The idea of pocket parks, a new way to upgrade urban space, has found fertile ground in the Greek capital, which is focusing on the green and sustainable development of the urban fabric. Athens, like many other large cities around Europe and the world, suffers from a lack of free public spaces.

The urban planning model of previous decades and the conditions created in the city, especially after the waves of domestic migration from rural areas to the capital, have resulted in a cramped living environment, not just in the centre of the city but also in many other districts.

Scientists around the world dealing with climate change and construction are sounding the alarm, pointing to pocket gardens as an essential way of improving everyday life in the city in many areas. In the US and the UK, 'pocket parks' are already being considered as a means of tackling crime and isolation in densely populated areas and, above all, protecting the environment. These practices are also being adopted in Athens, where this concept of small gardens is now being introduced in many corners of the city, as part of the "Adopt Your City" program. 

So, what are exactly pocket parks? '''Pocket parks'' are green spaces in sites that have been abandoned for many years and have turned into rubbish dumps. They are located in densely populated neighborhoods of the city and become the bases to utilize every last inch of public space for the benefit of the cities’ inhabitants. These parks are great assets for a city; not only do they contribute to the protection of the environment thanks to their plants and cooling effects, but they also play a role in addressing the isolation felt by large cities’ dwellers. This benefit is ever more important during the pandemic. In other words, they have a very significant social contribution.

The Municipality of Athens has already created four pocket parks in the districts of Kypseli, Kolonos, Pangrati, and Metaxourgeio. This is just the beginning, as the municipal authorities plan to create more parks in other neighborhoods as well as in the city centre, in order to reclaim spaces that have been abandoned for many years. 

Of particular interest is the way in which pocket parks are designed in order to become year-round green lungs, using eco-friendly concrete in the pavement and footways, recycled wood benches, densely planted evergreen and deciduous trees, and an underground irrigation system. The flowerbeds are bordered with low evergreen shrubs (myrtle leaf) to prevent people from stepping on them, while a corner is transformed into a vertical garden by placing climbing shrubs. There are also signs next to each plant giving useful information about its identity, as well as structures for useful insect nests. In addition, the gardens are lighted by state-of-the-art autonomous photovoltaic systems, including a digital panel with information on temperature, humidity and other environmental factors.

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The famous “Venus de Milos” returned to the island albeit as a replica of the original statue that is in the Louvre museum in Paris. The replica was placed near the archaeological site where the statue was discovered in 1820 and upon the initiative of the municipality on the island in the Aegean Sea.

The installation of the replica appears to be on the occasion of a tribute documentary about Aphrodite de Milos, entitled “Looking for Venus”, a co-production of Anemon, Cosmote TV, and the French company Yuzu Productions.

On the occasion of the completion of 200 years since the discovery of the statue and after the issuance of relevant permits and supervision of procedures by the Organization for Management & Development of Cultural Resources and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, as well as the financing of the creation and transportation of the statue to the island by company Imerys SA, the filming of the documentary has already started, the municipality of Milos said.

The documentary “Looking for Venus” will present the historical event of the finding, transportation, and fame of the statue and explore how the Venus of Milos, of all the ancient masterpieces, stood out as a timeless and unique work of art, allowing millions of visitors’ eyes to admire her as the most beautiful woman in the world.

About the statue 

The Venus de Milo is believed to depict Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love, whose Roman counterpart was Venus. The sculpture is sometimes called the Aphrodite de Milos, due to the imprecision of naming the Greek sculpture after a Roman deity (Venus).

The work was originally attributed to the 4th-century Athenian sculptor Praxiteles, but, based upon an inscription on its plinth, it is now widely agreed that the statue was created later, and instead is the work of Alexandros of Antioch.

Made of Parian marble, the statue is larger than life-size, standing 204 cm (6 ft 8 in) high. The statue is missing both arms, with part of one arm, as well as the original plinth, being lost after the statue’s rediscovery.

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1. The heat. Let’s get this out of the way: I moved here for many reasons, one of which is the climate. So I am overjoyed to be able to live in a place where I spend the better part of the day, for the better part of the year, sweating. And often complaining about it. Bring it on.

2. The empty streets. Athens in August feels like it’s all mine. It’s the time of year when I love to pull out my camera and take an early morning walk in my favourite neighbourhoods, and really take in the feeling of the city in it’s deserted glory.

3. The seaside. Jumping on a tram or on my bike and heading down to the beach in August is far more fun than in June or July, when everyone else seems to have the same idea.  Many of the beaches at Alimos, or futher down towards Glyfada or Vouliagmeni, are just perfect for an August swim.

4. No traffic. See #2 above.

4a. Finding parking. Ditto above. For those late-late-night drinks under the Acropolis.

5. No line-ups. At the supermarket, at the bank, at Mikel café in the morning. Yes, this matters to me.

6. August sales. Since I didn’t spend my savings on a week away, surely I have some left-over Euros for 50-60% off at my favourite shop?

7. The pace. In August, everything (and everyone) seems to move more slowly. There is a leisurely, uber-relaxed vibe, that causes me to stop and, quite literally, smell the roses.

Would I prefer to be dancing on the beach on some far-away island? Perhaps. But August in Athens offers its own pleasures, and is a perfect option for those of us who are (not) stuck here.

Until next week,

Jack
 

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

 

There is a tradition in wood carving and many people make furniture, barrels, beehives, toys, utensils and they decorate churches and altars. It is a pretty little town, built on the ruins of ancient Tymphi and extending along one of Pindus' highest peaks. It is close to the peak of Katara, above the beautiful artificial Lake Aoou.

Its architecture is alpine, in stark contrast to the whitewashed buildings in other parts of Greece. The church of Agia Paraskevi has a carved icon screen and wall mosaics, copies of those at Ravenna.

It is well-known for its cheeses and winemaking. The Katogi vineyard belonging to the Averoff family is the most famous. A museum named Averoff Gallery is dedicated to Georgios Averoff.

Unlike many small towns around the world, there is plenty of work for Metsovo's young people, so the town has a youthful buzz.

On Sundays and feast-days, women wear their embroidered traditional dresses. Old men still have their special places in the main square so they can debate important issues while swinging their worry beads and drinking strong coffee.

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Address: Andrea Papandreou 2A, Melissia
Tel: 2108033435

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