The Mixed Jury Court in Athens found the former director of National Theater, Dimitris Lignadis, guilty for two of four rape cases on Wednesday. The ruling was decided with a majority of votes. The defendant was in trial for the sexual abuse of three minors and one young adult man. …
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May Day in Greece: Ancient customs meet Workers’ struggles
With strikes to honor the workers’ struggles to resistance against Nazism and ancient Greeks customs Greeks have 1000+1 reasons to celebrate the first day of May. With slogans for better labor conditions and multicolored flowers wreaths at the house doors. Thousands of private and public sector unionists marched to the …
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Easter 2022: Greeks return home after loads of lamb and booze
With their cholesterol at the usual Easter-high levels thousands of Greeks returned home after a long an relaxing weekend in the countryside or the islands a mass exodus after two years of lockdown and movement restrictions. Ferries and ships docked at full capacity at the ports, intercity buses, airplanes and …
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Holy Fire arrives in Athens from Jerusalem on Holy Saturday
With two hours delay, the Holy Fire arrived from Jerusalem at Athens international airport in the evening of the Holy Saturday. The delay was reportedly due to pandemic safety controls by the Israeli authorities. This was also the reason that for the first time no representative of the Greek Church …
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Vegans protest the “barbaric” custom of eating Easter lamb
Dozens of vegans gathered at Syntagma Square in downtown Athens to protest against the slaughter and consumption of lamb on Easter Sunday. Holding placards reading “I have pain” and “Slaughter is not love” the protesters lined up in rows at Syntagma Square to express their opposition to the long-standing Greek …
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The Holy Myrrh and its 57 ingredients, among them two extremely rare
Dozens of faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul on Holy Thursday to receive on a piece of cotton a bit of the freshly “baked” Holy Myrrh. With 57 ingredients from all over the world, among them extremely rare ones, the Holy Myrrh ( Άγιο Μύρο) …
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How to exchange Easter wishes in Greek before and after Resurrection
When in Greece… exchange Easter wishes like a Greek! Easter wishes are a bit complicated and depend on whether they are exchanged before of after Jesus Resurrection. In the average Greeks wish Καλό Πάσχα! Kalo Pascha! Happy Easter! from Palm Sunday until Good Wednesday or Good Thursday. From Good Thursday …
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Shopping hours during the Greek Orthodox Easter Week
The shopping hours for retail stores in the country during the Greek Orthodox Easter Week were announced on Monday. In 2022, Easter in Greece falls on April 24.The scheduled opening hours are the following: – Sunday (April 17) shops open from 11:00 to 20:00 (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) – …
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Cannabis use in Athens “among highest in Europe”; pandemic increased use of antidepressants, cocaine
Cannabis use in Attica is among the highest in Europe and Athens ranks fifth or sixth in Europe, said professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Athens, Nikos Thomaidis. Increase is also the us of antidepressants, anti=psychotic drugs and of cocaine, especially in the winter months during the pandemic …
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Epiphany failed: Misogyny in Greece justifies femicide, blaming “babbling women”
If you still wonder whether misogyny, sexism and patriarchy are still alive and kicking in Greece in the 21st century, statements by a Bishop and and actor of the last 24 hours will enlighten you and have you realize how seriously sick is a part of the Greek society. First, …
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Happy and Healthy New Year 2022 – Καλή Χρονιά με Υγεία!
No reviews – No regrets. Happy and Healthy New Year 2020 or just say it simple in Greek: Καλή Χρονιά με Υγεία! 2021 was a tough year that brought us to our limits psychically and psychologically. But haven’t we all survived other crises before? When things are worst, things can …
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Ice skating rink opens at Kotzias Square in central Athens on Dec 14
The City of Athens opens an ice skating rink to the public on Tuesday, December 14 at Kotzias Square, where City Hall is located. The 400sqm rink will be open from 10:00 to 22:00 daily until Thursday, January 6, 2022. Online reservations are necessary, and skaters can book appointments at …
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Experience Park opens at old Athens airport Hellinikon Project on Dec 20
Lamda Development is opening the Experience Park, part of the Metropolitan Park of the Hellinikon project, on December 20, six months earlier than scheduled. It is the first part of a multi-million project that Lamda delivers. The Experience Park covers an area of more than 70 stremma (7 hectares) in …
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Christmas season: Extended opening hours for shopping Dec 12- Jan 2
The retail sector in Athens announced on Wednesday the extended opening hours in the Greek capital for the holiday season. The new scedule includes two Sundays before Christmas where the shops will be open. The Athens Trade Association says the suggested opening hours will apply from December 12, 2021 are: …
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Christmas Tree illuminated in downtown Athens earlier this year
Holiday season came to Greek capital Athens earlier this year as the Mayor decided to illuminate the Christmas tree still in the month of November. The tree was illuminated up late Tuesday afternoon, without previous announcement and without music performance or any event in order to avoid crowding of people …
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UNESCO designates Thessaloniki as a City of Gastronomy
The UNESCO has designated Thessaloniki as a City of Gastronomy. It is the first Greek city to receive this title which is part of the Creative Cities Network. On 8 November, UNESCO unveiled the newest members of its Creative Cities Network. Created in 2004, this network seeks to promote the …
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The Japanese Garden: Tranquility of the Far-East in the “heart” of Athens
The city of Athens got its first-ever Japanese garden, which is located in Nereidon Park on Michalakopoulou Street, near the National Gallery. A ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the project, which is part of the Athens Municipality’s “Adopt Your City” programme, was held on Wednesday. The Athens Japanese …
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Greece sets clocks back to winter time on Sunday, October 31
Greece is setting clocks back from summer to winter time in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 31, 2021. At 4 o’ clock a.m. clocks will automatically show 3 a.m. or will be set manual accordingly. It is should be recalled that the European Union was planning to end …
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Written exams for foreigners to obtain Greek citizenship
Written exams for the naturalization of foreign residents started on Sunday with a total of 2,465 people to have registered for the first exams to obtain the Certificate of Knowledge Adequacy for Naturalization (PEGP). Most of the candidates are of Albanian descent, there are also candidates from Romania, Russia, Ukraine, …
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Greek Easter wishes before and after Jesus Resurrection
When in Greece… exchange Easter wishes like a Greek! Easter wishes are a bit complicated and depend on whether they are exchanged before of after Jesus Resurrection. In the average Greeks wish Καλό Πάσχα! Kalo Pascha! Happy Easter! from Palm Sunday until Good Wednesday or Good Thursday. From Good Thursday …
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