Byzantine Art Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

On March 13, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York proudly opened its exhibition titled “Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition”. This exhibition, which focuses on the transition period from the Byzantine era to the world of Islam, was inaugurated by Greece’s permanent UN representative Ambassador Anastassis Mitsialis and Archbishop of American Demetrios. The works in the exhibition demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship and culture of the Southern Byzantine provinces, from Syria to North Africa, at the beginning of the 7th century.
The exhibition was sponsored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and the Hagop Kavorkian Fund. It features pieces from the collections of both the Metropolitan Museum and the Benaki Museum, as well as works on loan from institutions in North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Source: Greek News Agenda

My Sweet Canary Ensemble: Honoring Roza Eskenazi

This Wednesday, March 14, the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas will be hosting the U.S. premier of the multi-national tribute to Greek Jewish singer Roza Eskenazi. Known as the "Queen of Greek Rebetiko", Eskenazi will be honored for her tremendous vocal contributions in this extraordinary musical journey. The concert ensemble was inspired by Roy Sher's film My Sweet Canary, which chronicles the story of Eskenazi's life. Famous musicians from Greece, Israel, and Turkey were gathered together to create the concert ensemble, featuring acclaimed female vocalists and unique interpretations of Eskenazi's music. The concert ensemble has already performed in Jerusalem, Ankara, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Eskenazi's Rebetiko style is world-renowned, and her inspiration for Greek, Israeli, and Turkish music has lasted well after her death, 30 years ago. For more information on the film and touring concert ensemble, please visit: www.mysweetcanary.com.

Seventh Annual Athens Animfest Begins This Week!

The international animaiton festival Athens Animfest will be held for the seventh year ina row at the Greek Film Archive from March 1-7. The event is organized by the European Animation Center, a non-profit organization established in 2004, with the aim of bringing younger generations in contact with the world of animated pictures and their multiple uses, as well as to support artists in the field.

Thsi year, theh festival includes Greek and international short films, student film competitionns, screenings of productions by young filmmakers, masterclasses and more.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Greek-American Oscar-Winner Dedicates Award to Mom

Greek-American Alexander Payne (Alexander Constantine Papadopoulos) won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the popular film The Descendants at the Oscars this past Sunday.

Upon receiving the Oscar, Payne turned to his mother in the audience and dedicated the award to her with a very sweet Σ' Αγαπώ Πολύ, which means "I love you."

Payne has also won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film Sideways in 2005.

Source: Greek News Agenda

Upcoming Greek Cultural Events in Washington, D.C.

"Changing Faces Within the Greek Government: A Discussion of the Political Fallout from the Greek Crisis", a lecture by Professor Thanos Veremis of the University of Athens
March 6, 2012 1:00pm-2:00pm at the Woodrow Wilson Center (Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington D.C.)For more information and to RSVP, please contact: European.studies@wilsoncenter.org

"Documentary History of Greece (1945-1951), Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan" Book presentation in the form of a panel discussion of Fotini Tomai, Head of the Historical and Archives Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Professor Thanos Veremis, coordinated by Dr. James G. Hershberg, professor of History at George Washington University.
Thursday, March 8, 2012 4:00pm-5:30pm at the Capitol Building (Woodrow Wilson Center, 4th floor, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.) For more information and to RSVP, please contact: European.studies@wilsoncenter.org

Carnival Season (Apokries) Comes to an End

As the Carnival season, called Apokries in Greek, drew to an end, it culminated this past weekend in a number of festivals and parades across Greece. Kozani in the western Macedonia region hosts one of the most spectacular folklore carnivals in all of Northern Greece. The citizens of Kozani organize huge bonfires, called Fanoi, to illuminate the city. Mezedes and wine abound, and Kozanites play pranks on each other and dance the traditional Enteka ("Eleven") dance. The Enteka dance was the last to be heard and danced during the Ottoman occupation because it was prohibited for Greeks to congregate after eleven o'clock at night.

Carnival festivities are not limited to Kozani, however. The Patras Carnival is a world-famous celebration which involves parades, masquerade parties, and children's events. Food, music, and dancing for the two weeks of Apokries help Greeks to prepare for the forty days of fasting and somber anticipation of Easter.

Source: The Greek News Agenda

Underwater Discoveries in the Aegean

Four uncharted shipwrecks were discovered around the Dia islet off the Bay of Irakleio, Crete, in a recent underwater exploration conducted by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. Two of the four shipwrecks contained rare first and second century Cretan amphorae and fifth-seventh century post-Roman era amphorae. Remains of pottery dating from the Byzantine era (eighth and ninth centuries) were also discovered.

The Aegean has long been an area of intrigue for ocean adventurers. Jacques Cousteau, for example, had theorized that the islet off which the shipwrecks were found, Dia, had been used as an anchorage point for ships during storms. The Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities has already identified three other promising shipwrecks, which will be further explored in 2012.

Source: The Greek News Agenda