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In celebration of 'Marine Week', we have been enjoying performances, both theatrical and musical, on the beach.  'Marine Week' started on June 30th and continues on through tonite, June 6th.  I went to an open-air performance on Friday night of ‘The Imaginary Invalid', Le Malade Imaginaire, by Moliere.  The theatrical performance took place on the out-door theatre stage of Batis, in Paleo Faliro.  The theatrical group was called ‘Thimeli' and the play was directed by Elli Bozikiathou.  Although a bit exaggerated, the actors performed very well.  The protagonist gave a great performance!

Tonight we will enjoy the play by Nikolai Gogol, called ‘Diary of a Madman'.  It was written in 1835 and is considered to be one of Gogol's greatest short stories. The tale centers on the life of a minor civil servant during the repressive era of Nicholas I in Russia. Following the format of a diary, the story shows the digression of the protagonist, Poprishchin, into insanity.  It is the only one of Gogol's works written in first person, as the story follows diary entry format.  It is only in his madness that the lowly anti-hero attains greatness in life.  The story satirizes the rampant petty officialdom of the bureaucracy in the 1840s in St. Petersburg, and has been interpreted by some as going beyond this to being an allegory about the political state of Russia at the time, revealing Gogol's view of the government from the standpoint of a lowly citizen. The story also portrays the average man's quest for individuality in a seemingly indifferent, urban city.  Tonight's play will be performed by the theatrical group 'Modern Theater' and directed by George Messala, a Greek actor and director.

The performances start between 9.00 - 9.30 p.m. and have no entrance fee.  The theatrical stage of Batis is on the beach and we breathe the fresh sea air as we watch the actors perform!  It is located at Batis Beach, in Paleo Faliro and can be reached by tram, line Syntagma-SEF, Batis stop.

To celebrate ‘Marine Week', the Cultural Center ‘Flisvos' had its Grand Opening on June 26th and has an exhibition of old marine maps and other marine material on display, from the Marine Museum of Greece.  The ‘Flisvos' Cultural Center is a couple blocks down from the Flisvo tram stop, line Syntagma-SEF.  It is open from 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m. daily.   

There is no sign on the outside and until I entered, I wasn't sure if it was the trattoria I was supposed to be at!  They had told me about ‘Il Tinello' with inconsistent details; some saying that it was the ‘best' Italian restaurant of Athens, and others telling me about the ‘capriccio' of the owners...  Finally, I decided that I just had to visit it by myself to form my own opinion since so many fans had bragged about it and others avoided indisputably. 

Although the small dining area does not impress, the atmosphere gives you a homey feelings with simple decor and a few tables covered with tablecloths.  Daniela, a professional cook from the Veneto region reinvents her dishes according to her moods and the season.  Stefano, the server, will not bring you a menu...he will only ask you if you would like white or red wine with your meal.  Soon after, the parade of the Italian meal begins, commencing with salads of fresh mushrooms & garlic, roca & vitello garnished with parmesan cheese, salami from Italy, taliata, risotto with porchini, and amazing pasta with various sauces, including:  chicken with almonds, tomato, pesto, and naturally, one of the best carbonaras that I've ever tested...and I've lived in Italy!!  Make sure you leave room for the dessert!  Panacota, tiramisu, crème brulee will give you a sweet taste to remember for the week!  To finish off the meal, a shot of grappa or an espresso will give you the winding down or winding up needed, depending on if you are going to continue your night on the town or call it a night!

‘Il Tinello' is at 54 Knossou Street, in Alimos, in southern Athens.  Get off the tram stop of Kalamaki and walk up Kalamakiou Street, make a right on Erestiou and then a left on Knossou.  Call 210 98 28 462 for reservations and precise directions.  Cost per person:  30 - 35 Euros.

For the 6th continuous year, the Cultural Organization of the City of Athens is organizing the International Dance Festival from July 1st - July 15th, with the support of ‘Texnopolis'.  Dancers from Greece and abroad will display their talents and illustrate various combinations of modern dance so that we can gain an insight on the current trends of dance throughout Europe. 

The program will include:  'Le Ballet National de Marseille' on July 1st and 2nd, the 'Hip Hop Dance Company X-press' on July 4th and 5th, the 'National Theatre of Northern Greece' on July 7th, the 'Hanover Competition - Ballet Gesellschaft Hannover E.V.' on July 9th, the 'Scottish Dance Theater' on July 11th and 12th, and the dance-theater group 'OKTANA' on July 14th and 15th.  To further celebrate the art of dance there will also be other exhibits during the same period, including:  a photography exhibition dedicated to Boris Bezar, a seminar for dancers and students of modern dance, and nights dedicated to choreographers with shows of their own performances.

The festival will take place at ‘Texnopolis', in Gazi, at 100 Peiraios Street, just below Omonia Square in Athens, at the ‘Keramikos' metro stop.  For more information, you may call 210 34 60 981.

For the first time in the history of Greece and Diaspora Hellenism, June 5th was declared "Diaspora Day", following a historic decision by the Greek Parliament. Relations between Greece and Diaspora Hellenism have been given new momentum through a decision by the current government to give voting rights to Greeks living abroad. 
 
The World Council of Hellenes Abroad SAE met in Athens and Thessaloniki from June 7th to the 14th, while its presiding committee already met with Mr. Karamanlis on June 4th.  The committee then met with main opposition party leader George Papandreou and other party leaders.  During the meeting, Mr. Karamanlis said "it is a great joy to see you today. The World Council of Hellenes Abroad is a stable axis of a common and national effort to support Ecumenical Hellenism.  I would therefore like to thank you for the highly significant initiatives you have taken".  The Greek prime minister also said "in recognition of the contribution of SAE, we honor Greeks of the Diaspora.  And as we have already shown we will spare no effort to further support SAE regarding the major issue of the bill on voting rights for Greeks living beyond the country's borders, I would like to stress that we have made timely preparations of a bill that has been forwarded to you, and to all parties represented in parliament.  I am aware that there are differences of opinion. And, in view of the fact that for its ratification the constitution requires a broad majority of 200 MPs, we must attain the necessary convergence of views."  He continued to say that the foreign minister and the interior minister will invite all party representatives to discuss the issue and that a final draft will be formulated from the synthesis of their views, along with the views of SAE's.  He hopes that the all this will take effect by the end of the year.  There are efforts to increase the number of ministers of state from 12 to 15 to include ministers representing the Diaspora, said Mr. Tamvakis in connection to the Greek Diaspora vote.

For further information on the Greek Diaspora, visit ‘Greek Insight'.  It's a new Greek Diaspora portal which is a unique source of online information for 5.5 million Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes worldwide.

The Athens - Epidauro Festival is filled with music & theatre events, as every year, which are sure to leave you in awe.  Performing at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, under the Acropolis, the ancient theater of Epidauros, the Megaro Mousikis, musicians, dancers, actors, and other entertainers give their best performances to amaze visitors and locals alike.  I've been to all three venues and one is better than the other!  The Odeon of Herodes Atticus gives you the chills, as you watch an ancient Greek theater production under the Parthenon.  Epidauros theater, the largest theater in Greece, places you in a different time and age.  The Megaro Mousikis brings you to today in the modern concert halls with great acoustics. 

One of the performances this weekend is that of Stamatis Kraounakis.  Stamatis Kraounakis combines music and theatre with everything from Attic comedy to comic reviews and contemporary music theatre.  He composes basically song-roles and alternates his heroes' masks while writing fully rounded characters.  Orchestrated and conducted by Giorgos Zachariou, Stamatis Kraounakis and Eleni Ouzounidou will perform on June 27th & 28th at 9 p.m. at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.   The Speira Speira Greek Music Theatre Company will play the role of the chorus.

On July 23rd at 9 p.m. three Greek bands, ‘Imam Baildi', ‘Trio Balkano' &  ‘World Music' will play instruments from the sax and bagpipes to bouzouki and trumpets while adding their voices to the multicultural sound of contemporary Europe: First, the atmospheric trio formed by three established musicians - Manos Achalinotopoulos, Stavros Lantsias and Yiorgos Kaloudis - who enter into a musical discourse, improvise and broaden the limits of Greek traditional music. Then there's the Trio Balkano from Thessaloniki with the virtuosic Pantelis Stoikos on trumpet and kavali and its Greek tinted, jazz-referencing approach to the Balkan brass sound. Finally, Imam Baildi, the group formed by the younger Falireas brothers which has already caused a stir with its contemporary electronic take on traditional sounds, the Greek popular music of decades past and rembetika. With acoustic instruments combined live on stage with samples and electronic sounds, yesteryear rises out of today to greet tomorrow.  Advance booking begins on July 2nd.

For more information on events taking place and bookings, please visit http://www.greekfestival.gr/show_all?lang=en

Copa Copana is a new water park in Athens, ideal for dealing with this hot weather we are having if you feel like going somewhere besides the beach!  First of all, there are 17 waterslides to get wet in and feel like a kid again.  There are various levels for those of you who like speed and other slower ones for the beginner.  You will also find the "Magical City", which is reserved for kids up to 12 years old.  This is a place with games for kids in the biggest playground of Athens, which runs year-round.  The ‘Water Playground' is another place for kids with a kid's pool and kid water-slides and a huge pirate's ship for those kids craving adventure!

The islands and night pool bars are composed of three ‘islands' in the huge pool, which serve coffee and drinks all day.  At night they are transformed, from relaxed cafes during the day, to clubs with famous DJs and appearances from live bands!  They are open year-round also.  Flocafe is at the entrance of the park and open 24 hours.  The ‘Copa Cool Summer' restaurant is open during the summer with great views during the evening and nightly hours.  There is also the ‘Yacht Club - VIP' Lounge for those of you wanting exclusive service and to be pampered in the DNA Medi Spa, which functions only during the summer. 

This summer Copa Copana gives everyone the chance to relax and enjoy the various places and services offered.  Prices vary from family packages, year-round passes, and group rates.  Please call 210 5576 006 for more information or visit http://www.copacopanapark.com/.

With the theme ‘Difference is Our Strength', the National Centre for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.) will host a concert to emphasise the integration of the Roma, refugee and immigrant populations within the Greek society.  This concert will promote equal rights for all and the development of good relations between all races and ethnicities. 

We will hear the clarinet with musician Vasilis Saleas, songs by Sarantis Saleas, and music by Roma bands from all over the world, including the band ‘Prwto Taksidi' (First Trip), which is composed of young musicians playing rock and various ballads.  ‘Lava' is a band which will play music from Albania.  ‘Al Mahabba' will play music from the Middle East, ‘Telesilia' with Balkan and Gypsy music, and many others.  The musicians will be accompanied by the ‘Melody Chamber Orchestra'. 

The concert is in cooperation with the European program ‘Progress' which is trying to promote anti-discrimination laws.  The program aims to ban discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.  The second part of the program is called the Racial Equality Directive and applies to all people in the E.U. and goes beyond the traditional field of employment into areas such healthcare, education and housing. Discrimination victims have the right to make a complaint and those who discriminate face penalties, although how this is done varies from country to country.  Although laws banning discrimination are an absolute prerequisite, on their own, they are unable to achieve the goal of creating a society that is free from discrimination.  The National Centre for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.) is a State Organization based in Athens, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity. It was established in 2003.

The concert will be held at "Texnopolis" in Gazi at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21st.  The Metro stop is "Keramikos" and buses- 035, 049, 811, 815, 914, B18, 731, 031 all stop at "Palea Agora" from Omonia square.