The Passing of an International Film Icon: Michael Cacoyannis

After battling with a heart condition over the last ten days Michael (Michalis) Cacoyannis, a Greek film Director, died this morning at the Evagelismos Hospital in Athens. An icon in the film industry in Greece, Cacoyannis made a fantastic career in directing. Having distinguished himself as an international filmmaker, Cacoyannis also worked as a theater and opera director. He has written screenplays as well as translating Shakespeare into Greek and Euripides into English.

Having received many awards for his work, including the Order of the Gold Phoenix (Greece), the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (France) as well as others, Cacoyannis is viewed in the international film arena as an innovator and enthusiast. In 2004, as a way to continue his love for Greek theatre and cinema, Cacoyannis created a foundation in his name whose main goal is to promote, support and preserve the arts of theatre and cinema. Located in Piraeus Street in the district of Tavros, the foundation opened its doors in 2009. Though his work lives on, Cacoyannis is an icon in the Greeks arts community that will be missed and whose work will be cherished forever.

Source: Athens News

http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/3/45340

For more information on Michael Cacoyannis visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihalis_Kakogiannis

The Rocker of the Rock of Ages

Washington DC: 

Constantine Maroulis made a visit to the Greek embassy this afternoon. He met with Dr. Zoe Kosmidou, Minister Counselor of Cultural Affairs, and her team of outstanding interns, Irene Cavros, Gregory Fat and Olav Goelet to discuss his current project Rock of Ages, his future plans and his thoughts on promoting Greek culture in the U.S. Having grown up in a Greek household, having attending Greek orthodox school, and being involved with the Hellenic Scholarship Fund, Leadership 100 as well as other organizations, Constantine Maroulis feels a strong bond with the Greek community in the United States and hopes to continue to spread awareness of Greek culture.

Following his discussion concerning the promotion of Greek culture with Dr. Kosmidou, he expressed interest in working with the Pillars of Greek Culture, a developing non-profit organization headed by the Greek Embassy in Washington D.C. After discussing project ideas in the arts, Constantine Maroulis seemed excited to be a part of this newly forming organization. The Pillars of Greek Culture looks forward to creating a relationship with this talented and enthusiastic artist.

Greece and U.S. Join Forces to Fight Smuggling of Archaic Antiquities

During her official visit to Athens, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid a visit to the new Acropolis Museum on Sunday, July 17, signing a bilateral agreement with Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis against the illegal trading of cultural artifacts. The Memorandum of Understanding specifically limits the movement of archaeological and Byzantine artifacts from before the fifteenth century AD. Clinton, after signing, assured that the agreement would help preserve Greece's rich heritage by prohibiting any import of artifacts into the United States without a certificate of permission issued by Greek authorities. Additionally, the agreement will serve to promote the diplomatic international exchange of these artifacts for cultural, educational, and scientific endeavors.

The ancient Greek culture is the historical, artistic, philosophical, scientific, literary, and intellectual foundation of Western civilization. In his speech, Greek Foreign Minister Lambrinidis illustrated the strong ties between Greece and the United States, expressing,"we don't simply share policies, but also values; values born here. Let me be so bold as to say, Hillary Clinton, welcome home to Greece." The United States' interest in the preservation of Greek antiquities shows support for both Greece's future and the protection of its past.

SOURCE: Athens News

http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/10/44901

For general information about the new Acropolis Museum, visit

http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/

Healthy Eating in Greece

It was Hippocrates who first stated “let food be thy medicine.” Although that was over 2,000 years ago, the Greeks today follow the same philosophy as their ancestors did. There are reasons for the healthy lifestyle that Greeks lead, and a major contributor to that is what they choose to nourish their bodies with. Rather than eating red meat for most meals, the Greeks rely on seafood as a major source of nutrition. Similarly, they enjoy fresh vegetables as a major component of their meals. The use of olives and olive oil is a staple in most Greek cuisine. Similarly, rather than serving meals in portions that can feed a small army, like most of the United States is known for, meals are given in an assortment of smaller dishes that are meant to be shared with the entire group. Statistically it is evident that Greeks have a more stable and healthier diet as obesity rates are roughly one in five while in the United States they have reached heights of one in three. The article written in Travel+Leisure Magazine, titled Healthy Eating in Greece, provides prime locations for exquisite eating when traveling in Greece, from Athens to the island of Crete.

To learn more about the Greek diet and to read the article in Travel+Leisure Magazine, visit:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/healthy-eating-in-greece

To learn more about Greek cooking and Greek restaurants near you, visit:
http://www.greekcuisine.com/

Source: Travel+Leisure Magazine

Santorini Gains Recognition As World's Best Island

Santorini was voted the world's best island by Travel+Leisure magazine in their 16th annual World's Best Awards of 2011. Holding the number six spot on the 2010 list, the island has been a favorite among Travel+Leisure readers for years. This was Santorini's first year at the top, outshining impressive contenders such as the Galapagos, Bali, and Hawaii islands.

Travel+Leisure's Best Awards annually reveal readers' favorite hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental agencies, spas, and tour operators. The magazine is consistently regarded as a trusted and definitive global source for the finest places to go and the leading companies to take you there. The 2011 awards will be the cover story of Travel+Leisure's August issue.


For more information about Santorini, visit
http://www.santorini.gr/EN

For Travel+Leisure's complete list of best islands, visit
www.travelandleisure.com

Source: Greek News Agenda

A Centennial Tribute: Excavations from the Island of Thassos

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is currently hosting an exhibition commemorating the archaic excavations of the French School of Athens on the island of Thassos.

The island of Thassos, located in the northeast Aegean, is the northernmost island in Greece. Thassos holds great historical and cultural significance because of its rich marble quarries, gold mines, and pottery workshops during the archaic era. In fact, it was one of the ten most powerful cities of the ancient Greek world.

In 1911, the French School of Athens began excavating the island, successfully discovering parts of the ancient city walls, the port, the agora, the political and religious center, a theater, and entire villages that have ultimately survived the test of time in excellent condition.

The exhibit, which was organized to complement the 18th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities in Kavala, features antiquities such as a 5th century BC inscription from the site of the ancient agora, an archaic terra cotta Gorgon acroterion, clay figurines, in addition to a large collection of offerings from the island's sanctuaries.

The exhibition, titled 100 Years of Excavations on Thassos by the French School of Athens, goes above and beyond what is expected. In addition to a general history of the island, it pays tribute to the archaeologists, researchers, and students whose efforts made the excavation of Thassos a landmark moment in Greece's history.

The exhibition will be on display at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki through the end of August.

For more information about the exhibit, visit

http://www.amth.gr/english/vr_museum_first.html

For further information regarding Thassos, visit

http://www.go-thassos.gr/about-thassos/

Source: Greek News Agenda