Portes Magazine | Spring 2014 by Portes Magazine

M A G A Z I N E

Chic. Greek. Unique.

PortesMagazine.Com

ARISTON FOUNDATION publisher ANTHE & VASILIKI MITRAKOS executive editors ANDRONIKI PAPADOPOULOS managing editor FOUR DOORS MEDIA design & layout CONTRIBUTORS Christina Loridas Michael Nevradakis Katherine Poseidon Vassilis Spyrou P OR T E SM AG A ZI NE .CO M The Fine Print Portes Magazine is published by Ariston Foundation, a nonprofit organization. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without prior written consent of the editor. The Portes Magazine logo is a design and registered trademark of Ariston Foundation. To contact Ariston Foundation, e-mail: contact@aristonfoundation.org. To contact Portes Magazine for ad placement or for other inquiries, e-mail: info@portesmagazine. com. Or write to us at Ariston Foundation/Portes Magazine P.O. Box 46064, Chicago, Illinois 60646.

from the editors Greetings, We are very excited to bring you Portes 3. Since our last issue was published, we have spent over half a year living in Greece, in the heart of Athens. Our travels and experiences have enlightened us on the various ways Greece is changing, something we wanted to share with you in this issue. While the country still has a long road ahead in terms of economic recovery, we have seen many positive developments and initiatives that have come about in the last couple years. Alongside daily reminders of the economic crisis, we have also witnessed a blossoming startup scene in major cities across the country, the circulation of new ideas, collective efforts of talented youth, and an increased collaboration with diaspora communities. These efforts are helping build new foundations for the future. In our time here, we have met and spoken to many people, young and old, who are serious about bringing a positive change to Greece. These individuals are faced with challenges and uncertainties, but they have not given up their hope, aspirations, and visions for a better tomorrow. It is with this spirit that we bring you examples of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greece from various angles, providing a glimpse of the new trends and actions taking shape. Flipping through these pages you will see our exclusive preview of the revolutionary Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, witness how the citizens group Atenistas is transforming Athens, learn about several leading startups, and catch up on the TEDx events taking place in Greece. If you continue to explore Greece with us, you may realize the country has a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, one that takes an open mind and some patience to discover. With the willingness to observe and explore, to experience and learn, to question and listen, you will find that Greece and the people here have many interesting and yet unexplored layers, which could fill countless issues of Portes. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bringing you some of these stories in Portes 3. Enjoy! Vasiliki & Anthe Mitrakos

Portes Magazine Editors

contributors

Vassilis Spyrou is a self-taught photographer. In 2008 and 2009 he held a personal exhibit entitled “In.dust.rial” in Patras and Athens. He has worked on the InterRail social media campaign and carried out a 3-week Europe-wide photographic assignment. In 2010 he participated as a still photographer on the Mega TV series set for “To Nisi.” One of his Polaroids has been chosen for the “Impossible” exhibit in the 2013 Milan PhotoShow. His work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, posters, albums, books, theatre programmes, travel guides, and websites in Greece and abroad. He lives and works as a freelance photographer in Patras.

Katherine Poseidon is a first-generation Greek-American currently living in Athens. After finishing high school in Ohio, she studied History and Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. Upon graduation, she moved to Athens to work as a Teaching Fellow at Athens College. Last year she completed a Masters degree at the University of Edinburgh in Diaspora Studies, focusing on the experience of Greeks in Asia Minor. Now pursuing a Masters at the University of Athens, she spends her free time travelling, writing, photographing, and exploring hidden corners of old Athens.

Michael Nevradakis is a Ph.D. student in Media Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and a 2012-2013 U.S. Fulbright Scholar, where he researched the impact of social and new media technologies on the public sphere and political discourse in Greece. He was awarded a scholarship from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation, enabling him to continue expanding his research in Greece. Michael is also the host of Dialogos Radio, a weekly radio program featuring interviews with notable personalities and newsmakers on topics relevant to Greece and the Greek community worldwide. Michael also contributes to Truthout, the Huffington Post, and the Daily Kos.

Christina Loridas has spent multiple summers in our beautiful Ελλάδα, studying, sitting around a full dinner table with κρασί and laughter, and cramming her notebooks full of words and poems on ferry rides across the Aegean. Writing is her passion, and Greece is her inspiration. Gentle winds, blue waters, and strums of the bouzouki have always captivated her since childhood. Christina graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Print Journalism and has served as a staff member at Ionian Village.

portes magazine | spring 2014

on the inside EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS Notable Global Greek Events ......................................................................02

FOUNDATION Ariston Foundation 2013 Scholars .............................................................05 The Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center .........................................................06

BUSINESS Tips from the Most Productive People: John Calamos Sr. ..........................14 5 Top Greek Startups .................................................................................16

COMMUNITY Citizen Action: Atenistas ............................................................................ 20

DESTINATIONS

Exploring Athens: Plateia Agias Eirinis ....................................................... 24 Karpathos ................................................................................................... 28

CUISINE

Sofia’s Kouzina ........................................................................................... 26 Confectioner Extraordinaire: Stelios Parliaros ........................................... 27

ARTS & CULTURE The Carnival of Patra ................................................................................. 38 Artist: Sotirios ‘Garsot’ Gardiakos .............................................................. 44 Gallery Portes ............................................................................................. 50 Karagiozis & the Shadow Theater .............................................................. 56

MUSIC & THEATER

Performing Arts: ‘Socrates Now’ ................................................................ 54

HISTORY & RELIGION

Celebrating Holy Week ................................................................................ 52

FASHION

Vitrina .......................................................................................................... 60 Designer: Xylo Eyewear ............................................................................... 61

OUR PICKS

Sip & Taste ................................................................................................... 62 This & That .................................................................................................... 65

Chic. Greek. Unique.

www.portesmagazine.com portes magazine | spring 2014

Events & Celebrations

ATHENS In its fifth year, TEDxAthens welcomed 35 speakers from various parts of the world, who shared their experiences about delving into “Uncharted Waters” with some 1,300 guests gathered at the Onassis Cultural Center in Athens on November 29 & 30, 2013. In the spirit of this year’s theme, the TEDxAthens guest speakers spoke honestly about seeking unpaved roads, uncomfortable truths, unmeasured depths, unexplored emotions, and unlimited possibilities, in their various areas of expertise, which included philosophy, photography, music, astrophysics, architecture, film, biology, fashion, poetry, extreme sports, and social entrepreneurship, among others. “We strongly believe in the diversity of the audience and the diversity of the speakers lined up,” said Dimitris Kalavros-Gousiou, TEDxAthens founder and curator. Launched in 2009, TEDxAthens is a world-class conference about innovation, creativity, and ideas, whose mission is to unite innovators, thinkers, and inspirational speakers through events and talks. Conferences such as TEDxAthens are independently hosted events designed to stimulate dialogue, communication, and inspiration in communities around the world. The globally expanding events stem from the original TED initiative, begun in 1984 with the mission to “spread ideas worth sharing.”

“Don’t be intimidated by the blank sheet. Start with something. Fail early. Fail often.” - Ricky Vega Nierva, Art Director & Production Designer for Pixar Animation Studios

“Imagination, or basically the capability to create in our minds images and ideas beyond those of reality, has a immediate relation to favorable progress, scholarly thought, and in relation to today’s economic development.” - Eugene Trivizas, Children’s Book Writer

Portes Magazine Photos.

EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS

WORLD TOUR Through a kaleidoscope of artistic expression, musician and songwriter Philippos Pliatsikas brings together a new reflection of Greece’s musical depth in his latest tour appropriately titled “The Other Side of Greece.” This new collaborative performance incorporates a mixture of genres, styles, and generations, echoing a respect for the past and tradition, but with an eye for the future. Joining Pliatsikas on tour are various notable artists including his former Pyx Lax band member Babis Stokas, Liset Alea from Nouvelle Vague, actor Georges Corraface, and band members from Onar. Travelling around Europe, “The Other Side of Greece” brings together the band’s melancholic blues through mainland music in combination with the sharp tunes of the Cretan lyre and Epirus clarinet. Works by Greece’s most influential poets, Cavafy, Seferis, and Elitis will be brought on stage through a modern musical interpretation, appealing to audiences of all ages. With this continuing performance, Philippos Pliatsikas and his collaborating team hope to break the stigma against Greece and bring a positive image of the country around the world.

“We have to open the roads for synergies and cooperation. The university students, who honestly have a great educational background from Greek universities, must now mature and not remain a passive audience. They have to think about the changes they want to make and start collaborating with each other.”

- Tasos Pagakis, Head of Communication, Hub Southeastern Europe, ERICSSON

ATHENS

Philippos Pliatsikas & band members welcome Portes Magazine to a pre-tour rehearsal.

Gathering for a second year, students from the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) hosted TEDxAUEB 2014 on March 15 at the BIOS Cultural Center in Athens. Under the theme “Emerging Paths,” 15 speakers shared insightful examples of their work or new endeavors they have explored in an effort to turn ideas into action. Speeches and performances were accompanied by presentations from three initiatives proposed by university students to improve their academic environment. These were part of the “Students Act” competition created by TEDxAUEB to highlight and support student-generated ideas that can have a larger impact for AUEB and other Greek universities. Over 350 participants and guests enjoyed a variety of socially engaging activities during event breaks, and indulged in food samples and sweet treats provided by local sponsors. Photos courtesy of TEDxAUEB.

portes magazine | spring 2014

CHICAGO

EUROPE

The Hellenic Student Associations of Loyola University, DePaul University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Northwestern University celebrated the 10th annual Midwest Pan-Hellenic Youth Ball on February 21, 2014. Over 280 students from the Chicagoland area and neighboring states gathered for the annual charity dinner dance at the Stan Mansion in downtown Chicago. Every year, proceeds from the evening benefit a selected charity, cause, or organization. Masqueraded guests helped raise a total of $5,000 this year in support of Angela Malfas. The donation has helped cover Angela’s medical expenses incurred from a former accident. The Pan-Hellenic Youth Ball serves as the largest student-run gala of the GreekAmerican community in the Midwest.

Greece will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2014, after which Italy will take over on July 1, 2014. This is the fifth time Greece has held the Presidency since joining the European Communities in 1981. On the agenda are policies aimed at achieving growth, combating unemployment, promoting economic and social cohesion through structural reforms, deepening integration and completion of the European Monetary Union, as well as addressing external challenges, including EU enlargement. Aside from advancing policies to promote progress, the Greek Presidency will also focus on energy and environmental issues, citizen mobility inside and outside the EU, and European border security.

WASHINGTON DC & LOS ANGELES

ATHENS

65 years

The Fulbright Foundation Greece celebrated 65 years of educational exchange in 2013. A total of 59 scholarships and research grants were awarded for the 2013-2014 academic year. Established in 1948 through a binational treaty with the U.S., the Fulbright Foundation in Greece is the oldest Fulbright Program in Europe and the second oldest continuously running program worldwide. Fulbright Greece continues its long-standing tradition of excellence in educational exchanges, welcoming U.S. scholars and supporting Greeks to study and explore research opportunities in the U.S.

The “Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections” exhibit brings a piece of the rich Byzantine Empire to the U.S. Close to 170 rare artifacts have been borrowed exclusively from Greek museum collections for the exhibit. From October to March, the National Gallery of Art, Washington, hosted the collection, which featured the development of the Byzantine Empire from the fourth to the 15th century. Between April and August 2014, the exhibit will be on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Many of the items, including newly excavated artifacts, have never been on loan or published before. The Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture, and Sports organized the exhibit in collaboration with the Benaki Museum in Athens.

Icon of the archangel Michael, first half of 14th century, tempera and gold on wood, Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens. Sample of gold coins from the collection.

FOUNDATION

ARISTON FOUNDATION MERIT SCHIOLARS 2013

IRENE CONSTANTINA DEDOUSSI

GEORGIOS DIMITRAKOPOULOS

Irene Constantina Dedoussi, 23, is a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pursuing a Master’s Degree in aeronautics and astronautics. In her first year at MIT she presented a paper titled “Investigating landing gear noise using fly-over data: the case of a Boeing 747-400” at the 19th American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Council of European Aerospace Societies Aeroacoustics conference in Germany. As a University of Cambridge undergraduate, Dedoussi received several awards including a Lufthansa AG Scholarship and an Arthur Shercliff Memorial Trust Travel Scholarship to fund her placement at the German Aerospace Centre in 2011. A recipient of several awards in math and physics competitions, she enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, swimming, yoga, and learning new languages.

Georgios Dimitrakopoulos, 24, is a Ph.D. candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying mechanical engineering. Dimitrakopoulos graduated early as the top (1st) student from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Department of Mechanical Engineering, in 2012. He received an award for the best Master Thesis in NTUA for the academic year 2011-2012 and graduated with the highest academic score. Following graduation, he was admitted directly to the MIT’s Ph.D. Program. As an undergraduate, Dimitrakopoulos also received scholarships for his academic performance every year from NTUA and from the Greek State Scholarship Foundation. In his free time he enjoys being active in MIT’s Hellenic Student Association, mentoring other students, playing football and basketball, and meeting people of different cultures.

The 2013 ARISTON MERIT SOCIETY Irene Constantina Dedoussi - MIT - Master’s in Aeronautics & Astronautics *Ariston Honor Society 2012. Georgios Dimitrakopoulos - MIT - Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Cleopatra Haviara - CUNY Queens College - Bachelor’s in History Michelle Ioannou - Fordham University - Master’s in Communications Filippos Lekkas - Yale University - Bachelor’s in Political Science Danae Metaxa - Brown University - Bachelor’s in Computer Science Andriani Ioanna Panagiotidou - MIT - Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering Andrew Michael Sotiriou - Yale University - Bachelor’s in American Studies Nicole Paxton Sullo - Yale University - Ph.D. in History of Art/University of Notre Dame Alexander Jeffrey Tougas - Bowdoin College - Bachelor’s in Government and Legal Studies/Environmental Studies Thalyana Smith-Vikos - Yale University - Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology/Cornell University

Ariston Foundation

was established on Greek Independence Day in 2011 to award, through merit scholarships, individuals of Hellenic descent exemplifying academic excellence; to organize special events; and fund activities and projects promoting and preserving the Hellenic language and culture. Ariston Foundation is the publisher of Portes Magazine, an international publication filled with original stories, interviews, and photography celebrating Greece. Visit aristonfoundation. org and portesmagazine.com for more information. portes magazine | spring 2014

THE STAVROS NIARCHOS FOUNDATION CULTURAL CENTER IN THE MAKING

FOUNDATION

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE BY VASILIKI MITRAKOS

portes magazine | spring 2014

A REVOLUTIONARY VISION {By the end of 2015, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) expects to complete a decade-long project to build an innovative and first-of-its-kind cultural center in Athens, which will house both the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera on the grounds of a new 170,000 square meter Stavros Niarchos Park. SNF Public Affairs Officer Elenia Saloutsi shares details with Portes Magazine about the forthcoming SNFCC and several recent Foundation sponsored initiatives responding to the economic crisis.} BY VASILIKI MITRAKOS

project of pioneering design and international acclaim will soon bloom into a multifunctioning cultural center and green space in the Kallithea neighborhood of Athens. Expected to open to the public in 2016, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is nearing completion after what will have been a decade of planning from beginning to end. “The SNFCC exemplifies the areas that the Foundation believes are necessary for progress and development for the city and for the country in general,” SNF Public Affairs Officer Elenia Saloutsi says. “These are culture, education, and sustainability,” she adds. The Foundation’s initial idea, which sprouted in 1998, was to provide new facilities for the National Library of Greece, in an effort to consolidate the library’s holdings and significantly upgrade its services and accessibility. Simultaneously and independently of this initiative, the Foundation was also considering a proposal to support the Greek National Opera. The initial proposals soon evolved into a single plan to incorporate both institutions on the same grounds, with extensive green space surrounding the facilities. Eight years later, in 2006, the SNF announced plans to completely oversee the funding, design, construction, and outfitting of the grandiose multi-purpose cultural center being built today. For a project of this stature, the SNF selected world-renown Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2008 to oversee the new cultural center’s design from all angles.

Piano’s best known projects include the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Beyeler Foundation Museum in Riehen, the Parco della Musica Auditorium in Rome, and The New York Times offices in New York. Celebrated for working with elements of a building’s natural environment, many of Piano’s works incorporate features that take advantage of natural light and spaces, making significant use of materials like glass, wood, and metal. His forward thinking architectural plans also implement many

“

for the Foundation because apart from its grant-making activities, we really believe that public-private partnerships are the way to go to promote development and progress,” Saloutsi says. As Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president of the SNF’s Board of Directors, says the SNF cannot replace the state and the services the state is obligated to supply for its citizens, however, it can complement and assist where there is a need. “Any state on its own, any private enterprise on its own, any philanthropic effort on its own, they all have proven…inadequate to deal effectively and equitably with most of today’s problems,” Dracopoulos stated during the Foundation’s Second Annual International Conference on Philanthropy. “We need to work together, not in a philosophical sense, but in everyday life. We also need all of the healthy powers of the state, the private sector, and of philanthropy to collaborate in the most effective way possible, especially in the midst of the current global socioeconomic crisis, which affects the real lives of ordinary people,” he said. Once complete, the operation and ownership of the SNFCC will be entirely handed over to the Greek State as part of the agreement. Incorporated in the memorandum of the SNFCC’s plans, which was ratified by the Greek Parliament, are strict guidelines regarding the future operation and maintenance of the institutions housed in the cultural center, which will follow global standards of operation, Saloutsi says.

The SNFCC exemplifies the areas that the Foundation believes are necessary for progress and development ... which are culture, education, and sustainability. ” eco-friendly features, and in the case of the SFNCC, Piano’s designs synthesize the Foundation’s sustainability-oriented goals with the overall construction of the new cultural center, and its location. With a total estimated cost of 566 million euros, which covers everything from initial planning to the final outfitting, the SNFCC is a significant gift to the Greek people. Additionally, it is the first public-private partnership of this scale taking place in Greece, and the Foundation’s largest single grant to date. “[The SNFCC] is particularly important

DETAILS In September of 2013, the Foundation celebrated the one-year anniversary of groundbreaking at the construction site. Reflective of the Foundation’s interest in promoting sustainability wherever possible, environmentally conscious elements were incorporated in nearly every aspect of construction and final design. “The magnitude and complexity of the project can have a great impact economically, socially, and environmentally for Greece, and just the actual details of the construction process alone are fascinating,” Saloutsi says. “In terms of the construction, our standards are extremely high, regarding both the quality of materials and the efforts to ensure that the environmental disruption is kept at minimum.” Located on the edge of Faliro Bay, nearly five kilometers south of the city center, the innovative design of the SFNCC site will create a brand new landscape that will reshape the face of Athens. The Greek National Opera and the National Library of Greece will be housed in a structure built into an artificial hill in the Stavros Niarchos Park. Essentially, the park will eclipse most of the building formations and serve as massive green roof. This hill, which will have a height of 32 meters, will cover 85% of the SFNCC site and will significantly reduce air conditioning needs for the buildings underneath. Once complete, visitors will be able to walk throughout the Stavros Niarchos Park, which will be forested by roughly 1,200 different tree and plant species native to the Mediterranean region, Panos Papoulias, SNFCC management advisor, says. Alongside the artificial hill, the park will also feature a canal, which will function as an antiflooding system for the site. It also symbolically pays tribute to the ancient river that ran through the grounds upon which the SFNCC is being built. Aside from significantly improving green space with the creation of the Stavros Niarchos Park, one of the project’s most visibly apparent sustainable features is incorporated in the canopy that will cover the building housing the National Greek Opera and National Library of Greece. The 100m x 100m roof will be outfitted with photovoltaic panels expected to cover a large part of the building’s energy needs. The panels are being constructed as one piece on-site and placed as a single canopy over the roof of the two institutions. The execution of this plan will be an

engineering challenge and a global first, according to Papoulias, but is one of the defining elements demonstrating the Foundation and Piano’s dedication to structural and environmental innovation. Furthermore, the SNFCC will feature an on-site recycling system and a self-sustainable water repossession mechanism for the entire park. Among other measures being taken to reduce environmental disruption throughout the construction process, engineers filter and repurpose excess soil on-site, implement dust and erosion control mechanisms, and stress waste prevention and management. In part, the SNFCC hopes the detailed and extensive measures taken to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term sustainability will earn the project a Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, this certificate acknowledges and verifies projects that are designed with a conscious effort to save energy, reduce waste and CO2 emissions, improve water use, and reflect a sensitivity to the natural environment in the architectural design. For a project of this scale, it comes as no surprise that even the archeological finds located on the grounds of the construction site will be incorporated and displayed in the cultural center. Since construction began in 2012, over 900 artifacts have been unearthed, studied, and stored in a designated archeological area at the location. Adjacent to the SNFCC is a community sports and leisure park also constructed by the Foundation as a gift to the Municipality of Kallithea. The park, which features a soccer field, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a playground area, opened to the public in late 2013 and serves as another extension to the green space in the neighborhood. Per the government’s request, in addition to the SNFCC, the Foundation funded the study and master plan for the development of the Faliro Bay waterfront, also designed by Piano. The Council of the State approved both the study and the master plan, and the Greek State is now responsible for executing the strategy. Although very complex and difficult, the construction of the SNFCC has been proceeding according to plan without any major obstructions, and the economic crisis that has rattled the Greek State has not affected its schedule of completion.

Projections of the interior & exterior of the SNFCC. Images courtesy of the SNF.

portes magazine | spring 2014

IMPACT

he much-anticipated completion of the SNFCC will bring a threefold impact to the area and the city of Athens in terms of creating an economic boost, promoting social engagement, and raising environmental standards across the board. According to a commissioned study by the Boston Consulting Group, construction of the SNFCC alone will contribute one billion dollars to the Greek economy by the time the entire site is complete. To date, there have been close to 800 people working on building the cultural center, and by the summer of 2014 the number is expected to reach 1,400. In the first year of operations, the study projects the SNFCC will generate 160 million euros. In terms of social impact, one of the most important goals of the foundation was to improve general accessibility to the SNFCC to ensure people with physical disabilities or those with limited mobility can enjoy full access to all services that will be provided. Combining a centralized and public location for the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera will also improve access to institutions formerly reserved for academics or a limited segment of society, and enrich the everyday lives of Greeks, Saloutsi says. With the opening of the SNFCC, barriers to green spaces and institutions of culture and higher learning will be significantly reduced while at the same time attract millions of visitors from Greece and around the world. Furthermore, the innovative design features and the extensive measures taken to improve sustainability have set a new paradigm for development in Greece. portes magazine | spring 2014

NUMBERS € 566 million (US$803 million) Total SNFCC design and construction cost €0 Total SNFCC design & construction cost to the Greek State and the public. 85% Percentage of the SNFCC site covered by the park. 15% Percentage of the site covered by the new National Library & National Opera buildings. 100 m x 100m Size of the photovoltaic solar energy canopy that will provide power to the SNFCC. 2 million Total book capacity of the new National Library of Greece. 1,400 Number of seats in the main auditorium of the new Greek National Opera. €1 billion Approximate total economic stimulus to be derived from the construction of the SNFCC (including constructions pending), according to The Boston Consulting Group. €160 million Approximate annual economic activity to be generated in Athens & Greece by the operations & visitor spending related to the SNFCC, under full operational capacity. 1,500 to 2,400 Estimated number of people to be employed annually for SNFCC construction & other related activities, according to the BCG.

Images of the construction site as of January 2014. Portes Magazine photos.

MISSION

s one of the most successful and innovative businessmen of the twentieth century, Stavros Niarchos (1909-1996) is best known for his success in the shipping industry, but his visionary work did not stop there. Throughout his lifetime, he maintained diversified financial activities and sustained keen interests in global causes. Understanding the importance of acting and thinking on a global scale, Niarchos endowed the SNF to create an enduring impact on a worldwide level. The SNF’s mission thus reflects Niarchos’ commitment to Greece and Hellenism, as well as his interest in continuously supporting international causes in education, social welfare, health, arts and culture. The SNF is a global philanthropic organization that began operations in 1996, and currently operates from offices in the U.S., Greece, and Monaco. To date, the SNF has provided $1.39 billion through 2,604 grants to nonprofit organizations in 110 nations around the world. The Foundation supports project proposals from non-profit organizations in the fields of arts and culture, education, health and medicine, and social welfare. Excluding the SFNCC undertaking, grant funds are generally divided equally between projects in Greece and the rest of the world. “The areas the Foundation focuses on are a representation of the areas that where important to its founder, Stavros Niarchos,” Saloutsi says. “And the fact that we do not only cater to organizations in Greece is one of the strengths of the organization, because we have gained experience and know-how from assisting with projects abroad, and as such, we are able to transfer this knowledge and expertise back to Greece.”

RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS Given the severity of the economic crisis in Greece, the SNF took the lead to alleviate some of the immediate and long-term effects through two distinct programs.

In December 2012, the Foundation launched the initiative Grants Against the Greek Crisis, which provided 100 million euros in support of non-profit organizations that deliver immediate assistance for the most vulnerable citizens in Greece. For one of the projects funded as part of the initiative, the Foundation teamed up with the non-profit group Praksis, and helped create a social housing program that on a monthly basis supports some 550 families. Through this program, these families not only receive financial assistance to avoid losing their homes, but are also offered counseling services and support in securing a new job. In addition, three daycare centers were established for homeless people in Athens, Piraeus, and Thessaloniki. These centers provide

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We wanted to assist with providing immediate relief to those who have been impacted the most by the crisis ... ” services for daily needs such as bathing and laundry cleaning. “We wanted to assist with providing immediate relief to those who have been impacted the most by the crisis ... and help them regain and retain their financial independence and the independence of their home,” Saloutsi says. By the end of 2013, the Foundation had already spent 77 of the 100 million euro sum, which was initially designated to cover a three-year period. This happened because the need for immediate relief was much greater than expected, Saloutsi says. Under the same initiative, the SNF is supporting Prolepsis, a non-governmental organization, which provides food aid and promotion of healthy nutrition programs in public schools across Greece. Since most of the country’s public schools do not offer school lunch, the goal of Prolepsis’ new program is to deliver healthy meals to 50,000 students, primarily in areas that

face socioeconomic difficulties, on a daily basis. The Food Aid and Promotion of Healthy Nutrition Program also focuses on teaching healthy eating habits to improve children’s development in the long run. “Studies show that making the wrong eating choices from a young age impacts not only the development of the child but also impacts you for the rest of your life,” Saloutsi says. “We always try to look in terms of long-term benefit and not just what is happening right now,” she adds.

FOCUSING ON THE YOUTH With youth unemployment soaring close to 60 percent in Greece, the SNF is focusing on the creation of new opportunities for young people in need of employment. Announced in October 2013, the SNF launched the Recharging the Youth Program, committing 100 million euros to create new opportunities for young Greeks. Still in the preliminary stages, the fund is expected to support projects with a focus on research and technology, agriculture, tourism, culture, and social entrepreneurship. “Taking into account how much of an affect being unemployed early on has to do with development later in life, the initiative aims to prevent a generation from being lost,” Saloutsi explains. “The focus is not only to create jobs, but to create opportunities in general, so the idea is that we want to kickstart some of these initiatives and then have the state sector and the private sector come in and help maximize the effects of these efforts,” she adds. For the SNF, part of the initiative’s goal is to bring together economists, policy makers, foundations, NGOs, government officials, and businessmen to discuss, pinpoint, and help implement collaborations and innovative ideas that will create lasting job opportunities for the youth in Greece, and perhaps serve as a new paradigm for dealing with youth unemployment on a global scale.

For more information about the SNFCC & the SNF, visit: snfcc.org & snf.org portes magazine | spring 2014

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Tips from the Most Productive People WITH JOHN P. CALAMOS SR.

BY ANTHE MITRAKOS

’ve always liked being a pilot because it really makes you focus. Piloting is a total emersion of what you are doing, and I find that really interesting. You better not be thinking about anything else that is going on. You better be focused on what you are doing. You are also not having fun unless you are scared. Flying airplanes is fun. I think there is a similarity between flying airplanes and managing investments. It’s that when you are trying to achieve higher returns, you have to take on risk just like when you are getting into an airplane. You are taking a risk. The similarity is how you manage that risk. You manage the risk through knowledge. The more you know, the more you understand, and the more successful you’ll be. You don’t want to be studying the weather when you are going through a thunderstorm. You better know it’s going to be there before you get there. John P. Calamos Sr.

[CEO & Co-CIO @ Calamos Investments LLC]

Age: 73 Enjoys: Flying planes Favorite Greek Destination: Golf at Costa Navarino in Kalamata Alma Mater: Illinois Institute of Technology ’65 Degrees: Economics, MBA in Finance Gifts: National Hellenic Museum, $2 million Illinois Institute of Technology, $10 million

With humble beginnings working at his family’s grocery store in Chicago, a young John Calamos could only have dreamed of becoming one of the richest people in America. As a teenager, he came across old stock certificates from the Great Depression in the basement of the family store. He researched them, thinking they might be of value. Unfortunately they were not, but nevertheless, this discovery fostered his lifelong interest in the stock market. Calamos’ mother later allowed him to invest the family’s $5,000 nest egg into stocks. The first in his family to pursue higher education, he later became a stockbroker and specialist in convertible securities after graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and the rest, as they say, is history. He founded Calamos Asset Management in 1977, growing the firm into a global asset manager and taking it public in 2004. The company currently manages some $26 billion. But there’s a lot more to this man than impressive numbers and fancy offices. Like in business, Calamos has reached for the skies, quite literally, as an Air Force combat pilot in Vietnam. His love of planes is evident in his collection which includes a Marchetti SF 260, a North American T-6 Texan, a Citation X, and a beautiful Falcon 7X. “I just like flying,” he tells Portes Magazine.

The

BUSINESS

GRK Connection John P. Calamos Sr. reflects on GREEK affairs in an interview with Portes Magazine. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

On Business in Greece “Prime Minster Samaras and the Government of Greece are working hard to expand the private sector in Greece. The ability to start business and become competitive in this global economy is essential to create prosperity in Greece. Why are so many Greek people here in the United States? There is a saying that capital goes to where it’s treated best. If people can’t find good investments somewhere, they go somewhere else. Capital can go anywhere in the world, and human capital does the same thing. If you are working hard but can’t be successful, you go somewhere where you can be. That is reflected in the Greek immigration experience over the last 100 years. There are fine companies in Greece as well, but how do we get that success to be more mainstream? How do we create additional ways to share that motivation? It’s the same thing here in the United States. Job creation comes from small business. The government has begun reducing regulation to make it easier to start a business. As Prime Minster Samaras said, ‘It’s time to cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet.’ We need job growth from small businesses, but how do we do that? One of the incentives that we have always had in the United States – and in the Greek-American community – is upward mobility. Even if you’re poor, if you work hard you can become successful. The Greek administration is making progress to fix their problems, but generally, the infrastructure in Greece has become so complex and difficult. Greece is not alone in all this. Greece is an example of what is going on in the rest of the world, and the issue is how we get the world back on a growth track.”

On Being Greek “Growing up, I learned a lot about the Greek Church and the Bible, but it really wasn’t until I went through college that I really learned about the Greek philosophers, and that really intrigued me. So looking back at my career and my history that was very important to me. Learning about philosophy was extremely important to my growth. We don’t go to college to get a job, we go to college to learn how to think. The job will come from making the right choices.”

On Greek Immigration to the U.S. “The Greeks didn’t come here rich. They came as dirtpoor immigrants. They didn’t know the language, and they didn’t wait around for a handout. They came to work hard and contribute to society, and now the Greek people are considered one of the richest ethnic groups in the U.S. It wasn’t given to them, they worked for it. They lived the American Dream. The National Hellenic Museum and cultural center are all about documenting and cultivating these values for future generations and hopefully inspiring the youth.”

On the National Hellenic Museum “The reason I’m involved with the NHM is to really help motivate kids to look at history, the contribution of Greek-Americans to the United States, and the contribution of Hellenism to the world. I think preserving this history is very important. This is the last generation that will be able to do this, because otherwise, given the demographic trends, the preservation of Hellenism might be lost. If we don’t do it, who is going to do it?”

On Greece “I go to Greece quite often. I might go a couple times a year. When you travel around, you travel to the villages or areas away from Athens and you see hard working people and that is positive. I think we know from our own heritage that Greeks can think and they can create.” portes magazine | spring 2014

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startups

Thinking Differently. Moving Forward. {Tech hubs, revolutionary ideas, and focus on innovation are sprouting in cities around Greece. Some of these groups secure funding from angel investors and globally acclaimed foundations, while others move on to Silicon Valley. Many dare to remain in Greece, bringing fresh thoughts and positive vibes in the midst of a social and financial crisis. We present you with a few groups that are positively shaping a new face of Greece. }

“We have created a place that inspires and enables its community members to work, connect with each other on a meaningful level, and finally transform their ideas into action.” - D.K.G. Found.ation Established: 2013 Founding Members: Dimitris Kalavros – Gousiou: Co-founder Thanos Kosmidis: Co-founder Konstantinos Politis: Co-founder John Sklavos: Co-founder Abraham Tsoukalidis: Co-founder Headquarters: Athens, GR General activities: Found.ation is one of the first co-working spaces in Athens. Found. ation aims to meet the specific needs of technology startups and offer facilities and services in the areas of technology, graphic design, and entrepreneurship. Within Found. ation’s creative space, groups can work, meet and exchange ideas and experiences with other groups, meet with customers and investors, and attend lectures and presentations. Purpose: The founders’ goal with the project is to satisfy the needs of young technology companies, acting as an incubator of their business operations. Productive cooperation is promoted through offering participants daily opportunities to network with professionals from various fields to exchange help, opinions and ideas, and develop new partnerships. We believe that the success of young entrepreneurs requires substantial investment in their craftsmanship and skills, especially in the

high-technology sector. We are passionate in providing young entrepreneurs with the right tools, educational resources and networking opportunities. Overall impact: A successful co-working space, where groups of different working needs and backgrounds are installed, meet, work, exchange experiences, and collaborate creatively to achieve their goals. A new effort, which provides both knowledge and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs. Our motto is: “Turning Enthusiasts into Entrepreneurs.” People involved: Currently seven full-time employees, and hosting over 30 tenants and 10 partners. Biggest challenge in creating the startup: There was an intense interest in co-working spaces in the city. More and more young entrepreneurs were seeking an affordable solution to offer them a fully equipped office and access to new opportunities of business networking. The “123P” was the second coworking environment that appeared in Athens a few years ago. It was a specially designed loft with a primary objective to accommodate all the ambitious entrepreneurs of the city who needed a fully equipped office, to cover their needs. The Found.ation is the newly designed coworking space created by the “123P” project team, who decided to expand this project and create, under the new name Found.ation, a

brand new larger co-working space for tenants to fully enjoy an enhanced environment and a wider range of services offered. The fear and uncertainty brought up by the economic crisis, prevents new entrepreneurs from transforming their ideas into action. Therefore, helping these promising individuals understand their potential is a constant challenge. Finally, at least in the beginning, our biggest setback had been the “Greek DNA”, which is not geared towards sharing, openness, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Essentially, this challenge was about change: from a culture of individual consumers to one of collective producers. And while change is always hard, its fruits are long-lasting. Biggest payoff of creating the startup: We have created a place that inspires and enables its community members to work, connect with each other on a meaningful level, and finally transform their ideas into action. The positive feedback we receive so far form our tenants and partners has been the biggest payoff of our work. In sum: Why this idea? Why now? Why in Greece? The fear and uncertainty brought up by the economic crisis in our country, prevents new entrepreneurs from transforming their ideas into action. Our ambition is to provide them with open access to “knowledge, the place, and the right people” in order to enhance them starting their new job under the most appropriate conditions. Official website: www.thefoundation.gr -As noted by Dimitri Kalavros - Gousiou Found.ation Co-founder

GloVo - Global Volunteers Platform Established: 2012 Founding Members: Kostapanos Miliaresis: Founder & CEO Aris Konstantinidis: Co-founder & COO Chris Panagiotou: Co-founder & CBO Haris Ninios: Co-founder & CTO Headquarters: Athens, GR Purpose: Our mission is to connect young and passionate volunteers with organizers of global events and actions and create a great experience for the both of them. General activities: GloVo is a global volunteers platform, which enables people from all over the world to register as volunteers and participate in many kinds of events and actions, according to their skills, location, interests, and the event needs. Additionally, event organizers can register their upcoming event and assign the recruitment, selection, training, allocation, coordination and management of volunteers, as well as the promotion of their event to

GloVo. This is particularly attractive for companies seeking to host events or volunteer service actions as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. Overall impact: Until now, young people who were interested in civic engagement and volunteerism had to search on their own for opportunities and then find a way to apply or come in contact with the people in charge. Also, event organizers either did not have the time or the knowledge to recruit, organize, and manage volunteers or create a good experience for them. The results were firstly young people staying at home disappointed and secondly organizers with insufficient or poorly skilled volunteers for their events and actions. At GloVo, we care about creating a great experience for both volunteers and event organizers. We automatically connect young people with volunteer opportunities according to their specific interests, knowledge, and skills. In that way, everyone is satisfied and many young people are introduced to volunteerism in a very positive way and, as a result, want to do it again. We focus not only on getting the best out of volunteers, but also giving them the best! People Involved: Five core members on a daily basis; 10 support members, 2500 volunteers. Geographic reach: Currently across Athens and working toward expansion in Serbia within six months. Biggest challenge in creating the startup: The Greek law and tax system. Nothing more to say.

Official website: www.glovo.com.gr -As noted by Kostapanos Miliaresis GloVo Founder & CEO

MAJOR COLLABORATORS

over

about

volunteers

In sum: Why this idea? Why now? Why in Greece? We keep dreaming and planning about how to help people in need. Actions like social cooking, tree planting, helping out institutions and initiatives, cleaning public spaces and forests are some actions we have accomplished. Until now, we have helped more than 1,000 young people to take part in events and actions as volunteers, thus contributing to their success and making their impact as participants in society greater. We are confident that more and more young people will become civically engaged and introduced to volunteerism, and then they will continue to offer their services in the future. Our dream is to offer a positive introduction to volunteerism for every young man and woman in the world and combine everyone’s abilities and knowledge in order to achieve great results by solving problems. Right now we have set a goal of engaging 10,000 young people and students in the next two to three years and create a positive impact on the whole society through our actions.

Biggest payoff of creating the startup: The biggest gain from the creation of a startup is the new experiences that you come across… anything from forming new friends and

IN NUMBERS

2,500

partners, to dealing with the everyday problems that require immediate solutions. It is also thrilling to translate the knowledge from your university experience into action and face real case studies without any guideless, but only your instinct and daring courage to try new things.

BUSINESS

“Our dream is to offer a positive introduction to volunteerism for every young man and woman in the world and combine everyone’s abilities and knowledge in order to achieve great results by solving problems.” - K.M.

events

TEDxATHENS • EDEN Festival • AIESEC GREECE • TEDxAUEB • InfoCom World • Startup Weekend Greece • EXIT Festival portes magazine | spring 2014

CareAcross Established: 2013 Founding Members: Thanos Kosmidis: Co-founder & CEO Paris Kosmidis: Co-founder & CMO Alexandros Giamas: Co-founder Headquarters: Athens, GR Purpose: CareAcross will give patients and caregivers the best way to fight cancer beyond their hospital, from diagnosis to long-term care. General activities: CareAcross provides an online community which supports people affected by cancer, by providing credible information, useful tools, psychological support, and expert advice. Overall impact: Cancer patients spend about 1% of their time in the hands of experts (doctors, nurses, etc.), but there is little focus on the remaining 99%, and we want to change that. When they support each other, become empowered, and are better informed, cancer patients and caregivers will have a better partnership with their professional healthcare team, and a stronger support network of people facing similar challenges. Therefore, instead of feeling alone throughout their treatment, and powerless in front of the complexities of the disease, they will build up the strength necessary to face cancer’s everyday challenges.

People involved: Core team of five people, and partnerships currently with 15 leading oncologists. Geographic reach: Worldwide

Incrediblue

Biggest challenge in creating the startup: Addressing cancer, one of the most personal and delicate issues in health, while respecting each patient’s individual need for privacy and dignity.

Established: 2013

Biggest payoff of creating the startup: Having current patients tell us “When can I join?” And having survivors tell us “I wish I had this when I had cancer!” In sum: Why this idea? Why now? Why in Greece? Impact is biggest wherever the challenges are the toughest. We want to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, caregivers and their families, and we feel we are already late. Greece is unique in its depth of scientific talent, and also Greeks can offer empathy and support in hard times. We believe the combination is too good not to be used against cancer. Official website: www.careacross.com -As noted by Thanos Kosmidis CareAcross Co-Founder and CEO

“Greece is unique in its depth of scientific talent, and also Greeks can offer empathy and support in hard times. We believe the combination is too good not to be used against cancer.” - T.K.

Founding Members: Antonios Fiorakis: Co-founder & CEO Theodoros Orfanidis: Co-founder & CTO Georgios Gatos: Co-founder & COO Headquarters: Volos, GR Purpose: Incrediblue is a community-based website changing the way people experience water by enabling aspiring and experienced boaters to rent unique boats directly from their owners. New service created: Unique boat rental marketplace. Overall impact: Incrediblue is making boating an accessible travel option for all by giving owners the ability to list their boats for rental, connect directly with travelers, and avoid the enormous fees required by brokers. Not only is the service beneficial and free to use for owners, it’s also taken boating from an unattainable luxury to a reasonable vacation option. That holiday you’ve always dreamt of ... it’s finally possible! People involved: Over 10 people. Geographic reach: International reach, but currently focused on Europe. Biggest challenge in creating the startup: Growing from a team of three co-founders to over 10 people in just a few months time. Biggest payoff of creating the startup: Hearing a passionate customer pitch your service to friends. In sum: Why this idea? Why now? Why in Greece? Incrediblue is a Greek story and it makes sense to be one. It makes sense for an idea and company like Incrediblue to come out of and be based in Greece and not in Berlin, London, or San Francisco since Greece is near all the main boating hubs like Italy, Croatia, Turkey, and Spain. And above all, we have industry expertise. Official website: www.incrediblue.com -As noted by Antonios Fiorakis Incrediblue Co-Founder & CEO

“Incrediblue is a Greek story, and it makes sense to be one. It makes sense for an idea and company like Incrediblue to come out of and be based in Greece and not in Berlin, London, or San Francisco since Greece is near all the main boating hubs like Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Spain. And above all, we have industry expertise.” - A.F.

IN DETAIL

1,500+ boats listed

10+

countries with active boat renters

Full season: April - October Peak months: July & August Cost range starting point: A boat trip around Barcelona for four persons can cost as low as 52 euros for the entire group.

rabt Established: 2013 Founding Members: Yiannis Broustas: Co-founder & CEO George Lentzas: Co-founder Leonidas Garyfallos: Co-founder & CTO Headquarters: Athens, Greece & New York, U.S. Purpose: Rabt aims to change people’s everyday entertainment by personalizing the way they experience video content while at home or on the move. New service created: Rabt is the fastest and easiest way to discover and watch videos on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Through a patented set of algorithms, it evaluates videos from different premium quality sources and compiles them into a unique playlist for every single user across eight categories (news, sports, lifestyle, comedy, etc.) Overall impact: Rabt started as an idea in 2012. Since then, it has setup two offices in Athens and New York, subsequently employing several people, and has attracted positive attention from major media outlets around the world. In 2013 rabt received the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award and the title “Globalized Start-up of the Year” in the AppWARDS 2013.

Biggest challenge in creating the startup: Funding, attracting the right traction from users and media, and managing a team of people split between Athens and New York. Biggest payoff of creating the startup: Giving employment and hope to young Greek graduates dreaming of building a big, global tech company, starting it in Greece and expanding it to the U.S., and the emotional satisfaction and personal fulfillment of designing a viable business model from scratch. In sum: Why this idea? Why now? Why in Greece? The idea came out of a debate around the globe regarding the move from desktop to mobile, and why mobile video is not yet as developed as it should be. Being Greeks and having lived abroad for over 10 years, we thought that it would be a pity to set up the company somewhere else when our own country is going through a major crisis and talent is lost due to increased unemployment. That’s what led to the decision to come back to Greece, set up the office here, and then expand globally. Official website: www.rabt.co -As noted by Yiannis Broustas rabt Co-founder & CEO

People involved: Seven Geographic reach: Mainly focused on the U.S. but we have users all across the globe. Greece has been a very strong testing market and we do have a loyal crowd here.

“Being Greeks and having lived abroad for over 10 years, we thought that it would be a pity to setup the company somewhere else when our own country is going through a major crisis and talent is lost due to increased unemployment. That’s what led to the decision to come back to Greece, setup the office there, and then expand globally.” - Y.B. portes magazine | spring 2014

{Have you ever wandered the streets of Athens and felt a great need to brighten up a schoolyard, brush away offensive graffiti, or clean out a neglected alley? You are not alone! The Atenistas are a like-minded group of individuals that does just that in various parts of Athens. Bringing a fresh look and feel to the city through a variety of volunteer-led activities, the Atenistas have taken action into their own hands. Nadia Papadimitriou of the Atenistas shares some insights about the independently organized citizen-action group and its activities across the city of Athens.} BY MICHAEL NEVRADAKIS

Q&A Tell us more about Atenistas, and how the organization started. Atenistas is an open group of people living in Athens. We started back in 2010, and the people who inspired the launch of the team were graphic designer Tasos Chalkiopoulos and journalist Dimitris Rigopoulos. They started without really knowing what they wanted to do, they just wanted to do something for the city they loved. They really thought that Athens has many things to give to all of us and there are so many nice things we can enjoy in the city. We have existed for almost four years and have completed more than 180 actions, most of them based in the city center, but also in some neglected neighborhoods around Athens. What are some examples of these organized actions? The Atenistas have cleaned spots around the city, created public parks, rejuvenated playgrounds, and painted in bright colors, schools around Athens, for example. We have also organized a lot of cultural events, or guided tours in historic areas and unpopular neighborhoods, to help the Athenians members get to know their city better, to feel safe in the city, and to enjoy it. Some of

the biggest events have been, for example, organizing the concert of the National Opera of Greece in the Varvakeio Market, or the Tango Night at the former Peloponnese train station, or the Swing Night in Omonia Square. We also have another sub-team that is working with people who are in need and who help in collecting food, medicine, and clothes. Tell us a bit about the urban renewal projects the Atenistas initiate and how the locations in Athens are chosen. Sometimes we choose the locations because we pass by and we see something. There are also a lot of civilians who have sent us mail, pointing out places where we can go and help them improve their neighborhoods. We have also been receiving a lot of letters from schools, to help them improve their environments. There is no definite process. Either the people ask us to go there or we pass by and identify these places. Everything we do, we really believe has to be done on the basis of what is common logic to the people and what is simple. The simpler, the better.

COMMUNITY

Atenistas

the team that’s regenerating Athens... one citizen at a time

they can enjoy being there and understand that there are many interesting things they can explore. We also have a campaign on our website where we announce all the theaters that offer, once or twice a week, cheap tickets so that people can enjoy going to the theater during a difficult period without spending much money. It’s something that we think is helping young people go out and enjoy the city. Since all of these initiatives are volunteerbased, how do you encourage the citizens of Athens to participate, and what is the general reaction? It is completely volunteer-based, although we don’t really use this word in Greece. The people participating in the Atenistas don’t

What more should we know about the cultural events that are organized or promoted by the Atenistas? What we mainly do within our cultural subteam is organize events to help people visit neglected areas to see that they are safe, so portes magazine | spring 2014

“

It’s really touching and it really fills you with energy and satisfaction.”

pupils, and their parents for them to create a connection to the school and a feeling that it is their school. So we usually organize those events between a few members of the Atenistas and the people from the school.

really see themselves as volunteers. They see themselves as active citizens that do things to improve their everyday lives and the lives of their neighbors, to enjoy living in this city. As for what we receive back from the citizens, I think that this is the best part of being in the Atenistas. It’s really touching and it really fills you with energy and satisfaction. People really acknowledge what we do, and whenever we are in a neighborhood, they come there, they congratulate us, they help us, and they work with us. Most importantly, after we leave the neighborhood, since we usually go for a day, what happens next is that the citizens living there adopt the place, adopt the small park or the playground, and they use it. They socialize there, they teach their children to play there and to protect it and clean it, and the whole neighborhood has a better feeling.

From what I understand, the Atenistas are split into several different teams, each with their own area of emphasis, is this correct?

Following up on this, what is the typical turnout for any given event? It depends on the event. For example, when we organize a cultural event or an open event like the concert of the National Opera, there are more than 3,000 people there. Recently, we organized the Open Walk Athens for the second time. It is an initiative where we give Athenians a map that we created and we urge them to walk around the city and to explore hidden diamonds. There were more than 4,000 people at this event. But we also have smaller cultural events that attract about 1,000 people, like the Swing Night, while activities that have to do with parks and cleanup can host about 50 to 100 people, so that we have enough tools and enough work space to accommodate everyone. As for painting schools, it is even fewer people because we always work with the teachers, the

Exactly. It has something to do with logistics, as none of us can do everything. It’s easier for us to work in smaller teams and to create action because we are more productive that way. But all the teams support one another, we are all Atenistas. Have you found that there is a greater need for your efforts and initiatives in recent years as a result of the economic crisis? The Atenistas were created almost a year before the crisis in Greece, and it was due to a need to show that we love our city. Of course, the conditions that were created afterward perhaps made our work more urgent, but no, the Atenistas are not a creation of the crisis. I think it is an expression of the maturity that little by little is coming across the Greek society. It’s a reflection of the realization that we as citizens also owe something, to the city, to the state, to the neighborhood. Atenistas don’t like to complain at all. We don’t want to stay and wait for the state to do everything for us. We are people who have responsibilities and we have to do something on our own. Of course the state has obligations, but we ourselves can do things and we have to do them now more than ever! For more information on Atenistas or to join the group, visit www.atenistas.org.

Atenistas paint stairs on Marasli Street in Kolonaki. November 2013.

Children help paint their school in Kolonos. April 2013.

Hundreds gather for a free book exchange organized by the Atenistas in Plateia Agias Eirinis. December 2012.

Giving value to an empty space, Atenistas make use of an abandoned lot in Sepolia to create a colorful local park with the help of several dozen volunteers. March 2013.

Before & After: Atenistas re-design a neglected pedestrian walkway near Syntagma Square. November 2013.

Before

After

Photos courtesy of Atenistas.

After portes magazine | spring 2014

Exploring Athens:

Plateia Agias Eirinis BY KATHERINE POSEIDON

his square, located just a few minutes from the Monastiraki metro station, has recently become one of the liveliest areas of central Athens. Local cafés, bars, and restaurants provide enough variety that you are sure to find an atmosphere that appeals. The crowds here are diverse – lots of young people, but plenty of adults and children. There is also a fair number of older people, who serve as a reminder that this area, around Aiolou and Athinas Streets, is the heart of old Athens. The resulting vibe reflects the city itself – history, and reminders of bygone times, combined with an inescapable buzz of modern city life.

Church of Agia Eirini (Αιόλου 36) This church is the namesake of Plateia Agias Eirinis, although it is now mostly a spectator to the liveliness of the surrounding cafes, which give the area its energy. The church does have a rich history of its own though, and is worth popping into on your way to, or from the Plateia’s other destinations. Agia Eirini Church was built in 1847, replacing an earlier church in the same location destroyed during the 1821 Revolution. Neoclassical in style, the structure’s design encompasses materials from other ruined churches, and displays an interesting synthesis with byzantine and neoclassical influences. Step inside for a momentary escape from the energy outside.

Kosta’s (Πλατεία Αγίας Ειρήνης 2) This hole-in-the-wall (literally) souvlaki place is simultaneously the tiniest and most classic of the eating options in the Plateia. This shop opened in 1946, and the souvlaki has had little reason to change since then. Purists beware – there is no tzatziki, or gyro meat to be found here. Instead, your choices are souvlaki (kebab-style meat cooked on a grill) or biftekakia, little burger shaped patties, with or without a pita, doused in a spicy red sauce. You’ll recognize this place by the line outside the door, but come early – they close at 5 p.m. - and don’t be put off by the queue. This one is worth the wait.

Rock & Balls (Βασιλικής 2)

This newest addition to the line-up in Plateia Agias Eirinis opened in December to rave reviews. With a fresh New Yorkstyle décor and creative idea (choose a ‘ball’ of meat, lentils, etc., sauce, and side), the place has been busy since opening. Unfortunately, this success has led to a recent increase in prices, and the service hasn’t kept up with the hype. An interesting addition to the Plateia, though – try it out for yourself!

DESTINATIONS

Lukumades (Αιόλου 21)

After eating and drinking your way around the Plateia (or before, – no judgment), this is the place to come to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here, the classic Greek treat, the loukouma, gets a modern twist. The dough is mixed and fried right in front of you, but also stuffed with chocolate, mastiha, or cream… then covered with whatever indulgent choice of topping you’d like, from the classic honey, to chocolate sauce, to ice cream!

Tailor Made (Πλατεία Αγίας Ειρήνης 2)

Kouzina tis Manas (Αιόλου 27)

This cafeteria-style restaurant is a newer addition to the square, but is much more than it might appear to the passerby. Everyday, Kouzina tis Manas, literally mom’s kitchen, offers freshly cooked traditional Greek dishes including meats, stews, vegetables, and fish from all over Greece, as well as a selection of salads and sweets. You decide what size plate you’d like, and fill it up based on whatever looks best. The menu is always changing, providing a tasty and budget-friendly mix of traditional and fresh food, with a bright interior and high tables outside. They’re also open for breakfast!

For coffee or drinks, Tailor Made is a popular meeting point. With a high-quality and eclectic selection of coffee and cocktails, as well as herbal tea mixes and Japanese liquors, you’ll be sure to find something on the menu to sip while catching up with friends. The outdoor tables also provide a great place for people-watching. It’s usually busy, so good luck finding a table!

Magaze (Αιόλου 33) A modern-style café bar, Magaze is artsy and cool, while somehow also cozy. The manager is friendly and the service is good. Plus, the bartender makes one mean cappuccino. They also service reasonably priced and interesting food (quinoa avocado salad anyone?) smoothies, cocktails, and their own blends of herbal tea. Its open and laid-back atmosphere has also made it a gay-friendly part of Athens’ growing LGBT scene.

Once you’ve explored the Plateia, continue up or down Aiolou Street if you’re in the mood for falafel, bubble tea, or New Orleans-style grub. This street has got you covered, and if you don’t find anything to satisfy your taste buds, you’ll end up at the Athens Central Market, where you can pick up fresh ingredients for your own home creations. Happy exploring! portes magazine | spring 2014

Sofia’s Kouzina

Ingredients 1 tsp. vanilla 3 eggs 2 cups fine semolina 2 liters milk 2 cups sugar orange zest (optional) 1/4 stick butter cinnamon a dash of salt

galopita Galopita is a baked custard particularly popular during the Easter season. It is easy to make, and unlike the Galaktoboureko and Bougatsa, there is no phyllo dough or syrup required for this recipe. Enjoy!

Instructions

Sofia is acat. She enjoys cooking, baking, & making a Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a mess in the kitchen. Niaou Niaou! pan with butter, even if it’s non-stick. Heat

up milk, sugar, and butter in a saucepan, but make sure not to boil milk completely. Add semolina, vanilla extract, and a dash of salt, mixing frequently with a wooden spoon. When heating up milk and semolina mixture, stir frequently to avoid burning or over-boiling. Add a bit of orange zest if you’re a fan of the flavor. Once the mix begins to thicken, turn off the heat. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy and add a bit of the warm milk to temper the mix before introducing it to the saucepan. Once you have added the egg mix to the milk, whisk immediately until the ingredients are fully mixed. Place in pan and then in oven. The mixture should be about one inch thick in the pan. Bake for about one hour or until the custard’s surface starts getting golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool before serving.

Tips Dust w h cinnamoit n or powdered su This sweet c gar. enjoyed as isan be paired with , or oney, nuts, or seahso fruits. Enjoy n !

Do not mix eggs directly into milk and semolina mixture because they may cook unmixed! Rather, introduce some of the warm mixture into the whisked eggs to temper them prior to adding the mix to the rest of the ingredients. Use a non-stick cake pan, and grease it with butter to get the best form results. You can even get creative with fancy shapes.

{First experimenting with baking at age of 17 at Papaspirou Patisserie, Stelios Parliaros began work as a pastry assistant to Egyptian confectioners at the Hilton Athens, then took a trip to France where his sweet journey began… “Baking enchanted me back then, and continues to fascinate me 35 years later,” says Parliaros, who opened his first shop at the age of 22, marking a milestone for his lifelong relationship with pastry-making. Aside from being the executive editor of the Greek monthly magazine “Sweet Stories” published by Kathimerini Newspaper, Parliaros hosts his own weekly show titled “Sweet Alchemies,” on SKAI. “We try to prepare sweets in a simple and illustrative way, as best as we can,” he says about the segment.}

Q&A

* translated from Greek

What is it about pastry-making that you enjoy the most? The endless creative possibilities, the discipline required to perform, mixing new materials, the precision, and the experiments that spawn new sweets and much, much more… What is your personal favorite sweet? I like a well-made custard because it invokes in me memories of Istanbul, the city where I was born. I also like bitter chocolates with spices and peppers. In a practice where creativity is important, and presentation is key, what inspires you to continue crafting new recipes? I observe. I read. I travel. Inspiration sprouts when you fill your mind with images and information. When you love something very much, you inform yourself about new

developments, look for new things, and continuously try to improve your efforts. What are some important steps usually overlooked in baking? In baking you cannot skip any steps. It requires very precise weighing of materials, and the recipe should be strictly followed. Only individuals who have enough experience can be substituting materials and quantities or modifying recipes. Do you oversee the design of the products sold at your boutique shops? The “Sweet Alchemy” shops in Kolonaki and in Kifissia are purely a personal matter. I work endless hours a day, taking care of everything…from the presentation and alteration of the sweets available in the store, to the last detail in the storefront window. Admittedly, I also work with a group of worthy partners who share the same vision. What is your favorite type of chocolate? Chocolate is unique, mainly because it gives endless creative possibilities. It can

“

Chocolate

is unique, mainly because it gives endless creative possibilities.

CUISINE

confectioner extraordinaire

“

Stelios Parliaros

be accompanied by fruits, nuts, coffee, spices, salt and pepper, and can even be used in cooking. Personally, I like to eat dark chocolate, but I like to make sweets with all kinds of chocolate. Someone wants to truly impress guests with sweets. What should they do?

Stelios Parliaros (above) has opened two “Sweet Alchemy” boutique sweet shops in the quaint Athenian neighborhoods of Kolonaki and Kifissia (below).

Offer a sweet made with care, love, and imagination, and naturally, with quality ingredients. Then, it is certain that the result will amaze all who taste it. What is your opinion of the common perception that women love and crave chocolate more than men? Is this really true? Statistically speaking, women do love chocolate more than men. Studies have shown that chocolate helps to improve one’s mood and has properties beneficial to health when consumed in small quantities. Even a very small piece of chocolate offers huge enjoyment. And that’s what makes it a magical delicacy! For delicious recipies visit glykes-alchimies.gr.

“With both shops, my primary goal was to accommodate sweets in a place that respects their presence.” - S.P.

portes magazine | spring 2014

destination

Karpathos The second largest of the Dodecanese islands in the southeast Aegean Sea, Karpathos is known for its exceptional natural beauty, and the local peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirited devotion to traditions, values, dialect, folklore, and customs. The genuine passion exuded by Karpathians can be attributed to the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wonderful attributes and relative distance from mainland Greece. Near or far, Karpathians keep this island dear in their hearts. Characterized by gorgeous beaches and well-kept rich traditions, the island of Karpathos is home to some 6,000 permanent inhabitants and hosts about 20,000 people daily during the summertime season. In Ancient and Medieval times, Karpathos was well-connected to Rhodes, the romantic island of knights and pirates. Under Roman, Genoese, Venetian, and Ottoman control over the years, Karpathos took part in the 1821 Greek Revolution and formally joined Greece in 1948.

DESTINATIONS

We ask send us ed fans to the of Karp ir best shots Followi athos Island . ng, a of the P re the winner ortes M s a g a z i Photo C n ontest. e Enjoy!

Photo by Barbora Kutíková

portes magazine | spring 2014

9 7 1. Renata Havasi 2. Anita Vozos 3. George Zavolas 4. Ylva Hedenquist 5. Forikli Fotini Pahountas 6. Ashley Cynthia 7. Mixalis Filippakis 8. Sophia Lamb 9. Renata Havasi 10. Anna Papayiannis

10 portes magazine | spring 2014

Just as in Crete, mantinades, rythmes & folksongs are popular in Karpathos.

Once part of Karpathos, the nearby island of Saria was separated during an earthquake. The island is home to villages including Pigadia (Karpathos), Menetes, Arkasa, Aperi, Volada, Othos, Pyles, Mesohori, Spoa & Olympos.

Karpathos has two ports: in Pigadia & Diafani.

“

ΚΑΡΠΑΘΟΣ ΟΜΟΡΦΟ ΝΗΣΙ ... Η ΚΡΗΤΗ ΣΕ ΘΑΥΜΑΖΕΙ ... ΣΕ ΝΟΙΩΘΕΙ ΦΙΛΗ Κ ΑΔΕΛΦΗ ... ΓΙΑΤΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΣΟΥ ΜΟΙΑΖΕΙ! ΣΕ ΜΑΝΤΙΝΑΔΕΣ ΟΜΟΡΦΕΣ ... ΣΕ ΛΥΡΑ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ ... ΚΙ Η ΚΑΡΠΑΘΟΣ ΟΠΩΣ ΚΙ ΕΜΕΙΣ ... ΠΑΝΤΑ ΠΙΣΤΗ ΘΑ ΜΕΝΕΙ.

“

-ΕΡΙΚΑ ΤΖΑΓΚΑΡΑΚΗ

Other notable sites to visit on the island include the Achata Cave in Arkasa, and the ancient city of Potideon, also known as Poseidon, in Pigadia.

Museums Archaeological Museum in Arkasa Archaeological Museum in Pigadia Folklore Museum in Menetes Folklore Museum in Othos

Aside from stunning beaches, the island’s natural environment also includes streams, green valleys, pine tree forests, and natural springs. 1. Anna Parissi, 2. Sophia Halkias, 3. Dena Orfanitopoulos, 4. Zuz Princíková, 5. Michael Nikolaidis, 6. Vangelis Mitakidis, 7. Johanna Kumpusch 8. Ezio Osculati, 9&10. Bill Coast, 11. Konstantinos Athanasios Kostis

9 In ancient times, Karpathos was dominated by Minoan, Dorian, and Achaean civilizations during various periods. Many of the local traditions celebrated today are rooted in ancient practices, which have been preserved over the centuries.

Local traditional costumes are characterized by their bright neon colors, intricate design, ornate gold coin neckpieces, and vibrant beads.

Beaches East Coast: Amoopi Karpathos Beach Achata Kato Latos Apella South Coast: Damatria Diakoftis Devil’s Bay Agriopotamos West Coast: Lefkos Mesohori Finiki Arkasa Leucadius North Coast: Diafani Vananda Forokli

Agia Panagia Church in Olympos.

CUISINE Traditional Karpathian cuisine includes the Skaros fish, Kolokythopoulia zucchini flowers, Makarounes pasta, Sisamomeli sweet, and Tourtes cheese-filled pies. portes magazine | spring 2014

3 1. Kalliope Mallofti 2. Zina Papagianni 3. Nina Aass

portes magazine | spring 2014

1 2

4 3

7 1. Anna Berit Aass 2. Niklas Kaulitz 3. Nicholaos Farmakides 4. Maria Vitoroulis 5. Christopher Apostal 6. Johanna Kumpusch 7. Irene Halkias 8. Nikolaos Protopapas 9. Anna Christodoulakis

9 portes magazine | spring 2014

A LOOK INTO

The Carnival of Patra

ith a history of over 180 years, the famous Carnival of Patra, known as the Patrino Karnavali, is by far the largest and most anticipated carnival in Greece, as well as one of the most impressive in all of Europe. Every year, over 40,000 costumed individuals participate in the parade, while thousands more flock to watch it in celebration of Apokries. A pre-lent tradition, the overall celebration begins in January, leading up to Clean Monday with various marches and performances taking place throughout those months. Activities include the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parade, which attracts some 12,000 kids annually. Street theater acts, exhibitions, treasure hunts, belly dance performances, masquerades, and events hosted by National Festival of Amateur Satire Theater are also on the list. These happenings count down to the massive carnival weekend preceding Clean Monday. Spectators that Saturday night watch a parade preview, and then on Sunday enjoy the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world-famous Great Parade, which is a more intense repeat of the prior nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities. Running for close to six hours, the Great Parade includes dozens of original handcrafted floats and thousands of costumed participants in a number of costume variations. At the end of the Great Parade, the Carnival King is ceremoniously burned at the port of St. Nicholas. This tradition is accompanied by an exciting and rather large fireworks display. Although the Patra Carnival is a pre-lent event, it is connected to ancient pagan rituals honoring Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, theater, and mischief. According to traditional myths, special feasts honoring the gods during the wintertime invoked them to bring forth the spring season. Later on, such festivals were integrated into the Greek Orthodox tradition, and are celebrated today during Apokries season in Greece. Portes Magazine brings you some of the best images of the Patrino Karnavali captured by the lenses of Patra native photographer Vassilis Spyrou and Portes Magazine.

ARTS & CULTURE Photo by Vassilis Spyrou

portes magazine | spring 2014

hroughout carnival week, the streets and town squares of Patra are full of dressed partygoers who hop around local cafĂŠs, restaurants, clubs and bars all day waiting for the parade to commence. The celebratory gatherings continue post-parade well into the next morning, as the streets around the main square are overflowing with people. Loud music, dancing, and chatting can be heard in every corner of the area surrounding St. Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Square. Hotels are booked well in advance for a weekend full of festivities and merrymaking.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

The Carnival Mascot. Trying out colors and techniques. Carnival King float models. The grand parade of the juniors. Trying out decorations. Town Hall opening day. Photos by Vassilis Spyrou

portes magazine | spring 2014

Πατρινό Καρναβάλι 2014! Photos by Portes Magazine

portes magazine | spring 2014

ARTIST PROFILE

Garsot

BY ANTHE MITRAKOS

“

olor and contrast is meticulously combined to create the surreal and modern art that is Garsot. What this artist wishes to transfer to others through his use of vibrant hues is uplifting optimism, positive feelings, and happy thoughts. His signature set of varying styles is derived both by inspiration and emotion. “My purpose as an artist is to bring good news, hope, and optimism to people,” he says. An art advocate, Garsot communicates the importance of respecting nature and celebrating life. He considers his work therapy for the soul, as his creations have brightened otherwise blank and sterile areas in public and private venues like nursing homes and medical offices. From hand-painting movie banners for cinemas in Greece, to large commissioned pieces in the U.S. and street murals in South Africa...Garsot’s art has touched the hearts of many. Poisonous politics, money, conflict, and control are elements of the “darker side,” which Garsot seeks to avoid, he says, sticking to what brings him the most happiness in life: creating art. “Nothing can beat the arts,” he tells Portes Magazine. “Beauty and truth will forever be victorious, through the arts, for the glory of humanity!”

Beauty and the truth will forever be victorious, through the arts, for the glory of humanity!

ARTS & CULTURE “Galloping on Water is one of my favorite paintings where I depict the environment under the sea, and space. If we do experiments to harm the environment, it seems like we are trying to gallop on water and I say let us enjoy the night before it’s too late.”

portes magazine | spring 2014

“The Dance of Earth and Sky is a very important painting for me because it’s a psychological thing. There is a lot of reflection…the woman is flying to meet the sky. When they meet, they fall in love and we have the dance of earth and sky.”

arsot was born in Messinia, Greece, with an artistic soul, picking up drawing from a very young age. When he was seven, he recalls, his teacher asked the schoolchildren to sketch an image of their preference. Looking around the classroom, young Garsot spotted a book with a picture of a graceful horse running on the cover. Upon collecting the drawings and seeing the horse sketch, the teacher called Garsot up and reprimanded him for what she thought was tracing. “She pulled the hair on my head and she said ‘don’t do this again,’” he recalls. “She said ‘if you are a liar I will make you draw it again’ and someone held the book and I drew the horse again. I never stopped drawing from that time.” Garsot studied finance in Greece and then moved to South Africa to study sculpture, never giving up his love for art. He moved to the United States in the 1980s and became the best-known Chicago artist in the GreekAmerican community, having painted murals in hundreds of restaurants and private residences. Slicing and rearranging his name, Sotirios Gardiakos has been known as Garsot since 1994. With over 50 years of painting experience behind him, creating artwork is his calling, he asserts. “I’m sure that I’m doing the right thing and using my skills,” he says. “If you don’t have skills and you throw paint on the canvas and

say it’s art…for me, this is stupid. You can do this sometimes but you have to prove first that you are a good artist. Picasso was a great artist with a lot of great skills and then he started painting modern like that because they asked him to,” Garsot explains. Aside from sculpture and painting, Garsot also enjoys the music scene. The artist composes tunes combining various instrumental elements from places he has visited, creating a musical cocktail with sounds from Africa, South America, North America, and Europe, inspired by none other than himself. “I created a CD called ‘Garsot inspired by Garsot’ because looking at my paintings, I get inspired to write music,” he says. “Or sometimes it’s the other way around. I create more art when listening to my music.” Garsot’s artwork is on display at the Garsot Arts Galleries in Chicago, and Fort Lauderdale. Featured canvases there are priced between $50,000 to $100,000 the artist says. The recipient of many fine arts awards, Garsot’ has had his work featured in various exhibits including the Spectrum Contemporary Art Fair in New York and Miami, the New England Fine Arts Institute in Boston, the International Museum of Twentieth Century Arts in California, and at the Chicagobased National Hellenic Museum and Illinois Art Institute.

portes magazine | spring 2014

WITH THE ARTIST

What imagery to you enjoy creating the most? The art pieces that I have are like my children. I love all of them, but some pieces are really interesting to me when the subject is the woman’s image. I believe there is nothing else better-created for the man, than a woman. I don’t want to cut the women in pieces like Picasso and make them look ugly. For me, the woman is very important and I want her to be in the middle of the stage. I want to represent women the best way I can and sometimes I cover their face as to not talk about a specific woman. I use the body to represent any Aphrodite today.

“

I like to be optimistic. Color is very important to me. Colors reflect my feelings and health. If you’re happy, you use a lot of color. It’s a reflection of how you live…how you want to live.

Describe your artistic style: My style is to make all the styles possible and to be optimistic and mix all the colors…I do surrealism, but always optimistic things from mythology and fantasy. My artworks can be abstract. Sometimes I paint anything that comes to my mind. I do not have boundaries. I try to do something new every time. What is your earliest memory of creating art? What first interested me in the art was a moment when my father and his friends were having ouzo at a café. I was 3 years old. He was drinking the coffee and he was using some kind of chalk to draw something. When he finished, because he saw I was watching him, he picked me up and he said ‘look what I did.’ He drew me a goat. When I saw this thing I thought to myself that if I do this like my father, this is what I want to do all the time. This is what sparked my interest. Wherever I was having a piece of paper, I was drawing...I was drawing on sand because I grew up by the sea. I would draw in the sand and then a big wave would come and it would disappear again.

Artist Signature: Garsot Name: Sotirios Gardiakos Art Genre: Surrealism & Modernism Medium used: Oil & Acrylics No. of pieces created: 1,000 + & mural art in some 500 buildings Greatest inspiration: Mother Nature Galleries: Garsot Arts Gallery in Chicago & Fort Lauderdale Visit: garsotartsgallery.com

“

Q&A

portes magazine | spring 2014

“Stained Glass” - Vicky Stamatopoulou - Acrylic on Canvas Lamprini Boviatsou - Oil on Canvas “Violets, Sweet Violets,” - John William Godward - Oil on Canvas

Mandala Collection - Zoe Keramea - Paper Cutouts

ARTS & CULTURE

Gallery Portes

Our selection of original artwork

portes magazine | spring 2014

celebrating

Holy Week

1 2

Saturday of Lazarus Σάββατο του Λαζάρου

A celebration in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection of His good friend Lazarus of Bethany, symbolizing the promise of universal resurrection for all men. Lazarakia, or sweet spice bread shaped like a man wrapped in a shroud, are eaten on this day.

Palm Sunday Κυριακή των Βαΐων

During Palm Sunday, which falls on the Sunday before Easter, palm fronds shaped into crosses are distributed in church as a commemoration of the Christ’s glorious entrance into Jerusalem, whose main road was covered in palm trees.

{Holy Week in the Greek Orthodox Church constitutes the central focus of the ecumenical calendar year, which commemorates the glorified Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look into the significance of each day celebrated.}

Holy Tuesday

Μεγάλη Τρίτη

Preceding the recognition of the death of Christ, Holy Tuesday celebrates the parable of the Ten Virgins, symbolizing that ethical planning and awareness are foundations of life, alluding to the importance of preparation for Judgment Day.

Holy Monday Μεγάλη Δευτέρα

A tribute to noble Joseph and the fruitless fig tree, which was symbolically cursed and withered by the Lord. The tree, which had leaves but no fruit, represents those who claim religious identity but live empty lives, signifying that judgment will befall those who do not bear the fruits of repentance.

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!” Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.” While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” — Matthew 25:1-13

Good Friday

Μεγάλη Παρασκευή

Good Friday celebrates the Passion of Christ, who endured scorn, mocking, torture, and the Cross of Death. This day also commemorates the confession of the repentant thief crucified with Christ, as well as the lamentations of loyal worshipers. On Friday evening, the Epitaphios, an ornate bier representative of Christ’s deposition from the cross and his burial, is carried in procession outside the church with candles and incense.

Holy Wednesday Μεγάλη Τετάρτη

Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ in the company of the 12 Apostles prior to his crucifixion. After washing the Apostles’ feet, Christ pointed out Judas as the betrayer, inaugurated the Eucharist, and was arrested that night.

Holy Thursday Μεγάλη Πέμπτη

Holy Saturday Μεγάλο Σάββατο

Easter Sunday

Το Άγιο Πάσχα

HISTORY & RELIGION

The anointment of Christ with myrrh by a sinful woman in the house of Simon the leper, is commemorated. The woman, who washed Christ’s feet, demonstrated her repentance and faith toward the Lord. The beautiful Hymn of Cassiane is sung in recognition of Holy Wednesday.

Holy Saturday represents the day Christ was physically laid in His tomb, and celebrates His victory over death by raising the souls of those in Hades, to Heaven. The Acts of the Apostles are read in church in their entirety, and at around 11:30 p.m., all lights and candles are extinguished in anticipation of the announcement of Christ’s resurrection. The light of Christ is ignited by a priest at the altar and is shared among the pious through lighting each other’s candles and lambades. The greeting “Christ is Risen” is exchanged officially after the Paschal Vigil.

Pascha honors the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and is the most revered of all Greek Orthodox celebrations. After the service commencing late Saturday night, the following Sunday morning, worshipers gather in church for prayer with lit candles and sign the hymn “Christ is Risen from the Dead.” The Paschal greeting is answered with “Truly He is Risen.” This day is also called “Sunday of Agape” as worshipers are reminded to express forgiveness, charity, and love for each other. The Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Resurrection of Christ for the next 40 days. As the center of the liturgical calendar, Pascha morning is considered to be the feast of feasts, and on this day, friends and families gather to celebrate the end of lent. Many households roast lamb and prepare various specialty recipes, including kokoretsi, tsoureki bread, and magiritsa. After the feast, family and friends crack red Pascha eggs. Whosever egg does not crack is said to have good luck.

portes magazine | spring 2014

One Man. One Mission. Socrates Now

{Yanni Simonides - co-director, producer, and actor of a modern rendition of Plato’s Apology of Socrates speaks with Portes Magazine about resurrecting the relevance of Socrates worldwide with his solo theatrical performance titled “Socrates Now,” a production of the New York and Athens-based Elliniko Theatro.} BY VASILIKI MITRAKOS “Socrates Now,” a modern rendition of Plato’s Apology of Socrates, has captured audiences worldwide, reflecting the diachronic relevance of the ancient philosopher’s oral defense. Channeling the dynamic and provocative character of Socrates through an 80-minute solo performance, actor and producer Yanni Simonides breathes a new life into Socrates that reaches audiences far beyond university classics departments. Using only a mask in the likeness of Socrates, a plain tunic, and a table set as props, Simonides brings humor and drama to a classic piece. The play explores key questions surrounding Socrates’ famous defense and rebuttal against his guilty verdict and death sentence in 399 B.C. At the end of the performance, Simonides transitions from the solo act into an engaging dialogue with the audience members, turning the spectators into participants. “I try to create a living persona of Socrates,” Simonides says. “By channeling Socrates, we try to engage the audience as he would. Those that have an inkling to stay have an understanding that the same honesty and consideration in the performance will be in the discussion.” Simonides incorporates the afterperformance discussion to illuminate the spirit of Socrates himself as a purveyor of questioning those around him. In practice, there appears to be very little departure between the act and the discussion, which has sometimes lasted up to three hours after the show, Simonides says. “This project has been quite fulfilling and popular, especially at schools and with young people, which has been my goal,” Simonides says. “Socrates is extremely loved around the world even in countries where

he is not well known.” Some of the most challenging but inspiring performances have been given in front of young people who live in underserved neighborhoods, because it demonstrates how Socratic ideas are universal and diachronic, Simonides asserts. “In some of these schools they don’t give a damn I’m there,” Simonides says. “To them I’m there because someone brought me there, and my challenge is to own them. Socrates has to own them. If I don’t own those kids, I’m nothing as an actor... or as a channel for that old man. One on one I go into the audience and I address them eye-to-eye, and I improvise within the confines of this trial. And the marvelous thing is that they get it at the end of the performance. In the end, I’m just someone there who can tell them a relevant story, and that’s the only way you can reach these kids,” he says. In line with the Elliniko Theatro’s vision to promote Greek Culture worldwide by expanding the temporal, spatial, and social boundaries of Hellenic Theater, Simonides has brought a renewed Socrates to 16 countries, with over 300 performances in both English and Greek. “Socrates Now” has been translated in six other languages, in part to make Socrates universally accessible in the name of Hellenism, Simonides says. “The idea that Hellenism in its totality needs to be experienced by us Greeks and then presented to the world should be a question, not an answer,” Simonides claims. “So this whole practice of saying that we created democracy and we go around the world giving Hellenism to the rest is not what we do. Hellenism belongs not to us, but to the world. The world has ownership of Hellenism. We are privileged to live in a place, and be the continuous agents of this magnificent place, but we are stewards to this history and we have a responsibility, not a right to Hellenism.”

MUSIC & THEATER

Collaborating with dozens of leading from self-examination, because before universities, theaters, libraries, schools and judging others, one must first examine organizations around the world, “Socrates one’s self. Furthermore, Socrates held that Now” has taken a variety of stages, and everyone had goodness in themselves, a drawn a diverse range of audiences. goodness that would emerge with constant One of Simonides’ largest performances questioning and searching to find the drew close to 4,000 guests at Columbia treasures within, while learning to live a good life. University, in two nights. Having performed before thousands of Launched in 2004 as the “Apology of Socrates” in New York, Simonides has observers, Simonides explains that every since taken the performance to Europe, society faces the same issues, complexes, the Americas, the Middle East, and has and hunger for answers, whether it be notably performed at the United Nations, group of students at Harvard, school children from the the Athens Ancient ghettos, or people Agora, and the NBC from the little villages Today Show. of Kythnos island. No “Socrates is a belongs not to us, matter the location or force and an icon but to the audience, there exists that we humor with a commonality in the banter and irony and whatever means that force and invite questions Socrates once asked of his fellow you to engage, and that’s what attracts the citizens over 2,000 years ago, Simonides students,” Simonides says. “And the reason points out. “They are all fellow citizens and he is first among equals is because he was the most direct of them all. Socrates was humans, so their approach and discussions are similar,” Simonides says. “And this is the horsefly on the ass of Athens.” The performance’s popularity why [Socrates] is so right and compelling.” The frank discussions and universal stems from Socrates’ reputation and questioning character, which resonates questions regarding goodness and the around the world and throughout history, ultimate understanding of one’s self draws illuminating a shared commonality that audiences to the performance again and cuts through ethnic, lingual and cultural again. “If need be, some come the next day barriers, Simonides says. For Socrates, virtue was knowledge. This was not in just for the discussion, as they understand terms of formal education, but rather, that only through this way they can find in terms of the knowledge sprouting the truth,” Simonides says.

“ Hellenism

world. ”

About the Actor: Yannis Simonides is a Yale Drama School

trained actor, writer, and Emmy-winning documentary producer. He has served as professor and chair of the NYU Tisch Drama Department, and is the founder and director of the Greek Theater of New York and Greek Theatre International (Elliniko Theatro). He has received the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Greek Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs, Time Warner, the Mobil Foundation, as well as the A. S.. Onassis, I. Kostopoulos, S. Niarchos, M. Tsakos and A. Leventis foundations,. As a founding member of international literary organization The Readers of Homer, Simonides has helped stage marathon audience-participation Readings-Celebrations of the Iliad and Odyssey in 14 different venues around the world. In 2009, he was honored by the city of Athens as Ambassador of Hellenism for his lifelong service to Greek arts and letters worldwide.

About the Elliniko Theatro:

The Elliniko Theatro is a non-profit organization encompassing both the Greek Theatre of New York in the U.S. and the Greek Theatre International in Greece. Founded by Yannis Simonides and his colleagues in 1979, the Greek Theatre of New York has since served Greek and English speaking audiences with acclaimed productions internationally. Serving as a sister organization to the Greek Theatre of New York, the Greek Theatre International was founded in 2010 by Yannis Simonides and Stephania Xydia. Both companies aim to bring performing artists and works of Greek drama and literature beyond national boundaries and traditional theatre spaces, into schools, universities, festivals, communities, and public spaces around the world. Recent productions include dedications to Homer, Constantine P. Cavafy, and heroes of the Greek War of Independence. More information on upcoming events can be found at ellinikotheatro.org. portes magazine | spring 2014

Karagiozis

A look at the history of Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic character BY CHRISTINA LORIDAS

Karagiozis is the traditional and main comical character in Greek Shadow Theatre. Depicted as a hunchback, he is a representation of the Greek common folk and their social and political struggles during PostRevolutionary Greece. Karagiozis lives in a shack with his family, across from the Ottoman palace. His character was usually a paper-made puppet handled by a puppeteer who stood behind an illuminated white screen and performed for an audience. Today, Karagiozis is mostly performed for adults and children alike in outdoor village squares, small theatres, and festivals. During the fall season, Thessaloniki boasts their famous outdoor Wall Festival, where live musical performances and traditional shadow theater can be enjoyed. We bring you some interesting facts about Greeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary character, through the words of Karagiozis expert and author Dorina Papaliou. Sit back and enjoy the show!

Q & A with

first Greek Karagiozis puppeteer was Giannis 1 The Brachalis. Moving from Constantinople to Piraeus in

Dorina Papaliou

1852, he established the first Greek theatre called “The Karagiozis Shadow Theatre.”

How did Karagiozi originate? Shadow theatre originated in India, Java, or China and then spread to other countries in the East and the West. The prevailing theories claim that shadow theatre was introduced in Greece through Turkey. “Karagöz,” a popular form of entertainment for the Ottomans, was also known to the Greeks. The continual contact with the Turks for centuries, led to its assimilation by the Greeks. In post-revolutionary Greece, the popularity of folk theatre rose in comparison to theatre, as it was cheaper and easier to stage than a theatrical performance. At first, it was denounced by the general public, but the negative attitude begun to decrease around 1890’s, as the performances were by then transformed through the changes introduced by Mimaros, a popular puppeteer at the time. Mimaros removed phallic elements and obscene language, characteristic of the Turkish Karagöz, and relocated the performances from the cafes to the hub of urban life, the parks and squares of major cities.

What does the character represent to Greeks? The carnivalesque element, which could be what makes Karagiozi and shadow theatre so appealing. Carnival is characterized by role and situation reversal. Through the use of masks and fancy dressing, everyday hierarchical order is temporarily suspended … emphasis on food, sexuality, the insatiable desire for material satisfaction and transformation are characteristics present in Karagiozis performances, providing the audience with something like a temporary liberation from the prevailing system of laws and control. Shadow theatre is part of the Greek cultural inheritance. The Karagiozis shadow theater is an oral art form, and it is through its talented performers that it will stay alive.

patchwork clothing supports his depiction as 2 Karagiozi’s a poor man. His long arm is representative of his many thefts and comedic acts done for the sake of providing for his family.

ARTS & CULTURE

Did you know…?

puppeteer of the Karagiozi theater is called a 3 A‘Karagiozopaihtis. ’ *Dorina Papaliou is a Greek novelist. Having completed her thesis on comparative study between Indonesian Folk Theatre and Karagiozis performances, she recently published a CD-ROM entitled “Karaghiozis: The Magic of Shadow Theatre,” passionately detailing the extensive history of Karagiozis theater and its importance to Greek culture. To learn more, visit greekshadows.com.

The word ‘Karagiozi’ is currently used in the Greek language as a slang term to sarcastically describe someone as being a funny or amusing character.

name Karagiozis is derived from the Turkish 5 The ‘Karagöz,’ which means dark-eyed. productions and shows start off and end 6 Karagiozis with Karagiozis on stage, usually beginning with the

traditional ‘Serviko’ song and dance. Performances end with Karagiozis muttering the comical phrase “Απόψε θα φάμε, θα πιούμε, και νηστικοί θα κοιμηθοὐμε!” meaning “tonight we will dine, and drink, and go to sleep hungry!”

sole narrator is in charge of all dialogue that happens 7 Abetween Karagiozis and other characters, as well as

interaction with the audience. Sometimes, depending on the size of the screen and puppets, a second performer takes on the responsibility of acting out movements.

three original and traditional regional schools of 8 The Karagiozis theater are the Athinaiki Sxoli of Athens,

the Patrini Sxoli of Patras, and the Peiraiotiki Sxoli of Piraeus.

Karagiozis shadow theater, a puppeteer stands 9 Inbehind an illuminated white cloth screen and acts out

scenes, while narrating and singing to live or playback music. While some Karagiozis stories are classics, (there are about 30) the viewing experience usually includes audience input and creative improvisation by the puppeteer.

puppet figures themselves can be made of 10 The cardboard by exclusion method, cut out in detail to let

light through. Another traditional way of creating the puppets is using dried and stretched cowhide, which allows for the addition of color as well. Today, Plexiglas is used as the more sustainable modern option.

Spathario Museum of Shadow Theater, named 11 The after famed poplar puppeteer Eugenios Spatharis, was opened in the municipality of Maroussi in 1995.

portes magazine | spring 2014

All characters in Karagiozis acts play unique roles representing various lifestyles. They are said to have been modeled after actual people in Greek society. Though the original Karagiozis theater started off with just two characters, Karagiozis and his friend Hadjiavatis, shadow puppeteers of various schools gradually added on characters which were adopted as classic figures in the years that followed. Popular characters include:

Images Courtesy of Mixalis Theodoropoulos, Karagiozi Puppeteer

Karagiozis: Representing a poor Greek man, Karagiozis is clever, simple, sarcastic, a comedian, and also patriotic, with a good heart. Quick to take on new challenges and ready to joke, Karagiozis faces his poverty and misfortune with an optimistic soul and good humor. His hunchback symbolizes the oppressed and deprived Greek population, while his long arm, which he waives around and beats people with, represents his cleverness and trickery. Aglaia: Karagiozi’s nagging wife. She is often heard screaming at Karagiozis from inside their home, representing a housekeeper.. The Kollitiria: Karagiozi’s three sons, who in some schools of shadow theater are referred to as Kollitiris, Kopritis, and Mirikogos. Hadjiavatis: Karagiozi’s honest friend who sometimes joins Karagiozi as a sidekick and is wrapped up in his schemes. He’s got it good with everyone, even though he doesn’t really care about them, because he wants to avoid problems. Barba Giorgos:

A crude villager from the mountains, depicted as a large and strong shepherd in traditional foustanela attire. He sports a mustache and carries a staff. He considers Karagiozis a crook, but nonetheless stands up for his kin. Being his own man and following his own ways, he’s a steadfast character and does not bow down to others, representing selfconfidence.

Sior Dionysios: A Zakynthian gentleman of aristocratic background who sings cantades.

He represents new money and the high-nosed attitude of such Greeks, when in reality he is penniless.

Morfonios: A very ugly suit-wearing ladies man with a huge head and long nose, who considers himself handsome and falls in love often. He believes he is the most sought-after male, when in reality he is a sad case with an overblown ego. Speaking through his nose, Morfonios is also characterized by making the odd sound “whit” during speech. Stavrakas: A “magkas” representing the cool Rebetiko tradtion prevalent in Piraeus. Although he tries to bully others, Karagiozis often teases him. Solomon: Known simply as “the Jew,” Solomon is a rich Thessalonikian businessman who sings and dances, representing wealth and stinginess. Veziris/Pasas: Symbolizing wealth and the ruling entity as a dominant figure of the occupying side, the Pasha is a serious and imposing character. Veziropoula: The Pasha’s daughter who is accustomed to a lavish lifestyle and obeying her father, but is cunning and therefore successful in getting her way anyway.

Veligegkas: An Albanian guard of the palace, symbolizing the police force, who comes after Karagiozis to often beat him for his actions. He is uncivilized and stupid, executing the Pasha’s commands while trying to maintain public order. portes magazine | spring 2014

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*Photos from Designer Websites.

DESIGNER PROFILE

FASHION

Nature Meets Fashion in Xylo * translated from Greek

ylo Eyewear has set a new fashion trend in Greece with their collection of wooden sunglasses, hand-made on the Cycladic island of Syros. Founders Periklis Therrios and Eleni Bakondiou possessed many years of experience in woodwork as a hobby, occasionally creating wooden toys, gifts, small household objects, and jewelry. Before beginning their new business in the summer of 2013, Periklis was an assistant nurse at an animal hospital, and Eleni worked at a company that rented sailboats. At some point in the middle of the crisis, the married couple found themselves unemployed and left with a lot of time on their hands. Almost at random, they came up with the idea to turn something they enjoyed doing into a viable business. “It was a thought we had one day,” Eleni says. “We literally woke up and thought to make wooden sunglasses. We didn’t think that they existed elsewhere when we first started, so we were slightly disappointed when we found other examples of wooden sunglasses online. But, we didn’t let go of the idea and we wanted to offer a better product.” Dedicated to pursue this project, they took samples of olive tree wood and began creating several prototypes. For Perikli and Eleni, working with wood was a natural choice because it offers flexibility in design, and just like living trees, it lasts a long time. Production on the new wooden sunglasses soon hit a stopping point, however, as they could not continue without the appropriate tools, materials, and equipment.

After about a year working on the project, the couple decided to launch a crowd funding campaign through Indiegogo in May of 2013, with help from design and marketing students at the Aegean University. “We didn’t have a lot of capital to spend on testing different types of wood,” Eleni says. “But this helped us in a way because we were forced to really study the properties of different wood before making prototypes. We already had the knowledge of working with wood and the only issue was putting that into practice.” The couple had initially set their goal to raise 15,000 euros, but by the end of the campaign last summer, their project was overfunded by 51 percent. The crowd funding campaigned essentially helped them launch the brand, purchase the necessary equipment, and begin manufacturing the unique pieces for customers. Since then, Xylo Eyewear has produced hundreds of preordered sunglasses in four original styles that offer a twist on classic looks. Made from all natural materials with wood samples from around the world, the eyewear reflects this couple’s true interest in creating a unique item from scratch. Even the final protective coating of the sunglasses is bereft of harsh chemicals, the designers note. Instead, the couple created their own natural finish from bee’s wax and olive oil. With the project now successfully funded and the business officially launched, Xylo Eyewear looks forward to further expanding into the Mediterranean market.

Representing the four elements of nature, Wave, Fly, Sand, & Blaze are Xylo Eyewear’s initial designs.

Xylo Eyewear frames come in 16 different wood combinations, including Greek walnut, American walnut, wenge, maple, rosewood, bubinga, & zebrawood.

portes magazine | spring 2014

Taste

Sip

Our selection of fine Greek food products! HATZIYIANNAKIS

DEAR CRETE

Try this delectable assortment of Hatziyiannakis filled chocolate pebbles collection named after Greek islands. hatziyiannakis.gr

Taking the traditional to a new level, Dear Crete blends classic Greek tastes in a delicious cookie form. dearcrete.com

STELIOS PARLIAROS Combining creativity with fine chocolate, Parliaros’ sweet creations will definitely delight. parliaros.gr

O3LIVE

ERA NUTS

Exra virgin olive oil from the friendly area of Sitia, Crete... in a tin bottle! o3live.gr

A gathering of the finest Greek herbs, spices, nuts & other dry goods all in one place. eranuts.com

MR. JUKE’S Mr. Juke’s handmade spoon delights, jams & marmelades taste as fun as their titles suggest, & are all natural as well. mrjuke.wordpress.com

introducing

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VALITSA BOARD GAME Discover Europe with this new board game for children developed by Out Of The Box & GMG Games in Greece. eqgames.gr

KOYNIA BELLA

MANDALA MEMORY APP

Hand-crafted with natural products, these swings are great for infants & small children. kounia-bella.com

Test your memory with the Mandala Memory App featuring 54 paper cutout designs created by artist Zoe Keramea. zoekeramea.com

FISIKA SOAP

THE CARNIVAL OF GREECE

Try these hand-crafted Cretan olive oil soap bars infused with herbs & essences. fisikashop.com

See highlights from the Carnival of Greece photographed by Vassilis Spyrou in his new book. vassilisspyrou.com

BILINGUAL SHORT STORIES Pick up a set of these selfpublished short stories & poems available at FreeThink Zone cafe & book shop in Athens. freethinkingzone.gr portes magazine | spring 2014

M A G A Z I N E in collaboration with:

ATHENS, GREECE

portes magazine | spring 2014