Might I Suggest ?
READ ABOUT: Culture and Family Activities & The Greek Custom of Vassilopita
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CULTURE The Bolshoi Ballet Live from Moscow
CULTURE
The Lady of the Camellias
The Bolshoi breathes new life into John Neumeier’s tragic masterpiece, inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ novel and accompanied by Chopin’s exquisite score. This production assumes a new emotional and dramatic texture that only the Bolshoi’s dancers can deliver.
Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall Vass. Sophias & Kokkali - Athens 115 21 6 December 2015 | 17:00
“Neumeier’s character-rich ballet has found a company that is equal to its challenges” – Financial Times
Book your Bolshoi tickets online >
Franz Lehár The Merry Widow
The operetta, adored more than any other and performed with huge success all over the world for over a century, will give eight performances in a new production at The Megaron. Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Vass. Sophias
The Merry Widow >
& Kokkali - Athens 115 21
CULTURE
18,19,20,22,23,26,27,28 December 2015 - 20:30
Pierre Beaumarchais “The Marriage of Figaro”
The new, huge success for Stathis Livathinos and his award winning company is continuing for a second year.
CULTURE
With a new translation by Elsa Andrianou is to be performed that emblematic work of the French theatrical repertoire, The Marriage of Figaro by Pierre Beaumarchais. Written on the eve of the French Revolution, which it was seen to foreshadow, the Marriage of Figaro is one of the most fascinating theatrical works of the 18th century. It forms part of the
famous trilogy by Beaumarchais, on which two of the world’s best loved operas were based: Marriage of Figaro and Barber of Seville. Apart from its political dimension, the work is also a frenzied comedy which exploits the cast’s talents for improvisation and it brings together many of the ideological preoccupations of the Enlightenment.
CULTURE
Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Vass. Sophias & Kokkali - Athens 115 21 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25,29 Νovember 2015 - 19:00 5,6,7,12,13,14,19,20,21,26,27,28 Νοvember 2015 - 20:30
The Marriage of Figaro >
Around the World in Eighty Days
A thrilling theatrical adventure for travelers of all ages…
CULTURE
The exciting Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne is returning to the stage of The Megaron. A musical-theatrical performance for young and old alike, featuring a big cast with action and humor, live music and video sequences.
Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Vass. Sophias & Kokkali - Athens 115 21 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Νovember 2015 - 11:30 7, 14, 21, 22, 28 Νovember 2015 - 15:00
Around the World in Eighty Days >
Don Quixote Moscow Classical Ballet With leading soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre A rich dance spectacle for all the family, a superb performance which will lend its own beauty to the festive days of Christmas. Don Quixote, the most well-known performance of the historic Moscow Classical Ballet, is to be staged for the first time in Greece! Together with this illustrious company, leading soloists from the Bolshoi Theatre will also be taking part in the performance.
& Kokkali - Athens 115 21 22, 23, 25 December 2015 - 20:00 29 & 30 December 2015 - 17:00 29 & 30 December 2015 - 21:00
Don Quixote – Moscow Classical Ballet >
CULTURE
The Moscow Classical Ballet is among the major state ballet companies of Russia, together with the Bolshoi, the Mariinsky, the Stanislavsky and the Kremlin Ballet.
Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall, Vass. Sophias
The Nutcracker
CULTURE
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This December, the renowned act will be at the Badminton Theatre for 9 days.
Badminton Theater Goudi, 157 73, Athens, Greece December 11, 12 & 13, 2015
The Nutcracker >
The Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum is among the great donations that have increased the assets of the state, and at the same time it is the oldest museum organization, operating in Greece as an institution of private law.
CULTURE
It consists of 6 buildings and many special departments, such as the Modern Greek architecture archive, the photographic archive, the conservation department, the library, the educational programmes, and the Shop. Koumpari 1, 10564, Athens, Greece
The Shop is where one can find excellent jewelry, decorative items, ceramics, sculptures as well as New Year lucky charms!
Benaki Museum gifts >
MUSIC Robyn Bennett & Bang Bang
MUSIC
After 15 years of stage experience between new york and europe, the american singer robyn bennett releases an album of original songs, the wait, a super mix of all the music she loves : jazz, swing, funk, rock, country and blues.
Meet Robyn Bennett & Bang Bang >
Half Note Jazz Club – 17 Trivonianou str., Mets 11636, Athens 30 December 2015 – 05 January 2016
Divinas & Co.
MUSIC
Celebrate the festive season in the most full swing rhythms, right in the heart of Athens! Visit the Half Note Jazz Club and allow the jazz band of Divinas & Co. to allure you into the most festive atmosphere that there can be! Half Note Jazz Club – 17 Trivonianou str., Mets 11636 24-29 December 2015
Meet the Divinas & Co. >
Al Di Meola The Guitar Hero
MUSIC
Al Di Meola is an acclaimed American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist, composer, and record producer of Italian origin (from Cerreto Sannita). With a musical career that has spanned more than three decades; he has become respected as one of the most influential guitarists in jazz to date.
GAZARTE. 32-34 Voutadon Str.Gazi, Athens 11854 Saturday, February 20th 2016 – 22:00
Albums such as Friday Night in San Francisco have earned him both artistic and commercial success with a solid fan base throughout the world.
Meet Al Di Meola >
Monophonics “One of the best live soul bands I have ever seen!” – Al Bell (Record producer, songwriter, executive, and co-owner of legendary Stax Records)
MUSIC
Raised amid the rich musical culture and history of the San Francisco Bay Area, Monophonics proudly carry the torch through the generations into today’s musical landscape. Holding on to tradition, but by no means purists of any kind, they play their own brand of music known as “Psychedelic Soul.” The 2012 release of Monophonics last album In Your Brain saw the band pulling influences from such acts as early Funkadelic, Sly and The Family Stone and the The Temptation’s Norman Whitfield produced records. With the new album, Sound of Sinning (April 1, 2015 on Transistor Sound Records), the band has grown in all areas of record making and felt a need to explore other important influences.
GAZARTE. 32-34 Voutadon Str. Gazi, Athens 11854 Sunday, December 10th 2015 – 22:00
Meet the Monophonics >
Winter Excursion
W i n ter E x cursi o n
Parnassos Ski
Parnassos is one of the most beautiful mountains in Greece, full of Greek firs with ambulant vegetation and rare natural beauty that charms visitors all year long. On this mountain at an elevation of 1,600-2,250m in the areas of Kelaria and Fterolakka, Parnassos Ski Center operates from December until the beginning of May, which is the biggest and the best organized ski center of our country.
View the Parnassos Ski Centre on the map >
The Ski Center has 19 ski runs, 7 ski routes, 10 trails and three mini beginner runs, total length 36km. The length of runs starts from 50m to 4km for beginners, average and good skiers. For adventure lovers, there are 12 black country runs with really deep snow and lots of adrenaline. The Center features high safety facilities and equipment and is well operated.
Buy your Ski ticket online >
Arahova
W i n ter E x cursi o n
Near Parnassos is the mountain town of Arachova; a former municipality in the western part of Boeotia, Greece. Arachova has a panoramic view and picturesque closely, with small, but peculiar architecture, houses and the cobbled streets of uphill. In the center of town stands a huge and steep cliff, The Bell Tower, covered with dense ivy. On top of the tower, a large clock is placed of height
10m. Arachova is famous for its black wine, its “brusque”, the colorful textiles, carpets and the rugs, handicrafts and the woodcut creations as well. It would be also worth mentioning that the cheese Formaela, from Arachova, has been designated as a protected designation of origin.
Discover Arachova >
FAMILIES Digital Revolution
FA MILIES
An experience for all the family!
From Pac-Man, Super Mario and Tetris to Gravity and Inception, from Björk to will.i.am from the Back Eyed Peas, from Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak to Augmented Reality and from the Industrial Revolution to 3D printing, the “Digital Revolution” exhibition showcases the impact of digital technology on the evolution of the Arts, design, music, fashion, film and video games. The future is here and it’s made out of algorithms and pixels.
Onassis Cultural Centre 107-109 Syngrou Avenue, 11745 Athens, Greece 20 Oct. 2015 - 10 Jan. 2016 Monday-Thursday & Sunday 12:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00), Friday & Saturday 12:00–22:00 (last entry 21:00)
Explore the Digital Revolution >
Chocolate Factory & Museum In HELEXPO Marousi Exhibition Centre
FA MILIES
The ‘Chocolate Factory and Museum’ will be hosted as of November on level D of HELEXPO Marousi Exhibition Centre in Athens, which is definitely one of the most unique, safe and functional exhibition, conference and event venues in Greece. As a state of the art venue in Greece the Centre has hosted, and continues to host, a wide range
Helexpo Maroussi International Exhibition Centre 39 Kifissias Avenue – 15123 7 Nov. 2015 – 21 Jan. 2016
of events, such as exhibitions, conferences, and symposiums at its avant-garde facilities. Combining unique architecture with modern and multifunctional characteristics, it provides versatile and convenient premises for visitors, and stands out as a landmark in Athens.
Visit the Chocolate Factory & Museum >
Christmas Factory the biggest Christmas Bazaar of the country
For a 3 rd year in a row, the Christmas Factory of Athens is the biggest Christmas Bazaar of the country!
FA MILIES
Totally enchanted by the Festive period, allow us to welcome you in a fairytale scenery full of joy and happiness. Visit the festive city of Athens and allow us to journey you to the finest Christmas feelings.
Visit the Christmas Factory >
Technopolis City of Athens 100, Pireos str. 118 54 Gazi - Athens
Laterna Magika Wonderful Circus
A non-lingual adventure of laughter and passion. Inspired, spectacular, poetic: Wonderful Circus, the iconic show by Laterna Magika of the National Theater of Prague, is credited for the transformation of the theatrical arts for the Czech Republic.
Goudi, 157 73, Athens, Greece December 11, 12 & 13, 2015
Learn more about Laterna Magica >
FA MILIES
From December 11th to December 13th, Badminton Theater transforms into a glorious circus hub in order to host one of the most exhilarating performances that sprang out of the past decades.
Badminton Theater
Onassis Cultural Centre
The Snow Queen The famous Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, this Christmas at the Onassis Cultural Centre. 2, 23, 25, 29, 30 December – 20:00 26, 27 December – 12:00 and 20:00
FA MILIES
28 December – 17:00 and 20:00
The Snow Queen >
Let Me Tell You a Story This Christmas, the Onassis Cultural Centre brings grandmothers, grandfathers and their grandchildren closer to each other, in a workshop of narration and illustration. 22, 23, 29, 30 December 2015 | 05 January 2016
Let me tell you a Story >
FA MILIES
Onassis Cultural Centre, 107-109 Syngrou Avenue, 11745 Athens, Greece
The Greek Custom of Vassilopita On the 1st of January, every Greek family gathers for lunch and follows the same old tradition of cutting one Vassilopita piece for every family member. The coin hidden in the bread represents luck and prosperity to the one who finds it!
The Story January 1st is the feast day of Saint Basil, a fourth century bishop known for his generosity to the poor. St. Basil would try to help the people in need by anonymously hiding gold coins in cakes that were
T he G ree k C ust o m o f V assil o pita
delivered to them. The following recipe is for a rich yeast bread that is flavored with Mahlepi a spice that is ground from the pits of wild cherries.
The Ingredients 8 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1½ cups milk, warmed (not hot) 3 envelopes dry yeast 1⅔ cup unsalted butter 1⅔ cup sugar zest of one orange
The Time
zest of one lemon 1 tbsp. Mahlab (Mahlepi) 5 eggs, lightly beaten 1 egg, beaten with a splash of water
Preparation Time: 3 hours Cooking Time: 1 hour
Whole sesame seeds for sprinkling
Total Time: 4 hours
1 red egg (optional)
Yield: 4 braided loaves
The Preparation
• Shape into rounds and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. (Be sure it is lukewarm, not hot).
• Once rested, divide each round into three pieces.
• Add 1/2 cup of the flour and 1 tbsp. sugar to the mixture.
• Roll the pieces out into long cords about a foot long.
• Cover tightly and set aside until it becomes bubbly and foamy.
• Braid the three ropes together to form a braided loaf.
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over very low heat.
• Place the braids on baking sheets to rise again.
• Stir in the sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, and mahlab.
• Once the dough has risen to about double, brush the surface with egg wash & sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Remove from heat and stir in the beaten eggs.
• Gently press a single red egg in the upper section of the braid.
• Cool slightly.
• Bake in a preheated 280-degree oven for about an hour until the crust is nicely browned all over.
• Add the yeast mixture to a large mixing bowl. • Add in the butter/sugar/egg mixture. • Slowly incorporate the flour until the mixture forms a smooth, wet dough. • Cover the bowl and let rise until it is about double in size – about 2 hours in a warm place. • Turn the dough out on to a well-floured counter and punch down. • Keep sprinkling the dough with flour to keep it from sticking. It will remain a loose, wet dough. • Separate the dough into four equal parts.
Savor our authentic delicacy and allow your mind to travel to Greece.
T he G ree k C ust o m o f V assil o pita
• Sift the flour with the salt in a large bowl and set aside.
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