XpatAthens

XpatAthens

Friday, 21 October 2016 23:27

Museum Of Cycladic Art In Athens

The Museum of Cycladic Art, is a great little gem museum in the hearth of Athens, housing one of the most important collections of Cycladic Art in the world, as well as an impressive collection of Ancient Greek and Cypriot Art. Founded in 1986, it showcases more than 3.000 artefacts, from the 4th millennium BC to the 6th century AD.
 
Today, in the galleries of the MCA the visitor can approach three major subjects: Cycladic Art (3200-2000BC), Cypriot Art (3900 BC – AD 500) and Ancient Greek Art (2000 BC – AD 395).

The Collection of the Museum of Cycladic Art, one of the largest worldwide, is a major attraction, as simple marble figurines depicting naked human figures fascinate the visitor with their simplicity and abstraction, elements that inspired artists of the 20th century, such as Brancusi, Modigliani, Giacometti, Hepworth και Moore.

Apart from archaeology, the temporary exhibitions of the MCA frequently focus on modern and contemporary art, aiming to introduce the public to important 20th century artists (Dali, Picasso, etc.) and explore the links between ancient cultures and modern artistic creation.

Interactive educational programs for schools, children and families, guided tours, temporary exhibitions –archaeological, modern and contemporary–, conferences and various events complete the museum’s cultural profile. The Cycladic Café and the recently renovated Museum Shop are open during visiting hours.

1st Floor - Cycladic Art

Cycladic culture flourished on the islands of the central Aegean during the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC). The MCA collection is one of the most comprehensive collections of Cycladic antiquities worldwide, comprising an astonishing variety of marble figurines and vessels, bronze tools and weapons, as well as pottery from all phases of the Early Cycladic period.

2nd Floor - Ancient Greek Art: A History in Images

The birth of Greek art in the protohistoric Aegean, the development of Classical culture and its gradual dissemination all over the Mediterranean basin constitutes one of the most influential phenomena in the history of western civilization. The MCA holds a large collection of Ancient Greek Art with representative artifacts from all periods between the Middle Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) to the very end of the Roman period (4th c. AD). The MCA collections of Ancient of Greek Art have been integrated into a single permanent exhibition, titled "Ancient Greek Art – A history in images", which includes approximately 350 objects.

3nd Floor: Cyprus- Aspects of Ancient Art and Culture

The Cypriot collection in the MCA (Th.N. Zintilis collection) is one of the most comprehensive collections of Cypriot antiquities in the world. It contains more than 800 objects that help visitors learn about the history of the island and its relations with other regions of the eastern Mediterranean from the 4th millennium BC to the Early Christian period (6th c. AD).

4th Floor: Daily Life in Antiquity

This permanent exhibition tries to transform our knowledge about daily life in antiquity (as provided by ancient texts and archaeological objects) into vivid images. Visitors are invited into a virtual tour in time and space: the tours starts from the world of the supernatual (gods) and the myth (heroes), goes through the realm of Eros, follows the activities of everyday women and men in their private and public life, explores their religious behaviour, and concludes with their attitudes against death and their beliefs about afterlife and the Underworld.

One hundred forty two objects - mostly dating to the Classical Hellenistic periods (5th-1st c. BC) - are grouped in nine separate units.
Travellers can enjoy their tropical dream-come-true with direct daily service between Doha and Seychelles!

Qatar Airways will provide travellers with greater access to the idyllic white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Seychelles with daily flights from Doha starting on 12 December 2016.

Travellers wishing to explore the beauty of the Seychelles – one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations in the Indian Ocean – will enjoy convenient flights and award-winning service when travelling with Qatar Airways.

Residents of the Seychelles will also benefit from the opportunity to connect to the airline’s network of more than 150 business and leisure destinations around the world via the airline’s hub in Doha. The airline’s expanding global reach and modern fleet will take travellers to exciting places across the globe including the airline’s latest destinations launched in 2016: Adelaide, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Helsinki, Los Angeles, Marrakech, Pisa, Ras Al Khaimah, Sydney, Windhoek and Yerevan.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “Over recent years Qatar Airways has seen significant growth, expanding its worldwide footprint to provide more opportunities for global leisure travellers to premium destinations such as the Seychelles. When travelling with Qatar Airways we ensure that our passengers’ dream holiday starts with an extraordinary journey on board, where they truly experience the warmth of Middle Eastern hospitality, world-class service, award-winning cuisine and in-flight entertainment.”

Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain St. Ange, said: “It gives me great pleasure to see Qatar Airways serving the Seychelles. Our partnership has always been a very positive one. I know that the airline is very popular with the local community and we all look forward to many more years of fruitful cooperation and increased tourism business to our shores.”

Seychelles Tourism Board, Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sherin Naiken, added, “The Seychelles Tourism Board is very happy to welcome Qatar Airways. We are looking forward to building a partnership with the airline that will foster the development of tourism and growth of local business.”

Passengers flying to the Seychelles from any of Qatar Airways' more than 150 destinations around the world will enjoy a quick and convenient transfer at the airline’s state-of-the-art hub Hamad International Airport. Offering more than 100 retail and dining options and unique services such as a 25-metre swimming pool, hotel and spa, designed exclusively for those in transit, the airport is sure to further enhance the passengers’ overall travel experience.

Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, the airline has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 19th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was awarded World's Best Business Class, Best Business Class Airline Lounge, and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East at the prestigious 2016 World Airline Awards managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.

Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

For more information, please visit their website: Qatar Airways
Thursday, 22 October 2020 07:00

Delicious Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup is a perfect warming dish to serve during autumn and winter. It cooks in no time, and it's a favorite for kids and adults alike. Add caramelized bacon and homemade croutons to take this recipe to a whole different tastiness level!

Serves: 4-6
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooks in: 30 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
• 70 g butter
• 800 g pumpkin, yellow, peeled
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 liter of water
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• the juice of 1 orange

Cooking Method

Heat the olive oil in a deep pot over medium heat, and sauté the onions for 2 minutes, until slightly golden. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.

Add 20 g of the butter, the pumpkin cut into 3-4 cm cubes and the thyme.

Sauté for 2-3 more minutes and add the water with the chicken bouillon cube. You can also add a stock cube if you have some in your pantry.

Bring to a boil and simmer – with the lid on – for 15 to 30 minutes until the pumpkin is tender.

When the pumpkin pieces are tender, add the rest of the butter, the orange juice, and beat the soup with a blending rod until the mixture is homogenized and smooth.

If it is too watery, boil for a few more minutes. If it is too thick, add a little more hot water.

Tip: Serve the soup with heavy cream, fresh thyme, caramelized bacon, and homemade croutons.

Recipe Source: akispetretzikis.com
Thursday, 20 October 2016 07:00

Lesvos - The Aegean Symphony

The island of Lesvos has showed the world the meaning of compassion and selflessness.
 
Watch and share the new video which captures the true values of its people and the characteristics of an island that has become an international symbol of humanity. Lesvos, the “Aegean symphony”, as the video portrays, a musical masterpiece of nature’s elements that invites you to a unique holiday experience. #DiscoverGreece

Have you ever known a place that speaks to you?
Well, surrender to the feeling. And a melody rises up around you.
The elements begin to stir, to fall into place, to find their voice,
The land. The wind. Nature. The water.
All share a single tempo; a reason to be heard.
Even the stones command a presence.
Enchanting you,
A noble and sacred serenade that inspires you to greater heights,
Almost without knowing, you’re captivated by the rhythm;
A dance shared with others, yet somehow still your very own,
And just when you think silence has descended…
Don’t be misled. Open up to the secret whispers of a music,
The notes of an ancient harmony,
A perfect blend,
That brings all the senses together as one.
This is Lesvos. The Aegean Symphony.

For more information on Lesvos, please visit: Discover Greece



 
Monday, 06 November 2017 07:00

7 Reasons To Cherish Athens During Autumn

Athens in the autumn transforms into a city with a special kind of charm, so if you find yourself in the city on the cusp of autumn instead of the height of summer, here are some the delights you can look forward to.

  1. Drinks In The Open

    When returning from summertime holiday breaks, Athenians tend to continue spending a great deal of time outdoors, for as long as the autumn weather permits, roaming about town and enjoying drinks at café-bars on pedestrianized streets, rooftop settings and terraces.

  2. Visits To Museums And Archaeological Sites Without The Heatwaves

    Begin your outing along cobbled Dionysiou Areopagitou St, below the Acropolis, for a look at the marvelous neoclassical buildings along one of Europe’s most prestigious and expensive strips. Also take in the Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, both at the foot of the Acropolis, as well as the district’s wondrous Acropolis Museum, designed by architect Bernard Tschumi and Michael Photiadis, before winding up at the Pnyx, the nearby hill where ancient Athenians gathered for their popular assemblies.

  3. Classic Athenian Food Delights In Unlikely Spots

    Try the street food at Uberness, a cult-status pop-up restaurant set up by chef Vassilis Kallidis in Athens central wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Renti, close to Piraeus. The makeshift setting, featuring lots of plastic white chairs for seating, resembles rural Greek festivals. At Aster, enjoy Cretan cuisine in the grand setting of a neoclassical building decorated with furniture that is reminiscent of old Athens.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is
Monday, 17 October 2016 21:52

49 Reasons To Love Greece

We believe that Greece is one of the best countries in the world to live, to visit, and to explore. There are an infinite number of reasons to love Greece, but these 49 reasons are some of the best! Here we've chosen our favourite ones from this great list!
  1. Greeks take their time.

  2. They let beautiful moments linger.

  3. From May to September you’ll almost never see a cloud.

  4. For Greeks, time with family and friends always comes first.

  5. Eighty percent of the country is picturesque mountains…

  6. Greek food is so much more than souvlaki and gyros.

  7. Feta. The real, salty, creamy, crumbly stuff.

  8. Figs grow wild. Lots of them. Everywhere.

  9. Coffee breaks are serious affairs.

  10. Athens is one of the most underrated cities in the world.
To read this article in full, please visit: Buzzfeed
86-year-old Emilia Kamvysi is not a politician, activist or lawyer. Her days are simple and slow. Like other Greek retirees on the island of Lesbos off the Turkish coast, she cooks for her children and grandchildren, watches the evening news and sits on the bench with her neighbors gazing at the sea. Kamvysi is not your typical Nobel Peace Prize candidate.

Then her life changed. Along with two neighbors, aged 89 and 85, Kamvysi was sitting on a bench in February, helping out a Syrian refugee mother by feeding her child with a bottle. The photo went viral, and she and the two other grannies in the photo became symbols of Greek generosity toward the migrants who have fled to Europe in recent years.

“I wish that Greece wins this prize, not just me,” Kamvysi said, pledging if she wins to give her share of the $1.2 million prize to the decaying Greek healthcare system.

For the journalists and photographers who have stepped into her home recently, she brews a Greek coffee and brings out a jar of candy. Still, the media attention has often been tiring for the three grannies. They complained they had to dress up every day to greet journalists from as far as Bolivia and Bangladesh, as well as politicians.

In the small island of Lesbos, meanwhile, the three grandmas have become celebrities.

“It’s good for the island and good for the grandmas,” said Roula Kyparisi, a bed and breakfast owner on Lesbos. “We’re all hoping they will win it. It’s so strange that your neighbor is a candidate for a Nobel Prize.”

To read this article in full, please visit: USA Today
Monday, 17 September 2018 07:00

To Eidikon - An Old School Eatery

At the corner of Psaron and Salaminos streets, in a quiet neighborhood of Piraeus, there’s a place that looks straight out of a 1960s Greek black-and-white movie. Its name, eidikon, means “special,” and it’s the last of its kind: a bakalotaverna, or grocery store and eatery, all in one.

The shop opened in 1920, when the three Papakonstantinou brothers from Gardiki, an impoverished village near Trikala in central Greece, came to Athens in search of better prospects. The building was the tallest in the area. It had large windows, and in good weather, one could even see the sea on the horizon.

The interior, with its dark wooden paneling, was obviously built to last. The shelves and old refrigerator cases are now covered with vintage 60s products, bric-a-brac and numerous photographs of the current owner, Apostolos Papakonstantinou, and his forebears. Large frames display the good times of the past, with the celebrities that were (and still are) among the loyal clientele.

To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets
The UNESCO director announced in 2016 that Athens would be the World Book Capital for 2018. The city of Athens was chosen for the quality of its activities, supported by the entire book industry. The proposed activity program includes meetings with writers, translators and illustrators, concerts, thematic exhibitions, poetry readings and workshops for publishing professionals.

The aim of the program is to make books accessible to the city’s entire population, including migrants and refugees. Members of the Advisory Committee also praised Athens’ cultural infrastructure and its expertise in organizing international events. The programs promoted by Athens range from events for writers, translators, illustrators, concerts, exhibitions as well as promotion of poetry via readings and workshops.

Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.Athens prepares for a great celebration, an experience unlike any other! A whole year full of books, reading, culture and events that promote knowledge.

Whether younger or older, Athenian or visitor; all are welcome to join the festivities.

Our aim? To bring books to every neighbourhood and to every corner of the city. street. This is one of the most solemn experiences one can have during Easter in Greece.

Athens is the 18th city to be named the World Book Capital by UNESCO.

For more information, please visit: Athens WBC 2018
Sunday, 16 October 2016 20:54

October 11 - Around Greece & Beyond

Find your perfect fall getaway in Greece and the best off-season destinations in Europe and explore the Acropolis Museum, one of the world’s best museums!
 
Please click HERE to view this issue of our newsletter!
 
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