An abundance of commemorating events such as museum exhibitions, theater productions, and historical re-enactments was planned in Greece to honor the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, mezzo-soprano Artemis Bogri and her fellow vocalists performed the Greek National Opera’s new production of “Despo” in a theater empty of spectators. Despo, the title character in Pavlos Carrer’s 1875 opera chooses death over captivity by detonating ammunition stored in a fortress as Ottoman forces close in.

“Artists prepare two or three months for a production and then take that work to an audience,” she said. “Now, we have to generate that energy with no one there. That’s not easy.”

The bicentennial events intended to illustrate Greece’s modern accomplishments have been postponed, scaled back, or moved online due to the pandemic and school parades were canceled on account of the surge in Covid-19 infections.

Like the National Opera, other cultural foundations have formed small work teams to salvage their celebration plans despite the acute financial pressure they are facing due to the ongoing lockdown measures in Greece.


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

“I am”. The two words that are yours and yours alone. The two words that no one else can say for you. The two words that have the power to change your life forever.

Have you ever wondered who’s taught you these words? Where have you heard them for the first time? Who was using these words? Did they have a positive or a negative connotation? Were they used in a loving and caring way or were they full of criticism, frustration and complaints? Were they words that gave you wings and the freedom to paint your own canvas or did they restrict you and immobilize you?

As you’re reading these lines you may be thinking, “I was a little girl then.” And today, as an adult, how do you use these words? Do you use them to embrace, celebrate and advance yourself or to constantly argue and face yourself as the enemy that needs to be defeated? When you look yourself in the mirror and say “I am” do you feel joy and pride or are you ashamed and look for imperfections?

And when you do say “I am” what exactly do you mean? Are you referring to the various roles you have? For example, “I am a doctor, a lawyer, a housewife, a scientist, a mom, a partner…”? Are you perhaps referring to the qualities you have as a human being? For example, “I am bold, strong, caring, smart, calm, vulnerable, grateful, beautiful, free, balanced, complete, smiling, honest, worthy, wonderful, creative…”?

Maybe as a child the words “you are” that you were told included more criticism and shame than joy and love. Maybe in your family “what you will become” when you grow up was emphasized more than “who you will become” as a personality. Maybe they urged you to become someone you did not want to be or take a role that did not suit you. Today, however, you are an adult, a woman and as such you define who you are. You alone can define your identity, can’t you?

Originally Published on: itsmylife.gr
Written by Nadia Georgiou

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The Municipality of Athens continues its dynamic presence in major European social "forums", presenting proposals that aim to ensure a sustainable future for European cities. The Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis spoke to Euronews alongside the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Turku Minna Arve, the European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayolle on the occasion of the award received by the Municipality of Athens at the CDP Europe Awards 2021 for all its actions aimed at the green recovery that set the coordinates for environmental policies of other cities.

Speaking about environmentally friendly solutions, that will free up public space and adopt a new model of sustainable mobility, Mr. Bakoyannis said: "At the end of the day we should be very clear about our strategic goals if we are to go backward or move forward ".

Talking about the day after this unprecedented health crisis, the Mayor of Athens said that history has taught that past pandemics were catalytic for the transformation of urban centers, adding that "this crisis is an opportunity to transform our cities bring them into the new century, to a different era with different challenges."

Mr. Bakoyannis then pointed out the need to find local solutions that will promote the reacquisition or releasing of quality public spaces and adopt a new model of sustainable mobility, which will not only concern cars but also accessibility, public transport, and alternative means of transportation. "We have to make sure, and this is very important for us in Europe, that we are really changing without losing our souls. "We do not want to turn our cities into theme parks, you know, we want to keep our DNA alive."

CDP is a non-profit organization that annually evaluates the actions of cities around the world and recognizes those that stand out. In 2020, for the second year in a row, Athens ranked high and was included in the A-list Cities, along with 87 cities around the world, for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The CDP Europe Awards 2021 were attended by heads of large corporations, distinguished for their activities, such as LafargeHolcim, Lenzing, Handelsbanken Fonder, Ørsted, Eni, Norges Bank Investment Management, and others.

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XpatAthens extends a warm thank you to This Is Athens and the City Of Athens for sharing with us news and inspiring stories about how Athens is constantly becoming a cleaner, friendlier, and more welcoming city to live in.

Tis the carnival season! Learn about the wonderful traditions surrounding this period, enjoy delicious lenten dishes and check out what's on in Athens for art lovers during March!

 

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The Sylvia Ioannou Foundation, the National Historical Museum, and the Municipality of Athens are organizing a special exhibition in memory and honor to the heroes of 1821, as part of the celebration for the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution. 

Two centuries after the national polygenesis, the National Garden, an emblematic landmark of Athens, hosts an outdoor exhibition, on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, which brings to the fore the people who fought and sacrificed so that Greek people today can enjoy freedom and democracy. 

The exhibition presents 22 paintings with some of 320 unique faces painted by Benjamin Mary (1792-1846), Belgian diplomatic representative of Greece.

The drawings were made naturally, mainly in Athens, between 1839 and 1844. They are published for the first time, giving us the opportunity to meet known and unknown figures of the Greek Revolution and Ottoman Greece, through the sensitive and penetrating gaze of a European artist.

Fighters, politicians, priests, scholars, philhellenes, everyday people, pose patiently for the portrait and Benjamin Mary manages to capture their expression in a unique moment in history.

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 
This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

One year on, the resourceful and resilient galleries of Athens continue to find engaging ways to captivate our senses and channel the city’s bold artistic impulses, while their doors remain largely shuttered. This is Athens' resident art expert, Kiriakos Spirou, lists five fascinating digital exhibitions to quench your culture cravings in this month of March.

Gardening at Zoumboulakis Galleries

With spring’s arrival, the Zoumboulakis Galleries has created Athens’ first indoor botanical garden exhibition. In the vast basement space of its Kolonaki Square site (there’s a second Zoumboulakis space on Kriezotou dedicated to design), you can take a virtual stroll through green-thumbed works by twenty artists, both from Greece and abroad. The exhibition Gardening is a thought-provoking take on our pandemic-struck world, as well as a witty “return to nature” through a mix of painting, sculpture, installations and video. Thanks to the fresh eye of curator Georgia Liapi, who recently joined the gallery, the exhibition combines works by young and emerging artists, such as Yorgos Maraziotis and Melina Mosland, with more established gallery stalwarts like Stefanos Rokos and Nikos Tranos.

The Studio of Yiannis Pappas by the Benaki Museum

The late great sculptor Yiannis Pappas was a pivotal figure of Greek post-war art, not least because of his many commissions for public sculptures in cities and institutions all around Greece (if you pass Zappeio park, make sure to clock his statue of Alexander the Great on the corner of Amalias Avenue). Pappas’ former Athens home and studio in Zografou is an extraordinary place, filled with his bronze and marble sculptures, studies and drawings. In fact, this is the largest trove of the artist’s work, which he donated to the Benaki Museum in 2002, three years before his death. This well-produced virtual exhibition leads you step by step through the studio, with sound-guide snippets in several languages attached to important exhibits.

Posterity at The Blender Gallery

A small cultural hub for the southern suburbs of Athens, The Blender Gallery in glitzy Glyfada stages several exhibitions and live events throughout the year. Its current show (curated by Nestoras Katsimichas) features an impressive haul of 100 rare posters collected by Bosnian Serb engraver Milan Zunic. Originating from the 1960s onwards, the posters were produced in Eastern European countries (including former Eastern Germany), and are great examples of how graphic design and communication can leave room for authentic artistic expression.

Stella Kapezanou at Evripides Gallery

One of the most imaginative young Greek contemporary painters around, Stella Kapezanou is in constant dialogue with pop aesthetics and art-history motifs, using a very personal, colour-drenched visual language. Highly-stylised people inhabit surrealistically patterned backgrounds, and albeit they appear immersed in glamour and luxury, their decadence is undermined by subtle humour and irony. Kapezanou is staging her second solo show at Kolonaki's Evripides Gallery, which is also presented in satisfying detail in the gallery's virtual viewing room.

Privacy, childhood, the family, safety and our need to belong are some of the primal themes explored in this digital display that features exhibits from Athens’ newest culture hub, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST). Feels like home examines how artists have been engaging with these universal concepts of home in their work, with items by established Greek and foreign artists (there’s even a Magritte sculpture included). The exhibition is one of three chapters of the digital project Visualising Humanity, organised by the Network of Contemporary Culture Museums of the Ministry of Culture.

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! 
This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

The monumental side of Athens comes at you like fireworks frozen in time, but if showstoppers like the Acropolis dazzle the first-time visitor, they also form part of the daily tapestry of life for regular Athenians. Tuning into the local rhythms is not necessarily an exercise in what's 'Instagrammable'. Rather, as a resident observer of this pulsing city, I’ve found that some of the best things about Athens are those little backstage sights and sounds that add up to an urban experience that can border on the theatrical. A tangible modern energy mixes with ancient allure, and despite some disruptions caused by the recent lockdowns, life goes on in a modified Athenian style. Here’s how to claim some of that celebrated Athens groove for yourself and feel more like a local (though you might have to be patient for just a little while longer to experience a couple of these suggestions):

Stroll Through Mets To Pangrati

Mets is one of the quietest central Athens neighbourhoods—and not just because it's home to the historic First Cemetery of Athens (where you’ll find the elaborate tomb of Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeologist who excavated ancient Troy). The streets here are an alluring jumble of townhouses in pastel shades with abundant pink bougainvillea flowers fluttering about. Some of the side roads, like Nikiforou Theotoki and Klitomachou, seem to leap right off of a 'Welcome to Athens" movie screen. Wander over to Varnava Square, where Mets flows into the bohemian heart of Pangrati. The little oval-shaped square is lined with traditional restaurants and hipster cafes--grab a takeaway coffee from Oliver Nuts & Flavours (20 Empedokelous) and take in the scene, even if it's somewhat more subdued right now.

Go To The Same Bakery Three Days In A Row

At the time of the first lockdown in spring 2020, I was heartened to see bakeries listed as essential businesses. The fournos, or bakery, is indeed an indispensable ingredient of Athenian life. Nearly every fournos sells the same staples but many have specialty items too, and some are quite posh—especially in upscale neighbourhoods like Kolonaki. Find one that you like and go there a few mornings in a row. After around the third day, they will likely start to recognise you and maybe even offer you a sample of that morning's fresh baked specialty. My current faves are Queen Bee at 45 Patriarchou Ioakim in Kolonaki (for the almond croissants), Afrato at 13 Evridamantos in Neos Kosmos (best cinnamon buns in town) and, slightly further afield in Ano Glyfada, Special Cakes (168 Dim. Gounari) for a whimsical atmosphere and heavenly layer cakes.

Take A Walk On The Fancy Side

New York has Park Avenue. Athens has Irodou Attikou Street - which is much shorter, but packs in more pomp and circumstance as the home of both the Presidential Palace and Maximou Mansion, official seat of the Greek Prime Minister. Tucked between Vassilis Sofias Avenue (on the north) and Vasileos Konstantinou and the Panathenaic Stadium on the south, the street straddles the National Garden and at all hours of the day or night, you'll clock Evzones dutifully standing guard at their posts along the street.

Go Higher Than The Acropolis

On most fair weathered weekends, many Athenians make a dash for Mount Ymittos. At 1,026 metres, this popular green escape is about seven times taller than the Acropolis. The ridge, which they call Trellos (the "crazy mountain"), forms the long eastern spine of the Attica basin and actually supplied fountains with drinking water in ancient Athens. Today there are hiking trails galore, but it's even worth commandeering a taxi if you have to, for your dose of sylvan splendour and the mesmerizing views of city and sea.

Swap Plaka For Mitropoleos Street

Most visitors make a beeline for the sinuous lanes of charming Plaka and rightly so. But as you’d expect, it's not where Athenians go to shop. For a more native retail experience, head one block south of bustling Ermou Street - the pedestrianized retail artery of global and Greek brands stretching from Syntagma Square - to the quieter and prettier Mitropoleos Street. This slender street is home to the impressive Metropolitan Church of Athens with its pretty plaza and is also packed with interesting one-off shops. There’s Dangerous Minds, where you can pick up cool street-rooted labels , Greek gourmet hotspot, the Ergon House food hotel; plus the "secret" back entrance to Hondos Center, the Greek emporium where locals go to stock up on their beauty and grooming staples (the main entrance is on Ermou).

Get A Greek Haircut

Speaking of… Athenians are obsessed with good grooming and it sometimes seems like there are more barbershops and hair salons in Athens than there are Athenians. Getting your locks styled or bangs trimmed is arguably as much a social exercise as an aesthetic one in the Greek capital. Of course, these days, you need to make an appointment in advance, but go on and give it a try. I can't speak for the ladies, but for a great gent's cut I'm partial to Music Barber Shop in Pangrati (21 Eratosthenous).

Potter About The Pnyx

The Pnyx hill is the storied place where ancient Athenians gathered for their ekklesia, the early democratic assemblies, and the ruins of the big carved steps and stone speakers' platform are still there. With the Parthenon in the background, this forested spot is truly beautiful – especially at sunset - but still tends to be better known among locals than visitors who generally flock to Philopappou instead.

Go to Piraeus—But Skip The Ferry

You may know Piraeus as the hectic port of Athens and the place where you go for that mad dash to the ferry, but did you know you can also get some of that Aegean island flavour without so much as stepping foot on a boat? Sunny weekend days and summer evenings after work see Athenians sidling up to breezy cafes and tavernas to enjoy fresh seafood by the water's edge in the atmospheric Piraeus 'hood of Mikrolimano. This poetic round harbour is just a short taxi ride from the center of Athens. Behind it, Kastella hill affords stunning views of the Saronic Gulf from the top. Or venture to elegant Zea Marina. There, on the south side of this horseshoe-shaped harbour, the yachts come in all shapes, sizes and colours: Greek sea daydreaming guaranteed.

This content was originally published on This is Athens

Written by: Anthony Grant
Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis

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Whether you’ve just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share! This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!

Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, ERT–the Greek public television network–made an important addition to its program, by launching a new hybrid television platform called ERTFLIX.

 

ERTFLIX provides free access to several award-winning foreign films, foreign TV series, Greek series, award-winning documentaries, children's programs, and educational courses designed by the Ministry of Education.

The platform was designed by ERT technicians and its interface is very similar to Netflix or Amazon Prime.

 

To connect to ERTFLIX, you'll need a smart TV connected to the internet and to follow the video instructions on ERT's YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can visit ERTFLIX and watch the programs directly from your laptop or tablet.

Greek culture is full of wonderful traditions and the beggining of Spring is bound to have one as well! Check out our newsletter for some spring inspiration and to stay updated with the latest lockdown measures in Athens! 

 

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

3 days of science, technology and innovation | 60 virtual activities sessions | 50

esteemed speakers from 8 countries | 3 Nobelists | 100 experiment demonstrations |

celebrity science | chemistry shows | documentaries | free parallel activities for all ages

In times of hardship, heroes emerge! Athens Science Festival comes back with a new, digital format to introduce us to the "Era of heroes"! From March 27 to March 29, 2021, the largest science festival in the country will be back, online and in live broadcast, from the Technopolis City of Athens, to celebrate the latest developments in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation but also shine a light to the relationship between Art and Science.

The pandemic and its devastating effects on the entire planet bring to the forefront a new order of heroes, who stem primarily from the field of science! Their superpowers? Their unparalleled will to offer and their sense of duty towards their fellow humans, fueling them to fight every day in order to achieve the impossible; expand the boundaries of human knowledge, and provide viable solutions. Since not all heroes wear capes, Athens Science Festival 2021 will honor scientists of all fields!

Through a series of exciting live talks, workshops, experimental demonstrations, virtual exhibitions and other innovative digital activities, attendees will have the opportunity to get indroduced to some of the most distinguished scientists in the world. In this year’s Festival, everyone’s participation will be dynamic. Internet visitors, instead of being mere spectators of the programmed activities, will have the opportunity to participate online, thus turning the Festival into a digital, multidimensional scientific event!