The huge success of the kids’ contest continues and takes a new form!

Through our new digital platform, we discover ways to create, find information and gain knowledge that introduces us to the universe of History and Art.

On the occasion of the exhibition “Antiquarianism and Philhellenism. The Thanassis and Marina Martinos Collection” at the Museum of Cycladic Art, we invite children, ages 4 to 15, to bring their own “Everyday Heroes” to life!

Through paintings, sculptures and other artworks, we search for information and learn about the Heroes of that period, and connect them to their contemporary counterparts.

Who are your own Everyday Heroes, and what makes them stand out? We see them all around us, we imagine and draw them, making them even more unique!

 

Register HERE!

- Can history be an active participant in entrepreneurship?
- Which digital applications can highlight the cultural heritage of a place?
- How does history affect international politics and relations between states and communities?
- Does the digital world contribute to the shaping of public history?
- What is environmental history and how it can propel sustainable growth?

Applied public history comes together with the fields of business, culture, international relations, technology and environment in a new online workshop open to all, regardless of academic studies or career. History+ Lab highlights the modern face of History, its primary sources and its potential uses through hourly webinars by renowned professionals, online discourse platforms with distinguished speakers and 2-hour workshops. It consists of five-course units that are divided in two cycles. History+ Lab is organized by the Hellenic American Union and held under the scientific supervision of the Hellenic American College/Hellenic American University and the University of Peloponnese Center for Greek and International History (KEDIS). It is coordinated by Maria Sampatakaki and scientifically supervised by Konstantina Botsiou.

The program is addressed to anyone with a general interest in history, and particularly to students and graduates in the humanities, social sciences, and economics. It would also be of interest to professionals in tourism, cultural programming, and marketing and to teachers who wish to expand their knowledge and use of historical science in their fields.

 

The dawn of 2021, after a particularly challenging 2020, finds the world of sports hit hard by the pandemic and all the implications covid-19 brought in the industry of sports. The beginning of a new year, filled with hope and promise, is the ideal time for the organization of a unique Sports Industry Conference, the first of its kind in Greece, featuring some of the most prominent industry professionals from around the globe, which aims to educate and address significant topics of sports.

“Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0”, the online sports conference organized by the award-winning Active Media Group along with the Sports Management Society of Deree – The American College of Greece, on Thursday, January 21 and Saturday, January 23, 2021, comes to shed light on the uncertain future of sports management in Greece. Sports continue to have a growing impact on the global economy through investments, public infrastructure, resource mobilization and creation of new professions and job positions, despite the devastating implications Covid-19 brought to world economies.

Throughout both days of the conference, participants will have the opportunity to follow the speeches of remarkable representatives of sports and develop their professional network in the field of sports management.

Among the keynote speakers are representatives from the NBA, the top basketball league in the world. Specifically, Nic Barlage, President of Business Operations of the Cleveland Cavaliers the youngest team president in the NBA and a representative from the Milwaukee Bucks’ marketing department. Additionally, “Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0” will feature the following keynote speakers: Bobby Goldwater, one of the most respected and innovative executives in the sports, entertainment and venue management industry from Georgetown University, Zack Klima Founder & CEO of Wait Time, an innovative technology company having Jeffrey Jordan, the son of Michael Jordan as a co-founder, Nigel Geach, Senior Vice President of Global Motorsport of Nielsen Sports, having worked in sports sponsorships for more than three decades, mainly with clients in the motorsport behemoth Formula 1, the Greek CEO of the Basketball Champions League, Patrick Comninos who managed to develop Basketball Champions League into one of the fastest growing sport properties in Europe and Rick Pitino, Basketball Hall of Fame as coach & basketball coach of the Greek National Team.

The “Front Runners in Sports Management 3.0” webinar will attract the interest of the following sectors: AI, Education, Events, Basketball, Football, Motorsports, Social Media, Sport for Development, Sports Tourism, Sports Marketing & Management. More information on the schedule and the webinar’s speakers will be announced in the upcoming weeks. The conference is produced by the experienced team of Active Media Group, the best Sports Marketing company in Greece within the last years and the leading private educational institution in the country, Deree – The American College of Greece.

A recent study attempting to date the Homeric Epics compared the natural phenomena described in the epics with astronomical phenomena and has verified the historical accuracy of the narrative.

"We believe that the myth revolves around real events," says Panagiota Preka-Papadima, a Professor of astrophysics at the University of Athens.

She and a team of scientists have published articles in various international scientific journals and concluded that some of the events described in the Epics are real, while the natural phenomena mentioned, correspond to the time of their narration.

"Odysseus arrived in Ithaca on October 25, 1207 B.C.," they wrote. "Five days later there was a 75% solar eclipse covering the Ionian Sea and then the murder of the suitors happened," they continue.

NASA maps describing natural phenomena from 4500 B.C. to 10,000 A.D. have verified the October 25, 1207 B.C. eclipse.

Furthermore, another eclipse, which took place on October 30, 1207, from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm, is believed to be reflected in the Odyssey. In Rhapsody Y, just before the murder, Homer describes Theoklymenos saying to the suitors:"... and the sun was gone from the sky, and a heavy darkness spread everywhere!".

"This is a description of the eclipse that covered 3/4 of the sun's disk," says Mrs. Papadima. "The date of the eclipse, October 30, 1207 B.C., is in complete agreement with the Homeric descriptions of the weather, autumnal country life, and the noontime of the murder of the suitors," continues Ms. Papadima.

Researchers have concluded that there is a historical core to the myth of Odysseus and this is a compelling revelation for science and Greek culture alike!

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

Sometimes the best-kept secrets are hidden in plain sight. Mount Ymittos forms the natural eastern boundary of Athens. Here, the dense city grid suddenly gives way to a tree-covered slope dotted with monasteries. This is the ‘Aesthetic Forest of Kesariani,’ a protected nature reserve that is a quick 15-20 minute drive or cab ride from central Athens. Just minutes from the urban hustle of Athens the walkable delights of Mount Ymittos offer a heady escape of nature, wildlife, historic monasteries and heavenly honey.

Upon arrival you’ll quickly notice that the lack of development is part of the charm of this route. Despite its proximity to the city, you feel off grid and in discovery mode. Keeping the city as a very visible landmark, it is difficult to get lost here—but easy to feel like it. This hike will have you exploring rich olives groves, a 12th century monastery, the ruins of an old Christian basilica, a Botanical Walk, and a whole lot more!

For complete details and route information visit: thisisathens.org

Photo by: Manos Chatzikonstantis

 

One of Athens’ architectural emblems – the old Public Tobacco Factory  –  is to be reborn in 2021 with a new cultural identity and well-timed artistic purpose.

Completed in 1930, the Tobacco Factory, with its distinctive bright façade, was forged in the spirit of modernism to serve the country’s booming cigarette manufacturing industry. Once a symbol of Greece’s industrialisation and progress, the historic venue will now provide a “profoundly resonant” incubator for Greek contemporary art, according to Madeleine Grynsztejn, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, who will co-curate Portals with NEON director Elina Kountouri. The Tobacco Factory exhibition and €1 million conversion project is prompted by the bicentennial celebrations of Greece’s War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 which led to the creation of the Modern Greek State. 

The pioneering Greek art foundation NEON, backed by the billionaire Greek art philanthropist Dimitris Daskalopoulos, will renovate one half of the listed monument on Lenorman Street in order to stage an international exhibition called “Portals” from June to December, before giving the landmark space back to the Greek state as a new culture hub. The other half of the sprawling site, which spans an entire block, is home to the Hellenic Parliament Library and Printing House. 

“This particular moment in history takes us through a ‘portal’. When we emerge on the other side, we will need to reaffirm - for the sake of future generations - our commitment to certain values: the rule of law, human rights and democracy.” ~ NEON Director Elina Kountouri

To learn more about this project visit: thisisathens.org
Photo courtesy of: NEON

 

The Acropolis Museum has created a website especially for its little friends. ​The “Acropolis Museum Kids” has been designed for children between six and twelve years old. It invites them to become acquainted with the fascinating world of the Museum while having fun. Inspiring games, amusing videos as well as a series of inventive activities prompt children to think, discover, play, experiment and make their own creations.


Fun Activities At The Acropolis Museum Kids Website

1. Digital Horse Memory Game

 

Find 2 matching photographs of the Museum's horses

2. Cooking Class – Ancient Edition!

Prepare an easy snack that was also eaten by the children in ancient Athens thousands of years ago!

3. Make A Iynx, An Ancient Greek Toy With A Special Sound

Spin it, stretch it, and then let it go! That’s how you play the so called iynx, a kid’s game that was particularly popular in ancient Athens with a really curious history.


For more information and fun activities, please visit: acropolismuseumkids.gr

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

In case you happen to be in Greece on January 5th and 6th, then here is what you can expect or experience:  In the morning of January 5th, Greek children sing–once again–from door to door. The song they sing is not that known as the Christmas’ or the New Years’ carols, but also beautiful.

Young men will dive or jump in the water and try to catch the holy cross. The person that will catch it, will have a lot of luck this year. Take a look at this video, to get a better idea.

The Epiphany tradition goes back to ancient Greece, and particularly to a feast which was called “Plintiria” (=washing machines). During this feast, the Athenians carried the statue of Athena to the coast of Faliro (close to Piraeus) to wash it in the sea, to make sure it would keep its magic powers.

Don't forget that on January 6th, a lot of people have their Name Day as well: Fotis, Foteini, Theofanis, Theofania, Fani, Ourania, Iordanis. You can wish them: Xronia Polla! Χρόνια Πολλά!

If you want to learn other Greek wishes you can use for Name Days, National Holidays or Social Occasions, you are welcome to download the “Greek Wishes For Social Occasions” FREE eBOOK, including Audio for the correct pronunciation.

In Greece, it is also common to receive a pomegranate as a gift (in Greek ; rodi - ρόδι), made of metal, glass or other materials, to bring good luck for the new year. This tradition goes back to Greek history, as well as to other ancient cultures.

This beautiful red fruit was a symbol of fertility and rebirth in ancient Greece. Many goddesses had it as their symbol: Hera, the goddess of marriage, Aphrodite (Venus) the goddess of beauty and Persephone, daughter of Demeter, who brought the spring while also being the Queen of the Underworld.

The Greek myth that connects Persephone with the pomegranate is wonderful. After her abduction by Hades, she had to return up to earth, close to her mother, Dimitra, to revive the withered and frozen earth. Hades gave her a few pomegranate seeds so she would not forget him! She gladly accepted them, and that way remembered to return close to her husband and her kingdom.

In Greece, it is an old tradition to hang an onion on the door with New Year, to bring luck and health.

From ancient times until now this onion-like, wild-growing plant has been a symbol of fertility and purification. Onions are viewed as highly fertile because the bulbs seem to want to sprout, even if they are being left alone. When it is out of the ground, kept in a shady corner of the house, it still grows leaves. Therefore, the onion is a symbol of fertility and is hung on a door in the household – to help the people grow and experience a rebirth of their own in the coming year.

We hope both the onion and pomegranate will bring you good luck for the new year.