LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 18 February 2020 22:13
Navarino Challenge Returns For The 8th Consecutive Year In October 2020
Internationally awarded wellness event returns in Messinia & Costa Navarino!
The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge; distinguished last year as the 2nd best event in the world in the “Best In Wellness” category at the World Travel Market in London (the only Greek event to have achieved this overall to date), returns for the 8th consecutive year on October 16-18, 2020 in Messinia, Pylos and Costa Navarino.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
Through its central message “sports unite people”, Navarino Challenge last year gathered more than 2,700 professional and amateur athletes from 40 countries. This year the event will once again unite people of all ages and abilities in a rich schedule with more than 25 activities and over 10 Olympic sports. Navarino Challenge is the only event in Greece that successfully combines alternative forms of tourism such as sports, cultural, gastronomic, sea and wellness tourism to this degree.
Navarino Challenge will be held for the first time this year along with the celebration of Navarinia fest in Pylos and the 193 years since the Navarino Naval Battle, honoring and reviving one of the most remarkable events in modern Greek history. Participants of the event will have the opportunity to attend this major celebration in person, as a free shuttle service will be provided.
The event follows the ideals of the Olympic Movement, contributing towards the development of a peaceful and better world without any discrimination, through sports, promotes the benefits of exercise and raises awareness on the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, considering the global issue of inactivity of youth, the event exhorts young people to get involved in games and sports, through the Active Kids program, by adding even more kids’ activities.
Navarino Challenge, annually demonstrating its charitable nature, announces Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) as this year’s first CSR partner, reinforcing the breast cancer prevention and information campaign that takes place in the month of October. FTBC through its successful journey in Greece over the past nineteen years has been openly speaking about breast cancer. Operating through the invaluable work of many of its volunteers, it has funded various public information campaigns, helped more than 9,000 women get free breast screening and 25,000 women get free mammograms.
Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Pylos-Nestor Municipality.
More information on the activities and opening of registrations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Enjoy some highlights from last year’s Navarino Challenge!
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
#navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitepeople #eatwell #runwell #livewell
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Local News
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Saturday, 15 February 2020 19:37
3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College of Greece
On February 22nd, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., the American College of Greece, Pierce Theater, will be hosting PAMEMMAZI’s third forum entitled “Integrative Approaches on Cancer Care: Evidence and Strategies.”
PAMEMMAZI was founded in 2017 for the psychosocial support of oncology patients and their families and to fight stigma through programs of art, programs for health and wellbeing, programs to encourage creativity and share information, through annual forums about integrative care, through participation in awareness-raising races with the team “Untouchables by Pamemmazi” and through publishing stories on our blog www.scarsandscarves.com
The aim of this year’s forum is to highlight the importance of palliative care in the framework of embedded integrative care, the role of complementary therapy programs as well as the research that supports their use. We stress the powerful effect that psychology can have on psychosomatic health, with the therapeutic qualities of music, dance, and of art in general, as well as the importance of expression, communication, and personal strength and resilience in dealing with cancer, resulting in better results and better quality of life.
The forum is directed at health professionals, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and the students of those fields, but also to the general public who are interested in approaching cancer in a holistic manner, or who are interested in matters of health generally.
The Program includes an open discussion amongst scientists, health professions and the audience as well as informative/interactive workshops with topics such as the therapeutic approach of music and tango, advice of dentists for good dental health from diagnoses to post-treatment, and the works of two non-profit organizations that also support cancer patients and their families, KEFI and Pnoi Agapis.
The first part of the Forum (10:15-12:30 and 13:00-14:30) will include presentations and round table discussions. The second part (14.30-16:30) will include 5 different workshops to address the variety of interests held by our audience.
In the reception area we have a) Art Exhibition that represents the work done by Eva Grigoriadou, Art Therapist, in the Art Therapy program offered by PAMEMMAZI at the G.O.H.K. hospital “Agioi Anargyroi” b) Therapeutic Photography exhibition, a program offered by PAMEMMAZI in collaboration with Eyes of Light and Dimitra Ermeidou and, c) Drawing exhibition by students from the program SMOKEFREEGREECE of the Institute of Public Health of the American College of Greece.
Participation in the forum and the workshops is free.
Register HERE!
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
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Community
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Monday, 17 February 2020 07:00
Nea Smyrni: An Athenian Neighborhood Among The Best In Europe
The Guardian recently published a list of the 10 best city neighborhoods in Europe. The 10 areas were selected for attributes such as parks, under the radar museums, or great-value restaurants.
Among the best neighborhoods are Wilhelminapark in Utrecht, Vallecas in Madrid, Moabit in Berlin, and Nea Smyrni in Athens.
About Nea Smyrni
Nea Smyrni is a family-friendly neighborhood halfway between central Athens and the Athenian riviera. Nea Smyrni has a fascinating history as the area where refugees from Smyrna-now Izmir-settled in the 1920s. In the heart of the neighborhood lies a car-free square with fountains, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars for all tastes and budgets. For visitors, Nea Smyrni is a rare find since it's not on the typical tourist route.
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
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Greece In The News
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Thursday, 13 February 2020 12:32
PAMEMMAZI
Who we are:
PAMEMMAZI is a newly established Non-Profit Organization that aims to improve the psychosocial health of cancer patients in Greece and to promote the holistic approach of cancer.
What we do:
PAMEMMAZI is a newly established Non-Profit Organization that aims to improve the psychosocial health of cancer patients in Greece and to promote the holistic approach of cancer.
What we do:
- We provide meaningful, creative and educational activities to cancer patients and their caretakers in welcoming and cozy spaces in Greek hospitals
- We organize forums and events to promote psychosocial and psychosomatic care of cancer patients in Greece - 2017 Forum: Psychosomatic care in Cancer: Empathy, Understanding and Communication
- We encourage patients and survivors to share their story on Scars & Scarves blog in order to destigmatize cancer
- We provide tips on side effects’ management, nutrition, physical activity and personal care
- We participate in the annual Greece Race for the Cure Marathon organized by Alma Zois, under the Untouchables team that Emma created in 2014
We aim to:
- Empower patients, their families and their caretakers through creative and educational offered in hospitals
- Build a community that will foster resilience, quality of life and normality using creativity and learning as tools
- Eliminate stigma toward and encourage community support for patients
- Raise funds for research purposes to help cure cancer
We envision to
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Make hospital visits and stays more constructive, fun and less unpleasant
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Encourage patients and caretakers to engage in creative activities and therefore to express their feelings through them
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Strengthen their sense of productivity/staying active and creative
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Create welcoming spaces in hospital facilities fostering the development of a community that encourages patients to share their story and to lead a normal life
- Eliminate social stigma towards cancerShape patient-centered healthcare.
3rd PAMEMMAZI Forum At The American College Of Greece
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Non-Profit Sponsor To PAMEMMAZI
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Charities & Groups
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Thursday, 13 February 2020 07:00
Family Activities At The Museum of Cycladic Art
Going to the Museum of Cycladic Art with your children will allow you to bond with them. Whether it's reading labels under the artifacts and explaining what they mean, or laughing over a strange ancient object, you will leave the Museum with new knowledge and, most importantly, unforgettable memories. If your children are 2 and 10 years old, this is even more true with the Museum's weekend family activities running from October to May.
By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.
By taking part in these weekend programs, both parents and children get the unique opportunity to learn about the Museum's world through activities like storytelling, photography, music, theatre, interactive tours, and even art workshops. To help with finding the most suitable weekend activity for your kids, we've described each program below.
There Was A Little Book
In this workshop, children are introduced to a book whose story and illustrations will inspire their artistic projects. Here kids will be encouraged to experiment with painting, drawing, impressions, collage, clay, and various construction methods. It will get everyone's creativity flowing by sparking their imaginations and perceptions. As an adult, you may discover creativity, you never knew you had; if you're a creative, you may find a new source of inspiration for your works! The benefits for your children, though, are clear: they will develop motor skills and learn to express themselves through art. Overall, though, you'll get the chance to spend time together while listening to stories and exploring new worlds!
For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.
For February, there is a Carnival-themed workshop, based on Jon Klassen's story, 'This is not my hat.' In this workshop, parents and children will make their own hat inspired by Klassen's story.
Language: Greek only
Ages: 2-5
Ages: 2-5
Ticket price for both parents and children: €12
Note: Parental presence required.
Songs Tell Their Story
Like the “There was a Little Book” activity, your children will listen to music from around the world that will get them dancing, and will inspire them to represent music through different media, like paint, collage, stamps, photographs, and smudging. At the end of these sessions, children will invite their parents to present their works and dance together!
For February, the workshop titled “You’re the One that I Want Grease (musical)” will focus on 1950s rock ’n’ roll music. Children will also dress up and dance to music from the musical Grease. Then, kids will get the chance to enter a fairytale, where a princess leaves her castle, goes on escapades, and meets her prince. Using Toulouse-Lautrec’s prints for inspiration, the children will use the love story they participated in to make posters for a musical. Parents will be invited to help decorate the room with their children’s posters, and even help stage the kids’ show!
Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.
Language: Greek only
Ages: 4-5
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
The World Is A Vast Mirror
In these workshops, children explore how the self has been portrayed in the visual arts of different cultures and time periods. It will also raise questions about how, as humans, we form our views about the world and people. Using different creative and artistic techniques each time, children will be encouraged to explore and develop aspects of their individual personalities, while learning how to navigate things like conflict, change, and diversity.
This February, the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop will allow children to think about true and imaginary selves, and what happens when they meet. To do this, kids will get the opportunity to transform into imaginary heroes in an inclusive story. They will use paints, collage, and cameras to transfer their story on paper and make it come alive!
Tip: Make sure that you dress your kid in comfortable, casual clothes that you won’t mind cleaning later.
Languages: Greek and English
Ages: 5-7
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
The World Is A Vast Mirror
This activity’s concept is exactly like the aforementioned one, but it is geared towards older children.
For February, kids between the ages of 8 and 10 can take part in the “Little Stories of the Self” workshop mentioned above, or they can choose to participate in the “Who Am I?” workshop. In this workshop, children discover more about themselves by taking on a different identity. They will be encouraged to describe and transform themselves, while also learning how to improvise in front of the camera. Unlike the other programs, this activity will teach children fundamental video and photography techniques to create mixed media works of art.
Languages: Greek and English
Ages: 8-10
Ticket price: €12
Ticket price: €12
Although there are several kid-friendly activities in Athens, the Museum’s emphasis on teaching self-expression through artistic activities at different ages offers a unique experience that should definitely be considered!
To learn more about the various activities, please visit: Museum of Cycladic Art
Published in
Kids Life
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Sunday, 09 February 2020 16:29
Valentine's Night At Jazzét Café
A special night with a special duet!
Jazzét Café in Chaidari invites you on Friday, February 14th at 10.30 pm to spend a romantic Valentine's night with your other half while listening to romantic piano tunes by top pianist, teacher, and inspirer of the new generation of jazz musicians, George Contrafouris in a duet with his exquisite artist, exceptional pianist, and singer Dimitris Kokkidou.
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Music
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Tuesday, 11 February 2020 16:06
Celebrate Valentine's Day At Two Of The Most Historic Hotels In Athens
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and two of Athens' most iconic, luxurious and famous hotels invite you to spend this special day with your loved one by benefiting from their exclusive offers!
The most renowned 'corner of Athens' welcomes St. Valentine’s Day and invites you to a world filled with authentic gifts and indigenous delicacies by French Pastry Chef Arnaud Larher. On that special day, visit the historic Hotel Grande Bretagne and gift your loved one with the most elegant products as well as with the exclusive Valentine’s Day dessert that the awarded Chef Pâtissier inspiringly has created.
On Valentine’s Day, surrender to the nurturing of the awarded GB Spa. Visit the best spa of Athens and embark on a journey of rejuvenation and relaxation, revitalize your senses with an amazing range of spa treatments and an extensive spectrum of health and beauty therapies performed by our professional spa experts.
For the month of February, the awarded Spa will be providing its valued guests with a 20% discount on the two following treatments:
More than a simple skin cleansing, the new Purity of the Alps treatment offers a true revival for the face. Designed to purify, balance and unify the complexion, this treatment is intended for all
For 40' feel the tension in your back, neck and shoulders simply melting away after a long, demanding and stressful day with this wonderful classic massage.
Accommodation Experiences
Visit the landmark Hotel Grande Bretagne or the elegant King George, celebrate the most romantic day of the year and enjoy the opulent selection of privileges with an outstanding accommodation package that includes:
- Room service full breakfast in bed
- Champagne & Chocolate strawberries, upon arrival
- Complimentary late check out at 4 pm, subject to availability
Offer is valid for stays between February 13th and February 15th 2020.
- Room service full breakfast in bed
- Bottle of Bava Moscato D’Asti & Box of Valentine macarons, upon arrival
- Complimentary late check out at 4pm, subject to availability
Romantic Dining Experiences
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall Restaurant. Experience an alluring atmosphere and a romantic menu with the most beautiful view in town.
GB Roof Garden - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 85€/person
Tudor Hall - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 75€/person
Tudor Hall - Valentine’s Dinner Menu: 75€/person
HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
grandebretagne.gr | gbspa.gr | 210 33 30 000
KING GEORGE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
kinggeorgeathens.com | 210 32 22 210
Syntagma Square, Athens
grandebretagne.gr | gbspa.gr | 210 33 30 000
KING GEORGE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, ATHENS
Syntagma Square, Athens
kinggeorgeathens.com | 210 32 22 210
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Local News
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Monday, 10 February 2020 07:00
Plastic-Free Santorini
The Greek Minister of Tourism Haris Theocharis, the mayor of Santorini Antonis Sigalas and the president of the board of Lidl Hellas Iakovos Andreanidis, have joined forces to launch the public awareness campaign "Plastic-Free Santorini." The campaign aims at the reduction of the plastics overuse throughout Greece.
The initiative will officially launch in spring–at the opening of the tourist season through promos at key tourist points on the island such as bus stops, organized beaches, the local media, the harbor, and the Athens International Airport.
To read this article in full, please visit: AMNA
To read this article in full, please visit: AMNA
Published in
Local Environment
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Thursday, 20 February 2020 15:27
Benaki Museum - From Homer’s World: Tenos And The Cyclades In The Mycenaean Age
The exhibition showcases the finds from the Mycenaean tholos tomb at Agia Thekla on Tenos, a rare funerary monument in the entire Aegean, which was excavated by Georgios Despinis in 1979. Burial place of members of an “aristocratic” clan, the Agia Thekla tholos tomb is one of only three such Mycenaean tombs known in the Cyclades. The precious objects recovered from it reflect the high cultural level of the period and enhance aspects of the Mycenaean Civilization, which can be rightly considered one of the most splendid civilizations in the history of Europe.
Displayed too are antiquities from other important prehistoric sites in the Aegean, specifically from Naxos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, Melos, Siphnos, Thera and Kea, thus offering visitors a fuller picture of the nature and importance of Mycenaean Civilization in the Cyclades. The narrative is structured in units that shed light on basic human activities, such as everyday life, worship, war, funerary customs. Selected objects, representative items of pottery, metalwork, the minor arts, figurine-modeling and jewelry-making, reveal facets of the remarkable cultural heritage of the Mycenaeans, who were a source of inspiration for the pinnacles of world literature, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Displayed too are antiquities from other important prehistoric sites in the Aegean, specifically from Naxos, Delos, Mykonos, Paros, Melos, Siphnos, Thera and Kea, thus offering visitors a fuller picture of the nature and importance of Mycenaean Civilization in the Cyclades. The narrative is structured in units that shed light on basic human activities, such as everyday life, worship, war, funerary customs. Selected objects, representative items of pottery, metalwork, the minor arts, figurine-modeling and jewelry-making, reveal facets of the remarkable cultural heritage of the Mycenaeans, who were a source of inspiration for the pinnacles of world literature, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
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Art
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Sunday, 16 February 2020 14:48
Tsiknopempti At Acropolis Museum's Restaurant
On Thursday 20 February 2020, from 8 p.m. until midnight, the Acropolis Museum restaurant on the second floor will celebrate the popular day of “Tsiknopempti”.
Visitors can enjoy delicious typical Tsiknopempti recipes and piano music.
For reservations, please contact the restaurant during Museum opening hours on +30 210 9000915.
Visitors can enjoy delicious typical Tsiknopempti recipes and piano music.
For reservations, please contact the restaurant during Museum opening hours on +30 210 9000915.
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Food & Drink
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