ATHENS
weekly
ANTIGONE Comédie-Francaise The prestigious Comédie-Française presents Jean Anouilh’s Antigone, directed by Marc Paquien. Originally written and staged during the German Occupation, Paquien’s Antigone is a modern woman who frees herself of the myth and speaks to us in a language of incredible simplicity carrying a message of resistance that resonates with today’s world. April 26 and 27 at 8 pm at Megaron. Tel. 210.728.7333, megaron.gr
Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • www.insider-publications.com • No 5 • Friday, April 11, 2014 ATHENS SINGERS
OPERA WERTHER
SANI GOURMET 2014
Athens Singers present a tribute to Ralph Vaughan Williams, considered by many as the greatest English composer after Henry Purcell. The choir is accompanied by a small orchestral ensemble. Chorus master: Robert Tilley. April 11 at 8.30 pm at Megaron, Vas. Sofias Ave. & Kokkali, Tel. 210.728.7333, megaron.gr
Jules Massenet’s ‘Werther’, the popular French opera that presents the poetic nature of the idealist Werther and of Charlotte, a woman trapped by social convention, returns to Greece after 30 years. Premiere: April 11 at 8 pm at the Greek National Opera. Tel. 210.366.2100, nationalopera.gr
A must for foodies, this year’s festival focuses on world cuisine through the prism of the Silk Road, the route travelled by merchants between Europe and Asia that contributed to new techniques and approaches to gastronomy. Until May 18 at Sani Resort, Kassandra, Halkidiki. Tel. 2374.099.500, sanigourmet.gr, saniresort.gr
Fave Five by Cordelia Madden-Kanellopoulou
communication strategy
Behind the scenes of the EU Presidency La vie en rosé of well-coordinated cooperation between the Presidency spokespersons in Athens and Brussels and the communications liaisons at all the ministries”, notes MFA and EU Presidency spokesperson, Konstantinos Koutras. “The gr2014.eu website and the impressively performing Τwitter account is managed by a team of 13 press officers who provides the static content of the website, and edits and manages its dynamic content - press releases, news and events pages based on material provided by ministries’ communication officers, adds the webmaster Polyxeni Mastroperrou. In its fifth EU presidency since joining the bloc in 1981, Athens is host to 16 ministerial meetings and more than 120 related gatherings until June 2014. Zappeion is where the action takes place. Since January 1, informal ministerial meetings and events have taken place here and the Secretariat General for Information and Communication runs a fully equipped Press Centre (visited so far by 1,500 Greek and foreign media representatives). “We’ve had remarkable participation so far and we are pleased to receive positive comments from journalists after each event” says Konstantina Paneti, head of the Presidency press centers in Greece. Impressed by the remarkable results of the Greek team, officials from the upcoming Latvian and Slovakian Presidencies have consulted with the press centres and the website team to gain useful insights into the workings of the Presidency’s communications.
A cool logo designed by Beetroot, an impresive social media campaign and a communications strategy that rivals big corporate brands - the communications team of the Greek Presidency of the EU has worked its magic on a Spartan budget. Being efficient whilst frugal is a key element of the Greek Presidency’s communication strategy. In terms of organization, this has meant relying exclusively on existing highly-qualified public administration human resources, taking full advantage of existing infrastructure and avoiding unnecessary spending. And the Greek Presidency seems to have done a remarkable job so far: With 11,500 Twitter followers, it is the single most successful Twitter account of all EU presidencies while visitors at gr2014.eu have surpassed 250,000 with more than 840,000 pages viewed. Meanwhile, the weekly Presidency newsletter has 3,450 subscribers and its YouTube videos have been viewed for more than 22,000 minutes. “At times when the Greek public sector has attracted negative publicity, the people involved in the organization of the Presidency defy widespread stereotypes by demonstrating a high level of competence and expertise” says Petros Tsarouchis, EU Presidency alternate spokesperson. But how exactly is the work organized? “The key term is horizontal collaboration, including intensive daily cooperation even on the level of the country’s political leadership. What you see in terms of communications results is the outcome
Music
Parthenis: Art And Spirit An exhibition of works by Parthenis, one of the most important painters of the past two centuries, who blends modern aesthetics with frugality. Until June 1 at B&M Theocharakis Foundation. Tel. 210.361.1206, thf.gr
1) Vyssinokipos, Ktima Palivou: Nemean Agiorgitiko grapes are known for their vivid, velvety reds, but they also make a very refreshing rosé. With notes of cherry, raspberry and caramel, underlined with intense tannins, this wine from Ktima Palivou blends the local variety with Syrah with exceedingly drinkable results.
UPCYCLING STORIES
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Performance
For too long, rosé wines languished at the Liebfraumilch and Babycham end of the wine league tables: the Barbie-toned bottle left undrunk at BYOB parties; the choice for the likes of Joey from Friends’ dates (blush Zinfandel, to be precise), or drunk with an ironic smirk by kitsch-lovers. But in recent years, pink wines have shed their inferiority complex (along with their sugars), and emerged sleeker and drier to enjoy a surge of popularity as drinkers discover their light and easy appeal, and palatable prices. The burgeoning harvest of Greek rosé wines can make an ideal accompaniment to sunny spring days and light meze meals, pairing perfectly with salads and ladera dishes, cheese or pasta. They can even hold their own at a barbecue, as they balance grilled meats without provoking them. Pick up some of the following at your local cava, and enjoy with a long, lazy Sunday lunch. Life starting to look rosier already?
2) Ambelones Thymiopoulou Rosé: Following his success with full-bodied reds, Apostolos Thymiopoulos decided to try his hand at a rosé, using the same Xinomavro variety. The result keeps the tomato tones of this northern Greek grape, but its ageing in oak barrels tames those tannins. 3) Vivlia Hora Rosé: Just about everything Vangelis Gerovasileiou and his winemaking partner at Vivlia Hora, Vasilis Tsaktsarlis, make drinks like nectar of the gods, and their rosé is no exception. It’s a onevariety wine (Syrah) that exudes aromas of blueberries, cherries and raspberries, with lasting spicy notes. In a word: delicious. 4) Claudia Papaioannou Rosé: A fine, cultured wine using Grenache Rouge and Syrah grapes, with a pomegranate blush and sweet aromas of red fruits, Claudia Papaioannou Rosé, sounds delicate but is rounded and rich enough in the mouth to be matched with almost any foods – or just enjoyed by itself on a balmy spring evening. 5) Amyntaion Rosé Sec: We served this on our wedding day, popping the corks on a sunny summer’s day outside St Mary the Virgin in Oxford. Made by the Amyntaion Cooperative, it’s a robust sparkling wine, with wonderful strawberry notes, exuberant bubbles and balanced acidity, and what’s more, priced at around 11 euros, it offers great value for money. Whether a wedding day or just any regular Friday, this pink bubbly puts you in the mood for celebration.
The Spring Quartet Master saxophonist Joe Lovano, legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette, talented pianist Leo Genovese and bass sensation Esperanza Spalding make music together on April 11 and 12 at 8.30 pm at the Onassis Cultural Centre. Tel. 210.900.5800, stg.gr Treasure Island Catch the last performances of ‘Treasure Island’, the musical based on R.L. Stevenson’s novel, which has proved to be popular with audiences of all ages. April 12 and 13 at Megaron. Tel. 210.728.2333, megaron.gr
Exhibition White Holes Natural landscapes are the main theme of English artist Clare Wood’s 2nd solo exhibition, inspired by photographs from the English countryside. Until June 20 at Rebecca Camhi Gallery, Leonidou 9, Metaxourgio. Tel. 210.523.3049, rebeccacamhi.com
The Greek National Tourism Organisation shakes off the reputation for slack that Greek bureaucracy has been saddled with through an innovative upcycling project creatively re-using its unutilized promotional material. Upcycling transforms objects of little use into products of equal or higher environmental value without ever being recycled. The Ministry of Tourism and the GNTO lead the way among its international peers creating smart eco-gifts out of old printed material...so old posters find new life as bags, business cases and office stationery! gnto.gr
TV THIS WEEK SONS OF ANARCHY 5
©TCFTD
An adrenalized drama with comedic undertones about a motorcycle club that strives to protect their sheltered small town against encroaching drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous law officers. Every Monday @ 22.20
MODERN FAMILY 5 ©TCFTD
Follow the families of Jay Pritchett, his daughter Claire and his son Mitchell and their partners and children in Fox Life’s awardwinning signature mockumentary style comedy in Season 5. Every Tuesday @ 21.00
THE WALKING DEAD 4
©AMC
Shortly after the finale of Season 4, don’t miss the unique chance to relive the series’ most memorable moments and catch up with all the drama. From Monday 14/4 and every day @ 23.10.
Watch FOX on NOVA, OTE TV, HOL, CYTA Watch FOX Life on NOVA, OTE TV, CYTA Watch National Geographic Channel on NOVA, HOL, CYTA
CINEMA THIS WEEK RIO 2
It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they’re hurtled to Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful...
THE LEGO MOVIE
An ordinary LEGO minifigure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil LEGO tyrant from gluing the universe together.
ART MEETS FASHION
Window dressing
As every year, Hermès offers the opportunity to a local artist to tell their own artistic story through the windows of the boutique. This year’s artist, Cretan Tula Ploumis composes four window installations, Transistions Matter, featuring metal sculptures which appear to be weightless paper that interact with Hermès products. On display from April 2 until June 16.
Sports by Dr. Marina – Lida Coutarelli
Be a Spetsathlete!
Spetses has long been known for its rich naval history and stunning architecture complete with cobbled streets, fragrant bougainvilleas, throubi (an indigent herb vaguely resembling thyme) and jasmine lined courtyards. Since 2011, however, it has also been home to two immensely successful athletic events – the Spetses mini Marathon held during the second week-end of October and the Spetses Triathlon (Spetsathlon) held on the 25th and 27th of April. Recognising the contribution to both sports and tourism in the region, the Spetses mini-Marathon was awarded the Bronze Award in Sports Tourism by the Tourism Awards under the aegis of the Greek Ministry of Tourism. The island’s stunning scenery of lush pine trees and azure seas create the
perfect backdrop for the races and assures runners, swimmers and triathletes a memorable time. This year, more than 500 triathletes from 17 different countries including the UK, New Zealand, France, Cyprus and Kuwait (!) will compete in the two triathlon distances supported by the Hellenic Triathlon Federation whose international expertise brings together a highly decorated team of judges to safeguard the smooth running of the event. Internationally renowned athletes such as Deniz Dimaki, Grigoris Soufatzoglou and teen Hellenic Triathlon Champions Aggelos Mayrogiannis and Eleni Stasinopoulou, will compete with many seasoned but also first -time triathletes who come to take part in the week-end long event. Moreover, a 25K bike race has also been added which
has attracted more than 200 cyclists, including renowned Greek champion Yiannis Tamouridis, who will open the race. The success of the event lies in an island community that opens its arms, and its hearts, to thousands of visitors. Suddenly, a small island that comes alive during summer, teems with life in early spring! More than 200 local volunteers close their shops during races to make sure that athletes run unhindered, clapping and cheering on young and old. The picture is of an island painted with the colours of race-shirts, bunting, and bracelets. A circumference of 25kms where one constantly sees and hears results and race highlights endlessly discussed over “amygdalota” (almond cakes) and tsipouro. Registrations open until April 14 on spetsathlon.com
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