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)

Thermal Spas to Heal your Body, Mind, Soul

via:A Greek Adventure

Greece has these amazing places where the combination of the essence of nature prime elements, minerals and water mix with the senses and simply… relax and heal you.

These healing places are thermal spas. Places with warm water springs where you soak your body, following special rules, while the effects of raw nature force come through the pores of your body.

Here is a good number of them where the water is considered extremely good and healing for the body. Almost all of them are in places of great beauty, green and quite serene

go to: agreekadventure.com, and read about:

Thermal Spas at Greek Islands

Thermal Spa in Evoia

Thermal Spas at mainland Greece

Thermal Spas in Peloponnese

 

 

 

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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ATHENS MARATHON – THE AUTHENTIC


Registrations for the Marathon Race of 33rd Athens Marathon, the Authentic Marathon, open today, almost eight months before this year’s event, which is getting ready to welcome more than 35,000 runners of all ages with 15,000 of them running the entire Authentic Marathon Course.

A unique event, an exceptional lifetime experience for all Marathon runners around the world, held in Greece of culture and of sports. A celebration of human will and mind, of solidarity and primary values, bearing messages for a better future at personal, community, national and international level. We invite all the Marathon runners around the world as well as all those that would like to try themselves for the first time on the absolute endeavor and course of 42,1295m, to register in time. The great interest on the event from Greece and abroad leads us to the conclusion that registrations for the Marathon Race will be over very-very soon this year. So, hurry …. in order to run!

As to the 10km & 5km Road Races, the Organizing Committee is announcing that due to the incredibly enormous interest for these two races by organizations, other authorities, clubs, firms and any kind of community in Greece but abroad as well, and with the participation limits remaining the same as last year, registrations for the 10km & 5km Road Races will open on 01 April 2015, at 12.00pm sharp and will last only a few hours.

Those of you who wish to participate in the 10km & 5km Road Races just wait a few more days and get ready to click on the Registrations link on 01 Aprils 2015 in order to secure a place.

The Official Registration Period for the 2015 ATHENS MARATHON event – Marathon Race opens on 16 March 2015. Registrations will automatically close once the participation limit per race is met (Participation Limit in the Marathon Race: 14.000)

CLICK ON: Registrations – Marathon (in En)

source/read more: http://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/

The Nemean Games

The Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games is a movement born from nearly 40 years of excavation by the University of California at Berkeley in the panhellenic Sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea, Greece, and from the enthusiasm and dedication of local residents of Nemea who feel that they could make an important contribution to today’s world because of their personal ties to Nemea.

It was at Nemea that the ancient Greeks celebrated athletic and religious festivals that were part of the cycle of games at Delphi, Isthmia, and (best known today) Olympia. It was at one of these four sites that, for a brief period each year, wars and hostilities were suspended by a sacred truce, and all Greeks gathered in recognition of their common humanity. This impulse toward peace – albeit limited to a few days each year – was the first in the history of mankind on an organized, regular, and international scale. Thus, the festivals at Nemea, Olympia, Delphi, and Isthmia are the direct ancestors of today’s United Nations and Olympic movement. The ancient stadium discovered at Nemea is, therefore, an important monument in the history of such institutions.

The Olympic movement has become an ever more important and complex international event, and a symbol of the nobler aspirations of our human race. But it has also become increasingly removed from those who are not extraordinarily athletically gifted. The average person, inspired by the ancient lessons of peace and hopeful of participation in the movement finds even the role of spectator difficult to fulfill at the modern Olympics.

The Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games believes that there is scope for the average person to participate in such an international athletic festival where no records will be kept and no medals awarded. Races will be organized by gender and age, and participants will be rewarded only by bare feet sore from contact with the same stones and the same soil where ancient feet ran more than 2,000 years ago.

The Fifth Nemead will take place on June 23, 2012. For more details about the organization and significance of the games, see ANCIENT BASIS; for a living image of the games, see STEP INTO HISTORY; to participate, see RUN.

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

A popular Greek sweet

Today we are going to tell you about… a sweet  !!!  A very tasty and light sweet that is very popular among our foreign friends. It is called  rice pudding (rizogalo in Greek) and, as you can imagine, it is made with milk and rice.The best rizogalo in the northern suburbs can be found in three places,and we guarantee the quality after we have consumed a lot over the years!
1) VARSOS  (ΒΑΡΣΟΣ),
at: 5 Kassaveti str. , Kifissia
(Varso’s first pastry shop. Photo taken in 1906)
2) MAGINAS  (ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑΣ)
at: 94 El.Venizelou str. , Nea Erythrea
3) LAKAFOSIS  (ΛΑΚΑΦΩΣΗΣ)
at: 3 Petriti str. ,Drosia
All three have been around since we remember ourselves and are a dear part of our childhood memories.Visit them and taste all of their products, you will love them.