Following the particularly positive response sparked by its announcement, Porto Carras Athlos moves into its next phase, outlining the activities that will transform the iconic Porto Carras Grand Resort into the ultimate sports tourism and wellness destination in Northern Greece. From May 29th to June 1st, 2026, the "athlos" of personal transcendence takes shape through a schedule featuring over 10 activities and 5 Olympic sports, offering a holistic experience of movement and rejuvenation.

On Saturday, May 30th, participants face off in the swimming routes of Skylias Open Water, in an event that pays tribute to Skyllias from Scione, the greatest diver of antiquity. As Herodotus reports, Skyllias was the man who managed the impossible, swimming a massive distance to Artemision to warn the Greeks about the movements of the Persian fleet, staying in history for his endurance and courage. In the crystal-clear and Blue Flag-awarded beaches, athletes are called to live their own experience of freedom at the distances of 1km, 3km, and 5km, connecting their effort with this ancient myth and the unparalleled natural landscape of the area.

Registrations are available through platform more.com. 

Sunday, May 31st belongs to the runners, with the Giant Run Series drawing its inspiration from the mythical Gigantomachy (Battle of the Giants) that took place on the soil of Halkidiki. Participants do not simply follow a route, but they tread upon the land where, according to legend, the Giants clashed with the Gods of Olympus, giving their name to the peninsula. The routes for the Half Marathon (21.1km), 10km, and 5km unfold through the iconic vineyards and pine forests of Domaine Porto Carras, offering a rare experience amidst lush vegetation and the blue of the sea. Focus on the next generation is a priority, with 1km children's races for ages 0-9 and 10-14 offered free of charge.

Registrations are available through more.com platform, bringing their own pulse to the event.

In the heart of the four-day event, Beach Volley emerges as a dominant activity. Under the guidance of Olympian and European Champion Efi Sfyri, one of the most significant figures in Greek beach volley with numerous distinctions in international and national championships, the Resort’s new courts will be inaugurated with specialized camps, training sessions, and tournaments in King of the Court, Men, and Women categories. The action on the sand culminates on Monday, June 1st, with the spectacular Mixed Tournament supported by Enso Sports Club, offering the ideal closing to an event full of intensity, competition, and athletic energy. 

Registrations are available through platform more.com.

Tennis action at Porto Carras Athlos will be hosted on the resort’s top-tier tennis courts, offering a unique competitive experience in a stunning seaside environment. The program will include Tennis Tournament Mixed Doubles (8–12 teams) as well as Men’s Singles, providing the opportunity for athletes of various levels to participate. 

Registrations via more.com.

Porto Carras Athlos redefines sports tourism as a complete lifestyle event, with its program being finalized gradually through new additions that embrace every aspect of well-being. The experience of movement extends beyond the races, with daily Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics sessions held by the shore, offering the ultimate balance. Special care has been taken for the family and the young stars of the event, who can participate in specialized Baby Swimming Sessions and Football Clinics, while the safety and recovery of all participants are actively supported by an experienced team of physiotherapists located at the heart of the event. The program will also include beach soccer on the Porto Carras beach, next to the deep blue waters of the Aegean, as well as crossfit training sessions.

The path to your own “athlos” is open, as registrations for all running and swimming routes are held exclusively through platform more.com.

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Participation in Porto Carras Athlos is completed with a stay in the heart of the activities at the iconic Porto Carras Meliton Hotel, managed by SWOT Hospitality for the second consecutive year. For the Holy Spirit holiday weekend, special preferential packages are available starting from €230 for a double room per night, including half-board at the “Athos” restaurant and free participation in side wellness activities such as Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics. Interested parties can choose between rooms and suites with sea or marina views, ensuring a holistic hospitality experience with a minimum stay of two nights.

Reservations are made through the official website of the event HERE!

Porto Carras Grand Resort is the historic iconic resort that has contributed significantly to the establishment of luxury tourism in Greece, especially in Halkidiki. For 50 years, it has been offering high-level services and authentic Greek hospitality to its guests in an environment of unparalleled beauty and intense contrasts. 

Located alongside a sandy coastline of 9 kilometers and surrounded by a verdant area of 18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees dressing the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the biggest organic vineyard in Greece, a spa and wellness center, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino and a marina that provides integrated services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and sea are available to visitors of all ages. 

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There is something you’ve been thinking about, circling around, or quietly wanting to create.

This workshop is designed to help you move it forward.

Through guided mindfulness and energetic work, you’ll clear mental noise, reconnect with what’s truly calling you, and begin shaping it into a tangible vision. From there, we move into a structured vision board process to define what this next chapter actually looks like—and how to start bringing it into your life now.

This is not just reflection. It’s activation. You’ll leave with clarity, direction, and a grounded first step.

You will walk away with:

•A clear vision you can articulate

•A visual roadmap to anchor your next steps

•Renewed energy and momentum

*Connection with like-minded, entrepreneurial women in Athens

This gathering builds on the community formed during our International Women’s Day event and is part of a growing network of conscious women creating aligned lives and work.

Limited spots. Pre-registration required.

On the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the 1967 military coup and the Colonels' Junta in Greece, CineDoc presents a series of special screenings of the documentary LO, shedding light on aspects of modern Greek history through the personal journey of director Thanasis Vasiliou.

One year after his mother’s death, director Thanasis Vasiliou returns to his empty childhood apartment in Athens to manage a troubled inheritance. From the now-bare surfaces of the house, fragments of family memories emerge, and his personal story becomes intertwined with the collective trauma of the Junta.

As he confronts secrets that weigh heavily not only on his family history but on modern Greece as a whole, he begins a journey—a personal diary—among the invisible traces that connect the city and its people to their past.

The CineDoc Documentary Festival presents two special screenings of the award-winning documentary LO by Thanasis Vasiliou, on Sunday, April 19 at 18:00 and Tuesday, April 21 at 19:00 at the Danaos Cinema, in the presence of the director. 

Additionally, further screenings will take place in collaboration with the Municipality of Chalandri and the Oral History Group of Chalandri, the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, Panteion University, and the University of Ioannina.

The documentary screenings in Greece are held with the support of the French Institute and Unifrance, while the distribution in Greek cinemas is supported by the Greek Film, Audiovisual Arts and Creative Sector Center (E.K.K.O.M.E.D.) - Creative Greece.

• Sunday, April 19, 18:00 Followed by a Q&A with director Thanasis Vasiliou and journalist Nikos Xydakis.

• Tuesday, April 21, 19:00 Followed by a Q&A with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Giannis Ntinos, Clinical Psychologist at G.A.O.N.A. "Agios Savvas."

• Friday, April 17, 2026, 19:30 In the presence of the director. In collaboration with the Municipality of Chalandri and the Chalandri Oral History Group (OPIDICH).

• Monday, April 20, 2026, 18:30 In the presence of the director. In collaboration with the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, as part of the monthly cycle "Afternoons with Greek Documentaries." Entrance by reservation.

• Wednesday, April 23, 2026, 19:30 Discussion with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Lia Mela, Assistant Professor of Political Philosophy, as part of the "Philosophy and Cinema" cycle.

• Friday, April 25, 2026, 19:00 – Sakis Karagiorgas 2 Amphitheatre Discussion with director Thanasis Vasiliou and Christos Dermentzopoulos, Professor at the Department of Communication, Media, and Culture.

When I returned from France to my empty childhood apartment in Athens after my mother's death, I felt like a burglar. Everything that had remained in the shadows for decades was now my possession. I discovered debts I didn't know about. I realized lies that shook me. How do we inherit our parents' mistakes? How do we empty their homes?

Amidst the fear of losing the space that held my last memories of my mother and an entire childhood, I began filming the now-empty surfaces with my mobile phone. In essence, I was rediscovering forgotten movements of the past, as I had worked as a cameraman for over ten years before leaving Greece for France. By placing myself behind a lens again, I stirred time and reconnected with the past of the inheritance. "Filming" thus became synonymous with "remembering."

Fragments of family memory, silenced for years, began to tentatively emerge. Some of them led me to the dark years of the dictatorship. How can cinema give shape to a past that resists through silence?

Thanasis Vasiliou is a director and screenwriter based in Poitiers, France, where he teaches cinema theory and practice as an Associate Professor of Film Studies (University of Poitiers). His short films Traces (2017) and Our Last Week(2016) have been presented and awarded at numerous international film festivals. LO is his first feature-length film.

Fancy a weekend in Japan but not the jet lag? A couple of weeks ago (April 4 & 5), we found ourselves swept up in the vibrant whirlwind of the fifth edition of the Athens Japanese Festival.

Launched in 2019 with the ambition to bring Japan closer to Greece, the event has grown into a dazzling celebration of all things Japanese. Thousands of artists, workshops, exhibitions and performances now gather each year to showcase the many faces of this mythical country, from ancient traditions to modern pop culture. It’s energetic, it’s creative, it’s inspiring… and yes, we love it!

The vast halls of the Peristeri Exhibition Centre were buzzing. One entire section was dedicated to shopping, and you could find absolutely everything: delicate teas and tea sets, shimmering samurai swords, plushies of everyone’s favourite Pokémon, and even tattoo artists ready to ink the boldest visitors. Many exhibitors had gone all‑in with costumes straight out of beloved mang and visitors, too, showed up in their best cosplay, proudly bringing their favourite characters to life with infectious enthusiasm ; a delight for fans and photographers alike. 

 

Another area shone a spotlight on traditional Japanese culture, and the passion behind it was palpable. Registered participants could try their hand at bonsai or ikebana, while others folded intricate origami creations. Passers‑by were invited to vote for their favourites ... a tricky task, given the talent on display!

We were particularly charmed by the photography exhibition,  offering a genuine glimpse into everyday Japanese life. The textile arts stood out too, with their vibrant kimonos and delicate textures quietly drawing attention.

There truly was something for everyone — even car enthusiasts, who happily posed with their favourite Japanese models. Visitors could even leave with their name or chosen phrase beautifully written in calligraphy.

The cinema corner hosted talks, Q&A sessions and, of course, film screenings. Nearby, a lively gaming area (board games, arcade machines, video games) kept both children and adults entertained from morning to evening.

And despite the rain, the outdoor food court was buzzing with hungry festival‑goers queueing patiently for bao buns and prawn tempura. With those mouth‑watering aromas drifting through the air, resisting was simply not an option.

From 8,000 visitors two years ago to 15,000 expected today, the festival has grown at an impressive pace. What’s the secret? “A lot of organisation,” a staff member told us with a smile. And indeed, understanding what the public loves, responding to that demand, and building local and international partnerships with artists and exhibitors is no small feat. Judging by the festival’s expansion, though, it’s safe to say the mission has been accomplished!

The same staff member admitted, half‑worried and half‑amused, that they may soon need an even bigger venue than the Peristeri Exhibition Centre. She wonders whether this is simply a trend that began around fifteen years ago with the rise of manga, and whether the festival might be reaching its peak. But if we look at Paris’ Japan Expo, which only keeps growing, perhaps Athens’ own celebration of Japanese culture still has many bright years ahead.

So we’ll surely be back next year for another trip to the Land of the Rising Sun! 

Chloë Rain offers private retreats, small group retreats, and mentorship for those navigating significant life transitions and seeking a more intentional relationship with the direction of their lives.

Her work is shaped by over fifteen years of ceremonial training in Peru, extended periods of solitary practice, and a Master’s degree in Indigenous Studies from the Arctic University of Norway. Through ritual, reflective practice, and immersive experiences, she supports a deeper relationship with presence, inner listening, and the direction of one’s life.

Private retreats are available on request for individualized one-to-one work. Her upcoming Sacred Renewal retreat on Tinos, September 5–12, 2026, offers a quiet, intimate setting for contemplative practice, meditative walks, guided ritual, and meaningful reflection.

FREE participation with your admission ticket includes:

Create your own Easter candle using ribbons, wooden decorations, stickers, and colorful flowers. Take home a unique, handmade creation.

Try illusion games that challenge your perception and stimulate your mind. Play, explore, and see reality… differently.

Enjoy an interactive experience with your favorite person, turning your visit into a unique moment. Perfect for striking photos.

✔ Combines entertainment & creativity

✔ Suitable for all ages

✔ In the heart of Athens

✔ Ideal for families & groups

✔ An extra experience beyond a regular museum visit

Brainfood Publishing invites you to the most vibrant Easter book festival in the heart of the city! This joyful celebration of literature features a special tribute to International Children’s Book Day, alongside meet-and-greets with authors and engaging book presentations.

Families can dive into a world of creativity with workshops for all ages, face painting, and hands-on crafts, the perfect destination to find unique Easter gifts and soak up the festive atmosphere.

In the Greek consciousness, if Christmas is a cozy, melodic celebration of a beginning, then Easter (Pascha) is the profound, earth-shaking triumph over an end.

To understand Greece, one must understand its Holy Week. It is a time when the entire country moves in a synchronized rhythm of mourning and rebirth, a period where every scent, color, and gesture carries a weight that stretches back millennia.

While many cultures celebrate the spring equinox, in Greece, the spiritual and the seasonal are inextricably linked. Here is the decoding of the symbols that define the greatest feast of the Orthodox year.

The Lampada: An Ancient Continuity

The most visible symbol of the season is the Lampada, the ornate candle carried by children and adults alike on Holy Saturday. While it serves a practical purpose—to receive the "Holy Light" during the Resurrection—its roots are far older than the modern era.

The tradition of the ceremonial candle echoes the ancient Greek use of torches in purification rites and spring festivals. Today, the lampada represents the transition from the darkness of the tomb to the light of the Anastasi (Resurrection). Traditionally gifted by godparents to their godchildren, the candle symbolizes the "lighting of the way" for the new generation, bridging the gap between ancestral faith and a bright, hopeful future.

The Red Egg: Hope Sealed In A Shell

On Holy Thursday, kitchens across Greece are stained crimson. Unlike the pastel palettes found elsewhere, Greek Easter eggs are traditionally dyed a deep, vibrant red.

• The Symbolism: The hard shell represents the sealed Tomb of Christ, while the red color symbolizes His blood.

• The Miracle: When the eggs are "cracked" against one another in the game of tsougrisma, the breaking of the shell symbolizes the Resurrection; life breaking through the constraints of death.

• The Legend: One popular folk story suggests that Mary Magdalene brought cooked eggs to the Roman Emperor to announce Christ’s resurrection; when he scoffed that it was as impossible as an egg turning red, the egg in her hand immediately changed color.

The Tsoureki: The Braid Of Life

The scent of mahlepi and masticha wafting through the streets is the official olfactory signal that Easter has arrived. The Tsoureki is a brioche-like sweet bread, but its shape is never accidental.

The dough is almost always braided in threes, representing the Holy Trinity. Because bread has been the "staff of life" since antiquity, the rising of the yeast-heavy dough is seen as a metaphor for the Resurrection itself. Often, a single red egg is nestled into the braids before baking, physically binding the symbols of blood and life together.

The Epitaphios: A City in Mourning

On Holy Friday, the atmosphere in Athens and across Greece shifts to one of collective grief. The Epitaphios, a symbolic flowery bier representing the tomb of Christ, is carried through the streets in a funeral procession.

This is perhaps the most cinematic and soulful moment of the year. In every neighborhood, the bells toll a slow, heavy "penthimo" (mourning) ring. There is an unshakeable local belief that the heavens themselves join the mourning; almost every year, the weather turns grey, chilly, or even rainy on Holy Friday.

Thousands of people follow the flower-laden canopy with flickering yellow beeswax candles. It is a rare moment where a modern city like Athens feels like a small village, united by a shared, ancient quietude.

Why Easter Outshines Christmas In Greece

To the outside observer, it might seem strange that Easter holds more emotional weight than Christmas. The reason lies in the Greek temperament and the timing of the season.

1. The Victory Over Death: In the Orthodox tradition, the Resurrection is the ultimate proof of hope. After centuries of occupation and hardship, the concept of "rising again" resonates deeply within the Greek soul.

2. The End of Lent: After forty days of strict fasting (the Sarakosti), the feast becomes a physical release.

3. Nature in Bloom: Greek Easter coincides with the peak of the Mediterranean spring. As the wildflowers bloom and the weather warms, the "Resurrection of Christ" is mirrored by the "Resurrection of Nature." It is a sensory overload of jasmine, grilled lamb, and blooming bitter orange trees.

The Anastasi: The Midnight Shift

Everything culminates at midnight on Holy Saturday. The lights in the churches are extinguished, and a single flame is brought out by the priest, who chants "Defte Lavete Fos" (Come, receive the light). From that one flame, thousands are lit.

When the cry of "Christos Anesti!" (Christ is Risen) goes up, the city explodes—quite literally—with fireworks and firecrackers. It is a moment of pure, unadulterated joy that proves that in Greece, the light always finds a way to break through the dark.

Pro Tip: If you find yourself in Greece this Easter season, you might find that every town and island in Greece has its own way of celebrating Easter, but for those who prefer to celebrate Easter in the capital, witnessing these symbols in the shadow of the Acropolis is an unforgettable experience.