Carnival or Apokries in Greece


WHAT ARE THESE COWBOYS AND WITCHES DOING AROUND ATHENS?

No, don’t worry, we haven’t lost our national character or costumes, it’s Carnival or Apokries in Greece, a feast  of fun celebrated all over the country with masquerade and parties.

This festival dates back to Dionyssus, the ancient Greek god of wine and fun and it was meant to worship him  as well as to help the earth put forth shoots-hence the various leaping dances and the various kinds of disguise in order to please harmful spirits. In ancient Greece this festival took place in early spring, today it’s celebrated 40 days before Easter, so we can see that this ceremony has been incorporated into the Christian religion.
The name APOKRIES means “abstention from meat” , because  after that starts the period of Lent that goes on till Easter.
The characteristic of Carnival is disguising and wearing masks. Can you see what the masks remind you of?  YES ! The clay masks worn by actors in ancient Greek theatre. The costumes and disguises offered-and still do- anonymity and freedom of expression.
Apokries is celebrated all over Greece, with feasts that can’t always be described as ‘decent”- in memory of Dionyssus and his followers, who worshiped the phallus and fertility. The songs sung again cannot be described as “decent”, and if you go I hope your Greek is not enough to help you understand the lyrics !!!
This year  the beginning of Carnival or Triodion was on the 21st February – by Tiodion we mean, the beginning of the 3-week Carnival Season which ends on Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) 15/03/21, the beginning of Lent before Easter.  In between is  TSIKNOPEMPTI,  a very interesting feast, a Thursday when everyone eats meat (04/03). Tsiknopempti  is supposed to be the last meat-eating until Easter (02/05, this year).
The end of Carnival is marked by KATHARI DEFTERA, “Clean Monday”, 15/03 this year, and a long weekend .This Monday is “clean” because we get really serious about not eating meat and going healthy and we eat seafood, pickles, laganes ( a kind of flat round bread) and tarama (a dip made of fish eggs), all that accompanied by wine-that’s when we forget about being serious!
We also fly kites! Preferably in places without electricity wires above, hoping to get the right wind and trying to hush kids up when they go “:But I thought the kite was for ME, daddy, not for you and your friends !!!” NOTE THAT Kite flying will be allowed this Kathari Deftera, only in areas walking distance from your residence.
With that we leave you, hoping you will enjoy Kathari Deftera in Greece and come back with your experiences from this cheerful holiday !!!
photos are from Karnavali of Patras, the Carnival parade ! (from their official cite)

ICE RINKS in ATHENS 2017 – 2018

ICE ARENA…

is your reliable, fair and competent partner for all kind of ice rinks (permanent and mobile ones). With grant experience and expertise in both the competitive and the entertainment sector of ice skating, the company is involved in the construction and operation of mobile and permanent ice rinks as well as in organizing large sites and events for entertainment purposes, with ice being the basic element. Our target is to combine high quality technologies (for example in the professional ice rink sector) with creative and beautiful ice rink landscapes.

ICE ARENA can look back on many years of experience in cooling and ice rink technologies and that gives our customers a guarantee for a successful co-operation. We run our own ice rinks for over a decade now and we can therefore help our customers with all our experience, not only in a technical aspect, but also in an organizational, financial and artistic aspect. Our customers get all the possible help to ensure the success in their own ice rinks…

SOURSE (in Greek): https://www.icearena.gr/

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Ice Rink at ATHENS HEART

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The largest permanent ice rink in our country is ready to welcome all our friends once again this upcoming winter season. Its operation started on the 26th of September 2016 and it will remain open until the end of April of 2017.

The largest permanent ice rink in the country has an ice surface of more than 1,000 square meters! These dimensions are close to international standards, which means the ice rink is appropriate for athletic activities as well, and is able to accommodate parents and guests in comfortable and beautiful surroundings…

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From September 8, 2017 to end of May 2018

At: 186 Peireos str, Tavros

Week days: 15:00 – 23:00
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 – 23:00
Tel Ice Arena: 6940 665 707

750 parking spaces

Nearest stations:

Electric Railway (Green line): Station Petralona

Suburban train: Tavros station

Attico Metro (red & blue line): Keramikos

Entrance ticket: 10 euros

read more/map/access (in Greek): https://www.icearena.gr/

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Ice Rink at Megaron Athens Concert Hall

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The Megaron Athens Concert Hall is a creative arena for cultural and educational activities, an arts centre organized along contemporary lines to promote the role of culture in the community. It offers an excellent example of successful collaboration between the state and the private sector.

Ice Arena, for the first time in the history of Megaron, operates at its premises one of the most elegant and unique ice rink in Athens throughout the winter season.

In the special and original area of the “Atrium”, the new ice rink of ICE ARENA with a size of 375 square meters, completely covered by a beautiful and original tent so guests can skate in all weather conditions…

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Τo the end of March 2018

At: Vass. Sofias ave. & Kokkali str

Week days: 16:00 – 23:00
Saturday, Sunday & holidays: 11:00 – 23:00

750 parking spaces

Nearest Metro (red & blue line) station: Megaro Mousikis

Entrance ticket: 10 euros

read more/map/access (in Greek): https://www.icearena.gr/

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Ice Rink at Escape Center

CLOSED FOR THIS SEASON

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The Escape Center multiplex and the Ster Cinemas, located in the heart of Ilion, have promoted a different way of life since 2003 and have kept company on a daily basis to thousands of visitors, by proposing alternative ideas for daily “getaways”. Such an idea was the creation of an ice rink and, as proved, it was instantly loved by all of you! That is why, this winter once again for the 7th season, the beautiful ice skating rink from ICE ARENA will be there to bring you joy and many more fun moments!

From the 11th of November 2016  to the end of  January 2017, we will be open daily from 16:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 11:00 to 23:00 for endless fun on ice at your favorite hangout place in Ilion!…

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At: 64A Leoforos Dimokratioas, Ilion

Attiki Odos exit 7

Week days: 16:00 – 23:00
Saturday, Sunday & holidays: 11:00 – 23:00

500 parking spaces

read more/map/access (in Greek): https://www.icearena.gr/

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VILLAGE PAGODROMIO

shopping & more… ice rink

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Since 2013 and throughout the winter, Ice Arena operates its one of the most modern ice rinks in Athens at the well-known multiplex «VILLAGE shopping and more…» at Rendi.

To the end of February 2018 !!!

In the open space of «VILLAGE shopping and more…», next to the cafeterias, the restaurants and all the playgrounds, a new ice rink of 400 m² is created, which is fully covered by a beautiful and practical tent for skating under all weather conditions. The customer service first starts inside the modern and graphic tent houses beside the rink, where our staff will assist you with the rental of ice skates. Then, everyone is ready to enjoy the top quality of ice, for unlimited time, always accompanied in the rink by the qualified personnel of Ice Arena…

*Info in Greek: https://www.icearena.gr/pagodromio-village/

At: 228 Thivon & Parnassou str. , Agios Ioannis Rendis

Week days: 16:00 – 23:00
Saturday, Sunday & holidays: 11:00 – 24:00

Entrance ticket: 10 euros

read more/map/access (in Greek): https://www.icearena.gr/

 

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ENJOY !!!

 

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Treasure Island

CHILDREN’S SPECTACLE

A musical based on the novel of the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson

DIRECTOR Thomas Moschopoulos
DRAMATURGY Thomas Moschopoulos
SET DESIGNER Lily Pezanou
COSTUME DESIGNER Claire Bracewell
LIGHTING DESIGNER Lefteris Pavlopoulos
ORCHESTRATION-COACHING Kornelios Selamsis
MOVEMENT Amalia Bennett
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Anna Miheli

ACTORS
Argyris Xafis, Thanos Tokakis, Socrates Patsikas, Anna Kalaitzidou, Giorgos Papageorgiou, Yiannis Klinis, Thodoris Petropoulos, Yiannis Papadopoulos, Mihalis Kilakos, Stavros Svigos

Special group bookings for schools:
Tel. no: 210.86.68.572 & 210.86.58.902
Tel. & fax no: 210.86.65.144

Location:

ATHENS CONCERT HALL (Megaro Mousikis)

Vas. Sofias & Kokkali str.
New Exhibition Hall

Location:
New Exhibition Hall 

NEW Dates/Time:
5,12 ΑPRIL 2014/15:00
6,13 ΑPRIL 2014/11:30

Prices:
General admission: € 12

Buy your ticket Online

Prices:

General admission: € 12

Buy your ticket Online

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Mythology in English

Dearest friends,

Our Mythology group this year will deal with the adventures of Ulysses (Odysseus) and our aim is to take our little friends to the theatre to watch one of the best plays for children that we have ever seen with the same theme, the Odyssey. Last year we took our Mythology Group to a theater play about the part of the Mythology that we had dealt with, and the children loved it because, even though it was in Greek, they could follow and they also loved Savopoulos’ music.

If you are interested, contact us to discuss the details. Our group usually meets on Sundays at 5.00, but we are flexible.

Acropolis Museum for KIDS ! (Gr)

Ξενάγηση στο Μουσείο Ακρόπολης για παιδάκια

Μετά από επιτυχημένες ξεναγήσεις στο Μουσείο της Ακρόπολης στα Αγγλικά, Γερμανικά, Γαλλικά, και Ελληνικά για μεγάλους και

εφήβους, μας ζήτησαν να οργανώσουμε μία ξενάγηση για παιδάκια… και επειδή εμείς χατήρι δεν χαλάμε, είμαστε έτοιμοι.

Λοιπόν την Κυριακή 9/1/11, σας περιμένουμε 11.45 μέσα στην είσοδο του Μουσείου. Η ξενάγηση θα είναι σχεδιασμένη ειδικά για παιδάκια από 6 – 8 με 9 χρόνων, θα διαρκέσει 1 με 1,5 ώρα και θα είναι στα Ελληνικά.

Τα παιδιά μέχρι 18 ετών δεν πληρώνουν εισιτήριο εισόδου στο Μουσείο. 

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Dearest friends,
CHRONIA POLLA!
 
After the successful Acropolis Museum guided tours we have organized for teenagers, foreigners, in French, in German, in English, in Greek, we are now organizing a guided tour for little ones (6 – 8 or 9 year-olds) in Greek!
 The tour will last 1-1.5 hours, because it has been planned especially for kids and we don’t want to exhaust them.
It will take place on Sunday, 9th January and the appointment is at 11.45 at the entrance.
If you are interested, contact us for details.
Kids up to the age of 18 do not pay entrance fee !
 We are also planning especially designed tours for kids in other languages, along with other activities that you will love for sure!!!

 

 

Greek Mythology for Children in French

We have always liked telling stories.

We used to tell our children stories when they were little, but at the age of 16 and 19 they are the ones that tell us stories (usually HORROR ones).To cover our need for story- telling, we have chosen our foreign friends who seem to appreciate them greatly. Except for adults, children seem to be keen on Greek Mythology and the Greek culture in general; therefore we have decided to organize a group for children at a similar age. The children should have an interest in Greek culture because, when we meet, we will tell stories, learn Greek traditional songs, and draw.

Daidalos and Ikaros

Knowledge of Greek is not a must, since the languages spoken will be French or English.

Dear friends,
We suggest the first group to have 10 little ones aged 6-11. We think that the number guarantees their full participation without creating chaos.The program will be adapted to the interests of each age group.We have very ambitious plans for the contents of the groups that stretch from story- telling to dancing, singing, outings, drawing,Greek cooking, etc. Let’s all work to make our dream come true! More groups will follow of different ages.

Please feel free to ask for details on:

http://www.livinlovin.gr/contact/

or:

Katerina Tsitsipi

Aristotelis Makris

Nea Erythrea, Athens – Greece

tel./fax: +30-210-8077073

cell: 693-7073699

e-mail: info@livinlovin.gr



The first group this year will be in French. The next one will be in English


1rst Livin’Lovin’ Walk

Yesterday, 14 of Livin’Lovin’ friends and our guide went to Parnitha !

It was our first walk in nature with Livin’ Lovin’ friends and we liked it so much, and we had such a good time, that it was only the first one of a series of walks and trekking.

In the future various level groups will be formed so check our site constantly.

The few clouds in the morning worried us at first, but up in the mountain the weather was beautiful, the atmosphere was clear,so clear, that you could see the Marathon lake and even Evia. The first part of the walk lasted 1hour and 45 min. through black pines and fir trees.

We reached the shelter, where we had tea, spaghetti, spinach pie, cakes and tsipouro (as you can imagine the second part was a lot easier!).

After the break, it took us another 20 min. to get to the cars.

Our guide was very efficient but also very thoughtful. He cared about everyone, and he wanted to make sure that everyone was having a good time. We loved him !

(more photographs will follow)

Will you join us next time?

Walks & Trekking

Dear Livin’ Lovin’ Readers,

We have news for you about organized walks/trekking around the mountains and the countryside near Athens.

We have contacted a very experienced and inspiring guide, who works as a gym teacher and guide.

He has great experience in walks and trekking of various levels of difficulty and he could also organize walks with children as well as adults.

Let us give you some ideas of what we are talking about:

Mount. PARNITHA

and many more spots really close to Athens

CONTACT us if you are interested, and we will give you details shortly