PLAZA LIFE 18 ISSUE

Plaza life.

explore, enjoy, cherish Athens

SPRING SUMMER

2019 FREE PRESS | ISSUE18

Welcome A

luxury hotel, ideally located at Syntagma Square, in the heart of the business and shopping districts and within walking distance from the Acropolis and the Old City of Plaka. Modern style and elegance in a most relaxing atmosphere of casual chic.

Just as atmospheric and comfortable are the rooms and suites tastefully decorated in earthy tones with a number of suites benefitting from a breathtaking and scintillating view of the Acropolis and Stadiou Street.

Its prominent location offers the opportunity to hop on any bus, metro, trolley, tram, or hire a taxi and within minutes get to one of the major Museums, such as the Acropolis Museum, archaeological sites and tourist attractions that this great city has to offer. Discover the charming boutiques, patisseries, art galleries and cafés in the area, return for a delicious lunch or dinner at “The Parliament” restaurant and enjoy amazing cocktails at the most unique Explorer's Bar.

Welcome to the NJV Athens Plaza.

Our Hotel represents the spirit of genuine friendliness and hospitality.

At the NJV Athens Plaza, we are dedicated to live up to the best traditions of good inn keeping.

Whether you are on business or pleasure, our aim is to make our hotel your favorite place to stay in Athens; your Athenian home.

Yours Sincerely, Vana Lazarakou General Manager

The NJV Athens Plaza was awarded the Gold award for “Best Greek Business City Hotel” & “Best Greek Sustainable Hotel” at the Greek Hospitality Awards 2019.

On behalf of the NJV Athens Plaza both awards were received by the Assistant Director of Sales, Mr. Dimitris Sklavenitis.

Both these awards recognize our hard work. Our love and passion for hospitality, our emphasis to provide the best accommodation experience, along with flawless services to Business travelers; while at the same time being loyal to our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility in accordance with the principles of sustainability for the society and the environment.

The NJV Athens Plaza was awarded the BRAVO SOCIETY AWARD 2018 for its action “ETHOS - Caring/Supporting/Realizing: Local Community” focused on the support of the Cyclical economy and the contribution to the economic and social development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION GOALS 2019 for our participation to the World Sustainable Tourism Council

The NJV Athens Plaza is the first Certified “We do local” Hotel in Athens!

We do local is a philosophy under which a company operates: • By spreading the local customs & traditions • By introducing local cuisine • By supporting local producers • With respect to the environment and sustainability • By supporting the local workforce

NJV Athens Plaza Hotel is the 1st European Hotel Member of the World Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

Rewarding environmental and Sustainable Tourism practices has been assessed on the basis of the World Standards Identification, EARTHCHECK EVALUATE PLUS

"Greek Hotel of the Year Awards 2019" SUITE OF THE YEAR 2019 with the HIGHLY COMMENDED distinction!

The General Manager of the NJV Athens Plaza Ms Vana Lazarakou received the award and in her acceptance speech said:

“

We are very pleased to have received this award for our newly renovated Presidential Suite, a point of reference of luxury and high standards of hospitality to the historic Hotel of Syntagma Square, the NJV Athens Plaza. Its renovation is an example of contemporary luxury living and an architectural jewel for the center of Athens. The suite can fully satisfy the needs of modern and demanding luxury travelers. Combined with the hotel's excellent services, the Presidential Suite contributes to the upgrading of the Greek tourism product of Athens.

”

CO2 Neutral Seal is a new holistic GHG Management approach which leads to a Certification label for CARBON NEUTRALITY. This innovative approach ensures and certifies that the climate and environmental goal set by the client has been achieved by the implementation of (implementing) the most common and internationally accepted approaches and methodologies. Implementing the full methodology. the CO2 Neutral Seal certifies both for the appropriate accounting methodology that allows the accurate, consistent and transparent way of emissions calculation of the carbon emissions and for their offsetting procedure.

Corporate Social Responsibility The commitment of our Hotel, NJV Athens Plaza is to continuously acknowledge CSR, through our business ethics and social diligence, in accordance with the principles of sustainability for the society and the environment.

Our values • • • •

Responsibility Business Ethics Human Rights Qualitative Hospitality

• Consideration and Caring for each employee • Contributing to the Society • Respecting the Environment • Promoting Culture

SUITE OF THE YEAR 2019

with the HIGHLY COMMENDED distinction!

"Greek SUITE OF THE YEAR 2019 with the HIGHLY COMMENDED distinction!"

Housekeeping

How did you choose this profession and what qualifications should a housekeeper have?

We would like you to describe the responsibilities of the housekeeping department.

A hotel, as a means of promotion, can use its location, its design and architecture, etc. These qualities alone are capable of attracting a guest, but the one that will keep him, is the cleanliness of the room and the caring environment.

The surest and most profitable investment in every hotel is to keep a high level of housekeeping.

We asked 2 housekeepers to talk to us about the important role they play regarding the image of the hotel.

Have there been times when you had to take an initiative for a VIP guest case?

Tell us of an interesting incident from your career.

Anna Psoma Housekeeping Supervisor Since I was a little child, in the island of Lefkada, I had distinguished the Tourism sector from all other areas and professions. So, when I grew up I decided to follow the hospitality industry and especially Housekeeping. In order to be a good Housekeeper and to stand out, you should first of all like it! You should be neat, well organized, clean, scrupulous but also quick, responsible, discreet and deeply dedicated to what you do.

The Housekeeping department, apart from the cleaning and the caring of the hotel rooms, is also responsible for the demanding care of all public spaces, the efficient organizing of its numerous staff, the management of the hotel's linens / clothing and cleaning supplies / the inventory, the responsible and proper management of the "Lost and Found" and generally the daily care of the hotel and its visitors.

Every day, a Housekeeper, is invited to take initiatives that relate to all hotel guests, not just the VIP guests. These initiatives are always taken based on the high level of the provided hospitality and amenities of each hotel. Besides that, a Housekeeper is the first but also the last to enter the rooms before the arrival of each guest. Regarding VIP guests there is an additional concern and responsibility to provide them with excellent services so that their stay will be truly unique.

There is a lot I could recall and talk about but I will always remember what happened two years ago while accommodating a middle-aged couple from abroad. The gentleman was taken to the hospital due to an unexpected health issue and his wife found herself alone, desperate, and full of anxiety about her husband's health. I came across the lady in the corridor, where she told me what had happened and how despaired she was. She asked me to hold her, to help her restore her strength, to support and to help her feel safe and not alone. That's exactly what I did. I embraced her, I comforted her, I assured her that everything would go well and from my side I felt true content.

I was able to support a person who needed it so much. A guest, whom I wasn’t acquainted with, needed my emotional caring and support, so unexpectedly. It was an emotional, powerful moment that I will always cherish.

Afroditi Ntzani / Housekeeping Supervisor From my school years, my dream was to come to work in Athens, in the tourism industry sector. During my studies at the Technological Tourism Department of the Technological Educational Institute, I found myself doing my traineeship at the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel where I went through the F & B department, the Front Office and the Housekeeping. The department that won my heart was the Housekeeping department! I really liked the direct communication with guests on an everyday basis and through their entire stay, the cooperation with all the other departments of the Hotel, but also the lively character of the particular department.

I can recall a lot of incidents that occurred during my years of working at the NJV Athens Plaza. When working in a big city hotel that accommodates loads of people, unexpected, extraordinary things can always happen.

I strongly remember when back a few years ago, we had the privilege of accommodating a very important guest. He was a world famous and distinguished singer with a remarkable career over the years.

When I heard about his arrival, I felt goosebumps as I am a big fan from a young age. I even remember my parents listening to his music during relaxed afternoon hours at home.

The first time I entered his room to make sure everything was properly arranged during his stay with us, while he was out doing rehearsals for his concert in Athens, I was amazed by the neatness and the order the room was in. Usually, somebody would expect that people with great fame and fortune are rather too busy or do not pay a lot of attention in the tidiness of their hotel room before going out; but not in this case. Since it was a 5 day stay and as I was trying to make sure everything met with our hotel’s high standards, I had the chance to interact with this well-known personality in several occasions.

It was a huge surprise to me when after the guest had checked out, a closed envelope with my name on it was left behind. This very important guest had left a signed vinyl record and a hand written note personally thanking me for all the courteous treatment while noting his pleasure of meeting me. I was really amazed as well as extremely touched by this gesture of pure kindness and gratitude from someone I never thought I would meet in person, not even in my wildest dreams. Sometimes working shifts can be a major surprise!

Celebrating the Mediterranean Cuisine!

Our Hotel’s Chef Nikos Giannopoulos introduced the new, seasonal a la carte Menu of the Parliament Restaurant! Filled with dishes that reflect our philosophy of Making Every day exquisite, the tempting Mediterranean creations joining the menu, include a wealth of delightful flavours with carefully chosen fresh ingredients.

Monday - Sunday

T OD AY ’ S S E T M EN U | € 35 Salad – Main course – Dessert A glass of House-Wine Monday – Friday

Easter Season 22/4 – 28/4

At the Parliament Restaurant Holy Monday 22/4 - Good Friday 26/4 Lenten Menu Choices

Holy Saturday Dinner at the Parliament Restaurant 27/4

Greek Traditional Holy Saturday Menu A basket of traditional Easter cookies (koulouria) & red dyed eggs A bottle of house-wine /2 persons

Easter Sunday at the Parliament Restaurant 28/4

A rich variety of Greek traditional, Easter Sunday Buffet choices A bottle of house-wine / 2 persons

COM BO S Ice cold beer & burger/pizza/ club sandwich

Early in the morning until late at night!

Offering a wide selection of sinful desserts created by one of the most talented Pastry Chefs, Dionisis Alertas, as well as coffees & teas, refreshments, delicious wines by the glass, & inspired cocktails.

Monday – Sunday

Wines, Premium Drinks, Cocktails, Finger food

en s th A y M

Diporto “koutouki”

Strolling the Athenian historic center around the Central Market, in a distance of no more than 1,000m, you only need little to get a glimpse of what Greek gastronomy is about. Although there are many more interesting things to be discovered, we suggest the following choices to you:

Varvakeios Open Market, the Central Market of Athens, was erected in 1878. In its vibrant space there is the Fish Market, which is situated in the center of the market complex, sheltered by an impressive double-pitched roof. Thousands of people get served here every day, while many travelers come to both know of and take photos of Greek fish and become familiar with the Aegean Sea “fish geography”. Fishes come mainly from Michaniona, Kavala, Kymi as well as Skyros, Naxos, Paros, Kalymnos and Symi islands.

A gastronomic journey in downtown Athens

BY G EOR G E PITTAS *

Here, fish cater to every desire.

“Humble” fish are the most favourite; sardines, mackerel, smelt, picarel, bogue, fresh cod and anchovies, but red mullet, seabass, groupers, lobsters and crayfish too.

Inside the Fish Market, you will find Ouzeri “Ouzo Bar” Karayiannis, a cult haunt to have your ouzo or tsipouro served standing together with the typical savoury appetizers “mezedes”, with a view to the crowded market and the fishmongers hawking their wares.

Avissinias Café

A few steps away, within the Market, you can find Epirus Tavern. This is a simple and low-profile place that, in one hand overlooks the bustling life of the market and in the other, the kitchen, the biggest baking stone kitchen in Athens filled with dozens of delicious dishes in full pots giving visitors a hard time to choose among meals. It is an open plan kitchen that came along way before the modern ones became a trend. These dishes bring back such comforting memories that make one salivate and bring tears to the eyes of anybody raised in Greece.

Foreign visitors can taste all traditional dishes here.

Diporto is a basement-level tiny tavern “koutouki” located on the corner of Sokratous and Theatrou Square streets, opposite the Varvakeios Open Market. As you walk down the stairs of one of the two staircases of this 150 year-old neoclassical building -mind your head- on your left you find the kitchen and right across you huge 600kg barrels lining up against the wall. There are just about ten tables clothed with wax paper, where not only doesn’t a “reserved” sign exist, but also chances are you won’t get to eat alone. The place is usually packed and you temporarily have to share a table with total strangers until you get your own. However, by the time you get to be transferred to your table, you have already engaged yourself in a nice conversation and no longer wish to go. Wax paper instead of tablecloth, fresh salads,

Heteroclito wine bar

Evripidou street

Inside the Fish Market

y r u o ng v a s elli s sm spice of d an vours fla

Kuzina restaurant

Zillers Roof Garden

chickpea soup, stew, sardines and retsina wine, is the menu that people working in the market experience since dawn; same goes, from noon to afternoon, with all devotees to the most popular little tavern found in all Athens foreign tourist guides.

Crossing Evripidou street, the most savoury smelling of spices and flavours street of Athens, sold in Bahar, Miran, Arapian and Karamanlidika (here, except from the famous charcuterie of Cappadocia, you can taste delicious appetizers together with tsipouro) you walk through the Psirri neighbourhood and reach Avissinias Square at Monastiraki. Here, inside the Athens Flea Market, the “den” of small retailers and antiquarians, among handymen and people of the market, you come across Avissinias Café, a narrow two-storey bright and elegant place, filled with paintings and decorated just like a French bistro that serves delicious Greek appetizers, while on weekends it offers live music with no microphones at all.

From that point, walking up Mitropoleos street, you head up toward the Cathedral of Athens, where, on the corner of Mitropoleos and Fokionos streets, you arrive at Heteroclito wine bar, a nice warm place à la French “bars à vins”. Oenophiles, journalists and artists are being encountered here, in order to taste new wines and Greek producers recommended and traced by Dimitris Koumanis, the owner with the immense journalist interest in wine.

Well, if you are a fine dining worshipper, there are two of the most interesting Athenian restaurants on our way; Kuzina and The Zillers.

Kuzina restaurant is located at Thisseio, at 9 Adrianou Street. From the terrace of this beautifully restored three-storey neoclassical building, the view to the temple of Hephaestus in the foreground and the Stoa of Attalos in the background, the Ancient Agora and the Acropolis Sacred Rock, is breathtaking. Aris Tsanaklidis, one of the first generation chefs who contributed to the rejuvenation of Greek cuisine, runs the show in Kuzina’s kitchen.

*George Pittas is a writter and the person behind GreekGastronomyGuide.gr which is a showcase of Greek gastronomy with an holistic approach.

The Zillers Roof Garden with views to the Cathedral of Athens, Plaka and the Acropolis is located on the neoclassical masterpiece built in 1895 by the architect who bears the same name. The restaurant on the third floor is considered to be one of the trendy places of the city of Athens, while the multi-awarded chef Constantina Faklari is in the lead of the kitchen since the very first day of its operation.

Lisa Pentheroudaki I consider the Evzonas as a symbol of patriotism but also of emotions that are nowadays jeopardized to be vanished.

I started getting involved with the Evzones when my brother asked me to make 12 Evzones for his jewelry shop window, on the occasion of our National Day. My thought fluttered in the past. Really how many actually know their story? That was the trigger. I started going, one day to the Parliament and the other to the Presidential Guard, to take photos of them in various postures. Little by little I learned that they also have different uniforms. I wanted to create something that did not resemble a tourist souvenir.

Thus, I decided to cut wooden figures and paint them. Each outfit has many details I wanted to portray. It takes a lot of patience to depict movement and anything relevant to the uniform.

And as time passed, the more I was carried away. I started painting with acrylics but also with ink. I made scarves and ties. And I did not stop there.

I created a non-profit Cultural Organization aiming to the worldwide dissemination of Greek Culture and the traditions of the Evzones.

I want to convey to everyone the emotion that is worthwhile feeling about the evzones who have lived all their lives courageously and have bled for us.

My creations can be found in my website www.lisasart.gr and very soon in an e-shop created for the support of the Cultural Organization.

Nikos Giannopoulos

By Chef

Grilled Squid with baby zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olive oil with basil and grilled cheese

I N G R E D I E NTS F O R 4 S E R V I NGS • 4 squids (200g. each) • 500g zucchinis cut into 1/2-inch chunks • 100g cherry tomatoes • 150g haloumi cheese • 100ml olive oil • 1 cup finely minced, fresh, flat-leaf basil • Salt and freshly milled pepper

MET HO D

S E R V ING

Remove stems from basil and put them in a blender. Add olive oil and give a few pulses.

Pour the mixture of basil on the squids and marinate for 5 minutes.

Remove from the marinade, pierce the squids with a knife, add salt and pepper and place them on the grill for a few seconds at each side.

Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium - high heat.

Add the zucchinis. Toss frequently and then also add the cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.

Cook until vegetables are crisp - tender, 6 - 8 minutes.

Cut the haloumi cheese in cubes and put them on the grill for a few minutes.

Put the zucchinis and the tomatoes on the platter and place the squid on top.

Pour olive oil and sprinkle with basil leafs.

Greek N a tion a l O p e r a Od eon of H e r ode s A ttic u s OP E RA | ITAL I AN O PE R A CYCL E | A S PA RT OF T HE AT HE N S F E S T I VA L

NOR M A Vincenzo Bellini

05, 07, 09, 11 Jun 2019 Starts at: 21.00

Visit nationalopera.gr to see a wide range of events which includes opera, operetta, ballet and more

Norma, an opera absolutely associated with Greece in multiple ways, comes back to the Greek National Opera. It is one of the first operas to have been successfully presented in the capital of the newly formed state, already in 1837. In the Greek National Opera’s long history, the role of Norma has been interpreted by renowned Greek singers such as Maria Callas in 1969 at the Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus and Elena Soulioti in 1968 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The love triangle between the perjured High Priestess of the Druids, her young colleague and the Roman proconsul will be brought back to life by director Carlus Padrissa, member of the Spanish company La Fura dels Baus.

Among the unforgettable moments of this opera counts the ‘Casta Diva’ aria, perhaps the most popular soprano aria in the history of music. The performance will be held at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an impressive space, with the audience sitting right across the stage, creating thus an impressive composition. The audience is separated by three key-points: the ring encompassing the orchestra, the ring dividing the audience in two parts, and one more which will shine on the audience with a solar photocell, like the Sun God with his halo.”

NO R MA Vincenzo Bellini

TOU S D ES O IS EAUX Eleni Karaindrou

TO US DES OISEAUX Eleni On June 14, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus will brim with colours and melodies composed by the major Greek composer Eleni Karaindrou. Thirty-one years after her first, iconic concert at the Odeon in 1988, Karaindrou will deliver a spellbinding concert in two parts.

Odeo n o f Hero des At t icus MU SIC

14 Jun 2019 Starts at: 21.00

In the first part, audiences will enjoy Karaindrou’s latest works from the ECM New Series album Tous des oiseaux, which has met with international success. The album, featuring a cover by the acclaimed artist Christos Bokoros, includes two pieces, the music for the performance Tous des oiseaux, written and directed by Wajdi Mouawad, artistic director of the Théâtre national de la Colline in Paris, and the music for the Iranian filmmaker Payman Maadi’s film Bomb, A Love Story, which was nominated at the 12th Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

The second part will feature some of Karaindrou’s most memorable works from her collaborations with Theodoros Angelopoulos, Tonia Marketaki, Margarethe von Trotta, Christoforos Christofis, Jules Dassin and Antonis Antypas. Eleni Karaindrou herself will play the piano, joined by extraordinary veteran and up-and-coming soloists, including David Lynch (tenor saxophone), Vangelis Christopoulos (oboe), Nikos Guinos (clarinet), Stella Gadedi (flute), Alexandros Botinis (cello), Giannis Evangelatos (bassoon), Kostas Siskos (horn), Dinos Chatziiordanou (accordion), Aris Dimitriadis (mandolin). Also featuring Sokratis Sinopoulos, master of lyre and lute along with Nikos Paraoulakis (ney), Stefanos Dorbarakis (qanon) and Giorgos Kontogiannis (percussion and Cretan lyre). The compositions are centred around a string ensemble with Iro Seira as concertino, having participated in the recording of the works and Karaindrou’s concerts at the Théâtre national de la Colline last December. Savina Yannatou will lend her vocals at both parts of the concert, re-interpreting Karaindrou’s work in her unique vocal style.

ELECTRA / ORESTES

T H E AT RE

E L E CT RA / ORESTES Comédie-Française - Ivo van Hove Ivo van Hove, who opened Athens Festival 2018 with his extremely successful stage adaptation of Bergman’s Persona / After the Rehearsal has clarified that all of his collaborations are born out of his love at first sight with a particular text. In this case, the director brings together two Euripides plays telling the story of Electra and Orestes and more specifically how the two siblings reunite and make a pact to take revenge against their mother, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. This performance also marks the first time that Euripides’ Electra will be performed by Comédie-Française. Orestes was last presented by the company at Salle Richelieu back in 1923.

Widely acclaimed for his formidable talent and his ability to dramatize texts, the director of Toneelgroep Amsterdam constantly redefines his aesthetics and his relationship with the actors. Even though Van Hove denounces the concept of the ‘method,’ he revisits the ancient drama, paying tribute to its social dimension and illuminating the myth with a very clear sense of its relevance to our times.

Comédie-Française - Ivo van Hove

G re ek Fes tival Anc ient Theatr e of Epidaurus

Visit greekfestival.gr to see a wide range of events

26 & 27 Jul 2019 Starts at: 21.00

4, Neofytou Douka str., 106 74 Athens

ART EXHIBITION

P I CASSO AND ANTI QU I TY. L I NE AND CL AY Curators:

Professor N. C. Stampolidis Olivier Berggruen

from 20/6/2019 to 20/10/2019 © Succession Picasso 2019

Μus eum o f C ycladic Art

P I CAS S O A ND A NT IQUIT L I NE AN D C L AY As part of the series of art exhibitions "Divine Dialogues", the Museum of Cycladic Art organizes this year, from 20 June to 20 October, a major exhibition titled "Picasso and Antiquity. Line and clay". It is a rare exhibition about Picasso and his inspiration from antiquity in conversation with ancient works of art, curated by Professor N. C. Stampolidis and Olivier Berggruen.

The greatest of twentieth-century modern artists is famous for his spectacular paintings but less for his drawings, engravings, and pottery. The combination of these media closely recalls antiquity and has produced works inspired by the Creto-Mycenaean and Greek worlds and the Mediterranean civilizations in general.

In the exhibition “Picasso and Antiquity. Line and clay” rare works by Picasso, depicting marine creatures, animals, human figures, mythological scenes, and scenes inspired by ancient tragedy and comedy, converse with ancient artefacts in another unique “Divine Dialogue” at the Museum of Cycladic Art.

A whole world is revealed in the Museum of Cycladic Art, a world carried by the artist inside him, a world of antiquities discovered not necessarily in the ancient lands of the Mediterranean but in European museums, in books, and in conversations with Christian Zervos and Jean Cocteau.

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