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Marina Karella is an artist whose paintings are concerned with the human presence or the human definitive absence.  Her pieces may not be filled with human figures, but the viewer can easily imagine the people that could be populating the empty rooms in her paintings.  Her recent exhibition at the Zoumboulaki Gallery was a success.  She divides her time between New York, Athens, and Paris, while married to a man who shares her passion and creativity. 

The first person who believed in Marina Karella's talent was the iconic Greek artist Yannis Tsarouchis who saw some of her first sketches when she was just 16 years old.  He then encouraged her to create theater sets and she was his assistant for the legendary performance of the opera Norma in 1960, when Maria Kallas was the soprano.  Her first exhibition followed in 1966 at the Festival of Two Worlds, in Italy.  In the 1970s, she exhibited her work ‘The White Series' at Gallery Iolas, which some believe to be the most famous examples of her work.  She then devoted herself to imprinting folds of fabric in the form of ancient Greek sculptures on plaster, marble and metal.  She still paints today with the same passion indoor spaces and human figures. 

The theatrical group of Karolou Koun, Theater Texni, performed Artistophanes' play, The Birds, last week at the Festival of Rematia in Halandri.  Rematia's theater is beautifully located outside, in the midst of trees.  If feels as though you are surrounded by a forest and are a little squirrel longing to find your way out, as the birds were trying to find their way out and escape into an amazing imaginary kingdom.  Many believe that The Birds is not the playwright's best comedy, but it is certainly his most ornate.  It is a work of inspiration in which he takes a journey to the land of the birds, where everything is peaceful and calm, unlike the Athenian reality of the time.  The choreography was simply amazing.  Zouzou Nikoloudi did an excellent job with the dancers/actors who were perfectly synchronized.  Of course, there are the other artists, such as Yannis Tsarouchis, whose painter's brush brought life to the bird-people and people-birds, Manos Hadjidakis who with sensitivity reproduced the rhythms of the drama in his music, and Vasilis Rotas, the modern Greek translator, who captured the style and movement of the modern vernacular.  The actors, some just starting their careers, like Marios Konstantinou who played the servant, were very impressive to say the least.  Their facial movements and motions distinguished them from your typical actor on stage.   

Aristophanes  c.448 b.c.-c.388 b.c., Greek playwright, Athenian comic poet, one of the greatest ancient writers of comedy was born in 448 b.c..  He lived until 388 b.c. and his plays, are the only full extant samples of the Greek Old Comedy, mix political, social, and literary satire. The direct attack on persons, the severity of invective, and the burlesque extravagances made the plays fitting for the festival of Dionysus.  The typical plan of an Aristophanic comedy is simple-the protagonist undertakes seriously some preposterous project, and the play is an elaboration of his success or failure.  Despite the absurdity of the situation, Aristophanes' characters are real as types; their verisimilitude comes from their perfectly natural behavior in unnatural circumstances. Aristophanes' Greek is exceptionally beautiful, and many of his choruses are among the finest lyric pieces in Greek literature.

His other works include:  Lysistrata (411), in which the Athenian women boycott their husbands to end a war; The Thesmophoriazusae or The Women at Demeter's Festival (411), in which the women conspire to ruin Euripides because of his misogyny; The Frogs (405), a literary satire involving Aeschylus and Euripides; The Ecclesiazusae or The Women in Politics (c.392), in which the women take over the government; and Plutus (388), in which the blind god of wealth recovers his eyesight and distributes the gifts of fortune more equitably.

Where ever you are located this summer in Greece, the Aristophanian plays are a must see!

There's more to summer than laying out the beach!  Around Athens, one can enjoy the sea sports that exercise, not only our body, but also our soul.

The Sailing Club of Pirea, which was established in 1937, is one of the oldest clubs in the sailing sphere.  It is located in the Mikrolimano (meaning ‘small port' in Greek), just under the beautiful Kastella.  The Mikrolimano can be reached by walking about ten minutes from the SEF (‘Stadio Irinis & Filias', Stadium of Peace & Friendship) tram stop.  The Sailing Club of Pirea was established by eight friends who had a passion and love for the sea and wanted to pass this enthusiasm and spirit of the sea onto young people throughout Greece.  The club offers sailing classes for beginners through the advanced levels.  Tel. 210 41 77 636 and website:  http://www.iop.gr 

An other great place for sea sports is the Nautical Club of Vouliamenis.  This club is located on the ‘neck', Laimos of Vouliameni, a southern suburb of Athens, which can be reached with the E2 or E22 buses from the center, Akademia or Syntagma.  The club belongs to the famous athlete Stamati Lolou and offers water skiing for all levels, even for advanced water skiers, by professional atheletes.  Tel. 210 89 64 414 and website:  http://www.loloskki.gr/ .   A little further down the coast is the Grand Resort of Lagonissi, which offers its natural beauty and luxury to its visitors and also has water ski, windsurfing, and jet ski.  The resort is about 22 kilometers from the airport and 22 kilometers from Glyfada, on the way to Sounio (40 klm. Athens-Sounio).  Tel. 22910 - 76 000.

The Moraitis Sports Center is on the other side of Attika, on Shinias Beach at Marathona.  This beach reminds me of California, the place I call my other ‘home'.  The sports center of Shinias offers almost all the sea sports and is a hot spot for, especially, young people during the summertime.  You may rent a surfboard and also leave your board there for a small fee so you won't need to carry it back and forth.  Whatever you do, I definitely recommend this beach, for, at least, a swim and a coffee!  Tel. 22940 - 55 965.

Yabanaki Beach is one of the most popular beaches near Athens.  It's located in Varkiza, about ten minutes by bus after Vouliameni, a southern suburb.  The Beach Park is very organized and visitors can get into the feeling of the Greek summer just minutes away from the center of Athens.  There are a variety of water sports available, such as:  water ski, windsurf, Tubes, Banana and Fly Fish which offer a sense of adventure to all ages.

There are also a number of events happening each week.  On July 26th - 27th, an event called ‘Fun Games' will be offered for young kids.  On July 30th, there will be Aerobic & Spin Bike from the Vari Sports Club, from Last week there was an excellent Bohemian Party on every corner of the beach with Henna, Strass Tatto, Hair Up and Pantomime shows.

There are also a variety of restaurants with Greek specialties, a pool bar and a café near the seaside.  For more information, call 210 8972414.  It's definitely a beach worth the visit!

The lake of Vouliameni is one of many wonders of Athens.  Located at Vouliameni, right off Posidonos Avenue, the lake has offered its therapeutic qualities to visitors around the globe for many years.  It's the ideal place to go for those who suffer from ailments as neuralgia, headaches, arthritis, sciatica, eczema and other problems or for those who want to swim 'laps' in a natural setting.

If you just want to bask in the sun or sleep in a lounge chair, the peacefulness of the lake is difficult to beat.  It's best to go in early Spring and late Fall or when the sea is too rough and windy to swim in.  The lake is about 50 centimeters above sea level and so it is constantly overflowing and being replenished by the hot springs beneath it.  The composition of the lake is brackish and full of such minerals as potassium, natrium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, ferrum, chloride, iodine and is slightly radioactive.  Scientific research has proven that millions of years ago there was a large cave with many hot springs where the lake is today.  With time the moisture and high temperatures of the springs caused the roof to collapse.  The lake's water ranges from 20 - 27 degrees Celsius.

Surrounded by beach chairs and umbrellas, there is a cafe-bar-restaurant too, for those of you wanting to enjoy a dinner by candlelight or some good ice cream!   English is spoken, as are a number of other languages and children are welcome.  It's not just for older people!  During the summer months, many young people hang out there also!  

The lake is open year round.   Summer hours are from 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.  In the winter season the hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For more information you may call 210 896 2237 or 896 2238.

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.   

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/.