Not even four miles south of Athens lies Phaleron, a port of Athens in classical times. Phaleron boasts one of the largest cemeteries ever excavated in Greece, containing more than 1,500 skeletons. Dating to the 8th-5th centuries BC, Phaleron is significant for our understanding of the rise of the Greek city-state and, in particular, for understanding the violence and subjugation that went with it. Two mass burials at Phaleron include people who were tossed face-down into a pit, their hands shackled behind their backs.

The shackled skeletons, easily the most compelling remains from Phaleron, have received researchers' attention for decades, as they are among the very few instances of shackled deaths in the ancient world and could indicate punishment, slavery, or a death sentence. But study of these “captives” has to take place within the context of the entire cemetery, and analyzing 1,500 skeletons is a massive task.

In the long-term, Phaleron skeletons will give us a window into a critical time in ancient Greek history, just before the rise of the city-state.

For more information about Phaleron and the excavation, please visit: Forbes

Renowned Greek poet Constantine Cavafy was born in Alexandria, Egypt, on 29 April, 1863. A cosmopolitan by birth, Cavafy travelled for the first time to Greece in the summer of 1901, accompanied by his brother Alexandros. His stay in Athens constitutes the topic of a new book entitled Walking in Athens with Constantine Cavafy.

Wandering through Athens with Cavafy is a fascinating experience. Readers will have the chance to discover that, despite the fact that it’s been over a century ago and with dramatic changes have taken place in the capital, the city centre has preserved the broad outline of its physiognomy. The urban grid, shaped like a large symmetrical triangle and dating from the time of King Otto (mid 19th century), is still the city’s most obvious trait, while the large public buildings that remain attractions adorning the city would have also been seen by Cavafy at the time.

“Cavafy travelled for the first time in Greece in the summer of 1901 during a period of leave from his job. The poet was 38 years old and was accompanied by his brother Alexandros. Travelling to Athens with Cavafy is a fascinating experience.”

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek News Agenda

To purchase ‘Walking in Athens with Constantine Cavafy,’ please visit: ETP Books

Known as a new foodie haven, Kerameikos is home to unique restaurants, interesting neo-tavernas, and ethnic hangouts. Greece Is explores the neighborhood for food lovers and shares the best places to eat and relax.

Aleria is now the home of modern Greek cuisine and is based on the triptych of good ingredients, high technology and modern ideas. You can select the food based on the wine you like – the wine list is long and the staff is knowledgeable. Try the beef tartare with yogurt, wasabi cream and ouzo jelly.

Address: 57 M. Alexandrou

Telephone: 210 522 2633

The salon for the winter has 50 seats, while the outer space accommodates twice as many. The food is modern Greek cuisine with a traditional base. The menu changes twice a month. It’s small, with about 12 appetizers and salads and seven mains. They make their own bread daily and their food has a nice Greek character.

Address: 15 Plateon

Telephone: 210 346 2983

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is

Photo Credit: Greece Is

Ever wondered  what makes Greek people embrace life? Well you can now discover the few simple steps that lead them to well-being, as well as how May 1st is celebrated and treated like a special holiday!

Every year, March 25th is a very important day in Greek history. It marks the country's Independece Day and is an integral part of Greek culture, proudly filled with customs and delicious food! So don't worry if you haven't heard of Bakaliaros Skordalia yet, after this week's newsletter you'll be ready to celebrate the day like a true Greek!

Given the public's increasing familiarity with digital cultural experiences, the Acropolis Museum’s newly launched virtual edition is a delightful development. Digital visitors will be surprised by the virtual tour that will almost certainly instigate the desire to see the breathtaking collection in person once the museum reopens its doors.

 

“Research carried out by museums has shown that an interesting digital tour only strengthens the visitor’s desire to physically visit the museum and see the pieces depicted in the photographs up close,” says Stamatia Eleftheratou, the director of the Acropolis Museum’s collections and exhibitions.

 

The museum’s meticulously planned digital edition takes internet users around the museum and provides information on its temporary exhibits, special events, educational and family activities, research, conservation, and new technologies. The Acropolis Museum is the first Greek museum to display all of its permanent exhibits online, along with explanatory notes, available in English, German, Italian, French, and Spanish.

“Nothing can replace the experience of a proper museum visit, but the portal is a marvelous substitute, and not just because of the current situation,” says Eleftheratou. “Basically, it complements and/or strengthens a physical visit, while also giving remote audiences a very good idea of the space, its operation, its activities, and its collections.”

 

This remarkable endeavor involves the management of 27,755 digital archives, the digitization of 496 handwritten excavation logs, 110,000 photographs, 18,410 documentation forms for movable finds, and 7,500 conservation logs. The museum's  multifaceted digital archive is a fountain of knowledge waiting to be discovered by experts and amateurs alike.

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

As Athens is adopting a sustainable urban mobility plan, one of the biggest challenges the city has to face is bike safety. On the occasion of "World Bicycle Day",  the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Road Safety Institute “Panos Mylonas” (IOAS), inaugurated a new cycling center in the heart of Athens, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. 

The center's main goal is to provide, both children and adults, with useful cycling safety tips and teach them various bicycle inspection methods and techniques, that can help avoid accidents. 

The cycling center is located at the junction of Vasilissis Olgas avenue and Amalias avenue near Syntagma Square. For the next month, IOAS instructors will be there daily to teach bicycle safety to all those interested. 

More specifically, citizens will learn about: 

• Basic bicycle safety equipment. 
• How to do a pre-ride safety check.
• Personal protective equipment for cyclists.
• Essential road rules every cyclist should know.

After their visit, citizens will be given a leaflet reminding them of the things they should check before venturing out on their bikes and the safety rules they need to follow. The leaflet will also include any parts of the bike that require service or repair (e.g. lights, tires, brakes, etc.). 

Moreover, on the occasion of "World Bicycle Day", the Municipality of Athens gave away 60 bikes to children from the Charity Association "Friends of the Child". The bikes, which had been confiscated and remained unused for a long time, were properly maintained and repaired so that children can enjoy safe bike rides.

Operating days & hours: 
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 19:00 - 21:00 

Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 - 10:00 & 19:00 - 21:00 

Weekends: 10:00 - 13:00 & 18:00 - 21:00 

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Greek food is renowned all over the world! Everyone knows Moussaka, gyro, and tzatziki, however, people are not that well acquainted with Greek desserts. 

Greeks love pastry and their long culinary tradition stretches back to the ancient world. In fact, ancient Greeks used cakes and sweets in religious festivals and as offerings. Today's Greek desserts share a lot of similarities with Middle Eastern and Turkish pastry dishes and borrow heavily from Italy and North Africa too. The result is a lot of honey, a touch of cinnamon, and plenty of nuts - otherwise known as the holy trinity of Greek ingredients. Here are some of our favorite traditional Greek desserts that taste exceptional at this time of the year!

If you are wondering when the perfect time to plan a little trip abroad is, autumn is always the answer. Most European destinations have lived through their high season, the streets are becoming quieter, and you can experience your favorite cities off-the-beaten-track, escaping the tourist crowds and getting a taste of the everyday lives of locals.

And although almost every city is dreamy in the autumn, some cities feel even more magical. Here is a list of our favorite European destinations that you should visit this fall!

Amsterdam


@johnblutephotography

Autumn in Amsterdam is absolutely magical. The trees lining the canals start changing to the warm colors of the season, the city’s bars, restaurants, and cafes become delightfully cozy, and the streets are quieter, making it easy to wander around and take in the beauty that unfolds before you. Not to mention the numerous events you can attend during the fall season, such as the Amsterdam Dance Event in mid-October or the Amsterdam Light Festival at the beginning of November.

Barcelona


@christian_kremser

Barcelona may be a popular summer destination, but autumn is when the city really comes to life, with tons of festivals happening all around. The most famous of all is La Castanyada, or Catalan Halloween, which is a festival to honor the dead and where you can enjoy delicious local food like castanyes (chestnuts) and panellets, a typical Catalan pastry. Except for attending festivals, you can go for a picnic in Ciutadella Park and cherish the magic of nature in all its autumn glory, see a flamenco show, and, of course, visit the museums and most popular sites with no annoying tourist crowds!

Dubrovnik


@dubrovnik_tourist_guide

Dubrovnik, the shining jewel in Dalmatia’s crown, is sure to take your breath away if you visit during autumn. The temperatures remain relatively warm, and even the water stays warm through October. You can appreciate Dubrovnik’s historic centre when the crowds have thinned and soak up the last sunny days of the season with a swim or kayaking trip. Make sure to walk up to the top of the Old Town walls, the best vantage point for contemplating the vistas and admiring the city dressed in the golden hues of autumn.

Porto


@porto_portugal

The mild weather, the smell of roasted chestnuts, and the less crowded city—autumn in Porto is one of the most memorable things you will ever experience. First, it is the perfect time to discover the Douro valley and its vineyards, listed as a World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the city’s parks, such as the Palácio de Cristal and the Botanic Garden, and sip hot chocolate at cozy cafes, set in former bookstores. Last but not least, make sure to watch a fado show. Fado is the traditional music genre of Portugal, and fado songs are usually connected to the feeling of Saudade, a state of nostalgia and yearning. Once you listen to fado music, you will always carry Porto in your heart!

Bordeaux


@intercontinental_bordeaux

Named the world’s best city a few years back by Lonely Planet, Bordeaux is a year-round destination, but it shines a bit brighter in autumn. The days are warm, the nights are cool, the countryside begins its dramatic change of color, with fields and hillsides washed in the autumn color palette of mustard yellows, fiery oranges, and burnt reds, and the countless beautiful châteaux and tiny historic towns wait to be explored. Plus, wine lovers will be able to sample the city’s world-famous wines and embark on wine tours of the Medoc region and, of course, the charming medieval town of Saint-Emilion.

We Run – Bike for a good cause on June 11, 2023

The time has come for all of us to unite and participate for a good cause. This year’s Run - Bike - Care event, organized by the Association of Cancer patients “KEFI of Athens” on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at Zappeion in the center of Athens, as well as in other cities of Greece, invites people of all ages and abilities to run, walk or take their bike in support of the “Mazi kai sto Spiti” program.

 

Run Bike Care 2023 includes a 5km run or walk and a 10km bike ride with a start and finish point at the iconic Zappeion Megaron, which is a part of national heritage of Greek civilization.

In addition to Athens, the action will take place nationwide in Thessaloniki, Larissa, Lamia, Syros, Chania, Gythio and other locations in Greece.

Register here as a team or individual

The Run Bike Care action is supported by significant personalities from the fields of sports and arts. More specifically, the following people have already responded positively at the call for support of the Association of Cancer patients “KEFI of Athens”, which offers psychological and social support to oncology patients and their family members over the last 20 years:

• Nasos Ghavelas - Paralympic gold medalist in 100m, holder of the world record in the T11 category
• Makis Kalaras - Paralympic silver medalist, world and European discus champion
• Periklis Iakovakis - Olympian and European champion in 400m. with hurdles
• Constantine Dean Karnazes – Greek-American Ambassador of Greek Tourism, ultra-marathoner who has run 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days in 50 different US states 
• Maria Polyzou – Survivor, Marathon Runner, Holder of Greek National Marathon Performance
• Michalis Triantafyllidis – former international volleyball player, record holder for appearances with the Greek National Team
• Jo Manta – Ultramarathoner
• Christina Flampouri - has conquered the 7 highest peaks in the world
• Maria Mpekatorou – Journalist - Presenter
• Youlika Skafida – Actress
• Dora Tsambazi - Journalist
• Dimitris Moros – Professor of Physical Education / FitnessArt
• Mandy Persaki – Professor of Physical Education / Pilates by Mandy
• Mamatsita – Gogo Papadionisiou - Food Blogger

The proceeds from this year’s Run - Bike – Care event will finance the “Mazi kai sto Spiti” program, which is the realization of the vision of “KEFI of Athens” to improve the life quality of oncology patients and their families who are unable to move from their homes. The program started its operation in September 2018 and it has not stopped supporting people in their home by providing psychological and social support ever since. Services are provided free of charge to oncology patients who meet the following conditions: a) serious health condition, b) inability to move, c) financial & family conditions.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3nmt8WV 

 

Run - Bike - Care is an action of celebration for all those who survived cancer and in memory of those who have passed away. On the occasion of the World Cancer Survivors Day, the Association of Cancer patients “KEFI of Athens” has set June 11, 2023 as a day that raises awareness, uniting the voices of all people who have lived an experience of cancer. With the message “Together we fight - Together we bike - Together we run” people of all ages and abilities will take part without competition, either as runners, walkers or on their bikes, in a pleasant ride in the center of Athens and in other cities of Greece, putting into practice the message of KEFI “We Run Faster Than Cancer”. 

 

With the event’s official hashtag #runbikecare, this year we join our forces on social media to raise awareness for the whole world.

 

More information about this year’s route and the event’s schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

Run - Bike - Care / Association KEFI of Athens