XpatAthens
Santorini's Experience Schedule 2018
The swimming race is always implemented with absolute safety, with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and following the FINA regulations. Attila Manyoki, the prestigious Hungarian swimmer, who excels in open water races and is a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is going to take part in the swimming race once again. The British two times silver Olympic medalist, Jazz Carlin, will also join Attila Manyoki in the swimming race, providing extra value in the event. In addition, it is worth to highlight the participation of the twin Greek expatriates racing with the colors of the national team of Netherlands, George and Timos Skotadis.
Watch an impressive video of the Open Water Swimming by Vikos HERE!
In terms of the social events, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) will host an open concert with C:Real, in the surrounding area of the Indoor Hall DAPPOS, on Saturday October 6, at 20:00 pm. At 19:15 pm the International Dancing Group of Santorini “Stamatina Xiarchou” & Association of Pontians Eptamyloi Serres “Akrites” will open the concert.
More info at www.santorini-experience.com
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
Interesting Facts About Greek Olive Oil
Olive oil is an essential ingredient in Greek cuisine and an integral part of the Mediterranean diet – which is considered the healthiest in the world!
1. Greece is the 3rd largest olive oil producer in the world and the biggest exporter of extra virgin olive oil. Greek extra virgin olive oil is even exported to other oil producing countries such as Italy and Spain.
3. Each Greek person consumes an average of 26 liters of olive oil a year!
4. A mature olive tree will produce 15- 20 kilos of olives each year. It takes about 5 kilos of olives to make a liter of oil; therefore, an olive tree yields 3-4 liters of oil each year.
5. Extra virgin olive oil has a delicious, clean flavor and is produced from the first pressing of the olives without any use of solvents, and in specific temperatures that will not degrade the oil.
6. The fresher the olive oil is, the better it tastes. After about a year, it's best to use the oil for cooking, while keeping the fresher oil for dressing salads and other cold uses.
7. Olive oil has a high content of monounsaturated fats; studies have shown that replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fats, can lower the risk of coronary heart disease.
8. It is a proven fact that olive oil helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the level of good cholesterol (HDL).
9. Olive oil is very high in oleic acid, which helps reduce blood pressure and contains several antioxidants such as vitamin E, carotenoids, and oleuropein.
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab
e-Fresh Sponsored Newsletter 3 - Summer 2019
International Team Of Scientists Explore Undewater Santorini Volcano
The oceanographic research mission consists of 30 scientists from the United States, Greece, Australia, and Germany and is funded and supported by NASA.
The scientists tested new 'intelligent' technologies with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). AUVs can be used in the future to explore alien oceans on satellites of Jupiter and Saturn, such as Europe and Enceladus, where submarine traces of life will be investigated in extreme and possibly dangerous circumstances. The researchers were satisfied with the ability of the AUVs to receive and successfully execute orders in an unknown environment such as that of the Kolumbo volcano.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
31 Greek Museums Receive International Recognition
Lately, 31 of the country’s public museums have earned TripAdvisor’s 2020 Traveler’s Choice badge, in recognition of consistently great user reviews.
Indeed, in the past few years, both public and privately owned museums have been striving to improve their communication skills, offer more activities and adapt to new technologies. Now, Greek public museums great excellent reviews from visitors and rank among the top 10% of recommended places to visit this year.
The Association of Greek Archaeologists published the list of the 31 museums that were awarded the “Traveler’s Choice 2020” badge on their website:
- National Archaeological Museum (Athens)
- Byzantine and Christian Museum (Athens)
- Museum of Byzantine Culture (Thessaloniki)
- Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Numismatic Museum of Athens
- Museum of Asian Art of Corfu
- Archaeological Museum of Volos
- Archaeological Museum of Delphi
- Archaeological Museum of Thassos
- Archaeological Museum of Thebes
- Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
- Archaeological Museum of Lemnos
- Archaeological Museum of Messenia
- Archaeological Museum of Naxos
- Archaeological Museum of Nafplion
- Archaeological Museum of Olympia
- Archaeological Museum of Patras
- Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
- Archaeological Museum of Pellas
- Archaeological Museum of Pythagorion (Samos)
- Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon
- Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (Hospital of the Knights)
- Archaeological Museum of Chania
- Byzantine Museum of Veria
- Diachronic Museum of Larissa
- Museum of the Ancient Agora (Athens)
- Museum of the Royal Tombs of Agai (Vergina)
- White Tower Museum (Thessaloniki)
- Museum of the History of the Olympic Games of Antiquity (Olympia)
- Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com
Greek Doctor Uses AI To Improve Life Of Cancer Patients
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
One Man’s Trash: Greek Designers Go Green
But even before the reduce, reuse, recycle movement hit the headlines, young Greek entrepreneurs have been saving throwaways from sea or landfill and using them to create homeware and accessories that are as alluring as they are ethical.
Credit: Thomas Gravanis
At street bins around Athens, you’ll frequently see old drawers, bedsteads, and pallets waiting to be landfilled. Rokani gives this junk a new lease of life. “It started when one of us was renovating his own home. We experimented with upcycling some of the pallets, and then thought, why not take this further?” says Stratos Hadjiyiannakis, one of Rokani’s five founding members. “We all came from a technical background. After the economic crisis we were looking for an opportunity to start something for ourselves.”
Courtesy: Think Sea
Think Sea invites donations of ‘retired’ windsurf sails at its base on the island of Paros. The design team transforms them into trendy and durable phone/tablet cases, bags, and wallets. Sounds esoteric? Indeed. But as windsurfing sails are not recyclable, every new rig discarded after a summer of wear and tear was ending up in a landfill. Who knows, that bold color-block duffel bag you are eyeing up might once have carried champion windsurfer Nikos Kaklamanakis to Olympic victory!
Credit: Thomas Gravanis
Chris Alefantis has his social and environmental awareness hat on. You may have noticed people standing outside metro stations throughout the city in red Shedia vests selling a magazine by the same name. Aimed at empowering people in poverty, Shedia does much more than sell street papers. The leftover issues are used to create art objects, from lampshades to flower pots to clocks to delicate bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, by people over the age of 50 who previously had difficulty finding employment. “We’re making the invisible visible again,” Alefantis says, referring to both the people that are being helped and the magazines that would have otherwise been thrown out for recycling. Check out their store on Kolokotroni street, which also just opened as a café and restaurant or the offshoot in the nearby Merchants arcade. Affordability and responsibility is the new black.
Books About Famous Greek Philosophers Worth Reading (Translated into English)
- Key Work: The Republic
Plato’s The Republic remains a cornerstone of political philosophy and ethics. This dialogue examines justice, governance, and the nature of the ideal state. Translations by Benjamin Jowett or newer ones like those by Allan Bloom are particularly respected.
- Additional Recommendations:
- Plato: Complete Works, edited by John M. Cooper, compiles all of Plato’s dialogues, including The Symposium and Phaedrus, which explore love, rhetoric, and the soul.
- Key Work: Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle’s exploration of the “good life” through virtue ethics is a profound guide to personal and moral development. Terence Irwin's translation is particularly well-regarded.
- Additional Recommendations:
- Metaphysics: This work delves into the nature of being and reality, offering insight into Aristotle's philosophical system.
- Politics: Essential reading for understanding governance, citizenship, and Aristotle’s vision of the ideal state.
- Key Work: Apology by Plato
This dialogue portrays Socrates’ defense during his trial, embodying his commitment to truth and philosophy. It’s a gripping introduction to his ideas and personality.
- Other Sources:
- Xenophon’s Memorabilia and Apology: These offer an alternative perspective on Socrates' teachings and trial.
- Key Work: The Art of Happiness (translated by George K. Strodach)
A collection of Epicurus’ letters and teachings, focusing on his philosophy of simple pleasures, friendship, and avoiding unnecessary desires.
- Commentary:
- Epicurus and His Philosophy by Norman W. DeWitt provides a detailed exploration of his thought and legacy.
- Key Work: Fragments (translated by Brooks Haxton)
Heraclitus’ enigmatic aphorisms on change and the unity of opposites are a window into his revolutionary thinking.
- Companion Read:
- Heraclitus: The Cosmic Fragments by G. S. Kirk offers detailed explanations and interpretations.
- Key Work: Diogenes: The Cynic Philosopher
While Diogenes wrote little, anecdotes of his life are preserved in The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius (translated by C.D. Yonge).
- Modern Biography:
- The Philosophy of Diogenes by Luis E. Navia offers a comprehensive analysis of his unconventional philosophy.
-
Key Work: Meditations by Marcus AureliusThis personal journal is a cornerstone of Stoic philosophy, focusing on inner peace and resilience.
-
Other Recommendations:
-
Discourses by Epictetus: A practical guide to Stoicism and virtuous living.
-
The Stoics Reader, edited by Brad Inwood and Lloyd P. Gerson, offers selections from various Stoic philosophers.
-
The Fortresses of Nafplio
Located approximately twenty miles away from Epidaurus, Nafplion is a small and charming harbor with a Venetian port and alleyways of Italian influence. The fortress, on the cliff road, was a secure spot for pirates in the 14th century. Then, under the Ottoman Empire, the executioner used to live there. Finally, it was transformed into a hotel in the 1970s, and is now a historical site in Nafplion that can be visited. Shuttles go back and forth all day long.
During the summer, you can enjoy sound and light shows here. Visit Nafplio to discover the Ancient Fortress of Akronafplio along with two Venetian Fortresses - Bourtzi in the harbour and Palamidi crowning the hilltop.
Naflio came to prominence as the first capital of Greece. When the capital moved to Athens, Nafplio settled into the role of quietly beautiful seaside resort. Located in the Peleponnese, Nafplio is a two and a half hour bus ride from Athens, or one hour fifteen minutes from Corinth. The old part of the town is situated on a spit of land that protrudes into the Argolic Gulf.
Sail out to Bourtzi Fortress
Walk along the harbourfront and you can’t help but notice a fortress covering an entire, tiny island in the gulf. The Bourtzi Fortress was built by the Venetians 600 meters from shore and can be reached by boat from the harbour along Akti Misouli. In modern times the fortress is sometimes used as a venue for the Classical Music Festival held in late May and early June.
Walk up to the Akronafplia Fortress
The second fortress in Nafplio sits on a promontory above the old city. Start from Saint Spiridons Square and walk up Potomaino, a stepped street. Enter the fortress through the gate at the top. Some of the walls here date back to the Bronze Age. Although the site was used as a political prison until the 1950s, most of it has since mouldered into the ground. The view however remains spectacular.
Hike up to the Palamidi Fortress
The largest and most spectacular fortress in Nafplio sits 216 meters above the city. The Palamidi Fortress was built by the Venetians from 1711-1714 and at the time was considered a masterpiece of military architecture.
Within the extensive outer walls are several independent bastions located across the site at strategic points. The Agios Andreas Bastion stands at the top of the stairs that come up from town. Originally the home of the Garrison Commander, it is named after the small chapel that sits in its inner courtyard.
The largest bastion, Miltiades was used as a prison for condemned criminals from 1840 – 1920. Theodore Kolokotrones, a War of Independence hero spent time there after being condemned for treason. Although you can drive up the backside of the mountain to reach the fortress, it is much more impressive to climb up the innumerable stairs– 999 according to locals. Be sure to pause along the way to catch your breath and enjoy the increasingly stunning view.
Enjoy the Ambiance
After a long day of discovering the sites, take time to unwind. Choose one of the many seaside restaurants, order a bottle of wine and revel in the fresh sea air. Remember, you’re in Greece where of an evening there is nothing more pressing than a leisurely meal in the company of friends. When the last after dinner coffee is gone, enjoy a stroll long the waterfront. The lights dazzling the Bourtzi Fortress across the water bring an excellent close to your day in Nafplio.
Source: Easy voyage
By Gwendolyn Copeman
Second Vote In Parliament Concludes
The second vote for the critical Presidential elections took place shortly after noon in Parliament, where as expected, the Assembly failed to elect a new President. The MPs will vote for a third time on the 29th of December.
In total 168 MPs supported the candidacy of the sole Presidential candidate Stavros Dimas, while 131 MPs voted against him and one MP as absent for the vote. This result marks an improvement over the first disappointing -for the government- vote.
In order to avoid snap elections, the coalition government will have to secure the support from a further 12 MPs in order to reach the goal of 180 votes in the Presidential election. Should Parliament fail to elect a new President, then general elections will called, with the 25th of January being the likeliest date.
The coalition government saw MPs Spyros Lykoudis, Grigoris Psarianos, Kostas Giovanopoulos, Christos Aidonis, Mika Iatridi, Panagiotis Melas, Stathis Boukouras and Chrysovalantis Alexopoulos.
To read more, please visit tovima.gr/en