We open the news and “Oh no! Not again!” Another disaster, a pandemic, a war, a robbery, and a murder. I used to want to save the world, and now I don’t know how.

Research shows that we are living in the best time for humanity since the first appearance of the human species. This is not hearsay or some wishful thinking, surveys show that indeed the percentage of people living below the poverty line is lower than ever, child mortality, illiteracy, wars are drastically reduced, and more people than ever in history have access to basic goods, our life expectancy has increased, we suffer from less disease and have access to information, education and more freedom than man has ever known.

And although we have recently emerged from a pandemic and wars are raging around us, and environmental disasters continue to occur worldwide, the above statistics continue to apply. So why don’t we see it?

Media. We are bombarded daily with news and news, the vast majority of which are bad or at least disturbing. The wonderful everyday events are usually not even presented and there is a distorted picture of reality because this is what attracts attention.

We are led to believe that deep down the world is going to hell, and that is the widely held view. Our brains are tuned to be able to identify the views that agree with our pre-existing views. The system is called Reticular Activating System and if we have “set” it in this way, it will give us these results. If we feel unlucky, proof will come to us constantly that we are unlucky. If we believe we are not good at something, we will self-affirm. So if we believe that the world is headed for destruction, we will only listen to and process the information that confirms just that.

What cognitive errors intensify the problem in our minds?

• Sadness/Apathy: man has an innate tendency to care and want to help his species, his fellow man, as Rutger Bregman really beautifully describes in his book “Humanity”. But when a man constantly receives messages that show him that bad things are happening around him, he may initially get angry and resist. Later, he sinks into sadness, and often apathy ensues. Apathy is a feeling of helplessness to do anything. This vicious circle robs us of the true power we have and is simply a wrong perspective.
• “If I am responsible for everything, then it’s all my fault.” That’s not the case, we can’t feel bad about everything, good or bad our power is great but not that great.
• I can’t change anything. Also not true. Each of us can actively help as a citizen, as a unit, as a friend, and influence the lives of those around us. Limiting beliefs like this sink us into a sense of helplessness.
• Generalization of the feeling of helplessness in other areas of our life: “Since everything is bad, what do I want and do?”/ “It’s not a good time to change”/ “It’s not a time for dreams”. And our dreams are never present. There is a tendency to exaggerate what we observe as bad and a diminished belief in what we feel we can achieve.

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

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I help outstanding individuals get unstuck from personal fears and limitations and fast-track to the life of their dreams. I specialize in the problems of modern life in urban environments: a job we do not love, dead-end relationships, lethargy, burnout, inability to live in stereotypes, excessive stress, a general feeling of “blockage”, “helplessness” and “entrapment”. For more information about me and my work visit my website.

Infectiously funny comedian and highly accomplished presenter Alan Carr, one of Britain’s most successful and treasured performers, is coming to Athens with his boundless energy and unique style of humour on Saturday 22nd October, at Parnassos Hall.

Alan’s back on the road with a brand-new stand-up show ‘Regional Trinket’. From the exhilarating high of his star-studded wedding day to the low of lockdown stuck on a farm, a lot has changed since Alan’s last tour four years ago, including Alan. Nowadays, it’s all about finding happiness and joy in the small things - why be a national treasure when you can be a Regional Trinket?!

Alan’s unique style of humour and effortless stage presence has made him one of Britain’s most successful and treasured comedians. With 16 series of Channel 4’s Chatty Man under his belt, Alan has won a multitude of awards including the publicly voted 2015 NTA and a prestigious BAFTA in 2013. Alan’s 2015 tour Yap, Yap, Yap saw him perform over 150 dates across the UK and Ireland culminating in the release of his DVD. His previous tour Spexy Beast Live was a 33-date arena tour. The DVD of Alan’s 2007 stand-up show, Tooth Fairy Live topped the HMV charts and was a Christmas 2007 top seller. He has also released two best-selling books Look Who It Is and Alanatomy.

Read more about Alan Carr's upcoming show HERE!

130+1 events, 120+ vendors, 30+ new entries.

The Meet Market, Athens’s most colorful & nomadic pop-up market, returns for the 131st time on October 15 & 16 at Technopolis, City of Athens!

More than 120 designers, artists, small producers and collectors, of which 30 will participate for the first time (!), become nomads and leave their ateliers, shops and workshops to gather all together and take us through a tour of the creative side of modern Athens.

So, what can you expect to find at the Meet Market this October?

A collective of talented people, who dove head first into the world of entrepreneurship by creating their own brands, will present their fresh ideas through clothing, accessories, jewelry, art and home-deco items, wellness products, children’s products, organic food, vintage treasures and much more. Come browse, shop, mix, mingle and have a bite at one of our tasty street & drink food stalls featuring various ethnic foods, beers from local microbreweries and boozy cocktails that hit the spot!

Standing by the motto “First we Meet, then we Market”, we’ve got more than retail therapy on the agenda.  Get your groove on with back to back DJ sets from our beloved local DJs.  Bring your kids to play, learn and participate in educational activities completely free of charge.  And don’t leave the market without making a visit to the Central Cash/Info point, where we’ve got loads of goodies to give away including pins, posters and the ultimate Grand Raffle prize where 3 lucky winners will each will take home 1 huge basket full of products from our roster of makers!

Learn more about Meet Market's full schedule of events here! 

Hard Rock Cafe Athens is actively supporting the 23rd annual Hard Rock International's PINKTOBER campaign raising awareness of the breast cancer effort.

Hard Rock Cafes, hotels and casinos around the world operate for the benefit of the American Cancer Society, while here in Greece we will be collaborating for another year with Alma Zois presenting unique actions during the month of October.

This year, Hard Rock is teaming up with world-renowned French Chef and breast cancer survivor, Dominique Crenn, who is currently the only female chef in the United States to attain three Michelin Stars for her restaurant Atelier Crenn, in San Francisco, California. In partnership with Crenn, Hard Rock Cafe will create a limited-time menu item, exclusively available at Hard Rock Cafes, with a portion of proceeds donated to local charities around the globe.

In collaboration with Crenn, Hard Rock will create and offer a special limited edition dish, the Baja Style Shrimp Tacos exclusively available at all Hard Rock Cafes around the world, with a significant amount of the proceeds being donated to Alma Zois.

Hard Rock International is offering uniquely designed, limited-edition merchandise in support of breast cancer awareness and research, which includes a PINKTOBER-themed Hard Rock t-shirt and a newly designed PINKTOBER pin. Through the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, a percentage of all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

Hard Rock Café Athens opens its doors and welcomes young and adults, to come and enjoy our Children's Sundays special menu!

A unique Sunday afternoon awaits our little Roxtars from 12 pm-4 pm, full of creative work and face painting, along with a delicious children's meal to enjoy!

The entrance for each child is €15 including the meal.

Greece is known for its beautiful summers, of course, but many choose to travel to the country during other seasons, even in winter, and for good reason.

Visiting Greece is a very different experience depending on whether you visit in summer or winter, but you are sure to have a great time in the country no matter when you choose to stay!

Visiting Greece in Winter: Where to travel

Although most picture sunny beaches when considering vacations to Greece, the country has a great deal to offer even in the winter months.

One of the most beautiful and unique places in Greece is Meteora, a stunning rock formation in northern Greece which is home to six enchanting monasteries.

The towering cliffs in Meteora, topped by age-old monasteries, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the country’s key tourist attractions. One of the most breathtaking places to visit in Greece, and entirely different from other areas across the country, it is certainly not to be missed.

Another option is the small village of Arachova, a short but scenic two-hour drive from Athens. Arachova is a charming and extremely picturesque mountain town with small houses made of wood and stone that lines cobblestone streets. Perfect for a cold weather getaway, one would find it hard to hold on to stress in such an idyllic and relaxing environment.

Many who visit Arachova do so to enjoy the ski slopes which are nearby. They are equipped with all modern ski facilities, including a lift, ski and snowboard leasing shops, and a chalet.

But just past the village is the ancient site of Delphi, one of the most important archaeological sites in the entire world. Do not miss any chance to see the panorama of this place, showing beautiful ruins against a backdrop of staggeringly beautiful mountains.

Another option for a winter traveler to Greece would be to visit one of the two main cities in the country, Athens or Thessaloniki.

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

Greece has seen a record production of electricity from renewable energy sources exceeding the corresponding output from natural gas this year, without considering the contribution of large hydroelectric plants with exports expected to reach 3 billion cubic meters this year.

The structural upheavals in the energy market brought about by the international crisis also include the fact that Greece became an energy exporter and an energy channel for the Balkan countries, supporting their energy supply with Liquefied Natural Gas infrastructure.

Environment and Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas pointed out that with the increase in RES, Greece has a comparative advantage in electricity production for the first time because it has twice as much solar radiation compared to Northern Europe. He estimated that the production of "green" energy will translate into savings of more than 2 billion euros in 2023 from the substitution of natural gas imports.

The developments in natural gas exports are also impressive with the Liquefied Natural Gas storage and gasification infrastructure in Revythoussa playing a leading role. Skrekas has recently stated at the Ministerial Council of the International Natural Gas Conference in Bucharest, that the country exported 0.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas last year, while this year it is already approaching 2 billion.

Moreover, the country's export potential will be strengthened with the commercial operation of the Greek-Bulgarian natural gas pipeline that began on October 1 and the start of operation, in 2023, of the new floating Liquefied Natural Gas station in Alexandroupolis.

Originally published on: greekcitytimes.com

The extension of Line 3 in Piraeus will be operational within the next few days, according to Giorgos Karagiannis, deputy minister of infrastructure and transport.

Speaking to ERT, he highlighted the substantial advantages that the metro lines 3 and 4 additions will provide to not only all Athens citizens but also to the environment. Karagiannis noted that with the operation of the metro in Piraeus, the country’s largest airport will be connected to the largest port in less than an hour. The trial runs for Metro Line 4 started last Tuesday.

“An additional 340,000 passengers will travel daily on this line alone, while 2,000 new trees will be planted in Athens, and, for the first time, architectural contests for square redevelopments will be launched in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens,” he said.

Karagiannis also announced the project for the extension of Line 2 to Ilion will be tendered by the end of 2022 and the extensions to Menidi and Zefiri will follow in the next phase.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discover the largest mythological theme park ever made in Greece!

Mount Olympus opens its doors and invites visitors of any age to admire the grandeur of Greek mythology, in a spectacular themed show of 1800sqm.

Greece’s most important cultural heritage, the «beginning of everything», THE GODS OF OLYMPUS… as you have never seen them before.

For the first time in Greece, technology meets myth and together they create the most interesting and entertaining theme park.

Through imposing god figures, 3D projections, guided tours, interactive acts, and many surprises, everyone will be able to learn about every god’s life and deeds, as presented in greek ancient writings.

If you think you know about mythology through Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, you will be amazed by how much there is still to learn about the twelve Olympians – the most popular narrative in Greek history.