Articles | Culture | tags | ekathimerini daily.com http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/ en null null Wed, 26 Aug 2020 02:06:25 GMT 2020-08-26T02:06:25Z en null null ekathimerini daily.com http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/garnish/rss-logo.png http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/ Why are Greeks so hospitable? An anthropologist’s view http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256096/article/ekathimerini daily/community/why-are-greeks-so-hospitable-an-anthropologists-view

I first lived in Greece in the late 1980s as a student. I’d exchanged chilly Cambridge for the beautiful Peloponnesian town of Nafplio and was carrying out postgraduate research on modern Greek identity and tourism.

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:12:24 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256096/article/ekathimerini daily/community/why-are-greeks-so-hospitable-an-anthropologists-view 2020-08-24T14:12:24Z
US deputy mission chief visits Kastellorizo http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256168/article/ekathimerini daily/news/us-deputy-mission-chief-visits-kastellorizo

US Deputy Chief of Mission David Burger toured the archaeological museum of Kastellorizo on Monday, as part of his visit to the island.

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 12:48:35 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256168/article/ekathimerini daily/news/us-deputy-mission-chief-visits-kastellorizo 2020-08-24T12:48:35Z
Greece condemns 'reprehensible' conversion of Chora Church http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256088/article/ekathimerini daily/news/greece-condemns-reprehensible-conversion-of-chora-church

A decision by Turkish authorities to re-convert the Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora into a mosque is “completely reprehensible,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 10:56:02 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256088/article/ekathimerini daily/news/greece-condemns-reprehensible-conversion-of-chora-church 2020-08-21T10:56:02Z
Presidential decree issued to turn Chora Church into mosque http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256080/article/ekathimerini daily/news/presidential-decree-issued-to-turn-chora-church-into-mosque

After Hagia Sophia, Turkish authorities issued a new presidential decree on Friday morning to re-convert the Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora into a mosque.

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 06:00:47 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/256080/article/ekathimerini daily/news/presidential-decree-issued-to-turn-chora-church-into-mosque 2020-08-21T06:00:47Z
A night at the opera in Delphi http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255788/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/a-night-at-the-opera-in-delphi

Recitals at archaeological sites throughout Greece continue on Thursday at the Roman Agora of ancient Delphi with the participation of soloists from the Greek National Opera. Thursday’s performance will include nine distinguished soloists in famous arias from operas and operettas and classical cantatas with subjects drawn from ancient Greek mythology and Greek literature. It is part of a series of cultural events titled "All of Greece, one Culture," organized by the Culture Ministry. The events began on July 18 and will run to September 15, with 20 different music, opera, operetta and dance programs and tributes at 70 archaeological sites, in a total of 111 performances. The photo shows a performance at Ancient Olympia by the sopranos Marisia Papalexiou (left) and Chrysa Maliamani (right). [Elli Ruben]

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 14:45:47 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255788/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/a-night-at-the-opera-in-delphi 2020-08-13T14:45:47Z
Stolen religious icon returned from UK http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255430/article/ekathimerini daily/news/stolen-religious-icon-returned-from-uk

A 19th-century religious icon that was stolen in 2005 along with 11 others from a monastery in northwestern Greece was returned from the United Kingdom on July 31, the Culture Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:48:39 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255430/article/ekathimerini daily/news/stolen-religious-icon-returned-from-uk 2020-08-04T14:48:39Z
Archaeological sites to open for August full moon Monday night http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255387/article/ekathimerini daily/life/archaeological-sites-to-open-for-august-full-moon-monday-night

A series of events will be held in 37 of the 77 museums and archaeological sites throughout Greece that will be open and free to the public on Monday night for the full moon of August.

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:00:21 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255387/article/ekathimerini daily/life/archaeological-sites-to-open-for-august-full-moon-monday-night 2020-08-03T12:00:21Z
Ancient 'Acropolis of the sea' opens to divers, guarded by high tech http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255279/article/ekathimerini daily/life/ancient-acropolis-of-the-sea-opens-to-divers-guarded-by-high-tech

Hidden and protected for millennia, an ancient shipwreck in Greece opens to the public for the first time on Aug. 3, fusing archaeological wonders in the depths of the sea with the marvels of modern-day artificial intelligence.

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:55:24 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255279/article/ekathimerini daily/life/ancient-acropolis-of-the-sea-opens-to-divers-guarded-by-high-tech 2020-07-30T12:55:24Z
National Gallery on track to being toast of the town http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255220/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/national-gallery-on-track-to-being-toast-of-the-town

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni visited the construction site of the National Gallery in central Athens, on Tuesday. Work on the ambitious revamp is reportedly progressing at a rapid pace so that the opening can take place next March, as planned. The aim is to make the National Gallery a defining architectural feature of the Greek capital, aligned with the adjacent Hilton Hotel, Lycabettus Hill and Kostas Varotsos’ iconic glass statue of "The Runner." The new design has not only increased the museum’s surface area but has also created much larger spaces to showcase the museum’s collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and visiting exhibitions. [ Culture Ministry/ANA-MPA]

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:33:41 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255220/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/national-gallery-on-track-to-being-toast-of-the-town 2020-07-29T12:33:41Z
Patriarchate confirms Aug. 15 religious ceremony at Panagia Soumela monastery http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255231/article/ekathimerini daily/news/patriarchate-confirms-aug-15-religious-ceremony-at-panagia-soumela-monastery

The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate has confirmed that a religious ceremony will take place to mark this year’s August 15 feast day of the Greek Orthodox Church at the historic Monastery of Panagia Soumela in the mountainous Trabzon region, known among Greeks as Trapezounta.

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:19:29 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255231/article/ekathimerini daily/news/patriarchate-confirms-aug-15-religious-ceremony-at-panagia-soumela-monastery 2020-07-29T12:19:29Z
Ancient Greek theaters return to life in pandemic http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255113/gallery/ekathimerini daily/life/ancient-greek-theaters-return-to-life-in-pandemic

The ancient theater of Epidaurus, renowned for its acoustics, has reopened for a limited number of open-air performances, with organizers planning a live-streamed event Saturday for the first time in the Greek monument’s 2,300-year history.

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:41:10 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255113/gallery/ekathimerini daily/life/ancient-greek-theaters-return-to-life-in-pandemic 2020-07-25T10:41:10Z
Turkey and Greece exchange harsh words over Hagia Sophia prayers http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255112/article/ekathimerini daily/news/turkey-and-greece-exchange-harsh-words-over-hagia-sophia-prayers

Turkey and Greece exchanged harsh words on Saturday over the conversion of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a day after Islamic prayers were held at the ancient site for the first time in nine decades.

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:22:19 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255112/article/ekathimerini daily/news/turkey-and-greece-exchange-harsh-words-over-hagia-sophia-prayers 2020-07-25T10:22:19Z
Hagia Sophia decision casts ‘dark shadow’ over Turkey’s reputation, says Greek Foreign Ministry http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255095/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-decision-casts-dark-shadow-over-turkeys-reputation-says-greek-foreign-ministry

The Greek Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized Turkey’s recent decision to convert Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia into a mosque, saying that the move “cast a dark shadow over its reputation.”

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 16:54:53 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255095/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-decision-casts-dark-shadow-over-turkeys-reputation-says-greek-foreign-ministry 2020-07-24T16:54:53Z
Foreign travelers inspire touring play http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255075/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/foreign-travelers-inspire-touring-play

The Greek National Theater is going on tour to different parts of the country with “Wonderful Ruins,” a play inspired by the accounts of foreign travelers to Greece from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The play is a part of the Culture Ministry’s summer program, which comprises 24 different theater, music and art productions. [Ministry of Culture/ANA-MPA]

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:10:33 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255075/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/foreign-travelers-inspire-touring-play 2020-07-24T14:10:33Z
Erdogan’s premature jubilation http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255063/opinion/ekathimerini daily/comment/erdogans-premature-jubilation

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chose a heavily symbolic day to present himself as a new Ottoman conqueror, converting the Hagia Sophia museum into a mosque on the 97th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne.

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 13:24:13 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255063/opinion/ekathimerini daily/comment/erdogans-premature-jubilation 2020-07-24T13:24:13Z
Hagia Sophia opens as a mosque for Muslim prayers http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255089/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-opens-as-a-mosque-for-muslim-prayers

Fulfilling a dream of his Islamic-oriented youth, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined hundreds of worshipers Friday for the first Muslim prayers in 86 years inside Hagia Sophia, the Istanbul landmark that served as one of Christendom’s most significant cathedrals, a mosque and a museum before its conversion back into a Muslim place of worship.

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 13:22:01 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255089/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-opens-as-a-mosque-for-muslim-prayers 2020-07-24T13:22:01Z
Hagia Sophia to host first Muslim prayers since reverting to a mosque http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255056/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-to-host-first-muslim-prayers-since-reverting-to-a-mosque

Friday prayers will be held for the first time at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the building once again a mosque after a top Turkish court ruled in favour of annulling its museum status.

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 15:46:09 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255056/article/ekathimerini daily/news/hagia-sophia-to-host-first-muslim-prayers-since-reverting-to-a-mosque 2020-07-23T15:46:09Z
Chinese children ‘travel’ to ancient Athens http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255020/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/chinese-children-travel-to-ancient-athens

Elementary school pupils in faraway Chengdu in southwest China took an imaginary trip to Athens during the plague and the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC, via an animated video starring the young Athenian girl Myrtis, whose face was reconstructed by Greek scientists after her remains were discovered in the mid-90s. In the video, young Myrtis urges viewers to follow experts’ advice on Covid-19 and also introduces children to ancient Greek culture.

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 15:32:14 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255020/gallery/ekathimerini daily/in-images/chinese-children-travel-to-ancient-athens 2020-07-23T15:32:14Z
Government launches international initiative for Hagia Sophia http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255005/article/ekathimerini daily/news/government-launches-international-initiative-for-hagia-sophia

The ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture, Nikos Dendias and Lina Mendoni, agreed to the creation of a small working group which will, within 10 days, propose a specific action plan for the immediate future in response to the conversion of the former church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul from a museum into a mosque.

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 16:30:49 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/255005/article/ekathimerini daily/news/government-launches-international-initiative-for-hagia-sophia 2020-07-22T16:30:49Z
Hagia Sophia: How European human rights laws are being violated http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/254913/opinion/ekathimerini daily/comment/hagia-sophia-how-european-human-rights-laws-are-being-violated

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque does not only offend its status as a cultural heritage site. It also violates international law.

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:30:47 GMT http://www.ekathimerini daily.com/254913/opinion/ekathimerini daily/comment/hagia-sophia-how-european-human-rights-laws-are-being-violated 2020-07-21T17:30:47Z