The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens celebrated the beginning of the holiday season on Saturday, November 30, with its traditional Christmas Tree lighting event in its lobby in a festive atmosphere. The ceremony included Christmas carols performed by the children’s choir of the educational institution “Themistoklis”. Volunteers of ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children were also present informing guests about the organization’s important initiatives.

 

Everyone enjoyed themselves within the overwhelming Christmas spirit and had the chance to watch the Hotel’s new Christmas video. As every year, the highlight was the amazing Christmas tree, decorated with impressive garlands, special ornaments and more than 10,000 lights creating a unique festive scene in the lobby.

 

Being part of a socially responsible company, Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George continue their special fund raising campaign. From December 1st and for four months, €1.50 will be added to each receipt issued at the GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall restaurants with the customers’ consent and will be donated to support “ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children” in its pioneering work, aimed at protecting children who have suffered or are in danger of suffering abuse and neglect all over Greece.

Learn more about the Hotel Grande Bretagne, here.

Save the date for Sunday, December 15th, when the British Residence will open its doors for the 3rd consecutive time to welcome old and new friends in Athens in an open day event that will reveal the fascinating history behind this magnificent building!

The British Residence is one of the most elegant neo-classical houses in Athens and the home to Eleftherios Venizelos towards the end of his life. Since 1936, the building has hosted the activities of the British Embassy, while today it is the home of HM Ambassador Kate Smith CMG.

To attend ‘THE BRITISH RESIDENCE OPEN DAY,’ applicants are kindly requested to send an email to events@british-embassy.gr noting ‘RESIDENCE OPEN DAY’ at the email subject, to receive further information regarding the registration process. Admission is granted only following a pre-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To learn more about this event, click here.

Christmas in Athens means 31 fun days, 76 city spots, 60 family activities, 50 concerts, 3 open-air movie projections, 1 pop-up museum, 1 dreamlike village, 1 illuminated route, impressive projection mappings, and countless surprises. From December 7 and for a whole month, the City Of Athens invites us to celebrate in the most sparkling Athens we have ever seen, with numerous festivities organized by OPANDA (The City of Athens' organization for Culture, Sport, and Youth) and the Athens Technopolis.

 

Athens will really be showered in light on Tuesday, December 10, at 19:30 when the mayor of Athens Kostas Bakogiannis, will start the illumination of the city and the impressive tree on Syntagma Square in a fantasmagorical event presented by Zeta Makrypoulia. Helena Paparizou, Idra Kayne, and Ian Stratis alongside the Athens Big Band will set the festive mood, while the percussion band Batala Athens will set the rhythm.

 

Hold on tight for the evening's highlight–the spectacular 3D projection mapping on the Greek Parliament building will be presented for the first time in Greece. Bright colors, bold set, and impressive architectural transformations will uniquely drape the historic building filling us with feelings and striking images!

Originally posted on Christmas in Athens, translated by Xpat Athens

ReBrain Greece, a new pilot program for the repatriation of at least 500 Greek professionals with significant qualifications and expertise, was presented on Monday by Giannis Vroutsis, the Greek Minister of Labor, Social Insurance, and Social Solidarity.

The program aims to tackle the Greek brain drain issue by facilitating the gradual repatriation of highly-qualified Greek nationals who left Greece during the economic crisis in search of better-paying jobs.

The ReBrain Greece initiative guarantees the repatriated Greeks a minimum wage of €3,000 monthly month for at least two years. The program commits to paying €2,000 per month, while the employer companies will cover the remaining amount. At the end of the two years, the companies will continue to employ the professionals for at least one more year, continuing to pay a minimum monthly salary of €3,000.

 

Greeks aged between 28 and 40 with recognized international scientific and professional experience and post-grad academic credentials who are willing to the Greek labor market needs in new technologies will be able to register in the ReBrain Greece platform.

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We are always looking to meet and connect with new content contributors. If you believe that your content would be a positive addition to XpatAthens, click here to learn more about working with us!

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Who Is Nadia Georgiou?
 

Nadia Georgiou is an international life coach and writer devoted to leading you to a life-changing journey by unveiling your infinite power and unlimited potential.

As a strong believer in "taking my responsibility in order to bring results" she founded "It's my life" life coaching services after more than 25 years in international corporate communications and while on top of her career. The creator of the seminars "Become Who You Really Are" for women and "We Are Not Born Parents. We Become Parents" for parents, she works with women who dare to live life on their terms, with parents who dare to try new approaches and with children of all ages, especially teenagers, who dare to take charge of their life early on - from all over the world.

Working together, like a coach and an athlete, she will be your avid supporter, your close and trusted partner, who listens to you while gently pushing you with care to discover your personal strength, break your fears and move from your "comfort zone" to the area of unlimited possibilities that exist within you. Nadia will give you the tools, know-how, and confidence to conquer your every new goal.

Nadia is also certified in Yoga Laughter, Pranic Healing and Body Mirror System of Healing and Self Knowledge. A Greek-American based in Athens, she's conversant in French and Italian. Trained at the Robbins Madanes Training Center and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management and a Master's in Communications and Public Relations. Nadia is married and has a daughter; she loves traveling, the arts, children's laughter and red wine.

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Read Nadia's first article, here
Visit Nadia's website, here

 

 

According to a statement by the Greek Ministry of Culture, two monumental royal tombs dating from about 3,500 years ago near the Bronze Age palace of Pylos in the Peloponnese have been discovered by American archaeologists.

The ministry stated that the domed roofs of both tombs had collapsed during antiquity, filling them with so much earth and rubble that tomb raiders couldn't get in to ravage them. Among the recovered grave goods are a golden seal ring and a gold talisman of an ancient Egyptian goddess.

It is worth mentiong that the Mycenaean era, which dates from about 1650 B.C. to 1100 B.C., was the foundation for many Ancient Greek myths and legends, including that of the Trojan War. The graves lie near the Palace of Pylos, which features in Homer's Odyssey as the seat of the wise King Nestor.

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

The European emergency number (112) has become fully operational in Greece according to a statement of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. The control center for 112 in Greece is located at the fire brigade operations center in Chalandri and employs 100 people.

Each shift includes an OTE telecoms operator–who responds in Greek, English, or French–and liaison officers from the Hellenic Army, Greek Police, the Coast Guard, and the ambulance service.

The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the National Gallery of Art will reopen in March 2021, following the renovations and expansion works that have been underway for the last few years. More specifically, the National Gallery of Art will be inaugurated on March 25, 2021, signaling the launch of a series of commemorative events to honor the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.

The ministry issued a statement declaring that the amphitheater and the entrance hall are complete, while "the next phase involves the floors, the seating, and the necessary equipment."

The renovation of The National Gallery of Art has been made possible through funding from the Ministry of Culture, EU co-funding for the Attica Region, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and private donors.