Veganism, the abstinence of the use of all animal products, is one of the fastest-growing lifestyle movements in the world. 

Here in Greece, long renowned for its love of meat, veganism is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generations. While the concept is still relatively new in mainstream Greek society, more and more shops and restaurants are offering plant-based products. And while fasting is a long-established tenet of the Greek Orthodox faith – the current Lenten fasting period calls on the Faithful to follow a vegan diet until Easter – the traditional Greek diet has always been blessed with a plethora of vegan and vegetarian options.

If veganism is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice now, then what were the attitudes to meat-eating and the exploitation of animals in the ancient Greek past?

Who were the first vegans? 

With the rise of agriculture in the Neolithic, first developed around 10,000 BC, the earliest farmers continued to rely on a largely plant-based diet, only turning to meat for special occasions and group feasting. It was during this time that dairy products were first consumed – milk and early forms of cheese and yogurt.

For the vast majority of human history, therefore, meat was seen as a rare treat, which largely debunks the claim that the so-called “Paleo-diet” should be heavily based on meat. But when did veganism and vegetarianism become a lifestyle based on social justice and ethics? For that, we need to turn to some of the world’s oldest religions and ancient philosophical schools that taught non-violence to all living forms, among them the ancient Greek Pythagoreans and the mysterious Orphics.

The Pythagorean Way Of Life

To the ancient Greeks, strict vegetarianism (abstaining from meat and sometimes eggs) was called “abstinence from beings with a soul.” While Greek literature and art are studded with images of people eating meat, famously in the Homeric epics, in general, meat consumption was certainly not as common as it is today. For many, meat would have been prohibitively expensive, reserved only for special occasions, but as a specific way of life, abstaining from animal foods was limited to a small number of religious and philosophical sects.

The earliest evidence for the theory and practice of abstaining from meat comes from the 6th century BC when the Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras voiced his moral objection to the mistreatment of animals. While no authentic writings of the philosopher have survived, it was argued by later authors, notably the Roman poet Ovid, that he likened the consumption of meat to cannibalism. 

Followers of Pythagoras also shunned the sacrifice of animals and the ritual offering of meat to the gods, believing that it was not necessary to inflict pain and suffering on another sentient being. This belief soon influenced other philosophers, including Empedocles, who was said to have refused to perform a blood sacrifice following victory in a horse race at Olympia.

Similarly the mysterious Orphics, an ascetic sect based on the mythical poet Orpheus whose views and practices mirrored elements of Pythagoreanism, adhered to a strict vegetarian diet that also excluded broad beans, believing that they contained the souls of the dead.

While it is clear that strict vegetarianism was a well-known practice in ancient Greece, we have no way of knowing if any of the adherents of these religious and philosophical schools of thought extended it to mean the total abstention from ALL animal products – i.e. meat, fish and seafood, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, honey, and the use of leather hides and fur.

Nevertheless, arguments about the ethical treatment of animals abounded in Greek philosophical circles since at least the 6th century BC. As such, the recent surge in veganism and other diets that reduce the exploitation of animal products on moral grounds is certainly nothing new.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

Spoon sweets are sweet preserves, served in a spoon as a gesture of hospitality and are a big deal here, in Greece. They can be made from almost any fruit, though sour and bitter fruits are usually preferred.

Check the below recipe for an easy-peasy recipe for a delicious orange spoon sweet that will excite your guests' palate!

Ingredients 

2 kilos oranges
800 g granulated sugar
800 g water
1 tablespoon glucose
2 star anises
2 pods of cardamom
lemon juice of 1 lemon

To serve

strained yogurt
rosemary

Instructions

For Greeks, Easter is the most important religious holiday of the year, celebrated in different ways throughout the country.

If you’re looking for a great excuse to escape the city for a while and enjoy the traditions and local customs that accompany this solemn occasion, the below destinations make for an unforgettable Greek Easter!


Corfu


@giwrgoskatehis

Easter in Corfu is a one-of-a-kind experience that attracts hundreds of visitors every year. Corfu is home to an array of traditions and customs, some of which have Venetian influences. The most famous tradition is the throwing of the large jugs, known as botides. The botides are filled with water and thrown one by one from the balconies of Liston, a historic neighborhood in the island’s center.

Patmos


@lifeispatmos

Patmos, the island where John the Evangelist received the visions found in the Book of Revelation, is considered a sacred place and offers a truly unique Easter experience. Among the numerous century-old rituals and customs, the most famous traditions include the Washing of the Feet ceremony in Chora and the reading of the Gospel in seven languages in the Monastery of Saint John the Evangelist.

Chios


@trazeetravel

Except for the delicious mastic, Chios island is also famous for its lively Easter celebrations. Every year, in the village of Vrontados, a variation of the Greek custom of throwing fireworks after the Anastasi takes place, known as rouketopolemos or rocket war. Two rival church congregations engage in a rocket war, firing thousands of homemade rockets across town in an attempt to hit the bell tower of the other church.

 

Leonidio is a historic town in Arcadia, in Eastern Peloponnese, and is an excellent destination to spend the Easter holidays away from the crowds. The most famous Easter tradition, dating back to the 19th century, is the colorful, homemade hot air balloons released by the villagers on the night of the Resurrection. An impressive spectacle to watch as the sky is filled with hundreds of twinkling lights resembling the stars.

Main image: 📸 @photobyosmansilahyurekli

The Ancient Greeks loved their sports, and for this obvious reason staged the first formal Olympic Games in 776 B.C., giving the world the idea of organized sports events as entertainment for arenas full of spectators and adoration for new heroes. 

The Ancient Greeks were the first culture in which people idolized their favorite athletic superstars, to a level that even today’s most fanatical sports fans might find extreme.

1. Horse Races

Kele, or riders competing on horseback, was added to the Olympics in 648 B.C., according to Miller’s book. The race was about 1.2 kilometers (approximately three-quarters of a mile) in length. The jockeys—who were young boys and probably slaves—rode bareback, without stirrups, though they did have reins and a whip to guide the horses.

2. Running

The Greeks loved footraces, particularly the stadion, which was named after an ancient unit of measurement and corresponded to the 200-meter sprint in modern track, according to Stephen Gaylord Miller’s Ancient Greek Athletics. From 776 to 726 B.C., it was the only event at the Olympic Games. The Greeks later added the diaulos, the equivalent of today’s 400 meters event, as well as a distance event, the dolichos, which was between 7.5 and 9 kilometers—roughly similar to the 10K event that countless recreational runners now participate in each weekend. But the Greeks had one event that has no modern counterpart—the hoplitodromos, in which competitors emulated Greek infantry, and ran wearing helmets and bronze shin guards and carried shields.

3. Wrestling

In ancient Greek-style wrestling, grapplers fought in a standing position, with the object of throwing the opponent to the ground, according to Miller. The concept of pinning an adversary’s shoulders to the ground didn’t yet exist. Instead, wrestlers won a match by throwing an opponent three times. Another unique feature of the ancient event was that there were no weight classes, according to Lunt. The most fearsome wrestler of ancient times was Milos of Kroton, who in legend developed his great strength by lifting and carrying a newborn calf until it grew into a full-sized ox.

4. Pentathlon

The discus and javelin, to modern field events, date back to the ancient Greeks, but back then, they weren’t separate events. Instead, they were part of the pentathlon, a five-event combination that also included the long jump, running, and wrestling. The Greeks had lead or stone weights, called halteres, that some believe jumpers used in an effort to propel themselves further during the competition, though Lunt believes that the weights were only used in training.

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

Greeks are known to be philosophers and innovators. However, there is another side to the Greeks: the side where traditional beliefs, many of which are rooted in ancient times, overtake all sense of reason.

Here are some of the funniest and weirdest Ancient Greek beliefs and traditions!


1. Sneezing Prevents You From Getting Pregnant

This isn’t just some old wives’ tale, you see. Soranus, an ancient Greek physician, actually believed that women sneezing would act as a form of contraception, thus preventing pregnancy. After making love, he instructed women to squat, sneeze, and rinse.

2. Magical Sweat Was A Cure-All

Ancient Greeks admired their athletes and saw them as celebrities of a sort. Not only were they revered, but they were also thought to have magical sweat. How it worked: The athletes all performed naked and were rubbed with olive oil, and the sweat which they expelled during competitions was considered to have magical healing powers.

Slaves would scrape the sweaty skin of athletes after competitions. This sweat/oil mixture was called “gloios.” The gloios was in turn bottled and sold as an all-healing ointment for aches and pains.

3. There Is Evil In The Air

There is one ancient Greek superstition that is even now completely interwoven into the society of modern Greece. Generations upon generations have passed down the belief of the evil eye, or “mati.” There is evidence of the evil eye having an influence on the traditions of Greek society as far back as the 6th century BC when it commonly appeared on drinking vessels.

It is believed that someone can cast the evil eye onto another person out of envy (either good or bad) and jealousy. You are said to be hexed with the evil eye if you are dizzy or if you have a headache and yawn a lot. The good news is that you can have the “spell” broken by someone who knows how to perform a special ritual involving oil, water, and prayers.

4. The Island Of Mykonos Is A Breeding Ground For Vampires

Before the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, there were creatures endemic in Greek folklore who were considered to be dangerous. These “walking dead” creatures were called vrykolakes.

As the legend goes, vrykolakes would leave their graves at night and knock on the doors of their presumptive victims, saying their names aloud. If there was no answer after the first knock, no harm came to the innocent.

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

For most people having to live without their car is rather challenging, but there are numerous benefits to leading a car-free lifestyle, even if it is only for a while. Think, for example, not having to worry about where to park or how to avoid a traffic jam. Especially, when you find yourself on an island where the road networks aren’t the best.

If you want to experience the stress-free feeling of moving from place to place with no other equipment aside from a comfortable pair of shoes, these 5 islands are ideal destinations for holidays without a car!

Located in the heart of the Argo Saronic Gulf, Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan and affluent islands of Greece, and since it’s very close to Athens, it is a great weekend destination. The island is rich in history and archaeological interest and has managed to retain its traditional charm. Cars and motorcycles aren’t allowed there, and the best way to explore its cobblestone streets is on foot! 

Located east of Lefkada, Kalamos may not be the typical Greek destination you see on postcards, but it sure is the ideal choice if you are looking for the authentic Greek way of living. It is a tall mountain range that floats on the sea, its northern side overgrowing with towering, thick pine trees and its coast lined up with numerous pebbly coves, often accessible only by sea. You don’t need a car to explore the island, and the few cars you may come across are mainly used for transporting goods.

Donousa


@cecile433

The northernmost island of the Small Eastern Cyclades, Donousa is located east of the island of Naxos. With an area of just thirteen square kilometers, you can walk around it on foot and discover not only its lovely beaches with crystalline waters but also its hiking trails. Some beaches are accessible only by boat, while the island has two taxis.

On the easternmost edge of Greece lies one of the smallest and most charming islands of the Dodecanese complex, Kastellorizo. Except for the one taxi on the island, it is otherwise a peaceful, car-free oasis with a rich history dating back to the early Neolithic era. The Castle of the Knights of Saint John on the reddish rock above the port is one of the island’s must-see attractions. 

Leipsoi


@stef_greece

Leipsoi is a small cluster of islets in the northern part of the Dodecanese famous for its relaxed atmosphere and its magical beaches, making it a perfect destination for laid-back holidays. Distances are short, so you don’t need a car, but you can rent a motorbike or hop on a bus or minibus if you don’t like walking. 

 

The best wellness event in Europe and second in the world, Navarino Challenge, returns with its key message “sports unites people”, bringing all people together, without discrimination while celebrating with them its 10 years of presence through sports, tourism and the history of Messinia.

 

Amateur and professional athletes from Greece and abroad will participate in the celebration of sports tourism that will be held on October 21-23, 2022, at Costa Navarino and Pylos. 

 

More than 30 sports activities, with the presence of Olympic athletes alongside amateur athletes of all ages and abilities, compose this year’s Navarino Challenge, which now bears its new, 10-year anniversary logo.

 

Enjoy here the teaser video of Navarino Challenge 2022.

 

The participants will have the opportunity to run again this year crossing the dreamy beach of Voidokilia, with the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Konstantinos Dean Karnazes. The remarkable athlete will visit our country this year with his entire family and as a leading ambassador will strengthen for another year the participation of the Greek-American community that began 10 years ago. 

Runners can secure their participation from now on and take advantage of the early bird prices, by completing the available form through the following link. 

Honored guests from 2013 until today

Since 2013, the year that Navarino Challenge started, the event has honored great sports personalities who will be present again this year such as Panagiotis Giannakis, Konstantinos Dean Karnazes, Periklis Iakovakis, Alexandros Nikolaidis, Michalis Triantafyllidis and Dimitris Theodorakakos.

 

One of this year’s honorees will be the European champion and 11-time triathlon champion in Greece Grigoris Souvatzoglou.

 

Navarino Challenge brings new personalities to its 10th anniversary. The Navarino Challenge team is strengthened with:

• Christina Flampouri, the only Greek woman who has conquered the 7 highest peaks in the world, who will be responsible for the indoor climbing activity
• and Georgia Kaltsi, the great wheelchair, basketball and fencing athlete

The award-winning sports tourism event Navarino Challenge excelled for another year at the Sports Marketing Awards, the institution that highlights the “champions” of Sports Marketing in Greece, receiving a total of 7 awards. More specifically, the event received 3 Gold Awards in the “Most Innovative Use of Content Creators & Influencers”, “Running & Live Well” and “Best Native Advertising Campaign” categories, 3 Silver Awards in the “Sports Tourism”, “Best Strategy for Branding” and “Kids / Youth / Grassroots” categories, as well as 1 Bronze Award in the “Best New Sponsorship” category for the sponsorship of Nestle Fitness, proving its steady upward trend, credibility and innovation as an event in the field of sports and tourism. 

 

Navarino Challenge, which highlights the authentic values ​​of the sports ideal, with activities that promote the Olympic spirit and participation of people of all ages, while educating young people alongside model athletes and Olympians, was distinguished among more than 700 events from the #BeactiveHellas program of the European Commission which is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

 

Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are the Official Hospitality Sponsors.

Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, whose mission is the formulation of the tourism policy and the executive planning of the tourist development of Greece.

 

The event is organized by ActiveMedia Group which is also responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

Photo credit: Navarino Challenge 

United Airlines resumed its daily nonstop seasonal service between Athens International Airport (AIA) and New York/Newark.

Flight UA125 departs Athens Airport daily at 12:15 pm, arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport at 4:15 pm the same day. The return flight, UA124, departs Newark daily at 5:15 pm, arriving in Athens at 10:10 am the following day (all times local).

United’s service from Athens to New York/Newark is currently operated with Boeing 767-400 aircraft and as of May 7, the route will be operated with Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.

The service is planned to operate until October 29 and will be joined next month by United’s daily nonstop seasonal service from Athens to Washington D.C., set to start on May 7.

Seasonal service between Athens and Washington D.C.

Flight UA983 will depart Athens daily at 11:50 am, arriving at Washington Dulles at 3:15 pm the same day. The return flight, UA982, will depart Washington daily at 5:10 pm, arriving in Athens at 9:55 am the following day (all times local).

United’s service from Athens to Washington Dulles will be operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr