The nights of SNF Nostos will once again light up with a spectacular drone show, kicking off on the eve of the festival’s opening. As it did last year with the first ever show of its kind in Greece, the captivating display will illuminate the sky above the SNFCC.
XpatAthens
Tuesday, 03 May 2022 07:00
3 Surprising Benefits Of Video Games
Parents all over the world have always been concerned, and now more than ever, about whether and to what extent video games can harm children. We have often blamed video games for promoting violence, making children antisocial, interfering with their school life, and negatively impacting their brain development. Sure, excessive gaming can make all of the above happen. But what if video games can actually make children smarter?
As with everything in life, playing video games should be done in moderation so that children can enjoy the benefits of this activity. It is also very important for parents to help their children choose video games with an educational value that can help them develop specific skills and games appropriate for their age and cognitive level.
Video games can improve memory
With 3D graphics and immersive sound, video games are extremely rich in stimuli. Navigating the virtual world of video games is more or less like navigating the real world. So, when a child explores the environment in a particular video game, it is like exploring the environment around them, practicing various skills, one of which is memory.
More specifically, as children navigate the virtual world of a video game, they exercise the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for converting short-term memory into long-term memory and controlling spatial memory.
Video games help children develop problem-solving skills
Strategy video games and role-playing games usually require players to solve complex problems. This virtual problem-solving can be good practice for real-life problems. In fact, according to a 2013 study by the American Psychological Society, teens who played strategy video games had better problem-solving skills and better grades.’
Almost all video games involve solving problems, from completing a simple puzzle to finding the fastest escape route. Finding a solution to these problems may require both memorization and analysis, as well as creativity. Problems in video games are often very open without giving many instructions on how to approach the solution, which means that players have to experiment with trial and error. This way children can learn how it takes resilience, perseverance, and constant effort to achieve something in life.
Video games help children develop decision-making skills
Action video games require children to be constantly alert and make decisions. A 2010 study by the University of Rochester found that gamers who loved action games were able to make accurate choices faster than non-gamers or those who played slow-paced video games.
Video games can also improve decision-making as it relates to long-term planning. When children play strategy games, they have to plan ahead and make decisions that will benefit them down the road. These games train their brains to recognize potential outcomes and implications of their choices. When a person practices these skills in a virtual world, they will be able to better apply them in the real world.
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Kids Life
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Tuesday, 03 May 2022 07:00
2 Greek Hiking Trails Among Europe’s Most Photographed
Two Greek hiking trails feature on a list of what can be considered the most scenic trails in Europe, based on online reviews and social media.
The list of beautiful trails, which was put together by workout equipment company Onbuy Treadmills, was compiled with the help of various experts and Tripadvisor reviews. The trails on the final list were then ranked according to the number of times they’ve been tagged on Instagram. Europe is home to thousands of hiking trails, and the two Greek trails on the list were ranked as number 27 and 28.
The Samaria Gorge trail, the most famous hiking route on the island of Crete, is placed number 27. A big draw for tens of thousands of visitors each year, especially during the summer, it’s a 16-kilometer hike that takes from five to eight hours to complete depending on your shape and experience, all downhill.
This ruggedly beautiful canyon is not only instagrammable, but a place you’ll remember. The trail begins at Xyloskalo, more than 1200 meters above sea level, on a steep, rocky path downward (a walking stick is a good idea here), and continues along the Tarraios river, through the abandoned village of Samaria and the natural habitat of endangered wild goats, through the narrowest part of the gorge known as the “Gates,” where the steep rock walls stand only a few meters apart.
The second Greek trail on the list, in 28th place, is perhaps less famous among hikers, but all the more recognizable in photos due to its iconic views. This is the Fira-Oia trail on Santorini – a path connecting the two famous villages running along the edge of the caldera. 10.5 kilometers long, it is a moderately challenging route that takes around 3 hours to complete regardless of the direction you choose, featuring some more demanding, steep sections with loose gravel.
To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com
Main image: @girlwith.thecamera
The list of beautiful trails, which was put together by workout equipment company Onbuy Treadmills, was compiled with the help of various experts and Tripadvisor reviews. The trails on the final list were then ranked according to the number of times they’ve been tagged on Instagram. Europe is home to thousands of hiking trails, and the two Greek trails on the list were ranked as number 27 and 28.
The Samaria Gorge trail, the most famous hiking route on the island of Crete, is placed number 27. A big draw for tens of thousands of visitors each year, especially during the summer, it’s a 16-kilometer hike that takes from five to eight hours to complete depending on your shape and experience, all downhill.
This ruggedly beautiful canyon is not only instagrammable, but a place you’ll remember. The trail begins at Xyloskalo, more than 1200 meters above sea level, on a steep, rocky path downward (a walking stick is a good idea here), and continues along the Tarraios river, through the abandoned village of Samaria and the natural habitat of endangered wild goats, through the narrowest part of the gorge known as the “Gates,” where the steep rock walls stand only a few meters apart.
The second Greek trail on the list, in 28th place, is perhaps less famous among hikers, but all the more recognizable in photos due to its iconic views. This is the Fira-Oia trail on Santorini – a path connecting the two famous villages running along the edge of the caldera. 10.5 kilometers long, it is a moderately challenging route that takes around 3 hours to complete regardless of the direction you choose, featuring some more demanding, steep sections with loose gravel.
To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com
Main image: @girlwith.thecamera
Published in
Greece In The News
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Monday, 02 May 2022 07:00
Athenian Itineraries: Free Thematic Walking Tours Of Athens Available In English
“Athenian Itineraries”, a program organized by the Athens Culture Net, returns this May with five fascinating thematic walking tours of Athens available in Greek and two available in English.
The Athens Itineraries program first started in 2018. It was received with great enthusiasm and continued until the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was briefly revived in the autumn of 2021 and has been running again on a monthly basis since April.
The aim of the program is for participants to get to know special parts of the city, familiarize themselves with obscure corners and hidden gems, as well as discover unknown stories of Athens from the past through to today.
The program will start on Sunday, May 8, and will end on Sunday, May 29, 2022. The two itineraries available in English are the Return to New Athens, scheduled for May 8th, and Dark Athens, scheduled for May 29th. This is the first time that some of the Athens Itineraries will be available in English.
Hosted by author Nadia Georgakopoulou, Return to New Athens invites participants on a historical and experiential journey through the first 100 years of modern-day Athens as the capital of a new state. Starting from Hadrian's Gate, the route will stop at emblematic Athenian buildings and public spaces of the 19th century, while the narrative will focus on the architecture, the history, and the words of their protagonists. Participants will also visit Zappeion, the National Gardens, Syntagma Square, the Numismatic Museum of Athens, the Ophthalmology Clinic, the Catholic Church, and the emblematic Athenian Trilogy.
Dark Athens by Arthur Antonopoulos highlights the transformation of Athens into a modern metropolis. Dark Athens is a fascinating crime adventure taking place in the streets of the city, starring the hidden symbols and the historical monuments that adorn it. Following in the footsteps of the heroine of Antonopoulos’ book, who tries to shed light on a conspiracy, the route starts at the Athens City Hall and continues to Klafthmonos Square and the Old Parliament.
Hosted by author Nadia Georgakopoulou, Return to New Athens invites participants on a historical and experiential journey through the first 100 years of modern-day Athens as the capital of a new state. Starting from Hadrian's Gate, the route will stop at emblematic Athenian buildings and public spaces of the 19th century, while the narrative will focus on the architecture, the history, and the words of their protagonists. Participants will also visit Zappeion, the National Gardens, Syntagma Square, the Numismatic Museum of Athens, the Ophthalmology Clinic, the Catholic Church, and the emblematic Athenian Trilogy.
Dark Athens by Arthur Antonopoulos highlights the transformation of Athens into a modern metropolis. Dark Athens is a fascinating crime adventure taking place in the streets of the city, starring the hidden symbols and the historical monuments that adorn it. Following in the footsteps of the heroine of Antonopoulos’ book, who tries to shed light on a conspiracy, the route starts at the Athens City Hall and continues to Klafthmonos Square and the Old Parliament.
Pre-booking is necessary to participate in the free tours.
Published in
Local News
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Wednesday, 27 April 2022 20:19
This is Athens City Festival
This is Athens City Festival, a new annual festival that kicks off this May, is a celebration for locals and visitors of the city of Athens, inviting them to a one-month, multi-layered buffet of more than 300 exciting events!
As part of the activities, museums, cultural institutions, organizations, and businesses will open their doors to welcome Greeks and foreign visitors, while, at the same time, concerts, themed hiking and bike tours, gastronomic nights, and various sports events will take place.
Every event will highlight a different area of Athens with the aim to bring residents and visitors closer to the city through powerful and original experiences: from an all-day picnic at Plato Academy to a street party at the Varvakios market, a walk to the National Observatory of Athens or a jazz concert at the Acropolis Museum.
This is Athens City Festival is an event of “This is Athens”, the official guide for promoting the city abroad, organized by the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (EATA) with the participation of businesses, collective bodies, and foundations active in the field of culture.
Note: All events will take place in accordance with the existing health and safety protocols against the spread of Covid-19.
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Local News
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Monday, 11 November 2024 15:24
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare.
SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare.
Find the Stravros Niarchos Foundation on Social Media:
Facebook
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SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact for society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The Foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means for serving public welfare.
Find the Stravros Niarchos Foundation on Social Media:
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Charities & NGOs
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Wednesday, 15 June 2022 15:16
SNF Nostos Artistic Program 2022
This year, once again, the SNF Nostos stage on the Great Lawn will host acclaimed Greek and international artists. On the evening of Thursday, June 23, we will dance, sing, and celebrate to reggae, ska, and Latin music during a one-of-a-kind concert by Locomondo.
Then, on Friday, June 24, the SNF Nostos will host a dynamic musical lineup. Greek phenom and hometown favorite Good Job Nicky will kick off the evening with his soulful yet sparky signature sound. Australian rapper Masked Wolf, best known for his song “Astronaut in the Ocean,” will follow up with a stratospheric ride from emotional depths to hip hop heights. Grammy nominee Jorja Smith, who from an early musical beginning in England has bewitched fans around the world with her confident and compelling voice, closes out the lineup.
Both evenings, following the live concerts, DJ sets in the Agora by well-known producers will complete the musical experience, and on the second night the sets will be accompanied by impressive laser projections on the iconic SNFCC building.
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Music
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Thursday, 16 June 2022 15:08
SNF Nostos Run 2022
The SNF Nostos Run: Running into the Future is at the heart of SNF Nostos and, as every year, will set the pace at the beginning of the two-day celebration. For the first time in three years, we are planning a race without restrictions and without special requirements for entry. On June 23, Olympic Day, starting at the Panathenaic Stadium and finishing at the SNFCC, we will run—as many of us can and all together—to support a good cause.
The run is held under the organizational supervision of Regeneration & Progress and the medical supervision of the First Orthopedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
The run is held under the organizational supervision of Regeneration & Progress and the medical supervision of the First Orthopedic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).
Registrations are now open!
Register here!
Register here!
Published in
Sports & Wellness
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Wednesday, 15 June 2022 14:54
SNF Nostos Conference 2022
This year, on June 23 & 24, we are taking a fresh new approach to the SNF Nostos Conference. In collaboration with journalism nonprofit iMEdD (the incubator for Media Education and Development) and with integral participation by young people coming from different fields, countries, and perspectives, we are creating an open, interactive, and dynamic two-day event for all. As part of this effort, we have created the SNF Nostos Youth Advisory Committee—a group of young people that offers space for open dialogue, for listening to young people’s concerns and opinions on health-related issues, and for inviting them to help shape the program of the SNF Nostos Conference.
We will discuss the progress of the SNF Health Initiative and the core values that underpin all its individual projects, including ensuring access to high-quality health services for all, harnessing the power of public-private partnerships, and implementing an open, transparent, and participatory development process. Through the lens of the initiative, we will examine a range of issues—from the design and development of internationally leading public hospitals to the empowerment of nursing staff and the importance of mental health as an integral part of our overall health. A Template for Future Hospitals, an exhibition featuring architectural models of the three new hospitals designed by Renzo Piano and the Renzo Piano Building Workshop included in the Initiative will also be on display.
We will touch on major issues such as bioethics, global social inequality in health, and the role of doctors in war zones, an issue highlighted by the war in Ukraine. We will also bring to the fore less discussed but equally important issues, such as scientific journalism, the use of psychedelics in mental health treatments, robotics, and the future of medicine as shaped by new technologies.
We are not approaching this dialogue on health, or on the various specific issues we are examining, as a one-time, open-and-shut discussion. The conversation will inevitably expand, deepen, and flow beyond the event venues. Through parallel activities and interactive exhibitions, visitors, as active participants, will be able to engage in sports games in a virtual reality environment, watch a unique kind of basketball game, browse an exhibition by photographer Thodoris Nikolaou dedicated to mental health, and explore a global health data map created by Johns Hopkins University.
We have invited major leading lights to participate in the SNF Nostos Conference. We believe, however, that all of us need to become participants, to actively engage and put forward our thoughts, questions, and ideas. This year, the SNF Nostos Conference has been designed so that everyone will be able to be heard, especially young people, since the future of health must be of their concern as well.
Register for the SNF Nostos Conference here!
Register for the SNF Nostos Conference here!
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Community
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Thursday, 26 May 2022 14:41
XpatAthens Receives Funding From The Stavros Niarchos Foundation
We are excited and honored to announce that XpatAthens AMKE has received the support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
As a donor, their grant that will help our trusted platform continue fulfilling its mission of serving the international community in Greece. Their support further motivates and inspires us to continue working toward our vision and mission of connecting people and sharing knowledge, empowering our efforts to create a global digital community.
As a donor, their grant that will help our trusted platform continue fulfilling its mission of serving the international community in Greece. Their support further motivates and inspires us to continue working toward our vision and mission of connecting people and sharing knowledge, empowering our efforts to create a global digital community.
What is SNF?
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is one of the world’s leading private, international philanthropic organizations, making grants to nonprofit organizations in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and sports, and social welfare. SNF funds organizations and projects worldwide that aim to achieve a broad, lasting, and positive impact on society at large, and exhibit strong leadership and sound management. The foundation also supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as an effective means of serving public welfare. Learn more about SNF here.
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Local News
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Wednesday, 27 April 2022 12:52
Urban Picnic At Plato’s Academy Park
This is Athens City Festival, the city’s big celebration from the Municipality of Athens.
Grass, live music, Dj sets, educational labs, kite show, music theatre for young and elder audience, creative workshops for kids, cinema.
An all day event in the heart of Spring, in the heart of the City.
An all day event in the heart of Spring, in the heart of the City.
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Community
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