XpatAthens
Thursday, 25 May 2017 07:00
Greek Panorama 2017 - Greece Glowed In The Heart Of Manhattan
Great success of the 1st exhibition about Greek tourism in the iconic Grand Central Terminal! Tens of thousands of New Yorkers saw and photographed the brand "Greece"!
The first Greek Panorama exhibition in New York was completed with great success and impressive impact on the American public and tourism professionals, opening a new chapter in the history of Greece's exposure to the US market.
The first Greek Panorama exhibition in New York was completed with great success and impressive impact on the American public and tourism professionals, opening a new chapter in the history of Greece's exposure to the US market.
Vanderbilt Hall, at the eastern side of the iconic Grand Central Terminal, in the “heart” of Manhattan, was filled with colors, images, traditional music and flavors of Greece, surprising and exciting the transit passengers and visitors.
Tens of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists from other countries saw and photographed the brand "Greece" these two days (May 12-13, 2017), creating a sweeping “wave” of posts and “selfies” in social media.
Greek melodies from two bouzoukis, as well as the traditional dance groups of the Academy of Hellenic Paideia, the Chian Federation of America and the Cypriot Federation excited visitors creating a unique atmosphere.
It should be highlighted that during the exhibition huge quantities of informative material, both of the organization and of the exhibitors who participated in Greek Panorama, were distributed. Among them, more than 20,000 issues of the “Hellas Blu” and “Greece Is” magazines were distributed. It was the first release and distribution for Hellas Blu at the exhibition, which will be published three times a year and distributed exclusively in the US market.
The inauguration of Greek Panorama was attended by significant members of the Greek-American Community of New York, such as His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, MP Carolyn Maloney, Permanent Representatives of Greece and Cyprus to the UN, ambassadors Aikaterini Boura and Kornelios Korneliou respectively, The Consul General of Greece, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul Manos Koumparakis, Press Office Director of the Greece to the United Nations Athanasia Papatriadafyllou, Director of Greek National Tourism Organization in USA and Canada Grigoria Kamaterou, President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of the Greater New York Petros Galatoulas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atlantic Bank Nancy Papaioannou, tourist businessman Peter Vlitas of the Travel Leaders Group, as well as celebrities and famous friends of Greece.
The Greek Food Corner, which was operating in the exhibition area, was offered by the Kellari restaurant.
The great success of Greek Panorama is also of particular importance due to the difficulty of the whole project, as the technical and functional specifications of such an exhibition at Grand Central Terminal are extremely complex and rigorous.
Greek Panorama B2B Sessions: More than 380 business meetings!
The organizers’ initiative for the Professionals Day at Greek Panorama on Thursday, May 11, at Kellari restaurant, left excellent impressions and noted a great success. About 30 tour operators, tourist business executives, professionals and journalists from New York City and neighboring large urban centers had the opportunity to meet representatives of destinations and tourist companies from the Greek market, to get informed about their products and services and explore new collaborations.
From morning to late at night, it is estimated that more than 380 meetings were held, while the American professionals’ feedback on the event, the participants and the venue was enthusiastic. Most, in fact, already requested to ensure their participation in the next event.
Greek Panorama B2B Sessions participations from Greece included Sani Resort, Aqua Vista Hotels, Maris Hotels, Hilton Athens, Grace Santorini, Afea Travel & Congress, Luxury Greece DMC & Travel, Instayacht, ChrisCrossing VIP Travel Services, Travel Smart, Timothy's Travel - Dreams Give Wings Travel, Big Blue Travel, Argo Travel, TravelWay, Variety Cruises, Sky Express and Cyprus Tourism Organization.
Photo: Greek Panorama exhibition in the iconic Grand Central Terminal, in New York
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Greece In The News
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Friday, 12 October 2018 07:00
4th Santorini Experience Rising Global Interest
More than 6.000 visitors from 45 countries in Santorini
Santorini was the global benchmark for professional and amateur athletes, escorts and visitors who traveled to the enchanting island the 4th Santorini Experience this October 2018.
The top sports tourism event in Greece was a complete success and had a record number of participants in the running and swimming races, gathering more than 6,000 visitors in Santorini. In fact, 60% of the visitors stayed in Santorini for more than 5 nights.
For one more year, foreign participants surpassed every precedent, as Santorini “hosted” athletes from a total of 45 countries from the 5 continents, America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Specifically, swimmers and runners were from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, USA, Russia, Qatar, South Africa, United Kingdom, Japan and China.
World class names as well as the elite of the Greek national open water swimming team were present!
The top Hungarian swimmer Attila Manyoki, who excels in open water swimming races with several wins and is a member of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF), returned for another year at the event that a part of the Global Swim Series (GSS).
Along with him, the British twice silver Olympic medalist, at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Jazz Carlin swam for the first time, as well as the twin Greek expatriates racing with the colors of the national team of Netherlands, George and Timos Skotadis. The elite of the Greek national team along with top professional athletes had a dynamic presence in the swimming race. The national team consisted of George Arniakos, Dimitris Negris, Stellina Aplanti, Dejan Giovanovic, Dimitris Manios, Irene Diakoumakou, Maria Filopoulou, Maria Liossi, Anastasia Kyrili, Konstantinos Konstantineskou, Panagiotis Alogakos, Maria Kirykou, Triantafyllia Diakoumakou, Marianota Elmali and Melina Trochalaki.
Along with him, the British twice silver Olympic medalist, at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Jazz Carlin swam for the first time, as well as the twin Greek expatriates racing with the colors of the national team of Netherlands, George and Timos Skotadis. The elite of the Greek national team along with top professional athletes had a dynamic presence in the swimming race. The national team consisted of George Arniakos, Dimitris Negris, Stellina Aplanti, Dejan Giovanovic, Dimitris Manios, Irene Diakoumakou, Maria Filopoulou, Maria Liossi, Anastasia Kyrili, Konstantinos Konstantineskou, Panagiotis Alogakos, Maria Kirykou, Triantafyllia Diakoumakou, Marianota Elmali and Melina Trochalaki.
The federal coach and technical director of the 1.5 miles (2,4km) open water swimming by Vikos, Nikos Gemelos applied FINA's regulations on Sunday, October 7 th , and implemented the race with the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, following all safety rules. At the same time, the event took care of the amateur athletes with the addition of the safety buoy, of high standards and quality. The swimmers started in two groups from the volcano ending their race at the old port of Fira, having the imposing view of the island in front of them. Men’s winner was Dimitris Negris, George Arniakos finished 2 nd and Dejan Jovanovic in the 3 rd place. In women, Olympic medalist Jazz Carlin was 1 st , Irene Diakoumakou finished 2 nd and Maria Filopoulou came 3 rd .
You can see the detailed results on the official page of the event HERE (in the event there was an extra classification for those wearing wetsuits - wetsuit category).
You can see the detailed results on the official page of the event HERE (in the event there was an extra classification for those wearing wetsuits - wetsuit category).
For the safety of the race, 50 specialized escorts were present in the water with the help of the Lifeguard Patrol, the people of Santorini who assisted with their own boats, the Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Atlantis Dive Center, Mediterranean Dive Club, Santorini Nautical Club and most of all the Boatmen Union Santorini that carried the athletes to the volcano and helped in the smooth implementation of the open water swimming race.
On Saturday, October 6, the 15km, 10km and 5km “Aristides Alafouzos” running races were held. All routes started from the desalination plant in Oia, with parts of trail track and a background of the magnificent images from the volcano overlooking the Caldera, as well as the settlements of Imerovigli, Firostefani, Oia and with a finish in Oia. The running routes are designed by the former marathon runner, Greek classic route record holder, running trainer and director of All About Running, Nikos Polias. “Santorini Experience” has joined the World’s Marathons global community.
It should be highlighted that many athletes decided to run for the joy of sports with no timing. In terms of the social events, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) hosted an open concert with the Greek-German artist FIONA, in the surrounding area of the Indoor Hall DAPPOS, on Saturday October 6. A little bit earlier the International Dancing Group of Santorini “Stamatina Xiarchou” & Association of Pontians Eptamyloi Serres “Akrites” opened the concert.
On Friday, October 5, on the occasion of Santorini Experience, Samsung (as the official technology partner), in cooperation with the local Kotsovolos store, organized the event “Kotsovolos and Samsung present the Hotel of the Future” at the conference hall of DAPPOS informing the island’s hoteliers of all the latest developments and the benefits of technology in their industry. Samsung enriched the experience of those participating and attending the event with the innovative Samsung Galaxy ecosystem services, such as the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, coupled with the Gear 360, the Gear VR and unique 360 degrees content.
Easy access with the help of sponsors!
Participants traveled to “Santorini Experience”, with the official airline partner of the event, Ryanair, which offered the connection of Athens with Santorini with direct flights from abroad. The Greek leading shipping company Blue Star Ferries as a sponsor of the event facilitated the ferry connection offering a 50% discount on the ferry tickets and the participants’ vehicles, assisting a total of Greek and foreign athletes while offering an additional discount on the connection with the Cyclades and Dodecanese group of islands, resulting in participations from the islands of Paros, Naxos, Amorgos, Rhodes and others. Ford Motor Hellas promoted sports and “fair play” by participating for the 4 th year in the support team of “Santorini Experience”. Athletes and organizers moved with the safety and efficient Ford Motor Hellas cars, the official sponsor of the event.
For another year Vikos SA as an official sponsor spread the message of sporting energy with the natural mineral water “Vikos”, offering the necessary hydration and revitalization to all participants. The natural mineral water “Vikos” offers the necessary balance, well-being and energy that the athletes need during their exercise in order to be able to continue their efforts.
The organization innovated with its collaboration for the first time with Luanvi, the leading company in the sportswear industry in Spain. As the event’s official sports supplier, Luanvi offered an extremely innovative sports T-shirt to all participants.
The event received a very substantial support and assistance from its official sponsors Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites and Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa. Official supporters of the event were Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini and Avance Rent A Car. DNA Travel, as the official transport partner of the event, facilitated the transportation of
all participants and volunteers of “Santorini Experience”. National Geographic was the official strategic partner of the event.
The event was assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation and the Department of Sports Organization & Management from University of Peloponnese.
The event received the support of the following hospitality sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Aqua Vista Hotels, Canaves Oia, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini and Loizos Stylish Residencies.
VitaNTravel, as the official travel agent of the event, took care and assisted all athletes and escorts with information about the ferry routes, ferry tickets, car rentals and accommodation “Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group. The event was held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and approved by the Hellenic Swimming Federation.
Official Technology Partner: Samsung
Official Airline Partner: Ryanair
Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Blue Star Ferries, Alafouzos Sport, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa Official Supporters: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Aqua Vista Hotels, Boatmen Union Santorini, Avance Rent A Car
Official Transport Partner: DNA Travel
Strategic Partner: National Geographic
Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Assyrtico Wine Restaurant Café, Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club Atlantis Dive Center,, Santorini Nautical Club, Department of Sports Organization & Management from University of
Peloponnese
Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Aqua Vista Hotels, Canaves Oia, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini, Loizos Stylish Residencies
Official travel agent: VitaNTravel
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
Photo credit: Elias Lefas
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Greece In The News
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Thursday, 28 February 2019 07:00
Hippocrates Found ‘Not Guilty’ 2,300 Years After His Alleged Wrongdoing
The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) presented The Trial of Hippocrates in a live courtroom debate at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, on February 20. Following the acclaimed NHM Trials of Antigone, Socrates, and The Parthenon Marbles, the museum once again partnered with prominent judges and attorneys to take-on another ancient case, The Trial of Hippocrates.
The Case
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was called to the bedside of the dying King of Thebes. The physician immediately concluded that the King’s illness was incurable. Nevertheless, the King insisted that Hippocrates treat him and offered gold and gifts in return. Hippocrates agreed. Despite Hippocrates’ treatments, the King’s health declined and he soon died. Hippocrates was arrested and brought before the King’s son and heir. Hippocrates had sworn to “help the sick but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing.”
The National Hellenic Museum asks: Did Hippocrates violate his own Oath?
Arguments from both prosecution and defense were convincing and many people in the audience stated the case was a moral and professional challenge. In the end, the verdict of the jury breakdown was three Guilty and nine Not Guilty among the jury of twelve esteemed jurors. Additionally, the jury’s verdict was reinforced when the scales of justice were literally tipped to Not Guilty by the majority of the audience voting chips.
“This truly unique event brings Hellenism alive, including our love of learning by prompting critical thinking and citizen involvement in decision making. It’s not every day that we as ordinary individuals get to listen to some of the best attorneys in the state argue a case with all the authentic drama as if it’s an official trial. At the end of the courtroom presentations last night, our audience came together as was done in ancient times, each casting their individual ballot, which resulted in a Not Guilty verdict. Although an ancient story, questioning the quality of healthcare at the end of life is still being debated today, just as it was thousands of years ago,” said NHM President Dr. Laura Calamos.
To read this article in full, please visit: The National Herald
To read this article in full, please visit: The National Herald
Image Credit: www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org
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Monday, 27 May 2019 07:00
Greek Initiative Wins Europa Nostra Award
The 'Greek Paths of Culture' cultural program is among the winners of European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019, according to an announcement made last Tuesday, May 21.
This valuable initiative aims to select, conserve, clear, signpost, and link public trails in areas of particular environmental or cultural importance; it extends across the mainland and the islands of Greece, with a total of 658 kilometers of already-restored hiking and bicycle routes, many of which date back to ancient and Byzantine Greece.
The award was granted by 'Europa Nostra' – a leading citizens' movement to protect and celebrate Europe's cultural and natural heritage which is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.
An award ceremony organized under the auspices of Emmanuel Macron will take place in France on October 29, 2019, where the winning organizations will receive €10,000 each.
To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter
Greek Paths of Culture is an integrated, multi-disciplinary programme of selecting, conserving, clearing, sign-posting and linking up public footpaths in areas of particular environmental or cultural importance in Greece. Its geographical scope is vast, with a total of 658 km of restored hiking and bicycle routes, many of them dating from ancient and medieval times, in no less than 13 regions across Greece. The programme, created by ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, has been realised with a relatively modest investment. It brings together scientists from many fields (geographers, archaeologists, historians, teachers, ornithologists), institutional players and representatives of the business and tourism industries. It extends the tourist season, creates new jobs, improves the health and quality of life of local populations, and highlights the local produce of each community.
Source: Europa Nostra
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Thursday, 20 June 2019 07:00
Exhibit At The Acropolis Museum Reveals An Entire Ancient Neighborhood
The pride of the Acropolis Museum is most definitely the Parthenon gallery, and the museum's mission is to establish the fact that it is the most suitable place to exhibit the marbles that once adorned Athens' most famous monument.
Coinciding with the 10-year birthday of the Acropolis Museum, the inauguration of new exhibition space has been announced; an entire ancient neighborhood has been excavated right below the museum building revealing ancient villas, streets, workshops, and bathhouses.
"For the first time we are able to see how people lived in the shadow of the Acropolis," said Dimitrios Pandermalis, the museum's director pointing towards a gorgeous ancient courtyard and a chamber where aristocrats held symposiums.
Building a €130m museum so close to the Acropolis in an area so rich in archaeology, was a difficult task and the discovery of so many ancient ruins – some of which date back the late classical era– significantly delayed the completion of the museum.
But the 13 years of digging paid off and helped archaeologists learn even more about ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy.
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
10 Years Acropolis Museum Celebration
Thursday, 20 June 2019
Celebrating the Acropolis Museum’s birthday, entrance to the exhibition areas will be free from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Friday, 21 June 2019 onwards
Friday, 21 June 2019 onwards
The archaeological excavation will be open to the public with the general admission fee ticket. The excavated area of 4,000 sq. meters comprises houses, workshops, baths and streets of an ancient Athenian neighborhood that existed from the classical to the Byzantine years, in successive phases. This impressive archaeological site will soon be enriched with the most representative findings of the excavation. Architectural ruins will be organized in a unique exhibition set that sheds light on the everyday life of an ancient neighborhood that existed in the shadow of the Acropolis. On this day the Museum exhibition areas will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Thursday, 11 July 2019 07:00
Refugee Women In Greece Find Relief In Soccer
Even though many of the players at Hestia FC weren't allowed to play — or even watch — soccer matches in their home countries, here, they constitute Greece's first women's refugee team.
The team members come from 14 different countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, and Ethiopia, which makes communication during soccer practice a challenge. At a recent practice, the team's founder Katerina Salta and her coach went through instructions with the help of a translator who speaks English, Urdu, Pashto, Dari, and Farsi.
"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic," Salta said. "I started this program to empower them but what actually happens is that every single day I get empowered by them — their will, their (determination) to continue trying for their lives even in such difficult conditions."
Hestia FC participated in the Global Goals World Cup in Denmark last month a five-a-side women's tournament that aims to promote gender equality. None of the migrant women were allowed to travel, and consequently, they were substituted by volunteers who agreed to play in their place. Unexpectedly, Hestia FC won the tournament.
To read this inspiring article in full, please visit: The Associated Press
About Hestia FC
In Ancient Greek religion, Hestia is a virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state. Since she represents all matters domestic, there was an underlying assumption back then that the belief in her would result in peace, order, and harmony in the home.
Hestia FC is the first refugee and migrant women football team in Greece. It’s a program of the International Olympic Truce Centre in collaboration with the international NGO Eir, which takes action globally for the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though sport.
The overall aim of the project which is under the Auspices of the City of Athens and the Council for the Social Inclusion of Refugees is the protection, the psychological well-being, the empowerment and the social integration of refugee and migrant women, as well as the promotion of the Olympic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport. Human rights based rules of a sport can help to replace culturally discriminative norms that exclude women from sport. By bringing people together, building communities and fighting attitudes of xenophobia, negative gender stereotypes and racism, sport has the potential to make an important contribution to the integration of refugees in the EU.
Since our ultimate aim is to fight against any kind of discrimination and promote equal access to sport for women in general, the team will also welcome Greek women with less opportunities in the near future.
Our vision is that like the ancient Greek goddess, Hestia FC will become a home, a refuge and that our players and supporters will raise their voices to support all vulnerable women.
Source: Hestia FC
Hestia FC is the first refugee and migrant women football team in Greece. It’s a program of the International Olympic Truce Centre in collaboration with the international NGO Eir, which takes action globally for the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) though sport.
The overall aim of the project which is under the Auspices of the City of Athens and the Council for the Social Inclusion of Refugees is the protection, the psychological well-being, the empowerment and the social integration of refugee and migrant women, as well as the promotion of the Olympic values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport. Human rights based rules of a sport can help to replace culturally discriminative norms that exclude women from sport. By bringing people together, building communities and fighting attitudes of xenophobia, negative gender stereotypes and racism, sport has the potential to make an important contribution to the integration of refugees in the EU.
Since our ultimate aim is to fight against any kind of discrimination and promote equal access to sport for women in general, the team will also welcome Greek women with less opportunities in the near future.
Our vision is that like the ancient Greek goddess, Hestia FC will become a home, a refuge and that our players and supporters will raise their voices to support all vulnerable women.
Source: Hestia FC
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Monday, 22 July 2019 07:00
Unseen Heroes Of The 2018 Mati Wildfires
A year after the Mati wildfires, people who experienced the tragic fire as rescuers or survivors, share their stories.
Alexis Andronopoulos
50, an engineer, rescued 18 people
"I got on my motorbike at my office in Athens and headed to Mati at 6.30pm. I've been a forest-fire volunteer for many years, but this time was different. My parents' summer home is there. I grew up with people who have apartments in the same block. They're all elderly now. I wanted to save them. ... It was hard to see in the smoke. The first woman I rescued was 80 and had just had a hip replacement. With some difficulty, I got her on the bike, saying: "Close your eyes, hold me tight and don't think of anything." I took her up to the roadblock where another friend said her six-year-old daughter was trapped on the beach. I drove back and found her. I'd seen a corpse in the alley leading to the shore, so led her through a garden on my way back. It was the only time I gave anyone my helmet. Again, I told her not to look. I did 18 runs, each time taking a person out and each time arguing with officers at the roadblock."
Mohammed El-Hamisi
47, an Egyptian fisherman, saved 48 people on his boat
"The seas around here are unpredictable. That night, the winds were up to 10 on the Beaufort scale, so it was very choppy. And there was smoke everywhere; visibility was nil. It was 7pm when I got the call from a lady who buys fish from me, saying: "Mohammed, we're on the beach at Kokkino Limanaki and we're either going to burn or drown. Save us!" My kids said: "Daddy, if there are children, you must go." I decided to leave instantly.
There were four of us who set out to help, but I couldn't even see the boat in front of me. My biggest worry was hitting someone who might be struggling in the water, or a rock, or one of the other vessels. From Nea Makri, where my boat Elpida (which means Hope) is moored, it usually takes 30 minutes to get to that part of the coast; but given the circumstances it took us three times that.
The others headed to the port in Mati. I headed to Kokkino Limanaki. As I pulled in, I saw all these people huddled together, holding one another. Thirty minutes later and I think they would have died in the heat. A lot couldn't swim. Children and their parents were the first to get on board – about 20 of them sitting anywhere they could, in the cabin, on the sides, all in a state of shock. We sailed to Rafina in total silence until we reached the port, where some cried.
I returned with an official from the coastguard. That time, we brought back 28. The last was a woman, an old, very large lady, who was sitting on a rock. She didn't want to budge. Her back and legs were burnt. She kept saying: "My boy, I've lost everything, let me die here." I kept saying: "No way, you're coming with us." I hurt my knee heaving her on to Elpida. I still don't know if she made it, but she is the one I can't forget...."
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
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Tuesday, 27 August 2019 13:14
Greek NGO Wins $2M Humanitarian Prize
A Greek NGO helping migrant and refugee children in Greece has won the world's biggest annual humanitarian award.
According to the Conrad N Hilton Foundation, METAdrasi – Action for Migration and Development received the $2m Hilton humanitarian prize for its innovative approach to welcoming refugees and protecting unaccompanied minors.
METAdrasi uses translators who are fluent in more than 43 languages and dialects to navigate complicated policies and procedures.
METAdrasi's founder, Lora Pappa, said of the award: "It will enable us to strengthen our advocacy and help us be heard. This is an ongoing crisis. We are so grateful to receive the prize at a time when urgent needs regarding the refugee situation continue to emerge."
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
About METAdrasi
METAdrasi was founded in December 2009 with the mission to facilitate the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Greece. Believing that migration leads to development, METAdrasi is determined to uphold and protect the fundamental human rights of all those displaced and persecuted through innovative interventions. The name of ΜΕΤΑdrasi was coined by the synthesis of the Greek words “meta”+“drasi” (meaning: and then? + action) and encapsulates our purpose and philosophy.
Guided by the principles of consistency, efficiency, transparency and flexibility to adjust to needs as they emerge, METAdrasi is active in the following key areas:
•The provision of quality interpretation, enabling vital communication with refugees and migrants through the deployment of over 350 interpreters, trained and certified by METAdrasi in 43 languages and dialects – an activity that lies at the heart of any effective provision of humanitarian support;
• The protection of unaccompanied and separated children, through a comprehensive safety net of activities including accommodation facilities, escorting from precarious conditions to safe spaces and the pioneering activities of guardianship, foster families and supported independent living;
• The protection and support of other vulnerable groups through the provision of legal aid to asylum seekers, certification of victims of torture and deployment of humanitarian aid wherever needed;
• The education and integration of refugees and migrants through educational programmes, Greek language lessons, multilingual support guides and remedial education for children that enables access to the right to education, as well as soft-skills training, traineeship opportunities and work placements.
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Thursday, 23 April 2020 07:00
How Greece Has Become A Shining Example During The Coronavirus Outbreak
Every day at 6 in the evening, Greeks turn on their TV's to watch a broadcast that at other times they might have missed. It is the health ministry's daily coronavirus briefing then begins with Sotiris Tsiodras, a soft-spoken Harvard-trained professor of infectious diseases, delivering the latest facts and figures with the occasional emotional plea.
Nikos Hardalias, the civil defense minister, invariably follows, straining the seriousness of the situation while urging Greeks to "stay at home." The bookish professor and no-nonsense minister are the faces associated with the government's effort to contain the spread of the virus. Their efforts to keep Greece virus-safe seem to be paying off: in a population of just over 11 million, there were, as of last Monday, 2,145 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 99 fatalities–much fewer than any other European country.
From the outset, the scientific advisory committee pushed for the socially disruptive choice of lockdown, a devastating prospect for a country that had only just begun to show signs of economic revival. Carnival parades were canceled throughout the country, and on 4 March, before most of Europe, schools were closed. Within days, bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, malls, cinemas, retail stores, museums, and archaeological sites were also closed down. Next, the government shut down beaches and ski resorts, banned gatherings of more than 10 people, prohibited travel to islands to all but permanent residents, and took-on the Greek Orthodox church to give up services and the rite of Holy Communion. At the same time, air links with the most affected countries were suspended.
But the pandemic was also a catalyst for the administration to enact long-overdue digital reforms aimed at both protecting citizens' health and modernizing the state. "When the pandemic broke, the need to simplify government processes became paramount," Greece's minister of digital governance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, told the Guardian. "One of the first things we did to limit the incentives for people to exit their homes was to enable them to receive prescriptions on their phones. That, alone, has saved 250,000 citizens from making visits to the doctor in the space of 20 days. It has dramatically helped reduce the number of people exiting their home, which can only be a good thing." Documents that once required going to government offices and dealing with Greece's complicated bureaucracy were made available online.
During these challenging times, Greece has also managed almost to double the number of ICUs. "If we pull through this, if we show that we are competent and can deliver, the rest will come," said Alex Patelis, the Prime Minister's economics adviser."The faster you deal with a health crisis, the greater the short-term economic costs, but then the greater the long-term benefits too."
From once being the black sheep of Europe, Greece is now a shining example of crisis management and efficient administration!
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
From once being the black sheep of Europe, Greece is now a shining example of crisis management and efficient administration!
To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian
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Friday, 26 March 2021 14:27
Greece In USA
A New Cultural Platform is founded in New York
The cultural platform GREECE IN USA is a New York based organization that promotes Greek culture in the US and promotes international cultural cooperation. Founded in New York by the curator and adjunct professor at CUNY City University of New York Sozita Goudouna, one of America's most prominent Greek art professionals. GREECE IN USA makes an impressive launch amid a pandemic, launching, under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, the group exhibition "The Right to Silence" / "The Right to Silence" on the penitentiary system, prison and incarceration regimes and the reform of criminal justice, in different geographical and political contexts. The first edition of the exhibition is currently being presented at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, City University of New York with the participation of 43 Greek and Cypriot Artists, while the second parallel program is expected to launch in May 2021 at "Undercurrent", one of the most influential exhibition venues for American and European cultural programs like EUNIC.
What is GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA is a non-profit organization of global scope, which promotes the knowledge of modern and ancient Greek culture abroad and promotes international cultural cooperation and social participation. The platform focuses on the dissemination of innovative and unique programs in the field of the arts and education, exploring the evolving diversity and richness of Greek culture, seeks to create and provoke new (original) thinking about the arts and to promote intercultural dialogue through and “new” expression platforms. The non-profit focuses on a number of cultural activities, including the development and support of creative, academic research with an emphasis on cultural policy and the extroversion of Greek culture. As well as in the production of commissions and festivals in collaboration with prominent US cultural partners, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops and cultural exchanges through 'art residencies' hosting programs.
GREECE IN USA presents Greek-American and Greek contemporary productions focusing on the visual arts, performing arts (theater), experimental cinema, cinema, new media, architecture and dance. The organization develops productions that meet the needs of the spaces (on-site-specific) and the new and intermediate media (new media & intermedia). The promotion of the international exchange of practices and knowledge in the arts, the exploration of the methods used in theatrical and curatorial practices and the points of intersection between the arts, society and the public sphere through interventions, collective actions, educational programs and publications, is in progress. of interest to the organization. The Board of Directors of GREECE IN USA consists of prominent personalities including Yiannis Kaplanis, General Manager of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Andreas Takis, President of MoMUS, Nektarios Antoniou, Head of Culture, St Nicholas, Rachel Katwan, Pomegranate Arts among others.
What are the goals of GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA aims to collaborate and build long-term partnerships with leading institutions and individuals active in Greece and its culture and to transfer a comprehensive representation of Greece and Cyprus through the production of cultural and educational programs that encourage interdisciplinary and allow cultural participation.
The main objectives are:
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To recalibrate the assumed center of Greek national narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition.
- To transform the way Greek histories are told and produce projects that reflect the vast, rich complexity of Greek culture.
- To support Greek inspired cultural practices by welcoming and nurturing new ideas and influential perspectives
- To commission, produce and present contemporary Greek and Cypriot culture that grapple with many of the pressing social and political issues of our time
- To foster Greek scholarship and cultural research within the American educational system
- To develop a transatlantic network for the exchange of culture and ideas
- To strengthen the development of structures in cultural policy & leadership and foster worldwide mobility.
The woman behind GREECE IN USA
Sozita Goudouna is the inspirer, founder and artistic director of GREECE IN USA, head of the Raymond Pettibon Foundation, one of America's most prominent artists and adjunct professor at CUNY City University of New York. She is the author of "Beckett's Breath: Anti-theatricality and the Visual Arts" published by Edinburgh Critical Studies in Modernism and researcher at the Organism for Poetic Research supported by NYU and Brown University. Sozita has taught from 2015 at New York University as the inaugural Andrew W. Mellon Post-Doctoral Curatorial fellow at Performa Biennial in NYC. Her internationally exhibited projects include participations at New Museum NYC, Performa Biennial and Institute in New York, Documenta, Onassis Foundation New York, Hunterian Museum London, EMST, Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum among others. She served as treasurer of the board of directors of AICA Hellas International Art Critics Association and as member of the board of directors at ITI International Theatre Association, Unesco.
What is GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA is a non-profit organization of global scope, which promotes the knowledge of modern and ancient Greek culture abroad and promotes international cultural cooperation and social participation. The platform focuses on the dissemination of innovative and unique programs in the field of the arts and education, exploring the evolving diversity and richness of Greek culture, seeks to create and provoke new (original) thinking about the arts and to promote intercultural dialogue through and “new” expression platforms. The non-profit focuses on a number of cultural activities, including the development and support of creative, academic research with an emphasis on cultural policy and the extroversion of Greek culture. As well as in the production of commissions and festivals in collaboration with prominent US cultural partners, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops and cultural exchanges through 'art residencies' hosting programs.
GREECE IN USA presents Greek-American and Greek contemporary productions focusing on the visual arts, performing arts (theater), experimental cinema, cinema, new media, architecture and dance. The organization develops productions that meet the needs of the spaces (on-site-specific) and the new and intermediate media (new media & intermedia). The promotion of the international exchange of practices and knowledge in the arts, the exploration of the methods used in theatrical and curatorial practices and the points of intersection between the arts, society and the public sphere through interventions, collective actions, educational programs and publications, is in progress. of interest to the organization. The Board of Directors of GREECE IN USA consists of prominent personalities including Yiannis Kaplanis, General Manager of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Andreas Takis, President of MoMUS, Nektarios Antoniou, Head of Culture, St Nicholas, Rachel Katwan, Pomegranate Arts among others.
What are the goals of GREECE IN USA?
GREECE IN USA aims to collaborate and build long-term partnerships with leading institutions and individuals active in Greece and its culture and to transfer a comprehensive representation of Greece and Cyprus through the production of cultural and educational programs that encourage interdisciplinary and allow cultural participation.
The main objectives are:
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To shape and envision the image of contemporary Greece in the United States beyond existing stereotypes
- To recalibrate the assumed center of Greek national narratives to include those who have often been denied historical recognition.
- To transform the way Greek histories are told and produce projects that reflect the vast, rich complexity of Greek culture.
- To support Greek inspired cultural practices by welcoming and nurturing new ideas and influential perspectives
- To commission, produce and present contemporary Greek and Cypriot culture that grapple with many of the pressing social and political issues of our time
- To foster Greek scholarship and cultural research within the American educational system
- To develop a transatlantic network for the exchange of culture and ideas
- To strengthen the development of structures in cultural policy & leadership and foster worldwide mobility.
The woman behind GREECE IN USA
Sozita Goudouna is the inspirer, founder and artistic director of GREECE IN USA, head of the Raymond Pettibon Foundation, one of America's most prominent artists and adjunct professor at CUNY City University of New York. She is the author of "Beckett's Breath: Anti-theatricality and the Visual Arts" published by Edinburgh Critical Studies in Modernism and researcher at the Organism for Poetic Research supported by NYU and Brown University. Sozita has taught from 2015 at New York University as the inaugural Andrew W. Mellon Post-Doctoral Curatorial fellow at Performa Biennial in NYC. Her internationally exhibited projects include participations at New Museum NYC, Performa Biennial and Institute in New York, Documenta, Onassis Foundation New York, Hunterian Museum London, EMST, Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum among others. She served as treasurer of the board of directors of AICA Hellas International Art Critics Association and as member of the board of directors at ITI International Theatre Association, Unesco.
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