House of Cyprus
The House of Cyprus, the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Greece, has been housed since December 2011 in the new Embassy building at 2Α Xenophontos Street, in the centre of Athens, very close to Syntagma Square. However, its presence in the cultural life goes back to 1987 when it was inaugurated in Kolonaki by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Spyros Kyprianou and the Prime Minister of Greece, Andreas Papandreou.
With consistency and stability, the House of Cyprus plays a decisive role in the cultivation and strengthening of the spiritual and cultural ties between Greece and Cyprus, serving as a hub of inspiration and creativity, promoting contemporary art, literature, the traditional values of Cyprus and the age-old unbreakable ties between the two sister countries.
In its premises it has hosted cultural events, art and other exhibitions, musical events, theatrical performances, film screenings, book presentations and other publications as well as conferences, workshops, lectures and seminars on art, literature, history, archaeology and ancient literature.
At the same time, the House of Cyprus has an important library of Cyprus-related content, which includes 8,000 book titles, rare and old publications and a remarkable collection of periodicals that constitute a valuable source of information, reference and research for students and scholars.
In addition, the House of Cyprus maintains close cooperation with the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, as well as with many Cypriot, Greek and international institutions, including universities in Cyprus and Greece. As a founding and active member of the Athens Branch of the European Union Network of Cultural Institutes, EUNIC Athens, it participates in cultural and educational activities, with the aim of promoting cultural diversity and strengthening international dialogue and cooperation on culture within the framework of a united Europe.
The House of Cyprus has modern infrastructure and two, fully equipped, large halls, the event hall on the 1st floor and the art exhibition hall on the 2nd floor of the Cyprus Embassy building.
Today, after almost four decades of continuous operation, the House of Cyprus is renewing and enriching its programme with new themes and actions, developing new partnerships, always remaining faithful to its name, its history, its choices, while continuing to actively participate in the cultural life of Athens.
Directors of the House of Cyprus have been: George Georgis, Andreas Malekos, Nasa Patapiou, Eleni Antoniadou, Kostas Lympouris, Maria Panagidou, Nadia Stylianou, Maria Ragia (supervisor) and Loukas Xenophontos (Advisor for Educational and Student Affairs).
From 2024 to date, Diomedes Nikita.
www.spititiskyprou.gr
Iliou Melathron
At number 12 of Eleftherios Venizelos Street (Panepistimiou), among interwar apartment buildings, is the Numismatic Museum , which has one of the largest and most important collections of ancient coins in the world. However, the Museum building itself impresses visitors and passers-by alike. After all, the Iliou Melathron is a landmark for the city and was the residence of one of its most famous residents.
Already in 1837 the Panepistimiou Street had been completed. A tree-lined, wide paved street with sidewalks, a boulevard with azaleas intended for country walks, However, the installation of the Megaron in its present location in 1836 gave the street a more central character, also according to the plan of the architect Leo von Klenze.
From the middle of the century, the sub-structures, shacks and open spaces that existed on the sides of the street gave way to neoclassical buildings, luxurious mansions of public and private character, usually designed by European architects. The University was the work of the Danish architect Hans Christian Hansen; the Athens Academy Hall, the work of Theophilus Hansen; the Catholic Cathedral of St. Dionysius of Areopagite, designed by the German architect Leo von Klenze, The Athens Ophthalmology Clinic in designs by Christian Hansen, Gerasimos Metaxas and Aristides Balanos, the Shepieri Mansion in designs by Anastasios Theophilos, the Arsakeion in original design by Stamatis Kleanthis etc. etc.
One of the prominent residents of the street was the German businessman and amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. His involvement in archaeology was due to his love of Homer since his childhood. He devoted most of his fortune to research and excavations in Troy, Mycenae, Tiryns and Orchomenos and took the title of the father of "Mycenaean Archaeology" despite his controversial scientific methods, even for the time.
The three-year period 1870 - 1873 was the period of the great discoveries in Troy, among which the " Priam's Treasure ".In 1875 followed his second great discovery, the vaulted tombs in Mycenae with a number of golden grave goods. By now he was particularly well known not only in scientific circles but also to the international public interested in recent archaeological discoveries as it was a period when great discoveries in archaeology aroused the widest interest.
Schliemann had been living in Athens since 1869 when he married Sophia Engastromenou. However, in 1878 he commissioned his friend Ernst Ziller to design a large building on Panepistimiou Street with the sole request to the architect "a wide marble staircase rising from the ground to the upper floor and a terrazzo on the top". The building is considered one of the architect's most remarkable works. Its design responds to the personality and needs of the owner, while important innovations were implemented such as heating with photo gas, ventilation with ducts, fire protection measures with the careful use of wood. In 1881, the opening of the Iliou Melathron took place with a glorious reception.
On the ground floor of the two-storey building were the auxiliary rooms and the room in which the findings from the excavations of Troy were kept. The first floor was intended for the social events of the family. Dances, balls, the reception of guests, meals, literary salons...
The decoration of the Megaron was commissioned to well-known artists of the time, such as the painter Yuri Subic, and reflects Schliemann's love of antiquity. Mosaic floors with decorative themes inspired by Mycenae and Troy, clay statues copied from the classics, Pompeian decorations, and inscriptions were chosen jointly by Schliemann and Ziller, shaping the character of the building.
After the death of Heinrich Schliemann (1890), his wife Sophia never remarried. She lived in Iliou Melethron with her two children.
The Megaron was sold by the family to the Greek state in 1926. The Council of State (1929-1934), the Supreme Court (1934-1980) and the Court of Appeal (1981-1983) were successively housed in the building. Since 1998, the Numismatic Museum has been gradually transferred to the Schliemann Megaron, giving the public the opportunity to admire a great collection in an emblematic building.
Numismatic Museum
Refreshment Centre - Garden
Crossing the entrance of the Museum, the visitor passes through the bustling Panepistimiou Avenue to the Museum's garden. A green area of 800 sqm with shrubs and fruit trees that thrive in Attica.
The garden was certainly an integral part of the Megaron already from its construction. In fact, during the rare periods when Schliemann was in Athens, he tended the garden himself. For its decoration, clay copies of ancient statues were used, according to the owner's preference. Even today the visitor is greeted in the Iliou Melathron by the Amazon, one of the sculptures, a copy of ancient ones, commissioned by the architect of the palace Ernst Ziller in a workshop in Vienna. The marble staircase leading to the exhibition area dominates the central courtyard.
The large courtyard at the rear of the building was the stable, coach house and well of the dwelling. Today, it is an extension of the Refreshment Centre and hosts cultural events, presentations, talks, meetings,. It is also an ideal place for a short break, so empty and so "far away" from the centre. The space is available for special events by arrangement with the Museum’s Public Relations Department.
Numismatic Museum Address: Iliou Melathron, El. Venizelos (Panepistimiou) 12, 10671 Athens, Greece Tel.+30 210 3632057, +30 210 3612834 και +30 210 3612872 Email: nm@culture.gr Url: http://www.nummus.gr
The city of Athens, an international tourist destination for its history and ancient monuments, is acquiring new, modern "monuments" in the context of the reconstruction of its historic centre. Hospitality has met art and the Monument Hotelhas emerged.
The brand new hotel in the heart of the city is a work of art in its own right, bearing the stamp of the great neoclassical architect Ernst Ziller.
Designated as a Listed and Modern Building, the Monument is housed in a uniquely aesthetic structure designed in 1880 by the famous architect.
The transformation is stunning: one of the most impressive neoclassical buildings in the centre of Athens, with uniquely painted floor paintings, takes on a new life as a small nine-room hotel of high aesthetics..
The dialectic relationship between new and old is reflected in both the common areas and the hospitality rooms with high aesthetic tones. The renovators who undertook the project preserved the original and the posterior, documenting how the past can coexist with contemporary design. They gradually revealed - over three years of restoration and work - the pattern of ceiling paintings and plaster decorations that date back to the building's creation in 1881. The Stathopoulos House,, owned by a wealthy Athenian merchant, found after years of abandonment its original identity as a true work of art.
The hotel's premises
In the hotel's rooms, each of which has its own floor painting, each new, highly aesthetic addition to the interior in relation to the pre-existing shell, highlights
the old and honors the modern..
The elements that were preserved gave inspiration to determine the colors in the lounge, the wooden staircase that connects the floors -which is a work of art in itself- and in each room where, based on the ceiling, the colors of the wall style and the modern furniture were chosen, in dialogue with the neoclassical style.
The ninth room on the roof enjoys the unique view of both the original antefixes that adorn the building in close-up over the square of Agios Dimitrios, and the magical view of the Acropolis in the background.
The arches and ceilings of the great neoclassical building and its masterly aesthetics can also be seen in the arched doors which have been preserved intact.
Every guest gains - along with the excellent aesthetics - the unique opportunity of a private space, even in the lounge area. The warm sense of hospitality is enhanced as we experience the harmony of the richly painted decorations on the ceilings and the craftsmanship of the luxury branded and handmade furniture .
A wonderful touch of service at the Monument Hotel is the wellness centre, where the spa, sauna and massage area offer a unique sense of relaxation thanks to the rejuvenating treatments offered.
Monument Hotel combines the splendor of the Athenian past with the present, through an authentic hospitality experience. It is a true monument that managed to withstand the test of time until it was restored with respect to its history and architecture to return to the world with a totally fresh identity.
Guests enjoy its unique services and passers-by in the city centre stop and admire the exterior and the magnificent façade with the characteristic archway. It is the city's narrative, the new experiential look, the coupling of history, Ernst Ziller's legacy of architecture and contemporary urbanism that makes the Monument Hotel a fascinating hospitality destination, a new urban concept of hospitality.
Margarita Kataga
Thank you to Mrs. Eleni Chatziioannou, Hotel Manager, Monument Hotel, for the tour to the hospitality areas
Γιάννης Λουκάς, Ιστορικός- Δημοσιογράφος
Monument Hotel Athens
11, Kalamida str.
10554, Athens, Greece
+30 21 0324 1425
https://www.monumenthotelathens.com/el/
History of the Hotel
In 1978 a vision of the owner of the company, Antonios Mousamas, became reality. On a privately owned plot of land, the first foundations were laid for the construction of one of the most modern hotels in Athens for its time, the Holiday Inn Athens at 50 Michalakopoulou Street in Ilisia.
Antonios Mousamas, owner of the Athens Quarries of the same name and later of the Lycabettus Hotel on Valaoritou Street in Athens, is looking forward to something new for Greek standards, by bringing one of the largest hotel chains in the world, the Intercontinental Hotels Group (Six Continents) for the first time in Greece.
The hotel has 193 rooms and approximately 2,500 sqm of meeting rooms, of which 2,000 sqm are naturally lit. One of the elements that characterize the hotel throughout its operation is its pioneering in different areas. For example, Holiday Inn was the first hotel in Athens to implement the ISO 9001 system, which was later introduced to all other hotels as a sign of superior service quality. It was also the first hotel to install the hybrid thermal energy generation system, which was operational in 2010-2011. It took 8 full years for this innovative technology to be adopted in a large part of the hotel market in Greece. Many innovations, especially in technological equipment, have been used in the hotel in the events and conferences section.
History of the building reconstruction
In 1978 the first foundations were laid for the construction of the hotel in Michalakopoulou Street under the design and supervision of the architect Petros Pikionis, son of the famous architect Dimitrios Pikionis and designer of the Pavillion in Delphi, on behalf of the Greek National Tourism Organisation. The Civil Engineer who undertook the reconstruction of the hotel was Th.G. Voudiklaris.
In 1980 the opening of the Holiday Inn, the first hotel of the Intercontinental Hotels Group (Six Continents) in Greece, takes place.
In 1997, the hotel was returned to full operation after a 2 billion drachmas renovation and the work lasted about 2 years. The project was carried out under the supervision of the ACT design office and the decorator Marcellus Galanos. Noteworthy are the works of the famous sculptor Andreas Lolis that adorn various areas of the hotel.
In 2008 it was completely reconstructed and rebranded as Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre which is again owned by the IHG group chain. A complete renovation and upgrade was carried out within seven months, with two partial deliveries and without interrupting the operation of the hotel.
Specifically, structural reinforcement works, facade cladding, complete reconstruction of rooms - entrance - lobby, change of pool location, roof garden configuration, renovation of common - auxiliary and other areas of the hotel as well as the construction of two new staircases (escape exits) were carried out. The total renovated area of the property is 19.700 sqm. and was realized with the collaboration of the decorator Marcellus Galanos and the architect Michel De Landtsheer, the supervision of the technician Ioannis Keskinoglou and the construction team of the company TERNA.
The Crowne Plaza premises have hosted political, social and cultural events. Artists, famous athletes, politicians, successful businessmen have honoured the hotel with their presence over the years, either with their own events or by attending events at the hotel.
Γιάννης Λουκάς, Ιστορικός – Δημοσιογράφος
Michalakopoulou 50 11528, Athens
Tel.: + 30 210 727 8000 Fax: +30 210 727 8600 Email: info@cpathens.com
An international conference entitled “The Epigraphy of Healing: Sanctuaries & Dedications in Attica” will be held at the Epigraphic Museum on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Here’s the full schedule of events
Saturday 20 December 2025
10.00-10:15 Registration
10:15-10:30 Greetings
Panel 1: Asklepios and Hygieia and the Politics of Healing in Attica
Chair: Dr Athanasios Themos
10:30-10:50 Dr Milena Melfi (University of Oxford)
“Reinstating Healing: Reused votive reliefs in the Athenian Asklepieion of the 1st century BC.
10:50-11:10 Dr Luigi Lafasciano (National Hellenic Research Foundation)
“Performing for the God: Actors’ and Dramatists’ Dedications at the Asklepieion of Athens”
11:10-11:30 Dr Francesco Camia (Sapienza Università di Roma)- online ““IG II/III23240 and the cult of Hygieia in Attica during the Roman imperial period”
11:30-11:50 Discussion
11:50-12:10 Coffee Break
Panel 2: Other healing deities of the asty
Chair: Eleni Zavvou
12:10-12:30 Professor Maria Elena Gorrini (Università degli Studi di Pavia) “Dedicants of minor healing deities: the cases of Amynos and Heros Iatros”
12:30-12:50 Dr Brian Martens (University of St. Andrews)
“Statuettes for Health and Healing from the Agora Excavations”
12:50-13:10 Discussion
13:10-15:00 Lunch Break
Panel 3
Healing cults on the Attic Demes and Frontiers
Chair: Dr Aikaterini-Iliana Rassia
15:00-15:20 Professor Graham Oliver (Brown University)
“Integrating health from the margins: Rhamnous and the Hellenistic polis” polis”
15:20-15:50 Dr Kazuhiro Takeuchi (Danish Institute for Mediterranean Studies) “Prevention is Better Than Cure: The Healing Cults of Athena, Herakles, and Apollo in Attica”
15:50-16:10 Dr Francesco Sorbello (Università degli Studi di Pavia)- online “Healing Cults in Acharnai: Archaeological, Epigraphic, and Literary Evidence”
16:10-16:30 Discussion
Panel 4
Attic Healing Cults: Philosophical And Literary Dimension
Chair: Dr Georgia Petridou
16:30-16:50 Dr Matthias Haake (University of Bonn)
“Female Epicureans in Attic Healing Sanctuaries? The Case of the Asclepieion in Athens and the Amphiareion at Oropos”
16:50-17:10 Dr Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis (University of St. Andrews)
“Cult tables in the sanctuaries of Amphiaraos at Oropos and Asklepios at Athens”
17:10-17:30 Professor Andrej Petrovic (University of Virginia)-online “Purity and Epigraphy of Healing”online “Purity and Epigraphy of Healing”
17:30-17:50 Discussion
17:50-18:10 Coffee Break
Panel 5
The Epigraphy of Healing Heroes in Attica
Chair: Dr Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis
18:10-18:30 Professor Jessica Lamont (Yale University)-online “Epigraphy of Healing: The Heros Iatros in Athens”
18:30-18:50 Professor Laura Gawlinski (Loyola University Chicago)- online “Herakles and Health in Athens”
18:50-19:10 Discussion
Chair: Professor Graham Oliver
19:10-19:30 Professor Emeritus Kevin Clinton (Cornell University)-online “Asklepios at Eleusis”online “Asklepios at Eleusis”
19:30-20:00 Roundtable Discussion
20:00 Wine Reception
ORGANISING COMMITTEE: Dr Athanasios Themos (Director of the Epigraphic Museum)
Eleni Zavvou MSc (Head of the Department of Research and Documentation of Inscriptions of the Epigraphic Museum)
Dr Georgia Petridou (University of Liverpool)
Dr Aikaterini-Iliana Rassia (Open University of Cyprus & College Year of Athens)
The Oxbelly Retreat for Fiction Writers 2026, a meeting for international writers working in cinema and literature will take place from July 1 to 9 in Costa Navarino, Messinia.
The Fiction Writers Retreat hosts ten emerging writers who seek to upgrade their technique, strengthen their literary voice, and contribute to intercultural dialogues around the concept of storytelling. The program offers a series of workshops, led by a team of established writers, as well as free writing time in the peaceful atmosphere of Messinian nature.
Participants will have the opportunity to develop their work during the morning hours, while in the evenings, they will participate in a joint program of interdisciplinary events with distinguished guests, renowned professionals from the worlds of cinema and literature, as well as creators from the broader spectrum of narrative art.
The necessary elements of the application include a brief CV, a writer’s statement, and a sample of unpublished literary prose.
The Fiction Writers 2026 program is led by Program Director Chigozie Obioma, and previous advisors and guest experts have included Rebecca Makkai, Anuradha Roy, Nadifa Muhamed, Isabelle Hammad, Katie Kitamura, Fiammetta Rocco, and Bill Clegg,, among others. There is no application fee, and all expenses, including flights, accommodation, and meals, are covered by Oxbelly.
Applications are now open for Greek and international authors, with a deadline for submission on January 14, 2026, at 23:59 (EET-Greek time).
On Saturday, December 29, thousands of visitors of all ages saw the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) transform into a brightly lit place of celebration during an impressive event that was free to attend thanks to a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The lighting of the SNFCC has become an institution since 2017, marking the start of the festive season in the city in a spectacular way, with a participatory experience of light, music, and joy open to all.
At exactly 7 p.m., thousands of LED lights, with a total length of 34 kilometers, lit up the 80 plane trees along the Canal, the three towering (12-meter) fir trees in the Market, decorated with more than 1,000 baubles, were revealed in all their glory, while the fountains in the Canal also took part in the spectacular show, dancing to two beloved Christmas songs: “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande and “Winter Wonderland” by Michael Bublé.
All of these elements combined to create an enchanting Christmas setting for a grand celebration at the SNFCC Agora, hosted by actress Eugenia Samara. The evening began with the Loop Quartet, a vocal ensemble that creates music exclusively with the power of the human voice. Carols, swing classics, and pop hits, from “Carol of the Bells” and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” to “All I Want for Christmas,” were transformed into contemporary polyphonic experiences that thrilled the audience.
Next, Nina Mazani,, one of the most dynamic new faces on the domestic music scene, took to the stage with a program designed exclusively for the evening, combining swing and jazz covers of big hits such as “Careless Whisper,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”, “Let’s Get Loud,” “Hot Stuff,” and others.
The celebration also marked the official opening of the Biolumina Light Installation Festival at Stavros Niarchos Park. Featuring works by internationally renowned artists, as well as Greek artists selected through an open call by the SNFCC, the Lighting Installations Festival invites young and old alike, every day until January 7, from 5 p.m. to midnight, with free admission, to a meeting place where art becomes a dialogue between man and light.
The SNFCC Ice Rink has also opened its doors, welcoming skaters of all levels to dance on the ice while listening to their favorite Christmas tunes. Visitors will find the Ice Rink, as always, on the north bank of the Canal, where they can enjoy the illuminated spectacle of the SNFCC and the Choreographed Fountains as they twirl around on their ice skates. The Ice Rink is open daily until January 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with free admission. Online pre-registration is recommended here for better service to the public.
This year’s Christmas World at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center offers a rich and varied program of Christmas events every day of the month, including concerts, performances, films, and DJ sets. The highlight of it all is the New Year’s Eve celebration, which promises to be more spectacular than ever this year!
Major Donor of the SNFCC Christmas World: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
VERGOS Auctions is inaugurating a new era for Greek wine production and, at the same time, a new category for the House, by organizing an auction exclusively dedicated to Greek wine. .The auction will take place in front of an audience on Sunday, December 14, 2025 (at 1:00 p.m.) at the Papagiannakos Winery in Markopoulo, Attica, and aims to highlight the uniqueness, quality, and international potential of Greek winemaking.
How to participate
Anyone present at the Papagiannakos Winery on the day and time of the auction may participate. Interested parties can also participate by submitting a written or telephone bid, as well as online – live via the House’s website. www.vergosauctions.com.
Nineteen wineries from all over Greece are participating in the auction, offering 127 select and rare labelsfrom the cellars and personal collections of the wine producers themselves. These include, among others, bottles that are over 20 and in some cases 30 years old, large 3, 6, and 9-liter bottles, and even bottles with hand-painted labels.
With this new themed auction, the House offers collectors, wine lovers, and professionals the opportunity to acquire distinctive labels that are not easily found on the primary market. At the same time, the auction:
The catalog for the House’s first auction in the wine sector was compiled by wine critic and author Yiannos Konstantinou. Yiannos Constantinou has been writing about wine for 27 years and has published 13 books and wine guides. His book “The Cyprus Wine Guide” was awarded the Gourmand International Award for “Best Wine Book in the World” among all languages (Best Wine Guide in the World 2006), while his book “Discovering Wine,” published by Metaixmio, was awarded at the Gourmand International Awards as the Best National Wine Book in the Greek language.
Andreas Vergos, Managing Director of VERGOS Auctions, says of the Greek wine auction: :“Our involvement with Greek wine is a completely natural next step for our company. We believe that the time has come for great Greek wines to take their place in an organized, transparent, and outward-looking secondary market, just as is the case internationally with the “fine & collectible wines” category. The particularly warm response from winemakers and professionals in the field confirms that Greek wine production is now mature enough to stand on equal footing with some of the most recognized wine regions in the world.”
The Laboratory of Hygiene, Epidemiology and the Quality of Life Laboratory of the Medical School of the University of Patras is organizing the ONE-Bridge in Health International Conference from December 8 to 11, 2025, at the Conference and Cultural Center of the University of Patras, as part of the European project “One Bridge: One Health Nexus: Bridging Human, Animal & Environmental Health Across Europe” (EU4Health), with Mr. Apostolos Vantarakis, Professor of Hygiene, as scientific director.
The conference, which will be held in a hybrid format (in person and online), is free and open to students, professionals, and researchers from all scientific disciplines related to human, animal, and environmental health.
The four-day program includes topics such as:
All participants will receive an official certificate of attendance.
The Municipality of Agia is located in the prefecture of Larissa in the region of Thessaly, with its seat in the town of Agia. It stretches from the foothills of Mount Ossa in the east to the Aegean Sea in the west, covering an area of 668.26 square kilometers. The municipality has a population of more than 14,000, who live in the four municipal units of Agia, Evrymenes, Lakeria, and Melivia.
The municipality has all the elements that can make Agia a place of residence for digital nomads. Almost all services are available, there is an extensive market as well as several dining and leisure areas.
The municipality itself meets all the necessary requirements, combining them with a beautiful natural landscape. In addition, its proximity to the city of Larissa (36 km) ensures easy and quick access to the necessary infrastructure.
The General Hospital of Larissa, which has 10 clinics in the Pathology Department and 8 in the Surgery Department.
The University of Thessaly with 9 modern departments.
The Larissa Railway Station
The other major cities of Thessaly are about an hour away from Agia, while Thessaloniki is only two hours away by car.
Agricultural products
Due to the fertile lowland soil, the region's economy has traditionally been focused on the primary sector. In Agia, the cultivation of apples, chestnuts, and cherries is widespread, and these fruits are known for their taste and quality.
Local agricultural products are celebrated in festivals organized in the villages of the municipality, highlighting the rich production of the region while at the same time attracting visitors to the villages. With music, refreshments, dance events, and theater, farmers and residents express their joy for the harvest.
Corn and Kiwi Festival in the village of Omolios (3rd Saturday of August).
Cherry Festival in Metaxochori (mid-June)
Apple Festival in Agia (early September)
Chestnut Festival in Karitsa (third week of October)
Τοurism
However, its proximity to the sea and urban centres of Thessaly, its natural landscape and privileged location have made the municipality a tourist destination. This is true both during the summer months, when visitors from Greece and abroad prefer the coastal areas of Agiokampos, Stomio, and Karitsa, and during the winter season, when the main destination is the nature of Kissavos.
The multitude of monasteries and Byzantine monuments within easy reach make Agia an ideal destination for religious tourism . The Mountain of the Cells stands out, as the area became known in Byzantine times, when a group of monasteries and hermitages developed, with a large number of monks and an administration similar to that of Mount Athos.
However, throughout the municipality there are Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches as well as functioning monasteries.
Museums
The area has several museums related to its rich history: Cultural Center: Agion Antonion, which houses a priceless collection of post-Byzantine icons. Ecclesiastical Museum in the village of Anatoli, Omolio Agricultural Exhibition "Marinos Antypas" with a rich folklore collection, Melivia Archaeological Collection, which houses Byzantine sculptures, ceramics, frescoes, and coins from recent excavations in the Kissavos area, etc.
Thermal Springs
A small stone basin from the oldest settlements in the area, but also one of the first bathing destinations in Greece in the early 1900s. The settlement took its name from the nearby spring, with its pools of cold thermal water. with healing properties for all uses. The water is considered invigorating, rich in minerals, and therapeutic for anemia, nervous disorders, lethargy, and indigestion.
The municipality and the region are also methodically moving forward with the exploitation of the thermal water from the Kokkino Nero spring by investing in its bottling.
Culture
The architectural landscape of the municipality of Agias is dominated by mansions located both in the town and in Mataxochori. Built in the early 20th century, they bear witness to the economic development of the region, which was based on sericulture. Among them, the mansion of the Alexouli family stands out. It was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest buildings in Thessaly in terms of area and volume.
Old Girls' School. Cultural Center, Metaxochori
Built in the mid-19th century, the two-story stone building on the edge of Metaxochori operated as a girls' school called "Parthenagogio" from 1880. Over the years, it has been used for many purposes but was also abandoned until its restoration and utilization by the Metaxochori Cultural Association, which brought it back to life.
The building now houses the Association's cultural activities, annual events, exhibitions, lectures, etc., while on the first floor there is a folklore collection that highlights the recent past and economy of the area through photographs, costumes, everyday objects, and tools.
Sports
The modern, renovated Agia Indoor Gymnasium is located in the town of Agia. The gymnasium hosts the region's sports clubs and championships, while also remaining available to residents. The Gymnasium is another part of Thessaly's sporting tradition.
Perhaps the most popular sporting event in the region is the Kissavos Marathon Race, which takes place every April and attracts hundreds of participants.
Γιάννης Λουκας, Ιστορικός – Δημοσιογράφος
We proudly present the International “Creative Writing” Conferences of our MA Programme—a long-standing institution of outward engagement and dialogue that highlights contemporary writing practice, theory, and the pedagogy of writing.
In its most recent edition, the 6th International Conference was held in Kozani (ZEP) on 5–8 September 2024, bringing together researchers, writers and educators from Greece and abroad for four days of rich presentations, discussions and workshops. The conference’s thematic focus and its public orientation make it a meeting point between literary production and academic research.
Carefully curated organisation and a clear working structure ensure high scientific standards and meaningful networking. From the opening session to the parallel thematic panels, the programme is precisely designed, offering space for new voices as well as established creators to present original approaches to fiction, poetry, theatre, screenwriting, writing pedagogy and the digital applications of literature. The detailed schedule (sessions, rooms, chairs) reflects the breadth and depth of the conference themes.
The conferences maintain a consistent international scope and strong collaborations. In its 6th edition, the MA in Creative Writing co-organised the event together with inter-university and international partners (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Lund University, Cyprus Pedagogical Institute), strengthening the European dialogue on creative writing and its teaching. This collaboration fosters plurality of perspectives, exchange of best practices and opportunities for sustained academic and artistic cooperation.
The continuity of the institution is also evident in the archive of “Proceedings” and “Conference Posters” from previous years—from Corfu (2015) to Palermo (2022)—which document the evolution of the discourse. The official Proceedings of the 6th Conference (multiple volumes) and the material available from earlier editions form a living reference archive for researchers, educators and writers, while the online gallery conveys the atmosphere of the events.
Why participate? Because our conferences combine academic excellence with creative practice. You will encounter new ideas, test your own in open workshops, network with internationally recognised speakers and actively contribute to the public conversation on writing today. With clear procedures, a detailed programme and a lasting presence through published proceedings and digital material, the International “Creative Writing” Conferences of the MA Programme offer an ideal space to present your work, stay informed about current developments and find inspiration for your next step as a writer and/or researcher. For information and communication, please visit the official conference website. https://cwconf.uowm.gr/
Creative Writing International Conferences Μεταπτυχιακού Προγράμματος Σπουδών “Δημιουργικής Γραφής”
What it is: The official webpage of the International Creative Writing Conferences of the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM). It provides access to the programme, announcements, proceedings and photographic material.
Most recent conference: 6th International Conference on Creative Writing — Kozani, 5–8 September 2024 (University of Western Macedonia, Kozani Campus) Proceedings: Available online (Volumes 1–4) on the webpage of the 6th Conference.
Previous conferences: Dedicated section with posters and proceedings from earlier conferences (e.g. 5th: Palermo, 16–18 September 2022 · 2nd: Corfu, 1–4 October 2015) Website: cwconf.uowm.gr
Programme / Announcements: Updates and subpages with detailed information (programme, sessions, news).
Contact: Για For general enquiries regarding the conferences, communication is handled through the Secretariat of the MA Programme via the programme’s contact page.
Website: cwconf.uowm.gr
Millions of people around the world have chosen running as a form of regular exercise, with the number increasing every year. Of these, more and more participate in organized races of shorter or longer distances each year.
Such races are held in every location to mark an anniversary, as a means of raising awareness, as a tradition, etc. A constant factor in their success, even if the organization is not perfect, remains the mass participation of athletes of all ages. Of course, the starting point and the ultimate challenge for every runner is to participate in a marathon race, which is perhaps the most popular trend in mass sports.
The roots of the Athens Marathon lie in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The idea of organizing a race that would connect Marathon with Athens belongs to the Hellenist Michel Breal. He was the man who suggested the organization of the marathon to Pierre de Coubertin. Of course, the idea comes from the tradition of the Athenian runner Pheidippides announcing the victory of the Athenians in the Battle of Marathon. After the battle, the messenger ran to the city to announce the great victory against the Persians, carrying his weapons with him.
From the outset, the Athens Marathon stood out in the consciousness of the Greek public as it was considered the quintessential Greek sport: “this (the announcement of victory at Marathon by Pheidippides) and now connected to the movement of international competitions, which we celebrate, conveys a thrill of excitement to the crowds and generates interest other than that inspired by the other competitions.” (EFIMERIS newspaper, March 17, 1896). The victory of Spyros Louis reinforced this assessment and was considered a great national success. It is no coincidence that even today, the names of the athletes and coaches who won the remaining nine gold medals for Greece in 1896 are little known or unknown.
The Μarathon Race quickly became popular with international audiences. In fact, it became established even faster than the Olympic Games themselves. After Athens, the next Marathon Race was held in France on the Paris-Conflans route in July 1896. The distance of the marathon was approximately 40 kilometers until 1924, when the International Olympic Committee set the route at exactly 42,195 meters.
In every country, on every continent, even in Antarctica, marathons, half-marathons, and shorter distance races are organized. These races are a tourist attraction that no city in the world can ignore. It is no coincidence that the marathon route in each city is designed to pass by its sights and most beautiful spots. Preparing to welcome and accommodate runners from abroad requires systematic and very careful preparation by the authorities in each location.
As a destination for athletes, amateurs, and professionals, Athens maintains a competitive advantage as it is the city where participants run the authentic Marathon route. For runners around the world, participating in the Authentic Athens Marathon is a major goal. Although the Athens route is considered one of the most demanding due to its elevation differences and relatively high temperatures, thousands of runners come to the city every year for the race, accompanied by family and friends. It is noteworthy that this year’s international participation reached a record high, exceeding 10,000 runners from 125 countries.
The beginning of this successful event dates back to 1972 when the Classic Marathon was organized for the first time, at a time when the culture of mass sports was virtually non-existent. Only 70 athletes from 5 countries participated. In 1983, SEGAS took over the organization and, year after year, although in small steps, its popularity grew, following international trends. In recent years, the Marathon has broken participation records every year, reaching more than 75,000 participants of all ages in all events this year.
Προέλευση φωτογραφιας: https://www.facebook.com/athensauthenticmarathon/photos
The Authentic Marathon is the “spearhead” of sports tourism and city tourism. But beyond that, it is a day of celebration for the city, a message of optimism and peace that begins at the Tomb of Marathon and ends at the Panathenaic Stadium.
Προέλευση φωογραφίας: https://www.facebook.com/athensauthenticmarathon/photos
https://worldsmarathons.com/s/running/antarctica/full_marathon
https://www.sansimera.gr/articles/696
https://www.everydayhealth.com/workouts-activities/running-statistics/
Leonidas Petridis & Alexios Batrakoulis, Greek Journal of Sports & Recreation Management, vol. 10 (2), 43–54, December 2013
On Saturday, November 29, at 19.00, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) dons its festive lights and gives the signal for the most magical time of the year to begin. The SNFCC Christmas World fills with music, light, and joy, inviting visitors of all ages to celebrate the moments that bring us together. The three towering fir trees in the Agora, the shimmering plane trees along the Canal, and the impressive light installations across the Stavros Niarchos Park create a living fairytale that marks the opening of the holiday season. The evening will be hosted by actress Evgenia Samara.
The celebration begins with the Loop Quartet — four voices that transform into instruments, rhythm, and melody, reimagining carols, swing classics, and pop anthems as modern polyphonic experiences. Their performance moves seamlessly from the lyrical to the explosive, from “Carol of the Bells” to “Hallelujah”, creating a vibrant atmosphere that bridges generations and musical genres.
Next on stage, Nina Mazani, one of the most dynamic performers in the Greek music scene, takes over the Agora. With her distinctive voice and six-member band, she presents a lively program full of swing and jazz adaptations of international hits. Known for her rendition of “Η Nύχτα Μυρίζει Γιασεμί” and her collaborations with prominent Greek artists, Mazani brings to the SNFCC the freshness and emotion of a voice that stands out.
Completing the festive experience, the BioLumina Light Installations Festival returns, inspired this year by bioluminescence — nature’s ability to produce light. Artists from Greece and around the world transform the Stavros Niarchos Park into a dreamlike ecosystem, with each installation telling its own story about humanity’s connection to nature, technology, and light.
The Ice Rink returns to the Canal, inviting everyone to glide under the Athenian sky, while the Makers’ Market is back for a second consecutive year — bigger and brighter — giving more space to local creators and artisans with unique ideas and imaginative gifts. The entire SNFCC transforms into an open celebration of creativity and community, where music, art, and people come together to remind us of the joy of being together.
The SNFCC Christmas World invites us to pause, to look around, and to share moments that remind us of the value of shared experience.
The event will be broadcast live on ERT2 and the SNFCC Facebook page, and will also be available on ERTFLIX.
The Loop Quartet The Loop Quartet is a vocal ensemble of four artists — Evgenia Liakou, Steve Bekas, Lito Abatzi, and Antonis Vlachos — who create music using only the human voice. Through looping and polyphony, they blend elements of jazz, pop, swing, and classical music to deliver a distinctive live experience. Each member has an extensive background in music, theater, and musical performance, in Greece and abroad, united by a shared focus on the expressive power of the human voice.
Nina Mazani Η Nina Mazani is one of the most promising voices in the contemporary Greek music scene. With her distinctive timbre and dynamic stage presence, she moves effortlessly between Greek and English lyrics, always exploring new avenues of musical expression.
She first gained wide recognition in 2022 with her rendition of “Η Nύχτα Μυρίζει Γιασεμί,” , and more recently with her interpretation of “Είναι Εντάξει Μαζί μου” by Kostas Livadas.
In 2023, she collaborated with Marinella in the musical performance “Σήμερα…”, and last season appeared alongside Takis Zacharatos in “Sweet Dreams”..In the summer of 2024, she opened the concerts of APON across Greece, confirming her steady artistic ascent.
The Library and Information Center of the University of Ioannina organized the 31st Panhellenic Conference of Academic Libraries, which took place on October 22–24, 2025, at the Conference Center “Karolos Papoulias” Conference Center of the University of Ioannina.
Entitled “Academic Prosperity, Freedom, and Integrity: from AB to AI,” the Conference highlighted the challenge and opportunity of the transition of academic libraries to the new digital era. At the core was the discussion on artificial intelligence: how it can be creatively integrated into the daily operation of libraries without altering the timeless values of knowledge, freedom of expression, and academic integrity.
With a history spanning more than three decades, the Panhellenic Conference of Academic Libraries has become an institution for the Greek library community. Library executives, academics, researchers, students, and representatives of the technology sector come together in a unique forum for dialogue, exchanging ideas and shaping the future of libraries.
The themes of this year’s conference covered issues of technology and innovation, open science, diversity and inclusion, information literacy, and library marketing.
The 31st Panhellenic Conference of Academic Libraries was a celebration of knowledge and collaboration, highlighting how academic libraries are evolving, renewing themselves, and contributing to the dissemination of information and creativity.
The Acropolis Museum, in collaboration with the Department of History and Archaeology of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Crete and the Department of Mediterranean Studies of the University of the Aegean, is organizing an international conference entitled “Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Sea: New Approaches,” on November 7, 8, and 9, 2025, at the “Dimitrios Pandermalis” Amphitheater of the Acropolis Museum.
As early as the 1990s, the University of Crete and the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus had begun organizing a series of conferences and exhibitions related to connections in the eastern and central Mediterranean in antiquity.
Notable examples include the international symposia
as also as the international exhibitions
The conference, which will be held at the Acropolis Museum, will be joined by the Black Sea, where academics and distinguished scientists of international renown will shed light on new approaches to antiquity in the Mediterranean, the Aegean, and the Black Sea.
Admission to the conference is open to the public.
The conference will be held in English.
You may find the program here. .
The innovative artist in residence programme on environment, design and sustainability – taking place as part of our Circular Cultures | I Making Matters programme in partnership with the Polygreen Culture & Art Initiative (PCAI) – returns to the island of Tilos in Greece for a fourth consecutive year from 29 September to 8 October 2025 to explore possible environmental solutions through the lens of artistic creativity and the means that art provides.
The successful Tilos Artist Residency program continues for the fourth consecutive year on the island of Tilos. For 2025, the cultural organization Polygreen Culture & Art Initiative (PCAI) continues its collaboration with the British Council as part of the Circular Cultures Circular Cultures ((Making Matters) program, inviting the British art collective STORE. The visual arts group will be on the island of Tilos from September 29 to October 8, 2025, with the aim of exploring possible environmental solutions through the prism of artistic creativity and the tools offered by art.
Following the success of previous years’ creative residencies with the RESOLVE Collective (2023) and the POoR Collective (2024), we are delighted to welcome STORE, , our 2025 artists in residence – an association of artists, architects and designers supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds applying to creative courses and addressing the social imbalance in art, design and architecture education – to this year’s Tilos Artist Residency.
STORE is a socially engaged association of creative practitioners. STORE STORE is the collective’s space in London and Rotterdam from which they run a programme of free design and architecture courses open to state school students. These courses provide a platform for young people to develop their ideas and creativity, encouraging and supporting a more diverse group of students into creative careers.
The Tilos Artist Residency aims to explore how the principles of upcycling, zero waste and the circular economy can inspire creativity, collaboration and regenerative thinking in architecture, design crafts, materials and urban design.
More specifically, during their residency, the artists will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the award-winning circular economy programme that has been implemented on the island from 2022. In collaboration with the Municipality of Tilos, the schools and residents on Tilos, the artists aim to create a community-based work of art that will remain on the island as a result of their research. Similar ‘pieces’ taking the form of artworks, design items and fanzines were created by Hypercomf, The New Raw, Resolve and PoOR during their residencies and are currently on display at the Just Go Zero Tilos info point.
Just Go Zero Tilos , an innovative environmental project powered by PCAI, was launched on the island in 2022 aiming to develop solutions that promote the circular economy and sustainability, and make Tilos the first zero waste island in Greece.
The residency is organised as part of PCAI’scollaboration with the Municipality of Tilos.
Watch the Tilos Artists Residency 2024 film with the POoR Collective.
Filmmaker: Ilias Madouros | Music & Sound Design: Babis Makridis
Information For further information, please contact Maria Papaioannou at Maria.Papaioannou@britishcouncil.gr.
The National Centre “Exercise is Medicine – Greece”, a member of the global initiative “Exercise is Medicine®️”, is organizing the International Conference “Exercise is Medicine” in Athens, while the 2025 Exercise Is Medicine Europe Regional Meeting is tagged onto the Conference.
The Exercise is Medicine®️ was established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) — the world’s leading scientific organization in sports medicine — in collaboration with the American Medical Association. Its mission is to promote physical activity as a vital pillar of health and to incorporate it into the national healthcare systems worldwide.
The Vision of the National Centre “Exercise is Medicine – Greece”
“Exercise is Medicine – Greece” is dedicated to recognizing and integrating physical activity as a scientifically documented intervention for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, regardless of gender, age, or socioeconomic status. It actively fosters collaboration between the medical community and certified exercise professionals, aiming to embed exercise into clinical practice for chronic diseases.
The Conference
Building on the success of the 1st National Conference with international participation (2024), this year’s pioneering and highly relevant International Conference will feature invited representatives of European National Centres “Exercise is Medicine”, institutional representatives of the Greek Government, and leading figures from a wide range of Exercise and Health Sciences, Education and Technology, in the context of fruitful interdisciplinary interactions and innovative collaborations.
Indicative themes of the Conference:
The aim of the International Conference “Exercise is Medicine” is to highlight national and international strategies and best practices for the utilization of physical activity in Health and for its integration in Primary and Secondary Health Care systems, as well as in all levels of Education.
Πότε : 10-12 Οκτωβρίου 2025 Που : Αμφιθέατρο Ελληνικής Ολυμπιακής Επιτροπής, Αθήνα
For more information : https://exerciseismedicine.gr/international-conference-exercise-is-medicine/ For conference registration : https://www.eventora.com/en/Events/exercise-is-medicine-2025
Institutional and business stakeholders discuss the development prospects
of medical tourism in Greece and Thessaly.
Against the backdrop of the rapidly growing prospects of medical tourism in Greece, and especially in Thessaly, the JOIST Innovation Park και ο and the European Digital Innovation Hub Health Hub co-organize the event Health Meets Hospitality: Technology at the Service of Medical Tourism on Tuesday, June 17, at 19:00, at JOIST Innovation Park, in Larissa .
It is a thematic event that highlights the comparative advantages of Greece in the field of medical tourism, emphasizing the potential of Thessaly as an emerging healthcare and hospitality destination.
The event focuses on two main pillars:
Important representatives from the health sector, local government and tourism development will participate in the discussion group, in order to highlight the competitive advantages of Greece and the region in the international map of medical tourism.
Participation in the event is free to the public.
Apply here: Health Meets Hospitality | (https://joistpark.eu/ekdiloseis/)
Greeting
Speakers:
Coordinator: Dimitra Michalopoulou - Journalist
The event is under the auspices of the Region of Thessaly, the Municipality of Larissa, the Municipality of Agia, and the Larissa Prefecture Hotel Association..
The event is supported by Alpha Marketing and sponsored by LA Travel, which actively contributes to the strengthening of tourism synergies.
The 31st Panhellenic Conference of Academic Libraries has as its central theme “Academic Prosperity, Freedom and Integrity: From AB to AI” and its main objective is to explore and promote the practices of academic libraries in shaping an environment that incorporates modern technology while maintaining the basic principles of well-being, freedom and integrity in academia.
The Organizing Committee, headed by Dr. Arietta Papaioannou,, underlines the long and successful course of the institution while stating: “Your presence, whether as individuals who participate by suggesting, attending and/or supporting our work demonstrates the power of collaboration and commitment to keep our academic presence alive by highlighting the role of libraries as pillars of education, research and continuous progress.”
The 31st Panhellenic Conference of Academic Libraries will take place in Ioannina (22-24 October 2025), at the Conference Centre of the University of Ioannina “Karolos Papoulias”.
In 1925, Greece continued to manage the arrival and integration of refugees from Asia Minor, while thousands of new refugees continued to arrive after the Treaty of Lausanne.
In the country’s political affairs, the imposition of the dictatorship of Theodoros Pangalos on June 26, 2025, following the resignation of Prime Minister Andreas Michalopoulos, stands out. Eleftherios Venizelos, having resigned from the Liberal government in 1924, was in Paris working on a translation of Thucydides.
The population of Greece, according to estimates, was just over 6,000,000 and that of Athens less than 500,000, including, of course, thousands of refugees.
During the last days of December, newspaper headlines focused on the upcoming senatorial elections, the stance of the parties, the renewal of membership cards, etc. However, in the first days of 1926, the elections were postponed “indefinitely.” There is also extensive coverage of the outcome of the trial of student N. Tsetsas, who murdered Judge Nikitopoulos over an eviction.
There are also daily reports on issues concerning Bulgaria and the activities of komitadjis. Just a few months ago, in October, an unknown and “strange” Greek-Bulgarian war took place. A Greek soldier chasing his dog crossed the Greek-Bulgarian border at the border guard post. This was followed by an exchange of fire, the invasion of the Greek army, and the burning of Bulgarian villages. Although the Greek Army, after the Asia Minor disaster, was not in a position to wage a general war. The Bulgarian government appealed to the newly established League of Nations, which demanded the cessation of hostilities and the payment of compensation by Greece to Bulgaria.
However, as the holidays approach, more and more articles and advertisements about gifts and events appear, if not on the front pages, then on the back covers of newspapers.
Focusing on these pages creates the image of a prosperous Athenian society, with its gaze turned more toward Europe than toward the refugee settlements.
The advertisements make it clear that the high-end shops were concentrated in the city center, on Ermou, Akadimias, and Stadiou streets. In fact, the City Police had banned vehicles from passing through Aiolou, Ermou, Stadiou, and Mitropoleos streets to facilitate the movement of shoppers looking for gifts for the holidays.
A typical advertising “trick” is to encourage consumers to choose “useful” gifts for the holidays. But what are useful gifts? According to the advertisements, they are: pen holders, “practical” Rohsenhtal porcelain, vases, statues, table lamps, desk lamps, and imported clothing. Among the ideas for practical gifts is the bicycle. It had appeared in Greece at the end of the 19th century, but by the 1920s it had become widespread as a means of transportation and a sign of modernization. The newspaper APOGEVMATINI followed the idea of giving gifts to its readers for the New Year. In fact, it did so in the form of competitions: readers were asked to find the missing vowels in sentences such as the historical phrase Μ Λ Ν Λ Β and send them to the newspaper’s offices to be entered into a draw to win gifts. The grand prize was a VOX gramophone. Gramophones were a much-advertised gift. The first gramophones arrived in Greece at the end of the 19th century and were considered a luxury item. In the 1920s, they began to spread to upper-class urban homes, and in 1928, COLUMBIA established a manufacturing plant in Greece. ((https://vmrebetiko.gr/). But what did gramophone owners listen to? According to an advertisement by the Levis-Benveniste store, the latest Greek hits were the operettas: “Makris – Kontos” (Theofrastos Sakellaridis), “Modistroula” (N. Hatziapostolou), “Pan’oi Elpides” (N. Hatziapostolou), and Rosita (Serano?).
The music played at festive concerts in the cosmopolitan centers of Athens was similar. On December 22, KENTRIKON held a concert featuring the works of Manolis Kalomiris, on December 26 it organized a concert by the Athens Symphony Orchestra, and on December 29 a concert by Kl. Triantafyllou (Attik), who would not only present his hits, but also “whistle with a double whistle.” The very active KENTRIKON center was located in the arcade on Kolokotroni Street. It had been operating since the beginning of the century but experienced a great boom in the 1920s.
Another entertainment venue in Athens, the historic CAPRICE, advertised to the public with “Reveillon de Noel / Arbre de Noel, Jeudi 24 Decembre, Cotillon Etternnes.” The French text leaves no doubt that the advertisement was aimed at high society. Carpice was located on Valaoritou Street and was the first dance hall in Athens. At first, it was met with reservations by the Athenians.https://www.taathinaika.gr/to-choreftiko-kentro-kapris-tis-odou-valaoritou-egine-aithousa-tis-gerousias/
Another entertainment venue that advertised its Christmas Eve party was DELICE , which was even organizing a children’s dance with gifts. The advertisement emphasizes that the venue’s decorations included a Christmas tree. This was still a novel decorative idea, as the tradition of decorating trees began to spread in urban homes in Greece in the 1930s and even more so in the post-war years.
However, the sweets of the season were certainly already popular. Tsoureki, kourabiedes, and fruit – glazed, chocolate-covered, and fondant. Melomakarona are missing from the selection. Although this sweet has been known since ancient times, it was introduced to Greece by refugees from Asia Minor and became established as a Christmas treat. Thus, in 1925, either its consumption had not yet spread, or the middle-class community of Athens “despised” it.
Meat played a leading role at the festive table. As even today, there was concern about its sufficiency, and the Minister of the Internal Affairs took measures to address the problem. However, in the end, the measures did not seem to have the desired effect, as shortages eventually arose due to difficulties in imports from Russia and Serbia because of the winter.
100 years later. The city has changed, our needs have diversified, the pace of daily life has quickened. What remains constant is the magic and anticipation of the festive season.
Χρόνια πολλά και ευτυχισμένα. Με ένα δημιουργικό νέο έτος! Ευχές από την ομάδα του CIT
(Η φωτογραφία που συνοδεύει την ανάρτηση προέρχεται από το παρεκκλήσιο του Αββα Μακαρίου – Ορθόδοξος Ακαδημία Κρήτης)
Happy Holidays and a creative new year! Wishes from the team of CIT
(The photograph accompanying the post comes from the chapel of Abba Makarios – Orthodox Academy of Crete)
By Venia Pastaka
Art Historian
The exhibition “The Word and the Place” by Dimitris Sevastakis, professor of painting at the School of Architecture of the National Technical University of Athens, is on display at the National Library of Greece from November 27, 2025, to February 28, 2026. It is a series of works inspired by literature and the painter’s birthplace, the island of Samos. The exhibition is divided into distinct sections of portraits and landscapes, which in turn are divided into smaller categories. Portraits of fictional heroes, readers, creators, landscapes painted from life, and landscapes painted from memory. Sevastakis’ images mostly emerge from a deep blue color like poetic impressions that teeter on the edge of a dream. His painting is not abstract, but there is a surrealism in his themes. His enigmatic wolves projected in the water and under a full moon, the faces that also emerge from the wrinkles of the sea, intensify the mystical feeling of the works.
«Βαθιά», 2020 – 25, λάδι σε μουσαμά, 80 x 100 εκ., Συλλογή ΕΒΕ
The artist’s exceptional design skills are evident in the creators’ designs. The figures of poets, writers, and visual artists are presented as they are, without any embellishment, with a directness that reveals the painter’s respect for them and their work. In the painted portraits, where color prevails over design, the figures are transformed into small psychograms: the gaze, the posture, even the chromatic vibrations function as hints to the inner world of those depicted. The landscapes of Samos constitute a second, equally essential axis of the exhibition. Sometimes bright and clear, sometimes immersed in an introverted melancholy, they do not simply capture the natural space of the island, but also its memory. Coastlines, trees, entire landscapes that emerge through intense strokes of color become carriers of a personal geography. Here, the place does not function as a backdrop, but as a living subject with which the artist converses.
The exhibition at the National Library Greece forms a comprehensive narrative in which text, myth, memory, and observation are woven into a unified visual universe. With sincerity, technical precision, and deep lyricism, Dimitris Sevastakis presents works that invite the viewer to see how place and language shape his painterly gaze.
The long-awaited Christmas market Houseof Shila returns this December for its fourth year, bridging creativity with the community and the commercial world of the city.
MONA’S MARCHÉ, a unique festive pop-up event, presents a carefully selected collection of artworks, handicrafts, cultural and gastronomic offerings from 25 creators and transforms Mona in a 48-hour immersive experience of the Athenian cultural scene. The fourth edition of the event is now a reality, giving us the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of House of Shila’s online store and highlights the creative vision, continuous evolution, and soul of the brand.
MONA’S MARCHÉ welcomes a group of distinguished local and international artists, designers, and trendsetters who exhibit a variety of ceramics, textiles, artwork, clothing, jewelry, flower arrangements, and cultural publications, creating a unique gift guide for the holidays.
The event will be hosted at Mona’s Living Room and Underground Club, in the bustling neighborhood of Psyrri, inviting visitors to discover a meticulously curated world of creativity on the weekend of December 13 and 14.. Offering visitors the opportunity to purchase limited edition holiday gifts, it serves as a special meeting place and exchange of ideas for creators.
The culinary experience of the weekend, with the care of Akra Athens,, will include exquisite dishes and a variety of their famous signature bites, while Minu Athens will offer a warm break. Jason Ligas will curate a carefully selected list of natural wines with mild intervention, full of character.
THE PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANTS
2WO+1NE=2
ANGELIKI STAMATAKOU
ANNA KAROUNTZOU
CHRISTIANA VARDAKOU
ELISE WOUTERS
GOUDEĒ
HERMINA ATHENS
HOMCORE
HOUSE OF SHILA
HYDRA BOOK CLUB
IOANNA KOURBELA
IRINI KARAYANNOPOULOU
JAKE KENNEDY
KĀ VETEMENTS
MAGGOOSH
MAVELLE PARIS
MYRTO PATRAMANI
NADIIA WORLD
PAPIGION PROJECT
VALIA KAP
VIOLA HALPERN
YIORGOS TRICHAS
ZOSMA TINOS
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists in person and chat with them, exploring the stories behind their creations, accompanied by a variety of musical genres masterfully selected throughout the weekend by Homcore,, the cult record store of Athens, orchestrating a musical journey without limits. Rare LP and EP albums will be available for sale.
Those interested in a more metaphysical experience will be able to attend an individual tarot reading session by Always The Moon Tarot, experiencing a personal moment of insight and possibly a little guidance from the power of the universe.
In one corner of the space, there will be a small art gallery, curated by the Interior Design team at House of Shila, with selected works from our remarkable collection, offering a sophisticated alternative for those seeking a truly unique Christmas gift.
Members of House of Shila enjoy exclusive discounts on their purchases. You can become a member HERE..
WHEN
13 and 14 December
TIME
12:00 – 18:00
WHERE
Mona Athens Kakourgodikeiou 4, 105 54 Psyrri, Athens
In the exhibition “From Monet to Warhol: Three Generations, One Collection, One Journey Through the Evolution of Modern Art,” the Goulandris Foundation invites the public to view 83 masterpieces by some of the most important artists of the late 19th century.
The exhibition features 83 works, part of a Swiss private collection that began two generations ago and continues to grow.
Visitors have the extremely rare opportunity to see a collection of works that marked the most decisive moments in art over the last 130 years, from Impressionism to Pop Art, with stops along the way at Post-Impressionism, fauvism, expressionism, cubism, abstraction, and surrealism. These works interact with those in the museum’s permanent collection.
The selection of works is not based on a particular theme or period of art, but on the personal taste of the collectors. This diversity is also reflected in the exhibition at the Goulandris Foundation. Works by 45 leading representatives of modern and contemporary art form a unique visual panorama spanning more than 12 artistic movements. Through a fascinating dialogue between works, the exhibition reconstructs the history of painting from Impressionism to the present day.
Iconic figures of art from the late 19th and 20th centuries, such as Bonnard, Chagall, De Kooning, Degas, Dufy, Ernst, Gauguin, Kandinsky, Lichtenstein, Magritte, Man Ray, Marquet, Matisse, Modigliani, Monet, Morisot, Munch, Picasso, Pissarro, Seurat, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec, Vuillard, and Warhol are all represented. They are accompanied by artists who are less well known to the general public but equally important and influential, such as Angrand, Anquetin, Denis, Feininger, Friesz, Hayet, Lacombe, Laugé, Pourtau, Ranson, Redon, Sérusier, Szafran, and Vallotton.
Works from this collection have been exhibited at major international exhibitions and museums, winning the admiration of the public and experts alike, such as at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA in New York, the Royal Academy of Art and Tate Modern in London, the Musée d’Orsay, the Grand Palais and the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and the Beyeler Foundation in Basel. However, this is only the second time—and the first time in Greece—that such an extensive and representative collection of her works has been presented to the public.
Curators: Maria Koutsomalli-Moreau, Head of Collections, Goulandris Foundation
Marina Ferretti Bocquillon, Honorary Scientific Director of the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday& Sunday 10.00-18.00 Friday 10.00-20.00 Tuesday closed
Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation Eratosthenous 13, Athens 11635 Τ: 210 725 2895 visit@goulandris.gr | goulandris.gr
Giannis Loukas
A decorated table full of food is the most universal symbolism of abundance, celebration and happiness. Christmas is perhaps the only, or at least one of the few, days in the year when the “good” cutlery and crockery will appear, the festive tablecloth will come out of the cupboard, mistletoe and candles will decorate the table.
Everyone’s memories of the Christmas days can only include the tastes, smells and of course the laughter, chats and even family arguments around the Christmas table. Very characteristic is the description of Kostis Palamas in Christmas:
Ah, ah, the Christmas table of the family
Where appetite matches love!
The little glasses sound sweet, the dishes sparkle,
Around the gray old age and youthful youth
A turkey in the middle, all hot and blushing, blushing, blushing,
and the wine runs everywhere, singing and foaming.….
….
and the grandfather’s indefatigable babbling begins,
a familiar and ancient Christmas story…
Already, from the first years that Christmas was celebrated, in Byzantine Constantinople, the city was decorated by the municipalities, the children sang carols and the inhabitants organized festive meals. Coexistence around the table became symbolic. As recorded by Liutprando of Cremona during his visit to the court of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, , the emperor, after the ceremonial mass in Hagia Sophia, returned to the palace where he provided a banquet for the lords, foreign guests and twelve poor inhabitants of the city.
At a similar royal banquet in England, King Henry VIII in the 16th century served turkey for the first time, replacing traditional dishes such as venison and pork. However, it took three centuries before turkey became widespread and became the traditional dish of British Christmas dinners. The ease of rearing and the size of the turkey, which could be sufficient for the members of a family, probably played a part in this. Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol describes Scrooge’s ‘visit’ to his servant’s house in the Christmas Spirit of the Present. Suddenly, two little boys came running in. “We smelled a roast turkey! How nice! It smells from the street!” they shouted excitedly.”
In literature it is a common description of Christmas meals even for poor people, who forget the cold of December in the face of the warmth of the holiday: “As soon as Mass was over, they went home. The streets were filled with joyful voices. The doors of the houses were open and humming. The tables were waiting, laid with white tablecloths, with anything you could think of. The rich and the poor ate lavishly, because the lords sent everything to the poor. And instead of singing at the tables, they sang “Christ is born, praise you” (Fotis Kontoglou: Christmas Eve). And in another description of a rich meal, poor people, Kontoglou describes the table offered by “the chief shepherd John the Blessed, who, if you see him, you will think you are truly in the place where Christ was born. He’s an ancient man, innocent, with a black beard, like a saint. The clothes he wears are oriental shorts, on his legs he has wrapped shoes tied with strings, on his saddle he has a helmet and a bag. And the other shepherds are like John. The ones who sit on the sofa are visitors… So they sat around the sofa and ate. On the table were meats, unsalted cheese, manouri, agizia, fish, roasted snipe, and other birds of prey.
In the short story The Christmas of Thanasis Mertikas, the author Kostis Bastias describes the lonely Christmas of the immigrant Thanasis Mertikas, who found himself in a small American state on Christmas Day. The text, in a few pages, highlights the nostalgia, loneliness and solidarity of Greek immigrants, especially on a day like this: “The president of the community, together with the priest, invited him to the Christmas table.
– You can’t be alone for a festive night like this, they said.
And yet, for forty years he had been all alone, celebrating foreign holidays with foreign people. But he was unwilling and went.
When they arrived at the president’s house, they gave him things he remembered but had forgotten: ouzo, feta cheese, taramosalata, Kalamata olives and cheese pies. Silently he tasted everything. There must have been as many as twenty-five people at the table, from old people to children, and the priest in the middle, with the president on his right and Thanasis Mertikas on his left. All of them were eating gluttonously, talking, shouting, laughing and gesticulating. They talked a lot about Greece and especially about Kalamata, because all of them, except for Mertikas and the priest, were from Messina. The only one who didn’t talk, and who ate some turkey, was Mertikas. But deep down no one noticed. Every now and then, he was shouted at:
“Eat old man!…” “Courage, old man!…” “Eat old man!…”.».
There are numerous examples in Greek and foreign literature where the characteristics of the Christmas meal are repeated again and again: the meal itself is just the occasion, the essence is none other than the camaraderie, the coexistence, the family atmosphere, perhaps the only celebration that generates similar feelings throughout time and the world.
Γιάννης Λουκάς, Ιστορικός- Δημοσιογράφος Πάνος Λιάκος, Κριτικός Κινηματογράφου
The NEON organization is activating an old quarry on Filopappou Hill to present the exhibition Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise by Alexandros Tzannis, curated by Galini Noti.
The new commission to Alexandros Tzannis is part of the NEON City project 2025 program, in which NEON commissions a Greek artist to create a work that is exhibited in a public space for a specific period of time. The aim of the program is to present contemporary art in public and historical spaces, contributing to the interaction between art, society, and the city.
Alexandros Tzannis’ exhibition Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise is held in the old quarry on the south side of Filopappou Hill, a place in the city for walks, strolls, sports activities, and rave parties in the 1990s.
At this point, architects Bouki Babalou-Noukaki and Antonis Noukakis created an open structure—an infrastructure for an outdoor sculpture exhibition—as part of the 2003 program to integrate archaeological sites. Although this structure was never used for its original purpose, it remains anchored to the rock as a silent reminder of that intention. The sculpture by Alexandros Tzannis is attached to it, restoring the original intention.
As curator Galini Noti says, “The quarry site on Filopappou Hill, where the exhibition is held, is a natural landscape that has also been shaped by human intervention. From the archaeological site—which at this point does not present any archaeological finds but was used as a quarry—to the design and vision for public space by architects Babalou and Noukaki, Alexandros Tzannis’ exhibition ‘Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise’ incorporates all the above data, develops within them and ‘builds’ an additional level on top of them.”.
The concept of the parasite as it appears in the city plays a central role in the work of Alexandros Tzannis. A parasite is understood to be any structure that interferes with the environment and gradually becomes an integral part of it.
In the installation Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise, the artist creates a parasitic sculpture that surrounds and inhabits the perforated structure that remains like a skeleton. He introduces a strict geometry, forming a rigid frame that acts as a boundary and encloses the space.
The sculpture depicts parts of the branches of the plant scattered on the hill, ‘translated’ into iron through the design of three-dimensional models and industrial production processes. This plant, alfalfa, looks dry but is not; it falls into autumn dormancy and grows again when favorable conditions return. It reminds us of the cycle of life passing through death.
At the base of the sculpture, sunken sports shirts can be seen, a sartorial reference to rave culture and the parties of the 1990s. Some of these took place on Filopappou Hill. The clothes, frozen in a frame that seems fluid but has solidified, echo this culture.
The title of the exhibition, Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise , brings us to the end of the party at dawn, to the end of the dream with awakening.
With the CITY PROJECT, NEON aims to present contemporary art in public and historical spaces, contributing to the interaction between art, society, and the city. As part of the program, NEON has commissioned the following artists: Iris Touliatou at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (2024), Dionysis Kavallieratos at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival (2020), Panos Kokkinias in an abandoned office space at 4 Sophocleous Street in Athens (2019), Andreas Lolis at the British School of Athens (2018), Kostis Velonis at his residence at 11 Kaplanon Street (2017), Zafo Xagoraris in a parking lot behind the historic Athinaion Theater (2016), Maria Loizidou at the Archaeological Site and Museum of Kerameikos (2015), and Emilia Papafilipou at the Ancient Agora of Athens (2014).
Free Admission
Guided Tours
Alexandros Tzannis |11 December| 18: 30
Galini Noti| 4, 18 December | 18: 30
Participation form https://neon.org.gr/gr/event/guided-tours-neon-city-project-2025-2/
Athens Dies In Dreams At Sunrise
Curator: Galini Noti
Old Quarry, Filopappou Hill, Athens
25 November– 21 December 2025
neon.org.gr
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is delighted to announce the extension of the temporary exhibition “EKATOMPOLIS – The World of Archaic Crete,” which is hosted in the Museum’s Temporary Exhibition Hall, on Doukos Bofor and Hatzidakis Streets.
The exhibition, which has been warmly received by the public and has attracted the interest of the scientific community, will be extended until March 15, 2026, giving more visitors and the school community the opportunity to visit it.
The title “EKATOMPOLIS” draws its inspiration from Homer, who in the Iliad describes Crete as “the island of a hundred cities.” The exhibition attempts to capture the diversity, dynamism, and radiance of the ancient Cretan cities, as presented through an impressive selection of approximately 350 archaeological finds.
Among them are objects exhibited for the first time, as well as important loans from other museums in Greece. Noteworthy are Cretan works from Samos and Delphi, which are being presented for the first time in Heraklion. The shocking finds from the cemetery of Faliro occupy a special place in the exhibition, including three group burials of executed prisoners, which shed light on the relationships between the city, the law, and power.
The exhibition presents Crete as a bridge between the world of myth and the unwritten law of the generations, and the emerging written legislation of the city-states, recording a cultural and political transformation that shaped the history of the island and had a dramatic impact on the formation of the Greek world.
Location : Temporary Exhibition Hall, Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The Ministry of Culture is proceeding with the protection and restoration of the access bridge to the Old Fortress of Corfu, as well as the reinforcement of the western embankment (controscarpa). The bridge restoration project is being carried out on the basis of a comprehensive architectural, structural, and geotechnical study prepared by the Ministry of Culture, through the competent Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments.
This intervention is included in the Strategic Management Plan for the protection and promotion of Corfu’s fortification systems, which was drawn up by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens in 2022. The first projects outlined in the strategic plan, such as the restoration of the Seven Winds bastion and the reinforcement of the rocky slopes at the Old Fortress, are already being completed in 2025 with funding from the Recovery Fund.
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated: “The Fortresses of Corfu are an emblematic fortification complex and part of the Old Town, which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2007. The bridge of the Old Fortress is the only access to the interior of the monument. It serves pedestrians and vehicles, meeting the needs of the services and bodies housed in the Fortress, such as the Historical Archive, the Public Library, the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University, the Ephorate of Antiquities, the ODAP refreshment bar, and the Sailing Club. The pathology of the bridge and the parapet was recorded in the approved, since 2022, Management Strategic Plan for the fortification complex, approved in 2022. As part of this plan, a study was proposed for the complete restoration of the bridge and the enhancement of the parapet. During our recent inspection, we determined that the restoration of the bridge and the parapet was an immediate priority, following the removal of the temporary structures from the moat. Upon completion of the project, the safe use of the bridge will be ensured and access to the iconic Old Fortress of Corfu will be aesthetically enhanced.”
The Old Fortress dominates a rocky peninsula at the eastern end of the Old Town. The bridge, which connects the western counterscarp (controscarpa) with the eastern scarp (scarpa) and the central gate (Porta Maggiore), is located above the moat (fossa). It was originally built by the Venetians in the 16th century, after the peninsula was converted into an artificial island as part of the modernization of the fortifications. The existing bridge rests on six stone piers, with a composite metal deck. However, years of exposure to a corrosive environment and inadequate maintenance have led to serious damage to the metal structure and the concrete reinforcement.
The restoration project includes:
The dynamic, creative evolution of Greek art from the 19th century to the present day is reflected in the works included in VERGOS Auctions’ auction of 19th and 20th century Modern Greek Painting and Sculpture. The auction will take place on Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. at the Zappeion Megaron, while all works will be on display with free admission to the public at the same venue from November 30 to December 2.
For more information about the auction and how to participate, visit the website www.vergosauctions.com.
Konstantinos Parthenis’ “Resurrection” is expected to attract keen interest from collectors. This museum-quality work was created during the Greco-Italian War and was intended for the Athens City Hall in Kotzia Square. It is the third part of a triptych with the central theme of the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus and the Crucifixion. The other two are currently on display at the National Gallery.
A characteristic example of Nikos Engonopoulos’ mature surrealist period, the work “Hero” is a conscious synthesis of myth, history, and symbolism, and is included among the works that stand out alongside Yannis Tsarouchis’ “Young Thinker.” This work is the first in the artist’s series “Young Thinker” and was presented at the retrospective exhibition “Yannis Tsarouchis 1928-1981” at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (October 1981), as well as at the Benaki Museum exhibition, “Yannis Tsarouchis 1910-1989” (Athens, December 2009-March 2010).
The work “Advertisements” by Greek-American artist Chryssa also occupies an important place in the auction, as it is one of the most representative examples of her artistic approach. In the mid-1980s, the artist drew inspiration from the bustling city of New York, where she lives, transforming symbols of mass communication into sculptural forms.
Many other renowned artists contribute their creations to the catalogue, including Theophilos (Hatzimichael), N. Gyzis, G. Halepas, K. Volanakis, Th. Rallis, K. Maleas, A. Geralis, G. Gounaropoulos, S. Vassiliou, N. Hatzikyriakos Gikas, D. Diamantopoulos, Th. Tsigos, Takis, P. Tetsis, D. Mytaras, A. Fassianos, P. Samios, G. Psychopedis, G. Kottis, G. Lappas, E. Sakagian, and others.
Finally, the sculpture section is one of the most interesting parts of the auction, with works by K. Varotsos, G. Moralis, E. Vernadakis, G. Zongolopoulos, H. Kapralos, S. Vari, T. Papagiannis, among other renowned artists.
Exhibition open to the public – Zappeion Megaron
Sunday, November 30, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday, December 1, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the opening of the double solo (interdisciplinary) exhibition “Tactile Connectivities” by Marios Fournaris and Guillaume Marès, curated by Niki Papaspyrou, was successfully held at the House of Cyprus, in the presence of many artists and art lovers. Tactile Connectivities” by Marios Fournaris and Guillaume Marès, curated by Niki Papaspyrou, was successfully held at the House of Cyprus, in the presence of many artists and art lovers.
The exhibition presents a dialogue between two visual artists: a Cypriot living and working in Greece and a Frenchman living and working in Switzerland. Through different paths, they meet on common ground of aesthetic pursuits, where the personal and the collective intersect creatively.
The starting point of the exhibition is the apparent “insignificance” of detail, of small gestures, of momentary images. Amidst the barrage of information and images in everyday life, the two artists invite us to pause and consider the minimal, recognizing in it a condensation of the world.
Έργο του Μάριου Φούρναρη
Through his artist’s books, Guillaume records his daily life and transforms the private into the collective, revealing the creator’s inner world and inviting the viewer to find themselves within the images. Marios, through photographs and sculptures, highlights the decay of matter and the sanctity of reality, transforming the humble into a vehicle of meaning.
Their encounter forms an aesthetic dialogue on the value of closeness, tangibility, and empathy. In the colorful kaleidoscope of forms, nothing is truly insignificant; everything matters.
Venue: The House of Cyprus, Xenofontos 2Α, Syntagma
Duration: 30 October– 22 November 2025
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday: 10.00 – 19.00
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10.00 – 15.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 16.00
The group exhibition“Black & White”, explores monochrome as a field of aesthetic and conceptual exploration (Black and White), which opens on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Kalamata Dance Hall (Black Box Hall, 12 p.m.).
The exhibition, curated by Artemis Potamianou, is organized by the Visual Arts Department of the Municipality of Kalamata, under the direction of Panagiotis Lambrinidis. It features works by 33 Greek and foreign artists who focus exclusively on black and white.
Nikos Alexiou, Curtain, paper, thread, reed, 100 x 85 cm, no. 2.253, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery
It is a multidimensional conversation about the limits of the color spectrum, where painters, sculptors, and engravers from different generations and countries come together around the concept of contrast—not only as an aesthetic choice, but also as a tool for dialogue. In the works presented, the creators stand at the extremes of the color palette to emphasize complexity, difference, and contrast, creating a space where the viewer is invited to explore questions about the body, nature, gender, society, and artistic practice itself.
The artists in the exhibition essentially do what mythmakers do: they start from a basic dichotomy (black/white, nature/culture, representation/abstraction) and use it to explore the much more complex field of their visual practice, drawing on constants familiar to the collective subconscious.
George Lazogas, Female Body, spray on canvas, 180 x 110, no. 355, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery
“Art is not just an aesthetic phenomenon that concerns art lovers and experts. It is an act of reflection, a vehicle for ideas, an invitation to a new way of thinking and coexisting. And this exhibition proves that, even through the simplest of materials—black and white—we can draw strength, hope, and inspiration for the future,” notes the Mayor of Kalamata, Athanasios Vassilopoulos.
Η Άρτεμις Ποταμιάνου αναφέρει στο επιμελητικό της σημείωμα: «Οι εικαστικοί της έκθεσης “Black & White”, με αφετηρία θέματα όπως το σπίτι, το περιβάλλον, η ανθρώπινη συνθήκη, το γυναικείο ζήτημα, η αναπαράσταση (Φύση/Πολιτισμός/Γραφή κατά τον Derrida ή Φύση/Πολιτισμός, Ζωή/Θάνατος, Αρσενικό/Θηλυκό, Μαύρο/Άσπρο κατά τον Lévi-Strauss), θέτουν ερωτήματα, καταγγέλλουν πρακτικές, επισημαίνουν τα ίχνη της ύπαρξης, της έννοιας, της καλλιτεχνικής πρακτικής».
Στους χώρους του Black Box παρουσιάζονται έργα των (αλφαβητικά): Νίκου Αλεξίου, Άγγελου Αντωνόπουλου, Terry Atkinson, Guerrilla Girls, Γιώργου Γυπαράκη, Βαγγέλη Δημητρέα, Bella Easton, Νίκου Εγγονόπουλου, Νίκου Έξαρχου, Γιώργου Λαζόγκα, Παναγιώτη Λαμπρινίδη, Γιάννη Λασηθιωτάκη, Boris Lafargue, Μαριάνο και Ντένις Καπουράνη, Βάσως Κατράκη, Νίκου Κεσσανλή, Ειρήνης Μπεχλιτζανάκη, Takashi Murakami, Mj Tom of LosOtros, Δημήτρη Μυτά, Yoko Ono, Νίκου Παπαδόπουλου, Άρτεμις Ποταμιάνου, Γιώργου Σικελιώτη, Τάκη, Α. Τάσσου (Αναστάσιου Αλεβίζου), Mark Titchner, Τάσσου Τριανταφύλλου, Γιάννη Τσαρούχη, Κώστα Τσόκλη, Γιώργου Χαρβαλιά, Βαγγέλη Χατζή και Διονύση Χριστοφιλογιάννη.
George Sikelotis, Village in Wales, 1971-75, engraving, 75 x 106 cm, no. 1217, Courtesy of: George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery
“We want to bring the city’s audience into contact with both the most daring and experimental directions in visual arts—aspects that are rarely encountered—and the work of important artists who have left their mark on the field. This year, the Visual Arts Department is taking a step further, presenting an exhibition that attempts to transport the visual arts into the realm of ideas and critical thinking. It is a proposal that seeks, above all, to encourage viewers to reflect, to generate thoughts and reactions. It is a pioneering and groundbreaking exhibition that combines boldness and high artistic quality,” notes Panagiotis Lambrinidis, Director of the Visual Arts Department of the K.E. “Faros” of the Municipality of Kalamata.
The visual arts event is organized by the Public Benefit Organization “Faris” of the Municipality of Kalamata, with the assistance of the George N. Vogiatzoglou Gallery, the Polly and Christos Kollialis Contemporary Art Collection, Dimitris Lymberopoulos, and all participating artists. The Georgios and Victoria Karelia Foundation made a significant contribution to the financing of the exhibition.
Νίκος Έξαρχος, Θεόφιλος, 2015, 3/7, κατασκευή, 87 x 50 x 80 εκ. άρ. κτ. 4.206, Ευγενική παραχώρηση: Πινακοθήκη Γιώργου Ν. Βογιατζόγλου
Information:
Έκθεση: «Black & White» (Μαύρο και Άσπρο) Συμμετέχοντες καλλιτέχνες (αλφαβητικά): Νίκος Αλεξίου, Άγγελος Αντωνόπουλος, Terry Atkinson, Guerrilla Girls, Γιώργος Γυπαράκης, Βαγγέλης Δημητρέας, Bella Easton, Νίκος Εγγονόπουλος, Νίκος Έξαρχος, Γιώργος Λαζόγας, Παναγιώτης Λαμπρινίδης, Γιάννης Λασηθιωτάκης, Boris Lafargue, Μαριάνο και Ντένις Καπουράνη, Βάσω Κατράκη, Νίκος Κεσσανλής, Ειρήνη Μπεχλιτζανάκη, Takashi Murakami, Mj Tom of LosOtros, Δημήτρης Μυτάς, Yoko Ono, Νίκος Παπαδόπουλος, Άρτεμις Ποταμιάνου, Γιώργος Σικελιώτης, Τάκης, Α. Τάσσος (Αναστάσιος Αλεβίζος), Mark Titchner, Τάσσος Τριανταφύλλου, Γιάννης Τσαρούχης, Κώστας Τσόκλης, Γιώργος Χαρβαλιάς, Βαγγέλης Χατζής, Διονύσης Χριστοφιλογιάννης. Εγκαίνια: Κυριακή 26 Οκτωβρίου 2025, 12:00 μ.μ. Χώρος: Μέγαρο Χορού Καλαμάτας – Αίθουσα Black Box Διάρκεια: έως και 17 Νοεμβρίου 2025 Καλλιτεχνικός Διευθυντής: Παναγιώτης Λαμπρινίδης Διοργάνωση: Εικαστικός Τομέας Δήμου Καλαμάτας Επιμέλεια: Άρτεμις Ποταμιάνου
In the presence of Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, the Benaki Museum amphitheater hosted the presentation of the project “Tatoi Collections: Unlocking the Material Culture and History of a Century,” an innovative project by the Ministry of Culture to document, record, and digitize the movable monuments of the former royal estate of Tatoi. The online portal (https://tatoicollections.culture.gov.gr/), created by the National Monuments Archive Management Directorate of the Ministry of Culture, offers the public the largest collection of its kind in the country, dedicated to the fine and applied arts, history, and material culture of modern Greece.
Τετραευαγγέλιο. Χρονολογείται το 1840
Referring to the laborious effort involved in cataloguing, digitising and documenting the objects and their historical significance, Lina Mendoni said: “The documentation and digitisation of the Tatoi Collections is not simply an act of preservation. It is an act of knowledge and responsibility towards history. Each object acquires its own voice and place in a broader narrative that connects the past with the present and offers valuable tools for research, education, and public understanding of history. Documentation is not a one-off action; but a long, complex, and scientifically demanding process. It begins with inventorying, continues with study, research, and identification, and ends with publication. Through this process, each object acquires identity, content, and meaning.”
Μαύρο ξύλινο πιάνο με ουρά. Φέρει την επωνυμία του κατασκευαστή C.Bechstein
Today, the Portal presents more than 70,000 documented objects, offering a rare, multi-layered picture of Greek and European history from the 19th to the 20th century. Focusing on European art and design of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Tatoi Collections span chronologically and geographically from Greek antiquity to everyday objects of the 1960s and from Europe to the Far East.
Λευκό μεταξωτό μαντήλι, με την πρύμνη του γαλλικου πλοίου Soleil Royal. Σχεδιαστηκε το 1963 για τον γαλλικό οίκο Hermes
Furniture, works of art, metalwork, porcelain, jewelry, clothing, military equipment, medals, books, religious objects, and personal artifacts comprise a unique cultural collection that reveals aspects of artistic production, everyday life, and the political history of modern Greece.
Προσωπογραφία της Σοφίας, έργο του Αυστριακού ζωγράφου Heinrich Anton Von Angeli
Lina Mendoni also referred to the importance of recording and documenting the material: “The competent Directorate has proceeded and continues to comprehensively and systematically record and document all of the objects. Through two co-funded projects, with a total budget of €2.87 million, it is expected that by the end of the year, more than 90,000 objects from the Tatoi collections will have been digitized, recorded, and documented by a large team of specialist scientists and Ministry officials, with the support of renowned external experts. Each object acquires its own place and voice in a broader narrative that connects the past with the present and offers valuable tools for research, education, and further cultural planning. Today’s launch of the online portal and print edition gives us a truly exceptional preview, arousing our interest in the upcoming comprehensive and in-depth presentation of the collections in the new museum spaces of the Tatoi estate, which will extend beyond the palace to other buildings, covering a variety of specific themes. I am confident that the imminent completion of all the projects currently underway, which are being implemented by a total of five departments of the Ministry of Culture at the former royal Tatoi estate, will fully justify their efforts and meet all our expectations.”
Petra Terzi, besides being an award-winning director and screenwriter, is the driving force behind international film festivals such as the Cyprus International Film Festival and the BRIDGES International Film Festival, held in Cyprus and cities in Greece respectively (Nafplio, Corinth, Loutraki).
Ms. Terzi’s face equally reflects her love for creating cinematic images—in an extensive body of work that includes titles such as “She Should Run-Cyprus” and the upcoming “Kanela” —with an organizational spirit that promotes diversity, the empowerment of women’s voices, and borderless collaboration at every step of the festivals she curates.
The prolific Petra Terzi spoke to Days of Art in Greece about the milestones in her life, the InspireTV+ platform, artificial intelligence, her dreams for the next chapters of the film festivals she directs, and the International Cultural Center “Petra Terzi” (“Petrosophy”).
Petra Terzi with Kevin Costner
Dear Ms. Terzi, thank you very much for granting us this interview. Looking at your work, both in terms of your creative output and your organization of various festivals in Greece and Cyprus, one can sense your passion for the seventh art. Do you remember that defining moment for you, or a specific work of art that sparked the beginning of your career?
From an early age, I felt the power of images to tell stories without words. I vividly remember the first time I saw Francis Ford Coppola’s film Dracula; that was when I realized that cinema can be a bridge between people and their emotions, between reality and dreams. This feeling led me to seek out the filmmaker in 2005, who even gave me an autograph for the Cyprus International Film Festival we were starting at the time, to study film directing and digital video production later on, and to create and serve the seventh art with passion and consistency to this day.
Both the Cyprus International Film Festival and the InspireTV+ platform you curate focus on promoting films that address equality, multiculturalism, and the empowerment of the Greek language abroad. What criteria do you use to select the films shown at your festivals or on your platforms? Is it easy these days to find films that are both well-produced and relevant to the themes you focus on?
At the festivals we organize—the Cyprus International Film Festival and the Bridges International Film Festival—and on the Inspire-TV.com platform, we seek out voices that inspire. We are not only interested in technical excellence, but above all in the message, truth, and sensitivity of the creators. Issues such as equality, empowerment, multiculturalism, and hope are in our DNA. Although independent production has its difficulties, there are now more creators than ever who dare to express something meaningful.
“Independent cinema is the soul of freedom in art.”
How do you connect the themes of peace, the environment, and women’s empowerment through Cyprus Women Environmental Peacemakers?
CWEP was born out of my need to raise international awareness of the violent division of Cyprus in 1974, which tends to be forgotten, but also to make women’s voices heard in the construction of peace and the protection of the environment. Women have a natural role as mediators, healers, and caregivers.
Through CWEP, we create dialogues, workshops, and actions that connect environmental awareness with social cohesion and reconciliation. For me, peace begins first with the ecology of the soul.
Our vision to create greenery in the buffer zone of Cyprusby planting trees in honor of the missing persons from both communities has resonated and inspired women in other countries to do the same: to plant trees and declare peace through their work.
The more we talk about peace and express it through actions that care for the environment and ourselves, the more we strengthen the ecosystem, our soul, and ultimately influence the mindsets of those who fight against it, often in the name of economic interest.
Petra Terzi
One can see from your social media posts that the festivals you organize, such as BRIDGES, have the support of independent filmmakers from the US and European countries. What is your vision for international collaborations with independent filmmakers from around the world?
Independent cinema is the soul of freedom in art. Through our festivals, we want to build bridges between cultures — and we are succeeding in doing so, bringing together creators from Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. My vision is to create an international network of collaborations, where stories travel across borders, languages, and production formats. The inspire-tv.com platform was born during the pandemic to host our festivals online, but it seems to have the potential to evolve into the opposite of commercial platforms, by showcasing and promoting independent artists.
“Through international collaboration, you learn to see the world differently…”
How do you assess the application of Artificial Intelligence in cinema? Does it enhance the work of creators technically, or does it hinder the development of their personal voice?
Artificial intelligence is a tool—not an adversary. Like any innovation, it requires awareness and an ethical framework. It can technically enhance creativity, accelerate processes, and open up new ways of storytelling. However, the soul of art, emotion, and inner truth remain purely human. I believe in a dialogue between technology and humanity, not a conflict.
As a creator, you are involved in international co-productions, such as the upcoming Kanela. Tell us, if you like, about the challenges an artist faces, but also about all the new things they discover when collaborating with high-level colleagues from abroad.
Kanela is a labor of love, inspired by true stories and deep memories. Through international collaboration, you learn to see the world differently—to respect other cultures, enrich your perspective, and evolve. The challenges are many, but the reward is a joint creation that transcends the boundaries of country, language, and tradition. It is a co-production of Greece, Spain, and Armenia.
Dirty Roses| a film by Petra Terzi
You are a member of the European Film Academy and have given lectures outside Greece, including at the Communication University of China. What has been your experience from this contact? Can we “learn” something from the way film artists in China communicate their art and produce film genres?
My experience at the Communication University of China was eye-opening. Chinese artists approach art with discipline, collectivity, and respect for their history. We in Europe have a more personal, existential relationship with creation. When these two approaches meet, they give rise to something new and extremely interesting.
“Petrosophy is my vision for a space where art, culture, and human philosophy come together.”
Tell us about the next chapter for the festivals you run. Do you have any dreams, expectations, challenges, or goals as they progress and develop as institutions?
Our festivals develop organically, with respect for the creators and the audience. That is why the BRIDGES Festival now takes place in three cities, Corinth, Loutraki, and Nafplio, with different programs, themes, and awards. The next step is further internationalization, networking with film institutions, universities, and streaming platforms. I want the festivals to function not only as fronts, but as workshops for ideas, creativity, and cultural diplomacy.
The completion of the International Cultural Center “Petra Terzi” (“Petrosophy”) in Corinth is currently underway. What will its character be, and what kind of events will it focus on? Will international meetings and conferences be held there?;
Petrosophy is my vision for a space where art, culture, and human philosophy come together. It will host exhibitions, screenings, seminars, international meetings, and artist residencies.
I aspire for it to become a point of reference in Agioi Theodoroi, Corinth, just one hour from Athens—a place of spiritual and artistic exploration that will reflect the harmony between aesthetics, thought, and action.
I have been advocating decentralization since 2006, and I see that the provinces are thirsty for high-quality artistic events in their local areas. Young people, in particular, need more sources of inspiration and influence beyond the internet—they need vibrant cultural experiences that cultivate imagination and thought.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Ionian Academy, the Ionian University and the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutsos Museum are organizing an exhibition entitled Painting in the Ionian Islands: 18th-19th Centuries at the Annex of the National Gallery in Corfu.
This special exhibition presents painting in the Ionian region from the late Venetian period to the first decades after the Union, aiming to highlight an artistic production of key importance for the Greek countries in general, for the Greek state itself and, more broadly, for the Adriatic region.
Παχής Χαράλαμπος(Κέρκυρα 1844-Κέρκυρα 1891) Πρωτομαγιά στην Κέρκυρα, π. 1875-1880 Λάδι σε μουσαμά Διαστάσεις έργου: 61 x 50 εκ. Διαστάσεις έργου ΕΝ: 61 x 50 cm Π.483
The exhibition features more than 70 paintings by 30 artists (tempera, oil paintings, drawings, engravings), as well as related evidence (manuscripts, printed publications, archival documents) from the collections of the National Gallery as well as museums, cultural institutions, and archives.
The exhibition begins with examples of painting from the late Venetian rule in the Ionian Islands, on the one hand by the “naturalists” who followed Panagiotis Doxaras and on the other by those who followed a Byzantine style. Next, the exhibition highlights the work of Ionian artists who studied systematically at Italian academies of fine arts from the late 18th century onwards, and includes works from the time of the Revolution until the last decades of the 19th century, a period during which the so-called “Heptanese school” experienced a period of prosperity. Finally, the exhibition presents the impact of this art in the capital of the Greek state as well as in other areas of the Adriatic and the eastern Mediterranean.
Πέτρος Παυλίδης-Μινώτος Πορτρέτο Ισαβέλλας Θεοτόκη-Αλμπρίτζη, α μισό 19ου ελαιογραφία, 55×41 / 70x55x5 Αναγνωστική Εταιρία, Κέρκυρα
The exhibition will feature educational programs for all levels of education, while an interesting public program with activities and numerous events is also being prepared.
As part of its strategy to reorganize its branches and in order to host this important exhibition, the National Gallery has upgraded the infrastructure of its Corfu branch, with a view to improving the visitor experience and ensuring the optimal presentation of the works. has upgraded the infrastructure of its Annex in Corfu, with a view to improving the visitor experience and ensuring the proper presentation of the works, in accordance with contemporary museological and museographic standards. A temporary exhibition space was created, giving the branch a new dynamic. In this way, in addition to the re-exhibition of the permanent collection, which is planned for 2026, it will now be possible to host important temporary exhibitions, which will be a magnet for residents and visitors to the island.
Artists whose works are featured in the exhibition
Georgios Avlichos, Aristidis Varouhas, Themistoklis Varouhas, Dionysios Vegias, Spyridon Ventouras, Nikolaos Viskontis, Angelos Gialinas, Panagiotis Doxaras, Konstantinos Iatras, Nikolaos Kallergis, Dionysios Kalivokas, Nikolaos Kantounis, Efstathios Karousos, Ioannis Korais, Nikolaos Koutouzis, Georgios Minatis, Vikentios Bokatsiambis, Nikolaos Xydias-Typaldos, Charalambos Pachis, Petros Pavlidis-Minotos, Gerasimos Pitzamanos, Ieronymos Plakotos, Eleni Sp. Prosalenti, Pavlos Prosalentis, Spyridon Prosalentis, Georgios Samartzis, Periklis Tsirigotis, Dionysios Tsokos, Raffaello Ceccoli.
Collaborating Institutions
Ministry of Culture – Ephorate of Antiquities of Zakynthos – Museum of Zakynthos, General State Archives, National Historical Museum – Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, Benaki Museum, Literary and Historical Archive (ELIA) of the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank of Greece (MIET), National Library of Greece, Library of the Hellenic Parliament, Library of the University of Crete, Public Central Historical Library of Corfu, Library and Information Center of the Ionian University, Art Collection of the Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank Art Collection, Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians Museum, Museum of Ecclesiastical Art of the Holy Monastery of Strofades and Agios Dionysios, Art Gallery of the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands, Reading Society of Corfu, Angelos Gialinas Art Gallery Foundation, Antonios E. Komninos Foundation, Yannis Perdios Collection, Museo Correr, Greek Orthodox Community of Trieste (Comunità Greco Orientale di Trieste), Accademia Nazionale di San Luca, Archivio Storico (Rome), Accademia di Belle Arti, Archivio Storico (Naples).
Ξυδιάς Νικόλαος, (Ληξούρι Κεφαλλονιάς 1828-Αθήνα 1909) Ο γιος του καλλιτέχνη, 1870 Λάδι σε μουσαμά Διαστάσεις έργου: 40 x 33 εκ. Διαστάσεις με πλαίσιο: 55 x 47,5 x 8 εκ. Βάθος,κορνίζα και τελάρο Διαστάσεις έργου ΕΝ: 40 x 33 cm Συλλογή Ιδρύματος Ε. Κουτλίδη Κ.330
Chair of the Committee for the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ionian Academy: Elias Giarenis, Ionian University
Proposal-General Coordination: Elena Hamalidi, Ionian University
Scientific Supervision: Panagiotis Ioannou, University of Crete
General Management– Artistic Planning: Syrago Tsiara, Art Historian
Museological Study – Exhibition Curator: Marina Papasotiriou, Curator of the Annex
of the National Gallery in Corfu
Exhibition Production and Space Design: Irini – Daphne Sapka, Technical Advisor to the National Gallery
The exhibition is accompanied by the catalogue Painting in the Ionian Islands: 18th-19th centuries, scientific curators: Panagiotis Ioannou / Elena Hamalidi, Melissa Publications.
National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum
Corfu Annex
Castellino Building, Kato Korakiana
Duration: 22 October 2025 – 22 March 2026
Opening Hours: Monday– Wednesday– Thursday– Saturday- Sunday: 8.30 – 15.30
Friday: 10.00 – 14.00 and 18.00 – 21.00, Tuesdays: closed.
Access: The Annex is located 14 kilometers from the city of Corfu, in the area of Kato Korakiana, on the National Road of Paleokastritsa, in the direction of Dasia. Urban bus: No. 7, starting point: Saroko Square – KatoMeri stop
