FUN...TASTIC CITY
One fine day (or more) in Athens
ATHENS BLISS
Places, faces, culture, events, all time classic picks, new creators, shopping ideas, feel good experiences, and so many ways to decode the city’s unrest soul.
MOTS - handmade jewellery studio, photo credits: Stefania Orfanidou, creative direction: Stephan Muller
Tind - Manolis Angelakis
Tind - Manolis Angelakis
Vassilina - Musician, video still from “Atihisame” directed by Olga Brouma
Vassilina - Musician, video still from “Atihisame” directed by Olga Brouma
Dior Cruise Show, photo credits: George Messaritakis
Horostasion, photo credits: Giannis Rizomarkos
Archipelago installation, Cycladic Café Art Project / While you’re visiting, make a stop at the Cycladic Café to see sculptures inspired by the heritage of Cycladic culture. As part of the Cycladic Café Art Project, which starts a dialogue between art, everyday life and social interaction, the installation “Archipelagos” of the Objects of Common Interest studio, curated by Tina Daskalantonaki, is being hosted. The sculptures capture the studio’s constant search for themes of form and materiality, developing a new relationship with the works and the space in which they are located. The “Archipelago” of translucent forms is complemented by luminous sculptures, linear expressions of a moment of passing light in the landscape. cycladic.gr
Vassilina, Musician / “My music can be described as electronic / avant pop. A growing genre in Greece, like the whole alternative space, which is present and strong, especially in Athens. I believe that the city and the country need more new female voices and producers. My music addresses the need of the Athenian public, looking for a different space and stage. After all, Athens means sun, liveliness, melodies everywhere, inspiration and love. My biggest challenge is to make my music accepted by a wider audience and to be sustainable, obviously. Foreign lyrics in combination with electronic music is a challenge in itself in Greece. However, what I’m seeing which is making me happy is that gradually, my genre is constantly blooming”.
Manolis Angelakis aka Tind, Silkscreen printer extraordinaire / From unique copies and limited edition works of art in collaboration with artists and their vision, to merchandise for a festival and highly interactive inks, the silkscreen workshop of Manolis Aggelakis and his father Christos in Neos Kosmos, is a typical example of new age Athenian aesthetics . At the same time, it’s a unique example of mixing industrial and artistic silkscreen. For Manolis, the art of silkscreen printing is universal and timeless, while he is inspired by the mistake, the 80s, the iconography of the space age that never came, the nuclear explosion, the 60s pin up girls and op art. He sees Athens as light at the end of the tunnel and as the deepest darkness before dawn. What we all expect to happen in a while but it is not here yet. A city with one foot in the past and one in the future, but never in the present. tind.gr
Horostasion, Athens / The places to be in late summer Athens, are the terraces. Open, airy and spacious, they create the ideal stage for hot days and nights in the city. Horostasion is a summer destination that stands out for its wonderful view of Lycabettus and the historic triangle of Athens. It’s open from morning for coffee or snacks until the evening, when you can enjoy selected music, special dj sets and stand-up comedy nights with refreshing cocktails. horostasio.gr
Athenian Riviera Hotel & Suites / How many pleasures in life can you imagine that give you a sense of luxury while making you feel as comfortable as if you were at home? Accommodation at the Athenian Riviera Hotel & Suites is one of them! Five suites with Jacuzzi overlooking the green Lemos Cape, 6 junior suites and 36 comfortable rooms, just 120 meters from the beach (and just 20 minutes from the city) with an outdoor pool and restaurant, in the well known Vouliagmeni hotel that has recently completed its total renovation. arhotel.gr
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens / Vouliagmeni, the brightest diamond on the Riviera, offers generous doses of luxury. The proof is the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, inspired by the historical allure of the original “Asteras”. It’s the first “Four Seasons” experience in Greece which is enhanced by The Spa which draws inspiration from its principles by proposing brand new holistic therapies, many of which honor the water element. Don’t miss the Fountain House, the hydrotherapy zone, which is adults only, but also the aromatic steam cave, the hammam and the vitality pool. fourseasons.com/athens/
AB Cinema / A historical summer cinema of Ano Patissia, Cinema AB, is reopening to welcome dance events on present day human issues, contemporary dance performances, tango, flamenco, musical performances, but also puppet shows and interactive theatre and musical theatre performances. cultureisathens.gr
Dogma Athens, Dimosthenis Bogiatzis
Scooterize
GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar, Studio: Matchframe Photographer: Manos Kokolakis
Aiki Diounot, photo credits: Elena Christou
Apollon Beach
Athenian Riviera Hotel, photo credits: Spyros Dafnis
Cycladic Cafe, Archipelagos, Giorgos Sfakianakis © Museum of Cycladic Art, 2021
Eleni Kavvada, photo credits: Peter Diseris
ELENI KAVVADA, FASHION DESIGNER
THE BRAND 240791, OF THE YOUNG FASHION DESIGNER FROM PLAKA, WHO RECENTLY OPENED A PHYSICAL STORE IN MARINA FLISVOU, HAS A DUAL IDENTITY. ONE, COVERS OUR NEED FOR EXAGGERATION, FAIRY TALE AND THEATRICAL ALTER EGOS, WITH MORE AVANT GARDE PIECES AND A HAUTE COUTURE APPROACH. THE SECOND, PRET A PORTER CHARACTER, GROUNDS US, SERVING DAILY NEEDS WITH DYNAMISM, PERSONALITY AND FREEDOM. IT DRAWS STIMULUS FROM THE PERSON, THE STRANGER, THE FRIEND, THE PARENT, THE TRAVELER WHO HAS JUST ARRIVED AND IS IMPATIENT TO GET TO KNOW GREECE. FOR ELENI, ATHENS IS HER CANVAS AND INSPIRATION. SHE LIKES IT AS IT IS AND AT THE SAME TIME, SHE WANTS TO CHANGE IT FROM THE GROUND UP. "IT IS ATTRACTIVE BUT NOT A PUSHOVER, IT IS SUNNY WITH RAIN, IT IS MY CITY." @240791EK
Apollon Beach / Speaking of refined experiences, the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, in addition to its unique thalassotherapy method, has an exciting seaside surprise in store at the Apollon Beach for relaxing, fun and carefree moments. Take a refreshing dip, have fun choosing from a wide variety of water sports, such as jet ski, paddle board, water skiing etc. or just lie comfortably on the sun loungers and enjoy the impeccable service of the Divani Hotel Group at the touch of a button on the beach. divaniapollonhotel.com
Dogma Athens / Founded by a group of professionals in culture, sharing a common vision and a zest for aesthetic research, its mission is to navigate through the cultural “waters” of contemporary Greece. The online arts hub and design store showcases notable works mostly by emerging artists and artisans in Greece, promoting and supporting their practice. Its originality lies in the balanced variety of art and design combined, ranging from large paintings to ceramic masterpieces and inspired jewellery. athensdogma.com
Raiment of the Soul / Since its founding in 1882, the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece has been sourcing, collecting and preserving heirlooms and written testimonies that document the cultural tradition and historical course of Hellenism. The National Historical Museum, founded by the HESG in 1884, houses, among others, a clothing collection with a special historical value. It is worth noting that in 1882 the first donation to the HESG that started the clothing collection, was made by the painter Nikiforos Lytras. The donation, a Psariani (reference to women from the island of Psara) outfit, dating back to the National Independence Revolution era. The folklore collection of the museum is presented in this photographic album through the artistic creation of Vangelis Kyris and Anatoli Georgiev. It includes 120 traditional costumes of 18th and 19th century worn for the first time by modern people. Together with 30 embroideries, it’s a bilingual presentation of one of the oldest folklore collections in Greece. The album which was issued thanks to the kind support of the “George & Victoria Karelia Foundation”, is part of the anniversary program of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece-National Historical Museum for the bicentenary of the Greek War of Independence.
Aiki Diounot, fashion designers / The new fashion brand follows an original way of collaborating with emerging young fashion designers who… are not kidding. The brand’s know-how meets the talent of the designers for the joint creation of limited-edition collections with the signature of each creator plus Aiki Diounot. Chrysanthi Gourou, founder of the brand, aspires it be a place where young creators will emerge and evolve through the process of design, production and promotion of collections. For the Spring / Summer 2021 season, she collaborated with four talented designers and is introducing herself to the public with an equal number of collections. aikidiounot.com
Maria Evangelogianni, MOTS / Her love for handmade creations motivated her to open the MOTS jewellery workshop-shop. It’s housed in a small gallery of an interwar building in the center, in a neighbourhood associated with the history of silversmithing and jewellery. In the era of fast fashion and mass production of its items, the art of silversmithing is being lost. The goal of MOTS is to reintroduce to the residents and visitors of the city the qualities and joy of handmade creations and to be one of the elements of its creative community. mots.gr
Hotel Grande Bretagne / Located in the heart of Athens, Hotel Grande Bretagne exudes refinement at first glance. With meticulous attention to detail, the 320 rooms and suites marry charming old-world elegance with state-of-the-art facilities while the 58 suites enjoy additional benefits including personalised butler service. Guests can relax in the multi-awarded GB Spa as well as experience the ultimate dining in the GB Roof Garden, ideal for a romantic rooftop meal. The GB Pool Bar offers healthy snack choices. Hotel Grande Bretagne is the ultimate choice for refined business meetings and lavish social events. Featuring over 1,100 square meters of functional space, the hotel offers the Grand Ballroom, Golden Room, Royal Room, Athenian Hall and its smaller meeting rooms.Syntagma Square, 210 33 30 000, grandebretagne.gr
Trikke Tours by Scooterise / The tour of the neighbourhoods and the emblematic monuments of Athens has never been more fun while also being relaxing. With the fast and flexible Trikke electric scooters, you can explore the secrets of Athens with one of the complete Trikke Tours prepared by Scooterise! It is a unique, really dynamic and energetic touring experience, which brings you in direct contact with the environment and is ideal for visitors who are looking for a little adventure during their trip! scooterise.com
Sealed Earth Ceramic Art Studio and Gallery / With the goal of creating a community of people who want to express themselves through ceramics, to explore the limits of their creativity and to develop their art, the studio Sealed Earth and the founder, Loukia Thomopoulou, prove that ceramics and clay are much more than a glass of clay and a wheel. It is a means of artistic expression and can be influenced by and combined with all art forms. The studio, very near the Acropolis, offers in addition to equipment and natural tools, guidance with lessons, workshops and seminars by Greek and foreign artists, exhibitions, as well as a shop where members of the community can sell their works. sealedearth.art
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel
Sealed Earth Ceramic Studio, photo credits: Contantinos Caravatellis
National HIstorical Museum, Raiment of the Soul, Vangelis Kyris & Anatoli Georgiev
The Callas
