Monthly Archives: October 2014

Athos Photo Exhibition

2014-10-22 18.19.29The Cultural Centre of National Bank of Greece is hosting for a few more days the amazing photo exhibition of Stratos Kalafatis – ATHOS.

This photo exhibition presents a unique inside view of Mount Athos, that especially if you are a woman, you will never have a chance to see in this lifetime.  The exhibition is hosted in a magnificent old mansion with great history, known as Villa Kapantzi.

In case you don’t know anything about Mt Athos, let me tell you that Mt. Athos is a self-governed Greek Monastic State which constitutes the center of Eastern Orthodox Monasticism.  For more than 1,000 years, males (and only males) have arrived  to the mountain, changed their names and lived in isolation, devoting themselves to prayer.

2014-10-22 18.17.45Stratos Kalafatis devoted many years and numerous trips there, to complete this demanding project. The result can be seen in this exhibition and also in the photography book that was just published.

I have to tell you that I was very privileged to see this work a year ago, since mr Kalafatis was my photography teacher.

Don’t miss the chance to visit this unique photo exhibition till October 24th.  After that it will travel to other greek cities, Berlin, Germany and various other locations all over the world.

www.stratoskalafatis.com

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Giant Koulouri this Sunday only !

koIf you feel like you had too much activity over the weekend – I have something fun and relaxing for you on Sunday 19th. The world’s biggest koulouri bread will be made tomorrow noon at the White Tower.

This Sunday you will see something you will probably never see again; a giant “koulouri” made from 700kg flour and sesame seeds will be baked around the White Tower!

The koulouri, which is the city’s traditional bread delicacy ( something similar to a pretzel ), will most probably be the largest ever being baked. In the morning the bakers will also hand out normal sized koulouri to visitors, but in the end of the day the giant koulouri will be cut and anyone who wants to can have a taste.

How exciting !

3rd Night Marathon

mThis weekend it is all about sports in the city.

Besides the World Rowing Costal Championships we also have the 3rd International Half Marathon this Suturday 18th of October.

Someone could say this city is very athletic ! We do lots of sports, that is why we spend the rest of the time drinking coffee by the sea !

In fact this year’s attendance has grown from last year’s 12,000 runners, making this event another big athletic event for the city. But what is a half-Marathon and why is it half ? It is an endurance race and the little “brother” of the Marathon. As its name suggests, it is a race of the half distance of a marathon (42.195 m) that is 21.095 m.  The smaller distance and the fat that it uses city centre roads makes it very popular and easy for most people to participate.

Enjoy the sports weekend !

More details about the event on the website.

World Rowing Costal Championships in town this weekend

wMy morning bike ride to the office had a surprise today ! Some kind of athletic event preparations by the sea.  I stopped to take some photos and I see that there are rowing athletes getting ready.  Apparently the World Rowing Costal Championships are held in Thessaloniki Greece between October 16-19

This was a nice surprise so as I know almost nothing about this event, I did some research to find out.

This is a new event that the city is organising for the first time – let’s hope it will become annual. It is organised by the Hellenic Rowing Federation and the Municipality of Thessaloniki. For Thessaloniki, sports are both a tradition and a perspective. 2014, the year during which Thessaloniki holds the title of the European Youth Capital, is the year that the city highlights its capabilities, its prospects and all its creative powers.

We are always happy to welcome new events in the city, especially those promoting sports and activities.

Enjoy the event !

Eli David Interview

eliWho is Eli David and why did I interview him ?
Eli David is a digital nomad, travelling all over the world over the last 4 years.
Last year, he visited Thessaloniki for the first time and now, one year after, 2 business lectures brought him back in the city.
The interview took place at Elia Lemoni during his last lunch before leaving the city.
Let’s hear what he has to say, not as a local, but as a returning visitor.

1. Why did you choose Thessaloniki as a destination in your first visit ?

I started my trip to Greece in Athens, I was there one month and a half. I don’t like big cities so much, so when I heard that there was co-working place, I can actually settle down in Thessaloniki, and there is startup community and everything, I decided to come. Usually, I prefer the second biggest city in the country and not the biggest one, so it was like a natural choice.

2. Which are your most favourite city parts ?

I like Nikis avenue,  to walk there, Ano Poli, to walk there also and Peraia to go swimming.

3. Do you see any differences in the city after 1 year ?

Yes, i think it is moving forward. I see the cinema in the port and the new park area by the sea which is great to walk.  When i was here last year it was under construction.  And the boat to Peraia,  which is great.
I think the city looks more alive.

4. Tell us 3 things you love and 3 things you hate about Thessaloniki. 

I like to walk by the sea.  What i don’t like it is that i can’t swim. For me it is crazy that I can’t swim… This is the first city that I see in my life that I can’t swim inside the city.
I also like the villages close by and I like the open air cinema.
I think the city needs more green and parks.

5. Give us your top 3 things for a visitor to see and do.

The boat from the port to Peraia.
White tower is nice.
Ano poli – just go and walk, enjoy the view.  There is a nice coffee shop with really good view.

6. What makes this city special ?

Good atmosphere. It is not that big, but it has everything. The sea is great, that it’s touching the city. You can feel the historical vibes here. I think it helped me to read a book about Saloniki, to understand what’s going on here. You can feel that it is a special city. That it was important and lot’s of things happened here.

7. If you could change something in this city to make it better what would it be ?

To be able to swim inside the city and more trees !
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Ok, we will transfer your requests to the Mayor.
Thank you very much !
You can find out more about Eli and his nomadic lifestyle in his blog. This is also an article about Thessaloniki that he published in Vima. If you want to invite him for a lecture check here.  If you want to learn greek you can take classes in his online school Lingolearn, and if you have a startup, map it on Startupblink to gain traction and find new ways to grow.
And No he did not pay me for all this publicity, he just bought me lunch !!