Click the photo to view it full size. Click the links below to view the virtual tour.

	Quicktime	:		Large - Fullscreen			Java	:		Large - Fullscreen
	Devalvr	:		Large - Fullscreen			Flash	:		Large - Fullscreen

As it happens every year, the 35th Book Fair in Athens once again kept its annual appointment (September 15 to October 1) with book lovers. It took place at the heart of the historical centre of Athens, on Dionissiou Areopagitou's pedestrian way at the foot of the Acropolis. The Book Fair this year was dedicated to the great Greek poet Odysseus Elytis while the poster of the event was created by artist V. Sperantzas.

The Book Fair was characterized by both the broad variety and high quality of books on exhibit. Tens of pavilions and more than 300 publishers and their personnel were informing visitors on their publishing activity.

The cultural events that took place in the context of the book fair included discussions, a film screening on Elytis, story telling for kids and a concert with songs featuring lyrics from Elytis' poems.

Click the photo to view it full size. Click the links below to view the virtual tour.

	Quicktime	:		Large - Fullscreen			Java	:		Large - Fullscreen
	Devalvr	:		Large - Fullscreen			Flash	:		Large - Fullscreen

The Citizen's Movement for Volunteerism organized its annual conference on the significance of being a volunteer in our society. This year, the conference theme was "Yes to Volunteerism!" with over 50 international and national institutions and NGOs participated. The 5th Festival of Volunteerism took place on Saturday, September 30, at the pedestrian way in front of the Thissio subway station, and was accompanied by lectures, screenings, and a concert by the band "Ypogeia Revmata."

The Citizen's Movement for Volunteerism is pushing for the promotion of the idea of volunteerism, as a necessary tool for the improvement of our society through participation.

This year's event was co-organized by the NGOs Arktouros, New Acropolis, AEGEE-Athina, EKPOIZO, Merimna Zois, and Praksis. Other participants included the National Organization for Transplants, Action-Aid, Unicef, Red Cross, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Medecins sans Frontieres, and others.

Click the photo to view it full size. Click the links below to view the virtual tour.

Quicktime

:

Fullscreen

Send this page to a friend

Since May, life-sized cows of varying colors can be seen at central locations throughout Athens. They're part of the Cow Parade and will remain until the end of August. I pass by them every day and I just had to shoot a cow pano.

Click the photo to view it full size. Click the links below to view the virtual tour.

Quicktime

:

Fullscreen

Send this page to a friend

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for culture, the Fête de la Musique is held in more than a hundred countries in Europe and over the rest of the world. It takes place every 21st June, the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

In Athens the celebration lasts 3 days and it includes street rock concerts, modern and traditional Greek Music, Ethnic music, Jazz, etc. Admission is free and the events are held in various open spaces like plazas, and parks throughout Athens



Fête de la Musique
• MusicDay.gr - Official Greek web site of the event
• fetedelamusique.culture.fr - the French started this event and this is their official web site (there is an english version too)

Click the photo to view it full size. Click the links below to view the virtual tour.

Quicktime

:

Fullscreen

Send this page to a friend

End of the school year event at the 18th Elementary school, Glyfada.

Such events are common in schools throughout Greece. In the past they were called "Gymnastikes epidixis" (exchibition of gymnastic abilities of the students) and were first instituted along with student parades by prime minister Ioannis Mataxas in the 1930's.

Metaxas was a big admirer of Hitler and Mussolini and tried to imitate the grand scale gymnastics events and parades of Nazi Germany and Italy of that time.


Today, these events have more of a social character and the strenuous gymnastics have been replaced by folk dances and games. Yesteryear's simple gatherings of parents and relatives have given place to catered, professionally videotaped events. And black and white photographs have evolved to immersive 360° QTVR panoramas.