XpatAthens
Thursday, 19 December 2019 07:00
Two 3,500-Year-Old Royal Tombs Discovered In The Peloponnese
According to a statement by the Greek Ministry of Culture, two monumental royal tombs dating from about 3,500 years ago near the Bronze Age palace of Pylos in the Peloponnese have been discovered by American archaeologists.
The ministry stated that the domed roofs of both tombs had collapsed during antiquity, filling them with so much earth and rubble that tomb raiders couldn't get in to ravage them. Among the recovered grave goods are a golden seal ring and a gold talisman of an ancient Egyptian goddess.
It is worth mentiong that the Mycenaean era, which dates from about 1650 B.C. to 1100 B.C., was the foundation for many Ancient Greek myths and legends, including that of the Trojan War. The graves lie near the Palace of Pylos, which features in Homer's Odyssey as the seat of the wise King Nestor.
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Thursday, 02 January 2020 16:42
European Emergency Number Has Become Fully Operational In Greece
The European emergency number (112) has become fully operational in Greece according to a statement of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. The control center for 112 in Greece is located at the fire brigade operations center in Chalandri and employs 100 people.
Each shift includes an OTE telecoms operator–who responds in Greek, English, or French–and liaison officers from the Hellenic Army, Greek Police, the Coast Guard, and the ambulance service.
The European emergency number is free and can be reached 24/7 from Greece, Switzerland, and any EU country.
Other Greek emergency numbers are:
- 100 - police
- 199 - fire brigade
- 166 - emergency medical service
- 108 - coast guard
- 197 - emergency social assistance
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Tuesday, 07 January 2020 15:03
Searching For Greek Science Stars
The U.S. Embassy in Athens and Greek nonprofit organization SciCo, are organizing for the first time in Greece, the STEM STARS GREECE competition with the aim of supporting, highlighting, and rewarding 14 to 18-year-old students with a special inclination towards science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The winners of the competition will receive special prizes, including the opportunity to represent Greece at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the largest international science competition, which will be held in Anaheim, California from 10 to 15 May 2020. The competition is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.
Participation in the competition is free. Students who attend public or private schools in Greece and are between 14 and 18 years old (High School 3rd Grade – Lyceum 3rd Grade) on the date of the competition are eligible to participate.
All projects must be submitted online between December 16, 2019 and February 16, 2020.
For more information and detailed participation requirements, please visit: U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece
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Monday, 13 January 2020 11:02
Winter Sales Are On
The time has come to raid the shops, find the best bargains, and shop till you drop! The Association of Retail Enterprises of Greece (SELPE) confirmed on Tuesday that the winter sales will begin today, January 13, and will run until Saturday, February 29.
It has also been confirmed that members of the Association of Retail Enterprises of Greece, especially large retailers and supermarkets, will be open for business on Sunday, January 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Tuesday, 21 January 2020 15:00
National Gallery of Art On Track For Inauguration In March 2021
The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that the National Gallery of Art will reopen in March 2021, following the renovations and expansion works that have been underway for the last few years. More specifically, the National Gallery of Art will be inaugurated on March 25, 2021, signaling the launch of a series of commemorative events to honor the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.
The ministry issued a statement declaring that the amphitheater and the entrance hall are complete, while "the next phase involves the floors, the seating, and the necessary equipment."
The renovation of The National Gallery of Art has been made possible through funding from the Ministry of Culture, EU co-funding for the Attica Region, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and private donors.
To read this article in full, please visit: AMNA
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Monday, 27 January 2020 13:13
Dine Athens: The Top Culinary Event Is Back
For the 5th year in a row, Dine Athens, the capital's much-anticipated gastronomy week, is back to take Athenians on a delicious culinary journey!
In the past years, Dine Athens | The Athens Restaurant Week has been inviting the Athenian public to visit exceptional restaurants and to taste, specially designed menus at great prices. Last year, more than 30,000 Athenians enjoyed high-end gastronomic creations at 130 selected restaurants.
This year Dine Athens will take place from January 27 to February 16; for 3 weeks, 140 restaurants–some of which are among the most outstanding in Athens–will be serving unique menus that will satisfy even the most demanding guests at fixed prices.
The participating restaurants will offer one of three specially tailored dinner menus at a pre-set price of €15, €30 or €60 per person. Additionally, some restaurants will also offer lunch menus at the pre-set prices of €15 and €30!
For more info and to make restaurant reservations, click here
(Please note, the Dine Athens website is currently only available in Greek.)
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Thursday, 30 January 2020 07:00
A Year Of Cultural Events Dedicated To Melina Mercouri
The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni has declared 2020 as the 'Year of Melina Mercouri' in memory of the famed Greek actress that served as the country's first-ever female Minister of Culture, promoted 'cultural diplomacy,' and instigated the efforts for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.
Among others, some of the events that will mark the 100th anniversary since the birth of Melina Mercouri are a theater awards ceremony, full moon screenings of her films, and an exhibition showcasing the Parthenon Marbles in Paris.
'Melina was known for her spontaneity, faith, and vision,' said Mendoni, adding that 'the year dedicated to Melina begins on January 29, with an international workshop on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles at the Acropolis Museum commemorating Melina's efforts for the realization of a vision that we all believe will gain the momentum and become a reality.'
The 'Year of Melina Mercouri' is co-organized by the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Melina Mercouri Foundation.
To read this article in full, please visit: GTP
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Tuesday, 04 February 2020 07:00
A Musical Bridge Over Syngrou Avenue
For the 5th year in a row, the students of Panteion University's culture program have joined forces with Onassis STEGI cultural center to organize a 3-day musical event titled "A Musical Bridge Over Syngrou."
The festival, which aims to bring young composers and musicians to the spotlight, is the culmination of an intensive workshop aiming to provide students with the experience of organizing music events.
The festival will take place at Panteion University and includes 5 musical concerts. Tickets are free on a first come, first-served basis will be distributed at the venue one hour before each event.
The festival, which aims to bring young composers and musicians to the spotlight, is the culmination of an intensive workshop aiming to provide students with the experience of organizing music events.
The festival will take place at Panteion University and includes 5 musical concerts. Tickets are free on a first come, first-served basis will be distributed at the venue one hour before each event.
To read more about the festival, please visit: Onassis Stegi
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Saturday, 22 February 2020 07:00
Upcoming Traffic Restrictions Due To The 6th Lycabettus Run
According to the Greek authorities, there will be traffic restrictions in Athens this Sunday, the 23rd of February. The restrictions will be set in place to ensure the safety of those participating in the 6th Lycabettus Run.
Starting at 9:00 A.M., certain roads in the center of Athens will be closed to drivers until the Run ends. To make sure that your Sunday plans don’t get delayed by the Run, we’ve compiled a list of the avenues being affected below.
Restrictions will apply to the entire length of the following avenues: Paligenesias, Daskalogianni, Sarantapihou, Ksanthipou, and Evelpidos Ragakou. These limits will not affect the two major intersections between the aforementioned avenues.
Koniari Avenue will be closed between its junctions with M. Merkouri Avenue and Nikotsara Avenue. This closure includes any intersections between these two points.
The entire length of Kleomenous Avenue and its adjoining intersections will also be closed off.
Finally, traffic will be restricted on M. Merkouri Avenue, between its junctions with An. Polemou Avenue and Lahitos Avenue, as well as any other intersections between these two points.
If you don’t have any Sunday plans, though, consider making your way down to the center to support the runners!
Originally posted on Athens Voice, translated by Xpat Athens
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Monday, 24 February 2020 07:00
Omonia Is Back! The Revamped Square To Be Revealed At The End Of The Week
The much anticipated revamped Omonia Square will be revealed to the Athenians at the end of the week, Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis stated on social media last Thursday.
"Very happy that Omonia square has entered the final stretch and will be delivered to the Athenians," he said.
For years Omonia Square has been one of Athens' most central meeting points and has undergone many transformations. The plans include reinstalling a fountain removed from the square in the early 1990s while a few luxury hotels are opening this year around the square, on Pireos and Stadiou streets.
A video from the testing of the new fountain at Omonia Square.
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