Athens 2011: Let the Games Begin |  |
- Athens 2011: Let the Games Begin
- The Piano Project: Athens Sea Front Rebirth
- Greek Revival: Cooking for Life
- World Gathering of Poets in Larissa
- Greek News Agenda Readers
| Athens 2011: Let the Games Begin Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:58 AM PDT  Athens 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games officially kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony held at the Panathenaic Stadium on June 25. The ceremony opened with welcome remarks by Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics and Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the Organizing Committee Special Olympics Athens 2011.  "I think we're home," said Shriver, adding that "Greece did not fail us and the athletes of Special Olympics will not fail Greece!" Then, the parade began as more than 7,500 athletes from nearly 180 nations made their way into the stadium to roaring applause from the enthusiastic crowd.  As Special Olympics athletes settled into the stadium, everyone welcomed soul music legend Stevie Wonder, who performed the songs You can feel it and You are the Sunshine of my Life. Wonder also performed a duet of the song That's What Friends are For with artist Vanessa Williams, who co-hosted the show with tenor Mario Frangouli.  The ceremony also featured a rendition of Homer's Odyssey, and performances by Greek singer Alkistis Protopsalti with Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, and special presentations by actress Zhang Ziyi and Maria Menounos. When the Special Olympics Flag was walked into the stadium carried by Pyros Dimas, President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias declared the official opening of the Games.  The athletes' oath was taken and the Flame of Hope was run through the stadium; then, the torch was lit to mark the launch of the Games. During the next 9 days, Special Olympics athletes will compete in the biggest international sporting event of the year, featuring 22 Olympic sports. Greek News Agenda: Special Issue-Special Olympics Athens 2011  |
| The Piano Project: Athens Sea Front Rebirth Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:58 AM PDT
On June 29, the public will have the opportunity to participate in the presentation of the final architectural plans for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).  The plans will be presented by Renzo Piano, the project's distinguished architect. The project for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) includes the construction of Greece's new National Library (NLG) and National Opera (GNO) buildings as well as well as the creation of a Stavros Niarchos Educational and Cultural Park. It is a multifunctional space that promotes art and culture, and will enrich the lives of millions of its visitors.
 The Athenian seafront is to undergo a complete environmental revamp, as part of a plan by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, which will be financed entirely by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The anticipated cost of the project is € 3 million. The urban renovation project, the "masterplan" of which was presented to the Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou, (April 2011) will cover an area of 76 hectares. In an interview to the Greek Secretariat General for Information published by the Italian news agency ANSA, Piano explains that "the driving force is rebuilding the strong link between the city and the sea that was lost during the construction of existing infrastructure and the fillings carried out for the Olympics."  "The history and tradition of a city like Athens have influenced our entire culture" he says, adding that it's time Athens rethought its architectural features. Stavros Niarchos Foundation: The Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center  |
| Greek Revival: Cooking for Life Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:58 AM PDT In the framework of Health, Nutrition and Fitness: From Ancient to Modern Time series, the Embassy of Greece in Washington is hosting, on June 28, a book presentation on the Greek culinary tradition.  Greek Revival: Cooking for Life by Patricia Moore-Pastides is a book with a fresh and exciting approach to Greek culinary tradition, wherein food is healthy, simple and most of all, delicious. Patricia Moore-Pastides, University of South Carolina First Lady and public-health professional, presents dozens of easy-to make and impossible-to-resist recipes that infuse a healthful diet with the enticement of great taste. Throughout the book, the writer shares lively stories of her days living in Greece and Cyprus that exemplify the enduring charm of an original lifestyle. The book is a finalist for the ForeWord Reviews Cookbook of the Year Award and a Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Book Award. A reception will follow with samples from the book's recipes.  |
| World Gathering of Poets in Larissa Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:58 AM PDT The 22nd World Congress of Poets will take place from June 29 to July 3, in Larissa, central Greece.  The World Congress of Poets (WCP) which will be held for the first time in Greece has been taking place since 1969 in various countries around the world and is an internationally recognized cultural event. Held every two years by the United Poets Laureate International (UPLI), one of the major international poetry organisations, it brings together poets from all over the world. The aim of the institution is to promote World Brotherhood and Peace through Poetry without discriminations of race, religion and nationality.  |
| Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:03 AM PDT Due to a 48-hour general strike throughout the country, the Greek News Agenda will be back on Thursday, June 30, 2011.  |
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