A series of Chinese comics events are being held in Athens from October 25th to November 5th. The events are hosted by The State Council Information Office of China, The National Radio and Television Administration of China, and the Embassy of China in Greece. Organized by The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, The Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangzhou, and The China Artists Association.

There will be more than 100 Chinese modern classic animation works featured at the exhibition, including the masterpieces of Feng Zikai, Zhang Leping and other cartoon masters. The masterpieces of contemporary Chinese cartoon masters Cai Zhizhong, Zheng Xinyao, Jincheng and others, as well as the representative works of Laoshu (Liu Shuyong), Xiaolin (Lin Dihuan) and Gao Youling in the new media era. Animation Movies include Havoc in Heaven, Where is Mama, Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King and other classic works with Chinese ink characteristics, and also those won the International prizes, such as One Small Step and Life Smartphone.

The participants also have the chance to watch the movie Ne Zha which had a big success in China. It was created on the basis of traditional mythology and has been re-interpreted in modern times creating a second smash hit at the box office in Chinese film history, and entering the Oscar Best Animation feature Primary.

The design exhibition of "Beyond the Tower: The Transfer and Transmission of China's Image" held at the same venue gathered more than 200 designers' works of cross era, cross theme, cross discipline and even cross-cultural background, trying to activate Chinese traditional culture, create new concepts, new categories and new expressions at home and abroad, and explain the macro, open, diverse and confident temperament of contemporary Chinese culture. The exhibition also brings with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot Bing Dwne Dwne to meet the audience in Athens Greece, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

The exhibition of paintings starts on October 25th. The opening ceremony will be held at 3 pm on October 31st. The opening ceremony will combine activities such as animation, food and China Greece friendly stories sharing. Famous art experts from China and Greece will share their creative experiences and stories of cultural and artistic exchanges between the two countries. On the night of the opening ceremony, the movie Ne Zha will also be shown at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in Athens.

The final countdown to the Athens Classic Marathon "Athens Marathon, The Authentic" officially kicked last week with a press conference organized by the Hellenic Track & Field Federation (SEGAS).

According to SEGAS, this year's event has reached the record number of 60,000 participants in all races while last year, about 55,000 athletes from 105 countries and regions flooded the Attica area.

This year, the organizers, expect to welcome 20,000 marathon runners from all over the world at the original course of the 42.195 km from Marathon to Athens. Together with the 10km and 5km running events, a total of more than 60,000 athletes will run through the Attica region and Athens next Sunday, making the Athens Marathon one of the largest running events in the world.

Every marathon runner that crosses the finish line in the Panathenaic Stadium on November 10 will receive a medal depicting the Battle of Marathon. The classic marathon course begins near the tumulus of Marathon; it ends at the Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)-the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896-right in the heart of Athens!

To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini
Photo Credit: Athens Authentic Marathon

The Greek police has announced the schedule of the traffic regulations and street shutdowns that will take place in the Marathon area and central Athens on the occasion of the annual Authentic Marathon race and other smaller races on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10.

On Saturday, November 9, between 17.00-19.00, a 10km race will take place from Vassilissis Sofias Ave near Syntagma Square to the Panathenaic Stadium; some of the streets it will pass through include Panepistimiou, Messoghion, Fidippidou and Irodou Attikou. On Sunday, November 10, between 09.00-17.45, the 37th Authentic Marathon route will follow Marathonos Avenue to the Panathenaic Stadium via Messoghion Ave, Michalakopoulou Ave, Vassilissis Sofias Ave, and Irodou Attikou, among others.

08.00-10.00: 5km road race, through the streets of Panepistimiou, Akadimias, the NIMITS hospital area.

 

10.05-10.20: Special Olympics Hellas Fun Run 1200m. Starts from Vassilissis Sofias Avenue outside Greek Parliament Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

 

10.20-10.40: Kids' Fun Run 1200m. Starts from Vas. Sofias Avenue outside Greek Parliament. Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

 

10.35-11.00: Team Road Race ERGO 3km. Starts from Vas. Amalias Ave. in front of Ippokratio Hospital. Finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium.

In addition, short children's races will be held by local municipalities along the Marathon towns. In general, traffic restrictions will be introduced early on Saturday morning and stay in place, by location, until late afternoon on Sunday.

In Athens, in particular, vehicles will not be allowed to park on several streets until as late as 20:30. Please also note that bicycle riders and pedestrians are not allowed on the streets runners will use, and they will also not allowed to cross these streets during the race.

For further information and a detailed schedule of traffic restrictions, please visit: Hellenic Police (Greek Only)

It seems like Greece is finally moving toward a smoke-free future. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health officially presented the National Action Plan Against Smoking.

During the presentation, the prime minister stated: "The smoking ban is a bold initiative to protect public health. A symbolic move to modernise and refine our daily lives. But it is also an exercise in mutual respect that ultimately strengthens social cohesion."

The Greek administration sympathizes with the 84% of citizens who consider the failure to implement anti-smoking laws a "cultural degradation" and the 76% who declare themselves outraged.

"We are responding to this displeasure with a national strategy and a strict ban on smoking in public spaces, in private work areas, in spaces where there are children, in cars where children are passengers...but also with a good and extremely inventive information and awareness campaign. Our aim is not to divide but an alliance for health. To highlight the individual responsibility that will lead to collective harmony." he said.

Health Unites us: Alliance For A Better Life Without Smoking

The anti-smoking campaign, whose central message is "Health unites us: Alliance for a better life without smoking" marks the start of a nationwide effort, which is also back by strict fines.

The campaign focuses on 4 lines of action

1. Creating a non-smoking culture that emphasizes on prevention.
2. Respect for non-smokers.
3. Care for smokers by increasing medical support for stopping smoking.
4. Evaluating new tobacco products and regulating their circulation on the market.
   
   

Finally, an anti-smoking g information and support hotline has come into operation since Tuesday. By calling 1142, citizens can learn more about the anti-smoking law and what it entails, get help to quit smoking, and report any anti-smoking law violations.


To read more about the anti-smoking campaign, please visit: AMNA

To safeguard goods produced in the Region of Macedonia, Greece presented a new official trademark and is preparing to submit it to EUIPO, the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, in Alicante, Spain. The new trademark logo depicts a capital ‘M,’ and the motto “The GReat Land” in blue and white and aims to address potential trade name rights infringement.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the presentation of the trademark in Thessaloniki and expressed his confidence that local producers will embrace it. “The new logo that will accompany Macedonian products across the globe offers a unique identity to the products produced on Macedonian land. An identity that points to the glorious past and paves the way for an optimistic future,” he stated through his twitter account.

Over 2,000 Greek businesses have already expressed interest in obtaining the EU trademark.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

 

The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens celebrated the beginning of the holiday season on Saturday, November 30, with its traditional Christmas Tree lighting event in its lobby in a festive atmosphere. The ceremony included Christmas carols performed by the children’s choir of the educational institution “Themistoklis”. Volunteers of ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children were also present informing guests about the organization’s important initiatives.

 

Everyone enjoyed themselves within the overwhelming Christmas spirit and had the chance to watch the Hotel’s new Christmas video. As every year, the highlight was the amazing Christmas tree, decorated with impressive garlands, special ornaments and more than 10,000 lights creating a unique festive scene in the lobby.

 

Being part of a socially responsible company, Hotels Grande Bretagne and King George continue their special fund raising campaign. From December 1st and for four months, €1.50 will be added to each receipt issued at the GB Roof Garden and Tudor Hall restaurants with the customers’ consent and will be donated to support “ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children” in its pioneering work, aimed at protecting children who have suffered or are in danger of suffering abuse and neglect all over Greece.

Learn more about the Hotel Grande Bretagne, here.

Save the date for Sunday, December 15th, when the British Residence will open its doors for the 3rd consecutive time to welcome old and new friends in Athens in an open day event that will reveal the fascinating history behind this magnificent building!

The British Residence is one of the most elegant neo-classical houses in Athens and the home to Eleftherios Venizelos towards the end of his life. Since 1936, the building has hosted the activities of the British Embassy, while today it is the home of HM Ambassador Kate Smith CMG.

To attend ‘THE BRITISH RESIDENCE OPEN DAY,’ applicants are kindly requested to send an email to events@british-embassy.gr noting ‘RESIDENCE OPEN DAY’ at the email subject, to receive further information regarding the registration process. Admission is granted only following a pre-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To learn more about this event, click here.

Christmas in Athens means 31 fun days, 76 city spots, 60 family activities, 50 concerts, 3 open-air movie projections, 1 pop-up museum, 1 dreamlike village, 1 illuminated route, impressive projection mappings, and countless surprises. From December 7 and for a whole month, the City Of Athens invites us to celebrate in the most sparkling Athens we have ever seen, with numerous festivities organized by OPANDA (The City of Athens' organization for Culture, Sport, and Youth) and the Athens Technopolis.

 

Athens will really be showered in light on Tuesday, December 10, at 19:30 when the mayor of Athens Kostas Bakogiannis, will start the illumination of the city and the impressive tree on Syntagma Square in a fantasmagorical event presented by Zeta Makrypoulia. Helena Paparizou, Idra Kayne, and Ian Stratis alongside the Athens Big Band will set the festive mood, while the percussion band Batala Athens will set the rhythm.

 

Hold on tight for the evening's highlight–the spectacular 3D projection mapping on the Greek Parliament building will be presented for the first time in Greece. Bright colors, bold set, and impressive architectural transformations will uniquely drape the historic building filling us with feelings and striking images!

Originally posted on Christmas in Athens, translated by Xpat Athens

ReBrain Greece, a new pilot program for the repatriation of at least 500 Greek professionals with significant qualifications and expertise, was presented on Monday by Giannis Vroutsis, the Greek Minister of Labor, Social Insurance, and Social Solidarity.

The program aims to tackle the Greek brain drain issue by facilitating the gradual repatriation of highly-qualified Greek nationals who left Greece during the economic crisis in search of better-paying jobs.

The ReBrain Greece initiative guarantees the repatriated Greeks a minimum wage of €3,000 monthly month for at least two years. The program commits to paying €2,000 per month, while the employer companies will cover the remaining amount. At the end of the two years, the companies will continue to employ the professionals for at least one more year, continuing to pay a minimum monthly salary of €3,000.

 

Greeks aged between 28 and 40 with recognized international scientific and professional experience and post-grad academic credentials who are willing to the Greek labor market needs in new technologies will be able to register in the ReBrain Greece platform.

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Who Is Nadia Georgiou?
 

Nadia Georgiou is an international life coach and writer devoted to leading you to a life-changing journey by unveiling your infinite power and unlimited potential.

As a strong believer in "taking my responsibility in order to bring results" she founded "It's my life" life coaching services after more than 25 years in international corporate communications and while on top of her career. The creator of the seminars "Become Who You Really Are" for women and "We Are Not Born Parents. We Become Parents" for parents, she works with women who dare to live life on their terms, with parents who dare to try new approaches and with children of all ages, especially teenagers, who dare to take charge of their life early on - from all over the world.

Working together, like a coach and an athlete, she will be your avid supporter, your close and trusted partner, who listens to you while gently pushing you with care to discover your personal strength, break your fears and move from your "comfort zone" to the area of unlimited possibilities that exist within you. Nadia will give you the tools, know-how, and confidence to conquer your every new goal.

Nadia is also certified in Yoga Laughter, Pranic Healing and Body Mirror System of Healing and Self Knowledge. A Greek-American based in Athens, she's conversant in French and Italian. Trained at the Robbins Madanes Training Center and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management and a Master's in Communications and Public Relations. Nadia is married and has a daughter; she loves traveling, the arts, children's laughter and red wine.

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Read Nadia's first article, here
Visit Nadia's website, here