Γράφει ο Κωνσταντίνος Π. Παπακοσμάς*
Η “Μεγάλη Λέσχη” (στην οδό Κύπρου 12, στην Καβάλα) χτίστηκε το 1909 από το σωματείο της Φιλόπτωχου Αδελφότητας Κυριών Καβάλας (Φ.Α.Κ.Κ.), για να στεγάσει τη Λέσχη της Ελληνικής Κοινότητας Καβάλας. Εγκαινιάστηκε στις 22 Μαΐου 1910. Πίσω της είναι το κτίριο του “Παρθεναγωγείου” – σημερινό 10ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Καβάλας και χτίστηκε έτσι ώστε στο ύψος να μην καλύπτει τη θέα του Παρθεναγωγείου από το Νότο.
The 22nd of May 1910 was a great day for Kavala, the newly built impressive building of the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Ladies, the "Big Club", opened its gates ... next to the Megaro Tokos and next to the impressive residence of the tobacco merchant Herzog, gazing at the blue Aegean Sea.
On the same day , despite the bad climate of the time due to the tensions between the Greek Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire , the great charity dance of the Philoptochos was held. The proceeds were intended for the operation of the Hospital "Evangelismos".
112 years have passed since then and the impressive building has reopened its gates for the citizens of Kavala and beyond.
Από αρχιτεκτονικής απόψεως η Μεγάλη Λέσχη αποτελεί ένα από τα εξαίρετα δείγματα αυστριακού μπαρόκ στην Ευρώπη and μοναδικό στην Ελλάδα. Έχει χρώματα σε μελί και αυτοκρατορικό κόκκινο που σύμφωνα με την άποψη των ειδικών παραπέμπει σε αντίγραφο μέρους του Μεγάρου Μουσικής της Βιέννης.
Στη νεοκλασική μορφή του κτιρίου παρατηρούνται αρκετά στοιχεία της αρχαιοελληνικής παράδοσης (ψευδοκίονες, κιονόκρανα, διαζώματα κ.ά.). Το ισόγειο στέγαζε κάποια χρόνια την Τράπεζα Αθηνών. Το 1919 η Ιονική Τράπεζα το ανακαινίζει και εγκαθίσταται εκεί. Από το 1944 ως το 1956 χρησιμοποιείται και ως Στρατιωτική Λέσχη. Στη συνέχεια, λειτουργεί ως Λέσχη Συγκέντρωσης Πολιτών και φιλοξενεί τις μεγάλες εκδηλώσεις της πόλης. Στην μεγάλη αίθουσα γινόντουσαν οι σημαντικότερες μουσικές παραστάσεις της πόλης , ρεσιτάλ πιάνου, προσκλήσεις για τσάι και ποικίλες φιλανθρωπικές εκδηλώσεις . Από το 1983 μέχρι το 2003 το κτίριο φιλοξένησε τη Δημοτική Βιβλιοθήκη Καβάλας.
Ten years ago, a new course for this place began, with the Municipality of Kavala as the initiator and the constant interest of the Ladies' Philoptochos Brotherhood , which is the owner of the building.
Studies were drawn up and submitted to the Region so that the redevelopment project could be included in the financial tool of the NSRF.
Reward for the effort and work of the designers of the technical service of the Municipality of Kavala, the contractors and the specialized construction crews the inclusion of the project in a financial program and the implementation of all these.
It is known that the Big Club has been granted by the Philoptochos Brotherhood to the Municipality of Kavala for 25 years. The implementation of the project offered the local community a jewel of a building for multiple uses with an emphasis on culture.
Η υλοποίηση του έργου προσέφερε στην τοπική κοινωνία ένα κτήριο κόσμημα , για πολλαπλές χρήσεις με έμφαση ουσιαστικά στον Πολιτισμό.
*Konstantinos P. Papakosmas records the recent history of the city. He served as Vice-Regional Commissioner for Culture.
In 1949, after the difficult period of the World War II, the occupation, and the civil war, the idea was born and the effort to found the Society for Epirotic Studies in Ioannina was started.
The initiator was the late Kostas Frontzos, a great visionary, whose primary goal was the spiritual renaissance of Epirus and Ioannina, a vision that was certainly based on the long spiritual and educational tradition of Epirus. On March 9, 1955, the first General Assembly of the Society for Epirotic Studies was held, which unanimously elected Kostas Frontzos as its President.
During his long term of office he worked with dedication and consistency for the implementation of the objectives of the Society for Epirotic Studies. In 1976 he founded the subsidiary Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies (. In the years that followed, thanks to his persistent efforts, Frontzos managed to acquire various premises that would serve and promote the objectives of the Society. His constant collaborator was the architect Vassilis Harisis, who undertook the design of the Great Hall, the Open-Air Theatre, the Pavilion, etc., respecting the continental tradition, architecture and decoration.
After relocating to various places, the Society found its final home in the Megaron in the centre of Ioannina. For the Megaron, the elements of the continental architectural tradition were adopted, wood carvings on the ceilings and walls, a fireplace in stone relief, living rooms with exceptional furniture, paintings, rare engravings and maps of the continental land and landscape, valuable silver and other utensils, and wondrous handicrafts.
In addition to the reception areas and the offices, the Gallery of the Society is housed in the premises of the Great Hall. Its collection includes approximately 600 paintings, engravings and sculptures. Among the works, the visitor can admire the creations of Epirotes and other important artists of the 20th century.
One of the primary objectives of the Society and a necessary condition for the achievement of its objectives was the establishment of a Library. Through purchases, donations and exchanges with cultural and intellectual institutions, the Library has acquired about 80,000 books covering the history, topography, architecture, archaeology, literature, and scholarship of the Epirotes. At the same time, it is constantly enriched with books on modern and contemporary Greek literature, art, history, philosophy, psychology, etc. Among the Library's valuable acquisitions are 700 rare volumes of antiquarian books printed in Venice, Trieste, Vienna, Leipzig, etc. The collection of Athenian and continental scientific and literary journals from the 19th century to the present day is rich. The valuable archives of both the Society for Epirotic Studies and the Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies are also kept in a special area of the Megaron.
The Society for Epirotic Studies supports research through the publication of monographs on specific thematic units relating to epirotic affairs and touching on archaeology, philology, history, folklore, the publication of Proceedings of Conferences and Workshops and the annual journal Epirotic Diary..
In the place of the old quarry with a view of the lake and the city, the "Open Air Theatre K. Frontzos" has been established. The plan of the visionary architect Vassilis Harisis follows the model of the ancient theatre with a paved orchestra, friezes, bearings, retaining walls, and individual spaces. The theatre has been declared a historical site by the Ministry of Culture. Every year, performances, concerts, dance events, and so on are held, and it is also used by the Municipality, the Region, and other cultural institutions of the city.
Next to the open-air theatre, there is the Tourist Pavilion "K. Frontzos" of the Society (now called "Frontzu Politia") designed again by Vassilis Harisis. The interior is decorated with authentic wood carvings, and stone-carved fireplaces from Konitsa, Zagoria, and Pogoni. It operates as a restaurant and refreshment room. A zoo, enriched with continental fauna and flora, operates on the hill.
In an Ottoman mansion of the 19th century (property of Hayredin Pasha, which later housed the Ioannina Teachers' College, the Men's College, is the Folklore Museum "Kostas Frontzos" of the Society for Epirotic Studies and the Foundation for Ionian and Adriatic Studies, founded by K. Frontzos. The permanent collection includes men's and women's costumes and numerous ornate garments from all regions of Epirus, as well as exquisite jewelry of the famous Ioannina techniques. Also masterpieces of the North-Epirotic and Constantinople, Balkan and European jewelry, weapons, textiles, and embroidery.
Through the exhibits of the Museum, the everyday life of the inhabitants of the past centuries is highlighted: caskets, wooden carvings, bronze, stone carvings and tools. Finally, souvenirs of the liberation of Ioannina from Ottoman rule (February 21, 1913), such as one of the flags of the people of Ioannina, which they waved from their homes to welcome the Greek army, the sword of Esat Pasha, who surrendered the city, and the coat of arms of the Ottoman power, which was hung behind his office. Objects that take the Museum visitor on a journey into the knowledge of the past of the place, and reconstruct the social history of a great era.
Contact:
Society for Epirotic Studies 4, Paraskevopoulou str. Ioannina, Greece, PC 45444, Tel. +30 2651025233 Email: ehm@otenet.gr https://www.ehm.gr/
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.
Michalakopoulou 50 11528, Athens
Tel.: + 30 210 727 8000 Fax: +30 210 727 8600 Email: info@cpathens.com
Just a few minutes away from Mykonos Town is the brand new Mykonos Earth Suites. Newlyweds, couples and group of friends will enjoy the unique experience of hospitality on the famous island of the Cyclades.
Located in front of the beautiful beach of Megali Ammos, the hotel becomes part of the landscape while from its open spaces the view of Chora, the traditional mills, the blue sea and the brown rock is impressive.
Both the rooms and the public areas are designed and decorated with respect to the local architecture. Materials, colour details, surfaces and modern infrastructure complement each other creating an ideal environment for a holiday in Mykonos.
For reservations please click here
The 100% Hotel Show announces for the first time 2 different events for 2024, evolving its exhibition model to international standards.
With Athens remaining the destination of the main Exhibition in November, but adapting its format to the new exhibition data, the Exhibition gives its spring rendezvous with its visitors with a second event in Crete in April, in an adapted concept that will become a reference point both for the important market of the island and for all the hotels of the Greek Hotel Market, on the threshold of the start of the Season.
Why in Crete?
With the thought that the hotel market needs a second meeting point with its suppliers and partners, closer to the opening of the hotels , the organization of a targeted hotel exhibition in the spring is now a tangible need .
The 100% Hotel Show invests in the organization of a second exhibition, choosing Crete and more specifically Heraklion , which is perhaps the most developed Tourism Market in Greece and a reference point for Hotel Entrepreneurship with significant investments in the sector.
At the same time, the Organization also gives a key message for the philosophy of decentralization of exhibitions from the classic urban centers, by organizing the first Panhellenic Exhibition in Crete , giving a new pillar for the development of the local economy , but also a significant contribution to the sustainability of the exhibition industry.
What is the difference between the Athens Main Event and the Seasonal Edition of Crete?
Both Events will maintain the key features of the 100% Hotel Show exhibition concept , bringing a mix of exhibition structures with both impressive and more flexible stand formats , and with Design, Development, Sales and Hotel Technology as central pillars. The main difference between the two events focuses on the one hand on the enhancement of the more immediate solutions that the Heraklion Seasonal Edition will present, as it will cover both the basic pre-opening needs of a hotel and the promotion of local suppliers while the Athens Main Event focuses on a more holistic dimension of a hotel's development , presenting solutions and new trends that concern a property at all stages of its development.
What you can find at the 100% Hotel Show | Crete
Εκθεσιακές Ενότητες του 100% Hotel Show στην Κρήτη
Workshops του 100% Hotel Show στην Κρήτη
Με τα Ξενοδοχειακά Workshops να αποτελούν έναν από τους βασικούς πυλώνες του 100% Hotel Show, η Διοργάνωση θα διαμορφώσει ένα ειδικό workshop stage, φιλοξενώντας μερικές από τις πιο ενδιαφέρουσες παρουσιάσεις και ομιλίες. Καθώς είναι η πρώτη διοργάνωση στην Κρήτη, η πρώτη ημέρα θα αφιερωθεί 100% στον προορισμό, ενώ τη δεύτερη ημέρα οι θεματολογίες θα εστιάζουν στο preopening των ξενοδοχείων.
Day 1:
Day 2:
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Θέλεις να επισκεφθείς τη Seasonal Edition του 100% Hotel Show στην Κρήτη – 13-14 Απριλίου | Εκθεσιακό ΔΕΚΚ | Ηράκλειο;
From 16 to 19 May 2024, the Hellenic Foundation for Culture organizes the 20th anniversary Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF), which, as every year, will take place at the TIF-HELEXPO International Exhibition and Conference Centre, this year with Sharjah-UAE, one of the seven Emirates and the spiritual centre of the federal state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the guest of honour).
TIBF is one of the most renowned cultural institutions in Greece and abroad, with internationally renowned guests. An institution that highlights books and reading, the book market and the interaction of books with the arts, sciences and entrepreneurship.
The central tribute of this year’s exhibition, “Man and Machine“, puts the challenge of Artificial Intelligence at the centre of the discussions. Further thematic axes touch on contemporary concerns, such as “Women in Books” or “Stories from the Balkans“, while there will be tributes to the writers Franz Kafka, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death, and Giorgos Ioannou . The children’s and teenagers’ corner will again host a variety of events to promote literacy, while the Dialogos Rights Centre and the highly successful international fellowship programme for book professionals will operate for the second year. In addition, there are various partnerships with European and international institutions that will be present at the event.
TIBF will also host the 10th Festival of Young Writers, the 8th Translation Festival, the 2nd Young Book Designers Award, the 2nd Meeting of Reading Clubs, as well as presentations of new publications, discussions, workshops, lectures, round tables, screenings, visual and theatrical events, parallel cultural activities in the city and in wider Macedonia.
The Region of Epirus and the Society for Epirotic Studies are organizing their fifth joint conference, entitled “I Pompemeni“. The conference will take place on Friday, 29 March 2024, at 10:00-20:00, at the Hall of the Society for Epirotic Studies.. It is an initiative that approaches issues of gender violence and the status of women throughout human history, with speakers making references to classical antiquity, medieval art and even cinema.
The event will begin with greetings from the regional governor of Epirus Alexandros Kachrimanis and the curator of cultural issues & gallery of the Society Nelly Tzimogianni, followed by a recitation by the philologist-historian, PhD candidate Dimitra Mytili.
The detailed programme of the conference is structured as follows:
10:45-11:00 Liampi Katerini, President of the Society for Epirotic Studies. – “Akuste chora ke chorianoi… Simera tha pompefti i Maria tu Toli-Strati, ke na min pai kaneis se doulia…”. 11:00–11:15 Douskou Ioanna, Historian, PhD Candidate – The suicide of women to avoid shaming in antiquity. Culpa est velle mori, culpaque nomme mori. 11:15–11:30 Κarantzia Athina, Historian, PhD Candidate -Decoding silence Abuse of women in ancient Athens. 11:30–11:45 Gkasti Eleni, Professor of Ancient Greek and Latin Philology, University of Ioannina, Greece – Honor and blame in women’s discourse. The case of Tecmessa in Sophocles’ Ajax. 12:15–12:30 Chadeli Vasiliki, Historian, PhD Candidate – The abuse of women in ancient Rome. Myth, law and reality. 12:30–12:45 Stratsani Maria, Philosophy, PhD – Women artists. A forgotten contribution to poetry and music and a late recognition. 12:45–13:00 Margari Eleni, Art History, PhD – “Afti etsi ithele ke etsi epathe”. Gender violence in European art (15th-17th century).
During the afternoon meeting, the programme is structured as follows:
17:30–17:45 Batistatou Anna , MD, PhD Dean University of Ioannina – Discrimination and ethical harassment in the sciences. 17:45–18:00 Nakou Agni , Deputy Regional Governor of Epirus – Abusive behaviour in the region of Ioannina during the interwar period. Impressions and interpretations. 18:00–18:15 Mytili Dimitra , Philologist-Historian, PhD Candidate – Incidents of gender violence in Byzantine and medieval Arabic sources. 18:45–19:00 Verykiou Sofia , Historian– Louise Bourgeois: who weaves what, for whom and why 19:00–19:15 Karantza-Kotsia Mirella , Lecturer at the Department of Greek Language, Literature and Greek Culture, University “Ekrem Chabey”, Argyrokastro, “Mor’ Deropolitissa, mor’ kaimeni ze-mor’ zelemeni”. The role and position of women in the ethnic Greek minority yesterday and today. 19:15–19:30 Georgoulas Panagiotis , Theatrologist-Historian – Hidden and overt violence against women through the Greek drama and film industry.
The event will conclude with Dimitra Mytili on singing and Dimitra Stavrou on piano performing four songs of contemporary Greek music on the theme of women, orchestrated by Nikos Fassoulas and a monophonic song from the North Epirot Pandelis Nikou .
As part of the city’s strategy to strengthen and expand tourism contacts with the Indian market, Athens, through the Municipality of Athens’ Convention and Visitors Bureau (This is Athens – – CVB), participated for the first time in the international exhibition “Outbound Travel Market”” ( (OTM)), held in Mumbai, India, from 8 to 10 February .
OTM is one of Asia’s leading trade fairs that acts as a gateway to India’s tourism markets. Every year it attracts more than 35,000 visitors from 60 different countries, including 1,600 exhibitors and more than 1,000 tourism professionals.
In this first participation, the city of Athens had a double dynamic presence both at the EOT stand and at the stand of the European Association of Travel Agents (ETOA).
During the three-day exhibition, the representatives of the Athens Municipality Conventions and Visitors Bureau came into contact with more than 200 representatives of the Indian tourism industry, presenting all the modern infrastructure and advantages of the city which make it not only a competitive tourist destination, but also an ideal choice for film productions and weddings.
During the event, ETOA was awarded by OTM for its presence at the exhibition and received the award together with the representatives of Athens.
For more targeted networking with representatives of the Indian Market, the Athens Municipality Visitors and Conventions Bureau collaborated with the Indian Tourism Consultancy Group Nijhawan Group.
The trip took place in the framework of the integrated promotion strategy of Athens, aiming at attracting the Indian tourism market and creating a direct air link..
Completing 1.5 years of activity, the bilingual website www.cit.gr has recorded 1.500.000 million page views for the year 2023 according to an independent measurement by the OSDEL (Organization for the Collective Management of Literary Works).
The circulation of the publication is impressive mainly because it is aimed at global cultural and scientific visitors. For the first time, hotels of particular aesthetic and cultural interest are proposed as destinations, highlighting the services, environment and unique experiences promised by the host for the most cultured and sophisticated guests.
Much of the world's global aspirers for a holistic hospitality experience will spend much of their daily lives in the coming years travelling and following science through unique venues for artistic and scientific events.
The feedback we receive from visitors to the website about public and private spaces is more than enthusiastic. The online version www.cit.gr hosts the best indoor spaces in the territory, highlighting both their architectural history and the promise of participation in a scientific or cultural event that has the added value of the aura of their surroundings and the history of the building itself.
The success of the publication has been rewarded for months by the Yahoo calendar which proposes it on its front pages.
We would like to thank the supporters of this publication.
In cooperation with www.daysofart.gr we have approached 15.000.000 visitors for the year 2023. With constant effort and consistency we will continue to communicate the cultural hospitality of our country in its highest expression.
Conference and Incentive Trips in Greece (CIT) team.
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The Department of Architectural Engineering of Patras is organizing a lecture by Professor Sarah M. Whiting, Dean του Harvard University Graduate School of Design,, on Monday 29/1 @ 12:30 at Vouleutikon, Nafplion (Staikopoulou Street, next to Syntagma Square).
The lecture will be on the subject of: “Dynamic Wholes”
Under the auspices of the Municipality of Nafplion, with the cooperation of Harvard University, Center for Hellenic Studies, Nafplio, and the sponsorship of Achilleas and Costanza Konstantakopoulou.
Short bio of Professor Sarah M. Whiting:
Sarah Whiting has been Dean and Josep Lluís Sert Professor of Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design since 2019. She is also a design principal and co-founder of WW Architecture, based in Cambridge, and served as the Dean of Rice University’s School of Architecture from 2010 to 2019. Whiting obtained a interdisciplinary, self-directed Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale, a Master of Architecture from Princeton in 1990, and a Doctor of Philosophy in the History and Theory of Architecture from MIT in 2001. Whiting’s research and writing is broadly interdisciplinary, with the built environment at its core. An expert in architectural theory and urbanism, she is particularly interested in modern and contemporary architecture’s imbricated relationship with politics, economics, and society, and how the built environment shapes the nature of public life.
The long-term strategy to promote Athens to new markets is continuing with a focus on strengthening connections to the growing tourist market in India. In December 2023, fifteen influential travel agents and journalists representing the Indian tourism market were in Athens to join a FAM trip organized by the This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau of the City of Athens in collaboration with the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos and with the support of Gulf Air .
The participants had a first-hand experience of the festive vibes in Athens and toured some of the most important historic and modern cultural landmarks of the city.
They had the opportunity to learn about the rich tourism product and infrastructure, enjoyed Greek gastronomy and hospitality, and explored the many leisure options that the city offers during the winter months.
The visit took place in the context of the cooperation between the This is Athens-Convention & Visitors Bureau of the City of Athens and the Athens International Airport, with the aim of building momentum in the fast-growing tourism market of India and with the strategy to create a direct flight to Athens.The FAM trip is just one of many actions developed by the This is Athens-CVB and Athens International Airport to build momentum in the Indian market, including the participation by the This is Athens team at India's largest tourism exhibitions such as OTM India.
The CEO of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA), Epameinondas Mousios, noted: "The initiative from This is Athens and Athens International Airport is part of the city's efforts to build momentum in new markets. This FAM trip was a fantastic opportunity to show Athens to Indian professionals who saw firsthand the city's significant potential in the field of conference tourism, leisure travel, weddings and film productions."
The Director of Communications & Marketing of Athens International Airport, Ioanna Papadopoulou, said: "Just before the end of 2023 - a record year in terms of traffic for the airport and Athens - we were very pleased to collaborate with This is Athens-CVB to host representatives of the Indian market, which is a strategic priority for the Athens airport. With shared goals and a spirit of collaboration for the future of our destination, we are building dynamic actions for the Indian market to know and enjoy the Athenian experience."
* The action was implemented within the framework of the Action "Development and Promotion of the Tourist and Cultural Identity of Athens in the post-Covid era", which has been included in the Operational Program "Attica 2014-2020" , OPS 5104609/Subproject 1.
In collaboration with:
The Global Doctor's Hippocratic Institute &
The Athens Medical Association
First IVF Cluster
Υπό την Αιγίδα των Υπουργείων Τουρισμού, Υγείας και της Περιφέρειας Αττικής
Megaron Athens Concert Hall
Thursday & Friday 14 -15 December 2023
Address by the President
Dear Members
I welcome you to the International Health Tourism Conference dedicated to the promotion and promotion of Health Tourism in Greece and the advances in IVF in our country.
This important scientific meeting was attended by experts and representatives of tourism, health and local government from Greece and abroad, as well as representatives of the Greek community and the Greek Medical Associations, join their voices and their expertise in the framework of the national effort we are making for the promotion of Greek Health Tourism, as the Hellenic Health Tourism Council - ELITUR, the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians - GHDI and the Athens Medical Association. The Ministries of Tourism and Health, and the Region of Attica provide us with their patronage and we thank them warmly for their support.
Fertility Tourism in Greece is a key part of Greek Health Tourism, attracting increasing international interest from all corners of the world, thanks to the excellence, successes and international distinctions of Greek scientists. In a year when worldwide Health Tourism is booming after the health crisis of the pandemic, the Hellenic Health Tourism Council is joining forces with the country and the Expatriate Medical World for the successful promotion of Greek Health Tourism on the world map, promoting the field of IVF, to which 2023 is dedicated with actions in Greece and abroad.
I welcome you to the Athens Concert Hall, to Athens, the cosmopolitan place of Wellness and genuine Greek hospitality, and I thank you warmly for your participation.
Dr. Giorgos Patoulis
President of the Medical Association of Athens, ELITOUR, World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians and Regional Governor of Attica
PROGRAM
Thursday 14 December 2023 | Athens Concert Hall Conference Hall I
16:30 - 17:00 Registration
17:00 – 21:00 Health tourism: The internal strength of Greece
17:00 – 18:30 Chairpersons: Giorgos Patoulis, Georgios Antonakis, Kyriakos Mitsakos
17:00 – 17:15 Greece as an ideal destination for Health Tourism Giorgos Patoulis
17:15 – 17:30: Legislation and ethics in IVF, the Greek advantage Elena Rapti 17:30 – 17:45 Looking to the future: new structures of Health Tourism in Greece. High quality and features Marios Themistocleous
17:45 – 18:00 Utilization of medical staff in health tourism Gerasimos Siasos
18:00 – 18:15 The Department of Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as an international hub of education in Health Tourism Nikos Arkadopoulos
18:15 – 18:30 The development of IVF in Greece - the spearhead of Medical Tourism - Konstantinos Pantos 18:30 – 19:30 Chairpersons: Petros Mamalakis, Panagiotis Manolas, Charis Digridakis The role of entrepreneurship in the development of Medical Tourism 18:30 – 18:40 ELITOUR in Medical Tourism. Present and Future Giorgos Patoulis
18:40 – 18:50 Health policies in an ever-changing world Kyriakos Kenevezos
18:50 – 19:00 Medical Tourism - The China market Opportunities and challenges for Greek businesses – Stavros Monemvasiotis
19:00 – 19:10 The unique advantages of Greece in the Health & Wellness Tourism market Georgios Kakoulidis
19:10 – 19:20 Compatibility of financial mechanisms for investments in the medical tourism sector Vassilis Zymnis
19:20 -19:30 New business models in IVF Nikolaos Vrachnis
19:30 – 20:30 Chairpersons: Nikolaos Kanakas, Georgios Lambos, Evangelos Makrakis
19:30 – 19:40 The latest developments in the field of IVF Konstantinos Dafopoulos
19:40 – 19:50 The modern social problem: Infertility and subfertility - Ways of dealing with it Nikolaos Bathrellos
19:50 -20:00 Endometriosis - Fertility-Polyphenols-Antioxidants A new approach to their management Leonidas Mamas
20:00 - 20:10 The effect of a man's age on fertility, pregnancy and children's health Themis Mantzavinos
20:10 – 20:20 IVF. Experience from the Naval Hospital of Athens Georgios Patrikios
20:20– 21:00 Open Discussion With the comments of: Konstantinos Zikopoulos, Alexandros Dafopoulos, Victoria Polidorou, Agni Pantou, Alexandros Zervakis, Angeliki Gerente
Friday 15 December 2023 | Megaron Athens Concert Hall, Banquet Hall
09:00 – 11:20 The Greek results of IVF, a guarantee for the development of medical tourism and the development of a second place of residence for foreigners
09:00 – 10:10 Chairpersons: Nikolaos Vrachnis, Nikos Nikolettos, Giorgos Galazios
09:00 - 9:10 IVF. Experience from the Alexandroupolis IVF Center Konstantinos Nikolettos
09:10 - 09:20 IVF. Experience from the Aretaieio Hospital. Charalambos Syristatidis
09:20 – 09:30 IVF. Experience from the University Hospital of Ioannina Ioannis Georgiou
09:30 - 09:40 IVF. Experience from the IASO Hospital Marinos Tsirigotis 09:40 – 09:50 IVF. Experience from the Genesis Clinic of Athens, Genesis of Larissa and Heraklion, Crete. Kostas Sfakianoudis
09:50 - 10:00 Assisted reproduction. Experience from the Hospital Hygeia-IVF Embryogenesis Vassilis Kellaris
10:00 – 10:10 IVF Experience from the Embryoland Centre Nikos Kanakas
10:10 – 11:10 Chairpersons: Dimitris Filippou, Nikolaos Paparisteidis, Dimitris Giannaris
10:10 – 10:20 Experience from the Fertility & IVF Unit of REA Alexandros Tzeferakos
10:20 – 10:30 IVF Experience from Embryoclinic Thessaloniki Elias Tsakos
10:30 – 10:40 IVF Experience from Iakentro Konstantinos Antoniou
10:40 – 10:50 IVF. 30 years of experience in medical tourism in Crete. Developments - Prospects Mattheos Fraidakis
10:50 – 11:00 Experience from the IVF Serum Center in Lykovrysi Ioannis Dougiotis
11:00 – 11:10 Development of IVF units in Greece Nikolaos Petrogiannis
11:10 – 11:40 Conference Opening Megaron Athens Concert Hall Banquet Hall Banquet
OPENING MESSAGES by
Conference President: Giorgos Patoulis, Regional Governor of Attica, President of the Athens Medical Association, World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians and ELITOUR
Minister of Tourism: Olga Kefalogianni
Minister of Health: Michalis Chrysochoidis
Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine: Michalis Koutsilieris Organizing Committee: Antonios Polidorou, Ambassador of Greek Tourism
11:40 – 13:00 Chairpersons: Nikos Papantoniou, Konstantinos Pantos, Konstantinos Samaras
The results of IVF abroad.
Ethiopia: Addis Ababa University
Germany: Konstantinos Manolopoulos
China: Anhui University: Jijun Chu
Cairo: Cairo University
Great Britain, Kings College London: Hippocrates Sarris
Melbourne: Nikolaos Lolatzis
New York: Mount Sinai Hospital
Serbia: University of Belgrade
12:40 – 13:00 Commentators: Konstantinos Dimitroulis, Vassilis Kontopoulos, Dimitra Kappou, Giannis Ioannidis, Dimitris Mazis
13:00 – 14:30 The Hellenic Diaspora supports Greece in the development and promotion of Health Tourism
Chairpersons: Giorgos Patoulis, Konstantinos Kouskoukis, Antonis Polydorou
13:00 – 13:10 Joining forces for the development of Health Tourism Vassilis Papastergiadis 13:10 – 13:20 The Greek doctors of Germany propose ways to strengthen medical tourism in Greece Konstantinos Gousias
13:20 – 13:30 The actions and the role of the Association of Greek and Cypriot Doctors in Germany and the importance of Brain-Gain Ioannis Giannakopoulos 13:30 – 13:40 The role of the Greek Doctors of the United Kingdom in the development of Health Tourism in Greece Athena Angelopoulou
13:40 – 13:50 Brain Gain: the return of doctors from abroad and their contribution to the development of Health Tourism Vassilios Papalois
13:50 – 14:00 Ενίσχυση του ελληνικού τουρισμού υγείας από το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο – Κυριακή Σονίδου 14:00 – 14:10 Προγράμματα Τουρισμού Υγείας στην Κύπρο, δυνατότητες συνεργασίας μεταξύ Κύπρου και Ελλάδας. -Πέτρος Αγαθαγγέλου 14:10 – 14:30 Σχολιαστές: Μαρία Δουράτσου, Βασίλης Κοντόπουλος, Δημήτρης Μιναρέτζης, Μαίρη Αποστολούδη
14:30 – 15:00 Chairpersons: Giorgos Patoulis, Michalis Koutsilieris
Conference of the Gynaecologists - Obstetricians Members of the (IVF) Cluster
End of the Conference
Conference President: Dr. Giorgos Patoulis, Regional Governor of Attica, President of the IUA, President of the Hellenic Health Tourism Council - ELITOUR, President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians
Organizing Committee:
Chairman of the Organizing Committee: Dr. Antonios Polidorou,, Secretary General of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians, Ambassador of Greek Tourism.
Members:
Agni Pantou, Specialist Obstetrician - Gynaecologist Hospital Agios Savas
Antonis Makrygiannakis, , Professor of Obstetrics - Gynaecology, University of Crete Medical School
Alexandros Dafopoulos,, Obstetric Surgeon Gynecologist, Doctor of Democritus University, IVF Specialist - Genesis of Athens and Thessaly
Vaki Paka, Member of the Board of Directors of ELITOUR, Head of the Sector of Extroversion and Institutional Networking
Vassilios Papastergiadis, President of the Hellenic Association of Melbourne
Vassilios Papalois, Professor of Transplant Surgery at Imperial College London
Georgios Lambos, , Fertility Specialist, Doctor of the Medical School of the University of Athens, Associate of the Athens Genesis Clinic
Giorgos Kakoulidis, Member of the Board of Directors of ELITOUR, Head of the Financing Sector
George Kreatsas, Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Grigoris Kyriakou, ELITOUR Board Member, Breast Surgeon, Surgical Oncology, CEO Gamma Air Medical LTD
Dimitris Mazis Kourakos Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Oncologist
Ioannis Datseris, ELITOUR Board Member, Ophthalmologist, CEO OMMA, Athens Eye Institute
Kyriaki Sonidou,, President of the Hellenic Medical Association of the United Kingdom
Konstantinos Zikopoulos, Professor Emeritus of the University of Ioannina, Chief Gynaecologist - Specialist in ΙVF
Konstantinos Kouskoukis, ELITOUR Board Member, Professor of Dermatology, Lawyer, President of the Hippocratic Academy of Medical Medicine, President of the World Academy of Chinese and Complementary Medicine, 2nd Vice President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians
Konstantinos Pantos, Vice President ELITOUR, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Genesis Athens, Genesis Thessaly-Athens, Secretary General of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine
Leonidas Mamas, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Dr., University of Athens, Member of the Hellenic Society of Assisted Reproduction Physicians
Matthaios Fraidakis,, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Scientific Director of Crete Fertility Centre
Michalis Koutsilieris, President of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, President of the State Scholarship Foundation
Nikolaos Petrogiannis, Captain of the Navy, Director of the IVF Unit of the Athens Naval Hospital
Petros Agathangelou, Cardiologist, President of the Pancyprian Medical Association
Petros Mamalakis, General Secretary of ELITOUR
Tryfon Lainas,, Doctor of the University of Athens, Gynaecologist Reproduction, Director of the IVF Unit "Eugonia"
Christina Tambourea, Deputy President ELITOUR, General Commercial Director of IASO Group
Christoforos Tzermias, ELITOUR Member, Dermatologist, Oxford Specialist, Vice President of the Disciplinary Board of the ISA, Co-Founder of the European Society of LASER-ESLD EADV- LASER Dermatology Task Force Member, Fellow American ASLMS
Scientific Committee:
Chairman of the Scientific Committee: Michalis Koutsilieris, President of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, President of the State Scholarship Foundation
Angeliki Gerente, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Secretary of the Hellenic Society of Embryometric Medicine
Alexandros Zervakis, Reproductive Gynaecologist – Obstetrician
Alexandros Dafopoulos, Obstetric Surgeon Gynecologist, Doctor of Democritus University, IVF Specialist - Genesis of Athens and Thessaly
Alexandros Tzeferakos, Obstetrician Gynecologist, Director of the Fertility & IVF Unit of REA, Vice President of the Board of Directors of REA Clinic
Vassilis Kellaris, Reproductive Gynaecologist, Vice President of Mitera Hospital, Vice President of Health IVF Embryogenesis, Dr., University of Athens
Victoria Polidorou,, Cardiologist, Fetal Cardiologist, Lecturer, European University Cyprus
Gerasimos Siasos, Professor of Cardiology and Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Georgios Antonakis, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, President of the Department of Medicine of the University of Patras
Georgios Patrikios, MD, MSc ESHRE, Certified IVF Specialist, Deputy Director of the IVF Unit of the Athens Naval Hospital
Yannis Ioannidis, Obstetrician – Gynaecologist
Dimitra Kappou, MSc, PhD, Obstetric Gynaecologist, Specialist in IVF - St Bartholomew's Hospital London UK
Dimitris Yannaris, Obstetrician Gynecologist with specialization in IVF Embryoart
Dimitris Filippou, General Surgeon, Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy at the Medical School of the University of Athens
Evangelos Makrakis, Obstetrician - Fertility Gynaecologist, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Professor of the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Visiting Professor of the Medical School of the University of Athens, Scientific Director of 'YGEIA IVF - Embryogenesis'
Ioannis Georgiou, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina
Ioannis Giannakopoulos, PhD, MHCM, Rev. Director of the Orthopaedic Centre | Head of the Department of Podiatry/Foot Orthopaedics Nettetal | Germany, President of the Association of Greek and Cypriot Doctors of North Rhine-Westphalia | Genesis
Ioannis Douliotis, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Deputy Scientific Director of the Serum IVF unit of Lycovrisi
Themistoklis Mantzavinos, Associate Professor of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, University of Athens, Scientific Director of the Institute of Life IASO, President of ELIYA.
Kyriakos Mitsakos, Obstetrician Gynecologist, President of Rea Clinic
Konstantinos Antoniou, Obstetrician - Gynaecological Surgeon, Md Phd, IVF Specialist
Konstantinos Gousias, Director of the Department of Neurosurgery, Athens Medical Center, Professor of Neurosurgery | Medical School of Nicosia, Cyprus | Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Medical School of Münster | Germany
Konstantinos Dimitroulis, Obstetrician, Gynaecological Surgeon, Specialist in IVF at The Royal London Hospital, Director of the Biogenetics Fertility Centre
Konstantinos Kouskoukis, ELITOUR Board Member Professor of Dermatology, Lawyer, President of the Hippocratic Academy of Medical Medicine, President of the World Academy of Chinese and Complementary Medicine, Second Vice President of the World Hippocratic Institute of Physicians
Konstantinos Manolopoulos, Obstetrician Gynecologist - IVF Specialist - Gynecological Endocrinology, Director of the IVF & Intrauterine Center Offenbach/Germany
Konstantinos Dafopoulos, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Scientific Director of the University General Hospital of Larissa
Konstantinos Samaras, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Specialist in Gynaecological Endocrinology M.Ph (U.K.) & (U.S.A.)
Mary Apostoloudi, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Rea Clinic
Maria Douratsou, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Serum IVF unit in Lykovrisi
Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Professor of Surgery, President of the Medical School of the University of Athens
Nikolaos Vrachnis, Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Athens Medical School
Nikolaos Kanakas, Obstetrician - Gynaecologist, PhD, University of Heidelberg Germany, Scientific Director Embryoland
Nikolaos Bathrellos, Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Genesis Athens, Genesis Thessaly – Athens
Nikolaos Nikolettos, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Director of the University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Democritus University of Thrace
Nikolaos Paparistidis, Doctor of the University of Athens, Deputy Director of theObstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic and Exosomatic Unit at the Elena Venizelos Hospital
Stavros Monemvasiotis, Chairman of the Greek-Chinese Business Development Committee (Athens Chamber of Commerce). Chamber of Greek-Chinese Economic Cooperation. (Member of the Board of Directors)
Charalambos Syristatidis, Professor of Obstetrics - Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
With a 10% increase in visitor numbers compared to last year and with the unveiling of the new concept of the exhibition, the 100% Hotel Show was transformed into a reference point for new ideas, innovation and high aesthetics, speaking for the first time for the new phase of the hotel market!
Leaving behind the emphasis on composite constructions, 100% Hotel Show 2023 welcomed the public in a completely different way this year, giving from the very first minutes a strong message: that of sustainability, which characterises the new era in which hotels must enter. Thus, it presented a live artwork signed by Makridis Architects, completed live during the exhibition, capturing the issue of overtourism and the new logic with which accommodation must be in tune, for a better tomorrow in the tourism industry.
"The live creation of an artwork that speaks about overtourism at the entrance of a hotel exhibition was indeed a powerful action, both in terms of the quality of the institution and the message of changing the investment culture in the hotel industry" - Andreas Koukas - Hilton
Of course, the main focus of the institution is "the 100+ selected exhibitors", who this year treated their participation in a targeted way, presenting mainly special materials and services, actively participating in the new logic of the exhibition that focuses on solutions and less on impressions. However, the new format also helped visitors to discover more easily the solutions they were interested in, as well as new ideas, and enabled them to communicate with senior company executives, which further strengthened the essence of the visit and the prospects for new partnerships.
"I spent perhaps twice as much time as I thought on the exhibition, as to my surprise I kept discovering new interesting ideas and things that you don't often find in a classic commercial exhibition" - Giorgos Anagnostellis - Agarch Architects
However, with hotel know-how being an important pillar of the exhibition, this year more than 20 workshops were presented, in which companies shared ideas, examples and new products and services with the more than 2,000 participants who attended at least one presentation during the event. The workshopstage also presented for another year the 100% Hotel Design Awards ceremony, where the 30 most prestigious hotels that were distinguished for their design and aesthetics competed.
"This year for the first time we saw hotels in unexpected destinations, such as Galaxidi, being awarded, which underlines the high level of the new generation of accommodation throughout Greece, and not only in premium destinations" - Zenios Zeniou - Destsetters
The exhibition renews its appointment with the public for 16-18 November 2024, where it will present the continuation of the evolution of its new profile, with new sections and an evolved logic around the selection of new exhibitors and workshops.
The new institution of the 100% Hotel Show, the premium exhibition for hotels, 100% Hotel Architect of the Year, selects the award-winning architectural firm K-Studio as the benchmark of Hotel Design, honoring it for its contribution in shaping the new generation of high aesthetic accommodation in Greece.
Hotel design is one of the main pillars of the exhibition, and the creation of the "100% Hotel Architect of the Year" is a practical recognition of the importance given to architectural design in the hospitality sector. K-Studio has been selected by the 100% Hotel Show as "Architect of the Year" for its pioneering contribution to the hospitality sector, presenting some of the best hotel projects in recent years, while winning multiple awards, both in the 100% Hotel Design Awards and in international competitions, confirming its excellence.
K-Studio's presence at the exhibition will give the public two points of reference. On the one hand, the public will be able to visit K-Studio's booth in the Hotel Development sector, where they will be able to meet the team behind the unique hotel projects and discuss the possibilities of cooperation. On the other hand, the agency will present a hotel workshop entitled "100% Luxury Hotels: From Architectural Design, Experience Specification to Branding," which will take place on Saturday, November 18 at 12:30pm, during which it will offer guests the opportunity to explore the aspects of luxury hotel design, experience specification and branding.
To sum up, K-Studio's nomination as "100% Hotel Architect of the Year" highlights the architectural firm's dedication to high quality and innovation in the field of hotel design and is a recognition of the importance of aesthetics and quality in Greek hotels. The presence of the leading architecture firm at the exhibition gives the public the opportunity to discover the world of hotel design, discuss potential collaborations and be inspired by their important work. The planned workshop is an opportunity for everyone to delve into the world of luxury hotel design and discover the secrets of success in this field.
Do you want to visit the "new" 100% Hotel Show 2023?
Mark your calendar dates: Saturday 18 November - Sunday 19 November - Monday 20 November
An International Conference, entitled “Accessibility-Disability-Church“, is organized by the Department of Social Theology and Christian Culture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 November 2023, at the 3rd Amphitheatre of the Faculty of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The Conference is held under the auspices of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The thematic sections of the Conference are, among others, “Church architecture and accessibility”, “The rules of the Church and theological accessibility for people with disabilities”, “Theological discourse accessible to people with disabilities”, “Pastoral support for people with disabilities” and “Ethical and social aspects of disability and the imperative of accessibility”.
According to the organizers, the aim of the conference is to explore what are the conditions and possibilities of developing an “accessible” theological discourse for people with disabilities, as well as whether and in what ways church life and practice can be accessible to people with various special needs.
The aim of the Conference is to bring together in a fruitful meeting theologians and ecclesiastical bodies, representatives of groups of people with disabilities, experts in the field of disability outside the theological field and scientists active in the field of disability, to raise and elaborate the concerns that will emerge from the dialogue between the interlocutors involved, to propose actions and to formulate theological and pastoral proposals that take into account the needs and specificities of people with disabilities. Finally, in order to raise awareness and educate students on accessibility issues in the ecclesiastic environment, a didactic workshop and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with a modern translation into sign language will be held.
For More Information:: https://www.disabilityconference.gr/
Τα 100% Hotel Design Awards επιστρέφουν στο 100% Hotel Show και το MEC Παιανίας, και παρουσιάζουν τα 30 ξενοδοχεία που θα διαγωνιστούν, διεκδικώντας τον τίτλο για τον καλύτερο σχεδιασμό καταλύματος σε Ελλάδα και Κύπρο.
The 100% Hotel Design Awards are one of the highlights of the 100% Hotel Show , since the Award Ceremony, hosted at the special stage of the exhibition, is the best trigger for the initiation of a truly Luxury Style Exhibition of the highest level. After the huge success of the previous years' awards, the institution returns to its natural space and presents the 30 hotels that will compete, highlighting the excellence of Greek Hotel Architectural Design.
As Greece continues its dynamic growth on the tourist map, more and more high aesthetic accommodations are being developed, which apart from design, emphasize both functionality and the adaptation of the design to the increased demands of the times. With this in mind, the tenth edition of the 100% Hotel Design Awards has the pleasure of hosting entries from all over Greece and Cyprus , presenting a diverse mix of boutique hotels, luxury resorts and self-service accommodation, reflecting in the institution the whole range of alternatives of the Greek Hotel Market.
The 30 hotels will compete for the 5 main awards (Best Resort, Best Boutique Style Hotel, Best City Style Hotel, Best Villa and Best Luxury Apartment), while the work of the Jury will be more demanding, with awards per hotel area (Room/Bathroom, All Day Restaurant, Wellness Area, Surrounding Area and Foyer/Reception), as well as special awards for unrealized projects and the best hotel photography.
Όπως κάθε χρόνο, το κοινό θα μπορεί να ψηφίσει για το “βραβείο κοινού”, είτε ηλεκτρονικά μέσω του www.hotelshow.gr, είτε στις ειδικές κάλπες κατά την επίσκεψή του στο 100% Hotel Show 2023 | 18-20 Νοεμβρίου | MEC Παιανίας.
SEE & VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRIES:
The award categories:
MAIN CATEGORIES
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
SPECIAL PRIZES
In the current post-modern society of the possibility of developing technical intelligence as a substitute for any expression of human activity, the search for a new narrative of the left parties on the relationship between employers, the state and business, the value end of the entrepreneurial initiative and the necessity of re-approaching ethical and aesthetic priorities, reading the book “Onassis Bussiness History 1924-1975” (Crete University Press), edited by Gelina Harlaftis, is perhaps a unique case of a holistic approach to the upraising universal questions.
“‘«Entrepreneurship is an art‘, was the message heard in the packed hall of the Onassis Foundation on Monday, 9 October, during the presentation of the publication on the business activities of Aristotle Onassis. Without the “logical articulatory prerequisites”, as Alexis Papachelas underlined at the presentation of the publication, Aristotle Onassis was nevertheless a businessman and a man who, by the standards of the philosophers, managed to live a “special life” and became a global symbol of honour for the country, a reference point for businessmen and academics, and certainly extremely beloved in every expression of his human aspect.
The event was coordinated by Alexis Papachelas,, while the following spoke: Antonis S. Papadimitriou,, President of the Onassis Foundation, Gélina Harlaftis, Professor of Maritime History at the University of Crete and Director of the Institute of Mediterranean Studies of the Foundation for Research and Technology, Costas Grammenos, Professor of Shipping, Trade & Finance and President of the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade & Finance at Bayes Business School, City University of London, Peter G. Livanos, Ioannis Theotokas, Professor of Shipping Business Administration and Chairman of the Department of Shipping Studies at the University of Piraeus.
Photo Credits @ Margarita Yoko Nikitaki
The book is based on the Onassis Archive and reflects in the most authoritative and thorough way the 50-year operation of a multinational business group created by the most famous shipowner of the 20th century, with companies on 3 continents and 14 countries and activities around the globe.
Above all, it is an emblematic work that aims to chart Aristotle Onassis’ multifaceted economic activity: from shipping to Olympic Airways, the Olympic Tower in New York and many other investments.
The aim of this volume is to cover Onassis’ business activities in trade, shipping, air transport, shipbuilding, oil and gas, and finance through his partnerships and conflicts with economic and political establishments in Europe and America. Above all, the book shows how Aristotle Onassis created the shipping business of the new globalised era, which operates institutionally to this day following the standards he set.
Photo Credits @ Pinelopi Gerasimou
Antonis S. Papadimitriou said, among other things, about the publication, “There are many pages in this book. It is many pages long. Because Onassis, was fascinating. It was his own vision that made him organize a shipowning business from scratch, in an unprecedented regulatory framework, taking advantage of new financing techniques that he set up, on new ships that were successive achievements of innovation and built from literally bombed-out shipyards. Thus he transformed a localist Greek shipping culture into the corporate culture of a global business group. It was his human character that made his colleagues good friends for decades, even after his death.”
Ms Gelina Harlaftis said: “Aristotle Onassis was one of the first truly international businessmen, the one whose work created the model of the global shipping business. Through this book I want to promote the importance of Greek entrepreneurship. We have a great entrepreneurship but we have demonized entrepreneurs. But without entrepreneurs there is no economy. I hope that this work will be an example to follow for the course and development of mainly shipping businesses in Greece.”
Mr Ioannis Theotokas said: “From the analysis of the book, the basic characteristic of Aristotle Onassis is fully highlighted: He was a business leader of the global shipping market who was not confined to a framework, either national or business. Throughout his career he sought new paths. As an entrepreneur, he went beyond the boundaries that limited his activities, constantly going over and beyond. He pursued it even if it meant conflict and risk. He created a model that remains strong to this day.
Mr. Peter G. Livanos stated: “Part of Onassis’ success was his ability to use his character, personality and thinking to succeed in different fields. He dared to take risks, but he also knew how to keep the balance. We owe much to him both for the legacy he left us and to the people who today continue his work with integrity.”
The book “Onassis Bussiness History 1924-1975” is available in all bookstores from Crete University Press.
The 100% Hotel Show will dedicate the last day of this year's event, Monday 20 November, to the presentation of new trends for independent accommodation, presenting Design Trends, sales methods and specialised technologies for villas and luxury apartments.
Now providing a wide range of solutions, both in terms of equipment and decoration and in terms of sales and promotion management, the 100% Hotel Show presents a complete solution for villa and luxury apartment owners,, by organising a full-day programme of specialised educational workshops on the last day of this year's exhibition.
With major villa companies also exhibiting at the 100% Hotel Show 2023, on Monday 20 November, the biggest trends in design and equipment that should characterize the new generation of villas will be presented for the first time, while explaining how they affect the experience and demand. Then, emphasis will be placed on specialized technologies for organizing and selling villas, such as Booking Engines and PMS specifically for villas, while the day will end with a workshop that will present the sales channels of villas and the most up-to-date marketing techniques.
Which have an extensive clientele of villas and provide targeted solutions in relation to technology, sales and management.
Selected Companies:
With suitable solutions for smaller accommodations, but also applied ideas in well-known villa projects in Greece and abroad.
A Few Examples
With applications in villas inspired by the hotel experience, aiming to upgrade the services provided.
• The 100% Hotel Show forms one of the most advanced workshop stages and hosts hotel workshops on all 3 days of the event. The workshops on villas and luxury apartments will be held on Monday 20 November and attendance requires free pre-registration:
The opening of the Aristotle Medical Forum and the 2nd World Pan-Hellenic Medical Summit was announced by the Minister of Health Michael Chrysochoides, on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 19.00, at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall (building M2).
At the Press Conference, the President of the Organizing Committee and the Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor Kyriakos Anastasiadis, referred to the extroversion that the Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has developed in recent years. “Following the establishment and operation of the first English-speaking international curriculum with students from 33 countries from five continents, the establishment of a Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education, we have been organizing the Aristotle Medical Forum (AMF) and the 2nd World Pan-Hellenic Medical Summit for three years now. With 30,000 online visitors at our launch, 85,000 last year and more than 100,000 expected this year, we believe it has now established itself as an institution. Delegates attend from universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford and others.
Our goal is to have a real networking of all Greek scientists in the diaspora at the top level. We have actively initiated major collaborations by signing memoranda of understanding in the educational, research and clinical fields. Also, our ultimate goal is to enhance brain gain, i.e. the return of Greek doctors who left abroad. This will be achieved by developing an environment of cooperation which creates common working conditions on which Greek doctors abroad can continue their work in Greece. The Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with its networking can be a central pillar in modern developments”.
The Coordinator of the Standing Committee of the Greek medical associations of the Diaspora, surgeon Alexis Theodorou, said “Our aim is to be a link between the large, strong and advanced community of Greek health scientists abroad and Greece. The AMF strengthens the links by bringing people who are pioneers in their field, not only in research but also in education and clinical work, so that collaborations can be created and there is a mutual transfer of knowledge and expertise. All these dynamics demonstrated by scientists from abroad will be a benefit for Greece, for the Greek student, patient and citizen”.
The representative of the Association of Greek Doctors of Quebec, Canada, Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry Evangelia Lila Amirali, said “The opportunity given in recent years with the opening of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki comes at a crucial point. For the past 30 years Greek medical associations of the diaspora have been trying to get closer to Greece. In recent years, the AUTH has given us an amazing opportunity to experience this openness with industry, research, technology. It has succeeded in connecting university programmes abroad in a very practical way. On behalf of the Association of Greek Doctors of Quebec Canada and of course the major associations of physicians in North America, we have a great desire to participate and contribute to progress and development through the collaboration and the opportunity provided through this event.”
The President of the Hellenic Society of Biomedical Technology, Professor of the Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Panagiotis Bamidis , said “In parallel with the AMF, we are co-organizing the 10th Panhellenic Conference of Biomedical Technology with the Hellenic Society of Biomedical Technology. Our collaboration with AMF is of strategic importance because technological innovation is at the core of the evolution of health care and the health system. We have over 250 members. Innovation and its technological existence is one of the central themes of this conference.”
The annual Aristotle Medical Forum and the 2nd World Pan-hellenic Medical Congress took place from 6 to 8 October 2023, at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, organized by the Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
This year’s Aristotle Medical Forum and the 2nd World Pan-Hellenic Medical Congress shared the title: “The Odyssey: from classic to digital”
Official Website: https://diaspora.med.auth.gr/
Just a few minutes away from Patras, the wooden gate of the ACHAIA CLAUSS Winery welcomes wine lovers and “unsuspecting” visitors to a place that offers a journey to the senses.
The history of the winery begins in 1852 when the Bavarian Gustav Clauss arrived in Patras to deal with the raisin trade that flourished in the 19th century in the country. On a visit to Petroto, he was enchanted by the same location that still impresses today. Among the vineyards and the forest, overlooking the city of Patras and the Gulf of Patras, he built the castle-winery of ACHAIA CLAUSS in 1861. And because every castle needs a princess, she was none other than his beloved, beautiful Daphne, with black eyes and black hair, from whom he named the first red wine produced by the vineyard, the famous “Mavrodaphne” However, beyond the vague truth of this romantic story, Clauss wife was Thomaida Karbouni, a member of the high society of Αthens. In 1919 the ownership of the winery passed from Clauss to the raisin merchant Vlasios Antonopoulos.
At the heart of the winery is of course the cellar. The space is evocative and functions both as a place where Mavrodaphne wine is made and as a museum of the winery’s history. The first impression of the space does not come from the image of the hundreds of huge barrels that have kept Mavrodaphne even for more than a hundred years, but from the intoxicating smell of wine and oak that overwhelms the cellar.
Walking through the corridors of the cellar, among the barrels of mavrodaphne, you realize that even each barrel individually can hide a story. ACHAIA CLAUSS dedicates a barrel to important personalities who visit the winery, who will leave a note, a message, a signature that permanently “decorates” the barrel. Thus the visitor can find barrels dedicated to politicians like Kostis Stephanopoulos and Antonis Samaras, religious leaders like the Ecumenical Patriarch, athletes like Nadia Comaneci, musicians like Thanos Mikroutsikos. A barrel dedicated to the winery’s most prominent visitor, the Empress Sissy, is missing from the section. The reason is that Clauss decided to dedicate the entire cellar, which is called “imperial”, to her.
Among the barrels are those that Clauss had dedicated to the Archchancellor Otto Eduard Leopold Prince von Bismarck and the Marshal of the Prussian Army, Count Moltke. In fact, during the Occupation, the German detachment stationed at the winery is said to have paid tribute in front of the barrel and it was even decided not to destroy the winery.
“…we’ll be back.” This small phrase – commitment, written in the guest book of ACHAIA CLAUSS has great importance for the history of Achaia. It was written by the representative of the Red Cross, in Patras, Hans Ehrenstrole during a short stop on his way to Kalavryta to help the inhabitants after the holocaust in 1943. And indeed, Ehrenstrole returned to ACHAIA CLAUSS in 2003, keeping his promise. As a minimum token of its appreciation, ACHAIA CLAUSS dedicated a 2,545-litre barrel of October 1940 mavrodaphne to him.
Among the barrels are exhibits of the history of the winery, including the 19th century fire engine with the manual pump that protected the premises from fire.
Many of the estate’s workers lived in the castle town, creating a multi-ethnic community that included Greeks, Maltese, Italians and Germans. Many of their descendants are still working for the Company today. A characteristic indication of the relationship between ACHAIA CLAUSS and its employees are the paintings hanging on the walls of the cellar, depicting former employees of the winery who contributed to the progress of the company. Thus the last barrel maker, the vine grower and the winemaker of ACHAIA CLAUSS continue to ” be present ” at the winery. There is also a painting of Pierrot, the “trademark” of Patras and Carnival.
Two paintings depict the composers Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner as a reminder of a special story. Having tasted mavrodaphne, at his friend Wagner’s house, the very next day he ordered mavrodaphne l from the representative of the Company, even asking him not to be late. So here are two of the most famous lovers of Greek wine….
And if the cellar is the heart, the soul of the winery is the precious archive of ACHAIA CLAUSS. The Company has been fortunate to have the entire archive at its disposal since its foundation. Orders, account books, incoming and outgoing documents, constitute a treasure trove for the history of the economic and political history of the country. Procedures have already begun to digitize and highlight the archive, which will be a valuable resource for researchers. Among the most interesting challenges of the archive is the reading of the Gothic script in which the records of the early period were kept.
Among the material a special place is occupied by the visitors’ books, where kings and partisans, famous and “anonymous” visitors have left their imprint, their little note, and their more or less important signature.
One of the most impressive buildings of the castle town isthe Villa Kostanza which functions as an exhibition space with objects, photographic material, archives, labels, artworks, etc. The villa was Clauss’ country house. However, it has at times hosted many of the estate’s prominent guests. Here, the Empress Sissy was enchanted by the magnificent view, the same view that visitors see today, and the architecture of the villa, and requested the same design for the balcony in the palace at Achilleion in Corfu. Next to the villa is the Catholic Church of St. Anne, which still continues to operate on certain days.
Recognizing the experience and knowledge of the Company and its people, the Ministry entrusted ACHAIA CLAUSS and its Vice-Chairman of the Board, Mr. Pericles Baltas, with the documentation and organization of the rich collection of the cellar of the Royal Estate in Tatoi. But also in the Imperial Cellar, the two largest barrels in Greece are kept, dedicated by Clauss to the royal couple George I and Olga. These two barrels have a capacity of 13,195 litres and were built in Trieste in 1882
The endless list of celebrities and “anonymous” people who visited the winery during the years of its operation is due to its reputation, the quality of its wine, its economic role and Clauss’ pioneering decision to keep the winery open and accessible to visitors, introducing the concept of wine tourism as early as the 19th century. The Antonopoulos family continued and gradually strengthened the same policy when they took over the reins of the Company. Nowadays, ACHAIA CLAUSSinvests in the estate’s visitability by organizing guided tours, educational programs for schools, wine tastings, and musical events, and of course the extremely popular, for young and old, open harvest every September.
Everyone can point to different features of the winery, some to the wooden barrels, others to the stone buildings, others to the beauty of the landscape, others to the taste of the wine. But everyone can only appreciate the love of those who work in it as shown by the impeccably maintained space, and the enthusiasm with which they talk about ACHAIA CLAUSS.
At the end of October 2023, the multi-year submarine archaeological research in the marine area of Kasos. was completed. Since 2019, the research team of the National Hellenic Research Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture carried out four research expeditions in areas of special interest, using archaeological and historical evidence, sources, testimonies and reports on the island of Kasos, from Homer’s Iliad to modern times.
During the research, a total of ten shipwrecks as well as important individual finds were discovered, dating back to prehistory (3000 BC), the Classical period (460 BC), the Hellenistic period (100 BC to 100 AD) and the Roman period (200 BC – 300 AD), the Byzantine period (800 – 900 AD), as well as finds from the medieval and Ottoman period.
The findings were recorded and documented using modern scientific methods, while sampling of archaeological objects was carried out, the study of which offers new information and archaeological data, aspects of the history of Kasos and the rich cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. Submerged remains of ancient ships carrying merchandise from Spain, Italy, Africa and the coast of Asia Minor were brought to light by an interdisciplinary team of Greek and foreign researchers and professors, diving archaeologists, historians, architects, surveyors, conservators, geologists, biologists, craftsmen, graduate students, PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers and other specialists.
It is worth mentioning that the underwater research in Kasos was the subject of an original film production by AORI FILMS entitled “Diving in the History of the Aegean”, available in Greek and English at https://kasosproject.com/ The film has already been selected to participate in the competition section of leading international archaeological film festivals, including The Archaeology Channel International Film Festival in America and Firenze Archeo film Festival in Europe.
In 1834, when Athens became the capital of the Greek state, it was necessary to plan the city and draw up the urban plan that had already begun in 1831 by the architects Stamatis Kleanthis and Eduard Schaubert,, in a plan approved by the Regency in 1833. The original plan envisaged the construction of the Palace in Omonia Square, which would be a landmark for the city. According to similar 19th century urban plans, there was provision for the location of all the buildings necessary for the functioning of the capital, public services, parks, squares, barracks, post office, mint, etc.
However, the implementation of the project was only interrupted in 1834, when the size and cost of the expropriations became apparent and after it caused intense opposition. The famous Bavarian architect Leo von Klenze was commissioned to draw up a new, more feasible plan, but it was subject to many modifications, as adjustments and alterations to the city plan were made throughout the 19th century.
Η οδός Αθηνάς καρτ ποστάλ (10deco.gr)
However, there are many elements of the original design that have been retained, albeit with the relevant changes. According to the plan of 1833, the streets Pireos, Stadiou, Agiou Konstantinou, 3rd September, Panepistimiou and Athinas would radiate from the Palace, defining the Palace as the “centre” of the city and ensuring a view of the whole of Athens from the palace.
One of the streets with a central role in the new capital was Athinas Street. Its opening began in 1835 and would connect the palace with the Acropolis. The street was named after the temple of the Virgin Athena. Originally it was intended to be a noble road, a boulevard. However, the change of the location of the Palace in 1836, the placement of the street in the city centre and its connection to Monastiraki, which was traditionally the commercial centre of Athens, soon gave Athinas Street a commercial character that it retains to this day.
Οδός Αθηνάς 1920 – 1925 (Η Αθήνα μέσα στο χρόνο fb)
Athinas Street has never been a “quiet street”. Workers, residents, street vendors gathered daily on the bustling street. Visitors from the countryside, students and tourists stayed in its many hotels. In Loudovikos Square (Kotzia Square), two large hotels operated in the 19th century, the “Anglia” and the “Anatoli” and two more luxurious hotels, the “Bageion” and “Alexander the Great” at the junction with Omonia Square. Along the whole length of the street there were many more “popular” hotels and on their ground floors there were shops, cafes and kitchens. The commercial character of the street was enhanced by the railway stations at both ends, Monastiraki square and Omonia.
Ξενοδοχείο Μπάγκειον (www.bageios.gr)
One of the most ” vibrant ” spots, not only of the street but of the whole city, was Loudovikos Square , named in honour of King Otto’s father. From the middle of the 19th century onwards, emblematic buildings were constructed in the square for the functioning of the city: Ernesto Chiller’s building, which has housed the National Bank since 1979, is the mansion of the merchant Vasileios Melas. It originally served as a luxury hotel and subsequently housed the Stock Exchange (1881-1900) and the Central Post Office (1900-1974).
Μέγαρο Βασιλείου Μελά (httpswww.nationalgallery.gr)
Another building – a symbol for the city was the magnificent Municipal Theatre (1886-1938) which was demolished in 1939, after many years of depreciation and abandonment. Its construction was a time-consuming and costly process. However, until the opening of the National Theatre in 1901, it was the most luxurious theatre in Athens, worthy of European standards.
Το Δημοτικό Θέατρο (Η Αθήνα μέσα στο χρόνο fb)
Of course, the most necessary building for the functioning of the capital was the Town Hall. Its construction lasted from 1872 to 1874 to the designs of the architect Panagiotis Kalkos during the mayoralty of Panagis Kyriakos. Originally it was a two-storey building but the growing needs of the city led to the addition of another floor in the 20th century.
The Ethnikis Antistaseos Square , as it is the official but not well-known name of Kotzia Square, has been for almost two centuries a reference point of the city’s past and present architecture. However, it is not the most imaginative space on Athena Street. This place is occupied by the Varvakeios Agora. A place in which for more than 100 years smells, colours, voices and of course the ambience of the people who gather in its corridors coexist.
Πλατεία Λουδοβίκου (criticeduc.blogspot.com)
The Varvakeios Agora was constructed at the end of the 19th century in order to meet the needs of Athens for a modern, covered municipal market. However, the great fire of 1884, which burned down the old city market in Monastiraki, played a role in the movement of traders to it. The Varvakeios market was completed in 1886 and since then it has been in continuous operation, gathering under its roof food products of all kinds: fish, seafood, meat, poultry, spices, fruits and vegetables. Apart from the Athenians, Varvakeios is now an attraction for tourists who can visit a historic, lively area of the city and get to know all the products of Greek food.
The construction of the closed market is due to the bequest of the benefactor Ioannis Varvakis. In the place where the market is located today, the Varvakios School operated from 1860 to 1944, but it followed the dramatic fate of the city centre as it was in the middle of the fighting forces during the Dekemvriana, was bombed and suffered great damage. The School remained in its location until 1955 but did not operate again on Athinas Street. It was finally demolished in 1955, depriving Athens of yet another historic building.
Of course, the image of Athinas Street through the years, as well as the city, has changed dramatically. Nevertheless, Athinas Street retains its energy, its popular identity, its commercial character. Neoclassical and newer buildings coexist, composing a mosaic of Athens’ past and present.
As every year, Carnival brings to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) lots of music, dance and imaginative activities for children, in a rich festive programme! On Sunday 17 March, a street band with Afro-Brazilian percussion and a rock’n’roll band will stir up the Stavros Niarchos Park with their rhythms, while on Ash Monday 18 March , the SNFCC welcomes Lent with a spring mood, a traditional feast with songs and dances from the Greek musical tradition and, of course, the traditional kite flying.
The events on Sunday 17 March and Ash Monday are free of charge thanks to the donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
Below are the detailed actions of the festive weekend:
Sunday 17 March
Jaguar Bombs and Bloco Swingueira
12.00-15.00, Great Lawn
On Sunday 17 March at the Stavros Niarchos Park, a celebration will be held! Live music, a parade of percussionists, workshops, masquerades, fun and imagination give the signal for a Sunday different from the others! The beloved multicultural percussion band Bloco Swingueira brings, as every year, its explosive energy and Brazilian rhythms to various parts of Stavros Niarchos Park, while the Jaguar Bombs set up the most frenetic celebration by covering timeless hits.
Moving Gardens
11.00-15.00, Pine Grove
A funny interactive installation, starring three anthropomorphic green sculptures that move freely, awaits the visitors of Stavros Niarchos Park!
Young and old interact with them by placing flower constructions on them.
VYCA Very Young Contemporary Art.
Art activity: We make masks!!
11.00-15.00, Mediterrenean Garden
Inspired by the imaginative creations of artist and designer Daniel Palillo, children unleash their imagination, discover how through the random composition of colours and materials imaginary characters can be created, and, like other pioneering artists, build their own masks to tell their own little stories of visual anarchy.
Design and implementation: Michalitsa Kozakopoulou</strong, visual artist
Workshop support: Archontoula Tsatsoulakis, visual artist
Eleanna Baletsi, visual artist
Maypole: colours and steps
12.30-14.30, South Lawn
A merry-go-round is set up at the Great Lawn and awaits adults and children to swirl to the rhythm of the music. With the help of choreographer Charitini Galanopoulou, participants are inspired by classical choreography and create new dance patterns based on contemporary dance.
Design and implementation: ap’Ousia group, Haritini Galanopoulou
Ash Monday 18 Μαρτίου
From 12.00 to 15.00, the professor of ethnomusicology Lambros Liavas curates and presents a panorama of Greek music and dance tradition at the Great Lawn of Stavros Niarchos Park.
Knowing the codes of traditional music as few people do, through studies, academic works and travels to every corner of Greece, Lambros Liavas invites young and old to celebrate Carnival and welcome Lent in the traditional way.
The tone is set by the traditional brass instruments from the famous “Band of Florina of the Balkan brothers”, as well as the dynamic musical group “Eptasimo” with Ilias Gakos and Marianthi Lioudaki on vocals.
The Pontian lyrist Elias Yfantidis and the Cretan lyrist Manolis Boundalakis and his company will participate in the feast. The dance group of the Pontian Association ” Argonautai Komnenoi” (curator: Kostas Savvinidis), invites all visitors to participate in the dance circles!
Art action: kites in the sky
11.00-16.00, Agora
On a large paper surface, young and old alike capture a sky filled with kites. Colours, shapes, stamps and stencils help to create a unique collective painting inspired by the octagonal kite by artist Opi Zouni.
Design and implementation: ap’Ousia group
The pulse of the carnival beats loudly in the city and young and old alike become part of the colourful celebration of Carnival with 80 events, organised by the Culture, Sports and Youth Organisation of the Municipality of Athens in 55 locations of the city. The bright children’s smiles of the little masqueraders, the frenetic mood of the big carnivalists, the carnival tradition and the revelry, make up an entertaining carnival that will unfold in the neighbourhoods of Athens.
In his message, the Mayor of Athens Harris Dukas notes: “Athens is putting on its carnival decorations earlier than ever before and invites everyone, young and old, to take part in this frenetic carnival celebration. For 23 days every neighbourhood of our city will be flooded with music, dance, song and cultural events. Come and have fun together, become children again, revive traditional Carnival customs and create memories that will stay with us for many years to come.”
Tsiknopempti with music and tradition
On Tsiknopempti 7 March, music and carnival tradition will flood the Varvakio Market, Monastiraki Square and the surrounding streets.The public will meet the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens at 11:30 at the Varvakeios Market, while at 12: 00 the Cultural Society of Orchestral Art BACCHAE will start its carnival route from Syntagma Square, re-enacting the custom of the Cordellata of Naxos at Kotzia Square to end up at Monastiraki Square,, where the band Charisma and Isidoros Pateros will entertain the audience with their music and songs.
The young masqueraders know Carnival and have fun in the neighborhoods
The children, the protagonists of Carnival, wear their colourful costumes and flood the squares and cultural areas of Athens, to have fun and participate in playuful activities, through which they will come into contact with the Carnival tradition. The Art Gallery, the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hadjimichalis”, the Plato Academy Digital Museum, the Libraries, the Creative Learning Centres and the Hellenic Children’s Museum welcome children and the whole family to participate in educational and museum-educational programmes, workshops in visual arts, construction, musical and kinetic arts, fairy tale drama, theatre games, etc, but also to attend music and dance events.
Carnival activities will also take place in the squares of Gyzi, Plyta, Agios Georgios, Agios Dimitrios (Panormou) and Kolokynthous Swimming Pool, as well asin the Park of Mayor Dimitris Beis,, while the squares of Thymarakia, Agios Pavlos, Nathaniel and the pedestrian area at the junction of Gennaios Kolokotronis and Matrozou Streets, are transformed into the setting of a fantastic party that will lift the spirits of young and old alike.
The top carnival celebration, the regular rendezvous of the young carnivalists at the Zappeion, will take place on Sunday 17 March, where children will say goodbye to Carnival with music, dancing, circus artists, games and many other surprises.
Aroma of tradition and carnival routes in the streets of the city
Carnival, as a genuine Greek celebration with roots from antiquity, has a traditional character and is distinguished by its rich etiquette in various regions of our country. The Municipality of Athens brings out the element of tradition and Carnival customs, bringing them to its neighbourhoods. Throughout the carnival, cultural clubs will parade through the streets of the city to perform traditional dances and revive local carnival customs, which will introduce us to the spirit of Carnival, spreading fun and joy.
The traditional events continue on Sunday 10/03, with the carnival parade in Plaka by the Union of Zakynthians of Athens with serenades and traditional dances of Zakynthos, a carnival event at Platonos Square with playful events from all over Greece and live traditional music from cultural institutions of the area and the “Chorostasi” that will wander through the streets of Plaka with maypoles, events, carnival dances and songs, accompanied by live music.
On Saturday 16/3, the Association of Agriotes of Lesvos “Agios Dimitrios” and the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances and Cultural Activities “Molyvos”, promise us another trip to the carnival tradition of our country, with a route of revival of the “Patinada”, a local custom of Lesvos.
Finally, on Sunday 17/3, the end of the Athenian Carnival will take place with a big carnival procession in the city centre, an action of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, supported by OPANDA, with animators, jugglers, Brazilian percussionists and other entertainers.
The neighbourhoods of Athens will not be missing the carnival routes this year, flooding the streets with fun and rhythm. On Saturday 10/03 a carnival percussion route will take place (Attiki Square – Victoria Square) and the “Morfes Ekfrasis” will take the audience to Botanikos to a Carnival like in the old days, while on Sunday 16/03 the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira (Filopappou – Troon – Dorieon – Mercouri Square) will stir us up with Brazilian rhythm and dance.
Concerts, music and dance events and theatre performances
The Musical Ensembles of the Municipality of Athens will dress up the carnival events in various parts of Athens with their music throughout the carnival. The Philharmonic Orchestra will “walk” in the neighbourhoods, the Big Band with Martha Moreleon will give a jazz tempo to the carnival celebrations and the Greek Music Workshop with Dora Loizou and Manolis Skoulas will enhance the carnival feast with their melodies.
Also, this year’s rich carnival program of the Municipality of Athens is accompanied by concerts, music and dance events and theatrical performances in various cultural venues such as: Arts Centre (concert on 09/03), “Anna and Maria Kalouta” Cultural Centre (theatre performance on 09/03 and 10/03), “Melina” Cultural Centre (music and dance event on 10/03), Olympia, “Maria Callas” Municipal Music Theatre (music and theatre performance directed by Giorgos Vassiliadis on 10/3) and Kypseli Municipal Market (music and dance event on 13/03).
Αsh Monday, “traditionally”, at Filopappou Hill
The carnival culminates on Ash Monday, March 18, at Filopappou Hill, which has become a landmark for kite flying and traditional Koulouma, along with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the Charisma band.
The Ministry of Culture is proceeding with a new lighting design to for the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion. The aim is to highlight the monument and its immediate surroundings, without interventions and alterations to its character, but also in a way that makes its volume and geometry immediately perceptible from every point of view.
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, among other things, said: “Twenty years after the installation of the existing lighting of the Temple of Poseidon, in the context of the Olympic Games, the natural wear and tear of time, the failures and alterations to the luminaires, resulting in the deterioration of the lighting, require the installation of a modern lighting system. The Doric Temple of Poseidon is a landmark and a major tourist destination, due to its location on the edge of the Saronic Gulf, visible from many different sea routes. The new lighting aims to highlight the volume, plasticity and geometry of the monument from every possible viewing point and distance, while avoiding light pollution. The luminaires will be environmentally friendly, offering significant energy savings. At the same time, they ensure quality and durability over time.”
Important care was given to the visual perception during the day and during the visiting hours of the archaeological site, so that all the elements of the installation and the luminaires do not constitute an obstacle to the visitors’ tour, nor do they cause visual disturbance. The positions of the luminaires, as well as all wiring and electrical installations, were designed in suitable locations for the uninterrupted operation of the site. The installation is based on the existing cabling infrastructure, with cable additions for the new luminaire locations, following an assessment of the condition of the existing cables and pipework.
The study has been prepared by the office of Eleftheria Deko and her associates.
A restoration project of the defensive tower and the fortification enclosure of the building complex of the Nea Moni in Chios, a prominent monument of the 11th century, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is being carried out by the competent Ephorate of Antiquities.
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, said among other things: ‘With the interventions that are underway, the outstanding Byzantine monument and historical landmark of Chios, of international importance, is made accessible and visitable in its entirety. The specific interventions are part of a set of projects that serve the overall strategic planning of the Ministry of Culture for the promotion and display of the extremely important cultural heritage of the islands of the northern Aegean in the long historical period. Our goal is for the projects to be completed in 2025, to be returned to the island’s residents, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life, enhancing the competitiveness of the tourism product, investing in the sustainable development of the island ecosystem.”
Nea Moni was founded in the middle of the 11th century with imperial sponsorship.
Until the Second World War the monastery was a male monastery. In 1946, after the death of the last monk, the monastery was deserted, until 1950, when the Metropolis of Chios, in an effort to keep the monastery alive, converted it into a women’s monastery, so nuns settled in it. In 2000, the Nea Moni was declared an archaeological site of great extent as it includes the walled monastic complex, the buildings outside the enclosure, the cemetery church of the monks outside the wall, two churches belonging to the monastery, and located a short distance from it, the Church of St. Anthony and the Church of St. Fanourios, cultivated land, as well as large wooded areas.
In 1990 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since 2014 it has been operating as a monastery.
The Mystery 107 Persephone,, with music composition by Dimitris Marangopoulos and concept, libretto, and direction by Elli Papakonstantinou, after its sold-out premiere at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall,, is coming to the cultural venue Cine Elefsis for two unique performances, on February 24th and 25th.
The work explores the boundaries between contemporary opera and theater, offering the audience a poetic narrative in a visual environment where live video and opera interact and enrich each other in what the director calls cinematic /strong> opera. The roles are performed by Savina Giannatou, Alkiviadis Konstantopoulos, Anna-Anastasia Smerou, and Ilya Algaer. Musical direction is by Dimitris Ktistakis..
The Society for Epirotic Studies organizes on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 20.00, in the “K. Katsaris Hall” of its main building, the music event
ΑPO-POIISIS Songs for hard times
The Artists
Τραγούδι – Άννη Ονουφρίου Κόντρα μπάσο – Γιάννης Κολοβός Πιάνο – Δέσποινα Πραφτσιώτη Μουσική σύνθεση, κιθάρα, τραγούδι – Πάρις Παρασχόπουλος
The works are based on the musical interpretation of Greek poets.
The works required for the restoration of the forest landscape, the palace gardens, and the cemetery at the former royal estate of Tatoi were presented by the Minister of Culture, Mrs Lina Mendoni, and the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, at a joint press conference held on Tuesday 6 February at the amphitheatre of the National Gallery of Greece.
Four studies were presented, two from each Ministry, on the actions under their responsibility concerning the implementation of the overall project in Tatoi.
The Ministry of Culture is responsible for the restoration of the gardens of the Palace, as well as for the work on the Holy Church of the Resurrection and the cemetery of the Paleokastro hill on the Tatoi estate. The relevant studies for these projects were carried out with the sponsorship of Athanasios and Marina Martinou’s “Aigeas” Non-profit Cultural and Public Benefit Society. The presentations of these studies were made by Maria Mertzani, Head of the Department of Preservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments and the landscape architect and scientific collaborator of the Ministry of Culture Elli Pagalou.
Εξωτερική άποψη του Μαυσωλείου
The Ministry of Environment and Energy, respectively, is responsible for the implementation of projects related to the restoration of the forest ecosystem, as well as the restoration of vegetation and the enhancement of the cemetery. The presentations of these studies and actions were made by the Head of the General Directorate of Forests and Forest Environment, Mr Evangelos Gountoufas, and by the architect and scientific manager of the second project, Mr Thomas Doxiadis.
Ξέφωτο
The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni,, among others, said: “Restoration and regeneration works have been progressing systematically over the last five years at the former royal estate of Tatoi, within a specific timetable. They are part of the integrated planning promoted by the government for the creation of an integrated and multi-thematic peripheral green, cultural and recreational area that will fully exploit its cultural and social development potential, for the benefit of the citizens of Attica and our national economy. A previously and for decades abandoned estate, with a total area of 42,000 acres, consisting of a historic core of 1,600 acres and about 1,200 acres of crops, is protected and revived as a new pole of multiple activities of culture, historical memory, recreation, education, environmental education and knowledge. Our common goal, with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, is to promote the restoration and regeneration of the estate through environmentally friendly infrastructure and interventions within the protected natural landscape. For all categories of citizens, they will make it attractive and keep it attractive throughout the year. At the same time, it will respect and protect its historic character and natural environment. Once again I want to thank Theodoros Skylakakis because if it was not for him who pushed through the Recovery and Resilience Fund the core funding for the Tatoios, it is certain that the Ministry of Culture would not be at the level it is.”
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, stressed: “Aiming at the full restoration of the forest landscape in Tatoi, some of the coordinated initiatives we are implementing have already borne fruit, while at the same time we are launching a series of important additional actions. After the fire in August 2021 in the Forest of Parnitha, i.e. in the wider area of Tatoi, we have now entered the regeneration phase and where necessary we are intervening with artificial reforestation in selected areas. Among other things, the Forestry Service has already implemented erosion control works to protect the soil, as well as maintenance of the forest road network. Utilizing resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, we are implementing forest fire prevention projects, with the creation of sheltered firebreaks and the removal of logging residues, while initiatives are also taking place to take back burnt timber. The “new Tatoi”, as it will be shaped by the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, will be a “momentum” project for our country, as it combines the promotion of our cultural heritage with the sustainable management of the environment and gentle and qualitative tourism development.”
The Arvanitia Trail and the Sagredo Gate in Acronafplia are protected and reused and functionally integrated into the city of Nafplion. The research project, which was carried out through a Programmatic Agreement for Cultural Development of the Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Nafplion, the Municipal Port Fund of Nafplion and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, was concerned with addressing the landslide risk in the Arvanitia Trail and the preparation of an architectural study for the restoration, promotion and reuse of the Sagredo Gate. was completed and received the unanimous positive opinion of the Central Archaeological Council.
Το εκκλησάκι της Παναγιάς στην παραλία της Αρβανιτιάς όπως φαίνεται από την Ακροναυπλία
The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated:
“Acronafplia is a major archaeological site of Nafplio. In the Arvanitia walking route, which is a unique coastal route, there have been major landslides, with the most recent ones in August 2019. However, and the Sagredo Gate, a historical gate of the Second Venetian occupation built to connect the hill of Acronafplia with the lower town, remains closed for more than twenty years, despite the Ministry of Culture’s binding condition to the hotel operator to allow access to the archaeological site.
The gate marks the beginning of a march towards the hill of Akronafplia. Its reopening is linked to the overall enhancement of the archaeological site and its connection with the city. With the interventions foreseen in the study, our goal is – after Bourtzi – to integrate Akronafplia functionally and safely into the other sites and monuments of the city of Nafplion, satisfying, at the same time, a long-standing demand of the local community.”
ROMA GALLERY is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Estate of Haris Gavrilos (1957-1995). The exhibition “Closer” is the third solo exhibition organized after the artist’s untimely death and includes works that highlight his research on the language of painting. Gavrilos does not study painting as a medium but as an entity and a fact, a possibility. His art is experiential without being personal: “I paint me. But… I don’t see me”, he writes in an essay on his work published in the magazine Double Image (May 1985).
The painting of Haris Gavrilos is erotic and dreamy. Familiar with the writings of Georges Bataille and the Marquis de Sade, the artist sought to transcend the boundaries of representation through eroticism and dreams. His large-scale paintings celebrate physicality, sometimes overtly and sometimes suggestively. Emphasizing emotional memory and the interplay of light and darkness, Gavrilos attempts – in his own words – to find balance in space through different times.
The forms he paints and draws are spectral, embryonic, airy. “Indefinable and fluid at first, these forms are ultimately clear references to other archetypal forms with extensions in space-time, the deep past or the distant future,” the artist states. Indeed, the forms painted by Gavrilos are ectoplasmic, disembodied like those in El Greco’s paintings. Sometimes they resemble burnt matches, small and vaporized, and sometimes they are invertebrate, malleable like bent trees.
In Gavrilos’ painting the figures are courting, sleeping and breathing. If in the works of the 1980s his figures look like shadows, alluding to the schematic forms of ancient sculpture, in his latest paintings they are obviously more shaped: now they have faces and distinct features, they embrace each other suffocatingly and dream incessantly, and even at different times. It is thus implied that Gavrilos’ work is based on the painter’s erotic play with painting itself.
Haris Gavrilos was born in Tripoli, Arcadia in 1957 and passed away in Athens in 1995. He studied painting and drawing at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1978-1983, Dimitris Mytaras and Demosthenes Kokkinidis Workshop) and attended courses in stage design at the same school (1982-83, Vassilis Vassiliadis Workshop). During his life he held three solo exhibitions: Psychiko Art Gallery (1985), Medusa Art Gallery (1992) and Olga Georgantea Gallery (1993). In 2003, the gazonrouge gallery organized a solo exhibition of his work. He participated in the following group exhibitions: A selection from the Vorres Museum, touring exhibition in the framework of “Athens – European Capital of Culture” (1985), Newer quests – The adventure of the image and its undoing, Pierides Gallery (1985), Tradition and avant-garde in Greek art, Pierides Gallery, Patras (1986), First Document, Art Magazine “Double Image”, Athens (1986), Tradition and avant-garde in Greek art, Pierides Gallery, Thessaloniki (1987), Ileana Tounta Centre for Contemporary Art, Athens (1989), Contemporary Greek Painting: Vlassis Frissiras Collection, Pierides Gallery, Glyfada and Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens, Athens (1991). His works are in private collections (Iolas, Vorres, Pierides, Antoniou, Frissiras) and in the Rhodes Art Gallery. In 2022, the Athens Municipal Gallery hosted the retrospective exhibition “Haris Gavrilos: Arcadia”, curated by Christoforos Marinos.
Exhibition Curator: Christoforos Marinos
Opening: Thursday, 25.1.2024, 19:00
Exhibition Duration: 25.1.2024 – 27.2.2024
Free entranceAdmissions Free
The first auction of the new year for VERGOS Auctions, ““Historical and Folklore Objects 19th & 20th Century“, includes exceptional works of art and rare objects, representative samples of the cultural heritage, diversity, and folklore tradition that characterizes our country. The auction will take place on Thursday8 8 February 2024 (5:30 p.m.) at the Ionic Centre in Plaka and will be preceded by an exhibition open to the public at the same venue from 5-7 February.
The auction includes, among other things, a Philhellenic clock with a Greek couple in a half-submerged boat. An allegorical representation of Greece during the period of the 1821 Revolution, originating in France where the philhellenic movement flourished, and dating from the second quarter of the 19th century. Among the 241 items auctioned from Greece and abroad, the following also stand out:
The auction includes many other items of historical and folklore value such as portraits of historical persons, paintings, embroidery, candlesticks, jewellery and other items with philhellenic themes.
Exhibition
ΙΩΝΙΚΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ (Λυσίου 11, 105 56, Πλάκα) Δευτέρα, 5 Φεβρουαρίου, 12:00 μ.μ. – 8:00 μ.μ. Τρίτη, 6 Φεβρουαρίου, 12:00 μ.μ. – 8:00 μ.μ. Τετάρτη, 7 Φεβρουαρίου, 12:00 μ.μ. – 8:00 μ.μ.
For more information about the auction you may visit www.vergosauctions.com
From January 11 to February 22, 2024, PCAI presents I’d rather be a Cyborg than a Goddess , a video art programme with works from the PCAI Art Collection, curated by Kika Kyriakakou, PCAI Artistic Director. The programme will be hosted at The Ellinikon Experience Centre, one of the largest and most technologically advanced visitor centres in the world.
A preamble of the tribute took place, recently, during the second assembly of the International Association of Corporate Collections of Contemporary Art (IACCCA) in Athens. The programme brings together video works of women artists reflecting on the notions of climate disruption, consumerism, space waste, technology and gender: contemporary narratives that span from the earthly reality to dystopias and science fiction.
The programme title I’d rather be a Cyborg than a Goddess derives from Donna Haraway’s 1985 seminal essay on cyborgian manifestations and relativities. The selected PCAI works weave altogether a storytelling paradigm relating to primary science fiction penned by women writers. Works that often seem to echo Octavia Butler’s and Ursula K. Le Guin’s concerns about the Other. Videos that reflect on areas and concepts pertinent to Mary Shelley’s and Rhoda Broughton’s Victorian texts,, two of the first women to write sci-fi novels and short stories.
Afroditi Psarra’s commission Ventriloquist Ontology (2022), created on the occasion of the Sheltered Gardens exhibition, explores the limits of control and hybridization between human and machine through the relationship of a performer and a wearable entity.
Eva Papamargariti’s work Factitious Imprints (2016), part of her former New Museum solo show, focuses on the idea of constructed nature and how it can be documented and defined through a palimpsest of imprints that simultaneous human and natural processes fabricate on different surfaces and terrains.
Almagul Menlibayeva’s work Ulugh Beg. New Silk Road in Space (2020) was created in partnership with artists Inna Artemova and German Popov in the context of the second Lahore Biennial. The video unravels Menlibayeva’s research upon the life of important astronomer and ruler of Samarkand Sultan Mirzo Ulugh Beg, a further reflection on space debris and the industrial contamination of modernity, as well as on ancestral, patriarchal norms related to ruling and prevailing.
Ariana Papademetropoulos’ work Voyage to Venus (2019), shot on the Greek island of Milos, builds its narrative around Louvre’s Venus de Milo sculpture and nature’s predominant force. The artist, as a Victorian Nereid, in lieu of ordinary domestic settings, floats in awe among coastal landscapes and the dark, abyssal caves of the Aegean.
The programme is inspired by the architectural legacy and futuristic vision of pioneering architect Eero Saarinen (1910-1961), who designed the main building of the former East Terminal of the Athens International Airport, which operated within Elliniko until 2000. It also aligns with the aim of The Ellinikon to become not only an architectural landmark, but also a smart city that drastically reduces the carbon footprint of its inhabitants. The programme intends to elaborate further on the radicality, as well as the ecological and gender connotations of landmarks of today and will be accompanied by a series of educational workshops.
Visiting Hours:
12 January through 22 February 2024* Open Daily: 09:00 – 21:00
The Ellinikon Experience Centre
Free entrance upon booking at: tickets.experiencecentre.theellinikon.com.gr *The exhibition will remain closed on 22-25/01, 30-31/01, 01/02, 05-10/02 and 15/02/2024
The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni inaugurated the project of lighting up the Gate of Eetion the walls of the ancient port of Piraeus, on Kastraki Hill in Drapetsona. The mythical hero Eetion the Piraeus gave his name to the gate. It is the largest and most impressive archaeological site on the Piraeus Coast. It is located to the west of the ancient port of Kantharos (today’s port of Piraeus), which it protected. It was built in 411 BC and was one of the two entrances to the fortified city of Piraeus, through which exclusively military forces passed. The dating of the surviving fortifications dates back to different phases, starting in the 5th century BC and continuing until the end of the 3rd century BC.
In her address, Lina Mendoni pointed out that “The foundation walls of the port of Piraeus, of which the Gate of Eetion is a part, are one of the most important works of ancient Greek fortification. Here, one can recognize the fortification techniques developed from the 5th to the 3rd century BC. It is very important that this exceptional work be seen properly illuminated and enjoyed by the citizens, visitors, and passengers on board the ships arriving at the great harbour.” Among other things, the Minister thanked Angeliki Simossi, recently retired from the Piraeus and Islands Ephorate, for her valuable work and her many years of creative dedication to the Service.
The restoration project of the Gate of Eetion and the Ancient Walls, with a budget of 700,000 euros, involved the complete restoration of the two towers of the fortification and the general landscaping of the area (visitor routes, entrance guard post, plantings, information signs, etc.) with the aim of making the area accessible to all. The lighting design was carried out by Eleftheria Deko and implemented by Charalambos Stoupas .
