Greek shipowners have retained their role as top players in world shipping according to a special review recently published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Despite the challenges faced by the Hellenic ship owning community, Greece has continued to strengthen its position as the largest ship owning nation in recent years.

Addressing an event marking the 100th anniversary of the Union of Greek Shipowners in Athens this November 2016, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, noted that while Greece’s population is only 0.15 per cent of the world population, Greeks control 25 per cent of the world’s total merchant fleet. These numbers are of huge significance not only for the Greek but for the European economy as well, in terms of competitiveness.

Traditionally, shipping gives an important boost to the Greek economy, with opportunities to generate income and employmentas well as promote foreign trade. One prominent trend giving hope and optimism for the future is the high quality of maritime studies in Greece, in combination with the potential of Greek shipping and the high standard of Greek shipping personnell.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek News Agenda

Every year from December 25 to January 5, the village streets of Kozani, Greece light up with more than just christmas lights. They come alive with the ancient customs of the Momoeria where actors, musicians, and dancers fill the village streets and visit people’s homes in celebration of the new year.

Recently UNESCO has announced that is has inscribed the ancient custom of the Momoeria on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making sure that this beautiful cultural tradition will be preserved for future generations to come.

The practice of Momoeria is to bless the village for the upcoming new year with prosperity, healthy offspring and a good harvest.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Archaeologists have discovered an old lost city in Greece dating back 2,500 years!

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the University of Bournemouth have begun exploring the ruins at a village called Vlochos, around 300km (190 miles) north of Athens.

The team, which also includes researchers from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Karditsa, found the remains of towers, walls and city gates on the summit and slopes of the hill.

The leader of the team, Robin Ronnlund, said the city appears to have flourished from the fourth to the third century BC before it was abandoned — possibly because of the Roman conquest of the area.

To read this article in full, please visit: Independent

Over 1,200 children migrants and refugees completed their first trimester in school, according to the International Migration Organisation (IMO). IMO said that 35 school buses transfer every day children from 13 hosting centers throughout the country to the closest schools.

According to Greek Education Ministry’s planning, 400 additional children refugees and migrants will go to school in January after the end of Christmas holidays.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

Extreme weather conditions have forced Greek emergency services on high alert as a severe cold front sweeps through the country bringing snow and ice and making travel very dangerous. State services have been advising citizens to stay home and only travel when necessary due to the dangers posed by icy roads.

The Greek islands are the hardest hit from the extreme weather with a state of emergency declared on Skopelos due to heavy snowfall on the island with others expected to follow.

Authorities in other areas of Greece are struggling to keep major roadways open but snow chains are necessary in several areas and some roads have been closed due to icy conditions, especially on higher ground.

Many other areas, including Thessaloniki, were left without water for a second consecutive day as water pipes froze and burst and meters seized due to the low temperatures.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek City Times

Aggeliki Pappa, founder of i love dyslexia, was nominated for the 2nd time as a finalist for the 2017 Global Teacher Prize!

The Varkey Foundation, which is in charge of the Global Teacher Prize for 2017, recently announced the list of the 50 distinguished teachers who were selected out of 20,000 candidates from 179 countries.

Pappa was listed for her accomplishments as the founder of ILD as well, as her experience as a researcher of special education.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

The news and lifestyle source, The Guardian, shared their top picks for the new museum openings in 2017 and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) in Athens is recognized on their list!

‘The reconstruction of EMST has been quite a tale, with over a decade financial and bureaucratic setbacks. Still, in October 2016 it was finally ready for a soft launch, inaugurating the temporary exhibition space with the show Urgent Conversations: Athens–Antwerp in its newly reconstructed home in the old Fix brewery. The permanent collection is pegged to be unveiled in autumn 2017, when the museum is expected to finally open in its entirety.’

Other top new museum openings include the Institue of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, Design Society in China, and the Museum Barberini in Germany.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian

Marketing Greece’s digital platform Blogtrotters, whose concept this year is ‘Travel in Balance’, has dedicated 2017 to the promotion of sustainable tourism development, with the aim of highlighting real-life examples.

This year, the Blogtrotters will tell stories of successful sustainable tourism practices in Greece, in support of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) designation of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The digital influencers will communicate their stories through blog posts, vlogs and social media posts across the web. The impact of the influencers’ content on their followers will be measured via a unique digital Sustainability Footprint that comprises the storytelling, resultant coverage and sharing of the content among the general public.

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

Castle Cover, insurance specialists for people who are over fifty, researched retirement prospects in 23 countries to determine the Top 10 places to retire! Factors taken into account included house prices, health care costs, average temperature, rainfall and hours of sunshine – as well as grocery bills, crime rates and taxation.

 

According to Castle Cover, ‘While the economic crisis remains dire, this country continues to offer a relaxed lifestyle for many who have already made their pile. As the birthplace of democracy, Greece has evolved into a visually spectacular nation that offers great weather, readily available health care and – believe it or not – a low crime rate. Just make sure the locals don't mistake you for a German.’

Other countries also included on the list of Best Places To Retire are Spain, Portugal, Australia, the US, and Morocco.

To read this article in full, please visit: The Telegraph

Made up of the Tinos, Syros and Andros runs, the ‘Cyclades Trail Cup’ — also known as the Cyclades Mountain Running Championship — is ready yet again with the support of the South Aegean Region, local associations, municipal authorities and media including the Greek Travel Pages (Grand Media Sponsor and tourism advisor to the event), to get down to business and prepare for an active year ahead with the aim to promote both wellness and travel and at the same time highlight the unique offerings of the Greek Cyclades via special routes and treks.

The organizers of the Cyclades Trail Cup once again are inviting athletes from all over the world to participate in the event.

2017 Schedule

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

Please click HERE for more information about the Cyclades Trail Cup.