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XpatAthens

Monday, 03 February 2020 23:23

The Phantom Of The Opera Live In Athens

The Phantom Of The Opera is here! The iconic musical viewed by more than  140.000.000 people worldwide.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, one of the world's greatest hits with more than 12,000 performances at Her Majesty's Theater in London, is presented by People Entertainment Group, with an  all-star cast from London's West End, in the biggest theatrical production that has ever been presented in Greece!

Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic and monumental musical with famous classical songs that have left their mark in history, the suspense and mystery, and the tender love story between Christine and the mysterious Phantom of the "Paris Opéra House" comes to life on the new state-of-the-art ''Christmas Theater" in February and March 2020.

A "bigger than life" production that will fascinate and enchant even the most demanding spectators!

Information & group reservations: 216.800.46.68
Friday, 03 January 2020 00:00

Athens English Comedy Club | Open Mic

Happy New Year from the Athens English Comedy Club!

What better way to start the year than with something new and bright? We will be hosting our first English open mic, this Sunday January 5th!




MC: Dimitris Dimopoulos

Comedians in alphabetical order:

  • Vangelis Harissopoulos
  • George Iliadis
  • George Karamanlis
  • Kinthia
  • Maria Koufomanoli
  • Lefteris Koulonis
  • Nefeli Louizou
  • Vaggelis Moularas
  • Stavroula Pabst
  • John Papadopoulos
  • Kanelli Scalcoyiannis
  • Odysseas Deniz Ürem

Some performers will be doing stand-up for the first time ever, so bring your loudest applause and all of the love you can give! Others will be trying out new material, so bring your most honest giggles and open hearts and come see comedy being born!

We need YOU to make comedy happen!

Come and laugh! Nay! Come and chortle. Or better yet, guffaw!

For reservations:

- Message us directly on Facebook 
- Call us at +30 698 799 4689
- Email us at athensenglishcomedyclub@gmail.com
The European emergency number (112) has become fully operational in Greece according to a statement of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. The control center for 112 in Greece is located at the fire brigade operations center in Chalandri and employs 100 people.

Each shift includes an OTE telecoms operator–who responds in Greek, English, or French–and liaison officers from the Hellenic Army, Greek Police, the Coast Guard, and the ambulance service.

The European emergency number is free and can be reached 24/7 from Greece, Switzerland, and any EU country.

Other Greek emergency numbers are:

  • 100 - police
  • 199 - fire brigade
  • 166 - emergency medical service
  • 108 - coast guard
  • 197 - emergency social assistance

Tom Hanks has been awarded Greek citizenship as Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos signed an honorary naturalization order allowing the actor to claim citizenship, his office told The Associated Press on Friday.

Tom Hanks and his wife, actress and producer Rita Wilson, often spend their summer vacations in the house they own on the Greek island of Antiparos. The couple have also produced several films in Greece; In 2002 they produced the hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and its sequel that was released in 2016. Hanks was also the executive producer of the 2008 musical "Mamma Mia!" and the 2009 comedy "My Life in Ruins."

In Greece, honorary naturalization is granted to people “who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalization serves the public interest.”


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

Monday, 30 December 2019 14:12

Luxury Problems

With New Year just around the corner we are hearing more and more about the needs of our fellow-men. About the problems they face, their difficulties and how we may help. I often wonder if everything is fine and if there are no problems the rest of the time. But that’s another discussion.

So we hear about young children on the street, orphanages that need clothes and food, NGOs in need of things, of our time, of anything we can offer. Usually at this time of year most of us are moved and do our best to help. But that’s not all we hear. Just recently a couple in the subway had a conversation. The woman had forgotten her sunglasses at home.

"I can’t believe I forgot them. It’s not possible. How am I going to go around without my sunglasses? " "You may take mine if you want" offered the man. "Are you serious? These are old fashioned," replied the woman (she was talking about a pair of Raybans). “I definitely have to buy new ones right away. I’ll get in the first store we find. I can’t function unless I have at least two or three pairs.” And she continued laughingly: "I’m telling you, it’s a huge problem.” On the opposite seat two young men were discussing. "So you didn’t get the new smart TV you were looking for. And how are you going to watch all the Euro League soccer games my friend? With the ancient model you got last year? And may I tell you something else? When you told me you were going to celebrate New Year’s Eve with your girlfriend and your parents at home I was shocked. You won't even go clubbing? That’s certainly not the way to get through the Holidays. What a drag! " 

As you’re reading this I'm sure you can bring to mind a lot of “problems” you've heard of yourself. But broaden your horizon for a minute and think. Because if you have health, food to eat, a roof over your head, your kids go to school, you can get through financially (even if it’s with difficulty) you are one of the few privileged people on this planet!

And then you have what I call "luxury problems". For example "whether to put on the green or yellow dress" or "whether or not aunt Amelia will invite you to her party this year." What do you think, are they really really problems? Are they substantial problems? Do they affect your daily life or your life in general? Let’s be grateful for all that we have and let’s offer our love and help to ourselves and to our fellow human beings not only during the Holidays but every day of the year!

Happy New Year full of Love and Health to all of us!!


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If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!

 
Tuesday, 24 December 2019 11:32

The Festive Wish Lanterns Of Volos

If you happen to be in Volos during Christmas time, you might get the opportunity to witness a beautiful long-standing tradition. On the night of December 26th, people gather along the seaside promenade and propel thousands of wish lanterns into the sky!

The lanterns represent Christmas wishes, and people hope that when they reach the sky, they will be fulfilled.


















We hope all your wishes come true!
Are you passionate about handmade crafts? If so, then December is your month!

Domatio will showcase a great variety of handmade creations, for all tastes, at its first art-bazaar! Craftspeople of various practices are waiting for you with works of Art for the decoration of your house, your Christmas tree, your body, and your mood!

Fresh ideas are shared and coexist in our colorful and aesthetic space, stuffed with objects made with passion.

Come join us so that you can meet all of the artists in person and see their suggestions for personalized gifts for every age group!

Don't miss Domatio’s creative team participation, inspired by ethnic motifs and iconic personalities of the art-world. We made crochet Christmas ornaments, jewelry from vintage buttons and loads of color.

Every weekend of December, starting Saturday 30 of November you will find :

Jewelry, Christmas Ornaments, Raw Materials for Crafts (vintage buttons & powder paints), Sculptures from various materials, Paintings printed on Plexiglass, Pillows, Dolls (for both young and old), Sweets with Christmas Motifs, Painted Tote Bags, Up-cycled Musical Instruments, Children- Themed Murals, Lamps, Natural Soaps, Batic Fabrics and Scarves, Various articles of Clothing and Accessories, Essential body oils, Natural Cosmetics and many more..
.
Keep in mind that every weekend you will find a variety of different artists!

Domatio is a place that is open to the promotion of artists and ideas, adequately equipped, versatile and adaptable to the needs in question, and this is offered alongside the expert guidance and support of the members that form its frame.

We are here anytime you wish to make use of the opportunity to house any form of expression in the space of ‘domatio’ .
According to a statement by the Greek Ministry of Culture, two monumental royal tombs dating from about 3,500 years ago near the Bronze Age palace of Pylos in the Peloponnese have been discovered by American archaeologists.

The ministry stated that the domed roofs of both tombs had collapsed during antiquity, filling them with so much earth and rubble that tomb raiders couldn't get in to ravage them. Among the recovered grave goods are a golden seal ring and a gold talisman of an ancient Egyptian goddess.

It is worth mentiong that the Mycenaean era, which dates from about 1650 B.C. to 1100 B.C., was the foundation for many Ancient Greek myths and legends, including that of the Trojan War. The graves lie near the Palace of Pylos, which features in Homer's Odyssey as the seat of the wise King Nestor.


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

The Greek Parliament has approved the bill to allow diaspora Greeks to exercise their voting rights from their place of residence. The bill was passed with a majority of 288 members of Parliament voting in favor, restoring a historic commitment that had been on hold for 44 years.

The Greek Prime Minister pointed out, that “44 years had to pass for the article of the 1975 Constitution regarding the vote of diaspora Greeks to be voted, and I am proud of the new ND government and the great inter-party consensus”.

The 4 key points that made this broad consensus possible are the following:
  1. The vote of diaspora Greeks shall be equal to that of residents of Greece.
  2. Diaspora voters will vote for the State Ballot, which will increase its seats from 12 to 15 candidates.
  3. Personal presence is required for casting a vote.
  4. Greeks who have resided in Greece for at least 2 years and have and have tax obligations will be eligible vote.
 
To read this article in full, please visit: ERT International
Friday, 13 December 2019 09:50

The Rise Of The Freelance Workforce

There’s been a lot of talk recently about freelancers disrupting the workforce and existing markets. A 2016 McKinsey Global Institute report found that a huge 20-30% of the workforce in Europe and the US engage in some form of independent work – and its more than just new players like Uber making up the numbers. We’re seeing a broader shift in both corporate strategy and workforce attitudes that’s changing the way we do business, for the better.

Empowering Individuals

A big factor in the rising freelance workforce comes from an increasing desire for more freedom and control. Around 61% of respondents to our Great Big Survey, which included 40,000 workers from around the world, said that work-life balance is the main driving force behind flexible working.

Workers also want greater autonomy to forge ahead on their own path. You can see this in the OECD’s Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2015 report, which surveyed people aged 18-64 from 41 different countries. This study found that 48% of men and 36% of women would rather start their own business than work for someone else.

Spotting The Trend

The people behind the gig economy (using freelancers on an ad-hoc basis) were early birds: they recognised a rising value for independence and entrepreneurial spirit and they leapt at the chance. All companies have the power to respond and integrate this system to benefit their own workforce, and there’s evidence they’re starting to do so. Around 42% of executives surveyed by Deloitte in their Global Human Capital Trends 2016 report said they planned to employ more ad-hoc workers over the next three to five years.

This isn’t simply a response to worker demands. 58% of businesses told us that reducing permanent staff overheads is key to their post-recession plans. It also helps them work in a more agile way, scaling their workforce up and down to meet changes in demand and new industry developments.


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Building Networks, Improving Organizations

To integrate larger numbers of freelance workers, companies are changing their office environments. PwC’s 2016 Emerging Trends in Real Estate survey found that more and more businesses are looking for high-quality, flexible and serviced office and co-working spaces, like Regus, where they can scale up and down quickly.

This also benefits the workforce in providing a space to share ideas, do business and collaborate – rather than simply taking work home. This helps productivity, but also wellbeing. Around 84% of respondents to the 2016 Regus Great Big Survey said co-working reduces loneliness, while 53% said it helps fight stress.

Creative Networks

The next step is to ensure that these flexible, changing teams are working in the most creative and productive ways possible. According to the 2017 Deloitte Human Capital Trends report, this will mean moving away from management hierarchies and towards groups of empowered networks that are able to change regularly and quickly.

These project networks will work closely together to get the job done, before disbanding and relocating for the next task. That will require flexible and creative office spaces that can adapt to new challenges and opportunities. We’re confident that our Regus shared and co-working office spaces with short-term leases are the solution for the foreseeable future.

Explore Regus' flexible workspace locations to help increase business productivity!

This content has been sponsored by IWG - an XpatAthens Brand Partner.

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