Sani Magazine 2015 by Sani Resort

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY GUIDE TO GOOD LIFE SUMMER 2015

the world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page

Editorial

Dear Guests, Welcome to Sani Resort! We are really happy to receive you at our facilities. We aspire to offer you the services of a world class resort that at the same time deeply cares about maintaining the human scale and protecting the superb yet delicate natural environment surrounding it. During this extremely difficult and distressing period for Greece - which all of us are convinced will lead to a new beginning - our company has not wavered in the least, remaining faithful to its mission. Year by year, we systematically improve our infrastructure and standards of service by reinvesting a very significant proportion of our profits. We consider it our duty in this way to reciprocate your preference, demonstrated by our very high percentage of repeat clients as well as our being granted multiple awards by the most authoritative international organizations. So, this year, like other years, Sani Resort welcomes you at the peak of readiness and better than ever before: more up-to-date, more elegant, more sumptuous â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more worthy of the faith you have bestowed on it. We thank you very much for being with us and invite you to enjoy to your heart`s content this small, stylish â&#x20AC;&#x153;townâ&#x20AC;? and the services rendered by its able, friendly and smiling people.

- Saint Augustine Stavros Andreadis President of Sani SA

CONTENTS COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Clifford Coffin for Vogue magazine, June 1949 © Conde Nast Archive / Corbis / smartmagna.com

1 Editorial

COSMOS 18 GEORGE LOIS, THE MASTER

The advertising legend of the 20th century is Greek.

24 ON THE ROAD The Director of Condé Nast Traveller UK, Simon Leadsford, speaks exclusively to Sani Magazine.

30 WONDERFUL WORLD

132 CASTING OFF The 1st Sani Cup begins. 134 SAILING ACADEMY At Sani Marina. 136 Sani Wetlands 138 Sani Green Sound practices. 140 THE TASTE EXPERIENCE

The Editor of L`Officiel tells us about magazines, travelling, hopes and dreams.

The gastronomic identity of Sani Resort.

34 GIANNIS BOUTARIS The youthful adult. 40 KATERINA KOSKINA The insider. 46 A GAP IN TIME The Kostaki Collection. 48 EARTHLY GODDESS

The Silk Road part two «From Beijing to Rome».

A book about Melina Mercouri.

54 SENSITIVE FRAMES Nikolaos Tombazis, a collection of photographs from the Benaki Museum.

61 THE INACCESSIBLE Mount Athos. 62 ATHOS The colours of faith. 70 Short STORIES, LONG MEMORIES

142 Sani Gourmet 2015 144 THE EMPIRE OF TASTE An interview with the Executive Consultant Chef of Sea You Up, Katsu Hanamure.

146 ENLIGHTENED CUISINE An interview with the Executive Consultant Chef of Water Restaurant, Jacques Chibois, awardee of 2 Michelin stars

148 THE RIGHT APPROACH The philosophy behind the Tomata restaurant.

150 Τhe Chemist The Greek guru of cocktails, Aristotelis Papadopoulos.

The traditional stores of Thessaloniki.

destination

good life

84 A MULTICOLOURED MOSAIC

154 PERPETUAL DESIRE Glittering jewellery. 156 Denim revolution The Artistic Manager

The inhabitants of Halkidiki introduce their region to us.

98 WINE TOURS

of Diesel, Nicola Formichetti speaks to Sani Magazine.

Simple lessons in personal well-being from 9 wineries of Northern Greece.

160 Daring AND DYNAMISM Manuel Carrera introduces us to Carrera y Carrera.

162 Greek Story

sani life

THIS BAG KNOWS WHERE IT'S GOING AND WHERE IT'S COMING FROM

The Russian Condé Nast Traveller photographs Sani Resort.

163 TALENT The eternal compass. 164 FOREVER YOUNG Ageless Capri pants. 168 TREASURE HUNT

112 HIGHLIGHTS

What`s new at Sani Resort.

114 LIVE THE DREAM 116 AN EXPERIENCE IN ONE`S MIND`S EYE The journalist Tina Mandilara gives a guided tour of Sani Resort.

120 FOOD FOR THE INTELLECT The arts at Sani Resort.

123 MUSICAL DREAMS 124 FAMILIAR ROADS

TWIST AGAIN!

Internationally renowned jewellery designers at Sani Resort.

169 Summer&Style Apoella Concept Store, the new arrival at Sani Marina.

1 70 discover your beauty 172 A vital break Summer holidays benefit one`s health.

Sani Festival 2015.

An interview with Kurt Elling.

128 GREEK IDENTITY Sani Marina 130 UNDERWATER EXPLORATION

174 INSIDIOUS HUNGER Emotional gluttony is dangerous.

in Greece.

Desires The season’s statement bag, the Twist is already integrating the permanent collection and looking to the future with a number of surprises and small leather goods.

Stories The Twist bag is distinguished by its sophisticated shape, with a wide base and sides softly rounded like waves –a form described by Louis Vuitton as an «inverted heart». It also has plenty of stories to tell, from its long brass chain (which can be stowed in the bag) inspired by boats, to the «Malletage» quilting of certain models and the diagonally twisted Epi leather of others. The red version even evokes the redof Monaco, where the Cruise show was staged. Most of all, however, the Twist bag is remarkable for its ingenious twist-lock clasp in elegant metal, which opens when the L is gently twisted to form a V.

THESSALONIKI: 48 Proxenou Koromila St., T: (+30) 2310 225052

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The Master GEORGE LOIS A b o l d G r eek-A m eri c a n wa s d esti n ed to b eco m e t h e g r e at e s t n a m e i n 2 0t h c e n t u r y a dv e r t i s i n g . G e o r g e Lo i s , h o w e v e r , i s s o m e t h i n g e v e n m o r e t h a n t h at: a n au t h en t i c a rt i s t.

photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou)

or those who love magazines and look back to emblematic publications and front cover pages such as those of “Esquire” that made history and are now housed in the New York Museum of Modern Art, George Lois is a “guru”. For people who are in the service of advertising, he is a genius. For those who love art in general and innovation in particular, he is the authentic representative of the creative explosion that highlighted the post-war decades. He described himself as “bold”:”if you are prudent, you will remain forever mediocre. Better to be reckless than prudent. Better to be bold than safe. There is no middle way”, the now 83-year-old super-star of advertising has said, completing his identity description with the elucidation that “Never did I consider myself an American. I am Greek-American and it is in that way I insist on being described by all the media here in America”. George Lois was born in 1931 of Greek immigrants Haralambo and Vasiliki Loi, who always had their native land in their hearts, and this was infused into their son who grew up in the 30s and 40s in the streets of the Bronx. “My parents came from a mountain village of the Nafpaktos region”, he explains. “In 1965, I went with my father to his village. I slept in the same bed where he had slept as a child. It was a weird experience”. He remembers that when he was

young he had deemed it a matter of course that once he had graduated from High School, he would take over his father`s flower shop. “Finally, I became an artist”, he says. The foundations for his career were laid during the golden decades of the 50s and 60s in Madison Avenue, a period when it was very difficult if not impossible for a foreigner to find work, let alone be head of firms that moulded the world of communication and advertising into what we know it to be today. Thanks to his outstanding talent he became art director at Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB) (1959), was third in command in Paper Koenig Lois (1964), head of Lois Holland Callaway (1970), founder in 1985 of his own Lois/ USA, while in 2002 his huge experience took him to Good Carma Creative. Wherever he went, he left his indelible mark, resulting in his work not only having pride of place in advertising history but also in the New York Museum of Modern Art, which procured and exhibits some of his most representative cover pages. At the same time, Lois is a successful author of books including “George Be Careful”, “Sellebrity”,”The Art of Advertising”, and ”George Lois on his creation of the Big Idea”. A few months ago, the publication in Greek of “Damn Good Advice (for people with talent!)”, published by Key Books, brought him to Athens, where he spoke about his career, ideas, Greekness… 19

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You had previously stated you decided to engage in the visual arts because you were sure you could always create something unique, overcoming all constraints. Was there an instance in your career when you felt yourself at a creative impasse? In all honesty, up until now, I haven`t even been near to experiencing what is called a “creative impasse”. I haven`t ever failed, in the sense that even my commercially “unsuccessful” works were avant-garde ideas. A failure means that it must give you a jolt, make you more humble, “slow up” a little. For me, however, this has nothing to do with being a fearless, creative thinker. I insist that you cannot learn anything significant from a mistake. If I were to give some advice to young, creative individuals, it would be not to ponder over their failures, surpass them quickly and continue to think up the most seemingly crazy ideas. After having decided you wanted to become a visual artist, what led you to the advertising field? It isn`t easy to explain the involved train of thought that inspired me to devote my life to the creation of ideas whose aim is to “sell” something. From the time I was a kid in elementary school, I loved to paint, design, present. I knew I would become an artist. For sure, I didn`t know which type of artist. When I went to a special school (High School of Music & Art), I learnt to paint better and became the top student. The works of art that persuaded the public about something quickly began to enthral me; chiefly because they demand a direct and very tangible interaction between artist and audience. They say that every outstanding artist has an outstanding mentor. Who was yours! Growing up in a poor Greek family in the Bronx, everybody expected that Haralambos and Vasiliki Lois` son would graduate from High School and take over the flower shop. However, my paintings, when I was seven years old, attracted the attention of my art teacher, my beloved Ida Engle, who, at the end of the school year, gave me a leather folder with whatever I had designed the previous months inside and persuaded my parents to allow me to sit the High School of Music & Art entrance exams, in which I distinguished myself. If it hadn`t been for her, who knows? I might have become a florist.

You are considered the person who began the revolution in advertising back the 60s. At that time, did you realize that what you were doing would leave its mark on history? When in 1960, I resigned from the Doyle Dane Bernbach company – which, until that time, was considered the only serious advertising firm - to become co-founder of Papert Koenig Lois, I knew that a new epoch was about to start. My company was the first to include an art director on the billboard, and that alone says a lot. Our success was so rapid and great that within five to six years half a dozen such new companies came into being in the USA. The Advertising Creative Revolution was in full flow. The title of your first book was “George, be Careful”. Yet, you, from the outset, went against the rules. One of my most vivid childhood memories is my mother incessantly telling me, “George, be careful” like a fortune-teller. In the creative process, however, by being careful, you will forever remain a mediocrity. Better reckless than careful. Better bold than safe. There is no middle way. You are the inspiration behind the Big Idea. How would you explain it to something who has nothing to do with visual communication? The Big Idea in advertising is connected with grafting in a special way the merits of a product in the hearts and minds of the public. To achieve great things in communication, the words and images you create must draw people’s attention, must permeate into their minds, warm their hearts and induce them to get up from their couch. Hundreds of examples from various advertising campaigns that analytically explain how all this is achieved are included in my books. It isn`t that simple… Do you follow a specific creative procedure from the moment you take on a new task to the time it is accomplished? You may find this strange, but no, I don`t keep to a recipe for success. Creativity for me is a perpetual search through everything around me, until the moment comes when I discover what I`ve been looking for. Michelangelo said that every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. I totally agree.

In the creative process, however, by being careful, you will forever remain a mediocrity. Better reckless than careful. Better bold than safe. There is no middle way.

The 60s was a heroic period in the history of visual communication and its bold protagonists bear absolutely no resemblance to the ‘Mad Men” characters. This infuriating show is nothing more than a soap opera,

It is half a century since McLuhan declared: “The medium is the message”. Do you believe this still holds? Following the Second World War, there was a tendency towards experimentation in all facets of design and, indeed, all the creators worth their salt decided to disregard the existing restrictions of whichever medium they used, to, thereby, be free to send whichever innovative message they wished. What McLuhan said is a very apt slogan. One of your best known works is your “I want my MTV” campaign… I`m proud of it. However, I hate the way MTV has sunk so low. Back then in the 80s, it was the springboard for the development of a new art form – the music video. For very many years now, unfortunately, it has evolved almost exclusively into reality television, which is also the cheapest and nastiest manifestation of pop culture. The front pages you designed for Esquire are considered the most significant in magazine press history. And, to this day, they remain your most representative works. The great Harold Hayes (editor of Esquire from 1963 to 1973), on viewing my advertising works, asked me to do something to improve the image of Esquire. Never before had I designed the front cover of a magazine. I produced one because I liked him; and it was such a great success that he asked me to continue for almost a decade. Sales rocketed from 400,000 copies to two million and many of those covers shook the foundations of American socio-political reality. 22

Can you single out one in particular? I could say that the most significant and influential was the cover with Mohammed Ali. I remember a review written in Associated Press concerning the big exhibit of front cover pages at the New York Museum of Modern Art, which marked their inclusion in the museum`s permanent collection: “The most distinctive image of the 60s was that of Ali as Saint Sebastian since it touched upon the burning issues of the day: the Vietnam War, racial prejudice and religion. The image is so powerful that some remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they saw it for the first time”. Someone else, in your shoes might even take pleasure in the suspicion that he may have been the inspiration behind the “making” of the central character of such a hit series as “Mad Men”. You, however, don`t miss a chance to express your distaste – to put it mildly – for Don Draper. The 60s was a heroic period in the history of visual communication and its bold protagonists bear absolutely no resemblance to the ‘Mad Men” characters. This infuriating show is nothing more than a soap opera, filmed in glamorous offices in which various trendy, inane individuals “screw” their wellcoiffured secretaries, drink martinis, smoke themselves to death, while producing stupid, meaningless, dull advertising campaigns, with total ignorance of the civil rights movement, the women`s liberation movement, the demonstrations against the Vietnam War and other cataclysmic changes that took place at that time and permanently transformed the face of America. Apart from that, when I was 30 I was much better-looking than Don Draper…

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On the road With t r av e l b e i n g for him both his work and pleasure, one evening the Publishing Director of

For a person for whom travel and tourism have become second nature, a meeting with one of the “gurus” in the field is for sure a chance not to be missed. I felt something like this when one afternoon last summer, fatigued after contacts and activities, I was informed that at the Sani Resort we were hosting Simon Leadsford, Publishing Director of Condé Nast Traveller U.K. He had come to Sani on holiday with his wife and their two children – a boy and a girl – and I couldn`t even imagine his leaving without him previously talking to me! I immediately sought him out, and after the opening introductions, and seeing before me a genial and easy-going person, positively inclined to share his experiences from his trips all over the world as well as from his so fascinating job, my invitation for us all to dine and talk that evening at “Tomata”, came spontaneously to my lips. The immediate acceptance made me very happy ; but little did I know the far greater pleasure that would be instilled in me by that conversation, for Simon Leadsford not only had an answer to all my queries, but also the passion that distinguishes the ardent traveller, that dynamism you feel being evoked from his experiences, making them yours, too. We spoke of trips around the world, but also about his other daily trip to work, which, apart from its inherent interest, is also a procedure that in its final form in the pages of the emblematic magazine he heads, marks out the route for millions of its enthusiastic readers worldwide, who select a destination only after being reassured that it is the one that fits the bill for them based on the evaluations of Condé Nast Traveller. That isn`t a small thing!

C o n d é Na s t T r av e l l e r U.K., Simon Leadsford took Georgia Dodou to " To m ata" on a "trip" r e l at e d to h i s experiences from his t r av e l s a l l over the world.

photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou) 24

Let`s begin by talking about your work. Describe your typical day. As Director of Publication, I`m responsible for the success of the magazine. It is somewhat comparable to being the General Manager of a hotel. I keep in touch with many departments: editing, marketing, distribution, commercial, production and, of course, printing. My typical day begins with a morning meeting with some customer(s) – he may be a tourism consultant, a group from a hotel, or an advertiser of luxury items. We discuss various ways of commercially collaborating in both our printed and electronic issues. The commercial department joins us at meetings with advertising or public relations companies, thereby guaranteeing that we get our basic message across or ensuring the realization of presentations. In addition, there is a wide range of new activities and products that I must attend to, ranging from the opening of a tourist resort to the launching of a perfume or the presentation of a new car model. Furthermore, I check with the Head of Advertising about how the business is evolving and we discuss the next projects on which the commercial department will work. The public does not understand that

magazines can only exist as going concerns if the advertising revenue is enough to support them. Moreover, I spend a significant part of my time with the editorial team, exchanging ideas for the six coming months, reviewing the previous issues in relation to their distinctive features, cost, and circulation levels. In the afternoon, I try to reply to all my e-mails, but this is an on-going process. In conclusion, no day is the same as the next, and this is what makes my work interesting and diverse. What do you like the most from what you do? That I collaborate with fascinating people, both creative and amusing, with whom I share the same interest: a passion for travel. From where have you just returned? From Paris, a city that is amazingly glamorous by night. I met some clients and saw the new designs for our webpage. Tell us about a place which left you with vivid impressions. Vancouver. Cold, urban setting, breath-taking locations and wildlife… 25

And one which disappointed you? Probably Lille in France. My wife and I took a day trip there a few years ago using the Eurostar, having heard that it is very picturesque and full of lovely shops and cafes. We went on a really warm August day only to find it was a public holiday and everything was closed. We spent quite a long time on the platform waiting to return home. My wife was expecting our first child and we felt under a great deal of pressure. Truth be told, to be fair, I should have checked it out beforehand.

Which is your favourite city? New York. I travel there twice a year and I`m forever enthused by the energy level and the constant sense of change it exudes. I adore the restaurant scene, Central Park, the outline on the horizon created by the skyscrapers, the traffic noise, as well as the clear blue sky on a cold autumn day! Which street have you walked along most often in your life? I live in north London and, thus, commute daily via Hampstead and Regent Park to get to work. In the summer, I like to get about by bicycle: there is much less traffic and it really gives me the opportunity to clear my mind. Internationally, I frequently cross the Atlantic. My wife is from Canada and we like to spend extended periods there. Describe to us the most marvellous view you have ever seen. I have always liked aeroplanes, so the best view for me is the sun appearing over the horizon as I fly above the clouds. Which is your most â&#x20AC;&#x153;guiltyâ&#x20AC;? pleasure? Haribo sweets, especially those with the Coca-Cola bottle shape. I find them ideal for afternoon hypoglycemia! Describe a memory from your childhood holidays. I vividly recall watching a bullfight in Spain together with my parents when I was seven years old. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd noisy and demanding. I remember being dazzled by the bullfighters, yet shocked by the blood. My mother, to calm me down, told me it was ketchup and the bulls were not really dead but pretending to be asleep.

Where did you go on vacation for the first time without your parents? To Los Angeles. I was 17 years old and went to stay with a family for five weeks. It was the most splendid adventure I have ever had. Imagine the impression California made on a teenager from a village near Chester. We went camping in the Yosemite National Park and the Mojave Desert. I saw Disneyland and the Universal Studios, toured the heights of Beverly Hills... I lived the dream. To this day, California totally captivates me. Tell us about a small, sublime spot you have visited. ‘The Point’, a small hotel in New York near a lake, the former summer residence of J. D. Rockefeller. We stayed there on our honeymoon and it was idyllic. I could characterize its style as a coming together of Ralph Lauren and the Walton Family! It had a speedboat for trips around the lake, fantastic trails, excellent food, and an expertly stocked wine cellar. Truly, I want to go back there.

Which is the “Smartest” hotel you have ever stayed at? The Hotel du Cap Eden at Cap Antibes. Truly, a little piece of paradise. You gave your heart to… Toronto! I lived there when I was young. Returning at some point to visit an old university friend of mine, I met Laoura, who finally agreed to marry me! Who is the most interesting individual you have met on your travels? An Indian called Rahoul: a guide, jack-of-all-trades, outstandingly knowledgeable about his land and essential for anybody going on a tour of Bombay. He had an incredible sense of humour and an amazing personal life story. When preparing your suitcases, what do you pack first? Insect repellent! Mosquitoes adore me but I abhor them! Which foreign phrase do you use most frequently? “Can I see the cocktail list?” I know this essential phrase in Spanish – “Puerdo ver el menu des cocteles por favor? “- in French – “Puisje voir le menu cocktail s`il vous plaît”- in Italian - ”Posso vedere il cocktail menu per favore”- and, of course, in Welsh – “Agas I weld y fwydlen coctel os gwelwch yn dda”! To be honest, I`ve never had a cocktail in Wales! Which is your favourite memory of a trip with your children? Sailing along the Du Midi Canal in the south of France, August last. In a luxury sailing boat we went from Carcassonne to Beziers, through stunningly beautiful countryside. The children were able to cycle along the canal-side paths, explore the small markets of the towns situated on our route, and do some windsurfing, too. They also practiced their French with the locals and, for the first time in their lives, were cut off from their electronic games, without complaining.

I would like them, first of all, to appreciate how fortunate they are to be able to travel the world and become acquainted with different cultures.

What do you believe your children gain from travel experiences? I would like them, first of all, to appreciate how fortunate they are to be able to travel the world and become acquainted with different cultures. I hope it instils in them a sense of tolerance and an inquisitive spirit. Most of all, I trust that they enjoy the many different adventures they are able to share with their parents. Do you believe that nowadays a new philosophy exists concerning travel? And, if so, could you specify it? People are now very busy and bombarded with information about almost everything. The demanding traveller is searching for authoritative, intelligent and stimulating travel information which, however, has been monitored by professionals. We believe that the well-to-do traveller looks for an authentic experience with access to knowledge of the locality as well as an environment which can, moreover, afford a strong sense of private life. People want a unique and enjoyable experience – that`s what it`s all about. What do you appreciate most about the hospitality that a hotel offers and what do you detest? For the service to be impeccable, the food good and the view beautiful. I hate to have found an appropriate hotel and then be unable to find a room free there during the summer months! At Sani, however, where he told us he had a wonderful stay and is also thinking of coming again with his family this year, we promise to make sure he has the room he likes at his disposal!

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a wonderful

world T he editor of L` O fficiel , M arie - J ose S u sskind J alo u , tells u s abo u t maga z ines and travel , aspirations and dreams . By Georgia Dodou

In a few words, tell us the history of “LÒfficiel”. ”LÒfficiel de la Couture et de la Mode de Paris” magazine was published in 1921, aiming to introduce its readers to the world of fashion. It was this publication that in the 30s enabled the public to become acquainted with haute couture, while in the 70s it brought to the fore designers including Claude Montana, Christian Lacroix and Jean Paul Gaultier. It was, moreover, the first French magazine issued in China, in the 80s. Nowadays, it has 35 separate editions in 23 different countries. Recognizing that many of these countries are economically developed, our objective is to establish new collaborations at an international level. The moment that economies are developing, the same is happening with the masses of consumers showing an interest in fashion and luxury, and “LÒfficiel” is an authorative reference point in relation to the global fashion industry thanks to its “father”, Georges Jalou, who stood out for his high standards and perfectionism. His values continue to remain our trademark. What constitutes your readership? Today, fashion is a combination of tradition and innovation. “LÒfficiel” attempts to present this vision by way of a series of issues that mirror our times. For us to keep abreast of the ever-changing reality of fashion and luxury, we are ever-renewing our vision and projects, ready to challenge whatever is a platitude and take new risks. With the passing of time, we have also brought out new magazines, with a view to meeting the expectations of the different generations. “Jalouse”, for example, is intended for young women of between 24 and 40 years of age, who are fashion lovers. You also have other magazines. Do you have any new publications in the pipeline? “LÒptimum” presents all the latest news in the man`s world, “La Revue des Montres” provides an insight into the numerous aspects of wristwatch design, while “LÒfficiel Hommes” is a self-defining benchmark publication in the field of men`s fashion. In addition, there is “LÒfficiel 1000 Modèles”, a guide to all fashion collections, “LÒfficiel Chirurgie et Médecine Esthetique”, an annual synopsis of all news concerning aesthetic surgery, and “LÒfficiel Voyage”, a must for all who have a passion for travelling in comfort and style. Finally, our latest publications include “LÒfficiel Art”, a magazine which presents the art world through the eyes of the artists themselves, and “LÒfficiel Paris Guide”, a unique Paris guide written in Mandarin Chinese. For us international promotion is a new challenge.

Tell us about your job. It is quite interest, I must admit. It includes a great deal of travel, meetings with the Board of Directors and with designers, fashion weeks, photographic sessions, meals at fine restaurants, meetings… Yet I always find time for my husband, children, grandchildren, and friends, as well as for walking my dogs. For me, the ideal place for a stroll in Paris is the area around the Palais Royal. What do you like most about what you do? I like having the right people in my team. And this is achieved after numerous interviews. Which is your favourite city? Paris naturally, but also New York. Describe for us your best loved view. I like the view from New York`s skyscrapers, with the infinite blue sky, the freedom and inspiration it gives me. It is out of this world. Furthermore, I like Central Park, where I can both run and enjoy the view… It`s a wonderful feeling. From where have you just returned? From the New York Fashion Week. Describe for us a childhood holiday memory. We own a house in the South of France, where we went with our parents and it was so beautiful. Wonderful family memories. We would go there by train, something we very much enjoyed as children. We continue doing the same, right up to the present day. Now, we visit the house with my family, and we greatly enjoy it. Tell us about a perfect secret little place that you know. I like driving my car, and once, while in the mountains, I passed through a small village whose name slips my mind. However, it was like a fairy-tale: the scenery and people amazed me. The dialect they spoke was unintelligible to me and I couldn`t believe it existed. It seemed I had found myself in an age gone by. Hamlets like this one exist throughout the French Alps that undoubtedly merit being discovered. Have you ever visited Greece? If yes, what are your impressions of the country? I visited it quite some time ago, when we began the publication of “L`Officiel” in Greece, and I was very pleased with the hospitality and food. It was a really outstanding experience. I also believe that all “with it” people nowadays prefer Greece or Ibiza as holiday destinations. Do you believe that there is a new travel philosophy today? And if so, could you give details? People now are seeking “their paradise”, in order to get away from it all. That`s what I do, too. I`m continually looking for the perfect location to give my mind a rest. I also like trying to find overall quality from hotel infrastructure or other services, especially when I`m travelling for professional reasons, which is often, as you may have guessed.

When on your travels, what do you like and dislike about a hotel? I like being looked after, but not to excess. I hate it when people show to your face that they expect a tip. I want to offer it in my own time; I don`t like being pressed. That`s why, on returning to a place, I like to see the same people. It gives me a “homely” feeling I find very civilized. What is the first thing you pack? My passport. That`s followed by my shoes. I adore shoes and try to take as many as possible, for all eventualities. However, my high heels and trainers are top of the list. “You left your heart in…” Our family home in the South of France. I adore its light, which in this house is simply stunning. Who is the most interesting person you have met on your travels? I once became acquainted with a guy in Tunisia who was diving for oysters and he had such a philosophy of life that I found it impossible to believe that he was just a fisherman. What is a journey of your dreams? The one on which I`ll soon be going with my grandchildren. What is your guilty pleasure? I simply adore the beauty products at the hotels where I stay: from the tiny bars of soap to the body creams and bath foams. I love them and take them away with me every time.

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The Youthful Adult

Giannis Boutaris T h e Ma y o r o f T h e s s a l o n i k i , G i a n n i s B o u t a r i s , u n d o u b t e d ly p o s s e s s e s a r e b e l l i o u s s p i r i t, youthful enthusiasm , but also the e xperience required to hold the reins o f a p u b l i c p o s i t i o n , v i n d i c at i n g t h e d i s t i n c t i o n o f “ s u c c e s s f u l” i n r e l a t i o n to the institution he serves . And this has been achieved because of one simple thing: h e p o s s e s s e s c o m m o n s e n s e ! E x t r e m e ly r a r e …

by vaggelis stolakis photo: Αris Rammos 34

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f a tourist knocked on his office door and requested a quick guided tour of Thessaloniki, he would require about three days for him to be shown the basic sights. He would take him to the port, the Upper City, museums, the “bougatsa”(cream or cheese filled pastry) shops, the grill-houses and the villas along Vassilis Olgas Street. Truth be told, the sight of Giannis Boutaris as a guide would not be considered strange by Thessalonians, seeing that this city mayor does not fit into the regular mould. He is a political creature, in accordance with the Aristotelian definition, yet not a politician in the contemporary sense of the word. Possibly, for this reason, he has made sworn enemies, as well as a much greater number of friends, among whom there are leaders of nations with whom Greece has had for decades now economic and trade relations. He is a man both of the salons and the port, a successful businessman, whose wines are served in the most expensive restaurants in the world, a person who never quits. And, for sure, he challenges societal norms. He, himself, indeed, on reaching the age when others are about to receive their pension, put himself forward as a candidate and was elected mayor of the second largest Greek city. Whatever one may say about Giannis Boutaris, who figures among the most successful mayors worldwide, would not do him full justice. For that reason, let the man himself speak. Do you believe your administrative model has worked in such a way as to make Thessaloniki more outgoing? And how do you interpret outgoing, seeing that it is a subjective term? I believe we can speak of Thessaloniki being outgoing the moment that the city has managed to be reinstated on the world tourist map, from which it was absent for decades, since people were totally unaware of its existence. The policy we followed in the sphere of being outgoing, namely making known the cultural and historical wealth of the city that had remained unexploited, appears to have paid off. The constant interest in the city that the international mass media has shown from 2011 onwards, the distinctions they have granted it, the fact that they include it among the top-ranking tourist destinations, and that they visit it to film documentaries is a further indication of this outward looking aspect. The attraction of international cultural and sporting events as well as institutions, including the World Music Expo, the 15th Biennale of Young Mediterranean Artists, the European Youth Capital City of 2014, and the World Off-Shore Rowing Championship, constitute further evidence that the city is gaining prestige abroad and achieving an “image”. Airlines have decided to incorporate Thessaloniki and its “Macedonia” airport (despite 36

its recognised weaknesses) in their strategic planning, recognizing that the city truly is a “hub” that they are able to utilize, while concurrently the cruise ship visits, at least for the summer of 2014, have shown that this source has the potential to draw a number of visitors, despite the inadequacies of the port that do not permit substantial growth in this sphere. Finally, the whole effort we made during our first term of office has had tangible results, seeing that over the three year period 2011-2013, compared with 2010, the number of visitors from Israel increased by 358%, Turkey 266%, Russia 371% and Bulgaria 136%. The city experienced a complete change of atmosphere and the figures are proof of this. All this change was achieved essentially without any state assistance or support but solely from our own resources.

Thessaloniki has culture, activities, gastronomy and shopping to offer its visitors”.

In 2014, Thessaloniki was the European Youth Capital. Many activities were promoted during the year gone by. Despite this fact, you have been criticised for not staging something “big”. Could its organization have been different? I don’t know exactly what those that were critical of the way it was organized mean and what more they expected to see, or what “something big“ implies. I say this within the context of it being an institution of the European Union, with specific rules and regulations, within the framework of which, manifestly, Thessaloniki was to also operate. This institution, in any case, does not have the provision of infrastructure as a precondition. It does expect a series of activities and events. And in accordance with that, there were big activities, such as our collaboration with the Greek Presidency of the European Union and and, thereby, in March our hosting in Thessaloniki of a major conference at which topics related to European youth were examined, a robotics competition for children, a campaign to encourage the participation of young people in the European elections in May, the creation of the first Greek manga comic which began its international career by being entered in international competitions, meetings concerned with youth entrepreneurship and innovation in collaboration with CEDEFOP, the international Model European Parliament with over 250 children from throughout Europe, the World Stratego Championship, which brought thousands of the friends of this well-known board game to our city, in addition to many small activities in the neighbourhoods and squares which gave the opportunity for new talent to both participate and distinguish itself. In the meantime, Thessaloniki, as the European Youth Capital, 2014, has already been given due credit by the European Youth Forum as well as other European institutions and organizations, a fact which vindicates us; not just us as the Municipality of Thessaloniki, but also the city and its youth who worked wholeheartedly, voluntarily and spontaneously for all of this undertaking. The activities programme and the philosophy behind it – which I would like to remind you was planned by the young men and women of the city who of their own volition attended to the procedures for drawing up the candidature file – were approved by the European Youth Forum which “runs” the institution. Moreover, that more than 2000 volunteers supported the activities of “Thessaloniki European Youth Capital, 2014” is tangible proof that this undertaking was positively received.

Besides, the significant thing that this institution brings to the cities that succeed in hosting it is the opportunity for the formation of the framework and organizations that will promote policies for young people in all fields and give them the chance to be creative, to make their voices heard and be innovative. This is what is at stake for us, too: to succeed, with the impetus engendered by the European Youth Capital, in initiating the essential framework to facilitate the participation, sensitization, mobilization and, finally, the pioneering spirit of the young people of this city. You were alone in Thessaloniki, insisting on collaborating with Ryanair. Do you feel vindicated? Will your administration attempt to come into contact with other low-cost airlines as well, with the aim of attracting more foreign tourists? I was not the only one who was insistent: it was a decision of the Executive Council of the Tourist Organization, over which I was presiding at the time. However, I must say, ultimately, I do feel very alone. In any case, the Ryanair agreement was straightforward and mutual, associated with the projection of the city as a tourist destination via the airline’s webpage. Obviously, I am pleased that the initial agreement ultimately led to the airline in question deciding to designate Thessaloniki as a “hub” for its aircraft, with what that entails in relation to the city’s tourist business and recognition. However, unfortunately, the whole subject of airlines, which within the framework of their strategic planning inaugurate and discontinue routes to and from Thessaloniki, happens to suffer from populist and cynical political exploitation emanating from individuals who now and again consider that they can involve themselves in politics by taking advantage of such matters. That is why what is needed is a capable and serious Tourist Organization, modelled on corresponding ones in other cities, such as that of Athens with the Development Council of the Athens Municipality, which in a professional way will plan and administer matters connected with the promotion and development of the city. This is one of our objectives as the administration of the Thessaloniki Municipality – to contribute, that is, towards the creation of such a Tourist Organization, because the present one is muddling along and won`t take the initiatives it should. Undoubtedly, to enable it to achieve the organized tourist projection of the city, money is needed. A levy on each overnight hotel stay which, through an independent fund, will finance exclusively the tourist projection of Thessaloniki, may constitute a practicable and realistic solution.

How in three words would you present Thessaloniki to a foreigner who has never visited the city before? However much I try, it’s impossible for me to “compress” Thessaloniki into just three words: many more always come to my mind. Keeping my remarks to a minimum, I would talk about a city with over 2,300 years of history impressed on its “body” and this having left its stamp on its residents. It`s a city that is situated in a favourable geographic position, facing the sea, which has incredible prospects thanks to its people - dynamic, creative, vivacious; a city which can offer culture, activities, gastronomy and shopping for

The country can offer innumerable potential opportunities for alternative forms of tourism

its visitors; but also a city that is an educational centre, with four institution of higher learning and numerous private colleges that bring together over 120,000 students in all. Furthermore, I would talk about a Thessaloniki attempting to develop entrepreneurship and business and economic activity, seeking its rightful place among the cities of the world. Above all, I would talk about a city which cannot but allure you with its rhythm of life, atmosphere and style.

Last year the city’s port became a stopping point for large cruise liners that had previously “erased” Thessaloniki from their ports of call. The increase in the number of cruise ship tourists is due to a significant degree to the efforts of the administration of the Port Authority. What do you propose to do to bolster this venture? As the Municipality of Thessaloniki we cannot do anything more or less than continue to insist on the involvement of a strategic investor in the port as quickly as possible, if we don’t want it to end up as a marina. The investment required is well-known to all and if it is delayed much longer the port will be downgraded and the city will not be deemed internationally competitive as a port; and that competition is really intense. The administration of the Thessaloniki Port Authority is, indeed, doing whatever it can, given the present status quo. However, the summer of 2014 may have been unexpectedly positive for cruise ship visits to Thessaloniki, but without the essential investment the city cannot compete with other ports, among which are, for example, Izmir and Katakolon, where hundreds of cruise liners lay anchor annually. Presently, however, as the Municipality of Thessaloniki, we are collaborating with the Port Authority to improve the reception of cruise liners and I am particularly pleased to learn that the Port Authority is making progress in tracing out a water airdrome, which is also one of our priorities, since the hydroplanes will open up new vistas. 37

If a tourist came to your City Hall and knocked on your door requesting a quick guided tour of the city, where would you take him, and why? What would you propose he see? To begin with, I don`t think I could give him a “quick” tour. I believe at least two or three days would be needed for me to show him the places I, at least, believe are worth going to when visiting the city. Certainly, however, I would include on our route the seafront up to the wharf of the port, but I would also ensure that he be taken to the Axios-Loudia-Aliakmon Delta to the west of the city, as well as to the east to the “Megalo Emvolo” (Large Promontory at Aggelohori) for him to get an idea of Thessaloniki`s aspect towards the sea. I would take him to the Upper City as well as the Seich Sou Forest, to the shopping areas in the city centre, and, naturally, to the city museums, and point out the Kostaki (Art) Collection, despite the long-standing problem connected with where it is housed and its proper presentation. I would take him to eat and drink (what kind of visit to Thessaloniki would it be without the gastronomic aspect?) at the grills and eating houses and the bougatsa (cream or cheese filled pastry) shops, but also to more stylish restaurants and well-known tavernas. I would take him with me on a route that links the fifteen monuments that are protected by UNESCO as world cultural heritage sites, then on another which includes all the Ottoman monuments, and a third with the Jewish monuments and one more connected with the architectural gems of Thessaloniki, including the Country Villas along Vassilis Olgas Street and the industrial structures on the east side of town. Furthermore, I would not forget to give him the opportunity to feel the rhythm of the city, live its daily routine – with its problems, too, of course – for him to get a sense of its people. I`d probably exhaust the person, but I don`t think that a guided tour of Thessaloniki should include anything less than this. The first objective for attracting tourists from Turkey has been achieved. To which countries should we expect you to make the next approaches? Our first objective was to “knock on doors” we would never have contemplated approaching until 2011, such as the Turkish tourist trade and world Jewry, which have a cultural relationship with our city. We managed to put Thessaloniki on the world tourist map and attract visitors from the developing tourist business areas of Turkey, Israel, Russia and the Balkans, Now, our aim is to turn to other sources whose tourist numbers have shrunk in recent years, in the hope of reversing the decline. We are turning towards countries such as those in Scandinavia, 38

Germany, Britain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In each case, our “tools” are intercity diplomacy, networking with other European cities and more around the world, not only in the field of tourism but also in further areas such as entrepreneurship, culture, education, the environment, the sustainable city, and so on, in addition to vying for major events that can bring multiple benefits to the city. Moreover, as well as the attempts made by the Municipality of Thessaloniki to project and promote the city as a tourist destination, it is essential for the city to, at last, possess the infrastructure, too, so as to be in the position to accommodate and offer hospitality to a large number of visitors. That infrastructure is the port, airport as well as the wanting Thessaloniki public transport system. Also needed is the replenishment of accommodation capacity through the development of youth hostels – concerning which, an elucidatory ministerial decision is still pending - despite contrary announcements and assurances. These are the essential infrastructure preconditions. Furthermore, there must, at long last, be progress in the general “liberation” of the market in tourism products that, in turn, will lead to the initiation of new tourism activities, such as mountain-biking, hiking, bicycle tourism, rambling, and sea sport tourism. It would also be efficacious for all the institutional and legal framework to be put together to include in this sector the ever–expanding on-line market in tourism services, which gives impetus to the local economy and local tourist product as well.

The “sun and sea” model is out-of-date anyway, as is verified by international examples, as well as our own bitter experience

What is missing from Greece is quality tourism. Can we sell anything other than the sun and beautiful sea? Of course, we can. Besides, the “sun and sea” model is out-of-date anyway, as is verified by international examples, as well as our own bitter experience. Thessaloniki, in any case, does not promote something like this: it`s an urban destination and provides other opportunities and possibilities. Following the Creative Walk in the Valaoritou area, organized last December (2013), the first Handpeak Walk was organised in October 2014, during which eight creative spaces opened their doors for travel bloggers to become acquainted with them, while during the 55th Film Festival the first cinematographic walking tour of Thessaloniki was held for the architectural aspect of the city to be revealed; and, naturally, there was the 4th Thessaloniki Food Festival organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki, making known the gastronomic side of the city. These are just a few of the most recent initiatives by groups and individuals, to whom the Municipality of Thessaloniki either provides the inspiration and motivation or support by whatever means are at its disposal. Generally speaking, however, Greece is a small country, yet it has incredible beauties, experiences and activities to offer. Granted, the Greek islands and beaches are incomparable during the summer months, but other corners of Greece are equally incomparable, as well as other sides of Greek reality – which may prove to be unique. This country has the ability to present innumerable possibilities in the sphere of alternative forms of tourism such as those associated with religion and pilgrimages, archaeology and culture, spas, athletics, youth and university students, LGBT tourism, conference and business tourism, city breaks, cycling, mountain and sea sports, and activities associated with, for example, hiking, agro tourism, gastronomy and wine. It is preferable to address small specialized markets, instead of mass ones which are more easily covered by other countries with different “beauties” and prices.

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T h e r e i s n o b e tt e r c o m b i n a t i o n f o r o u r c o u n t r y t h a n t h at o f c u lt u r e a n d to u r i s m , acco r d i n g to t h e d i r e c to r o f t h e n at i o n a l m u s e u m o f c o n t e m p o r a r y a r t, t h e P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B oa r d o f T r u s t e e s o f t h e s tat e M u s e u m o f Co n t e m p o r a r y A r t a n d A r t D i r e c to r o f t h e B i e n n a l e , K at e r i n a Kos k i n a , w h o i s co n v i n c e d t h at co l l a b o r at i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o s e c to r s

The

i s i m p o r ta n t, i f n ot e s s e n t i a l .

by Vaggelis Stolakis photo: Î&#x2018;ris Rammos 40

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Our meeting took place somewhere in Aristotelous Square so that there would be a sea view, seeing that, as she maintains, the Thermaikos Gulf is one of the favourable aspects of Thessaloniki. Its other advantage is the presence of many young people. Even though her connection with the city is limited to the running of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, and management of the Biennale, Katerina Koskina considers herself a “Thessalonian”. Born in Corfu, her own paradise, as she calls the island of the Phaecians, she completed her studies in France and today lives and works in Athens. Nevertheless, she will very often be seen in the port area of Thessaloniki, walking along the cobbled streets of the Ladadika and meeting friends and acquaintances at the Lazariston Monastery or on the sea-front of the second city, which she regularly visits. Director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, President of the Board of Trustees of the State Museum of Contemporary Art, Art Director of the Biennale, for over 22 years Art Director of the Ioannis F. Kostopoulos Foundation, awarded with the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d`Honneur by the French government, museologist, art historian, exhibition organizer, mother: numerous titles and responsibilities for a woman who won`t stop working and does not like to relax. Katerina Koskina speaks to Sani Magazine about art, culture, tourism, education and the beauties of Greece.

You have a substantial profile and many titles. Which would you single out? Art historian and exhibition organizer. Why those? That`s my work. Or, to be more explicit, what I studied and have done has been associated with this. This is what I chose and I deem myself privileged, doing what I wanted to do. To be sure, in Thessaloniki I am undertaking administrative tasks. Much to my disappointment, I am, thus, preparing fewer exhibitions, while still learning about bureaucracy and its difficulties. Is administration difficult? The semantic implications of administration commit me ideologically to approaches incompatible with my character. I would prefer things to be achieved collectively and cooperatively. It is not pleasurable to have so many responsibilities. I recognize that somebody must always take responsibility and make others follow. As for the National Museum of Contemporary Art (NMCA), I did not take the responsibility, rather it was assigned to me six years ago. I am serving my second term as President of the Board of Trustees of the NMCA, while trying to remain the same personality, doing the same work and simultaneously honouring my title and, above all, the Museum, since for me this is the greatest challenge. I have, however, the good fortune to be surrounded by distinguished experts in the field as well as outstanding individuals on the Board. If you were given opportunity to “set up” a museum, which exhibits from all over the world would you fill it with? To set up a museum is one of the most demanding tasks in the world because you create it but it is not meant for you. It is not your museum, except in the case of it being a private one, although, even then, the subject is open to lengthy discussion. Why should private collections be open to the public? I consider that when a private individual has the 42

Yang Yonglang

Untitled, 110 x 120 cm, Digital print on dibond, 2009 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

desire, the inclination, drive, passion and the money to form a collection, he undoubtedly has the right to do as he wishes with it. Plainly, in a country whose state museums suffer from deficient coverage of whole periods or movements of contemporary art, when collectors of world renown exist, it would be good for them to have the mind-set of a national benefactor. It would be gratifying for them to make their collections available for public view, even on an occasional basis. A collector has nothing other than a moral obligation to exhibit his collection because works of art are not produced to cater for just a few. Those with financial means are limited in number, while the

works are meant for mankind as a whole. Even in the case of the Louvre, which was from the onset created by the King to be a museum, it was open to the public on set days and at set hours. In Greece we have collectors who have taken initiatives and opened their own spaces, either to show modern or contemporary art or even Greek art in general. What is your objective for the National Museum of Contemporary Art and what is its status in the Balkan area? If I did not believe in the Museum, I wouldn`t be here for six years now working on a voluntary basis. I really deeply believe in it. Thessaloniki,

which I like and have come to love, is a city I believe in. In recent years, it has become a city that is opening up and on the move. I consider that the Municipality has made a special contribution to this outgoing attitude we may discern. Thessaloniki has the advantage of its city centre. Its parallel advantage is the young people living within it. One cannot fail to observe that it is the largest University City in the country. It is also in a strategic position, recognised as such from the time of Alexander the Great. Thus, if one considers its role during Greek antiquity, the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as throughout the Ottoman occupation, in addition to its status as a second city in more modern times, it is crystal clear that it has a weighty past and momentous future. You walk along the streets and are taught a history lesson: there is absolutely no need even to enter a museum. Recently, it has begun to regain the cosmopolitan air which had been lost for some years. Thessaloniki is a very beautiful city. Contemporary art can play a role in all this. To be sure, it is early days yet, I have no illusions about that. Nevertheless, whatever we have achieved is significant but with very great difficulty. I believe in Thessaloniki! How can the city help the Biennale, and vice versa? The city and its institutions must realize that the Biennale is something important, enjoyable, and creative which concerns them. The Biennale is not an exhibition; it is an exhibition “as well”. From this source we can stress the social aspect of art. That, in itself, says something. We are extremely fortunate that such a major and ambitious event is being financially supported by the “Macedonia-Thrace, 2007-2013” programme. The Biennale requires a huge volume of work, which can only be accomplished when there are those who believe in and want it very much, and that is because there has been no previous experience of such a comparable major event in the plastic arts in this country, which it aims to institutionalize. Biennales are also held in other Greek cities and, of course, abroad. But perhaps not with the same determination and belief in a specific objective. Insurmountable difficulties exist concerning questions associated with moving outside the museum, which for me is essential. And the reason is our Museum is not sufficient. We have two spaces we try to run as museums, despite the fact that they were never designed for this purpose. Furthermore, based on its legal charter, the headquarters of the NMCA is YFANET, which until recently, however, was under squatter occupancy. Moreover, the Lazariston Monastery is inhospitable for contemporary art exhibitions, seeing that many larger works cannot even gain access

Filippo Berta

Homo Homini Lupus, Video, 3’, 2011 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

Art is a refuge for humanity

Constantin Xenakis

Grande Parade, 150 x 150 cm, Acrylic on canvas, 1986 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

to the interior of the building. The Apothiki (Warehouse), which has been granted to us in the port area, has great promise, since this is where the cultural heart of the city is found; yet, it is still too small a space. The Biennale, therefore, is forced to go outside, everywhere in the city, so that the people who come for it can also visit something else. Moreover, those not intending to visit the Biennale, will, thus, by chance, come across it. Contemporary art is the art of the present time, which however, “stands” upon an already existent historical, cultural, and social infrastructure. Thus, by looking at contemporary art, you are looking at the history of the city. We are inviting the public to walk around, enter museums, see the Byzantine Museum, the finest in the country, enter the monuments, go to the Thessaloniki International Fair, walk along the streets and see the Kamara, Rotonda, the small Byzantine churches. That is what the Biennale does! The Biennale is a break from convention, a challenge, a festival, a complete change! Is contemporary art misunderstood? It is misconstrued. It appears to be hermetic. Since, regrettably, art cannot be taught, the public considers that it is associated with an elitist situation, which someone can only decodify with special tools. I believe that a work of art speaks for itself! As a result of us being familiarized with works of the past, we forget that Picasso`s Guernica from the decade of the 30s was a revolutionary piece. Art is an entity and its contemporary manifestation cannot be interpreted without the knowledge, the experience of the past and the assistance of the social and historical reality of which it is a product. If somebody cannot make you understand certain fundamental elements, then, possibly, he will not be in a position to interpret a fundamental message. Be that as it may, art is 43

Omid Salehi

Cane Land, Photographs, 30 x 40 cm each, 2003 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

Nikos Alexiou

Iviron Monastery, Lace, paper and twine, 2003 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

Halkidiki has much to offer both in religious and cultural tourism Maria Loizidou

La dentellière, 2,5 x 1,3 x 1,2 m, Installation, paper, wire mesh, 2009 © State Museum of Contemporary Art / Thessaloniki

a language and possesses a grammar! The public feels somewhat… tense before it. We are trying. We have educational programmes that are going very well. We are making attempts both for children and grown-ups who are willing to learn. That is why we are going out onto the streets! To induce the participation of the general public and catch them without them expecting it.

tradition and economy. The collaboration of the two sectors, culture and tourism, I deem to be essential. Yesterday, I met with Mr. Stavro Andreadi, with whom I discussed the possibility of co-operation between the Sani Resort and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Wouldn`t it be good for small thematic exhibits to be set up there, informing tourists of what they can see in Thessaloniki, for daily excursions corresponding to their interests to be arranged from the Resort to the city?

Is art affected by the general atmosphere or is it “blind” and “deaf”? Who can call himself a contemporary artist and live in Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Turkey or Greece and not be affected by reality? Artists are affected and this is evident in their work, and, in turn, they affect others!

How can contemporary art and ancient artefacts co-exist? That is what happens in the Biennale. The comparative study of art is very important. They are two complementary concepts. Obviously, you cannot put a (modern) work next to the Caryatids or the Parthenon, but in the atrium of the Byzantine Museum we were able to place Vadim Zaharov`s installation. Even though there may not be a conventional relationship between ancient and contemporary works of art, it is still a challenge for somebody to give it a try.

Can art and culture contribute to tourist development? Greece has tourism which appears to be doing better than ever. If the heavy “industry” of the country is culture, as some say, then the best possible combination is that and tourism. It is very important to surf the internet and find the National Museum of Contemporary Art`s webpage on tourist sites. A few months ago, we signed a memorandum of collaboration with EOT (the Greek Tourism Organization). I see that there is a change in Thessaloniki, too. For example, now it is difficult for someone to find a vacant hotel room. The same holds in Athens. There are places in our country, especially in the tourist areas, which give you the opportunity to select the firm favourites – sea and sun - but also places which allow you to become aware of their culture and history through their 44

In which ways are Greek museums superior or inferior to their foreign counterparts? They excel when it comes to archaeological and Byzantine artefacts. They fall short in the areas of museological studies and presentations, renewal and being outward looking. Can culture exist in the middle of a crisis? Not only can it exist, but it may be even more dynamic. The reaction of a person to something that he is hindered from doing, particularly when young, is to contrive the means to overcome the difficulties and fire his creativity. Technology provides us with many opportunities and we can be informed, travel, exhibit, exchange, make things happen, without even needing to move.

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ga p

time

A little moment in time ma y change histor y .

G eorge C ostakis ,

thanks to a green strip , by vaggelis stolakis

“ saved ” R u ssian M odernism . 1.

4. 1. K asimir Malevich

Perceptive, able, methodical: these are a few of the numerous personal characteristics that one may attribute to the art collector George Costakis, who with his persistence managed, from 1947 and for the next thirty years, to amass works of Russian Modernist artists (19101930) and rescue them from obscurity and oblivion. Thanks to his Collection, the National Museum of Contemporary in Thessaloniki has earned its place on the world map of contemporary art museums as one of the best of its kind in the western hemisphere. Costakis, born in Moscow of Greek parents, made the Russian Modernist movement known to the world together with 65 of its artists and many currents and movements that were born and developed in Russia over the first three decades of the 20th century only to be forgotten because of the Soviet Realism that followed.

George Costakis, the Collector.

Photo: Henri Cartier-Bresson © National Museum of Contemporary Art - Costakis Collection

He sought and succeeded in putting together a collection which of itself is able to bring a whole period back to life. His preoccupation with the subject began fortuitously, when on visiting an antique shop in 1947, his eyes fell upon a painting by Olga Pozanova (1916) who died very young in 1918. The painting was nothing special: a green strip on a white background. However, the moment he hung it on the wall of his apartment, it eclipsed all the other works of his collection up to that point. It was then that George Costakis realised that he was really a born collector of works associated with an intense and short-lived period he, himself intended to make universally known. His home became an informal museum of contemporary art open to visitors, the moment that in Russia no official equivalent existed.

The Costaki Collection of the National Museum of Contemporary Art is composed of 1,277 works of art (paintings, drawings, constructions, porcelain, pottery, etc.) of significant Russian Modernist artists, including Kazimir Malevich, Liubov Popova, Vladimir Tatlin, Alexander Rodchenko, Ivan Kliun, Gustav Klutsis, Solomon Nikritin, Olga Rozanova, Varvara Stepanova, Nadezhda Udaltsova, Michail Matiousin and Pavel Filonov. It comes to 20% of the total objective value of the collection, while more than 800 items are to be found in Moscow`s Tretyakov Gallery, to which he donated these pieces on leaving that city in 1977. The Costakis Collection was purchased by the Greek nation in March, 2000, and by Culture Ministry decree it was handed over to the newly established National Museum of Contemporary Art in Thes-

saloniki. The visitor, indeed, has the opportunity, on entering the seat of the Collection, at the Lazariston Monastery in the Stavroupoli area, to also view both the 4000 item and personal archives of George Costakis. “The Collection is unique by international standards. From the works that exist in the Museum, one may wander through the Russian Modernist period, an experimental and forwardlooking period of 20th century art history. Russian Modernist painters were obliged to create within the aesthetic climate of Socialist Realism, which glorified the hero, the farmer, the factory-girl”, comments Maria Tsadsanoglou, Director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art. And she adds: “The value of the Costakis Collection is considerable. The artists of the Russian Modernist movement have a common bench-

“Portrait”, c. 1910 Gouache on paper © National Museum of Contemporary Art - Costakis Collection. 2. Aleksei Morgunov

“Aviator”, 1912-13 Oil on canvas © National Museum of Contemporary Art - Costakis Collection 3. Liubov Popova

“Painterly Architectonics”, 1918 Oil on canvas © National Museum of Contemporary Art - Costakis Collection 4. Solomon Nikritin

“Man and Cloud”, c.1930 Oil on canvas © National Museum of Contemporary Art - Costakis Collection

mark: all were seeking a new alphabet, new aesthetic methods which they practised in their art. They frequently came in conflict with each other. Be that as it may, their common denominator is that they took art to highly experimental levels, which even to this day influence contemporary visual creativity. They began with Symbolism, which was a European movement; later they concentrated on aspects of Cubism and Futurism, two significant avant-garde movements in Europe in the first years of the 20th century; and they created Cubo-Futurism, among others’’. Today, the Collection and the Costakis Archive are available for researchers from throughout the world; and in this way the National Museum of Contemporary Art has become a vital centre of research and creativity, in addition to a site of exchange, discussion and promotion of theoretical issues. Simultaneously, it is the Collection with the greatest viewing numbers in the western world, when compared with other contemporary art exhibits. National Museum of Contemporary Art, Kolokotroni 21, Lazariston Monastery and Warehouse B1, the Port of Thessaloniki. Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10.00 – 18.00. Contact telephone: 2310 589143

cosmos

The

Earthly

goddess

A new book abo u t Melina Mercouri is alwa y s welcome beca u se this incredible woman , the personification of the word “ star ” , is an ine x ha u stible “ e x perience ” for old and y o u ng

Marlon Brando, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Aristotle Onassis, Robert Kennedy, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali… These are just a few of the names that come to life from within the pages of the book “Melina – A Star in America” by George Archimandriti and Spyros Arsenis, a book that comes to fill a significant void in the bibliography concerning the life of the greatest Greek international star, Melina Mercouri. Based on unpublished personal accounts, written documentation and audio-visual material from that time, the book sheds light on Melina`s singular artistic career in America from 1957 to 1974 and follows the evolution of her international career, from her first appearance on the cinema screen until her final return to Greece. It outlines the progress of a Greek who with her basic endowments of talent and personality, took the whole world by storm. It was a mythical world about which she hardly ever talked but now is being revealed as one full of glitter and nostalgia. Melina`s world…

readers . G eorge A rchimandriti and S p y ros A rsenis are its a u thors and S ani M aga z ine p u blishes e x cerpts .

Yiorgos Archimandritis and Spyros Arsenis. Photo: Olympia Krasagaki 48

Melina […] was not only an actress. She was a star. Rarely is somebody both of these. She charmed the camera with her movements, the way she stood, what she was. The lens loved the light that radiated from her face, adored her superb stare. It must be noted that Melina, despite being a very attractive woman, never projected her sexuality, unlike, for example, Marilyn Monroe. Melina became a star through her personality. With that she charmed all around her. With that she charmed both Europe and America, where the star system is particularly demanding. […] Melina constituted a part of the American star system during a specific period: from “Never on a Sunday” until “Illya Darling”. She was, indeed, a very big star in America. Her presence fascinated the Americans and continued to fascinate them even after some films did not meet with the expected success, such as “Promise at Dawn” and “Topkapi”. […] February 1956, the first time Melina`s name is heard in America at the thirteenth Golden Globe Awards Ceremony. “Stella”, her first film, wins the award for the best foreign language film, after it has already been screened successfully at the Cannes Film Festival, where Melina was a nominee for the best actress award. […] The American media of that time follow the movie’s progress in the film theatres and outline Melina`s portrait, presenting her as a beautiful, young, blonde woman making her cinematic debut. […] They pay special attention to her Greek descent and so place her in the category of stars who represent their country and culture. […] Cannes, 9th May 1960. “The critics and a tightly packed audience of one thousand, five hundred reserved a warm welcome to Jules Dassin`s “Never on a Sunday” at the Cannes Film Festival” reports the New York Times correspondent, stressing that Dassin and Melina were given a long round of applause at the end of the screening. In another report in the same newspaper, the journalist, while saluting Melina being awarded for her explosive rendition, expresses his surprise at the parallel recognition of Jean Moreau. The article closes with a lengthy account of the wild party that followed the screening. […] Success has been achieved and it is enormous. “Success,” remarks Melina at a later interview, “nowhere did I experience, the way I did in America. As I walked past the stores, they were all playing “Never on a Sunday”. I could hear my voice everywhere. It was as if I was suffering a hallucination”. […] In 1961, the film was nominated for five Oscars: Melina for the Best Actress in a Leading Role – with fellow nominees Elizabeth Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Greer Garson and Shirley MacLaine – Dassin 50

On the front page of LIFE

for Best Director and Best Screenplay, Hadzidakis for Best Song and Deni Vahlioti for Best Costumes. A war of newspaper articles breaks out, especially in the scandal-mongering columns, against the foreign actors stealing the Oscars from their American counterparts. Discussion ensues about the theme of the film, which they consider paints a positive picture of prostitution, while doubts are raised about whether the “Boys of Piraeus” (“Never on a Sunday”) known to the general public in its English language version, deserves to win the Oscar for Best Song with its Greek lyrics. […] The negative atmosphere created persuades Melina and Dassin to remain in Paris and not be present at the awards ceremony: “Initially, I was very happy about my nomination,” says Melina in an interview, “but what kind of honour is this? Louella Parsons writes that they shouldn`t give the Oscar to a foreigner but instead to a good girl from America, like Doris Day, or to an actress who makes films in her own country (America) and not abroad. […] Those in charge at United Artists argue that I won`t win without going to Hollywood to campaign in support of my nomination. What type of campaign must I undertake? I told them I wasn`t Kennedy. I am an actress, not a politician. What do they expect anyway? For me to knock on doors at Beverly Hills and say: “Hello. My name is Melina Mercouri and would you please vote me best actress of the year?” […] Prior to being nominated I was happy and relaxed. Everybody loved me and adored “Never on a Sunday”. Now I`m neither happy nor relaxed”.

With Maximilian Schell during the shooting of Topkapi in Kavala.

Melina with Salvador Dali and James Mason at Dali`s house at Kantakes.

Melina is a rare case of an actress who dares to speak so openly about sex in America during the 60`s. Before her, very few American actresses have ventured to do so, since the code of ethics of American studios is always in force (it will be officially abolished in 1967) and sexual liberation had not arrived yet. Melina`s statements are quoted by the scandal–mongering press and shock American society. The venture is risky but crowned with success, since, ultimately, Melina will command respect in the consciences of Americans as a liberated woman who speaks without beating about the bush. […] A myriad of events unconnected with her artistic preoccupations fuel newspaper interest in Melina, such as the decision of the American Beauty Congress, (the conference of the American association of beauty product manufacturers and industries) to award Elizabeth Taylor “for her beauty”, Grace Kelly “for her elegance” and Melina “for her personality”. “Personality must be a gift unto yourself” is the title of an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that comments on this award. […]

“The importance of beauty is a myth,” she will say in August of the same year in the New York Journal, which publishes an article entitled “Melina`s point of view”. “For me Hedy Lamarr is the most beautiful woman I`ve ever seen. But I don`t want to look like her. To be a beautiful woman is a terrible punishment. Her life is short and the first wrinkle horrible. […] I am not beautiful, and I`m very happy about that, seeing that as I grow older nobody can claim I`m no longer beautiful. […] Of greater importance is glamour. Many years ago, my mother told me: “Learn to listen and you will be at the top throughout your life”. A good piece of advice […] “. After being staged in the U.S.A. and Canada, the musical (‘Illya Darling’) reaches Broadway. Its premiere takes place on 9th April, 1967 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. In the audience Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Albee, Mahali Kakogianni, Irini Pappa, Harry Belafonte, Van Jonson and Rod Steiger can be seen. The atmosphere backstage is electric. “Niko`s hands were frozen,’’ Melita Kourkoulos says, reflecting the tension, “while Melina appeared to have a reckless composure”. The curtains are raised. Kourkoulos makes his appearance on an anchor. “At that moment,” Melita Kourkoulos says, “it really brought the house down. It was so striking to see an enormous anchor being lowered ever so slowly with a man wearing a fishnet shirt perched on it. When the one and only Melina appeared, what happened is indescribable. She entered the stage at a run, in a black bikini, with her long legs and her whole body wonderfully made-up as if she had been in the sun, and everybody was running behind her shouting: ‘Illya! Illya!’. The audience went wild”. By now, accustomed to New York, its size and citizens, Melina adapts herself to the city’s life and rhythm. 1967 is the year Jane Fonda walks ‘Barefoot in the Park’ together with Robert Redford, and Mia Farrow takes part with Cassavetes

in Polanski`s ‘Rosemary’s Baby’. Melina is to be found at social events with her colleagues from the world of entertainment - Shirley MacLaine, Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews - as well as receptions, such as that of Rex Reed when he takes up residence at his new apartment in the famed Dakota Building. There she meets Truman Capote and Lotte Lenya. “One evening we were together at George Peppard and Elizabeth Ashley’s,” says Melita Kourkoulos. “Also there were Henry Fonda, Peter Ustinov, Rock Hudson – Hudson was so incredibly handsome. A god. He was radiant. They were all acquainted with each other and when they met at such receptions frequently talked about their contracts and professional plans. Melina was usually the centre of attention. At some moment or other, I recollect, when she was surrounded by the men present that evening, she crossed her wonderful legs sideways and turned languidly on the sofa. “Melina, you are all legs again!” Jules told her. This typifies Jules’ humour, and also the ability this lovely creature called Melina had to rise in stature and apparently double in size. She won everybody over with her radiance”. However among the people from the world of entertainment she met, just two are those whom she mentions as her personal idols: Marlon Brando and Joan Crawford. “With Brando,” she will say in a subsequent interview, “there was something more than just an acquaintance. He loved Juli very much. He loved me, too”. […] Melina will continue to play the part of Illya, consolidating her position in the American star system, of which she now becomes a member without it, however, being of her own making. She has arrived on Broadway at full maturity, having already lived a turbulent life in Greece, taken the leading role in Parisian theatre productions and won the highest artistic recognition with the Cannes best actress award. Her experience at an artistic and personal level is marked by her

Melina inspires international fashion Last October, and having already announced his decision to withdraw from pr�t – � – porter in order to dedicate himself exclusively to haute-couture, Jean Paul Gaultier made one more revelation, an exceptional honour for Greece and Greeks: his desire to design a final prêt-à-porter piece, a marini�re (Breton shirt) – his “obsession” each season – dedicated to Melina Mercouri, the production of which will soon commence, with the income from its sales being earmarked for the Melina Mercouri Foundation.

independent spirit and her intensely authentic character, which differentiate her from the Hollywood stars and fascinate the Americans. “At that time she was a big star in America.” says Terence McNally, “A rarity for an actress who had turned forty in a country with such an obsession with youth. The nearest presentday equivalent would be Meryl Streep, who, however, is regarded more as an actress than a star. If someone shouted: “Meryl Streep is doing a shoot at the street corner!” I don`t think many would hasten to see her, whereas during the Illya Darling period, if somebody said: “Melina is on the other side of the street!” people would have raced over to see her”. […] “This woman swept the people off their feet here; and that is by no means easy,” says Rex Reed. “New York is a very cynical city. […] But Melina was a Greek goddess walking among us. […] Years after her return to Europe, the people couldn`t forget her […] On 1st January 1971, Melina`s much awaited autobiography is published. “A candid, flamboyant and passionate book”, according to the New York Times. “It’s every paragraph,” says the newspaper critic characteristically, “verifies Rex Reed`s view: ‘In the future, when all of us will have died, they will still be talking about Melina Mercouri. They`ll be saying that in a period full of plastic people, she was authentic’‘’.

cosmos

Νikolaos

Τομbazis Sensitive frames

I ll u minating G reek c u lt u ral heritage , N ikolaos T omba z is made known to the world the magic of archaeological e x cavations “ armed ” with his camera and sensitivit y in the projection of a glorio u s past . By Argyro Barata Photos: Benaki Museum, Nikolaos Tombazis Photo Archive

he recent finds of the archaeological mattock at Amphipolis, where the largest Macedonian tomb of the Alexander the Great period has been discovered, caught the attention of the world news media. The need for being kept up–to-date with the progress of the excavations, from the very first moment of the official notification, was immense over the length and breadth of the planet. Day by day, new photographs revealed the magnitude of the tomb and the precious treasures hidden within the Greek earth. And that is the magnificent culture of this land which has been passed down by the Greeks to the whole world. The first Greek photographer who took it upon himself to inform the rest of the world about Greece`s universal cultural contribution was Nikolaos Tombazis, who through his collaboration with the Greek Archaeological Society and the Greek Tourist Organization, during the 1950s, made known significant excavations at Mycenae and in Attica. His detailed recording of the excavatory procedure and projection of the finds have distinguished him as one of the best photographers in this field.

Nikolaos Tombazis 54

cosmos

Nikolaos Tombazis, “Nikis” to his family, was born in the Greek Embassy in St. Petersburg in 1894. His first camera, a Box Brownie No 2, accompanied him to archaeological sites from his early years, while his first photographs date back to 1912. At the age of eighteen he became a trading agent in India. For the next 30 years, he devoted himself to photography, became a member of the Royal Photographic Society in London and Treasurer of the Photographic Society in Calcutta. In 1945, he returned to Greece, where he, from then on, was engaged professionally with photography. His love for the Greek landscape and its monuments secured for him permanent collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. Nikolaos Tombazis was honoured with the distinction of membership of the Federation de l`Art Photographique of Switzerland.

A restless spirit, he was always on call during excavations. When a cemetery was discovered outside the Mycenae walls, where on a daily basis the archaeologists were confronted with new surprises, he would race to Athens to develop the films and then get back again to Mycenae in time to immortalize the splendid finds. In the diary “Mycenaean 1952”, his wife writes: “Nikis had so much work during that period that he slept at 3 a.m. and woke at 5 a.m. Today he left at 6.10. But how did he leave? Unshaven, almost without eating anything and in a rush. Nikis has ended up living in buses and I marvel at how he manages to do all the work we have. It is tiring, yet enjoyable”.

Despite being self-taught, Tombazis was fastidious in his work, a trait which distinguished him as a character as well. Almost all his work was produced using natural light, while the absence of cropping displays the deep study he made of the frames prior to the shoot. His son, Alexandros Tombazis a distinguished architect, in a note concerning his father`s work states: “The thousands of photographs he took during his long life were not of a commercial character, nor were they particularly artistic, abstract inquiries. They, simply, with passion and dedication, convey the eventful history of the twentieth century (…). They are the loving and authentic record of a full life”.

His harmonization with the archaeologists was impressive. During his visit to the Vravrona museum, where the finds from the excavations he had photographed were kept, his daughter remembers he knew all the exhibits by heart. “He had

in the past held them in his hands,

as he had set them up to be photographed. They were all dear to him”, she had said, while, as they were departing from the museum, the photographer himself commented that “You exit and smile”. It was a very emotional day for him.

The Professor of Architecture at the National Metsovio Polytechnic, Dimitris Filippiadis remarks concerning his work: “He does not appear to be chasing after the impressive photograph with the sole aim of being admired. While being fully aware of how to utilize the changeable atmospheric conditions, his attention is concentrated on rendering the subject appropriately and in a balanced way. Perhaps what contributed to that was his essentially conservative character, his self-control before whatever was fascinating, his inclination to maintain absolute control over everything he handled”. 56

In September, 1953 a party with lamb on the spit is organized in Mycenae in which everybody participated - workers and archaeologists - to celebrate the completion of the dig. His wife, Virginia in her diary “Mycenaean 1953” notes: “The wine is plentiful as are the high spirits. Toasts are proposed and the workmen are touching with their homeliness and their heart-felt words. Nikis hardly has anything to eat, since he can`t stop taking photographs. One moment he is with us, the next we see him on the edge of the canopy as an outline in the sky”. 4.

(2, 3) Shots of the discovery of the stele of the Nymphs in Penteli (1952).

He would construct ingenious, improvised scaffolding (6), seeing that the use of tripods was risky at excavation sites. He would erect apparatus he devised by himself with a view to conveying the multi-faceted aspects of the archaeological finds. As his second wife, Virginia writes in her diary: “I find Niki up on the scaffolding: two long ladders joined by two planks. The planks intentionally do not come together because the camera is placed in the opening, resting on a piece of wood like a window put together by Nikos. In this way his hands are free and he does not need to hold the camera. Fortunately he is a mountaineer. (…) Barefoot and on all fours he moves forward and places the camera above the centre of the tomb (…) then face-down and with his head covered with a black cloth he begins the preparatory procedure for the shoot”. And he did all this at the age of 60. 6. 7.

His archive from the Greek period numbers approximately 60,000 photographs and 4,000 slides. They are perfectly filed in handmade albums and elegant boxes, reflecting the devotion and artistic temperament of the cosmopolitan photographer. In 1997, his archive was donated by his descendants to the Photographic Archive of the Benaki Museum, which in 2005 issued a 288 page publication about the whole of the photographer`s life`s work entitled “Nikolaos Tombazis 1894–1986, India – Greece”.

(7) In the photograph we observe a scene from the visit of Antonios Benaki (first on the left), founder of the museum, to the archaeological excavation site in Mycenae, on September 25th 1953. .

cosmos

The

Avaton I nhabited b y few , and e x cl u sivel y b y monks , accessible to man y , b u t not to all , it belongs to ever y bod y . M o u nt A thos is the s y mbol of spirit u alism and u nit y with G od , and that is wh y it fascinates and inspires .

An Autonomous Monastic State, it is the only self-governing region of the Greece and a World Heritage Site since 1988. It occupies Athos, the so-called third “leg” of Halkidiki, and on its soil monasticism began to develop from about the 8th century A.D., for it to constitute just one century later the most significant monastic centre of Orthodox Christianity. It is made up of 20 monasteries with a glorious history, centres of practice of Christian belief, as well as being the home of important ecclesiastical and cultural treasures. A life`s calling life for Orthodox populations, not to exclude others, a centre of learning for university bodies and researchers, an area of unrivalled natural beauty, Mount Athos could very well be called the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. “Avaton” (Inaccessibe to women), it may be visited only with the pertinent authorization. For details, visit its official website: www.inathos.gr

Athos Colors of Faith

cosmos

The monastic society of Mount Athos has inspired humanity for the counterbalance it offers to the values of life. It is a tower of spirituality documented by many authors. However, the photographic book of Stratos Kalafatis, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Athos, Colors of Faithâ&#x20AC;?, approaches the Mount Athos State as an alternative society, with spiritual salvation being its primary concern. Argyro Barata becomes better acquainted with the Garden of The Virgin Mary (i.e. Mount Athos), a place she will never visit herself, searching for her own personal colour of faith, through the lens of the distinguished photographer.

Stratos kALAFATIS

cosmos

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Systematically photographing on Mount Athos I found myself before the Seragiou photographic studio with its painted wall, which remains in relatively good condition despite its lack of maintenance. I muse about the thousands of portraits created against this background constructed by Russian monks in 1852. The renovation of the skete reached its outer areas, too. The party wall with the painted scene was deemed redundant and destroyed. The enchanting glass roof that had lit the faces was covered with tiles. The portrait of the two Athonais students is probably the last of a photographic tradition that lasted for over a century and a halfâ&#x20AC;?, remarked the artist, himself concerning the photograph in question. 64

Mount Athos is a place of silence, located below the surface of logic and behind the spotlight of social life. Kalafatisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work mirrors, not that what appears to be, but that which in reality Athos is, namely, a place where monks and anchorites seek the love, freedom and peace of the soul. 65

cosmos

In the pages of the book, the chance existential quest of the reader concerning the Orthodox faith will not be satisfied / requited. He will, nevertheless, discover the inexpressible beauty in the humble life of the monks, which the photographer will represent as an anonymous painter with the inscription: Χειρ Στράτου εποίει, ΚΑ΄αιών. (By the hands of Stratos made, 21st century.)

A moment from a shoot with intense optical expressiveness, that produces an emotional work of great artistic worth, which records the vital male societies living the monastic life. The social setting of Athos cannot be interpreted as a system or ideology, but is experienced as a functional presence with love and self-sacrifice. Elder and acolyte in the cell of the Karamanlidon.

he title of the publication, “Colors of Faith”, provides the reader with the opportunity to give his own interpretation, his own colour to the meaning of faith, since this holy place has for centuries been a global sender of universal messages for all people; and each and every visitor garners whatever he can and is capable of, seeking the colour that represents him. “On Mount Athos no people are born. They are drawn there by deep faith, need, curiosity and despair. There are initiated into the ascetic life and continue in a stoical relay of death with the finishing line being the monastery ossuary. From Elder to Acolyte, from Monk to Novice, a millennium of history without discrimination, seeing that monasticism is not passed on by inheritance, it is won on merit”, Stratos Kalafatis states in a personal footnote in the photographic book. The first mission took place in 2008, following the persistent exhortation of his friend and associate, Arsenios Toptsidis, with a view to them photographing the pupils of the Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy, from which Toptsidis, himself had graduated. This is the sole ecclesiastical boarding school operating on Mount Athos, founded in 1749. “After my first trip to Karyes and the Athonias Academy, I returned charmed and inwardly delighted about what I knew would follow: the 25 trips and 200 days and nights that had a decisive effect on a great part of my life for the next 5 years”. “25 trips using transport of all types: small boats, mules and hiking. Many of the hikes were long, arduous and unforgettable. Athos does not have wide paved avenues but dusty dirt roads that turn and lead you to the unexpected. And from there begin the mystical trails leading to monasteries, sketes cells, springs and caves, to small hermitages and real anchorites”.

Stratos Kalafatis’ photographic work, “Athos, Colors of Faith”, was started in January 2008 and completed in 2013. In total it required 25 visits to the Athonite State and some 200 days of shoots to present a contemporary representation of the land and its people, in this unique place. The photographic book, that includes 142 colour photographs, was published in September 2014 in a bilingual edition.

More than 1,500 pictures, taken using film and an old-type Hasselblat camera, were the outcome of the work in question, printed in the 200 pages of the publication. According to the art critic, Niko Ksidaki, the singular morphoplastic elements of Stratos Kalafatis’ vocabulary stand out in this particular book: supersaturated, electric colours, full-face portraits, wide-angled shots and, particularly, the striking perfection of night landscapes. “All the elements serve a compact whole, a single objective: the avoidance of pictorialism, the avoidance of documentary credibility. He does not make a documentary. His pursuit is the soul, aura, what is hidden within the shell of the manifest, the traces of the departed, the latent essence. The invisible”. With his photographs the artist does not aim at stressing the strict canons that regulate the lives of the monks by concentrating the attention of the knowledgeable viewer on the spiritual asset represented by the Garden of The Virgin Mary, but rather traces the lives of these men, who are dedicated to divine dispensation, in modern forms and with a contemporary style of aesthetics. His photographs are serenely structured, with balance and, as Niko Ksidaki writes in the book, “…A look like a caress, tender, a look that embraces and penetrates, converses, a look that is inclusive not exclusive, a look that avoids criticism and interpretations, a look that extols beauty, a look which envelopes the invisible, the missing. The look of Stratos”.

Stratos Kalafatis was born in Kavala in 1966. Today he lives in Thessaloniki. He takes photographs, teaches and organises activities connected with creative photography. His complete extended photographic works, include: “Archetypal Images, Journal 1998-2002”, “Saga”, “Archipelago”, and “Athos - Colors of Faith”. He has written five books, four of which have been issued by the Agra publishing company. Since 1990, he has been presenting his work at numerous exhibition in Greece and abroad. Indicative of these are: The Venice Architecture Biennale / Backlight, 10th Triennale, Finland / EU Japan, Saga and Fukoshima, Japan / Photo Espana Madrid, Spain / Bozar Expo, Brussels / The Nice Festival, France / The Rome Festival, Italy / Journal 1988-2002, Beirut, Lebanon. www.stratoskalafatis.com

cosmos

Short

stories

Long

memories F

On the stree t corners of Thessaloniki, shops with the aroma of another age are flourishing, thanks to the l abour of love o f t h e i r p r o p r i e t o r s . V a g g e l i s St o l a k i s m e t w i t h s o m e o f t h e m a n d t h e y to l d h i m a b o u t t h e i r pa s t a n d p r e s e n t.

photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou)

or someone to learn about Thessaloniki's history, it is not necessary for him to â&#x20AC;&#x153;buryâ&#x20AC;? himself in a library and study for hours and hours; nor visit one city museum after another. Just a few hours' walk in the historic centre suffices for that individual to get a first impression of a city which has known many cultures, each of which has left its own mark towards the formation of its present identity. Thus, most of its archaeological sites are in total harmony with its modern architecture and its daily rhythm of life. A stroll from Navarinou Square towards the Kamara, Rotunda and the (upper city) Castles will persuade even the greatest doubters of this. And if the stroll continues in the Panagia Halkeon area, Bit Pazar and Athonos Square, undoubtedly it will charm not only tourists and visitors, but even permanent residents of Thessaloniki! And this is because behind every street, every shop and each tradesman there is a story. And when all these unique stories come together, they complete the puzzle of a city that has experienced prosperity, civilization, riches, poverty!

Panagia (Our Lady) of the …..Coppersmiths We begin our tour from Halkeon Street, where Panagia (The Church of Our Lady) of the same name (Coppersmiths) is found; exactly at the junction of the Ancient Agora and Aristoteleos Square, on the road where in the past the coppersmiths of Northern Greece were located and sold their wares, there is little left to remind us of its heyday when the renowned copper goods of Halkeon Street flooded the domestic market as well as that of the Balkans. There, at number 13, we meet Mr Maki Sismanidi, owner of a copperware and brassware store. As he tells us, in better times he also owned two neighbouring shops, seeing that his business had been steadily expanding. “Once this was a flourishing trade. All the stores were coppersmiths` workshops”, he says, and adds that even though the interest of the public with the passing of time is decreasing, there are certain people, mainly tourists, who want to purchase a piece of copperware from Thessaloniki. He, himself a third generation coppersmith, has recently been trying to introduce his children to the family business that his grandfather started and his father continued. “We love our trade. That`s why we carry on”, he confesses and points to his daughter who is present. Even though, nowadays, his store keeps to just the sale of copperware, he remembers the time when his family undertook all the production: from smelting, rolling, manufacturing (hand-crafting and machine powered) to sales. “At one point, we employed a work-force of forty. Copperware articles were then among the basic essentials; now they are luxury items. They constituted the home equipment for all households”, stresses Mr Sismanidi.

Old Things and Memories We continue our stroll, going uphill to Agios Dimitrios Street. In the narrow city centre streets, with old businesses situated next to each other, mostly furniture stores, we reach the “Bit Pazar”. There, where, as Ludovikos from Anageo has sung, “They collect memories and old things and sell them”. The truth is that a Saturday morning walk in the square is certainly an experience. Second-hand dealers take out onto the sidewalks a host of articles from their shops in an attempt to sell them. People come and go! One may be searching for children`s toys, another for British stamps, and a third old telephones. This is where we meet Yianni, from whose store you can find clocks dating from 1800 onwards. “I found most of them at auctions abroad. Between the Wars many old and valuable objects were lost. Most of them had been in the possession of Jews, but in the Catastrophe of Thessaloniki, most of those were destroyed, too”, he says. Yianni has been doing this job for the last fifteen years because, as he states, he admires art and whatever is old. “When you see a clock from 1880 and the technology used at that time, you cannot but be moved”, he concludes.

Yianni sends us to another Yianni: “To the one who can`t keep back the tears on seeing something old”. Mr Yianni Vavatsis is located on Venizelou Street. He had been the gentleman standing in the antique shop which aroused my curiosity to have a look inside when I was walking uphill towards the “Bit Pazar”, but I hadn’t entered because I didn`t want to disturb him. Holding a magnifying glass, he was sitting at his desk examining objects. His “fetish”, as he calls it, over the last 22 years has been to collect old objects including old children’s toys: more than 25,000 juvenile items – exercise books, pinafores, grade report cards, desks, blackboards and many more. As he explains, despite the fact that he was trained to be a motor mechanic, he decided to open an antique shop because of his passion for collecting things. “From when I was a young child, whatever I found and liked, I would purchase”, he says. “Initially I occupied myself in an amateur way. I decided to take it up professionally about twelve years ago. I wanted to instil an appreciation for art in my children; as had happened with me. I always wanted to learn about the story behind… the lost treasure”, he adds. For he, himself, this treasure may be found in trash: as happened about five years ago, when the Athenian heirs to an apartment in the centre of town ordered workmen to clear the property. “The square was filled with gold and silver objects of inestimable value”, Mr Vavatsis remarks. Even though his interest in old items began fortuitously from his love of nature and art, he wants to ensure that his two sons, Alexandro and Andrea, carry on the profession of antique dealer. Rounding off our meeting, he tells me that the oldest item that has passed through his hands dates from 600 B.C.

At the old cobblers’ shops We change neighbourhood and from Venizelou Street go downhill toward Athonos Square. There, we meet Mr Lazaro Amarantidi, cobbler by trade. As he informs us, in the 50s and 60s his trade was considered one of the most lucrative. In the old days, cobblers, using wooden molds, would make shoes starting from scratch. Some produced the “Sunday Best” (luxury shoes), others the “village shoes” for out of town. Nowadays, those few still active in the trade restrict themselves to shoe repair. In his little workshop, pride of place is given to his last, the tool of the trade. “In the past, I sewed shoes for tradesmen. When, however, they closed because of the crisis, I opened a cobbler`s here a few decades ago. I have involved myself with shoes for going on fifty years. I had an uncle who had an assistant who decided to leave for Australia. So, my father sent me to my uncle to learn the trade. And I have never regretted it”, he remarks. As for the choice of where to open his shop, it was not a matter of luck, seeing that his uncle, the man who had introduced him to the trade, had his little shop right opposite! He considers his trade timeless and regrets the fact that he has no-one beside him to carry on with the job!

Iraklis and the seeds A few metres before the historic Government House building, where the Ministry of Macedonia – Thrace is located today, one can easily visit “Iraklis” (Hercules) which has been roasting nuts and seeds since 1939. Despite the fact that the original owner has died, the responsibility for the running of the business has been undertaken by his two sons, who right up to this day traditionally roast all types of dried nuts and seeds in wood-fired ovens. The story goes that Iraklis, according to his sons, had come from Pondus (Asia Minor) as a cook, in 1928. His first “port of call” was Piraeus. Partnered by a Serb, he would roast chick-peas and sell them. Afterwards, on coming to Thessaloniki, he opened his first shop where the “Loutra Paradisos” (the Paradise Public Baths) were located. From there, he moved to the square of the “Marmaradon” (Marble Workers), in the Ministry area, to finally settle in Olympou Street. As his son says, nearly everybody was a client of Iraklis` shop. “The kings aide-de-camp, Government ministers and Members of Parliament would come”, he notes. They adored his seeds which he roasted uniquely in a cast-iron cauldron; as, indeed, do those who carry on traditionally with the business.

The sweet smelling street With roasted pumpkin-seeds in my hands from “Iraklis”, I go down towards the port of Thessaloniki, which from 315 B.C. constitutes the natural gateway to the Balkan hinterland and other central European countries. It has always played a significant role in the commercial activity of the area. Just before arriving there, I wander around the narrow streets of Valaoritou, the old, well-known workshop neighbourhood. Most of the stores retain their traditional atmosphere. One, however, stands out in the Georgo Allamani arcade. On the outside is written “Cologne produced by us” and right next to it “Perfumery Lina”. As Vasilis Vasiliadis explains, his business originally was named “Nina”, which he was obliged to change because of a mistake made in printing the labels. Mr Vasiliadis has been making perfume since he was 12 years old. “Today, I am 89 and am carrying on. I took over this business from my father. Public interest in perfumes made by hand is steadily increasing. Our trade secret is the production of cologne. We import perfumes from France and Italy and then we contribute our skill”, Mr Vasiliades explains and stresses that, from the 60s until today, the whole of Thessaloniki has visited his store. I take the last of my roasted pumpkin-seed out of pocket. The Thessaloniki Port Passenger Terminal is almost in sight. For sure, I think, this place, too, has its own story to tell, behind its grey faded walls. In the same way, every corner of Thessaloniki, every little shop to be found on the ground floor of its big apartment block is trying to withstand time catching up on it and maintain its tradition! 74

sani marina, sani resort, halkidiki tel. 23740 31081

www.amazonia.gr

destination

A Multi-Coloured

Mosaic

A to u r of a place is of greater val u e when led b y those who know it well , that is to sa y , it ` s inhabitants , conversant with those little secrets which allow a traveller to get a taste of things it is diffic u lt for a to u rist to discover . L et u s follow them . By Nasia Efthymiou photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou)

Halkidiki possesses has a singular cultural fabric, with a mix of urban and rural elements. It is a place with real natural beauty, a gentle Mediterranean rhythm of life, up-to-date tourism infrastructure and hospitality which combines Nikos Kirlas

timeless Greek authenticity with

President of the Agricultural Cooperative of Nea Fokea

its age-old civilization.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nea Fokea is for me a place rich in local products and natural beauty. When somebody visits this region, he must certainly try the local cuisine, such as stuffed baby squash with tzatziki. It`ll be an unforgettable experience for himâ&#x20AC;?.

Sixteen people of this charismatic

peninsula introduce their land to us and present, through their special knowledge, the secrets of their region.

destination

Nikitas Stratos Owner of Safari Hellas, Kassandreia

“Halkidiki means nature, the environment, exploration. My dream is for people to become acquainted with the unique dovetailing of sea and mountain that the region conceals. Whoever wants to live close to the real natural wealth of the region must attempt a trip to the pine forest, the olive groves and the waterfalls by taking part in a “safari” that he will never forget”.

Georgios Kalimeris Athanasios Kalandaridis The Kalandarides Cheese-Making Unit, Simandra

Sofia Hliapa Tsipouro producer, Polygyros, Halkidiki

“Polygyros is the world to me. After years away studying abroad, I returned home to my father`s estate to utilize my knowhow by introducing new methods that facilitate the work I have inherited and love: the production of tsipouro. The first thing I would advise a traveller to do is visit the Palio Isto (the Old Web - known, too, as Old Polygyro), a traditional area with narrow streets where unexploited straw and stone houses are to be found. It`s a walk which takes you back to other times”.

“Halkidiki is the Promised Land. Because of the favourable climatic conditions existing in the area, all the products produced are of excellent quality. One should, without exception, taste all the culinary treasures produced here, from the sea (such as fish and other seafood) to the mountains (dairy and agricultural products)”.

Beef farmer – owner of the “Sykea” butcher`s shop

“Sykea is among the oldest villages in Halkidiki and one of those with the longest and most remarkable history. It (Sykea) is my childhood years, my training for this work beside my father, its nature and people. A visitor here will enjoy a landscape of unparalleled natural beauty and taste locally produced meat from the blonde breed of cattle, the only breed of its kind in the whole of Greece”.

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Zaharoula Vasilaki Ladopetra biological olive oil products, Polygyros

Marianna Kazaki

“Polygyros offers natural beauty, olive trees and tradition in the production and preparation of local products, from generation to generation. A visitor to our area must certainly try Halkidiki green olive oil, which is, as yet, the only such olive oil in the world to have Protected Designation of Origin status”.

Owner of the Kazaki Vineyards, Nea Gonia

“Nea Gonia is my second home. It`s a location with a favourable climate, near Thessaloniki and next to the sea. Every visitor to the area must try the renowned dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves) and take a guided tour of our estate, to follow the whole production procedure, from the very first stage with the gathering of the leaves”.

Fire protection for Kassandreia

"The first thing that a person visiting this area should do is swim in the very clean and blue sea and taste the very fresh fish at the little tavernas”.

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Father Ioannis Holy Church of Saint Irini, Nea Fokea

Anna Halkia In charge of the Cultural Society of Nea Kallikratia

“Nea Fokea is its people. Hospitable, warm-hearted, they have been doing whatever they can to benefit the local community from the first moment they found themselves in this region. Visitors to this area may enjoy our rich inheritance of ancient and religious monuments, as well as go for a walk in the quaint square with its traditional coffee-houses and shops”.

“Kallikratia is the place where my inspiration for and inclination towards dance was born and has matured year by year, until today. A stroll in the park and along the seafront is the first invigorating experience that a visitor has when coming to our area”.

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Nikos Aivaliotis

Dimitris Stogios

Coffee-shop owner, Nea Fokea

Teacher at the Elementary School of Nea Fokea

“Love, memories, a happy life, a dream. That`s what my place means to me. To a visitor I would propose he definitely see and enjoy the picturesque square in the late evening, go up to the Tower, and visit the Sani Resort 9 km. away with its beautiful marina, and also admire the view from the Sani Hill top with its Tower”.

“Nea Fokea personifies for me love for and faith in tradition. Life here is characterised by simplicity and genuine human kindness that have very deep cultural roots. The well-preserved Byzantine tower of Saint Paul, the picturesque little port and clean sea impress visitors of all ages who come to our village looking for tranquillity and serenity”.

Simonis Christidis Painter, Afitos

Dimitris Georgakas Georgaka Apiary, Arnaia

“Arnaia is a magical location, with tradition and a passion for work. All the products we produce here must be tasted by a visitor coming to the area for the first time. He should, above all, try the Mountovina (tsipouro from honey) and the traditional pollen-based products”.

“Afitos means everything to me. This is where I was born, grew up and experienced my first artistic stimulations and sensations. Its unique landscape, combining the sea and mountains, was the greatest source of inspiration for me. To a visitor I would propose a stroll through the narrow streets of the village to observe its architecture and feel the vibrations of past generations, those who stood as teachers for what we do today”.

Dimitris Koutsoulis President of the Cultural Society of Nea Fokea

“My land is for me a refuge for my soul. It calms me, relaxes me; and, wherever I may journey, on my return, I am even more convinced that I live in the most beautiful place in the world. When someone visits Nea Fokea for the first time, he should first see our archaeological and religious sites (the Tower, the Holy Water of Saint Paul, the monastic dependencies etc.) and then taste the seafood and the special local favours in the little tavernas in the square”.

“Ef Gevesthe” (Good Taste) Women`s Cooperative of Taksiarches

“Taksiarches to us means quality, civilization, belief in traditional values which blossom and thrive in harmony in its richly endowed natural environment. All the local and traditional products we produce (preserved fruit in a sweet syrup frumenty (crushed wheat boiled in milk and then dried), pasta, pies) are characterized by the incomparable, authentic taste from their pure ingredients, which a visitor must not miss trying”.

Thessaloniki

Mediterranean Cosmos

Pomegranate Hotel

Sani Resort

Ikos Olivia

32A, Tsimiski str. Tel.: 2310 222527

11o klm Thessaloniki - Moudania opposite "Public" Tel.: 2310 473 281-2

(Nea Moudania), Agios Mamas Kassandra, Halkidiki Tel.: 23730 43331

Sani Coast Kassandra, Halkidiki Tel.: 23740 31014

Gerakini, Toroneos Golf Halkidiki

destination

Wine tours

We travel to famous Greek vine growing areas.

Simple lessons for the good life

We stop off at renowned wineries.

from 9 wineries of Northern Greece.

We taste excellent wines at their point of production. And we become acquainted with the people who make them.

by maria netsika

Ktima Gerovassiliou

40°27'03.47"N 22°55'29.6"E

The Wine story: A well-known and much loved wine-maker, Vaggelis Gerovassiliou, for 4 decades now has been filling our glasses with choice wines of a high standard, many of which have become trendsetters. You are found: In Epanomi, Thessaloniki, on the shores of the Thermaikos Gulf, at an exquisite and, from a technological standpoint, outstandingly equipped unit, bordering on the turquoise sea and with a 500 stremmata (50 hectares, 123.6 acres) privately-owned vineyard. It houses an impressive Wine Museum and offers a superb programme of events. It is, indeed, a delight for the intellectual spirit and… the alcoholic spirit! The guided tour: Being led by the guides, you will pass through the vineyard before entering the production area. In the Wine Museum you will admire the huge collection of viniculture exhibits. In the underground maturation cellars, you will eavesdrop on the… breathing of the wines maturing in the oak barrels or reposing in their bottles. And you will complete your tour in the hospitable wine tasting rooms.

Ktima Arvanitidi

G reek

Whites

…

Reds

…

grapes in N orthern G reece

Athiri delicate wines with a light lemon fragrance Assyrtiko flaky acidity, rich, with the fragrance of lemon blossom and citrus fruits Malagousia fragrant wines Roditis light wines, easy on the palate, with the sweet smell of fresh citrus fruits, apples and pears

Limnio this red grape produces rich wines with welcoming sharpness Xinomavro red wines with a singular complexity, supreme bouquet and tastiness

Highlight: The owner`s personal collection of 1,300 tire-bouchons (corkscrews), among the rarest in the world. Varieties: Whites: Malagousia, Assyrtiko, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier. Reds: Limnio, Mavroudi, Mavrotragano, Syrah, Grenach Rouge, Merlot The special qualities of the wines: Whites, rich and fruity with a wonderful freshness. Exuberant luxuriant reds with body and density. Must try: Malagousia 2014, Syrah 2010, Avaton 2011 Info Epanomi, Thessaloniki, Tel: 23920 44567, e-mail: ktima@gerovassiliou.gr Open to visitors: Mon-Tue- Thu-Fri: 10.00–16.00, Wed: 13.00-19.00, Sat: Closed, Sun: 11.00-17.00. Entrance Fee: 5€, reduced ticket: 2€ www.gerovassiliou.gr

40°44'21.31" N 23°23'13.42" E

The Wine story: The agronomist Thanasis Arvanitidi and his brother Georgos set up, where there had been the old family grapevines, a new modern vineyard of 10 stremmata (1 hectare, 2.46 acres). Today, they cultivate 50 stremmata (5 hectares, 12.3 acres), making their wine exclusively from their vineyard grapes. You are found: at Askos, Thessaloniki, a serene mountain village in the Thessaloniki Prefecture. The key to the quality of the estate`s wine is the time that Thanasis personally spends in his vineyards. Moreover, at its 550 metre altitude the temperature differential between day and night, particularly during the summer period, is ideal for the development of the fragrant profile of the grapes. The guided tour: They will explain everything about the cultivation of the vines, wine-making and maturing, then progress to the charming “garage winery”. You will decode the secrets of wine tasting, relishing colours, fragrances, and tastes on the veranda of the lush green estate.

Highlight: Don’t miss the chance to try the incredibly delicious kasseri cheese from Sohou. Varieties: Whites: Chardonnay. Reds: Xinomavro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah. The special qualities of the wines: Delicate whites and harmonious reds, “mirrors” of the grapes from which they are made. Must try: Malagousia 2014, Chardonnay 2014, Xinomavro 2012 Info

Askos, Thessaloniki, Tel: 23950 61626, e-mail: info@arvanitidis-winery.gr Open to visitors: by appointment www.arvanitidis-winery.gr

E. Tsantali

40°20'26.31" B 23°03'40.17" E

The Wine story: The Tsantali family has been making wine and distilling tsipouro and ouzo since 1890. Today, its third generation continues to produce wine from its vineyards at Rapsani Olympus, Naoussa, on the hillsides of Halkidiki, on the slopes of Mount Athos and, famed from the age of Odysseus, Maronia Thrace. You are found: in central Halkidiki, at Agio Pavlo. Around us we see the rows of vines, on the left and right of the highway. They extend along hillocks beside the sea, which with its cooling breeze tempers the extreme summer temperatures. The guided tour: You will follow a comprehensive tour of the production and ageing areas and distillery, prior to arriving at the specially arranged room for the tasting of wine, tsipouro and grape distillates. Highlight: The traditional alembics slowly distil the ouzo or tsipouro in accordance with the secret Tsantali family recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation for over 100 years.

Boutari

Info Agios Pavlos Halkidiki, telephone 23990 76100, e-mail: info@tsantali.gr Open to visitors: Mon – Fri: by appointment www.tsantali.gr

40°36'09.88" N 22°07'35.27" E

The Wine story: A famous Macedonian winery with a long history. Its presence in the wine domain dates from 1879. Today it produces wine in almost every significant viniculture zone in the country. You are found: in Naoussa, one of the most famed Greek vine growing regions, celebrated for its red wines. The fundamental element in explaining this success was – and will always be – the Xinomavro (grape), the most eclectic red variety of the northern Greek vineyards. It`s the ecosystem that brings about this favourable result! The secret is its attractive sharpness and tannins. The guided tour: You will be guided around the main production centre of the winery, prior to sitting in the comfortable armchairs to watch the multi-media presentation “The Places Where the Xinomavro is found”, a virtual journey to the vinicultural areas where the famed grape is cultivated. 100

Varieties: Whites: Roditis, Sauvignon Blanc Reds: Xinomavro, Grenache Rouge, Cabernet Sauvignon The special qualities of the wines: Vibrant whites with a fruity fragrance. A fruity rosé. Smooth, fresh reds. Must try: Klima Klima 2014, Adamasto 2013, Metoxi X red 2011.

Highlight: At the sales point you will find, among others, old vintage wines. Varieties: Reds: Xinomavro, Merlot, Syrah The special qualities of the wines: The delicate charm of the red wines bear witness to the years of Boutari`s experience in Naoussa Must try: Naoussa 2014, Grande Reserve Naoussa 2010, 1879

Info Stenimachos, Imathia, telephone 23320 41666, e-mail: naoussa-winery@boutari.gr Open to visitors: Mon - Fri: 09.00 – 17.00 www.boutari.gr

Kir Gianni

40°40'18.19" B 22°03'26.22" E

The Wine story: This is the estate of Gianni Boutari, the incumbent Mayor of Thessaloniki, whose creativity and the planting of the Xinomavro variety toward the end of the 60s, marked the return of viniculture to the whole region and, in effect, brought about the renaissance of Naoussa wine. You are found: on a serene slope of Mount Vermio, at Giannakohori, at the highest point (280 – 300 metres) of the Naoussa region. A great deal of importance is placed on the work undertaken in the vineyard because, as they say: “the whole game is played there and in the synchronization between the vineyard and the wine-making”. The guided tour: In the background, the slopes with the vines obediently making their way upwards. Vines in the foreground as well. Amidst them is “Koula”, a tower which has been designated as a work of art due to its historical and architectural merit. And for those trying the dark-coloured wines, the tasting room is ideal for discussions about wine.

Biblia Chora Estate

Info Giannakohori Naoussa, telephone 23320 51100, e-mail: info@kiryianni.gr Open to visitors: by appointment www.kiryianni.gr

40°48'46.45" B 23°59'42.83" E

The Wine story: Created by the well-known enologist - wine–maker Vaggelis Gerovassiliou and enologist Vassili Tsaktsarli. Isiodos, Theoktitos, and Michael Psellos called it Biblia or Biblini Chora, so from these we have the present name of the estate. You are found: in Kokkinohori, Kavala, on the south-eastern foothills of Mount Pangeo. Here the grapevines are touched by the refreshing breeze from the Strymonic Gulf, while the mountain protects them from the cold northerly winds. The soil is rocky, infertile and well-drained. The guided tour: takes you to the wine-making and bottling areas with… a forest of stainless steel tanks and high-tech machinery. There are underground wine cellars with oak barrels as well as comfortable and attractive rooms for wine-tasting and hospitality. This gleaming and elegant winery is the epitome of good taste and a model of modern technology. 102

Highlight: Purchase the vinegar and vine-leaves produced by them. Varieties: Reds: Xinomavro, Melot, and Syrah The special qualities of the wines: Reds of the “younger generation” smoother, modern. Yummy wines! Must try: Ramnista 2011, Diaporos 2011, Giannakohori 2011

Highlight: the view from the veranda at the entrance. Varieties: Whites: Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Gewürtzaminer. Reds: Agioritiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah The special qualities of the wines. The whites have a fragrant intensity; and the reds, incredible colours and a clean, modern style. Must try: Biblia Chora White 2014, Ovilos red 2011, Glykis white

Info Kokkinohori, Kavala, telephone 25920 44974, e-mail: ktima@bibliachora.gr Open to visitors: Mon - Fri: 09.00 – 14.00 by appointment www.bibliachora.gr

destination

Techni Oinou Estate

Alfa Estate

40°91'61.59" Β 24°62'65.41" Ε

The Wine story: Founded by engineers Yiannis Papadopoulos and Yiannis Kalaitzides who methodically and with determination set up a 260 stremmata (26 hectares, 64.2 acres) vineyard. Their wines quickly won the hearts of the friends of good wine. You are found: at Mikrohori, in the vinicultural region of Drama which stands out for its excellent wineries, wines with great personality and the… army of top class producers dedicated to the quality and good taste of their wines. The guided tour: The stylish, modern winery will bring you closer to the magical world of wine. You will set out from building 1 recognising the necessity for contemporary functional infrastructure in the production process and wind up in building 2, in the spacious wine–tasting room. The two buildings communicate by way of an underground passage which has been converted to a wine-maturing cellar. Highlight: The “Techni Alypias” (that is, the art of helping people forget their worries) range of wines which has become much loved.

Varieties: Whites: Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay. Reds: Agioritiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache Rouge, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Touriga Nacional The special qualities of the wines: Vibrant whites, and rosé with emphasis on the fruitiness. Deeply-coloured, dense reds. Must try: Techni Alypias white 2014, Idisma Drios Assyrtiko 2013, Idisma Drios Syrah 2010 Info Mikrohori, Drama, Τel: 25210 83626, e-mail: info@wineart.gr Open to visitors: by appointment. www.wineart.gr

40°41'40.12" B 21°42'24.38" E

The Wine story: Founded by the enologist Agelos Iatridis and the viniculturist Maki Mavridi, each an authority in his sphere. Their philosophy: that in the excellent soil and climate terroir of Amyntaio the individual merely plays a prescriptive role in the manifestation of the potential of the ecosystem. You are found: in Amyntaio, at the most northerly Greek vineyard. Here those who tend the vineyard make the long hours of work lighter because of the beauty of the tranquil lakes and the mist-covered high mountains. And in a magical way, that same wild beauty we find in their wines. The guided tour: The tour and the tasting of the top wines demonstrates the attention they give to the finest detail. We depart full of wonderful images, taking with us a little of the tranquillity and the age-old rhythm of nature. Highlight: The vineyard, a model both in terms of facilities and management; a major and pioneering investment.

Varieties: Whites: Malagousia, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Grewürztraminer. Reds: Xinomavro, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Tannat The special qualities of the wines: Based on the New World models, they are distinctive for their strong fruity and exuberant taste. Must try: Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Xinomavro Vieilles Vignes 2010, Omega 2009

Info Amyntaio Florina, Tel: 238+602011, e-mail : info@alpha-estate.gr Open to visitors: by appointment www.alpha-estate.com

What to watch out for during your vinicultural investigations: Pavlidis Estate

40°40'18.19" B 22°03'26.22" E

The Wine story: The estate was founded by the businessman, Christoforos Pavlidis, who continues on his successful way along the wine road. It is considered one of the most ambitious wine-making operations in Greece. You are found: at Kokinogia, Drama, the foothills of Mount Falakro on the road to the ski resort and the Aggitis Cave. The terroir as you may gather from the name, is a full-blooded red clay. The climate is classically dry and hot. In the late afternoons a light wind always blows, a current from the mountain which wafts away the damp and diseases. The guided tour: You will be led through the gleaming and spacious areas that hold very up-to-date equipment. Austere lines, totally modern, refer you directly to the New World wineries. Your tour will end at the impressive wine-tasting room in the basement, where, with the barrels in view, you will taste the estate’s wines.

Highlight: The charm of the facilities! It`s an aspect of their wines. Varieties: Whites: Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay Reds: Agioritiko, Tempranillo, Syra The special qualities of the wines: They stand out for their modern style and exuberance. Must try: Thema rosé 2014, Emphasis Assyrtiko 2013, Tempranillo 2010

Have a good breakfast and begin your excursion with a full stomach!

Don`t flinch from asking questions. Wine producers and wine-people love talking about it.

Don`t be afraid of trying new labels and little known products. You will be impressed by the intensity of joy coming from an unexpected discovery!

Don`t swallow the wine you taste. Use the spittoons you find in all the wine tasting rooms.

Between the wine tasting drink some water!

Info Kokinogia, Drama, Tel: 25210 58300, e-mail: info@ktima-pavlidis.gr Open to visitors: by appointment www.ktima-pavlidis.gr We would like to thank the wineries for granting us their archive photos.

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destination

THE BOUTARIS WINERY IN SANTORINI

Wineries with the stamp of Boutari The seven Boutari wineries are cornerstones in the development of Greek vinification from 1879 to the present day; six of these in Greece and one in France, with their singular advantage and terms of reference being the know-how and superiority of the company in the field of vinification. Seven wineries that have safeguarded Greek grape varieties, made them known and gained distinctions all over the world for wines from them. We invite you to look around three of them, so as to become aware of the “richness” they possess which makes them so unique.

THE BOUTARI WINERY IN NAOUSSA Follow the signs leading you to Naoussa, the most famous wine-producing region in Macedonia, the home of the deeply coloured PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wine. Around us, on the eastern foothills of Mt. Vermion, are the Xinomavro variety vineyards with their tall linear contours, beautiful long rows that line the hills and slopes. Before us is the Boutari Winery: among the most historic Greek wineries, a special focal point in the evolution of wine-making in one of its most important homelands, that of Macedonia. It is a large unit, the major production centre of the Macedonia winery, with its age-old history. We will follow a guided tour of its facilities that constitutes the most effective introduction to the history and philosophy of the Boutari company, seeing that it is from here, some 136 years ago, that the company set out on its journey to make Greek wine known both at home and abroad; and, to this day, it is in the vanguard concerning Greek wine-making. Wine-making, ageing, barrels, bottles. In its historic cellar, one of the largest wine-ageing cellars in Greece, the wines relax in more than 3,000 barrels. And in the charming little theatre, encircled by recumbent bottles, you will watch the multi-media presentation entitled “The Xinomavro Areas”, a virtual journey to the three vinicultural zones (Naoussa – Goumenissa – Amyntaio) where the renowned grape is cultivated, which also serves as… a lesson in wine-tasting. Following that, we exit to the gorgeous reception hall to taste the wines and try local food specialities. On our way out, we may purchase wines of old and recent vintages, experimental wines from the company`s private vineyards, books, wine-related accessories, and so on.

Boutari Wine Deposit Boxes A specialized service provided by the winery is the Boutari Wine Deposits, a preservation service for wine from your own collection that you wish to age and leave in trust for the future in your personal deposit box. Give your choice a symbolic aspect – thereby commemorating a significant time in your life with the vintage of that year or take advantage of the specialist Boutari enologists who will readily advise you concerning the most appropriate vintages for ageing. With your order, you obtain a personal deposit box at the Boutari winery in Naoussa and receive certification of ownership. In this way, you can rest assured that your wine is stored under ideal preservation conditions in the care of the company`s enologist.

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THE BOUTARIS WINERY IN CRETE

The active involvement of the Boutari Company with the Santorini vineyard, one of the very few not to have suffered from phylloxera, commenced in the mid-1980s. Under the perceptive eye of an experienced Greek wineproducer it pinpointed yet another significant vinicultural zone with great potential and the prospect of wine of very high quality being produced. Its main objective was to lay down and prescribe all the quality requirements for the production of PDO Santorini and apply wine-making techniques hitherto unknown there. And, in 1989, its winery commenced operation, playing a leading role in the island’s vinicultural development. All this and much more concerning the Assyrtiko, the choice grape of the Santorini vineyard that is evolving into an international ‘’diva’’, you will discover by making a visit to the Boutari winery. You`ll find it on the road to Faro, after Akrotiri. It can easily be spotted because of its characteristic white domed roof. The guided tour includes the tasting of both Santorini wine and local food products; and a journey through the island`s history and the renaissance of Santorini`s vineyards is achieved by way of a sound and image multi-media show. We discover the magical atmosphere of Santorini from a unique wine experience, bathed in Aegean light!

The Boutaris winery in Crete is housed outside the village of Skalani, on the Fantaxometocho Estate. Just 8 kilometres from the centre of Heraklion and 4 kilometres from the archaeological site of Knossos, it is the jewel of the Archanes vinicultural zone. The Fantaxometoho Estate, literally meaning “the ‘metohi’ (monastery dependency) of the phantoms”, owes its name to the efforts of a previous owner to save it from pirate raids by spreading the word that ghosts dwelt on the estate. At its facilities there await you a substantially stocked wine cellar, a special video viewing room for a very special journey into the history of Crete, and a superb tasting room where you may try select local wines and discover the secrets of the Mediterranean diet. And all this takes place with the captivating Fantaxometocho Estate vineyard in the background.

info

www.boutari.gr S T E N ι M A H O S I M AT H I A S Τel. +30 23320 41666 naoussa.winery@boutari.gr Open to visitors: Mon.- Fri. 09:00-17:00 and by arrangement M EG ALO H O R I SAN TO R INI Τel. +30 22860 81011, 81607 santorini.winery@boutari.gr Open to visitors: Daily: 10:00-18:00 SK AL ANI, HERAKLION CRE TE Τel. +30 2810 731617 crete.winery@boutari.gr Open to visitors: Mon.- Fri.: 09:00-17:00 and by arrangement

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Sani life

sani life

Live

the

dream A leis u rel y sta y in a l u x u rio u s environment , a plethora of activities , c u lt u ral diversions , s u nshine and a cr y stal clear sea . A sta y at S ani R esort holds man y s u rprises .

Sani Resort is neither an ordinary resort nor an everyday destination. It projects a new getting away from it all philosophy, with personal well-being as the main consideration. Where the individual comes in contact with nature, in an environment of unrivalled charm, refinement and natural beauty, Sani Resort provides an allembracing holiday proposition for those seeking unique experiences. It is an ecological refuge of 4,500 stremmata (450 hectares - just over 1,100 acres), with breath-taking nature, blue waters, and unparalleled views, four luxury hotels, luxury holiday homes, an ultramodern marina, three outstanding spas, fivestar service and incomparable benefits, not to mention cultural, gastronomic and athletic pursuits whose vehicles are the Sani Festival, Sani Gourmet and Sani Cup.

photo: Sani Resort Archive 112

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Σ Υ Νsani Ε Ν Τ Εlife ΥΞΗ

w h at ' s n e w at s a n i r e s o r t

aw a r d s f o r s a n i r e s o r t

What follows are a few of the highlights of the season:

h igh l igh t s Heated outdoor pools Every main outdoor pool in all our hotels is from this point on heated, making each of them ideal for those of you who wish to thoroughly enjoy your swim in the open air throughout the season.

new restaur a nt The only Caviar Restaurant in Greece, the elegant Byblos Caviar is the latest addition to the list of refined food service establishments. Our distinguished guests will be able to dine in the sophisticated surroundings and savour a “royal” menu with the best kinds of caviar in the world, served in both traditional and unconventional ways. There is, too, a tempting choice of choice of shell-fish and luxury smoked fish.

Porto Sani Village Carrying on the excellent work from the previous season, Porto Sani Village presents a new section with three-room family suites. Further, fresh “brushstrokes” in the rooms are the newly installed Smart TVs, as well as the new outdoor furniture on the balconies and verandas. Guests will appreciate the Artemis restaurant more than ever following its refurbishing, while at the Sea Breeze bar all the furniture has been replaced, creating an even more pleasant environment for delightful moments of relaxation and entertainment. For Spa Suite guests, the thermal area has been extended with the addition of warm marble, while the furnishings have been upgraded with new seats, ideal for relaxation, and a new couples cabin has been added. For guests looking to keep in good shape there is a superb new gym, with a new open space for yoga lessons and a view over the verdant gardens.

Sani Beach Hotel The Sani Beach Hotel welcomes the summer season with a new wing of one and two-bedroomed family suites. Modern, luxurious and extremely elegant, they ideally complement the already impressive variety of accommodation.

Numerous innovative offerings have been prepared for our younger guests, such as Porto Sani Village from now on having available its own Melissa Crèche and Mini Club. Exclusively for our guests and those of the Sani Asterias Suites, nursery rooms, rooms for toddlers, sleeping rooms, children`s thematic areas and a kitchen are available.

t our i sm awa r d s 2 01 5

ISO 14 0 01

TRAVE L I FE G OL D AWARD

Endless is the recognition of Sani Resort by international bodies. Tourism Awards 2015, has presented the Resort with its Gold award, in the “Initiatives for the Protection of the Environment” category. The same organization has selected the Tomata restaurant for the Silver award in the “Innovative Restaurant Concept” category.

IS0 14001 has proved to be the gold standard for environmental quality systems and its application is evaluated annually be TUV Austria, the independent certification body which insures the conformance of Sani Resort and all the hotel units with the designated standards, as well as the ambitious yearly objectives of the organization in the environmental sphere.

The travelife award is granted to hotels and resorts based on their performance in relation to Travelife`s strict sustainability criteria. All Sani Resort`s hotels have received the highest distinction, the Travelife Gold Award.

TripAdvisor awards

best family resort in

1. Sani Beach Hotel was chosen as one of the Top 5 hotels in the world for families, one of the Top 5 hotels in Europe for families, and one of the Top 5 hotels in Greece for families.

the world

2. Sani Asterias Suites was chosen as one of the Top 25 hotels in Greece, one of the Top 5 hotels in Greece for families and, finally, one of the Top 5 luxury hotels in Greece. 3. Porto Sani Village was chosen as one of the Top 25 hotels in Greece, one of the Top 5 hotels in Greece for families, and finally, one of the Top 5 luxury hotels in Greece

The TripAdvisor awards… are based on millions of real, objective testimonials

service and high quality. It is according to these criteria that Tripadvisor has based its awards to

Sani Asterias Suites

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Sani Resort has been honoured this year by the KPMG Company for its Sani Green environmental programme. This is a significant international distinction since the Sani Green programme is the result of a huge effort on the part of its staff, who undergo a minimum of two hours onthe-job training concerning environmental topics.

The activities include the following ecological programmes: · The forest of Sani · The birds of Sani · The sea and sand dunes

Adventures at Sani

having as their criteria the quality value, unrivalled

resorts in the world.

The new innovative “brushstrokes” and improvements continue, this time at the Sani Beach Club, including the refurbishing and extension of the gym and addition of Smart TVs in all the rooms. Also a fresh addition is the new restaurant by the pool.

Best People Management Initiative Award for Community Involvement

The Sani Explorers programme affords an ideal opportunity for children aged between 4 and 11 to enjoy Sani`s unique natural environment. The little explorers will have the opportunity to participate in indoor and outdoor activities, with games, rambles and the exploration of nature: an excellent and edifying way of having fun.

and opinions of travellers from all over the world,

Sani Resort, recognising it as one of the outstanding

Sani Beach Club

Awarded by Condé Nast Traveller RU

Eco lo g i c a l Ac tivities Programme

The modern improvements to the rooms will make your stay even more comfortable, with the addition of make-up mirrors, various mirrors, as well as new bathroom-hangers and bathtubs with jacuzzis that transform a hot shower into a ritual. Moreover, new materials and linen ware now adorn the Water Bar and Water Restaurant.

Green Key for Sani Resort For the use of sustainable methods of operation and the practice of its business activities with ecologically sound means.

Sani Art Classes

There is always so much at Sani for the whole family, but this year we have added something more for aspiring artists of all ages. Thus, Sani Art lessons are available for the whole family and will be held at Sani Beach Hotel`s Ammos beach, during July and August.

We do not want teenagers to miss the chance of exploring the unique natural environment and for this reason an opportunity is given to all children aged between 12 and 17 to also have this special experience. They can participate in protecting the environment by taking part in entertaining outdoor activities, observing nature from up close as well as undertaking the following citizen scientist programmes: · Cycling and birds · The Sea and Science

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An experience in one's mind's

eye

T ina M andilara recalls moments she lived at the S ani R esort and concl u des with the obvio u s : the y are not connected with holi da y s b u t rather with e x periences . F ollow , step b y step , her remi niscences and y o u will be to u ched b y her sentiments .

Sani is not a location: it is personal experience, total immersion, a moment captured in the nerve cells and called forth all year round to do away with unpleasant thoughts. Neither is it just a holiday location but a total recall of the lost land of the good life. You don’t comprehend “living well” here just from the quality of the jazz music on the hill, the biological raw materials, respect for the environment, the smile of the staff. You feel it from the invisible hand that catches hold of you tightly and guides you to:

Bousoulas beach where unpleasant thoughts are scattered over the infinite azure that stretches away before you. You sink the soles of your feet into the pure white sand, dive into the crystal clear waters, empty your mind of circumspection, gazing for hours at the sea shimmering in the midday light. You relax on the comfortable sunbed; and when you feel hungry you order a superb, huge club sandwich (specially served in a wicker basket). And don`t leave for your room before feeling the touch of the late afternoon breeze as you drink a refreshing Aperol.

Sani Hill means Sani Festival. If you haven`t yet enjoyed one of the concerts performed by great names from throughout the world, literally from the observation point of the musical universe, then you haven`t lived yet. Just imagine finding yourself on the hilltop, surveying from all points the open sea, the sun disappearing below the horizon, the crickets audible in the background, with you, chilled beer in hand, sinking into your seat, your frock flapping softly in the invigorating light breeze and your heart beginning to beat loudly as you hear those first notes, transforming a personal experience into something absolutely mystical. Here, even the performers are transformed – you will hear them express their thanks in Greek to the universe that brought them to the hill. Whichever way you look at it, a great part of Sani means Sani Festival.

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Even if you don`t like gourmet lists and don`t know who has been awarded most distinctions and chef hats, you can`t help but recognize on visiting it that there is something special about the Sea You Up Japanese restaurant. Simply by taking a bite of the grilled octopus, you think you are in touch with God (I personally realised exactly how the great mystics feel). Also order nigiri with sea bass and then perceive why it is nothing like any suchi you have previously tasted. Moreover, relish the ceremonial and the incredible view “served” before you on the superb veranda together with dishes probably of the highest quality you have ever tasted. An absolute must!

Here we are: the cinema paradiso in its supreme form. It is because the open-air cinema located at the heart of Sani Resort reminds you of this; with its elegant bougainvillea, innumerable plants and flowers, and the same traditional architectural design as those outdoor summer cinemas that haunt our memories. Wonderfully nostalgic, soothing and beautiful: exactly as in your dreams. And, to be sure, they will, to an even greater extent, remain vividly in your mind after your departure from Sani.

Tina Mandilara was born and brought up in Athens. She graduated from the Athens University School of Philology, travelled widely, and following her post-graduate studies in England (Aesthetic Theory at Essex University and Political Theory at LSE) returned to her homeland to transmute her obsessions into a profession: to translate books by her beloved authors and write texts related to books and culture for periodicals and newspapers. She is editor–in–chief of the Cultural Section for the “Proto Thema” newspaper and a book critic for the free press publication “Lifo”.

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sani life

Sustenance

for

the intellect W ith a renowned international m u sic festival

and man y parallel c u lt u ral activities ,

a S ani R esort holida y is a c u lt u ral jo u rne y with partic u larl y significant stop - overs .

photos: Sani Resort Archive, Minos Alhanati, Heidi Serafimidou

t the Sani Resort, holidays do not have the typical dimension of relaxation beside the sea, since a serious cultural aspect has been given that brings guests in contact with many art forms: from the most significant privately run festival in the country, the Sani Festival, organised every July and August for the last 23 consecutive years, with events covering classical music and jazz to Entechni (Art Popular) Greek but also the theatre, cinema, dance, as well as avant-garde performing arts, and thematic art exhibits, such as Varotsos` sculptures and Varlamis` paintings.

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m usica l

reams

programme 2015

JAZZ ON THE HILL Saturday 11.07

Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke & Eric Harland friday 17.07

Hugh Coltman – SHADOWS, songs of Nat King Cole Saturday 18.07

Kurt Elling – Passion World

SOUNDS OF THE WORLD friday 31.07

Salif Keita – Acoustic Project

GREEK VARIATIONS Saturday 25.07

PLAY – Elli Paspala, Vassilikos Saturday 08.08

CHRONOS – Dimitra Galani a musical performance inspired by great Greek poets and composers friday 14.08

THE OTHER SIDE OF GREECE – Filippos Pliatsikas & the Symphony Orchestra of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, conducted by Haris Iliadis www.sanifestival.gr

Hank Jones, Ahmad Jamal, Ray Brown, Abbey Linkoln, Charlie Haden, Cassandra Wilson, Cesaria Evora, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Arturo Sandoval, Charles Lloyd, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tord Gustavsen, Lizz Wright, Yaron Herman, Youn Sun Nah, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Brad Mehldau, Esbjorn Svensson, Omar Sosa, Milton Nascimento, Peter Greenaway, Michel Legrand, Alison Moyet, Nikos Papazoglou, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Eleni Karaindrou, Alkisitis Protopsalti, Stavros Xarchakos, Thanos Mikroutsikos ...are just a few of the famous names that have left their mark by appearing at the Sani Festival, the only private-sector initiative international festival in Greece with such a significant presence both at home and abroad, a valued institution in our country’s cultural setting with its uninterrupted 23 year existence. Rarely has a private-sector initiative cultural institution reached such a level of completeness, originality and innovation, with regard to the choice of artists, as at the Sani Festival. Its ever faithful public, outstanding participants, excellent organization, international impact, and ongoing renewal bear witness to this. In that spirit, the objective of the programme for this, its 23rd year, is for audiences to become acquainted with new, up-and-coming, as well as acknowledged Jazz artists, in a thematic area related to the jazz crooners (the male vocalists of this form of jazz), including Hugh Coltman, who, despite being relatively young in years (born in 1972), is one of the most promising crooners, an incredible voice performing his versions of Nat King Cole songs. This year, Kurt Elling, one of the best-known scat singers, an outstanding crooner with many distinctions and awards, is ascending Sani Hill for a single concert. Under the thematic umbrella of ‘Sounds of the World - a dedication to the music of the world’, we welcome the hugely talented musician from the African continent, Salif Keita. As far as the greek concerts are concerned, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy one (or all) of them in order to have the best experience of what greek music is today. The Sani Festival has a singular aspect which differentiates it from other kindred festivals: it has succeeded in initiating fruitful performer-audience communication and interaction within a broad social context, since, thanks to the uniqueness of the way it is organised, it brings under the same roof many different cultures from all corners of the world. After 23 years of existence, the Festival needs no introductions. It suffices for one to be reminded of the magical scene under the stars on Sani Hill, with the music of the world becoming the accompaniment to our dreams.

SANI BEACH CLUB, SANI RESORT, +30 23740 31764 V.I.P. Services: +30 698 111 55 66 123

G ramm y winner K u rt E lling is considered a c u lt u ral s y mbol in the U S A and is one of the greatest ja z z singers of o u r times . O n J u ly 1 8 th , the S ani F estival a u dience will have the opport u nit y to enjo y his sing u lar concert on S ani H ill , within the

Kurt Elling Musical Roads

You have been called a “legend” in the jazz music world. How well does this represent you? I am far too young to consider myself a legend in any shape or form. I`m simply a guy who loves music, loves to sing and works very hard at it. I hope that I am of service to music and make some people happy. Which has been the most significant moment in your career, one that you will never forget? Probably the things that happened when I started out, when Bruce Lundvall discovered me and I signed up for Blue Note Records. What kinds of thoughts and emotions are uppermost in your mind and heart when you are on stage? Usually, if I`m thinking of something, it`s connected with being focused on my effort to sing well while maintaining contact with my audience. I observe the people listening to the music below and attempt to satisfy their musical desires. How do you define music, jazz in particular? Jazz is a modern music form, based to a substantial degree on improvisation. It looks to the future, yet is continually influenced by its history and by all who have been in its service. Which individuals have influenced you the most? Mark Murphy was for sure my “window” on how to learn the broader spectrum of the potential of jazz. He, himself has a very extensive collection of superb jazz records and continues to break fresh ground. Frank Sinatra is THE paradigm when it comes to swing music and physical stage presence for all those clever enough to know where to look. Betty Carter, too, during her lifetime, was the epitome of the female jazz singer, the ultimate artist, band leader as well as businesswoman. Al Jarreau at his best is the greatest source of inspiration and the ultimate exponent of swing that one could ever see and hear. Joe Williams is the one who brought an unrivalled finesse and natural masculinity to Blues-Jazz singing. Naturally, there is Ella Fitzgerald, who combined the sensitivity of the singer with the art of improvisation, making each verse she sang appear to be the most natural and necessary thing in the world. Eddie Jefferson devised a new art form “Vocalese”, in which a solo 124

framework of the J a z z on T he H ill programme .

by nasia efthimiou

instrumental is transformed into lyrical verse. Tony Bennett continues to stir each and every audience with his ability to effortlessly give his all on stage. Andy Bey constitutes the epitome of artistry that is acute, vital and replete with sensitivity and in a higher class of its own. I also listened to, the then up and coming, Chet Baker. He is an outstanding teacher who proved that the addition of the minimum of elements can make an excellent song communicate deeply with his audience. Of course, none of all the above could have happened without Louis Armstrong. He was our guiding light, incorporating song into the all-embracing awareness of an instrumentalist. He was a superb musician and improviser at all levels. He was “transparent” to his public. That`s why he became everybody`s “friend”. What do you hope your audience will experience at your Sani Festival concert this summer? Joy Have you previously visited Greece? I had the pleasure of performing in Greece in 2009. Since that time, I have been waiting with great eagerness for the next opportunity. Which is your favourite summer destination? Wherever my music takes me, as long as I`m with my wife and child. That`s where I find my greatest fulfilment.

sani life

Greek identity

sani marina . T he classic image of G reek holida y s in miniat u re , for y o u to sense all the magic of the G reek s u mmer .

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A jewel of the Sani Resort, the marina (an official member of Camper and Nicholsons 1782 Club) guarantees secure mooring throughout the year as it provides installations and services of an exceptionally high standard, while every season offering unrivalled privileges to those who select it. For the resort`s guests, now, its surrounding area, fashioned to give the sense of a seaside village, gives new semantic meaning to the concept of the good life.

Restaurants with international and Mediterranean cuisine, Greek tavernas and ouzeri (eating places where ouzo accompanied by traditional Greek snacks are served), bars and cafĂŠs, galleries and shops, an outdoor cinema, bookshop - all combine to form a unique, very lively environment with a cosmopolitan air. Enjoy shopping in the elegant boutiques, purchase clothes, jewellery, and accessories with the signature of famous designers, live life without a guilty conscience!

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Underwater

S ani R esort provides with its sc u ba diving lessons a u ni q u e opport u nit y for e x ploration of the sea world of H alkidiki .

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ex plora tion

For admirers of the sea bed, beginners and advanced, the Sani Beach Club`s Sea World Diving Centre is the largest authorized PADI 5 Star IDC Diving Centre / Gold Palm Resort in Northern Greece. A diving centre fully equipped with the latest technology, it follows international safety and education standards, providing services of the highest quality. Its well-trained staff will accompany you on the most fascinating underwater routes of the area, planned by diving specialists.

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CASTING OFF A N E W I N I T I AT I V E F R O M S A N I R E S O R T, T H E S A N I C U P, I S C O M I N G TO . . . M A K E WAV E S

A new regatta of international prominence in Greek waters is being inaugurated this year, initiated by the Sani Resort. The Sani Cup will be staged on the turquoise blue shores of the resort and it strictly involves Match Racing; a demanding racing series that is the ultimate challenge for sea sport athletes. Between May 1st to 3rd, 2015 as a joint venture with the Hellenic Match Racing Tour, the "Sani Cup â&#x20AC;&#x201C; HMRT 2015" will bring to the waters of Chalkidiki exceptional, international yachtsmen, Greek Olympic medallists, and World and European champions, who will all display their skills in the spirit of good sportsmanship. The event aspires to become an established annual fixture in the Greek sailing calendar and will include more than 120 consecutive onshore races, short in distance and duration. Emphasis will be placed on handling, speed, and tactics, while the ultimate goal is to produce a breathtaking spectacle. Staged only 100m from the marina, these races are intended for viewing not only the sailing enthusiasts, but also the uninitiated, all of whom will appreciate the exceptional skills displayed and easily discern the final winner.

Dat es :

1 - 3.5.2015

E n t r i es :

12 teams

B oat s :

Platu-25 The spectators will include clients of the Sani Resort, specially invited guests, and a large number of outside visitors. Over the three days of the event, a seminar will take place on the subject of Match Racing with the participation of renowned experts in the field. Two reception parties will also be held: the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony with the Cup's award, in the presence of special guests.

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T r ack :

2 x mirroring tracks, length 150m., approx. 50-100m. off the shore

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SAILING Academy

at the sani marina

Sani Marina joins forces with the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki and announces the inauguration of a Sailing Academy. With the introduction of the Optimist class, Sani Marina aims at attracting the seafaring interest of both the younger Sani Resort visitors and residents from the surrounding area. The Academy`s lessons are to be carried out by experienced instructors from the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki and are specially adapted for children and teenagers of 6 to 14 years of age. The educational programme is of a week`s duration and includes training at sea and on dry land, while parents will be able to watch the final race and attend the awards ceremony. The “Certificate of Attendance” granted on completion of the programme is accredited by the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki and satisfies the requirements for access to every Nautical Club worldwide, as well as participation in Optimist class sailing competitions.

Optimist Sailing Courses

Laser Sailing Courses*

A ges

6-14

14-17

P eriod

18/5/2015-30/8/2015

01/7/2015-30/8/2015

S ession D ates

Tuesday - Thursday or Friday - Sunday

D uration

10 hour courses, 10:00-13:00

10 hour courses, 16:00-19:00

L ocation

Τheory: Sani Marina Amphitheatre Practice: outside Sani Marina in front of Sea You Beach

Theory: Sani Marina Amphitheatre Practice: outside Sani Marina in front of Sea You Beach

P rice

250 euros per Child/Course

Families with more than 1 child participating will be granted a 10% discount

*For July and August only, along with the Teenage Club operation, Laser Sailing Courses will be added

CONDITIONS · Sessions will be held in English language by experienced staff of the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki. · Textbook in both English and Russian language and memorabilia such as T-shirts with Academy’s logo will be given to the participating children. · Any course changes in dates and times will be subject to weather conditions and demand levels · In case of bad weather lessons will be held indoors in the Press Room of Sani Beach Hotel · All children should be equipped with a sun hat, sun cream and bathing suit · 1 complimentary place per session will be granted to a child from the local community.

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R espect for the environment has

Sani

Wetlands the natural treasure of Sani Resort

from the ver y beginning been a pri orit y at the S ani R esort , with the protection of the wetlands that s u rro u nd it constit u ting one of the most significant private initia tives of an ecological nat u re in the co u ntr y .

Collaborating with the Hellenic Ornithological Society environmental organization, a partner of Birdlife International - the largest world confederation for the protection of birds and their habitats - Sani Resort has made a record of its wildlife and created the ideal conditions to permit its undisturbed observation by the public, aided by the use of marked routes. Moreover, the illustrated handbook entitled “Sani Wetlands – A Natural Treasure”, provided free of charge in our guests’ hotel rooms, portrays and lists by way of its photographs, the biodiversity and birdwatching expeditions that await our wetland visitors.

“Ermis (Hermes), the Stilt that Walked” Published in collaboration with the Hellenic Ornithological Society.

Written and illustrated with sensitivity by Vasili Hatzirvasani, the tale helps children identify distinctive species of birds and plants that the Sani wetlands shelter, promotes respect and love for nature and, guided by its multi-coloured pages, encourages the children to set out on an adventure in the reeds, the forest and lake shores, thereby observing the birds and learning about the colourful flora of the area. Together with Ermis the Stilt, they will become acquainted with the Purple Heron, Moorhen, Cormorant, Green-Headed Duck, the Owl and many more feathered wetland inhabitants they will learn to identify from the illustrated list in the final pages of the book. There, too, they will discover: the routes they may follow in the wetlands area to enable them to observe the birds up close and study their habits; a corresponding list of plants; and also instructions as to how they should organize their little adventure. All the proceeds from the publication of the tale “Ermis, the Stilt that Walked” will be given to the Greek Ornithological Society to facilitate the protection of the Sani wetlands, hosts to Ermis and thousands of other birds every year.

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Sani Resort is a 5 star destination, in a 4,500 stremmata (450 hectare / 1,112 acre) ecological reserve, distinguished by its unrivalled natural beauty. The Sani Company has appointed sustainability as a fundamental aspect of its vision, while concurrently offering hospitality of outstanding quality at all four of its luxury hotels.. Sani Green is the name given to the SANI SA sustainability programme that stands as a cornerstone of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision. Sani Resort seeks to reduce its energy footprint by way of initiatives, including the use of solar and thermal recovery systems, water recycling for its gardens, and waste reduction. The waste produced is recycled to the tune of 35% (paper, glass, aluminium, batteries, electrical appliances and spent candles), while used cooking oil is converted into biofuel. Furthermore, we lay stress on the creation of a more sustainable supply chain, making provision for at least 60% of our fruit and vegetables to come from the local and home market, working together with our suppliers to reduce waste, the moment that we also prefer to hire personnel from the local workforce.

Sani Green Sound practices

The Sani Green programme also extends to the protection of the Sani woodlands and wetlands by means of a network of collaborations. To enable them to become acquainted with the biodiversity that encompasses the resort, visitors may participate in a variety of initiatives: from the facility to recycle in their rooms, to maps being supplied for them to explore, accompanied by our eco-guide, the woodland paths and the wetlands. They may also participate in Eco Days, held on a weekly basis and dedicated to the nature, traditions and produce of Halkidiki, with the organization of visits to a local farm being on the agenda. Finally, the Sani Adventure and Explorer ecological education programme offers outdoor activities, specially designed for children and teenagers. The Company also believes in the significance of the participation of its clientele, personnel and the local community in the various manifestations of the programme, with initiatives being introduced throughout the year. http://www.sani-resort.com/el_GR/sustainability/sani-green www.sanigreen.gr

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he gastronomic landscape at Sani Resort is unique, specially attended to with great care to meet various needs and requirements. Gourmet offerings, traditional Greek dishes in their authentic form simultaneously “tampered with”, “royal” choices, and menus for children and vegetarians, even super foods, all give the opportunity for extraordinary culinary journeys. It is no accident that the Sani Resort 18 restaurants have won international awards that underscore its distinction, wide range of influence and prestige. They constitute a benchmark not just in the Halkidiki area but nationwide.

T he S ani R esort has changed the stat u s q u o on the gastronomic map of G reece , opening new hori z ons in cooperation with famed G reek and international chefs and gastronom y advisers .

s an example of this, we will mention the outstanding Byblos Caviar, at Porto Sani Village, whose impressive menu offers unique culinary delights, such as caviar of exceptional quality served in traditional and innovative ways, as well as a tempting choice of shell-fish and smoked fish. Entry is also permitted to children over the age of 12. The Tomata restaurant is also one of the best 25 in Europe according to the English Condé Nast Traveller, and its chef, Chrysanthos Karamolengos, one of the five most creative Greek chefs, in accordance with Greek gastronomic criteria. The emblematic Water Restaurant welcomes this year the Grand Chef Jaques Chibois awarded with 2 Michelin stars and Katsu Hanamure, the famous sushi chef of Nobu restaurants, as a consultant chef at Sea You Up. As for Macaroni, Grill by the Pool and Ammos restaurants the experience of their gastronomic "agenda" is always smashing. Last but not least, don't miss the sunset at the Ouzeri along with its divine greek menu. And given that a hotel is, first and foremost, judged by the breakfast served to its guests, here you will enjoy one of the most stimulating, that will give you satisfaction and provide you with energy for the entire day, since it offers a plethora of culinary choices made from fresh, select ingredients and products from highly rated producers from Halkidiki and Greece in general. Let us, finally, mention Sani Gourmet, the sole haute cuisine event organised in Greece, a festival of culinary arts that has become an institution, having very swiftly established itself in the minds of both connoisseurs and non-connoisseurs. 140

photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou) 141

P ART

T W O

F or a second y ear , S ani G o u rmet travels along the S ilk R oad , e x hibiting the gastronom y In this its tenth year, Sani Gourmet has managed to become something much more than a successful annual gastronomic event. Indeed, now it has become an institution, which shapes from within its thematic groupings a mosaic of dishes and cultural “interweaving”, promoting discussion and an exchange of views concerning one of the most significant aspects of human civilization: gastronomy. The food we eat always defines societies, being intrinsically dependent on the raw materials produced in each region. Commensurate with the evolution of each culture, it has reflected, more colourfully than anything else, people`s everyday lives within the strict confines of the home in addition to society in general - through the religious celebrations and festivals accompanying them - , with meals always remaining the connecting link. 142

of co u ntries of the N ear and F ar E ast as well as the M editerranean , on a jo u rne y of aromas and colo u rs that aro u se c u lt u ral memories .

www.sanigourmet.gr

Last year, Sani Gourmet set out on its long Silk Road journey, and it continues on its way this year aspiring to reach its destination having left a substantial legacy related to current gastronomy discussion, beyond that which maintains that there are cultural cuisine ties between Asia and Europe. That is why it has extended the number of participating countries, with guest chefs not only from China, India, Turkey, Greece and Italy, but also Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan, who will add their own, fascinating dimension to these thematic groupings. Indicatively, we will mention our very own Taso Mandi from the 1 Michelin awarded “Hytra” restaurant, Anar V. Gasimov from Azerbaijan, Alfred Prasad from India– the youngest Indian chef awarded with Michelin star, Hamid Salimian from Iran, Tamara Gachechiladze from Georgia and many more.

sani life

T he link with nat u re at a spirit u al level is , according to “ S ea Yo u Up ” cons u ltant chef , K ats u , the specific distinction between the pleas u re of eating and mere cons u mption . by georgia dodou

The Consultant Chef of the “Sea You Up” restaurant, Katsuhiko Hanamure (Katsu), was born in the Japanese city of Kaseda, where he became enamoured with cooking, but his career took off when he moved with his family to the United States. Brought up within the world of meals and dining, assisting initially in the kitchen of the family baker`s shop, he began his “western” cookery career as a teenager, at the former “Otani Hotel and Garden” in Los Angeles, under the guidance of Japanese Master Chef Saga; and following that, at “The Commodore Perry”, gaining knowledge of French cuisine, beside the chef Willie Miller. However, his exceptional talent was manifested mainly through his collaboration with the renowned chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa of the “Nobu” and “Matsuhisa” restaurants. He detected in Katsu something special and decided to take him under his wing and instruct him. Thus, Katsu was employed at many “Matsuhisa” and “Nobu” restaurants and has been Executive Chef at “Matsuhisa Athens”, “Matsuhisa Mykonos”, as well as the “Nobu” at Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz. He is also well-known for his participation in top-level gastronomy events that are held for important bodies such as the Audrey Hepburn Foundation, the Cartier Foundation and the Red Cross, while he has also supervised private parties for Hollywood celebrities. At “Sea You Up” Katsu procures for his kitchen fresh ingredients and raw materials from the immediate locality. Now established at Sani, he is enthusiastic about being part of our country`s restaurant scene. Warm and approachable, cosmopolitan and affable, he is open to cultural interaction and eager to talk about the gastronomic tradition of his country and his part in its evolution. He recounts his beginnings in Kagoshima, in the south-western part of the Japanese island of Kyushu, in a city called the “Naples of Asia”, because of its warm climate and its location within a bay formed out of the caldera of the Sakurajima volcano. It is there, he says, that, at the age of 19, he was first taught the secrets of traditional Japanese cuisine. We ask him if what they say is true concerning the “itamae”, namely, that the training of a chef takes very many years and it requires even more for one to be granted the title of sushi chef. He replies with a smile and irresistible unaffectedness: “Twenty years. That which makes the Japanese so hesitant to regard themselves as chefs is the absolute awareness they have that dining, apart from the fundamental survival need it satisfies, is also our means of being directly linked with nature at a spiritual level. Food is energy, and, as energy, it is transferred to the body as well as to our soul. On numerous occasions, when diners come and taste my cuisine, I am able to discern from their faces whether the specific food has satisfied them or not, what should ensue for the achievement of a crescendo, and how they should conclude their meal or dinner”.

photo: studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou) 144

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Enlightened Cuisine Th e two star Mich elin Gran d ch ef, Jacqu e s Chiboi s c om e s to th e “ Wate r Re stauran t” a s Exec ut ive C on s ultan t Ch ef, to c reate a m e n u th at e x u de s ref in e m e n t, se n s it ivit y an d or i g in alit y. By Georgia Dodou

nternational acclaimed food critics describe Jacques Chibois` cuisine as: “A creative marriage of flavours and lightness. It is also personalized, refined, simple, precise, and leaves ample room for pleasure, taste and beauty”. Deriving inspiration from the location of his restaurant, “La Bastide Saint-Antoine” in Provence, he, himself notes that: “It is my desire to please my clients and provide them with wonderful memories by way of the sampling of cuisine that is stylish, original and festive, where the hues and conception of the dishes will be a feast for their eyes. This is the sentiment engendered by Mediterranean cuisine, a sun-drenched cuisine, fragrant, with produce of the highest quality, distinguished by its lightness and contribution to a healthy diet. I am all for a balanced diet that is reflected essentially in the cuisine and menu of “Water Restaurant”. The style of this French cuisine is also precise, simple and easy for the appreciation of flavours." Having completed his training in culinary skills, Chibois continued to gain experience in the best kitchens in France beside Jean Delaveyne, Roger Verge and Louis Outhier. However, the most important point in his professional development was his meeting with Michel Guérard, with whom he collaborated for five years immediately following his apprenticeship. In 1981, he became a chef at the Gray d`Albion Hotel’s “Royal Gray”, the first Michelin starred restaurant in Cannes. In 1996, he opened his own restaurant, “La Bastide Saint-Antoine”, where he developed and shaped the art of simplicity within his cuisine. The outcome is that he has elicited a plethora of accolades and, already, a two star Michelin award. What was your most moving culinary experience?

Three questions for Jacques Chibois Discovering Michel Guérard, who sparked a cultural revolution at the “Pot au Feu”. The best piece of advice you would give to amateur chefs? Have a walk around the local town market, then go home and get the whole family involved in making a dish with the best seasonal produce that you bought there. Your definition of “taste” in three words? When someone poses the question: “What is taste?” there are blank faces: people need to ponder over the answer. So what, in the final analysis, is taste? What it is supposed to give us and what each of us distinguishes depends on our sensory organs. What will the cooking be like, if a light flavour or a more intense and strong one is given to the dish? We require this know-how to enable us to speak about taste. Taste is an obscure concept: nobody has really been able to nail it down. It is essentially our job to do exactly that: determine the taste. When you try a good product, you experience a completely different taste from that emanating from a mediocre one. It is interesting to recognize the connection between quality and taste. This has nothing to do with the colour or peculiar shape of fruit and vegetables or even the blemishes we occasionally observe on them. They are of negligible importance; yet, in a way, quite the opposite is true. They are positive indications that the produce has taken its natural course and is not the result of “industrialized mass production”. You take a peach or tomato that looks fine but, in all probability, it will be tasteless, completely lacking in aroma. That`s the truth. We can, therefore, say a great deal about taste. The Pérogord-Limousin Park comes to mind. There, in the South of France, I learned to eat tomatoes just with salt, pepper and olive oil, without vinegar and other condiments. Here, in Halkidiki, we have superb tomatoes that I wasn`t aware of. We have the opportunity to live well; and nature helps us to accomplish this.

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Tomata : Philosophy of food The gastronomic journey to Tomata begins with the starting line being the influences of the past and terminating at the current gastronomic approaches. Here, tradition becomes the basis for the development of a philosophy with a modern stigma and viewpoint; which, in plain words, means a cuisine based on seasonal and local produce, coming from within a 100 mile radius of the consumption point: an international trend with an ecological dimension and manifest economic ramifications, since emphasis is placed on the local market which, in this way, can be significantly bolstered. Tomata is not an ordinary restaurant, but an interactive dinner table where the participants may make their own salads, selecting the fresh greens that are to their liking from neighbouring gardens, accompanied by pure Greek olive oil, home-made spreads, and fresh herbs and spices; while the children are being taught about proper nutrition and then select their dish from a special list where the basic ingredients take pride of place.

To be more particular, the basic products we use are:

restaurant • Veal from Mr. Zagoriti who rears

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was presented

the blonde cattle breed • Halkidiki chickens from a small producer • Pork also from a small producer • Biological tomato paste and sauce

the Silver award on Innovative Restaurant

• Fish and shell-fish of Halkidiki

Concept

• Sea bass and gilthead bream

in Tourism Awards

from Halkidiki

2015. • Biological grape-juice syrup

Welcome to Tomata. This is where eating is an aesthetic fiesta, replete with the aromas and colours of food, during times when, more than ever, there is a need for inspiration.

Tomata

• Halkidiki olives

The Chemist This year, all cocktail lists at Sani Resort are unique “chemical combinations” with elements of summer spirit, sensuality and happiness. The person behind this is a superb mixologist and holder of the global title of Best Bartender World Class.

by georgia dodou photos: Angelos Zymaras, studiovd.gr (n. vavdinoudis, C. dimitriou)

He is considered by many to be the “Greek Guru of Cocktails”. Aristotelis Papadopoulos is not a run of the mill cocktail mixologist or bartender who makes the ordinary cocktails. If he had lived in the New York of the 1870s he would have invented the Manhattank and for sure if he lived in Hollywood his would have been the Cosmopolitan as the signature cocktail of the famous ‘Sex and the City’ series. Indeed, it is our good fortune that he was born in Thessaloniki, where he still lives and works, studied in London at WSET (London Wine and Spirit School) and has worked as a bartender and mixologist for over 30 years. With his home city as his base, he has “taken off” worldwide, having on two occasions won the Greek national competition, and he has successfully represented his country as a member of the Greek Barmen`s Association, being a prize-winner in two international competitions. He was awarded for his fifth place in the Lisbon World Championship in 1998; and placed sixth in the Puerto Rico World Championship. Representing Greece in 2009, he contested and won the title of Best Bartender of the Year World Class in London. Following these successes, he has gained recognition worldwide, and offers his services as a judge in national and international competitions throughout the world. Today, Aristotelis is co-owner of “Soul Shakers”, one of the best schools dealing with bartending and bar catering supply companies in Greece, and also offers consultancy services to hotels, cocktail bars and restaurants.

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For Sani Resort, Aristotelis has created six signature cocktails at Porto Sani Village, giving them whimsical names like “Forbidden”, “After Earth” and “Silky Roads” (to honour the theme of Sani Gourmet 2015); cocktails using as their basic ingredients Greek spirits and herbs at the Sani Beach Club, including “Homer Crust” and “All That Greece”. At the Sea You bar he has put together the most sensational cocktails utilizing Japanese ingredients to produce, for example, “Wasabi Fields”, “Shiso”, and “Mr Mr. Shuichi”; while he has upgraded the already existing list at the Water Bar.

Tip: He makes a fantastic champagne cocktail; and to be more specific a “French 75” produced with champagne, gin, lemon juice, cointreau and sugar. Even if he is not there personally to prepare it for you, still ask for this cocktail. It is really worth enjoying together with the Sani Resort sunset and your loved one.

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Perpetual

desire

W ith artistic skill and instinct , Thalia Exarchou was born and lives in Greece, where she has been involved in the jewellery industry for over 30 years. She is the owner of one of the best jewellery shops in the country, where she displays her collections, while concurrently participating in international exhibits. She selects precious stones with great care and attention, laying great stress on detail, creating unique hand-made items of jewellery, authentic works of art, guided by the dexterity, passion and elegance that characterize all the facets of her life. That which, however, essentially defines her work and epitomizes the focal point of her designs is their timeless quality, singularity and classical Greek forms, presented with contemporary finesse. A further characteristic of her work is the technique she utilizes to produce her items, so that from whichever angle they are viewed, one may discern their excellent finish and the impeccable realization of the original idea dovetailed with its perfect implementation.

T halia E x archo u develops the classic forms of G reek jeweller y , creating works of art with a modern to u ch .

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T he artistic director of D iesel , N ikola F ormichetti , like an orchestrator , brings together people and ideas to prod u ce c u tting - edge fashion . by nasia efthimiou

denim revolution Vigorous and unconventional, Nikola Formichetti indisputably embodies one of the most innovative and resourceful forces in fashion. He is a champion of the digital media industry, having initiated a steady and continuous interaction between institutionalised, traditional fashion and his cutting-edge, talented generation. He is also the first stylist to have ever taken exclusive responsibility for the artistic overseeing of a major fashion house, that of Diesel.

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How would you describe your brand? Diesel was always a different type of brand, an alternative solution for luxury, something that brings people closer together. Renzo Rosso is a visionary force reflected in the attributes of Diesel. If Diesel could have whichever famous model it wanted, who would it be? Diesel is aimed at the reality found in something more than one specific race: it is for all kinds of people. Thus, the model could even be you! What is it like for someone involved in this industry? It is exciting for me to be in the position of bringing together all the various creative individuals and collaborating with outstanding artists and talents such as Lady Gaga, Jillian Mercado, BeyoncĂŠ and Winnie Harlow. Which trends outline your current collection? The Springâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Summer 2015 Diesel Collection is inspired by the American desert and is marked by a rock appearance, leather and sporting influences from the 90s. 157

What is the main identifying feature of your brand? Denim is the mainstay of the brand. Then, we have the rock leather aspect, as well as the adaptability of the camouflage style, all with a touch of pop. What are the makings of Diesel`s success? Going beyond the limits, looking back so as to make forward progress. From where do you derive inspiration? From people in the street, artists from tumble and essentially from whatever surrounds me.

How would describe your approach as a designer? It is more like facilitating: I get individuals, ideas and inspiration to come together to create a new, fantastic story every time. We are all aware of the fact that the name Diesel is synonymous with jeans. Tell us more about your other collections. Diesel has a visual element in every collection with denim always being at the epicentre; but there are also leather components that intimate something from an uprising, as well as a set of overcoats with designs influenced by military attire. Describe for us a typical day for you. I wake up, play with my dogs Tank and Bambi, start work, then keep fit exercises, back to work, the piano, followed by playing with my dogs and, as always, a return to work! What does Diesel mean to you? For me it has always been its cool, recreationally inclined character and not something elitistical, which just about sums up exactly what I believe in.

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Daring &

dynamism

How did CARRERA Y CARRERA start out? In 1885. It goes a long way back, starting with Saturio Esteban Carrera, with a small jewellery business in Madrid. As time went by, it began to accept commissions even from the Royal Family, achieved fame and increased in size. The Carrera tradition was meticulously maintained within the family. For me, personally, it all started around 1970, during the decade of change and opportunity. We deemed that our time had come; and we weren`t mistaken. We created a completely different style, revolutionary yet recognizable – the Carrera y Carrera style. We decided to change the world of jewellery and we succeeded. Our mini-sculptures bore no resemblance to the pieces that could be found elsewhere during that period. What inspired your current Spring / Summer 2015 collection? Our new collection is particularly special. It`s widely known that we always painstakingly keep the collection secret until the first day of the Basel Fair. I can, however, say from now that you will be amazed. You are invited to visit our stand in Basel and enjoy a breath-taking journey, by way of our collection, to the “Origins of Nature”. What has been the most valuable lesson you have learnt from your experience as a designer? To be strong and not abandon my dreams. The Carrera y Carrera style is something completely different and this results from daring and dynamism. Never have we balked at the possibility of being misunderstood, remaining faithful to our “religion” – our artistic skill. How do you define luxury? Luxury is a combination of success and research. It is something that typifies those who excel.

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F rom 1 8 8 5 , the C arrera y C arrera famil y firm has been The most important item of jewellery you have in your possession is… Some items of jewellery constitute a part of our lives, even becoming one and the same with us. They are alive, seemingly having their own soul and emotions. Share with us your best ever holiday experience. Without a shadow of a doubt it’s the trip with all the members of my family, including my grandchildren, to Matacuna in Peru. I`ll never forget the night we all spent together under the starlit sky. It was a magical moment for all of us. I`ll never forget the mystery and splendour of that night. What can we expect from you in the immediate future? My next step is to continue what I am already doing, until my strength fails me, offering my ideas to the younger generation, teaching them to enjoy life, be happy, and, of course, be creative.

contin u o u sl y developing , responsibl y in the service of bea u t y and l u x u r y . I ts owner and designer , M an u el C arrera reveals to u s the secret behind its longevit y . by georgia dodou

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Ταlέντ:

the eternal compass… A discussion with the talented individuals behind the KATERINA IOANNIDIS JEWELRY brand: jewelry designer Katerina Ioannidi and entrepreneur Nikola Navrozidi. by georgia dodou

Greek story A top-notch magazine, a huge production, a wonderful location! The Condé Nast Traveller Russia has chosen the Sani Resort to photograph its extended report on Greece to be published

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in its May 2015 issue of the Russian edition of the emblematic travel publication (15 pages + the cover page). On October 22nd and 23rd, the team from the magazine toured Sani, recording unique images of Greek beauty in a superb projection of both Halkidiki, and Greece in general. It should be noted that this is the first photographic shoot by Condé Nast Traveller Russia in our country.

How do you approach each new collection? KATERINA: We design thematic jewelry collections, laying great stress on this, since, thereby, we have implemented all our research for a project. What type of woman are your jewelry items meant for? NIKOLAS: The woman who appreciates KATERINA IOANNIDIS jewelry isn`t the run of the mill jewelry wearer. She is a person who recognises its aesthetic worth and values unique design. From first sight, she has an inkling of what it conceals. From where do you derive inspiration? KATERINA: Inspiration is whatever we see, hear, experience, whatever touches us, engenders emotion and focuses our imagination. Inspiration is our senses. The colours, materials, the texture of the items and the sounds they make frequently constitute the springboard. Greek folk and Byzantine art, Greek tradition, costumes, Dionysian festivals, Theofilos, Karagiozis, traditional dress, old games, folks songs. Tradition, folk art, contemporary art as well as urban culture are the treasure chest – full of inspiration and creativity.

What is GREEK TSAROUHI? NIKOLAS: Greek Tsarouhi was launched in 2011 during a particularly challenging time for Greece. We redesigned a classical Greek symbol – looking on the light side (which we were all in need of) and with a modern twist. With the distinctive slogan “wear your Greek tsarouhi, be a Greek for a while” the GREEK TSAROUHI came to be so much loved in both the Greek and international markets that it met with particularly great success. What materials do you use, and why? KATERINA: Each material used possesses its own attributes and we endeavour to set off its singular potential, whether it be goldsmiths' material or not. Just as contemporary art cannot be compartmentalised when it comes to material use, the same is true when in our work we utilize all materials without preconceptions. Nevertheless, gold – in its various forms – remains the undisputed King of materials. Tell us about the SNACKS by KATERINA IOANNIDIS. NIKOLAS: Under the SNACKS category are included some of the “younger children” of our collection. The optimistic eyes, the magic beans, love bombs, sea masters and others. This is the youthful aspect of our jewelry series. The SNACKS are trendy, easy–to–wear and inexpensive. They are worn by people of all ages, many together, at any hour of the day or night. Are there any special orders: a particular item that you may produce for just one individual? KATERINA: Indeed, there are individuals who occasionally inspire and urge us to design one-off items. There are a few cases where the personality of the woman who is to wear the item constitutes the source of inspiration for the design of the unique piece. Moreover, we have also made one-off pieces on occasion for exhibition projects, including “Crafted Guardians” for the Electrum Gallery in 2007 and the crocodile for Lacoste at the Benaki Museum. Where can we find KATERINA IOANNIDIS jewelry? (Greece and abroad). NIKOLAS: At the jewelry boutique of the same name in Thessaloniki, at select jewelry stores and galleries all over Greece, the United States of America, Europe, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

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forever

oung For 67 years i n t h e va n g ua r d o f fa sh i o n , Ca p r i p a n t s remind us every season t h at w h at i s of true worth has no reason to fe ar the pa s si n g o f ti m e . by anna papadakis

hen an art form engenders both a spectacle and beauty, it traverses a golden age that mirrors society and is mirrored by it. The 7th Art Form has had numerous such moments, providing outstanding examples of social culture, with one of its best being that which followed the Second World War. In the wonderful, multi窶田oloured 50s and 60s - stylish, exquisite, liberated, revolutionary - we can say that everything happened; at least, those things that made the world more compassionate and, for sure, more beautiful. Fashion, a powerful expression of social status of every age, outstandingly signified these features: liberating, avant-garde, frequently eccentric, it expressed through each of its unique creations that something was changing, that nothing was as before. In many of its forms, indeed, it emanated from the cinema, dressing the protagonists in clothes that would make history

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and established themselves permanently in wardrobes, well-nigh unaltered by the passing of time. One of those is Capri pants, which are identified like nothing else with the dolce vita of the jet set at summer resorts such as those at the Cote d`Azure,and the Italian Riviera (of course, since the pants take their name from Capri); but also Mykonos and Hydra. It was also identified, certainly, with its par excellence “representative”, Audrey Hepburn, who showed it off singularly in the 1952 film “Roman Holiday” - chosen for her to wear by the renowned Edith Head -, in addition to “Sabrina” in 1954, this time with the signature of Hubert de Givenchy, However, neither created them, nor was Hepburn the only actress who made them widely known. Capri pants are the fruit of the creativity of a lesser-known designer, yet one who exerted a huge influence on post-war European fashion: Sonja de Lennart, of German descent, who designed them in 1948 and gave them the “Capri” name; which came as a continuation of her 1945 maiden collection under that title, inspired by the sun-drenched, scenic destination much loved by her family. This included a high-waist, lavish dress, a wide belt, a high-necked blouse and a hat: impressive within their austere, unadorned form.

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Capri pants are the fruit of the creativity of a lesser-known designer, yet one who exerted a huge influence on post-war European fashion: Sonja de Lennart

Descended from an upper-middleclass Prussian family, a champion swimmer and track athlete and talented student of ballet in her youth, de Lennart decided to engage herself in fashion despite the vehement objections of her father, who even threatened to disinherit her. Thus, she did it secretly, initially in her home town of Breslau and then in Berlin. It turned out that this choice would financially provide for her family following the catastrophe and her forced change of residence with the end of the war. We do not know whether she was really conscious of the fact she had left her mark with one of the most classical fashion collections; but, for sure, it was recognized by those who adopted her ideas to establish Capri pants through the cinema. We could mention that after Audrey Hepburn it was worn with an aristocratic air by Grace Kelly in the film “To Catch a Thief” in 1955, and in an unconventional way by Jane Seberg in the legendary “Breathless”, next to the anti-hero Jean-Paul Belmondo. For them to be followed, naturally, by a plethora of stars and jet-setters, including Melina Mercouri and Jackie Kennedy. The rest is just history…

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Treasure

Hunt

apoella: Summer & Style

Internationally acclaimed jewellery designers

present their work to Porto Sani Village guests through Kultia. Discover them and invest in timeless designs of everlasting value.

Timelessness, modernity and

Designer s Nikos Koulis founded the brand of the same name in 2006 and since then has produced select items of jewellery with a contemporary aesthetic touch. His work is characterised by an elaborate technique, simple processing and experimentation using striking materials you`d never dream of. His specially selected creations are on display at the most avant garde boutiques in the world, while his fans include Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. For the 2015 season, Kultia will exclusively present his most popular collections, “Spectrum “and “V”, at Sani Resort.

Jewellery of great finesse, of “discerning” design and enduring quality are presented by Kultia, in cooperation with designers who have distinguished themselves internationally for their individual style. Demanding devotees of jewellery, modern travellers who love to identify the lands they visit with fine works of art they discover in their retail outlets, exclusive clients with particular aesthetic quests, all of them find what they dream of at the finely crafted Kultia.com website and the boutiques of the same name at luxury resorts like Sani. Here, in its sophisticated corner, you will discover the 2015 jewellery collection with the signature of acclaimed designers of international renown, such as Nikos Koulis, Carolina Bucci, Ruifier and Lina Fanourakis, as well as up-and-coming names including Fotini Psarouli, who is already gaining a reputation, with an exclusive collection for Sani Resort`s clients. With them, just for a few days this summer, the collections of Alexandra Jefford and Melanie Georgacopoulos will be on display; and it is well worth your becoming acquainted with and acquiring their creations.

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Carolina Bucci creates jewellery that unveils a modern and natural sense of luxury. Her first collection, “Woven”, for whose creation she utilized an old Florentine loom to enable her to weave together gold and silk threads, has become her trademark. She constantly appears on the pages of “Vogue”, “Harper`s Bazaar” and “W”, while she has entered the “Vanity Fair” “Power Player” list for the jewellery industry. A collection of her designs is exhibited in the permanent jewellery collection of the Palazzo Pitti Museum in Florence. Fotini Psarouli displays outstanding craft skill in the fashioning of unique, elegant and modern jewellery. She has a real passion for gold, which she shapes with exceptional dexterity, inlaying unusual gemstones in her designs. The outcome is enchanting jewellery much admired by the fashion world.

a cosmopolitan air characterize the clothes and accessory collections from the Apoella concept store at the marina

The charm of the Greek Summer and Greek chic are found at the heart of the collection of Apoella, the concept store which, from this year, will be the chief exponent of resort style at Bousoulas Beach and Sani Marina. Cosmopolitanism, aesthetic perfection, inspiration and Greek designer labels on clothes and accessories project the image of the Greece we love. Jewellery from the House of Zolotas and from Iliana Makri, multicoloured creations with an international aura from Mary Katrantzou, futuristic clothing collections by Yiorgos Eleftheriades, hand-made sandals by Valia Gabriel, stylish swimwear from Stefania Frangista, and ethereal clothes by Athena Prokopiou are just a few of the collections housed in the functional and elegant spaces of Apoella, which realizes in its own way the vision both of a summer with the identity of Greece and the aura of the international jet set. We should add that Apoella was “born” in Crete a year ago, its name referring to the phrase «Από Ελλάδα» (“from Greece”); and its orientation was quickly rewarded by the public, who enthusiastically embraced its offerings. That explains its expansion, with its tried and tested collections being brought to Sani Resort.

of Sani Resort.

Ruifier Fine Jewellery was founded in London by the designer Rachel Shaw, whose creative inspiration emanates from her love for graphic art. Many of her items are designed in such a way as to create images when they are placed in order. The “Visage” collection with its playful synthesis of faces, has become a favourite with fashion editors at the London and Paris Fashion Weeks. Lina Fanouraki, an exceptional internationally recognised jewellery designer, has for the last 30 years been creating all the collections of the House of Fanourakis, founded in 1860 in Crete. She approaches jewellery with artistic sensitivity and this explains why her creations resemble sculptures and have a pronounced theatricality that engenders admiration. Designing with humour and artistic skill, she succeeds in making her creations, extolling the beauty of nature, exude the joy of life. Her original works have been displayed in museums and galleries worldwide.

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Discover your Beauty M illions of to u rists ever y y ear tr u st G reece as a holida y destination , however it takes m u ch more to tr u st a s u rgeon or a clinic with one ’ s appearance or health .

Our team at Papaioannou plastic surgery is familiar with this matter, as numerous patients from abroad have shown us this trust and have undergone surgical and non-surgical procedures and have returned home with nothing but satisfaction. Many of them actually return to us or even refer us to friends or relatives, to perform additional cosmetic procedures. As easy as it may seem, this trust is built not through advertising or brochures. It is built on the surgical expertise and the personal engagement of our surgeons, which combined with the Greek hospitality, lead to a very high patient satisfaction from every aspect. Since modern travelling and communication have shortened the distance between most countries, our commitment is to be next to you, whenever needed. Either if you are planning a cosmetic procedure of the face, body or breast or a non-surgical touchup, we offer the most up-to-date techniques and many unique procedures, in the safest clinical environment possible, using exclusively FDA-approved materials and equipment. Since our surgeons have mostly trained abroad, they speak fluently English and German, allowing for a personal understanding of each person’s needs. Celebrating 30 years of existence, Papaioannou plastic surgery welcomes women and men from all around the world to be part it and enjoy the results of modern plastic and aesthetic surgery.

Popular treatments • Botox/Dysport • Hyaluronic acid fillers • HA skin boosters • Lip augmentation • TCA peel • Obagi Nu-Derm system

Δημοφιλείς επεμβάσεις • Rhinoplasty • Breast augmentation • Breast lift • Liposuction • Eyelid surgery • Facelift • Tummy tuck • Bodysculpting

What’s hot

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• Endoscopic forehead lift • Natural Aquashape breast augmentation • Water assisted Liposuction • Total Mommy makeover • Vaginal rejuvenation • Regenlab PRP/Hyaluronic facial rejuvenation • Thread lift

A Vital Break S u mmer holida y s greatl y benefit o u r health , and even more o u r ps y chological well- being . Zoi G eorgiado u e x plains wh y .

holiday undoubtedly constitutes one of the most important and pleasurable breaks during the year for a family, which, otherwise, often experiences intense and demanding rhythms of daily life. Our present day existence is intrinsically linked with responsibilities, stress and fatigue, which during a vacation are superseded by moments of tranquillity, physical relaxation, and psychological unwinding. It is the right time for more active contact with ourselves, providing us with opportunities for new priorities: we take greater heed of our desires, our deeper esoteric needs, while, concurrently, are given the chance to bolster our inter-personal relationships. Yet, how do we achieve these benefits? It is important to stress that the holiday period has a positive effect on our psychological state, beginning with the fact that the stress level decreases significantly, seeing that vacations are identified with being liberated from “must dos”, the temporary release from employment obligations, and relaxation emanating from new stimulations, all of which contribute to one`s psychological wellbeing and rejuvenation. Moreover, a relatively large amount of research has confirmed the significance of summer holidays, both for one`s physical and mental health, enabling the promotion of improved quality of life, since increased levels of positive thoughts and emotions such as cheerfulness, optimism and vigour have been registered, in comparison with individuals who do not take a holiday. To be more specific, the hormones released, serotonin and dopamine, identified as happiness hormones, bring about the significant containment of stress levels and function beneficially in confronting depression (De Bloom). It is worth noting that within the framework of our cognitive activity - including perception, memory, thought, attention and concentration - individuals who succeed in isolating themselves for a time from daily routine, responsibilities and work-related exhaustion, display improved administrative and communicative abilities, since they confront difficult situations with greater lucidity and efficacy. Furthermore, holidays constitute the period during which we may dedicate time to our families, and relationships with our partners and friends. It is the moment when relationships justifiably take precedence, common experiences are shared, family ties are reinforced and we come into substantial contact with everything we, otherwise, deprive ourselves of because of our intense daily routine, minimal spare time and abundance of problems. We should keep in mind that all this takes place within a framework where the background differs: we, ourselves are the protagonists, living life at a more leisurely pace with the motivating force being the need for human contact and interaction.

As we understand, it is essential for us to keep these moments for ourselves and our families, provided that we keep in mind several important considerations that may positively contribute to guaranteeing the success of our holidays. 1. The organization of the holidays. It is very important that care is taken about the proper planning for the family in connection with the timing of the trip, where to stay and which activities the vacation should include, thereby ensuring it comes up to the expectations of both the children and parents. It is frequently the case that difficulties are experienced in dovetailing the needs of the children with those of the parents. However, a positive step for the family is for it to seek appropriate locations, taking into consideration the age, personality, and interests of the children, as well as the required compromises for all the members together to enjoy their holidays. 2. Avoidance of the idealization of the holidays. It is frequently the case that summer holidays are associated with an idyllic picture, with excessive and unrealistic expectations, seeing that what is ultimately experienced does not come up to those expectations, resulting in the creation of tension, dissatisfaction, frustration and stress. That is why it is essential for us to invest realistically in this period, without it upsetting our composure and satisfaction. 3. Remember the rules. Despite the fact that the children are on holiday, we should not forget the rules they keep to for all the remaining period. Although it is essential for minor concessions to be made, this should be achieved without their daily rhythms of life and habits being disturbed. 4. Find time for the parents. A vacation may be seen as an “oasis” in a couple`s relationship. It is an apt moment for them to pay greater attention to each other, for them to escape temporarily from their parental role, spending time and participating in activities together, rejuvenating their relationship and their sexual desire.

Advice for better holidays

•

Summer holidays have as their guiding principle our aspirations and real emotions, not our responsibilities and anxieties. Remember that holidays relate to a short period of the year, so look after yourself and your relationships throughout the year. Make every effort to engage in different pastimes from those you habitually undertake by adopting new activities and changing your daily routine. Let us not forget that it is this change that engenders our relaxation. Don`t forget the holidays once you have returned from them. Share your experiences with friends, look at photographs and keep in touch with new friends you became acquainted with.

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*Zoi E. Georgiadou is a Psychologist (with an MSc in Clinical and Social Psychology from the University of Florence), Family Counsellor, and Systemic Couples Therapist. 172

good life

With the onset of autumn, most people recognize that they must do something about the excess weight they put on during the summer. Then, after commencing an attempt to achieve quick results – which do not come about – once again their expectations are disappointed. Nevertheless, the procedure for losing weight does not constitute an automatic action. It requires concentration and peace of mind, because nowadays food consumption has been linked with nearly all human emotions. Food is consumed to relieve anxiety and tension, to alleviate worry, for relaxation, when participating in a celebration. It is also linked to boredom and anger, as well as low self-confidence and self-esteem. Thus, we are dealing with emotional eating, a real condition that is a health risk, a condition we must combat. It is important to understand that food affects our mood and that our mood may affect our nutritional choices.

D o yo u h av e m o r e w e i g h t than your body can be ar and, in addition, huge d i f f i c u lt y i n g e t t i n g r i d of it? Give it some deep t h o u g h t: m ay yo u b e suffering from emotional e at i n g ? By Maria Dalla

insidious Hunger

What is emotional eating? Emotional eating constitutes a nutritional disorder and its main characteristics are bouts of over-eating, loss of control in food consumption (mainly junk food), as well as great dissatisfaction and a guilty conscience after the event concerning the excessive quantities of food consumed. In spite of this, the “episodes” of uncontrolled eating are not accompanied by vomiting or the use of purgatives (as is the case with bulimia). The individuals who nowadays suffer from this particular disorder are in the main young women who consume excessive quantities of food for emotional reasons. In other words, food becomes the substitute for other emotional gratifications, which they may be deprived of. The symptoms Dieticians have codified the suspect symptoms, thereby allowing individuals in the sufferers` environment to sense that something is amiss. The symptoms are the following: A change in nutritional habits (they have little or no desire for breakfast, while the largest amount is consumed after the meal rather than during). A partiality to fatty, sweet, and starchy foods (high on their list of preferences are ice-creams, chocolates, potato chips, pizzas, etc.). Irritability and neurotic behaviour (due to feelings of guilt over the bouts of evening over-eating). Weight gain and obesity.

Real Hunger

Emotional Hunger

Comes gradually, after hours without food.

May come suddenly and be connected with something that happened at work, at school, etc.

Real hunger occurs at specific times: lunch-time, evening.

Emotional hunger is not related to specific times: it can exist during all hours of the day and night.

The feeling of satisfaction after the meal.

Guilt and shame are exhibited after the meal.

The person eats until he is sated.

The person eats until he experiences discomfort.

When a person eats because he is really hungry, after the meal he feels full up.

When a person eats because of emotional hunger he continues to feel “empty”.

Real hunger and emotional hunger The main characteristic of emotional hunger is that it seizes the individual suddenly. The one moment he doesn`t give a thought to food and the next he desires it passionately. He also wants to eat immediately. Emotional hunger also refers to the intake of one specific foodstuff. There is, for example, the desire to consume chocolate, spaghetti or something similar. Simultaneously, the swallowing of the meal is achieved automatically, unconsciously, without being realized. The individual with emotional eating will not stop when sated and, essentially, is never sated. Means of Confronting the Problem If you have a predisposition to such a condition, there is a way to regain control and return to a balanced and healthy weight loss programme. Clear thinking and logic are the most basic weapons in the battle against “emotional eating”, while specific basic nutritional rules may also help. By following these food consumption rules, many of your perceptions in relation to eating habits will be modified. When this relationship changes, then your body will begin to change, too. Specifically: • Instead of 1-2 large meals a day, have 3-5 smaller ones. Try to ensure that there is a time lapse of at least 3 hours between those meals. • Drink copious amounts of water (1.5 to 2 litres a day). • Eat only when you are really hungry. Don`t eat when you don't feel well emotionally. • Wrest your mind from food by indulging in a pursuit that gives you pleasure. • Don`t eat to reward or punish yourself. Reward yourself for whatever you achieve that is positive with anything other than food. • Draw up a list of 3-4 wholesome snacks that satisfy you; and ensure they are always at hand, for example, fruit, yogurt or low-fat milk, greens, rye crackers. • Physical activity is a quality daily practice which distances us from the emotional consumption of food. Through physical exercise feelings such as anger, tension and anxiety are mitigated. • It has been shown from scientific studies that with individuals who tend not to get enough sleep, the instances of emotional eating proliferate. This occurs since sleep deprivation in the human body lowers the levels of leptin: a hormone that regulates the appetite and is part of the satiety mechanism after meals. • Eat without distractions such as listening to, reading or watching something or even during a heated discussion. • Eat slowly and calmly. Place small portions in your mouth and chew them well. • Refrain from changing your choices in relation to food when others are present • There is no need for you to justify yourself or give explanations to anybody concerning what you are eating. • Do not miss meals and do not make the mistake of avoiding eating when you are genuinely hungry. • Enjoy your food and focus on the pleasure this gives you. • And most important of all: forgive yourself if on occasion you overdo it.

* Maria Dalla is a nutritionist and dietician. A.T.E.I. Thessaloniki, a Degree holder in Physical Education and Sport (T.E.F.A.A. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Tel. 2310 343542, 6944611688

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Sani Resort, a collection of moments. Video directed by Ilias Papaioanou. Paintings by Konstantina Kapanidou. Scan the QRcode:

ID editor in chief: Georgia Dodou (georgia@saniresort.gr) EDITORIAL TEAM: Αrgyro Barata Maria Dalla Nasia Efthimiou Ζoi Georgiadi Tina Mandilara Maria Netsika Anna Papadaki Vagelis Stolakis COPY EDITING: Anna Papadaki COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Georgia Dodou Advertising Manager: Nasia Efthimiou TRANSLATIONS: John Gateley

PROOF READING: John Gateley PHOTOGRAPHS: Corbis/Apeiron Minos Alchanati Olympia Krasagaki Aris Rammos Heidi Serafimidou Heinz Troll Studio VD.gr / Nikos VavdinoudisChristos Dimitriou DESIGN: Red Creative IMAGE PROCESSING: Sotiris Giannakopoulos PRINTING: Skordopoulos

SANI MAGAZINE Edition 2015 PUBLISHER: Sani SA, 55 Nik. Plastira Str., 54250 Thessaloniki, Τ: +30 2310 317327, F: +30 2310 317881 Sani Magazine is published annually by Sani SA in 10.000 Greek, English & Russian copies and is distributed free of charge. All rights reserved. www.saniresort.gr

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