#143
December 24th 2019
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Content
EDITION P. 3
LINK’s Edition
K.A.NE P. 4 P. 6
Volunteers Collaborators
KNOW US P. 8 P. 9 P. 10
“Which one is your favorite Christmas tradition?” “What means Christmas for you?” “Which was the best Christmas gift you remember?” P. 14
ARTICLES P. 12 P. 14
Christmas Christmas: social or commercial construction?
INTERVIEW P. 16 Interview with a local volunteer P. 18 Interview with a Erasmus+ volunteer ANDVENTURE OF THE WEEK P. 20 Karaoke at Brooklyn Live Stage PLACE OF THE WEEK P. 21 Tabacco Shop EVENTS P. 16 P. 17
Past events Future events
P. 22
PLACE TO VISIT P. 22 Limeni, Dimitrios Shipwreck & Monemvasia QUOTE OF THE WEEK P. 23 Lea Krueger’s quote MUSIC OF THE WEEK P. 25 “In der Weihnachtsbäckerei” RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK P. 26 MANAM Tsopaniko Food Bar RECIPES P. 26 P. 27
P. 24
Cape stuffed with chestnuts and foie gras Christmas log with glazed marrons and chocolate
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Pratycja Kotlarz Editor
Roque Ribeiro
Designer
@kane.kalamata +30 272 108 188 2
Editorial
www.kentroneon.worpress.com www.ngokane.org info@ngokane.org Salaminos 8 24100 Kalamata Greece
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Volunteers My name is Anja and I find describing myself really awkward and Anja Hi! difficult especially because my personality is a product of a 25-years
long and complex story and is evolving every second of the day. At THAT moment I can say for myself that things that make my heart sing are: when random strangers are super nice to me, diving deep into symbolism or mythology of movies, experiencing the art of being ‘’here and now,’’ reading books and making different types of art (poetry, painting), music, being mommy to green plants and being sister to two dogs.
Celia
Hello! I am Celia, I come from Montpellier, a city in the south of France. Creative and volunteer I offer two months of my time to help a dog shelter association. Enthusiastic about learning every day through my work but also through new encounters and cultural sharing. So, I came to start my twentieth year in the Greek sun.
everybody! My name is Elisabetta, I’m a 22 years old itaElisabetta Hello lian girl who hates Italy and just wanted to escape for a little
bit from the ignorance and racism and homophobia and sexism typical of my country. I really have strong ideals about equality and respect towards people who are different from me and I love meeting new people and learn new things. I really enjoy music, singing and dancing even though I’m a very bad singer and dancer and I also love horses. I love being around them, I love riding them and I love taking care of them.
Lea
Hallo! :) My name is Lea and I am from Griesheim, a small town near Frankfurt. I am eighteen years old, just finished school and now I am going to spend an entire year here in Kalamata. I am volunteering in the Youth Centre and hopefully will hear many different stories from totally different people. I am fascinated by the art of literature, stars and other people and really enjoy sitting on the balcony with friends and enjoying unwinding music.
I’m Lise, i’m from the south of france, i’m yo. I really love all Lise Hi, the animals and want to be an animal keeper as soon as possib-
le, so the work with the dogs in the shelter it’s just perfect for me. I love nature and discover new landscapes . Also meet new people and learn a lot of new things.
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Lucas
Hi! My name is Lucas, I am 23 years old, and I come from France. Due to family problems, I had to take a break from my studies a few years ago and I hope to resume them after my little pearl in Greece... I am here to discover new people, maybe another culture and especially to clear my mind, I work at the dog shelter for 2 months or I hope to learn a lot from others and a lot about myself. I decided to come to Kalamata, I promised that I wouldn’t Mariana When describe myself based on my work or studies. I believe that we are
more than that and people tend to reduce their history to their work. I born in 1993 and I’m the oldest sister of the two most amazing human beings. I find an amazing refuge in books and cinema, music and other kinds of art make me feel very good as well. We should see beyond our individuality and contribute to a better and sustainable world.
Marlene
Hey! I’m Marlene a.k.a. Karen, from Portugal! Being in a constant process of discovering myself, I would say that, most of all, I consider myself as a very empathetic person, who loves to try to understand others. This comes with a lot of curiosity and willingness to learn and discuss about our human nature and the physics and metaphysics of everything. I am also very adventurous and a true hungry for discovery! I really love to dance, sketch & paint, and have efficient sleep time. Oh, and I am working at KEFIAP!
Marta
My name is Marta. I’m 25 years old. I’m from a small city of the southeast of Spain. I’ve recently obtained my College Degree in Social Work, and now I find myself looking for a job or a great and fruitful experience. I’m a tolerant, open-minded and passionate girl. Some interests about me: I love reading, music, tea, poetry, animals, having a time between the nature, rollerblading, and I’ve recently started climbing. I’m interested in discovering the world with my own eyes and in creating new bonds with different people. I’m a sensitive person who is also concerned and cares about environmental and social issues which are happening everyday in our reality.
Patrycja
Cześć! Jak się masz? I come from Poland. I love travelling and one day I want to be a professional traveler. I like to take photos, to film, meet new people from all over the world and to learn more about foreign cultures and history! My other passion is everything concerning Latin America: speaking Spanish, the latin dances... I also study English and Portuguese. Now I’m in Greece for 6 months to do an EVS project and hopefully discover this country in the best way possible!
I’m the short guy with dreadlocks who is coming from Roque Viva! northern Portugal. For the next 10 months I’ll spend my time
in Kalamata as a volunteer in K.A.NE.. I came into this adventure so I could meet new people, a different and new culture and to learn Greek. I’d to share with others all my knowledge, interests and beliefs. If you like sunsets, swimming, nature, hiking and listening to music, what are waiting for?! Join me!
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Collaborators I am Filaretos Vourkos. For the last 15 years I am working Filaretos Hello, in the field of Non-formal education as a volunteer, youth worker
and youth trainer. 10 years ago,I decided to create the Youth Centre of Kalamata, in order to initiate youth work in Kalamata and promote active citizenship as factor for change.
Jelena
Hi, I’m Jelena Scepanovic,an EVS coordinator in K.A.NE. and a volunteer of the Youth center. I came from Montenegro in 2012 as an EVS volunteer. I really liked the idea of the youth center and the work that K.A.NE. does, so I decided to stay and be part of it.
Nantiana
My name is Nantiana Koutiva and i am working in K.A.NE. as a project manager and EVS coordinator. I have studied greek philology and I am teacher of greek language as well. I love travelling and organizing festivals.
Nancy
Hello World! I’m Nancy and I’m working in K.A.NE. since 2017 as a Project Manager and EVS/ESC coordinator. I’m passionate about meeting new people and exchange knowledge, experiences and ideas. I love the fact that many young people visit every year my hometown Kalamata and contribute to our society.
my name is Georgia Griva. For the past few years I am a youGeorgia Hello, th worker and project manager. This journey in youth field started
in 2014 with my first youth exchange and my EVS in Istanbul. I am proud to be member of K.A.NE. which represents my vision and my values as human and as an active citizen.
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Lise
st Q U E S T I O N
My favorite Christmas tradition is to be with my all family in the morning of Christmas day and open all the gifts together, and to prepare the dinner all together.
Which one is your favorite Christmas tradition?
Lucas I haven’t it. Mariana I don’t remember which The EXTRAORDINARY food that my grandmother does! It’s not just the taste, it’s what it means, it smells like Christmas, like happiness with all my amazing family together.
Anja
I don’t really pay attention to Christmas and celebrate but my family does, so every year we gather together and have dinner and unwrap gifts. Even though I am not a fan of these things, I still find it beautiful and cute when I see how everyone awakes the inner child when we’re doing the unwrapping.
Marlene I looove to bake Christmas cakes and desserts with my mother and brother while eating half of the ingredients and listening to Christmas songs! Getting fatter in a family is my favorite Christmas tradition, for sure!
Celia When my whole family comes to my port one by one to wrap their gifts. I open them with a big smile and take pleasure in meticulously decorating their present. My favorite moment is also when we play board games together and that you can smell the cinnamon biscuits browning in the oven.
Marta One thing I like and not only at Christmas is thinking, and creating or buying the “perfect present” for the people I love. I also enjoy the wrapping moment and the faces that everybody shows when they see their gifts.
Elisabetta
Patrycja
Decorating the house for Christmas. I actually don’t celebrate Christmas day but I love the Christmas atmosphere and i love creating the right environment that makes you feel Christmas vibes. Lea
My favorite Christmas tradition is undoubtedly Christmas Eve dinner and everything associated with it. I also love home decorating, Christmas shopping, gifts and cooking, baking cakes and Christmas gingerbread.
It takes place even before Christmas: Every year we put some Christmas music, bake traditional Christmas cookies and decorate the Christmas tree. And then we take a photo of everyone covered in the net in which we carried the Christmas tree.
Roque All the typical dishes made specifically for this season. 8
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Lucas Christmas vention,
nd Q U E S T I O N
What means Christmas for you?
means, for consumption
me, and
conlies.
Mariana I am not religious, so Christmas for me doesn’t have any Christian meaning. I am also aware of how commercially profitable Christmas is, is the season of consumerism, of materialism. So, for me, it’s just a very good excuse to be with my family and see terrible Christmas movies. Marlene
Anja
Usually means resting in family, at home. Seeing movies with a warm blanket and eat a lot. Means being in a family, give love and time to appreciate each other’s company. But I have been realizing that Christmas must also be a time to give love to the ones that don’t have it. And that is what I intend to do this year!
I could survive without Christmas, but not without fairy lights and mulled wine. Celia This celebration corresponds for me to certain important values: sharing, a sense of family, love, and then... especially the art of entertaining your inner child. Elisabetta
Marta
Remembering that there are people less fortunate than me and helping them in their sufferance. Christmas should be about sharing and kindness and love and what a better way to try to do good for the people in need?
Christmas for me means to be surrounded by the people I love and having a great time with them. Although that’s not always possible. This year, I’m really excited about experience Christmas in Kalamata because of the greek ambiance and the new people I live with.
Lea For me, Christmas is about gathering with people you love and spend conscious time with them. During the year everybody is always so busy and I really love about Christmas that everybody is taking the time to meet their family or friends in a cozy atmosphere.
Patrycja For me, Christmas is primarily a magical time with my family and friends, spent in a special atmosphere full of lights, Christmas fairs, mulled wine, climatic decorations, meetings, and love. Roque In my family, it’s all about food and stories at the table.
Lise For me, Christmas means to be with your family and your friends, and to celebrate the fact of life and the love that we share. It’s to be with all the people that I love. 9
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rd Q U E S T I O N
Lucas
Which was the best Christmas gift you remember?
I don’t remember which one. Mariana I don’t remember but I have this vague memory of one Christmas where me and my sisters and cousins - we are 8 girls in total - received Scottish kilts and then we were using them at the same time and we looked a very cool kids band with matching outfits!
Anja I appreciate every gift that is well thought and reflects me as a person. Celia
Marlene
For me, all family Christmas is the best gift. One year we had invited my whole family to ski and it was awesome.
That’s hard! Nobody normally knows what to give to me. Besides, they don’t pay attention to gifts, it’s just not an important thing. So, money probably is the best material thing that they have given to me! Marta
Elisabetta
One of the best gifts I’ve ever got for Christmas was when my brother decided to buy me a ticket for the AC/DC concert, so we could go together!
My parents last year instead of giving me a material gift donate an amount of money for the research against cancer in my name, it was the best gift I ever received.
Patrycja It’s hard to pick one! I got a lot of great gifts!
Lea I am going back home for Christmas this year and my parents are paying my flights and I think that is one of the best gifts I ever received as I will be able to see my family, especially my grandparents who are already 90 years old. Lise
Roque
My best gift for Christmas is every year to be with my entire family, share moments and foods with all of them.
In my family gifts were never too important, and this made me to value some different kind of gifts. Having my family together is the best one for sure. 10
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Christmas
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(...) it became a capitalist holiday based on Christmas decorations (...)
C
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hristmas is a Christian holiday who celebrates the born of Jesus, the son of God. Even if historically talking Christmas is a Christian holiday today, in most of the world, has lost its religious meaning and it became a capitalist holiday based on Christmas decorations, gifts, Christmas atmosphere, and Christmas lights. Even the people who identify as Catholics or protestants or in general just Christians they pretend to celebrate Christmas, but in fact, they don’t act like Christians at all. Why? Because this religion is based on tolerance, acceptance, and the fact that we are all God’s sons and we are all the same and we should treat each other as equals. But a lot of Christians just cancel this important thing and they only care about praying and go to church and their conscience is ok like this.
They go to Church, they celebrate a holiday where Jesus born, but then they forget all the teaching about acceptance and this kind of stuff. We know that in Europe there is an “immigrant problem“ that consists of these people coming mainly from Africa trying to escape persecution, hungry, war, poverty. But there is a fight inside Europe about who should take on the shoulders these immigrants and while Europe politicians fight again this problem, immigrants are just left in the middle of the sea in very bad conditions. And this is still happening right now, for example, in October the ship ocean Vikings were left on the sea for two weeks because the Italian and the other European governments didn’t give the ok for the ship to land. But let’s return to talk about Christmas.
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(...) they were treated like immigrants are treated today (...)
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The archangels Gabriele appeared to Mary of Nazareth telling her that she was the selected one to give birth to the son of God. She and Joseph searched for asylum to give birth, they knocked every door but everyone didn’t welcome them so Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable. Jesus went into this world poor and he always besides poor people, marginalized once. Jesus and his family, when he was born, they were treated like immigrants are treated today, not welcoming and refused by everyone.
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This is what Christmas should be about, celebrating the born of the son of God and remembering the fact that he came in this world poor, neglected by everyone and with humility. This is what Christmas should be about, helping the people in need, people who are neglected by everyone and are left alone in their sufferance. It should be not a capitalist holiday where the only thing that count is the appearance like giving gift to the family, put some Christmas lights and Christmas decorations, it should be about celebrating the born of Jesus of course but also remember and help the people in need because this is the main purpose of the catholic religion.
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We should use our privileges to help the people
For example, last Christmas, where everyone in Europe was celebrated in their houses surrounded by food and family and gift there was the Open Arm ship who rescued immigrants left in the sea because Italy (irony of the sort one of the most catholic country in the world since there is also the sade of the Vatican) didn’t want the boat to land. Is this Christmas? Is this what catholic religion is about? Is this humanity? We should use our privileges to help the people less fortunate than us, especially at Christmas where people are supposed to be more good, more open. But in these last years, no one seems to care about the true soul of Christmas, the soul based on kindness and try to do good and be good and also remember to be better not only at Christmas time but always.
Author: Elisabetta
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S
Christmas: social or commercial construction?
ome versions of the history of Christmas take it back to the birth of someone called Jesus Christ, but the modern version of Christmas didn’t really start to take shape until the 19th Century. In other words, Christmas is a social construction. The red robes, white beard, and booming ho-ho-hos we associate with Santa Claus have only existed since 1935 when this color-combo was created Santa Claus for a Coca-Cola campaign. In previous lives he was thinner and paler, a character based on the 4th Century Asian bishop called Nicholas, who became the patron saint of children in most of Europe. Different countries still have their variations on the theme, but the coca-cola version has pushed them all to the cultural margins. It’s undeniable: if we are Christians or not, if we believe in some kind of god or not, Christmas is part of our lives and of our years. Maybe the way we celebrate is not the same for all the families, all over the world, but all of us have some kind of celebration and rituals that imply, at least, the gathering of the family
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(...) the modern version of Christmas didn’t really start to take shape until the 19th Century.
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and the loved ones. These rituals – that include decorations, food, gift-giving, music or movies for example – are a very interesting area of studies in the field of Sociology and it was the classical sociologist Émile Durkheim who developed a still widely used theory for explaining what holds society and social groups together. His studies were focused on religion but, and especially in the specific case of Christmas, it’s possible to use the same vision for a secular perspective of this celebration. Durkheim analyzed the role of rituals in bringing people together around shared practices and values, the way participation in rituals reaffirms shared values, and thus reaffirms and strengthens the social bonds between people. As a result of these things, we feel connected to others, a sense of belonging and the social order as it exists makes sense to us. We feel stable, comfortable and secure. Basically, rituals are a significant aspect of the appeal of Christmas, once it affirms our values and brings our family and friends together. However, when our
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Durkheim analyzed the role of rituals in bringing people together around shared practices and values (...).
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values are not shared, it can also create difficulties in groups. One of the most obvious examples is gift-giving; in some families, expensive and lavish gifts are the norm, however, in other families, simple handmade gifts, or experiences are preferred. In our consumerist culture, the expectations of gifts, the havoc in shopping centers, and the increase in the availability of online shopping has driven consumers to purchase more and more. The original concept of rituals has developed into a stressful and financially difficult situation that many families wish to change. Seen from a broadly and simplified Marxist approach, Christmas can be seen as hijacked by Corporations to become hideously commercialized, with advertising manipulating us into spending money on shit we don’t need, which puts us into debt and makes a profit for corporations. So, Christmas is also a strategic event that reproduces the norms of materialism and consumption, especially for the younger generations that, since very early, expect a huge amount of things they don’t need. This approach is seen in advertisement and marketing strategies that use psychological and anthropological studies to manage to activate some less rational behaviors of consumers to raise their sells. Just for curiosity, some of these strategies include the scarcity effect, that takes advantage of the theory that knowing that something is scarce or only available for a short time, people’s minds will give it more weight. Scarcity influences our ability to think clearly when making decisions and accelerates our perceived perishability of an offer. We feel that if we don’t participate in the Christmas ritual, we will miss out on a significant social experience. Another strategy is the overwhelming stimuli, where brands surround consumers with stimuli designed to overwhelm our cognitive processing, turning more difficult to think through our decisions completely. When we walk into a shopping mall filled with Christmas tinsel, Christmas music, lights, and sounds, confusing our minds and putting us in a stressed and very emotional mood that doesn’t allow us to make decisions rationally and linearly. So how come we still have such a romanticized idea of Christmas in our minds and our conceptions as a society? How do we look at gift-giving? Is it actually a way of showing the love and care that you feel for someone or is just a social pressure? Do we really need to show our love through gifts? And if so, why is it so important to do it at Christmas? Being aware of the power of corporations and brands – and considering that Christmas is one of the most profitable seasons for them – it’s just important to keep our minds clear and be aware of the power of communication and how is used to influence our decision making in the moment to choose gifts for friends and family. Christmas is a social construction. Let’s try to not make it just a commercial construction. Author: Mariana
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What would Jesus buy?
An examination of the commercialization of Christmas in America while following Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse (the end of humankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt.) The film also delves into issues such as the role sweatshops play in America’s mass consumerism and Big-Box Culture. From the humble beginnings of preaching at his portable pulpit on New York City subways to having a congregation of thousands - Bill Talen (aka Rev. Billy) has become the leader of not just a church, but a national movement.
Interview Hi! My name is Sarah. I’m 29 years old and I’m come from Germany.
Local Volunteer
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I gave a office job before i came here (...).
Interviewer: Since when did you work at the dog shelter? Sarah: I Have been in the shelter since one and a half year but on off. When i came for the first time 2 week half year. I like it so much and i quit my job and i came back here and now that’s not my work but i’m a full time volunteer. Interviewer: Can you describe your typical day and your organization? Sarah: A typical day , we wake up have a coffee and always two cigarettes. After we start feeding and when i’m done feeding: usually you, guys are near and if there is anything to discuss, we will discuss with you. And in the same time we are having breakfast. Then i start going to my area. I will start to picking up the poop, filling up the water, cleaning bowls.. I see if all my dogs are fine, i play will them, i cuddle them and things like that. After you leave, in the afternoon there is differents things to do like we also clean all the areas that need to be clean . Maybe some dogs need to be wash for exemple, we take photos. Many things that we don’t have the time during the morning. And then i work around the sunrise and after the sun Goes down. When we have a dinner all together then we gone to the bed. Interviewer: I guess your work at the shelter changed your life. Can you tell us in a few words how this change is positive? From this experience, do you get anything negative out of it? Sarah: I gave a office job before i came here and now it’s very positive because i can do physical work and i like it. The night I’m really tired but your it’s a good thing and i like that to. I also love being here, it’s the best job in the world. Of course we have days we are just stressful but there is stressful day everywhere. The people who come at the shelter are not usually people. Very nice people and we also are surrounded by so many dogs. And i
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Name Sarah Organization Dream Of A Safe Haven (DASH) Type Dog shelter Volunteering Shelter’s keeper Place Messini | GREECE
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When i m here i m making a difference (...)
just love dogs. So the impact that it had on my life is much better. I feel very blessed to be here and to be able to work here to work with the dogs and the great people. Then to do things, you know to make a impact, make a difference. When i m here i m making a difference. And negative impact except that i started more to dislike people cause you know the story of the dogs. And you know how people treats dog and it does something to you. It’s horrible because slowly slowly you start to dislike people basically. But it was the best decision on my life to be here.
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Why we have so many dogs that has been treating really really bad (...)
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Interviewer: What is the relationship between the Greeks and dogs and what do you think would change this mentality? Sarah: Difficult i would say... you know i read a lot of scientifics papers to find out what the problem is and where did it come from. Of course in others countries we do have problem a lot, as well, france or germany there is also people who don’t treat dogs well. Why is it so often here ? Why do we see it everywhere. Why we have so many dogs that has been treating really really bad, i don’t know where its come from. I think it’s mentality, it’s how you grow up its éducation, you can’t speak for everyone. You can’t said that greek are bad people because they re not, there is so many friendly greek people here and
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It is the best place on earth that I would recommend to everyone who loves dogs.
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they love dogs more than everything. You see here and on fb and everywhere the bad things thats can happen with the dogs. We don’t know how we can change it, i think you need to start what they re already do. Interviewer: What would you recommend to a new volunteer at the dog shelter? Sarah: First, if you come in winter, take rain closes. Second if you come in summer: have a hat, because the sun is really very hot. Then you have to expect to see a lot of dogs and work and then have a good time with them. It is the best place on earth that I would recommend to everyone who loves dogs. If you didn’t like them didn’t come and of course it a physical work, the people who come here need to know it. Sometimes you will have to carry food bag’s and if you can’t t do it’s not the perfect place for you. Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you plan to stop this activity? Sarah: I don’t see myself in 10 years, i have no idea. I know that i’m happy with all this for the moment , i feel very blessed to be able to be here and to do so many things for the dog all the days . I hope that in 10 years i will always be able to work here with the dogs. Interviewer: In order to stay within the theme of this journal, what is the most beautiful Christmas tradition for you? When i was a child, i love when my grandmother is cooking with me because you know. We always did that together and we always decorate the Christmas tree together. Here is a movie in Germany it’s like a Cinderella story’s but it’s called something like “ 3 hazelnuts for a cinderella “ and i whatch it every years, i love that and i love the food.. Now i’m happy to be here and we have a different christmas, like just be with the dogs and give them présence. Interviewer: Celia
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Interview
Erasmus+ Volunteer
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I love horses and I love being around them (...)
Interviewer: Why did you choose this project? Elisabetta: I love horses and I love being around them and also helping people in need. This project was a perfect combination of those things. I also wanted to be far away from Italy- I just needed to change place and to meet new people; but people that are similar to me and by that I mean the way of their thinking (that they are open-minded,...). Interviewer: What do you like the most about the project so far? Elisabetta: People at the horse center where I work are amazing- they explain things about the horse’s behavior so well. They really care about me and they want me to have fun and enjoy myself while working there. I get along with other volunteers (my roommates for example).
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Name Elisabetta Nationality Italian Hosting NGO K.A.NE. Volunteering Horse Center Place Kalamata | GREECE
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On the second day, I was already feeling at home (...)
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Interviewer: Does the project meet your expectations? Why? Elisabetta: Yes and no - but in a positive way. For example, a horse center was not how I imagined it because it’s really small and they have fewer horses than I expected. This thing makes me feel more comfortable and connected to the horse. That’s why I think it’s even better than I imagined. When I replied yes I meant by that that I expected similar people in a way of thinking and this is exactly what I got. Interviewer: Did you find it difficult to adapt to a new place, new people and a new job? Elisabetta: Not at all. I usually adapt easily and this is how it happened here. On the second day, I was already feeling at home and I can totally see myself living this kind of lifestyle without problems for two months. I feel the change but only in a positive way.
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I would love to work with them in the future (...)
Interviewer: Do you think you can implement knowledge from the project to your job/private life at hometown? And how? Elisabetta: I think I can implement it, yes. Firstly, I’d like to tell that I have a horse at home and I think that all the knowledge I’ve received so far will be very useful for my way of working with him. I am also learning how to approach people with mental and physical disabilities so this is also going to help me a lot. Since I like horses I would love to work with them in the future especially in therapeutic horse riding so all these things will either help me in private life or a job. Interviewer: Anja
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Adventure of the week
Karaoke at Brooklyn Live Stage Friday night in Kalamata, the first one of the next two months. Singing in a kalamata’s karaoke bar completely surrounded by Greek people singing Greek songs.
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e’ve been the whole week talking about this night and looking for a karaoke bar. And here we are: A Slovenian and a Spanish girl, surrounded by Greek people, completely focused on singing Greek songs, that we couldn’t understand. Once you come into the karaoke bar, you can see the harmony of a cozy, although not a small place. A lot of people drinking, enjoying the “performances” and clapping because of these ones. Everyone seemed to be like in their perfect place. Everyone except us. Most of the people singing really well, Heineken beer in our bodies, festive atmosphere came into us, and then we decided to dare ourselves: Jolene by Dolly Parton was the song that we were going to destroy with pleasure. (Sorry Dolly and Miley!).
Since the moment we decided to point our names on the list, we started getting really nervous. It seemed that each person who got on stage was better than the previous one. Anxiety was really into us. Retro concert posters around us: Charlie Chaplin with one of his performances “the vagabond, Queen’s “One night only”, Zeppelins and others really accepted singers. Well… not us. We only could feel our heartbeat and smell our sweat and fear.
Then it happened, we saw our names on the screen. We were going to be the next ones. We deeply breathed and we approached ourselves to the stage. We waited for the stage is free, and when we were about to get on stage, we realized that it wasn’t our turn yet. Laughing with ourselves and feeling a little embarrassed, we got down and we waited for our turn, one more time. Once the girl finished her amazing performance, it was our moment (this time for real). So, with a smiley and nervous face, we got on stage and we had our best moment ever. Maybe, it wasn’t so fantastic for our public, but we enjoyed it a lot. Author: Marta
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Place of the week Tabacco shop
I
went by chance to buy cigarettes in one of the only tobacconists near the apartment, I was surprised, it doesn’t look like French tobacco, there are many interesting gadgets, a large choice of lighter, leaf, electronic cigarette, there is a very small corridor in the middle of all the items, we are even offered legal cannabis for sale at the CBD shop, I find it a very nice tobacco and I was surprised at the way it is structured, I also noticed that the tobacconist at the very end of the corridor behind a small counter was never there, and when we look at the items at the beginning of the store, people wanting to enter find themselves blocked because tobacco is tiny.
Author: Lea
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Events
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MUSIC The Duo Melis Organizer: Kalamata Guitar Festival Place: Theodoros Angelopoulos WEALTH Amphitheater Kalamata Date: December 14th Greece’s Alexis Mouzourakis and Spain’s Susana Prieto are 2019 best guitar duo in the world! They have won first prizes in international competitions, played in major concert venues around the world and collaborated with symphony orchestras. Meditation
Meditation and psychoanalytic thinking Place: Namaste Kalamata Organizer: Namaste Kalamata Date: December 14th Cost: €20 person and
psychoanalytical
thinking
SHOW are two techniques that have been successfully passed through countless trials of scientific studies, especially in recent decades. In this 3-hour experiential workshop, driven by curiosity, a collaboration of these different approaches will be attempted in order to illuminate parts of the existing relationship between inner and outer reality.
Wednesdays for Laughs Organizer: Angelos Spiliopoulos Place: Kindergarten Theater Date: December 11th Cost: € 10 Market Fillet is a solo stand-up comedy show and consists almost exclusively of one-liner jokes! Angel Spiliopoulos brings the best, sharp short jokes and puts you in a universe that is made and dissolved every ten seconds. Word games, observations and tiny stories in one night.
LEARN Do It Yourself: Christmas Crafts Organizer: Lea Krueger Place: Kentro Neon Kalamatas Date: December 11th A workshop on crafts good for the environment, upcycling already used materials in order to make self-made crafts. While doing the crafts, enjoy a cozy Christmas atmosphere with Christmas music and delicious Christmas cookies. People brought materials like used newspapers, old kitchen/ toilet paper rolls and used beverage cans to have enough material for everyone.
LITERATURE Free Play Therapy: Poetry And Fear Place: Psaron 9, Kalamata Organizer: Mariana Souliou, Psychologist-Game Therapist Date: December 11th How much do you let your fears shape your lives? How do they affect your relationships and how do you let them stand? This experiential adult workshop will give you the opportunity to experience Play Therapy through the exploration of fears with the help of poetry and creativity.
Author: Marlene
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CINEMA Hamlet Place: Theodoros Angelopoulos Amphitheater Kalamata Organizer: Filmhouse Date: December 19th Time: 21:30 - 23:30 Cost: €4 Hamlet was the second film directed by Olivier, after Henry the 5th, also based on Shakespea- DANCE re’s own work, holding the same title for himself. The film won four Oscar awards and gave Olivier the first and only Academy Award-winning Academy Award for Best Actor, making him the only actor to receive this award for a Shakespeare role.
Future The Guests live at Phroúmel
Organizer: Lindy Hop Kalamata Place: Phroúmel Bar Date: Decemeber 21st Time: 22:30 - 03:00 Dance and have fun with the rhythms of The Guests. The Guests are composed of Sofia Braila on voice, Elena Malamou on guitar and Dimitris Partzaklos on contrabass. With them, Sergios Chrysovitsanos on the violin. Their music combines gypsy jazz and country guitar elements with the rhythms of swing, bossa, and bolero. A night of music and dance to make Christmas a swing!
MUSIC Orestis Dandos live Place: Momos Cafe Bar Date: December 20th Time: 22:30 - 01:00
The main weapons of Orestis Dandos are his sharp verses and his redemptive interpretation. Featuring four personal albums, he skillfully stunts in his live appearances from English-speaking electric song to TRAVELLING contemporary Greek, exploring with the same disarming honesty the darkest and brightest corners of human existence.
Trip to Athens Organizer: G & T travel Date: December 22th & 29th Time: 08:00 - 21:30 Cost: €20
WEALTH G&T Travel is organizing an excursion to visit the Winter Solstice Yoga Fest Organizer: Hrdayam Yoga Center Place: Hrdayam Yoga Center Date: December 21th Time: 09:00 - 21:00 Tea, sweets, wine and music with the guests: Andreas Noikokyris, Thymeli, Jesterbeth Knits, Eleni Christidi.
Acropolis Museum, Plaka and the Monastery! Included in this package is transportation by air-conditioned coach and a leader-escort of their office.
Author: Marlene
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Place to Travel Λιμενι, Ναυάγιο Δημήτριος & Μονεμβασία “Limeni, Dimitrios Shipwreck & Monemvasia”
A trip to discover more places the South-East-part of Peloponnese.
O
n our way to our first destination, we discovered a really small village called Limeni with an amazing bay. There is not a lot to see, it is a really touristic place in which more restaurants than resident’s houses exist (or at least it seemed like it). But still, it was really worth it to just stop for a few minutes to just watch the waves break in the bay and to enjoy the amazing turquoise color of the sea. After that, you can drive to the “Dimitrios” Shipwreck. It’s an old shipwreck directly located at the beach. Only a small part of the boat is inside the water, so you can still admire the majority of the shipwreck just standing at the beach. If you want more, it is even possible to swim just 40 meters and then climb inside the wreck. It is really impressive on the inside and a nice spot for some photoshoots. Just be careful because some pieces might break and there is a lot of rust on the metal. In the late afternoon, we drove to Monemvasia, which is more or less one hour away from the shipwreck. In Monemvasia, there are three parts to visit: The new-new-town in which the most hotels and taverns are, the old-new part, a small city on the half-island which is connected to the new-new-town through a bridge, and the old-old-city up on the hill on the half-island. The old-old-town is really impressive to see and a must-do for everyone who likes ruins and to take a walk-in nature. Also, while going upstairs, you will have an amazing view of the old-new-city, so you should definitely give it a try. The old-new-city is really cute and cozy, especially with all the local shops and fairy lights at night. You can even have dinner there, go to a bar or spend the night in a hotel there, but it is really touristic and so are the prices too. We slept in the car and a tent in the new-town to save some money. The only problem was the wind. On your way back from Monemvasia to Kalamata, you can pass by Sparta. One last recommendation I have for you: stop in the mountains at night to watch the stars. There is no light around so you will see the sky full of stars. Also, it is really nice to drive through the mountains while the sun sets because all the mountains shine in the pastel colors of the sunset. Author: Lea
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Quote of the week
“Why don’t we try to bring a little bit of joy and happiness into the life of others every day as we do it during Christmas time? It’s not about the big and expensive gifts, it’s about taking willfully time for others and showing them that we care. ” Lea Krueger
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Song of the week “In der Weihnachtsbäckerei” By Rolf Zuckowski
LYRICS In der Weihnachtsbäckerei gibt es manche Leckerei Zwischen Mehl und Milch macht so mancher Knilch eine riesengroße Kleckerei. In der Weihnachtsbäckerei In der Weihnachtsbäckerei. Translation in English: In the Christmas Bakery There are a lot of yummy things From flour to milk Make one false move And a great mess there will be! In the Christmas Bakery In the Christmas Bakery.
“
This is one of the most famous songs and the majority of children in Germany will grow listening to it every year before Christmas while baking the cookies with their family or sometimes in kindergarten. And even though it is a song produced for children, a lot of older people still listen to it during Christmas time now.
”
Author: Lea
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Restaurant of the week MANAM Tsopaniko Food Bar 4,6 Average cost: $$ Address: Kapetan Krompa 8, Kalamata 241 00 Contact: 2721 026696 Openning hours: 10:00 - 17:00 Monday 10:00 - 17:00 Tuesday Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00 10:00 - 17:00 Tuesday 10:00 - 02:00 Friday 10:00 - 02:00 Saturday 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday
The restaurant’s recommendation for this week goes to MANAM, a cozy restaurant in the center of Kalamata. The food is typically Greek and they also have a lot of vegetarian options. The food’s look is a pleasure for your eyes as well for your mouth. The food really is pretty amazing and counts as one of the best ones served in the whole of Greece. I would recommend you to try the feta cheese with honey and sesame seeds or to order a mixed plate for either 2 people or 4 people. Additionally, the kitchen is kind of open so you can see where and how your food is going to be prepared. They also have a tasty house wine which you can enjoy either while having lunch or dinner there or while just listening to the live music which they have every weekend. The first time we went there was not to eat, but just to listen to traditional music and to enjoy the wine. Especially during the weekend, you will see a lot of local people around.MANAM has two entrances on two side streets of Aristomenous shopping street. All the information you will need - like the exact address, live concerts, etc, you will find on their facebook page “MANAM Kalamata”.
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I would recommend you to try the feta cheese with honey and sesame seeds (...)
”
Author: Lea
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Recipes of the week Cape stuffed with chestnuts and foie gras
Medium 02 h 30 mins 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 capon of 3.5kg with liver and gizzards - Garlic - 1 onion - Parsley - Cooked chestnuts - 1 whole lobe of fresh foie gras - 1 slice of raw ham
Preparation:
- Chop ham, garlic, and parsley, onion, liver, and gizzards for a stuffing. Then add the chestnuts at the last moment so that they remain whole. - In the middle of this stuffing, add the whole lobe of fresh foie gras. Salt and pepper everything. Wrap the whole in a slice of raw ham. - Fill the capon with the stuffing and then sew the opening. - Brush with a mixture of butter and oil. - Bake at 175 ° C for at least two hours before serving. Water often to obtain a softer and melting flesh. Do not forget to return it halfway through cooking. - When the cooking is finished, cut out the capon and reconstitute it by putting it in slices in the middle of the dish. Sprinkle the juice before serving hot, you can accompany with small potatoes and carrots baked. - Enjoy your Christmas dish! Author: Lise
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Christmas log with glazed marrons and chocolate Ingredients: Genoise:
Cream of brown:
Chocolate butter cream:
Chestnut cream:
- 125 g flour - 125 g of sugar - 4 eggs - 63 cl of water - 250 g of butter - 200 g of sugar - 4 egg yolks
Medium 01 h 00 mins 6 servings
- 30 cl of whipping cream - 4 g of gelatin - 30 cl of whipping cream - 250 g of chestnut cream - 4 sweet chestnuts - 2 sheets of gelatin
Preparation: - Start by preparing a pot of water and bring it to the simmer, in order to make a bain-marie. In a bowl, put the 4 eggs with 125g of sugar and start blanching them, when the eggs start to foam, put the belly in a bain-marie and continue beating (for me with the electric mixer) about one ten minutes.
top, put the sponge cake and cover it generously with the chestnut cream, break the candied chestnuts and scatter them on them. Roll the log and put it in a cool place. - Preparation of chocolate buttercream: The butter should be at room temperature, work the butter with an electric mixer to make it ointment. In the robot put the egg yolks, in a saucepan, put the sugar and water and cook with a large fillet (110 ° to 114 ° C). Stir in the cooked sugar over the yolks, pour very slowly so as not to coagulate the yolks.
- Remove the bowl from the water bath and continue beating for about 6 minutes until completely cooled. Eggs + sugar must triple in volume. Add the sifted flour little by little, being careful not to drop the mixture. - Preheat the oven to 180 ° C. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pour the preparation and put it in the oven for about 6 to 7 minutes (it goes very quickly, the sponge cake is ready when it is well gilded and swollen). Prepare a damp cloth covered with parchment paper and sprinkled with sugar, turn over the sponge cake, roll it and leave to cool.
- Increase the speed and beat until completely cool. The device needs to triple in volume. Gradually add the butter in small amounts. The cream should be smooth, frothy and well emulsified. Perfume the cream with 100g of dark chocolate 52% melted in a bain-marie or microwave. - Remove the log from the cool, start by cutting a larger end that will serve for the knot and the other end in bevels. Cover the log with the buttercream, and use a fork to mimic the bark of the tree trunk.
- Prepare the brown cream: Soften 2 gelatin leaves in the water (4 g), add the cream (30 cl). Mix the cream of chestnut with whipped cream with a Maryse, heat a little rum and melt the gelatin, add to the cream. Unroll the cooled log, remove the cloth and parchment paper. Put the parchment paper on the work-
- Decorate according to your imagination. Author: Lise
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