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XpatAthens

Monday, 23 September 2019 20:00

WWF Initiative Aims To Reduce Food Waste

In collaboration with Unilever Food Solutions, the Greek branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has launched an initiative that aims to reduce food waste at 3 Greek hotels.

The initiative that started in late May involves a detailed daily record of food waste, at Grecotel Cape Sounio, Aquila Rithymna Beach Resort, and the Athens Marriott. Food waste is recorded in terms of food thrown-out during the meal preparation process, leftovers on the buffets and restaurants as well as on guests' plates.

"It was quite shocking when I realized how much waste we had. Almost all the guests only eat half of what they put on their plates, and the rest ends up in the trash," says Sakis Tzanetos, the chef at Grecotel Cape Sounio.

"If the customer understands that this is being done for the sake of sustainability and in respect for all of the things the planet gives us, they may start to appreciate food differently," explains WWF's Vicky Barboka, who's responsible for the program.

The action includes leaving a note for guests on the tables, at the buffets, and elsewhere asking them not to select more than they can eat.

Two years ago, the same program was implemented at 10 American hotels, helping them curb food waste by between 17 and 38 percent.

Today, food production is considered the number one threat to the environment; it uses up 34% of the planet's land and 69 % of its clean water, and is accountable for 24-30 % of greenhouse emissions.

 

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


To learn more about the actions of WWF Greece, please click here


 

Tuesday, 01 October 2019 08:00

Winter Quiet Hours Are Back

The law that restricts noise and disturbances in residential areas reverts to its winter schedule today.
 
According to the measure, residents are allowed to file a complaint if disturbances occur between 10 p.m. and 7.30 a.m. and from 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. during the afternoon rest time.
 
During Common Quiet Hours, it is not allowed to carry out construction works or other noisy activities, play musical instruments or loud music or use security alarms without due cause. Residents are also required not to engage in noisy discussions and arguments that could potentially disturb neighbors.
 
Summertime Common Quiet Hours run from April 1 to September 30 between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and 3 to 5.30 p.m.
The Acropolis of Athens, one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, will soon be offering the much-needed improved disabled access.
 
The central archaeological council (KAS) of Greece has recently approved the installation of a new elevator to provide easier access to disabled visitors. Furthermore, the council has also approved the upgrade of existing lighting for the site and its landmarks.
 
In terms of lighting, the KAS decision refers back to a 2003 study carried out by renowned French lighting designer Pierre Bideau. The planning will be carried out by Bideau’s collaborator Costas Kapos of the Doxiadis Bureau.


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

Don't forget that clocks in Greece will be turned back one hour on October 31.

On Sunday, October 31st at 04:00:00 clocks in Greece will be turned backward 1 hour to 03:00:00 local standard time as Daylight Saving Time ends, the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry announced.

Following an EU survey where 80% of Europeans said they were opposed to the clock changes, the time changes were supposed to end this year, however, this initiative has not been made official yet, as it has not been finalized by the European Council.

Greeks will turn their clocks back to 'summer time' on the last Sunday of March 2022.
The Greek National Theater's 2019-2020 season includes more than 20 productions, 4 of which will be staged with English surtitles every Wednesday through Sunday.
 
Surtitles will be applied to the current production of "Tonight We Improvise" and to the upcoming performances of Jack Thorne's adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol," from November 15 to January 12, 2020.

For the 2020 season, English surtitles will be available on the production of "Macbeth," from February 7 to March 8, and on Georges Feydeau's "Lady from Maxims," from March 21 to May 31. All 4 productions will be staged at the Ziller Building on Agiou Constantinou Street

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
Photo: National Theater


Click here to learn more about the National Theater's performances with English surtitles
 
A series of Chinese comics events are being held in Athens from October 25th to November 5th. The events are hosted by The State Council Information Office of China, The National Radio and Television Administration of China, and the Embassy of China in Greece. Organized by The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangzhou, and The China Artists Association.

There will be more than 100 Chinese modern classic animation works featured at the exhibition, including the masterpieces of Feng Zikai, Zhang Leping and other cartoon masters. The masterpieces of contemporary Chinese cartoon masters Cai Zhizhong, Zheng Xinyao, Jincheng and others, as well as the representative works of Laoshu (Liu Shuyong), Xiaolin (Lin Dihuan) and Gao Youling in the new media era. Animation Movies include Havoc in Heaven, Where is Mama, Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King and other classic works with Chinese ink characteristics, and also those won the International prizes, such as One Small Step and Life Smartphone.

The participants also have the chance to watch the movie Ne Zha which had a big success in China. It was created on the basis of traditional mythology and has been re-interpreted in modern times creating a second smash hit at the box office in Chinese film history, and entering the Oscar Best Animation feature Primary.

The design exhibition of "Beyond the Tower: The Transfer and Transmission of China's Image" held at the same venue gathered more than 200 designers' works of cross era, cross theme, cross discipline and even cross-cultural background, trying to activate Chinese traditional culture, create new concepts, new categories and new expressions at home and abroad, and explain the macro, open, diverse and confident temperament of contemporary Chinese culture. The exhibition also brings with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot Bing Dwne Dwne to meet the audience in Athens Greece, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

The exhibition of paintings starts on October 25th. The opening ceremony will be held at 3 pm on October 31st. The opening ceremony will combine activities such as animation, food and China Greece friendly stories sharing. Famous art experts from China and Greece will share their creative experiences and stories of cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries. On the night of the opening ceremony, the movie Ne Zha will also be shown at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens.



Monday, 04 November 2019 10:31

Countdown To The Athens Classic Marathon

The final countdown to the Athens Classic Marathon "Athens Marathon, The Authentic" officially kicked last week with a press conference organized by the Hellenic Track & Field Federation (SEGAS).

According to SEGAS, this year's event has reached the record number of 60,000 participants in all races while last year, about 55,000 athletes from 105 countries and regions flooded the Attica area.

This year, the organizers, expect to welcome 20,000 marathon runners from all over the world at the original course of the 42.195 km from Marathon to Athens. Together with the 10km and 5km running events, a total of more than 60,000 athletes will run through the Attica region and Athens next Sunday, making the Athens Marathon one of the largest running events in the world.

Every marathon runner that crosses the finish line in the Panathenaic Stadium on November 10 will receive a medal depicting the Battle of Marathon. The classic marathon course begins near the tumulus of Marathon; it ends at the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)-the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896-right in the heart of Athens!

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini
Photo Credit: Athens Authentic Marathon
The Greek police has announced the schedule of the traffic regulations and street shutdowns that will take place in the Marathon area and central Athens on the occasion of the annual Authentic Marathon race and other smaller races on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.

On Saturday, November 9, between 17.00-19.00, a 10km race will take place from Vassilissis Sofias Ave near Syntagma Square to the Panathenaic Stadium; some of the streets it will pass through include Panepistimiou, Messoghion, Fidippidou and Irodou Attikou. On Sunday, November 10, between 09.00-17.45, the 37th Authentic Marathon route will follow Marathonos Avenue to the Panathenaic Stadium via Messoghion Ave, Michalakopoulou Ave, Vassilissis Sofias Ave, and Irodou Attikou, among others.

Other races that will start at Vassilissis Sofias in Syntagma and finish at the Panathenaic Stadium on Sunday are:

08.00-10.00: 5km road race, through the streets of Panepistimiou, Akadimias, the NIMITS hospital area.
 
10.05-10.20: Special Olympics Hellas Fun Run 1200m. Starts from Vassilissis Sofias Avenue outside Greek Parliament Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.
 
10.20-10.40: Kids' Fun Run 1200m. Starts from Vas. Sofias Avenue outside Greek Parliament. Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.
 
10.35-11.00: Team Road Race ERGO 3km. Starts from Vas. Amalias Ave. in front of Ippokratio Hospital. Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

In addition, short children's races will be held by local municipalities along the Marathon towns. In general, traffic restrictions will be introduced early on Saturday morning and stay in place, by location, until late afternoon on Sunday.

In Athens, in particular, vehicles will not be allowed to park on several streets until as late as 20:30. Please also note that bicycle riders and pedestrians are not allowed on the streets runners will use, and they will also not allowed to cross these streets during the race.

For further information and a detailed schedule of traffic restrictions, please visit: Hellenic Police (Greek Only)


Source: AMNA
Thursday, 21 November 2019 08:13

Moving Toward A Smoke-Free Greece

It seems like Greece is finally moving toward a smoke-free future. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health officially presented the National Action Plan Against Smoking.

During the presentation, the prime minister stated: "The smoking ban is a bold initiative to protect public health. A symbolic move to modernise and refine our daily lives. But it is also an exercise in mutual respect that ultimately strengthens social cohesion."

The Greek administration sympathizes with the 84% of citizens who consider the failure to implement anti-smoking laws a "cultural degradation" and the 76% who declare themselves outraged.

"We are responding to this displeasure with a national strategy and a strict ban on smoking in public spaces, in private work areas, in spaces where there are children, in cars where children are passengers...but also with a good and extremely inventive information and awareness campaign. Our aim is not to divide but an alliance for health. To highlight the individual responsibility that will lead to collective harmony." he said.

Health Unites us: Alliance For A Better Life Without Smoking

The anti-smoking campaign, whose central message is "Health unites us: Alliance for a better life without smoking" marks the start of a nationwide effort, which is also back by strict fines.

The campaign focuses on 4 lines of action

  1. Creating a non-smoking culture that emphasizes on prevention.
  2. Respect for non-smokers.
  3. Care for smokers by increasing medical support for stopping smoking.
  4. Evaluating new tobacco products and regulating their circulation on the market.

Finally, an anti-smoking g information and support hotline has come into operation since Tuesday. By calling 1142, citizens can learn more about the anti-smoking law and what it entails, get help to quit smoking, and report any anti-smoking law violations.


To read more about the anti-smoking campaign, please visit: AMNA
To safeguard goods produced in the Region of Macedonia, Greece presented a new official trademark and is preparing to submit it to EUIPO, the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, in Alicante, Spain. The new trademark logo depicts a capital ‘M,’ and the motto “The GReat Land” in blue and white and aims to address potential trade name rights infringement.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the presentation of the trademark in Thessaloniki and expressed his confidence that local producers will embrace it. “The new logo that will accompany Macedonian products across the globe offers a unique identity to the products produced on Macedonian land. An identity that points to the glorious past and paves the way for an optimistic future,” hstated through his twitter account.

Over 2,000 Greek businesses have already expressed interest in obtaining the EU trademark.

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



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