From Athens with Love

Hungry for Finnish contemporary illustrations?

2012-05-09T12:57:00.000+03:00

Pekka of Finland European tour is in town! The title of the exhibition is Contemporary Illustration from the Land of Booze and Blondes! The small exhibition will be open from 9th until 24th of May.

The exhibition is a feat of valor from new wave of fresh Finnish illustrators and graphic designers. There are pieces from ten different young and brilliant talents. They are strongly breaking away from well-known minimalized Scandinavian style with shapes, colors and interesting interpretations of stereotypes.

The Opening seremony of the exhibition takes place on Friday 11th of May at 7.30 p.m. This is a place to be! When you go there do not forget to check out the pop-up-shop where you can buy some works by the artists.

Address: Vasilissis Sofias Ave, Eleftherias Park Arts Centre (up with the small road from metro station Megaro Mousikis and right to the white building).

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10.00-20.00. Sunday 10.00-14.00. Free entrance.

The perfect weather is now

2012-05-04T00:49:00.000+03:00

The weather on May in Athens is superb for anything and yet everything. The days are already perfectly hot and sunny but the nights are still cool. The city has not absorbed the sizzling summer heat into it yet.

It is the time to admire the blooming city, climb up Acropolis to check out Parthenon or enjoy a nice and long Greek dinner outside. Forget the spray tanning and explore the city on its best!

Dye your eggs red

2012-04-13T00:48:00.002+03:00

Eggs are quite known as a symbol of new life sealed within it. Same goes with Greek tradition and now it is a time to dye your eggs red for the Greek Easter! It is a fun tradition in Greece but the symbol of an red egg is something else.

Red color symbolizes the blood of the Christ shed on the cross and the hard shell has a meaning of the sealed Tomb of Christ.

Ready to decorate your eggs with few simple steps? Ready, set, GO!

1.

In her eyes

2012-03-21T00:22:00.000+02:00

Someone has been listening Caribou´s psych-pop-electronic song Sandy a bit too much, perhaps? Anyway, it is a pretty sweet writing on the wall even though it makes me think how it would feel to give this artist a piece of paper and a big box of crayons as a gift.

Buckets full of meat waste

2012-03-20T23:59:00.000+02:00

Big buckets of meat waste in the back of the Athens Central Market after a long and hard workday of the butchers in one of the largest market halls in Europe.

The empty stor(i)es

2012-03-20T23:42:00.000+02:00

The number of empty stores is growing by the day in Athens. From the recent European Commission survey we can find out that the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Greece has shranked by 30 000 between 2003 and 2010. The National Confederation of Greek Commerce states that another 53 000 are likely to close their doors soon. It is very sad to hear these news and the real stories of real people behind them - actually about 67 000 new stories soon.

2012-03-16T23:24:00.000+02:00

A charming little flower shop on the corner of the streets in the district of Neapoli, Athens. One can see all the colors of Spring blooming all over the flowers.

The colors of the rainbow

2012-03-13T23:13:00.000+02:00

These colorful old swings are from a small playground of the Ambelokipoi district, Athens.

Somehow the colors just pops up, between the grey buildings, when you walk by the swings.

The very existence of Navarinou Park

2012-03-10T22:52:00.002+02:00

It is hard to miss the self-organized park in Exarchia even legally speaking it does not exist and you cannot find it from a map. It is a part of the idea to take life back into your own hands, make the urban environment blooming and, at the same time, make some dreams come true.

Like everything in Athens, this park has also its own little history. The area was the location of a clinic called Geroulaneion Institute until 1972 when it was bought by the Technical Chamber of Greece. They demolished the old building but never build a new one and the plot was used as a parking lot with a lease for 15 years - until it was about to expire.

Residents of Exarchia feared that it would be used as a office building space again and in one day, March 2009, over 1 000 people gathered together and in just 12 hours all of the cement was gone and there it was! A real park with trees, flowers, benches, playground for children and a small place for open air theater.

The park is really nice even it´s, well in fact, illegal and protected by residents from the local government and the police to take any actions to close the park down. Nevertheless, it is an good example of how Athenians can combat some negativity surrounding the city and turn it something beautiful and useful.

The park is a hot spot for a lot of events like free open air movies, communal cooking, music, art, children’s events and of course maintenance of the park.

Christmas in Athens!

2011-12-11T02:26:00.001+02:00

Nothing to do in Athens during the holiday season? Check again.

Friday, December 16th 2011

Klaythmonos Square
18.00
"Music of the World" Festival
Municipality of Athens Symphonic Orchestra, with solist Christos Tsiamoulis, Kyriakos Gkouventas and Vaggelis Vergotis with the participation of Martha Moreleon
20.00
Encardia Concert
21.00
Katia Gonzalez Concert

Saturday, December 17th 2011

Kolonaki Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from the "Magikes Svoures" group and the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra with Christmas Songs.

Plyta Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and children activities form the "Anemoskala" group

Iious Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from the "Morphes Ekfrasis" group and the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra with Christmas Songs

Petroula Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from "Pantomime Spectacles" group

Thermidas Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from "Sfyrichtroules" group.
Agiou Demetriou Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from "OSCAR" group, with the participation o f the Choir of the Cultural Center of Y.S.O. Of Vafeiochoriou.

Amerikis Square
12.00
Christmas Songs from the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pedestrian Walk Fokionos Negri
(at the level of Megistis and Skyrou streets)
11.30-14.30
Christmas workshops and other children activities from "Paichnidokamomata" group
13.00
Christmas Songs from the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.

Y.S.O. Sepolia Cultural Center
(4, Lampovou street)
18.30
Excerpts from "the Little Match Girl" theatrical team and the children choir of the Y.S.O. Sepolia Cultural Center
Y.S.O. Kato Petralona Cultural Center
(61, Athinadorou street)
19.30
"Kay and Gernda in the Elf Land"--Children team and children choir of Y.S.O. Kato Petralona Cultural Center

Klaythmonos Square
10.00-22.00
"Music of the World" Festival
10.00-12.00 Music of the World from Kosmos Radio 93.6
12.0 Takim1
13.30 European Taxim
15.00 Eleni & Souzana Vougioukli
16.30 Zoi Tiganouria
18.00 Athens Hot Club
19.30 Socrates Sinopoulos& Christos Tsiamoulis
21.00 Christos Tsiamoulis & Kyriakos Goubentas in Greek traditional christmas carols

Kotzia Square
10.30-12.00
Christmas Workshops-Children Environmental Program Y.S.O. (visual, music and kinetic treatment workshops)
14.15 Dance School Eleni Christofilou
15.15 Dance School Bailarte Salsa Studio
16.00 "Pedion Olisthiron phase II" from the Dance theater Dagypoli

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square of Children"

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

"Anna and Maria Kalouta" Athens Municipality venue
(6, Timokreontos Street, Neos Kosmos)
12.00
Christmas concert by the Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra at the Neos Kosmos Venue.

Y.S.O. Evelpidon Cultural Center
(18, Evelpidon Street)
11.00
"Tonight Jesus Christ is Born"--Children Theatrical Team & Children Choir of the Evelpidon Y.S.O.

Y.S.O. Kato Patissia Cultural Center
(Kourtidou and Stratigou Kallari street)
19.00
"Christmas Tricks", from the Kato Patissia Y.S.O. Cultural Center children theatrical team.

Y.S.O. Agios Eleftherios Cultural Center
(5, Anavritis street)
18.00
"A gift for Santa Claus"-- from the Agios Eleftherios Y.S.O. Cultural Center children theatrical team

Y.S.O. Gravas Cultural Center
(60, Taygetou street)
19.30
"Holly night & the Trolls" from the Gravas Y.S.O. Cultural Center children theatrical team

Mets (Panagiots Gkazgkas) Closed Gym
(70, M.Mousourou street)
09.00-14.00
Multicultural Fest-Co-organized by the Y.S.O and the Greek National committee of UNICEF

Klaythmonos Square
10.00-22.00
"Music of the World" Festival
10.00-12.00 Music of the World from Kosmos Radio 93.6
10.30 "Rodina" Choir of the Greek-Bulgarian Cultural Link
12.00 Melios Balkana Mama
13.30 Tangarto
15.00 Adriatika
16.30 Babuba
18.00 Colpo Grosso
19.30 Martha Mavroidi
21.00 Andre Maia

Kapnikarea Square
11.00-14.00
Nickelodeon invites children in a parade along with Sponge bob, Patrick and Dora the Explorer to Syntagma Square!

Syntagma Square
14.00-19.00
"The magical square of Children"

Kotzia Square
10.30-12.00
Christmas Workshops-Children Environmental Program Y.S.O. (visual, music and kinetic treatment workshops)
11.14.30
Dance School Performances:
11.00 Anastasia Bofiliou Dance school
12.00 "Star Dance" Dance School Christmas Show
13.00 "Christmas Wishes" from De Petrillo-Varlamou Dance school
13.30 "Happy Merry Christmas" from Kallikaki Dance School
16.00 Scissor-modeling workshop by the Sotiris Charidemos repertory
17.00 Karagiozis Performance by the Sotiris Charidemos repertory

Monday, December 19th 2011

Klaythmonos Square
18.00-21.00
Young Student Group Concerts (Y.S.O)
18.00 Contra Limit
18.45 Maybe in Heaven it Doesn't Rain
19.30 The Overjoyed 32
20.15 ROCKAMORA

Syntagma Square
12.00-15.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

Kotzia Square
16.00-20.00
Christmas Workshops from the Nurseries of Athens Municipality
17.00-19.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

Tuesday, December 20th 2011

"Technopolis" complex (Aggelos Sikelianos hall)
(100, Pireos Street, Gazi)
13.00 Presentation of the "The yard of Paintings" program, by the Solidarity and Invitation Center of the Athens Municipality (children painting exhibition -refugees from Afghanistan and interpretations of their approaches by specialized scientific personnel of the Municipality of Athens Solidarity Center )

Agios Meletios Square
12.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra (Athens Municipality Cultural Organization)

Klaythmonos Square
18.00-21.00
Young Student Group Concerts (Y.S.O)
18.00 - 18.30 2 NIGHT
18.40 - 19.20 THE D.E.AL
19.30 - 20.10 WHITE STAIN
20.20 - 21.00 Violent Cartoons

Syntagma Square
12.00-15.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

Kotzia Square
16.00-20.00
Christmas Workshops from the Nurseries of Athens Municipality
17.00-19.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

"Athina 98,4" Amphitheater
(100, Pireos Street)
Les jours les plus courts
Short length film festival in collaboration with the French Institut of Athens and the Drama Festival
09.30 Children french short length movies: cartoons and science fiction movies for children 6-10 years old
20.30 "The Power of Image" A selection of short length movies from all over the world from the International Drama Festival archive.

Wednesday, December 21st 2011

Klaythmonos Square
18.00 El Culture day with theater, AMSTER perform in art and music!

Syntagma Square
12.00-15.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

Kotzia Square
16.00-20.00
Christmas Workshops from the Nurseries of Athens Municipality
17.00-19.00
"Pantomime Days & Nights of Magic, Puppetry" Festival

French Institute of Athens
(31, Sina street)
22.00
Les jours les plus courts
Short length film festival in collaboration with the French Institute of Athens and the Drama Festival

Thursday, December 22nd 2011
"Technopolis" complex
(100, Pireos Street, Gazi)
"Athina 98,4" hosts the Child Care Center "Mitera" and organizes the annual Christmas celebration for foster families and children hosted by Mitera.

Klaythmonos Square
10.00-21.00
«Jazzie Christmas» Festival
10.00 -12.00 Μusic Selections by "En Lefko" 87.7
12.00 Black Jack
13.30 Trio Puente
15.00 Soul Station
16.30 GoJam Group
18.00 Blues Revenge & Dioni
19.30 Vassilis Gouzios Quartet

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square of Children"
15.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra Musical walk, Ermou street-Varvakeios Market-Kotzia Square.

Kotzia Square
14.00
"The Meeting" performance by the Modern Circus Team Cirque Petit
16.00-17.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra
16.00 -20.00
Christmas Workshops from the Nurseries of Athens Municipality
17.00
"Metropolitan Stories" Modern Athenian stories.

Acropolis Museum (2nd Floor balcony)
17.00 European Taxim

Friday, December 23rd 2011

Y.S.O Kipseli Cultural Center
(18, Kalogera street)
19.00
"Christmas Story" by Charles Dickens from the Y.S.O Kipseli Cultural Center children theatrical team.

Klaythmonos Square

10.00-21.00
«Jazzie Christmas» Festival
10.00 -12.00 Μusic Selections by "En Lefko" 87.7
12.00 Atheneum Swinging Jazz
13.30 Jazz Bastards
15.00 Slice of Jazz
16.30 Vette Michelle & SouLuv
18.00 Jan Van de Angel
19.30 Anakata
21.00 Voyage Jazz Trio

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square of Children"
15.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra Musical walk, Ermou street-Monastiraki -Kotzia Square.

Kotzia Square
16.00 -20.00
Christmas Workshops from the Nurseries of Athens Municipality
15.00-17.00
"Choir Day"
15.00 Carols by Non Canon
16:30 Choir Festival-Y.S.O Choir
17.30 Choir Festival-P.P.C S.A. Choir

Acropolis Museum (Ground Floor)
17.00 Municipality of Athens Symphony Orchestra Performance.

Saturday, December 24th 2011

St. Paul's Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Anemoskala" group.
Mesologgiou Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Morphes Ekfrasis" group.
Merkouri Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Pantomime Spectacle" group.

Kolymvitirio Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Sfyritroules" group.

St. Andrew's Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Magikes Svoures" group.

Kanari Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Oscar" group.

St. Thomas' Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for Children by the "Paichnidokamomata" group.

Klaythmonos Square

10.00-22.00
«Jazzie Christmas» Festival
10.00 -12.00 Music Selections by "En Lefko" 87.7
10.30 Egg Lemon Sauce
12.00 Atheneum Swinging Jazz
13.30 Martha Moreleon
15.00 Paradoxonia
16.30 Biri Biri
18.00 Happy Dog Project
21.00 Municipality of Athens Big Band Concert, with the Participation of Nastazia Beikof

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square of Children

Kotzia Square
13.00
Pedro & Salsa Sinners
15.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra Musical walk ,Syntagma Square-Varvakeios Market-Kotzia Square
15.00
Athens Swing Cats
16.00 - 16.30
Municipality of Athens Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, December 25th 2011

Rouf Closed Gym (Peireos and 69, Ehelidon Street)
13.00
Festive Lunch for the homeless with the participation of the Greek Music Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.

Tuesday, December 27th 2011
Melina Cultural Center
(66, Herakleidon Street, Theisio)

17.30- Scissor-modeling workshop by the Sotiris Charidemos repertory
18.30 Karagiozis Performance by the Sotiris Charidemos repertory

Klaythmonos Square
10.00-21.00
"New Musical Scene" Festival

10.00 -12.00 Μusic Selections by "Diessi" 101.3
15.30 Guilotinas Project
17.00 Dilemma
18.30 Soul Mates
20.00 Ismene Pepe

Syntagma Square & "Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets
11.00-16.00
Juggling Festival "The Toy Neighborhood"
and music selections from "Athina 98,4"

14.00 - 21.00
Juggling Seminars (Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets-70, M.Moussourou street)

Κotzia Square
13.00-15.00
Puppetry Workshops from the Hellenic Union of Puppetry center (UNIMA Hellas)

Wednesday, December 28th 2011

Municipality of Athens Cultural Center
(50, Akadimias Street)
13.00
The Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra-Christmas Songs.

Klaythmonos Square

10.00-21.00
"New Musical Scene" Festival
10.00 -12.00 Μusic Selections by "Diessi" 101.3
13.30 Sofia Kourtidou
15.00 Gaudi
16.30 Eva Loukatou
18.00 Spirits Alike
20.00 Funkey

Syntagma Square & "Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets
11.00-16.00
Juggling Festival "The Toy Neighborhood"
and music selections from "Athina 98,4"
14.00 - 21.00
Juggling Seminars (Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets-70, M.Moussourou street)

Κotzia Square
13.00-15.00
Puppetry Workshops from the Hellenic Union of Puppetry center (UNIMA Hellas)
18.00
"Lyric Night» with the participation of Athens State Orchestra Solists (excerpts from Operettas and Musicals )

Thursday, December 29th 2011

12.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra Musical walk ,Kanelopoulou Square-Ambelokipoi-Metro Exit Alexandras Avenue and D. Soutsou street.

Klaythmonos Square
10.00-22.00
"New Music Scene" Festival
(«Technopolis" Complex, Athens Municipality.)
10.00 -12.00 Music selections from "Diesi" 101.3
13.30 Theologos Kappos
15.00 NOMISMA
16.30 Demetra Mastoridou
18.00 Salata Band
19.30 Schooldrivers
21.00 DJ party από τον Tareq

Syntagma Square & "Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets
11.00-16.00
Juggling Festival "The Toy Neighborhood"
and music selections from "Athina 98,4"
14.00 - 21.00
Juggling Seminars (Panagiotis Gkazgkas" Closed Gym, Mets-70, M.Moussourou street)

Kotzia Square
10.00-17.00
"Classical Music" Festival
10.00 Classical Melodies by the 3rd Program of E.R.T.
12.00 Modern Music E.R.T. Orchestra Concert (Conductor A. Pylarinos)
14.00 Tzeni & Zisimos Soultouki
16.00 Echo Quartet

Acropolis Museum (2nd floor Balcony)
17.00 Audio Strings Quartet

Friday, December 30th 2011

Klaythmonos Square

19.00
Best 92.6 Radio Station Party

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square" of Children

Kotzia Square
10.00-19.00
"Classical Music" Festival
10.00 -12.00 Classical Melodies by the 3rd Program of E.R.T.

12.00
Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra Musical walk ,Syntagma Square-Monastiraki-Varvakeios Market-Kotzia Square
15.00 Alexandros Botinis-Zacharias Tarpagos
16.30 Metallon (Brass Ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra)
18.00 Theodoris Economou

Saturday, December 31st 2011

Exarcheia Square
11.30-14.30

Christmas Workshops and happening for children from "Anemoskala" group
with the participation of the Music Team AmEA and the Y.S.O. Exarcheia Cultural Center with Christmas songs.

Heltraich Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Paichinokamomomata" group.

St. Katherine's Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Anemoskala" group.

Athanasiou Diakou Square (Thymarakion)
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Oscar" group.

Ag. Eleftherios Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Pantomima Spectacles" group.

Kalliga Square (ex Karamanlaki Square)
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Morfes Ekfrasis" group.

Gyzi Square
11.30-14.30
Christmas Workshops and happenings for children from "Sfyrichtroules" group.

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square" of Children

Omonia Square
22.30 Municipality of Athens Philarmonic Orchestra

Kotzia Square
Classical Music Festival

12.00
Chalkeion Brass Quintet
14.00
Athens Strings Quartet
23.20
Arrival of Municipality of Athens Philharmonic orchestra
Start of New Year's eve program
Presenters: Larissa Vergou-Leonidas Antonopoulos
23.30
Municipality of Athens Symphony Orchestra
00.00
Mayor of Athens Greeting
0.20
Musical Performance of the "Mousika Synola" of The Municipality of Athens with the participation of Doros Dimosthenous, Stamatis Beris and Gina Poulou
(The presentation will be done by Sign language interpreters from the NGO "Dro")

Sunday, January 1st 2012

Rouf Closed Gym
(Peireos & 69, Ehelidon Street)
13.00
Festive Lunch for the Homeless

Monday, January 2nd 2012

"Anna and Maria Kalouta" Athens Municipality venue
(6, Timokreontos Street, Neos Kosmos)
20.00 - 22.00
"Expression, arts meet" Festival

Video Art - Animation, new artists
1. 1. Konstantinos Lianos
2. Sotiris Fokeas
3. ΒΑ17 Team
4. Sophia Ladeni, Giorgos Tsakalis, Panagiotis Grizos
5. Emilia Liontou, Villy Hisnaki, Alexia Psaradeli
6. Stela Vula
7. Theodoris Vogiatzides
8. Manolis Daskalakis, Menelaos Kouroudis
9. Mmine group
10. Olga Evagelidou
11. Pavlos Margaris, Christos Tsiamis

Performance
Olga Evagelidou, , Alexia Psaradeli
12. Pantelis Giannakis
13. Vassilis Papageorgiou
14. Giannis Mouradas
15. Natasha Efstathiade
16. Pantazis Tselios, Fotis Varthis
17. Veronika Marioglou-Malagon
18. Aliki Souma
19. Eleni Fountoulaki
20. Stephanos Athanatos
21. Nikos Hatzikostantis

Tuesday January 3rd 2012

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square" of Children

"Anna and Maria Kalouta" Athens Municipality venue
(6, Timokreontos Street, Neos Kosmos)
18.00 -18.30
anasa-African dance and drums (Μusic Performance)
19.00 - 20.15
Opera Chaotique Tenorman & Voodoo Drummer (Jazz- Cabaret-Opera)
20.45 - 22.15
"Όrnithai»" by Aristophanes, A rock Performance for teenagers by Georgina Kakoudaki

Klaythmonos Square
"Expression, arts meet" Festival
16.30 - 17.30
«The forgetful bee»Theatrical Performance by the 2+2 Team
17.30 - 18.00
«Drawing toys» performance by Sotiris Fokeas
18.00 - 18.15
Video Art - Animation
• Κonstantinos Lianos
• Sotiris Fokeas
• ΒΑ17 team
18.30 - 20.00
«How can I remain silent» Theodoris Economou (Piano and vocal symphony)
20.00 -20.15
Video Art - Animation
• Sophia Ladeni, Giorgos Tsakalis, Panagiotis Grizos
• Emilia Liontou, Villy Hisnaki, Alexia Psaradeli
• Stela Vula
20.15 -20.45
Tango Verse (Tango Performance)
20.45 - 21.00
Video Art - Animation
• Theodoris Vogiatzides
• Manolis Daskalakis, Menelaos Kouroudes
• Mmine group
21.00 - 21.45
Μorfeas (Intercultural theatrical team)

Wednesday January 4th 2012

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square" of Children

Old People's Home of Athens
11.00
Municipality of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra Concert

"Anna and Maria Kalouta" Athens Municipality venue
(6, Timokreontos Street, Neos Kosmos)
"Expression, arts meet" Festival
17.30 - 18.30
«The forgetful bee» Theatrical Performance by the 2+2 Team
19.00 - 19.45
Μorfeas (Intercultural theatrical team)
20.00 - 20.45
Tango Verse (Tango Performance)
21.00 - 22.30
«How can I remain silent» Theodoris Economou (Piano and vocal symphony)

Klaythmonos Square
"Expression, arts meet" Festival
16.00 - 16.30
"The bow and the word" Musical and Theatrical Performance by Alekos Vassilatos
17.00 - 17.30
Capoeira Group Cordao de Ouro
18.00 - 18.30
"Strange Animals" Theatrical Performance by Margarita Amarandidi

18.40 -18.50
Video Art - Animation
• Olga Evaggelidou
• Pavlos Margaris, Christos Tsamis
19.00 - 20.00
«Drawing toys» Performance by Sotiris Fokeas& Performance with Olga Evaggelidou
20.15 -20.30
Video Art - Animation
• Pantellis Giannakis
• Vassilis Papageorgiou
20.30 - 21.00
«Eipan» Street Theater by Katerina Vardakastani.
21.00 -21.15
Video Art - Animation
• Giannis Mouradas
• Natasha Efstathiadi
21.15 - 21.45
African Drums & Dance

Thursday January 5th 2012

Syntagma Square
10.00-17.00
"The magical square" of Children

"Anna and Maria Kalouta" Athens Municipality venue
(6, Timokreontos Street, Neos Kosmos)
"Expression, arts meet" Festival
19.00 - 20.00
"The bow and the word" Musical and Theatrical Performance by Alekos Vassilatos
20.00 - 20.30
«Eipan» Street Theater by Katerina Vardakastani.
21.00 - 21.30
"Strange Animals" Theatrical Performance by Margarita Amarandidi

Municipality of Athens Directorate of Social Welfare in the context of its social policy is organizing Christmas Celebration for the members of the Friendship Club in the "Technopolis" Complex from the 8th until the 20th of December 2011 with the participation of the the Municipality of Athens Greek Music Orchestra.

Atenistas NGO is also participating in the "Athens Celebrating" program with three activities. For the dates and time of these activities we will inform you through our site www.christmasinathens.gr

Resource: http://www.breathtakingathens.com/node/5001495

The snoring Santa

2011-12-07T05:56:00.000+02:00

You can find (and hear) this hilarious snoring Santa from The Notos Galleries Christmas window.

More precisely the place is on the corner of Aiolou (Αιόλου) and Stadiou (Σταδίου) Streets, nearest metro station is Omonia.
Ho Ho Ho!

Hitchcock moment in Athens

2011-12-02T19:05:00.000+02:00

My little Hitchcock moment at the neoclassical Kotzia Square (Greek: Πλετεία Κοτζιά), formerly know as Loudovikou Square.

The square is from the 19th century and surrounded by some nice neoclassical buildings. You can find it south of Omonoia Square (Πλατεία Ομονοίας) or north from Monastiraki Square (Πλατεία Μοναστηράκι).

A rainbow of balconies

2011-11-29T18:08:00.000+02:00

Colorful balconies of a student house in the Zografou district of Athens.

Kolonaki Church Entrance

2011-11-27T02:27:00.000+02:00

This spectacular church is named after Saint Dionysios Aeropagite, who was the first bishop and one of the tree protectors of Athens.

You can see this church entrance from Skoufa street. It is in the heart of the Kolonaki district in Athens.

Awesome sunset over Athens

2011-11-25T13:15:00.000+02:00

Sunset through a bell tower silhouette, Mount Lycabettos in Athens.

Nine lives calendar launch party

2011-11-23T20:36:00.001+02:00

Nine lives (Greek: Οι Εφτάψυχες) helps stray cats of Athens by feeding, caring, neutering and rehoming them. The very famous Nine lives is actually a handful of volunteers, who are working very hard for the welfare of cats.

They are very proud to have an official Calendar 2012 launch party over some cocktails. The party is on November 25th from 19.00 to 22.00 at the Astra Galerie (Karyatidon 8, Acropoli, nearest metro stop is Acropoli). This year the rescued stray cats were modeling for the camera held by photographer Carlo Raciti.

Source: www.ninelivesgreece.com/2012calendar.html

The association receives no state funding whatsoever even it is a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals and an affiliate of the Greek Cat Welfare Society. Volunteering or buying the Calendar 2012 is a great way to show your support to their priceless work.

A door and a story

2011-11-22T11:12:00.000+02:00

I have passed by this old door many times at Plaka. This time I took a moment to actually look at it and the details are awesome.

The door is like an old story book opening on front of your eyes. I give you the the beginning of the story. On the center point you can find the primordial Titan Atlas (Greek: Άτλας) from the Greek mythology holding the celestial spheres. He supports the heavens and is identified with the Atlas Mountain in north-west Africa.

... and the rest you can find out from the picture or imagine by yourself. Have an interesting day with Greek mythology!

Paradise for a homesickness

2011-11-21T10:28:00.000+02:00

Every foreigner around the world knows the days when they are ready to make whatever it takes to get that specific bar of chocolate, box of cereals or jar of fruit jam from their home country. There is a very special pilgrimage to greater Athens you can do on those days. It only takes an hour from the downtown, two busses and little walking, and Sim Sala Bim you are there! The biggest Dimitrios Thanopoulos super market (Greek: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΘΑΝΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) is etymologically in the heavens above of Athens in Nea Erithrea.

There you can find shelf after self stocked with quality brand products from all over the world (mainly from UK and USA). Beverages, jams, chocolates, candies, chips, dips, sauces, meats, cheeses, berries... all that your heart desires and makes you feel a bit better again. I even found some products from tiny little Finland from there! Well, that´s something, even I found these two exported items quite funny choices. I could have given my right arm easily for example to get some Karl Fazer chocolate, Halvas´ salty liqourice or fresh berries from Finland, but never mind.

Of course this personal salvation has its cost like everything in this life. Most of the heavenly products are pretty pricy, but the owner of this supermarket chain knows the secret. When a foreigner is wounded by a homesickness the price is not an issue. All I am saying is that try to keep your head straight with your budget while strolling between the shelves of the super paradise. Now we are just left into the darkness waiting for this sight to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

No, no, thank you!

2011-11-20T17:36:00.001+02:00

There has been an increasing number of readers here lately. You are one of them, thank you. You have a special place here as being a heart of this blog. This blog would not breath or even exist without you.

It has been awesome to see that this blog page has been recommended further from one friend to another and more people follow it and join to the Facebook fan page almost daily. The truth really is that without a person like you there would be no blog like this from lovely Athens.

Thank you once again and have a good evening. <3

Good evening! / Hauskaa iltaa! / Bonne soirée! / Guten Abend! / Καλησπέρα! / Labas vakaras! / Bună seara! / Добрый вечер! / ¡Buenas tardes! / 晚安 / Buonasera! / God kväll! / Dober večer! / Tere õhtust! / สวัสดีครับ / God aften! / Chào buổi tối! / Goede avond! (These are the languages used by most frequent visitors on this blog. Can you spot yours?)

The smell of gingerbread on the air

2011-11-18T08:33:00.000+02:00

There is a little church by the street at Plaka in Athens. When you enter inside from the door you can smell the aromas of Christmas on the air: mullet wine, gingerbread and candles...

It is time for the annual Christmas Bazaar in Scandinavian Church! The house is going to be full of happy people to meet, little café to sit down and tempting Christmas ideas, from the birthplace of Mr. Santa himself, on display.

From there you will find a selection of Scandinavian food, Christmas decorations, cards, presents and much more. The money will be used to support different activities run by the Scandinavian Church.

The Christmas Bazaar is open only on November 25.-27. from 12.00 to 8.00 p.m. The address is Daidalu 18. You can find the place from the downtown of Athens, near Syntagma.

Καλό χειμώνα και καλές γιορτές!

Student´s legacy, Nov. 17th

2011-11-17T00:33:00.001+02:00

The Anniversary of the Student´s uprising on November 17th is a holiday of all Greek students. It is one of the most important moments for Greek people, especially youth, in the history of Greece.

The main place to be (or not) is the campus of National Metsovion Polytechnic (Πολυτεχνείο, Polytechneio) where it all happened in 1973. At 3.00 a.m. on November 17th there was a brave act of resistance against the Greek military junta and extreme right wing dictatorship ending up to bloodshed of several youngsters hanging on the main steel gate of the campus, when an army AMX 30 tank crashed it all down.

Nowadays killed civilians are remembered with wreaths and a demonstration that begins from the campus area and ends at the United States Embassy. After all of these years the messages has remained the same: let there be a freedom, an independence and love for life in Greece. The day is also celebrated all over the world as The International Student´s Day.

Christmas is cancelled?

2011-11-16T16:45:00.000+02:00

During this Christmas holidays there are probably more homeless and poor people in Athens than 70 years ago after German occupation. New people join them every day. For example outside the soup kitchen of the Aghia Triada church in Piraeus you can witness more and more poor people lining up for some food and handouts.

Many people in Greece had already a yearly tradition to give some food, clothes and Christmas gifts to churches, orphanages and hospitals. Especially this year it is easy to say “how do we give anything out of nothing”, but stop for a minute and think if your Christmas would be cancelled this year?

No home, no loved ones, no food or expensive luxury like Christmas presents or decorations. Isn´t there few coins, cans of food or good old clothes you could give away to make someone´s Christmas more human this year? Isn´t the Christmas spirit all about giving, sharing and fulfilled dreams, after all?

I decided to give a small donation this Christmas to the poor and homeless people of Athens. I challenge you to reach out your hand, too, and put the good word about this Christmas challenge around to your circle of friends and loved ones. Even a small donation to the charity can be received as a true Christmas miracle by someone in need.

Your next chance is in November 19th from 12.00 p.m. to 16.00 p.m. During that time Atenistas help to collect food and medicines to those in need at the Thon building in Ambelokipoi (intersection of Alexandras Avenue and Kifissias Avenue, nearest metro stop is Ambelokipoi).

Waste of (y)our time

2011-11-14T10:09:00.000+02:00

Okay, I admit it. This blogging can be a bit gross, yucky and need some parental advisory because its explicit content.

Anyway, here we go! While strolling on the streets of Athens or walking to the trash bins many times per week, you just can´t go by wondering what on earth people throw away or want to recycle... or can you? ;)

5th place: a teddybear

4th place: a shopping cart

3th place: a part of the restroom

2nd place: a chest x-ray film

1st place: a car

History at Monastiraki

2011-11-12T09:18:00.001+02:00

The Monastiraki Square (Μοναστιράκι) is a historic place named after the monastery to which the Pantánassa church belonged at 10th century.

The history of Athens, and all of its different phases, are presented there. ;p

Let Allou Fun Park dazzle you

2011-11-10T11:28:00.000+02:00

Are you bored to see historical monuments, hanging around in some-hole-on-the-wall bars in Athens or worry about the economic crisis? Allou Fun Park is not only fun but a dazzling place to spend a night or day of escapism.

A Greek word Allou means either that you want to go somewhere else or that you are a bit high in your own world. That is exactly what we all need every now and then - to be lost in the map of the fairy tale land.

Well, Allou Fun Park has it all taken care of. You can have some fun with the rides and eat, drink, play and have a dose of adrenalin while doing it.

Dive into the amusement park from one of the three gates free of charge (a fee is charged for using the rides and games) and find yourself taking the coolest thrill rides of the park. Let 6G shoot you into the sky or come down 40 meters with Free Fall.

There are also rides like Crazy Mouse roller coaster, New York bumper cars, Water Tunnel or Panorama, the largest observation wheel in Greece, for those who are more of traditional amusement park seekers.

The Allou Fun park has carefree environment with lots of greenery and quality service but, wait, it does not stop here. The whole Entertainment Park covers 40,000 square meters and right next to Allou Fun Park you can find Kidom.

It is a classic fairy tale park for little children for ages 6-12 years old. there you can find the magical carousel, a small pirate ship, trampolines and cotton candy for the smaller ones of the family.

When you look a bit further you find a multiplex Village Park mall with coffee shops, restaurants, stores and a movie theater. There is everything for everyone.

Sounds tempting? The location of the Allou Fun park is Kanapitseri Street 5, Agios Ioannis Rendis. It is about 7 kilometers from Acropolis, near the junction of Kiﬁssos Avenue and Petrou Ralli.

Allou Fun Park is open Mon-Thu 17.00 – 24.00, Fri 17.00 – 01.00, Sat 10.00 – 01.00, Sun and holidays 10.00 – 24.00. (Kidom is open Mon-Fri 17.00 – 23.00, Sat Sun and holidays 10.00 – 23.00).

You can get there from Omonia with busses: B18, Γ18, and trolleybus 21 (until KAN KAN). From Metro Egaleo with busses: 829, 802, 803, 804, 845, 703 and 909 (until Νεκροταφείο). From Piraeus Metro with busses: 703 and 909 (until Νεκροταφείο).

On summer time you can also take a free Allou Park bus from Syntagma. A taxi will cost about 6-8 Euros from the centre of Athens.