instrumental concert by the great Greek composer Stavros Xarchakos and an orchestra of eight renowned Greek soloists. Stavros Xarchakos and the orchestra will take visitors on a musical journey comprising familiar compositions of Stavros Xarchakos, Mikis Theodorakis, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Markos Vamvakaris and Manos Hadjidakis. On this day the Museum will extend its opening hours until midnight. Entrance will be free from 8 p.m. onwards.

10 Years Acropolis Museum Celebration
Thursday, 20 June 2019

Celebrating The Acropolis Museum’s birthday, entrance to the exhibition areas will be free from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

From Friday 21 June 2019 onwards, the archaeological excavation will be open to the public with the general admission fee ticket. The excavated area of 4,000 sq. meters comprises houses, workshops, baths and streets of an ancient Athenian neighborhood that existed from the classical to the Byzantine years, in successive phases. This impressive archaeological site will soon be enriched with the most representative findings of the excavation. Architectural ruins will be organized in a unique exhibition set that sheds light on the everyday life of an ancient neighborhood that existed in the shadow of the Acropolis. On this day the Museum exhibition areas will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

It's no secret that podcast listeners want to educate themselves, think deeply, and broaden their horizons. One of the major highlights of podcasts is that you can listen to them while simultaneously doing something else be it cleaning, exercising, or working!

One of the hardest things about podcasts is finding the ones that appeal to you most, so we've collected some absolute favorites. We hope that they will help to increase mindfulness and knowledge about the world, improve your well-being, and encourage you to think big! 

Stuff You Should Know: This award-winning, fascinating podcast educates listeners on a wide variety of topics, often using pop culture as a reference to add a comedic sense. 

The Tim Ferriss Show: In each episode, Tim Ferriss deconstructs world-class performers from different areas to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use such as morning routines, exercise habits, time-management tricks, and more.

The Model Health Show: Tune in for a fun and enlightening look at health and fitness, where you'll learn how to burn fat, get healthier and optimize your life for greater success.

The James Altucher Show: This show brings you into the lives of peak-performers who forged their own paths, found freedom and harnessed the power to create more meaningful and fulfilling lives. 

Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell: In each episode, Malcolm Gladwell goes back, trying to reinterpret something overlooked and misunderstood from the past: an event, a person, an idea. 

Everyday Ayurveda and Yoga: This series offers the tools you need to support your well-being, inspiring you to live a more holistic and balanced lifestyle. 

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast: Focusing primarily on philosophical and philological topics, the podcasts include audio versions of the most popular Dr. Peterson's YouTube videos and interviews, with some of the world’s most compelling thinkers. 

The Practical Stoic Podcast: Stoicism is one of the most effective philosophies for a well-lived life and Simon Drew shares practical ancient Stoic advice that can still be applied today. 

The Daily (New York Times): A daily news podcast and radio show hosted by Times political journalist Michael Barbaro. Its episodes are based on the Times' reporting of the day with interviews of journalists from the New York Times.

CBC News: This weekly podcast has it all; from politics to pop culture and intelligent conversations to world-class original reporting from across the globe. 

All of the podcast recommendations have been ‘tried and tested’ by our friend and contributor Eleni Maria Georgiou. Thank you, Eleni!

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About Eleni Maria Georgiou

Eleni Maria Georgiou is an independent writer and publishing professional devoted to creating books that are creative, original, and modern.  

Passionate about Athens and all the city has to offer, for four exciting years, I co-managed XpatAthens. This experience inspired me to write my first book, Eleni’s GREEK PHRASE BOOK: A Beginner's Guide to Greek Culture and the Greek Language in 2018, sparking the birth of Lenacke Press. I continue to write, think about, and publish creative and original books, adding to the Lenacke Press collection. 

In addition, since 2004, I have been running fixyourenglish.com, a business that provides Editing, Proofreading, and Translation services.

I currently live in Athens, Greece with my husband and two kids. I am fluent in both English and Greek and interested in learning more languages. I like organizing and attending community group events, reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, writing, lifting weights, and going hiking.

 

Greek Maritime Golf Event, the most successful golf tournament for the shipping community, returns for the 7th year booking its annual appointment with the Greek and world shipping industry, on September 3-5, 2021, at Costa Navarino , in Messinia.

The best golf event in Greece and Cyprus, as distinguished with a Gold award at the 2020 Sports Marketing Awards, is expected to bring together more than 80 leading shipping executives, forming 20 teams of four. Participants will compete at a team level, in a shotgun scramble that will take place on Saturday, September 4 th . Golfers will have the chance to play in the two signature 18-hole courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, in an idyllic landscape full of centuries-old olive trees with stunning views of the Ionian Sea, the historic Bay of Navarino and the picturesque port of Pylos.

Participating teams will claim the significant prizes for the top three positions in the overall standings; while special awards will be given to individual players who will achieve the best scores in the “Longest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” categories.

In the context of this year’s Greek Maritime Golf Event, the tournament’s organizer Mr. Thanos Karantzias highlighted: “After the highly successful and safe implementation of our event in 2020, in the Golf Course of Glyfada, with the realization of the strict health measures we had set against the pandemic, we begin our planning in September, at Costa Navarino with the Greek Maritime Golf Event”. 

The tournament will bring together representatives of the Greek and world shipping industry, who will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite sport, golf, in a completely safe destination, with the necessary approvals of the Health Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat of Sports, taking into account the strict specifications set by the Hellenic Golf Federation.

 

 

The ultimate Olympic experience, the “Olympic Day Run”, returns for the 4th year in a row on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Thessaloniki.
The sole Olympic Road Running Race in the country, which is promoting the Olympic spirit and “fair play”, is expected to take place with Olympians, Paralympians, other distinguished athletes and coaches, sports clubs and associations from all over the country, as well as with active citizens, In the context of this year’s “Olympic Day Run”, a press conference was held at the amphitheater of the Hellenic Olympic Committee wherein the collaboration with “The Smile of the Child” was officially announced.

Dr. Kyriaki Oudatzi, Director of the Olympic Museum and “Olympic Day Run” General Director highlighted the special features of this unique Olympic Road Running Race, which have turned it into a landmark event contributing decisively to the cultural and tourist development of the country.

The press conference opened the President of the Race’s Organizing Committee and Thessaloniki’s Mayor, Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, while the welcoming speeches of the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Kapralos, and of the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis, placed emphasis on the race’s great significance and potential for the world and the Olympic family.

Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. Lefteris Avgenakis noted:
“The Olympic Day Run is a unique event in our country commemorating the International Olympic Day. It is an important running event that communicates Greece internationally as the birthplace of the Olympic Games and Thessaloniki as a world Olympic center. According to the International Olympic Day, the Olympic Games are not just about racing and making performances, they are a timeless idea, originating from antiquity, being passed from generation to generation, and continuing undistracted through time. The Olympic Games teach the value of the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of athletes from different socio-cultural backgrounds. Olympism demonstrates that peace, ‘fair play, and sportsmanship are essential components of the society we wish to have. It is a great opportunity to join forces and build on the solid values ​​of the Olympic ideal”.

Mr. Spyros Kapralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, President of the European Olympic Committees, and member of the International Olympic Committee stated:
“With great pleasure, the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum decided to dedicate this year’s Olympic Day Run to the important cause supported by the organization ‘The Smile of the Child’. The Olympic Day Run is a running race with a social character that actively communicates the Olympic values, highlighting sportsmanship, the importance of fair play and solidarity, one of the main values behind the continuous effort of ‘The Smile of the Child’. This year, through this collaboration, we wish to share smiles with these children who represent the future of our country, and show them that the Olympic Family stands by their side, supporting them in their struggle, thus connecting the essence of solidarity with the Olympic Ideal”.

Mr. Konstantinos Zervas, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Day Run Greece and Mayor of Thessaloniki highlighted: “It is important to keep the Olympic spirit alive through sports events, especially in Greece. It is a special honor and joy to host for the 4th consecutive year in Thessaloniki this global event, that was established by the International Olympic Committee to celebrate the revival of the Olympic Games and honor their birthplace. A special feature of this year’s race is that it supports the cause of ‘The Smile of the Child’, sending an important and symbolic message of social sensitivity. From the position of the Mayor of Thessaloniki, but, also, from that of the Organizing Committee’s Chairman, I am expressing my satisfaction for the achievement of our goals”.

Moreover, Mr. Stelios Angeloudis, Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Vice President of the Olympic Museum, stressed that: “The Olympic Day Run Greece, the most important race of the Olympic family, focuses on humanity. Human solidarity and social sensitivity are at the core of Olympic values. We serve them in the Olympic Committee, we highlight them with our activities in the Olympic Museum. These are the reasons why we want the basic Olympic action of our Museum to be dedicated to what makes a child’s smile more beautiful”.

Subsequently, the President of the Board of Directors of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”, Mr. Konstantinos Giannopoulos stated: "The Smile of the Child" in its 25 years of operation, honors, defends, and faithfully follows its founding principles, values ​​, and ideals, such as equality, respect, dignity. Values ​​that are inextricably linked to sports and the spirit of the Olympic idea, as sports education contributes substantially to social and moral education. It is our great pleasure and honor to participate in the 4 th " Olympic Day Run " Greece and in the dissemination of the Olympic idea, following the kind and moving initiative of the Olympic Museum of Thessaloniki. We warmly thank the organizers and participants, who actively support the daily ‘struggle’ of our Organization and wish to be by the side of every child and family who is in need or danger”.

The Olympian in rowing, Mrs. Chryssa Biskitzi, while representing the Hellenic Olympians Association she conveyed the message of the association’s President, Ms. Voula Kozompoli: “The Olympic Day Run is the only running race that is held aiming at disseminating the Olympic Values in the context of the International Olympic Day celebration. As ‘transmitters’ of the Olympic Values, we; the Greek Olympians, have active participation in the organization of this race, through our collective body. As it was announced during the signing of our Cooperation Agreement with the Olympic Museum some time ago, from this year the Hellenic Olympians Association joins forces with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the International Olympic Academy, and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), so that we altogether announce the start of the 4th Olympic Day Run Greece on Sunday, September 26, in Thessaloniki”.

Mr. Manolis Kolympadis, the General Secretary of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Ms. Xenia Argeitaki, Assistant Professor at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, a former champion in athletics, member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and Academy while representing the President of SEGAS, Ms. Sofia Sakorafa, and Ms. Voula Zygouri, Olympian wrestler and board member of the Hellenic Olympic Academy while representing Ms. Evi Moraitidou, President of the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, underlined that the 4th “Olympic Day Run“ Greece is the landmark race of the Olympic family. 125 years after the First Olympic Games of 1896, the event marks the restart of sports through a majestic Olympic occasion honoring universal Olympic values.

The press conference was attended by Olympians and other distinguished athletes - including the Maria Polyzou, the Marathon Runner, Maria Alevizou, Mr. Giorgos Liveris, founding member of the Hellenic Olympians Association, Mr. Ioannis Stathopoulos, Head of Communication in the Hellenic Olympians Association, as well as a number of media representatives who renewed their appointment for the starting line of the 4th “Olympic Day Run” Greece.

Run for a good cause
The “Olympic Day Run” GREECE has joined forces with "The Smile of the Child" wishing to make children smile. You may now support “The Smile of the Child” by registering in the 2km race and selecting here one of the social contribution packages. With your registration, you offer 3 euros to the Organization’s mission.

Register now
The event includes a 10km race for adults, a 5km race for adults and teenagers, and a 2km for all ages. Register now here until 10/09.

The Olympic Museum and Olympic Day Run Gold Sponsor, PROTERGIA, the Grand Sponsor, Ethniki Asfalistiki, the Race’s Silver Sponsor, Thessaloniki Transport Authority (OSETH), the Supply Sponsors, Athos and Dole, the hospitality sponsor Grand Hotel Palace, and the event’s Tourist Support Agency, Greece on the Go, they all serve the vision of Olympism and offer their kind assistance for the implementation of the project. Moreover, they contribute to the country’s promotion on the Olympic world map, as well as in the dissemination of the Olympic values ​​to a better future.

The 4th Olympic Day Run GREECE is organized by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Academy, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Olympic Museum, the Hellenic Olympians Association, SEGAS and EAS SEGAS Thessaloniki and DKO OLYMPiA with the participation of Olympians, Paralympians, Distinguished Athletes, Sports Clubs and Institutional Bodies from all over the country, with the support of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Hellenic Olympic Winners Association, the Greek Paralympians Association, the Region of Central Macedonia and Thessaloniki International Fair-HELEXPO. The event is held under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco, the Ministry of Interior of the Macedonia- Thrace Sector, the General Secretariat of Sports, and the Municipalities of Ampelokipi- Menemeni, Thermi, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Neapoli-Sykies, Pavlos Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Volvi, Delta, Thermaikos, Lagadas, Chalkidona, Oreokastro, Almopia, Aristotelis, Dion-Olympos, Emmanuel Pappas, Iraklia, Kavala, Kassandra, Kilkis, Naoussa, Polygyros, Serres and Skydra.

For more information:
The Olympic Day Run GREECE is the only Olympic Road Running Race in Greece and the official global event for the celebration of the International Olympic Day. Established by the International Olympic Committee, the organizing authority of the Olympic Games, it aims in spreading the Olympic idea. The worldwide celebration for the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and its decision of organizing the first Modern Olympic Games (ATHENS 1896), sheds the light on Greece, while it raises the country’s position in the Olympic and tourism world map.