Ten Christmas villages with free concerts and activities for children are to open in neighborhoods across Athens on Friday, December 23rd, and remain open until January 6th, when the Greek Christmas period ends with the celebration of the Epiphany.

Santa and his elves will take their stands daily at: Missologhi Square in Pagkrati, Heldreich Square in Neos Kosmos, Jacqueline-de-Romilly Square in Thiseion, Agia Ekaterini Square in Kato Petralona, Athanasiou Diakou Square in Thimarakia, Nathaniel Square in Agios Eleftherios, Agios Andreas Square in Lambrini, Agios Panteleimon Square, Agios Dimitrios Square on Panormou Street in Ampelokipi, and Gika Square in Ellinoroson.

There will be no entrance fee for the Christmas villages, which will be free and open daily from 11:30 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 8 pm. On New Year’s Eve, they will be open from 11 pm to 5 pm.

A Christmas band will perform at the official launch event in Gika Square starting at 5:30 pm on Friday.

Following the path through the Athens Christmas villages, visitors will end up at Santa’s house.

Children will be able to enjoy crafts-making, treats, face and body painting, puppet shows, and have fun with stilt walkers, jugglers, Christmas mascots, animators, and magicians. Storytelling and bubble shows will be among the interactive experiences for kids.

New Year’s Eve celebrations in Athens

For New Year’s Eve, the city of Athens will celebrate with a spectacular free concert at Syntagma Square starting at 10:30 pm.

Mario Frangoulis and Giorgos Perris will perform, joined by a ten-member symphonic orchestra and soloists. The concert will open with a performance by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.

After midnight, the band Bejeezus will be passed the baton to continue the entertainment performing pop, swing, Latin, and rock and roll hits.

Athenians will later be able to carry on their celebrations at the Central Athens “Varvakios” Markets on Athinas Street, located between Monastiraki and Omonoia Squares, where famous local deejays will keep the New Year party going.

Originally published on: greekreporter.com

The Municipality of Athens aims to welcome 2023 with a special New Year’s Show at Syntagma Square with lots of music, fun, dancing, fireworks, wishes and positive energy.

Starting at 11am on Saturday December 31st, Athens’ municipal radio station, 98.4, will drive its vintage van around the city making stops in different neighborhoods to offer Athenians and visitors the opportunity to share their wishes, dedications and song requests on air.

The Greek capital will welcome the new year at Syntagma Square, with a show presented by Hellenic Broadcaster Corporation’s (ERT) presenters Fotis Sergoulopoulos and Jenny Melita.

The Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra will launch the event at 10:30pm with a concert of classic Christmas tunes followed by the main festive event headlined by internationally-acclaimed Greek singers Mario Frangoulis and George Perris.

Frangoulis and Perris will be accompanied by a ten-member symphonic orchestra and will take the audience on a musical journey with songs and melodies that have stood the test of time.

Just before midnight, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis will join Athenians and visitors to welcome 2023 and kick off a festive party running into the small hours.

The high energy cover band, Bejeezus, will bring their energy to 2023’s first open air party with pop, swing, latin και rock ‘n’ roll sounds at Syntagma, while a few hundred yards away, the Varvakeios Municipal Market will host some of the most prominent representatives of the Greek electronic dance music scene during a party that will transform Athens’ historic market into a dance club filled with light and joy.

This Christmas season, the Municipality of Athens has organized more than 120 noel family events and more than 30 music shows across 129 neighborhoods.

Furthermore, municipal authorities managed to decorate the city with LED technology lights, lowering energy consumption by 80 percent, when compared to previous years.

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

he winter sales will start on January 9 and will run until February 28, the Enterprises and Retail Association (SELPE) announced on Monday.

The same announcement said that the first Sunday of the winter sales, namely 15 January, the commercial shops will be open throughout the country from 11:00 to 20:00.

"During the winter sales, the retail businesses will offer a wide range of products at very low prices with respect, excellent service and respect to the consumers," SELPE underlined.

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

The Municipality of Athens has recently opened two new dog parks at the Gendarmerie School Park near Mesogeion Avenue and on the Lambrakis Hill in Neos Kosmos.

With this new addition, a network of five dog parks, located in densely populated Athenian neighborhoods, has been created in the Greek capital, offering dogs a safe environment where they can exercise and socialize.

“Dog parks aren’t just an innovative idea that we had as a municipal authority,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, adding that “they are a practical solution to an essential need that all of us, who share our lives with dogs, have”.

The dog park located at the Gendarmerie School Park stretches over an area of five decares.

The area was appropriately fenced and divided into two zones: one for small and one for medium and large-size dogs.

Both zones are equipped with agility tunnels, runways with ramps and jump hurdles along other amenities like a constant drinking water supply, shaded areas, waste bins and seats for dog walkers.

During the night, the park has an enhanced artificial lighting plan, adhering to the best safety and operation standards.

The Lambraki Hill park in Neos Kosmos has a similar setting to the Gendarmerie park and stretches over an area of 1.5 decares.

The two new municipal dog parks, as well as the ones at the Larissa (or Larissis) Railway Station, Probonas and Neos Kosmos, run under a unified identity inspired by Odysseus’ dog, Argos.

Originally published on: news.gtp.gr

From January 1, 2023, citizens and professionals of Athens have the opportunity for fast and effective services during their transactions with the municipality of Athens after the completion of the digitization of the municipality’s agencies.

The digitization of the total of the municipality’s agencies until the end of 2022 was mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis’ personal commitment, according to an announcement on Monday.

A total of 207 services are available to all Athenians after the addition of the last 56 services to the municipality’s platform.

The platform is in Greek.

---

To visit the platform, click HERE. 

 

Originally published on: keeptalkinggreece.com

For the first time, Greece’s Health Ministry is taking care of the dental care and is proceeding with the implementation of a free preventive dental care program, through the so-called Dentist-Pass voucher for children aged 6-12.

Goal of the Health Ministry is that starting from March 2023 parents will be able to book an appointment with a dentist of their choice simply using the new Dentist Pass voucher.

Dentists who wish to participate in this new service network will be able to participate, provided they have a registered POS.

The program Dentist-Pass includes a visit to the dentist and thus for the following services:

• Control of the child’s oral hygiene
• Dental fluoridation
• Cleaning Oral hygiene information and instructions for children and parents 

Regarding the process of granting the “Dentist Pass” voucher, parents should take the following steps:

One of the two parents submits an application for the issuance of the financing card through gov.gr or through the KEPs on the Program’s Electronic Platform.

The card will then be stored in the digital wallet of the beneficiary parent’s mobile phone and can be used at the POS of all dental offices.

Each voucher that will be activated will be valid for six months.

The Dentist Pass voucher is reportedly set to cover 600,000 children aged 6 to 12.

Originally published on: keeptalkinggreece.com

The "2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture" program kicks off with a weekend of special opening events, at the coastal front of Elefsina, west Attica, on Saturday, February 4, ANA reports.

The opening events will be organized throughout the weekend with a program of exhibitions, concerts, DJ parties and side events across the town of Elefsina.

By becoming the European Capital of Culture, Elefsina is joining an ECoC family of over 70 European cities that have held the title so far.

To read the full program of events (in English), please click HERE.

Greece has submitted the nomination file of Mount Olympus for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.

“Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in our country, is linked to ancient mythology, to Homer, to the history of Greece throughout the centuries. The home of the gods is one of the strongest Greek brand names,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain with an altitude of 2,918 meters. In 1981 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and in 2021 it was declared a national park by presidential decree.

UNESCO is expected to issue a final decision by September.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Birthplace of the marathon, and birthplace of democracy, Greece is a land where history has been created and legends made, a land where magic and mythology come together. Known for its rich culture, illustrious past, stunning beaches and extraordinary food, the list of superlatives about Greece has filled many books, ancient and modern. This is a place of dazzling sunlight, dramatic peaks and wine dark sea where the grandeur and magnificence will sweep you away and leave you mesmerized and inspired.

As tribute to his Greek heritage and his desire to promote Greek tourism to a global audience, renowned Greek-American ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes has joined together with the award-winning sports tourism and wellness agency ActiveMedia Group to launch: Greek Running Tours. Here is an opportunity to explore Greece on foot, immersing in the history and beauty, eating the food and experiencing this legendary land in a way that few tourists ever will. Along with the running (and a walking option for non-runners) each day will include cultural experiences—from bread making in the mountains of Crete, to olive pressing in Kalamata—world-class accommodations, distinctive regional cuisine, and a full suite of spa and sports massage services that will titillate the senses and soothe the soul. Each running route is distinctively designed and will be led by a local expert. Support is provided along the way so all you need to focus on is enjoy the running and delighting in the many captivating sights along the way.

If you’re seeking a unique, intimate and authentic way to experience Greece, you’ve come to the right place. At Greek Running Tours, luxury, gastronomy, culture and adventure coalesce into something unforgettable. Our tours are designed for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities and we adhere to the highest standards of sustainability and eco-tourism in everything we do. Come and experience the finest Greece has to offer at Greek Running Tours, the ultimate runcation.

Named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” Greek-American ultramarathoning legend Constantine “Dean” Karnazes once ran 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days. This NY Times bestselling author has raced and competed around the world, including running 135-miles nonstop across Death Valley and running a marathon to the South Pole. He has twice carried the Olympic Torch and is a recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award.

Photo Credit: Angelos Zymaras