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 !!

4th Greenwave Festival 18-21 September

xThe alternative eco festival of Thessaloniki is back for the 4th time to celebrate nature, music, and activism in the heart of the city.

The event starts on Thursday 18th and will last till Sunday in the YMCA park, with film screenings, open talks, seminars, eco bazaar, children activities, music concerts and more.

This is a great chance to get in touch with natural alternative solutions to common problems, to open our minds, and start thinking differently.

Reworks 2014

rIn its 10th edition this year, Reworks is the audio – visual Festival of Thessaloniki that wishes to present the most modern artistic waves, from all over the world, to Greece. It presents, for the first time in front of the public, new musical and artistic trends through various works and showcases, while in parallel to that it presents the exclusive works of native artists and especially designed projects. Musical waves, concert and live performances, visual art presentations, workshops and a free street stage will be housed for the first time in the 10 year history of the festival within 4 days.

On day 1 Wednesday, September 17th, the festival will present a special concert of Max Richter with the Symphonic Orchestra of Thessaloniki. On Friday September 19th Reworks will present workshops and a street stage presenting domestic acts openly to the public as an answer to the economic crisis which strikes Greece, while in the night it will present a special line up on 2 stages at Block33. On Saturday 20th of September Reworks returns to its place of birth the MYLOS complex with acts from all over the world.

On the last day, as always Reworks will say goodbye with a special rooftop event at the MET Hotel hosting Resident Advisor with a special line up on board .

For another year, Reworks will become a collection of sounds and ideas, a meeting point of resonant voices, a window to tomorrow. From the electronic sound and disco aesthetics to Neo-Classical, pop, funk, soul & jazz and from the performances of established artists to the first performances of new and developing creators, it will try to visualize the need for a cohesive motif of entertainment.

Detailed program here. 

3rd Day with Colours

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Day with Colours had become an annual event that is growing every year. Last year, 3.000 people joined the event. This year, we meet again for the 3rd year in a row, at the same place, Camp Field Kodra, tomorrow Sunday 14th of september in the afternoon, to get ourselves covered with colours and enjoy a fun and crazy day, full of music and colours.

If you some questions about the event itself, they will be answered in last year’s post. 

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If not, and why should you. pictures speak for themselves, wear something white and head to Camp Field Kodra in Kalamaria for a fun and colourful day.

Action Field Kodra 2014 – I Need a Hero

site-kodra

Action Field Kodra is an annual art event taking place each September in the east part of the city in a former military camp.

Action Field Kodra 2014 is focusing on the theme of heroes and the heroic example with a spirit of introspection towards historical narration, archaeological reserve and national imaginary.

Stated more as a question than a request or affirmation, I Need A Hero will attempt to conduct an experiment in real-life conditions. By inviting artists to submit complete sets of artistic expression through solo exhibitions and to produce new works in collaboration with the curatorial team of Kodra –and always continuing emphatically the institution of Fresh for young artists– Action Field Kodra is not claiming anything more than to leave a collective imprint, one more valuable matter among others.

Detailed Program 

WHAT – I Need A Hero – Valubale Matters In Valuable Times

WHEN – 12/09 – 28/09/2014

WHERE – Barracks of ex-military camp Kodra

Exhibitions hours – Sun.-Thur.: 18:00-22:30 Fri. & Sat.: 18:00-23:00

GDG @ Thessaloniki International Fair

The most active month for our city has just begun with the 79th edition of the Thessaloniki International Fair taking place between September 6th-14th.

This is an annual event with great history.  Unfortunately today it is only a big fanfare.  The only interesting part that gives some hope for the future is the GDG event which is taking place during and inside the fair.

logo_horizontal-play1Google Developer Group (GDG) Thessaloniki aims at creating a vibrant and productive Google-focused community (The Playground).  The goal is to bring together passion 4 Innovation, to share latest developments, to ignite creativity and productivity so to create “The Playground”.

The event itself involves small and large gatherings with demos and tech talks, events like code sprints and hackathons, startup lectures and mentoring. In the last day of the event there is an interesting speech by Eli David on how to bootstrap your startup to success, which I will also attend.

Other than that I would not advice you to visit the fair unless you want to eat or drink local foods or go to live concerts of greek singers, among thousands of people.

Urban Picnic Festical 2014

Urban Picnic 2013It is time again for our beloved Urban Picnic. It is the last weekend of August, those who were out of the city are back, and all we want to do is enjoy the last summer nights outside. The gates of the Roman Forum are ready to open wide again to welcome the greatest Urban Picnic with great Music and films.

Urban Picnic is here for the 3rd year and here is last year’s post about it. 

It runs for 3 nights starting today, The festival’s plan entails the creation of a great urban picnic which will be flanked, on the one hand, by concerts with  promising music ensembles from around the city and, on the other, by films, feature and short ones, shown at the specially designed open-air movie theatre.

Urban picnic 2013As you can see in the photo, my friends take the picnic idea seriously and we prepare a small feast. So, let’s start packing our picnic basket and go !  Thursday, Friday, Saturday – Don’t miss it !

The detailed program can be found here. 

360 Taratsa Film Festival

Taratsa

Whether you are visiting Thessaloniki for a few days, or are a long term visitor, if you are in town this week, this is an event not to be missed – an open air rooftop film festival !

An alternative international Film Festival is going to be hosted in Thessaloniki from 20th to 24th of August.

Four terraces will be turned into summer cinemas. In the three of these, carefully selected classic films will be projected and the one will host the “360° Taratsa film festival”, short film contest.

The “360° Taratsa film Festival” is conducted by the Cultural Organization “Epi Skopon” as part of the activities which accompany the “European Youth Capital 2014“.

Where 

Cyan terrace | Wonderwall – Aigiptou 16A, Thessaloniki

Magenta terrace | Palio Xamam – Mitropolitou Gennadiou 11, Thessaloniki

Yellow terrace | Fragile – Valaoritou 29, Thessaloniki

Black terrace | Ebeth – Tsimiski 29, Thessaloniki

Conception and Art Direction – Athanasios Alexopoulos

Head of Festival Organization – Despoina Kavuri

Head Manager of Summer Cinema – Sophia Topi

Head of Communication and Information – Natalia Tsoulou

Head Scenography – Marialena Xrisogonidou and George Stogiannis

More info + program 

Albeta

So, August is here, and so am I, still in the city…

This is the first time in my life that I see the city this full in the month of August. There are so many people that do not go on vacations any more, but also so much more visitors !

The usual picture of the empty streets and shops in August, does not exist anymore…

I spent most of my day in the area of the port, in ladadika which is always lively because of tourists, especially the days that cruise ships arrive.

Today I will share a place for coffee, breakfast, quick lunch, healthy snacks and sweet pastries. It is albeta, with many locations throughout the city, but the main one is right next to my office in ladadika.

alAt albeta you will find greek and Italian recipes, produced with artistry from fresh and pure countryside products mixed with the finest Greek/Italian culture.  Traditional pies, daily baked bread, handmade Italian pastry, grandma’s cookies, fresh sweets, homemade lemonade and sour cherry juice, fresh cut coffee.

This is my #1 spot for a quick coffee or lunch break all year long.  If you also need a quick break and something nice to eat, I highly recommend it !

Albeta

9, Ionos Dragoumi & 10, Mitropoleos str.