Xmas in Athens!
Christmas is almost here and Athens is preparing to light up for the most wonderful time of the year, despite the difficult circumstances that Greeks have been facing as of late in their everyday life.
This year's festive season kicks off today at Syntagma Square with Mayor of Athens George Kaminis inaugurating an alternative tree lightening ceremony.
Children and elementary school students will decorate in a spontaneous and creative way the trees around Syntagma Square with ornaments made exclusively from recycled material, while a team of young artists will place an artwork resembling a Christmas tree - made again from recycled material -, in the centre of the square. The festive programme also includes nine mini-festivals to be held at three central squares of the city - Syntagma, Klafthmonos and Kotzia-, 17 neighborhoods and 11 cultural centres during December and early January.
To mention but a few, the "Music of the World" festival to take place from December 16 to 18 at Klafthmonos Square, the "Tiny Days" on December 20- 21 at Technopolis and the French Institute of Athens, and the juggling festival "The Toy's neighborhood" on December 27-29 at Syntagma Square, while upon the arrival of the New Year, the "Expression" festival for young artists will take place from January 3 to 5, 2012.
To learn more about the programme, visit the City of Athens official website for Christmas: christmasathens.gr which will be available soon.
Windows of Art – Athens Streetscene
To reverse the empty shop window effect which creates a grim and sad sight in certain parts of the city centre and reduce the impact of vacant shops on the Athenian streetscene, the City of Athens has teamed up with the Athens School of Fine Arts and launches the Windows of Art Project.
Young students and graduate artists will have the chance to expose their works in the empty shops’ windows, adding vibrancy to the town centre. The artistic move Shop Window Art begins on December 17, and will last until January 7.
The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry will present awards to the best three artworks, while the Hellenic Property Federation will give a medal prize to the best transformed area.
Children’s Xmas Activities at Herakleidon
While the City of Athens is preparing for this year’s celebrations, the Herakleidon Museum is welcoming elementary school children to its special holiday workshops. Starting on December 11 and through December 18, the workshops feature mosaic design, Christmas storytelling and ornament creation and promise fun and learning for children aged 7 to 12.
The Meet Market - XMAS Edition
The Meet Market celebrates Christmas with a two day market party to be held this weekend at Technopolis. The Meet Market Team invites Athenians to come and find gifts for themselves and their beloved ones, in an event full of clothes, accessories, art, jewelry, furniture, photography, home deco, vintage and retro collectables, food, books, Christmas decorations and a whole lot more ... or just join the party for a drink, a walk, a dance, a flirt, or just for a …meet.
source: www.greeknewsagenda.gr
The Non Governmental Organization Medicins du Monde together with Atenistas – an open community of citizens of Athens - have set one target for these Christmas: No child without a warm glass of milk!
Starting today through December 18, a Christmas Book Fest will take place at the Konstantinos Kavafis Building of the City of Athens Technopolis.
In the past it was always people in the far end of the world that needed our help.
A rare Greek coin will be auctioned on January 4 and is expected to reach record price. The dekadrachm of Akragas, one of only 12 examples known to exist, was minted in Sicily and dates to 409-406 BC.
The city of Thessaloniki has emerged as the winner in the competition for European Youth Capital for the year 2014.
It’s time YOU participated in a global discussion about the future of the country; upload your video and share your idea answering this question: If you had the power to change something in the country what would it be?
The Thessaloniki Food Festival closes this year’s session with a Map of Flavours expo this weekend. The wine and spirit expo, which has reached its 9th year, will take place at the port’s Warehouse C and feature the best of Northern Greek wines production.
Commencing this year’s Christmas festivities, Thessaloniki’s X-mas Magic City opens its doors on December 1 and will carry on the X-mas spirit till January 8.
The famous Brussels landmark, the tiny Manneken Pis statue, will be dressed in a Greek traditional costume as part of the Plaisirs d’ Hiver 2011 Christmas events in the city between late November and New Year's Day.
Do you know any Greek American young leaders who strive for excellence in everything they do and at the same time are dedicated to making the world around them a better place?
National Geographic Magazine ranked Sifnos in the top ten of the most prefered global destinations, among other famous holiday hot spots such as the Bahamas, Seychelles, French Polynesia, the Netherlands Antilles and other exotic islands.
The “independent” revealed the best and worst places to be a woman in the world; and Greece came first as the best place to give birth
The tourism campaign «Up Greek Tourism», which began on February 15 and will last until the first week of March, aims to support Greek Tourism.
The Environment, Energy and Climatic Change Ministry announced an international open-door call for hydrocarbon exploration in three areas of Greece.
Despite the grim headlines and the overall economic crisis, Greek companies continue to invest and prosper both abroad and at home.
Zagori is an area of great natural beauty and unique architecture in the Pindus Mountains in Epirus in Northwestern Greece. The area is of about 1.000 square kilometers and contains 46 villages. Zagoria villages is called by Greeks “Zagorochoria” meaning the villages behind the mountain.
Read more...
In 1989, Professor of Byzantine Studies, Helen Ahrweiler is appointed Chairman of the Cultural Centre Pompidou in Paris