LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Monday, 15 June 2015 07:00
Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie To Buy A Greek Island?
Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are reportedly preparing to buy the Greek island of Gaia (Sofia Island) located in the Echinades complex of the Ionian.
According to the Washington Post, which mentions US OK! magazine as its source, said that the couple are reportedly thinking about splashing out $4.7 million on the entire island of Gaia (Sofia) so they can enjoy more private holidays together.
The Washington Post also noted that the 43-acre island has secured planning permission for six villas.
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Greece In The News
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Wednesday, 10 June 2015 07:00
‘X Apartments’ Offers Glimpse Into Lives Of Others
Dionysis, a 63-year-old Greek pensioner, dances to electronica with Austrian performance artist Doris Uhlich in a small room, just two by three meters, in Kolonos. “I’ve gone back in time,” he says.
Barry Amadou, a 24-year-old from Guinea, tells his story of constant migration, which he illustrates on a map with pieces of string and photographs showing all the places he’s been in his life, placed on a small table in his basement apartment. “The first time I ate McDonald’s was in Germany and it was bought for me by a policeman,” he remembers.
Anna from Moldova has reproduced a slice of home on the rooftop of an apartment building on Amerikis Square: She has planted a small garden on the roof and has arranged dozens of plastic flowers around the displays of photographs and religious icons adorning the walls of the building’s old washroom, now her apartment. “If you have hands, feet, can work and walk, then you’re the richest person in the world,” she says, explaining her philosophy on life.
Paola Revenioti, a 56-year-old transsexual, offers us coffee and answers questions from her couch in a carefully decorated apartment on Liosion Street, where she lives with her dog Lucy. The headquarters of far-right party Golden Dawn is nearby but she makes a point of never passing in front of the building even though she has not heard of any party members giving the Somalis who play basketball across the street any grief.
Lambros, whose parents are both Greek, came from Brazil as a young man in 1997. He worked in various hotels (he speaks five languages) until he lost his job and home. He has spent the last two years living at the municipal shelter, “until the Big Man opens a door,” he explains, fingering a small cross that hangs around his neck. “My dream is to be able to rent a studio apartment again.”
What is life like in some of Athens’s most run-down neighborhoods? On the one hand we have a swimming pool on the rooftop of a pretty building in Metaxourgeio, on the other, a dank basement in Kypseli – apartments built haphazardly by fortune-hunting contractors and elegant inter-war buildings testifying to a rich architectural past.
The “X Apartments” initiative, organized as part of the Fast Forward Festival by the Onassis Cultural Center a couple of weeks ago, brought us face to face not just with veiled truth but also with vital lies by organizing visits to 15 homes along two separate routes for two days. The first started at the Attiki metro station and took in Kypseli. The second began in Metaxourgeio, crossed the tracks at Larissis train station and ended in the district of Kolonos. For about six hours in total, the spectator-participants were released in pairs with a detailed itinerary to meet and explore the homes of foreign and Greek residents. We asked questions and they asked questions. We chatted, we drank a liqueur in one house and had Syrian sweets in another. It all seemed fast, condensed, like a movie in fast-forward.
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
by
Maria Katsounaki
by
Maria Katsounaki
Published in
Local News
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Thursday, 11 June 2015 07:00
Acropolis Ranked Among Top Landmark In Europe
Travellers across the globe have ranked the Acropolis in Athens among the top landmarks in Europe for 2015, a leading travel website has stated.
According to TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards, the Acropolis was ranked 21st in the list of top landmarks in Europe.
The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers from all over the world. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, topped the Europe list, followed by Italy’s St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Milan Cathedral (Duomo) in Milan.
To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages
Published in
Greece In The News
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Thursday, 18 June 2020 07:00
The Tradition Of Naming Your Child In Greece
It is a typical Greek tradition to name children after their grandparents. However, different people follow this tradition in slightly different ways; sometimes, the baby is named after the father's parents, regardless of gender. Sometimes, the parents will give names from both families, so a baby boy takes its father's father's name, and a baby girl takes its mother's mother's name.
Today, many young parents use the parent's names as the child's middle name, and some decide not to follow tradition at all.
It is very often that a baby's given name is typically Greek but is translated to something slightly different and a bit easier to pronounce. For example, Aspasia becomes Sia, Dimitris becomes Jim, Kostantina becomes Dina and so on.
Orthodox Tradition – Naming Your Child After A Saint
Each child, regardless of who they are named after, usually takes on the name of a Saint. In Greece, a name day is a very special day celebrated much like a birthday.
Today, many young parents use the parent's names as the child's middle name, and some decide not to follow tradition at all.
It is very often that a baby's given name is typically Greek but is translated to something slightly different and a bit easier to pronounce. For example, Aspasia becomes Sia, Dimitris becomes Jim, Kostantina becomes Dina and so on.
Orthodox Tradition – Naming Your Child After A Saint
Each child, regardless of who they are named after, usually takes on the name of a Saint. In Greece, a name day is a very special day celebrated much like a birthday.
Published in
Greek Traditions
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Tuesday, 09 June 2015 07:00
Beaches Of Mount Athos In Halkidiki
The Athos Peninsula is the easternmost part of Halkidiki and is an ideal summer destination. The peninsula has a three hundred kilometre coastline and numerous certified blue flag beaches. The area reserved to the Orthodox Monastic community of Mount Athos [Agion Oros] comprises 20 monasteries and other dependencies and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988; however it is only open to religious tourism. Mount Athos overlooks the Northern Aegean Sea. A number of areas within are protected as part of the European Convention Natura 2000 network.
Discover 61 different beaches with crystal clear waters and golden sand, bays, little islands – like Ammouliani - and green landscapes that will make your dream vacation come true!
If you prefer an exotic camping vacation in the arms of nature, next to clear blue waters then why not try the beaches Zepko, Vasilitsi, Diavorvoro, Marmari, Ierisos Camping, Alykes Camping and Megali Ammos where you will enjoy peaceful times and relax away from the hectic city rhythms.
Sunbathe by the crystal clear waters of Arsana and Chiliadou (shingle beaches), Kakoudia, Mousiou, Tratovoli, Faka, Kastri, and Kouri (sandy beaches). You can also enjoy the peaceful pine landscapes that reach up to the sea at Sykia, Kefalas and Nea Roda – Metaleio beaches.
To read more, please visit: Visit Greece
Published in
Travel Greece
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Monday, 08 June 2015 07:03
Ancient Shipwrecks And Secrets Revealed At The Greek Museum Of Underwater Antiquities
“Paul Valery would have no objection about this museum.” This was the first thing that was said after the presentation of the Greek Museum of Underwater Antiquities, a unique international museum which will be housed in the Silos building in Piraeus.
The museum plan presentation took place under the auspices of Piraeus municipality and Piraeus Port Authority under the European Maritime Day that transformed the area, highlighting its history, dynamics and its prospect of becoming a leading port in Europe.
Two thousand antiquities will be placed inside the unique Silo building which was built in 1936 — a great example of industrial architecture. The exhibits were found on the bottom of the Greek seas and were mostly housed in closed warehouses, said the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities director Angeliki Simosi.
To read more, please visit: Greek Reporter
by
Ioanna Zikakou
Published in
Local News
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Monday, 08 June 2015 07:00
Wheelchair Friendly Vehicles: Travel In Greece
The availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) makes the difference for many who travel abroad with special transportation needs. Wheelchair friendly vehicles in Greece are absolutely necessary, in many instances, offering any traveling family the freedom and independence they seek while away from home.
The recent WAV advocacy news in the United States calls attention to the importance of wheelchair friendly transport and services. WAVs are non-emergency vans that are easily accessible to those with physical disabilities. Several van models are typically equipped to handle up to two wheelchairs. These specially made vehicles are designed for those who cannot travel without leaving their wheelchair. WAVs can also be used by wheelchair users either as a passenger or a driver — without needing to move out of their wheelchair. The size, shape and design of various wheelchair friendly vehicles always depend on the original vehicle it was created from. Also, the size will vary on how it was converted and the company that converted it.
The best WAV services offer availability based on a client’s needs, either for an extended stay in Greece or simply for pick-up services during the day or night for transport between two destinations. Other non-emergency vehicle services are called upon by those who might need to ensure safe, comfortable transport of patients that are temporarily using a wheelchair between health-related appointments, such as dialysis or an injury.
To read more, pelase visit: All About Aviation
The recent WAV advocacy news in the United States calls attention to the importance of wheelchair friendly transport and services. WAVs are non-emergency vans that are easily accessible to those with physical disabilities. Several van models are typically equipped to handle up to two wheelchairs. These specially made vehicles are designed for those who cannot travel without leaving their wheelchair. WAVs can also be used by wheelchair users either as a passenger or a driver — without needing to move out of their wheelchair. The size, shape and design of various wheelchair friendly vehicles always depend on the original vehicle it was created from. Also, the size will vary on how it was converted and the company that converted it.
The best WAV services offer availability based on a client’s needs, either for an extended stay in Greece or simply for pick-up services during the day or night for transport between two destinations. Other non-emergency vehicle services are called upon by those who might need to ensure safe, comfortable transport of patients that are temporarily using a wheelchair between health-related appointments, such as dialysis or an injury.
To read more, pelase visit: All About Aviation
Published in
Greece In The News
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Saturday, 06 June 2015 12:47
Leaving, Or Coming Home? A Review Of Girl Gone Greek
Girl Gone Greek is Rebecca Hall's debut novel. A semi-fictional account of life in Greece, here's what you can expect:
Girl Gone Greek is available in paperback and Kindle format from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Read more about Rebecca on Life Beyond Borders.
The official launch of Girl Gone Greek was held at The Athens Centre on September 30th 2015. To see a photo album of the evening please click HERE. To see a video of the presentation, please click HERE.
Ever wondered what awaits those real-life Shirley Valentines who leave a life of expected conventionality and comfort for the unknown of a foreign land with a different language, very different habits and a squiggly alphabet?
Rebecca A. Hall’s debut novel “Girl Gone Greek” will give you some of the answers – from the point of view of Rachel, a young English woman who escapes familial judgement and the accepted mores of her homeland to become the newest English teacher in a Greek village. Without nothing more than a sprinkling of Greek words to get her by. And in the midst of the worst economic crisis the country has seen for decades.
What Rachel discovers after arriving in the grimy capital and taking the bus out to the Peloponnesian village confirms some of her expectations, but defies most. Peopled with colourful characters, almost incredible but somehow entirely believable for anyone who’s ever had any contact with ‘real’ Greek society, Rachel’s tale is one of love for the country she discovers tinged with frustrations and confusions of the culture clash that awaits her.
The story is written in an easy, familiar style that had me nodding in recognition and chuckling in sympathy throughout. It’s like being told the tale by a good friend over a week of afternoons featuring delicious, sweet baklava and strong treacly cups of Greek coffee.
To read more, please visit: She Means Well But...
Girl Gone Greek is available in paperback and Kindle format from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Read more about Rebecca on Life Beyond Borders.
The official launch of Girl Gone Greek was held at The Athens Centre on September 30th 2015. To see a photo album of the evening please click HERE. To see a video of the presentation, please click HERE.
Published in
Books
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Friday, 05 June 2015 10:16
A Weekend Outside Of Athens
As with many of us, as the temperature continues to climb, my ‘week in Athens’ often ends up as my ‘weekend out of Athens’. And why not – with so much to see and do within a short drive of the city, you could do much worse than a weekend away. And certainly when a long weekend comes along, “I’m outa here”, as they say…
I wasn’t sure where to go, but I did know that I wanted to spend a relaxing few days with nothing to do but chill out on a beach – no site-seeing, no roadtrips, no late night parties, nothing but sea and sand. So, after a scan of Groupon for a hotel deal, and with my young nephew in tow, we headed for Euboia to a place called ‘Nea Styra.’ Never heard of it? Neither had I.
Evia is the second largest Greek island after Crete. Most people know it if you say ‘Xalkida’, the well-known city for day-trippers from Athens. Evia is a large island, with lots of off-the-beaten-track spots for sleeping and swimming. Nea Styra is a little coastal town along the southwestern coastline, a stone’s throw from the mainland.
We made the quick drive to Agia Marina, a tiny mainland port towards Marathon, and boarded the ferry for the 45 minute trip across the bay. Ferry tickets were €4 per adult and €16 for the car. Once on the other side, you find yourself in a seaside town, where the main activity is, clearly, ‘relaxing’. Nea Styra is a family-oriented town, with a seaside strip of lovely beaches, cafes, tavernas and a very relaxed, ‘low-glam’ feeling. This is a place to wake up, step outside onto the sand, and pretty much do nothing all day… And, evidently, this place is no secret to Athenians, since there are numerous ferries all day long, and the place was buzzing with weekend visitors.
If the ‘do nothing’ plan isn’t enough for you, I was told that there are ancient megalithic structures nearby, dated to around 4,500 years old, called Drakospita (Dragon Houses). Maybe worth a visit. But I wouldn’t know!
So, the weekend passed by with feet in the sand, throwing rocks in the water with my nephew. Nothing special. And totally special.
One of these weekends, I encourage you to jump in the car, point to a random place on the map (preferably along the coast) and just ‘go’. You can thank me later.
Until next week,
Jack
Published in
My Week In Athens
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Thursday, 04 June 2015 10:36
Art Among The Ruins: Can A Sculpture Show In Athens Offer Greece New Hope?
A group of artists stand chatting on the terrace of a grand mansion in the centre of Athens. In the distance lie the ruins of the Acropolis. The view towards it, across the sprawl of the grand gardens, is interrupted by a series of large sculptures. A contorted bronze statue by Sarah Lucas sits over there – it’s her contemporary vision of a Greek goddess.
Nearby, a wall-mounted text sculpture by Richard Long charts the evolution of technological power alongside animal extinction. A huge hippo by Allora & Calzadilla lounges under the trees, while a pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama sits quietly in the grass.
This is Terrapolis, a group show curated by the Whitechapel Gallery director Iwona Blazwick, which brings together Athenian artists and an assembly of international heavyweights, all in the shadow of the ancient – and modern – ruins of Athens.
The curation is typical of Blazwick’s forward-thinking vision. Located in the district of Kolonaki, which is populated by contemporary art galleries, including the game-changing 3137 and State of Concept, the show also borders the once-anarchist area of Exarchia, which is home to many artists’ studios. The location is testament to the recent renaissance of Athens’s contemporary art scene.
Blazwick’s aim is to provide an alternative perspective on Greece. “We hope to counter the grounding down of the Greek economy,” she said. “It’s a reductive stereotype. We’re saying: Athens is alive, dynamic, and as important as it ever was.”
Dimitris Daskalopoulos, founder of the non-profit cultural organisation Neon, who initiated the show, hopes Terrapolis will move Greek society forwards. “Art can stimulate our collective consciousness. It can help us find new direction.”
Elina Kountouri, the director of Neon agreed. “I don’t know what art historians will call this movement in the future, but there is a movement here. Everyone is looking to Greece now. We’re saying: listen to the creative community, it could be as effective as protest. This is how societies change.”
To read more, please visit: The Guardian
For details about this exhibiton, please visit: NEON And The Whitechapel Gallery Present Terrapolis
Published in
Greek Language & Culture
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