With great pleasure, we await you at the 22nd Annual Christmas Bazaar, held by the NGO "Friends of Merimna" at the Zappeion Hall in the National Gardens of Athens near the Syntagma Metro station.

The detailed days and hours of the Bazaar are: Thursday, November 27th, 16:00-20:00, Friday, November 28th, 11:00-20:00, Saturday, November 29th, 11:00-20:00 and Sunday, November 30th, 11:00-16:00.

You will have the opportunity to discover original and useful gifts, toys & games, homemade marmalades and sweets, Christmas decorations, New Year’s charms, used books for the young and old, and exceptional used and new clothing, shoes, purses and jewelry at affordable prices!

At our Monastiraki, you will find many wonderful treasures!! This year we will have a Cafe where you can have a delicious coffee or a bite to eat for a warm stop before and after your purchases. There will be great surprises in the lottery of the Christmas Bazaar of the "Friends of Merimna", with special and unique gifts such as trips, bicycles, hotel stays, cosmetics, and much more.

All proceeds of the "Friends of Merimna" Bazaar will be donated to the work and services that Merimna offers, free of charge, to children, up to 18 years of age, and to their families. There is the "Pediatric Palliative Care Service at Home": a specialized interdisciplinary team (pediatricians, nurses, psychologist, social worker) offers medical and psychosocial services at home to the child suffering from a serious and life-threatening illness while supporting the other members of his/her family and those who play an important role in his/her life and the "Childhood Bereavement Counseling Centers" in Athens and Thessaloniki which provide psychological support from specialized psychologists to the children and adolescents and their family, who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Come for all your Christmas Shopping needs!!!

Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, CineDoc is organizing a series of screenings of Vania Turner’s documentary TACK across Greece, in collaboration with cinemas, cultural organizations, counseling centers and educational institutions. In Athens, a special screening of the documentary will take place on Sunday, November 30 at 16:00 at Danaos Cinema, where a Q&A with the director will follow the screening.

Synopsis

When Olympic champion Sofia Bekatorou publicly reveals that she was raped by a powerful official of the Hellenic Sailing Federation, she sparks the #MeToo movement in Greece and gives hundreds of women the strength to break their own silence. One of these women is Amalia, a young sailing champion who decides to report her former coach for the systematic abuse she suffered from him between the ages of 11 and 13.

TACK follows the two women over two years, documenting their lives and their struggle during a landmark trial — the first of the Greek #MeToo. Animated sketches bring to life the harsh courtroom proceedings, during which Amalia endures grueling testimony, victim blaming and repeated attempts to undermine her credibility. At the same time, Sofia is forced to confront her trauma and her relationship with her father again, while pushing for institutional reforms.

The two women realize that their fight to change Greek society is still at its beginning. Thus, they will need to “tack,” just as sailors do when maneuvering between opposing winds.

TACK – SCREENING INFORMATION

ATHENS – Danaos Cinema (Kifisias 109, Ampelokipoi)
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Start time: 16:00
Information & advance tickets HERE!
Presence of director Vania Turner; a Q&A with her will follow the screening.

ATHENS – Deree – The American College of Greece
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Start time: 15:30
Screening as part of the “TACKling Violence” event. A discussion with director Vania Turner will follow. The discussion will be moderated by Professors Chryssa Zachou and Artemis Anastasiadou.

ATHENS – Pallini Music High School
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A discussion with director Vania Turner will follow the screening.

THESSALONIKI – University of Macedonia (Room 9)
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Start time: 16:00
In collaboration with the Committee for Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination of the University of Macedonia.

PATRAS
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
In collaboration with the Patras Counseling Center.

KEFALONIA
Thursday, November 27, 2025
In collaboration with the Women’s Counseling Center of Kefalonia.

SERRES – Asteria Theatre (Serres Municipal Regional Theatre)
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
In collaboration with the Women’s Counseling Center of the Municipality of Serres.

The film had its Greek premiere during the 26th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, where it received five distinctions (WIFT — Women in Film & Television Award; the FIPRESCI — International Federation of Film Critics Award; the Best Film award from the Thessaloniki University Students’ Youth Jury; the ERT Award; and a Special Mention in the International Newcomers Competition).

Since then, the documentary has been screened and honored at numerous festivals in Greece and abroad (Regional Jury Award and Abakus Foundation Audience Award for Exceptional Discussion at the One World International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival; FIWOM.Choice Award — Grand Prix at the 17th Film Festival for Women’s Rights in South Korea; Special Mention in the International Documentary Competition at the 53rd Molodist International Film Festival in Ukraine; Music Award for Nikos Veliotis and Second Prize for Best Greek Feature-length Documentary at the Ierapetra International Documentary Film Festival, among others).

Director’s note

TACK is a very personal record of the lives and the struggle of two women for justice. Sofia’s and Amalia’s lives intersect when Amalia decides to send Sofia a message a few days after Sofia’s public testimony about being raped by a powerful figure in sailing. From that moment on, a legal battle begins against Amalia’s former coach.

The film follows and observes the two women over two years of complex and painful legal procedures. Their lives in the film unfold in parallel: I began filming Sofia while she was becoming a national symbol, not knowing what would follow and while the wave of accusations had only just begun to unfold. Shortly after I met Amalia and began spending time filming her and her family. A great intimacy developed between us, as well as with their families. Especially during the period of the trial, my camera became, in a sense, a repository of their thoughts and feelings. Thus, a window opened to me into the world of complex psychological trauma and how this affects victims and those close to them — no one remains unscathed when a rape occurs.

However, I wanted to go beyond the lives of the protagonists to tell the story of a broken criminal justice system and how it fragments victims. Through this painful record, I hope to raise questions about the lack of specialized training for judges and lawyers on gender-based violence and child abuse, as well as the absence of a general framework for victim protection. I also hope to provoke questions about how sexist beliefs, dominant culture, toxicity and pathology isolate, stigmatize and silence victims, even when those victims are children.

Hume Assine will perform for the first time on the stage of Theatre of the No in a unique live show on Friday, November 28th  at 21:30. The Athens-based trio, recognized as one of the most creative presences on the contemporary music scene, will offer a live preview of material from their upcoming fourth album, blending samples, synths, live beats, and vocals  their signature sound.

With three albums already to their name, including the most recent “ATHENS BLUES”  released on vinyl and nominated for a Greek Graphic Design Award (EBGE)  Hume Assine continue to push musical boundaries. Their tracks “SUPER FEELINGS” and “POLYKATOIKIES” have been embraced by radio stations and featured in annual best-of lists, while the album was accompanied by a series of podcasts with guests such as Natasa Bofiliou, Nivo, Jerome Kaluta, and Nadia Boule.

The performance will also include a retrospective of their three previous albums and a selection of unexpected live mashups, a beloved “secret” for fans who follow their shows, adding energy and unpredictability to the live experience.

Info

Hume Assine (Vangelis Orfanidis): Music, Lyrics, Synthesizers
Anna Paspati: Vocals
Alexis Antonopoulos: Drums & Pads

Athens is once again transforming into a fashion hub, hosting the seventh edition of Eleven The Fashion Project, the women’s fashion trade show that will take place at the Zappeion Megaron from January 30 to February 1, 2026.

Eleven The Fashion Project brings together designers, manufacturers, and retailers, positioning Athens as an international destination for fashion and commerce.

Since 2019, Eleven The Fashion Project has established itself as an important institution for showcasing contemporary Greek creativity, bringing together more than 340 brands and over 5,000 professionals from 22 countries.

With a consistent vision to strengthen the international presence of the Greek fashion industry, Eleven The Fashion Project offers a modern and professional exhibition environment within the Zappeion Megaron — a venue of historical significance in the heart of Athens, where cultural heritage meets contemporary design.

The event is organized by Eleven S.A., a company with 24 years of dedicated presence in the fashion sector.

Greece is famous for its islands, sunsets, and vibrant cities, but beyond the postcard favorites lie villages that seem almost untouched by modern life. Wandering through them feels like stepping into another era: stone alleyways, wooden balconies, ancient traditions, and landscapes so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat.

Here are some off-the-beaten-path Greek villages where time slows down, stories linger in the air, and authenticity still thrives.

Kalarrites, Tzoumerka


📸 @vasilis_explores

A village so remote that even many Greeks haven’t heard of it, Kalarrites is the kind of place where goats roam freely and mountain fog wraps the stone homes like a blanket.

It is also the birthplace of the legendary Greek coffee brand Loumidis, founded by a local family. But fame never disturbed its serenity: the village remains unspoiled, quiet, and almost dreamlike.

Why it feels timeless:

• One of Greece’s best-preserved stone villages

• Only a handful of residents

• A rare untouched sense of authenticity

Vathia, Mani (Peloponnese)


📸 @vantastic_advanture

Looking like a fortified ghost village frozen on the edge of the world, Vathia is one of Mani’s most striking sights. Its iconic tower houses stand proudly against the wind, silent reminders of the region’s warrior past.

Exploring Vathia feels more like entering a medieval stronghold than a modern settlement.

Why it feels timeless:

• Stone tower houses unchanged for centuries

• Wild, dramatic landscape

• A rare glimpse into Mani’s fierce history

Lafkos, Pelion


📸 @ilmioviaggioingrecia

Perched on the southern edge of Pelion, Lafkos is a peaceful, stone-built village where life still follows traditional rhythms. Here you’ll find one of Greece’s oldest functioning cafés (since 1785!), elderly locals weaving baskets outside their doors, and charming squares that feel frozen in the early 1900s.

Why it’s timeless:

• Architecture untouched by modern development

• A legendary old café where time truly stops

• Slow, unhurried village life with incredible sea views

Dilofo, Zagori (Epirus)


📸 @minogiannisvalantis

An exquisite stone village with no cars allowed, Dilofo is one of the best-preserved settlements in Greece. The cobbled lanes, wooden balconies, and centuries-old mansions feel like walking inside a historical film set. Silence reigns here — just birds, footsteps, and the sound of the wind.

Why it’s timeless:

• 100% pedestrian — no modern noise

• Stone mansions dating back to the 16th–18th century

• A haunting, peaceful atmosphere

Mesta, Chios (North Aegean)


📸 @catrin_pl

Mesta is one of Chios’ medieval “mastiha villages,” built as a fortified settlement to protect against pirates. Its labyrinthine streets, stone houses, and massive defensive walls transport visitors straight to the Middle Ages. Life here feels deliberately slow, and wandering through its alleys gives a sense of stepping centuries back in time.

Why it’s timeless:

• Perfectly preserved medieval architecture

• Fortified walls and narrow, maze-like streets

• Rich history tied to the mastiha cultivation tradition

With the holidays just a month away and the city slowly slipping into its festive glow, there’s no better time to explore Athens’ vibrant dessert scene. From nostalgic Athenian charm to bold plant-based creations and modern style treats, the capital is full of delicious surprises waiting to be discovered.

Here are some of our favorite places for a sweet escap, whether you’re in the mood for something comforting, playful, or simply unforgettable.

Once a dessert sensation in Thessaloniki, Gellissimo Biscoto has quickly embedded itself into Athens’ dessert map since arriving a couple of years ago. Known nationwide for their iconic Pistachio Lava — a warm, velvety, pistachio-filled dream that has inspired countless TikToks — this spot is a must for anyone with a soft spot for indulgent sweets.

But this season, prepare to fall in love with the Melomakarono Lava, a festive twist that’s so fragrant and gooey, it might just steal your heart from the pistachio classic.

Beyond their signature creations, Gellissimo Biscoto offers a wide array of handmade treats: ice cream, pralines, waffles, crepes, pancakes,  all made with pure ingredients and serious craftsmanship.

Where: Astiggos 11, Athens


@itsmaryy____

For those craving something lighter, creative, or plant-based, Holy Llama is a revelation. This inspired bakery showcases the magic hidden in vegan cuisine, no animal products, no by-products, just full and expressive flavor.

One thing we absolutely loved? The no-sugar soft cookie. It may sound simple, but it’s truly to die for,  unbelievably soft, melt-in-your-mouth, and shockingly satisfying for a dessert without sugar. Pair it with their excellent specialty coffee and you have a guilt-free treat that still feels decadent.

Holy Llama proves that plant-based desserts don’t have to taste “healthy.” Here, they just taste good!

Where: Nikis 23, Athens


@holyllamacreativebaking

Inspired by the iconic cocktails of Baba Au Rum, this boutique pastry shop is a wonderland of creativity: beautifully crafted sweets, specialty coffee, lush greenery, and artful aesthetics. It’s one of those places where every dessert looks like it was made for your camera roll.

Among their standout creations:

• Ekmek — Ethereal, cloud-soft, fragrant with cinnamon and nostalgia.

• Devil’s Milk — A bold, cocktail-inspired dessert with layers of chocolate, spice, tropical notes, and silky cheesecake mousse.

• Tarta Masticha — A fragrant mastiha cream tart with bright citrus notes and pistachio for a crunchy finish.

Not only are they visually stunning, but they also deliver that ultra-satisfying “perfect cut” moment, the kind that dessert lovers live for.

A must for anyone who loves modern Greek patisserie with a twist.

Where: Kitiou 3, Athens


@inloveagain_athens

A place beautiful, sweet, and wonderfully old-school, this cozy French-style bistro is all charm. Think metal café chairs with cushions, soft lighting, vintage decor, and a calm warmth that instantly transports you to another time. The kind of spot where everything moves just a bit slower, in the best possible way.

The service is polite, warm, and genuinely caring. The barista-server is always eager to help and guide you through their specials. And the dessert you simply must order? The Lemon Pie, one of the best we’ve had. Bright, silky, balanced, and full of sunshine, the perfect treat for a cool Athenian winter afternoon.

If you’re looking for a quiet, atmospheric place to enjoy something sweet with style, this is it.

Where: Omirou 44, Athens


@matina_kyriazopoulou

Amalia, Harris and Anestis had spent years working with Doctors Without Borders, in the fundraising department. They loved working within a humanitarian organisation, yet something always felt distant. The crises they responded to were far from everyday Greek reality, and the needs surrounding them in their own country were becoming increasingly visible.

When the financial crisis hit Greece, they felt a growing urge to act locally; to support people living right next door, people who often appeared to be coping but were silently struggling.

After each of them left Doctors Without Borders at different points, they reunited and asked themselves if it was time to finally pursue the dream. And in 2019, after long discussions about what to offer and how, they founded their organisation, beginning with one familt and a simple vision: to support children who strive to have the same opportunities as everyone else but lack the necessary resources.

Not the obviously vulnerable groups, not the visibly homeless, but the children next door, the ones who could easily go unnoticed.

That’s how Children First was born and it stands for tangible, personalized support. Every child who joins the program receives help tailored precisely to their needs:

Daily Nutrition: Quality, fresh food based on each child’s individual requirements. A nutritionist evaluates every child, identifies gaps, and shapes a diet plan that supports healthy growth.

 

Education: Assistance with schoolwork, foreign language lessons, and participation in sports or activities that benefit both physical and mental health.

 

Medical Care: Preventive and ongoing healthcare determined through collaboration with a pediatrician, as well as dental support.

 

Counselling for Parents: A psychologist provides regular support to parents, helping them make the best use of the services offered and encouraging an active role in their children’s empowerment.

 

Just months after their founding, the pandemic struck. Still, by the summer of 2020, they welcomed their first family into their programs. Today, they support 19 children on a regular basis and another 21 with essential nutritional assistance, as food prices continue to place unbearable pressure on families.

How did they begin? By asking a simple question: Where do families turn when they need help?

The answer led them to municipal services: social grocery stores, meal programs, community pharmacies. They discovered, however, that these services depended heavily on European funding and often couldn’t cover all needs. Children ended up in large mixed-level classes, receiving non-individualized support, especially in education.

So they approached the Municipality of Aigaleo, which seemed organized and collaborative, and proposed a complementary partnership. Families visiting the municipality would be informed that there is an organisation offering individualized support: fresh food, tailored tuition, pediatric and dental care, all designed specifically for each child.

When a family expresses interest, the team of Children First visits their home. They want to understand the family’s environment, the dynamics between parents and children, and the conditions in which they live.

The goal is not only to assess financial need, but also the parent’s willingness to help their child move forward. Because as they say, they need parents who believe in their children’s future.

Families join for a year at a time, with contracts renewed annually after reassessment. Children range from newborns to 17-year-olds, though they try to prioritize primary school children, who benefit most from early, structured support. 

Once a child joins the program, the goal is for them to live their life like any other child. They attend the same type of after-school tutoring as their peers, simply with Children First covering the costs behind the scenes.

No spotlight, no stigma. A child is enrolled, attends lessons, sees doctors, makes appointments, just like everyone else.

Anestis, who is a psychologist, maintains regular counselling sessions with parents, helping them navigate challenges and support their children.

Importantly, they emphasize that throughout their journey they have met incredibly supportive people — doctors, teachers, tutoring school owners — who are more than eager to help. And of course, they meet families who, despite the daily challenges, deeply love their children, which makes all the difference. 

Another meaningful initiative emerged from one of their donors. She noticed the many single mothers in their program, and imagined a network where women support women.

The idea became Girls Empowering Girls, a mentorship program connecting women from various companies and professions with mothers in need of guidance.

A manager might help a mother structure her CV or prepare for a job interview.
A teacher might tutor a girl from the program.
A professional might make a donation dedicated specifically to women and girls.

It’s a circle of empowerment; one woman lifting another. 

Children First has witnessed many stories of courage, transformation, and resilience, each one a reminder of why this work matters.

One of the first children in the program lived in a tiny basement with minimal light, with all rooms blending into one. The little girl, in third grade at the time, struggled with school and carried a sense of pessimism far too heavy for her age. 

She had never done English lessons before, so Children First covered the full cost of her English classes. Soon after, her teacher suspected possible learning difficulties. An assessment confirmed the need for speech therapy and specialised educational support, all of which Children First also funded.

Just like all children in the program, she also had access to extracurricular activities that encouraged her personal growth. That’s where dance entered her life, and she absolutely loved it. Dance became a source of joy, expression, and confidence, giving her something to look forward to every week.

Week by week, her transformation became visible. Confidence replaced self-doubt. School shifted from a place of anxiety to a place of achievement. English lessons became something she enjoyed, not feared, and dance became her safe, happy space.

Another family included a single mother raising a little boy with ADHD. He urgently needed occupational therapy and speech therapy; therapies that were completely out of reach financially for his mother who didn’t work and consequently wasn’t insured. 

Children First stepped in and covered the full cost of these essential therapies. With this support, the child gradually became calmer, more communicative, and more expressive. The mother, seeing her child flourish, regained her own confidence and strength. She found work, secured insurance, and eventually part of her son’s therapy became covered by the healthcare system.

The child’s progress created space for the mother’s empowerment, a double transformation made possible through targeted, personalized support.

Every child in the program receives support designed specifically for their circumstances. Nothing is generic.

• Nutrition: Families meet with a nutritionist who evaluates each child’s habits and deficiencies. Every food delivery is customized, never pre-assembled or standardized.
• Education: Tutoring and extracurricular activities, such as English lessons or sports, are tailored precisely to each child’s level and interests.
• Medical care: Pediatric and dental support follows each child’s exact needs.
• Therapies: Needs such as occupational or speech therapy often arise unexpectedly and must be met immediately.

This individualized approach is powerful, but also costly. To continue providing personalized nutrition, education, medical care, and therapies, ongoing financial support is crucial.

Children First offers the Support A Child program, a way for donors to make a tangible difference in a child’s life. Your support can cover basic needs in one of the three pillars of action — Nutrition, Education, or Medical Care— or all areas for a full year.

• Supporting One Pillar: A donation of 700 euros provides for one child in a single pillar for an entire year.
• Supporting All Pillars: A donation of 2,000 euros covers a child’s needs across all three pillars for a full year.

Your donation not only helps a child grow and thrive, giving them equal opportunities with their peers, but also relieves families of financial and emotional stress and allows Children First to plan programs accurately and sustainably.

Even a small contribution can fund essential, tailored help for a child and break the cycle of poverty at the exact moment it matters most.

If one lesson stands above all, it is that love is everything.

If there is love in a family, if a child feels safe and cared for, the rest becomes manageable.

And in human relationships more broadly, when trust and positive emotion come first, everything else can be built around them.

Children First’s goals for the coming years are clear:

• To welcome many more families, though only when they have the resources to offer full, individualized support, not just numbers on a list.
• To provide not only food, but quality nutrition, proper tutoring, and full medical support and everything a child needs at the moment they need it.
• To create their own space, a hub for seminars, counselling sessions, group meetings, and community building.
• To collaborate with more organisations, especially the many small ones doing important work.

Children First organize educational workshops on employment, CV preparation, oral hygiene, digital literacy, and more. Each activity is designed specifically for their families, giving them tools to navigate everyday life and opportunities.

A Message to Society

Children First believe deeply that poverty should not define a child’s destiny. Yet poverty often reproduces itself, unless someone steps in to say:

The cycle is not unbreakable. Sometimes, all it takes is a single opportunity — given at the right moment — to change a child’s life.