Page 32 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2022

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
word of mouth

V the past and the present of art

isiting Athens in a flash? Here are some of the best ways to ex-
perience the capital of Greece this summer.
time. Conceived as a living, breathing museum, not only does it house
wander the streets of monastiraki and plaka The iconic Acropolis Museum remains a captivating journey through
some of the most impressive finds from Ancient Athens and Greece but
Head straight to the very heart of the city. Much of the action is right it interacts with its surroundings, inviting visitors to engage, experience
behind the Monastiraki metro station. Expect live music and dancing in and feel. The views of the Acropolis are breathtaking, while you’ll be
the streets in the afternoons. Every day, Monastiraki is a market area full enjoying glimpses into the excavations that unearthed these treasures
of small shops selling antiques, art and records. Cross Ermou Street to through glass floors.
find the picturesque Psiri, a neighbourhood full of cafeterias, bars and Located just behind Syntagma and the National Garden, the Museum
tavernas. For a dose of tranquillity, head to Plaka, on the other side. In of Cycladic Art is dedicated to the diverse, extraordinary ancient cultures
its narrow cobblestone streets stand beautiful listed buildings, and there of the Aegean and Cyprus. Providing a different look into Greek history,
are endless alleyways to explore. its exhibits go all the way to the 3rd millennium BC. In addition to the
remarkable permanent collection, this year the museum invites Amer-
discover the acropolis and athens from above ican artist Brice Marden to present his work in dialogue with selected
A favourite Acropolis spot is right next to flag, on the northeast corner, antiquities from the Museum’s permanent collections. The exhibition
with views of Athens stretching out below. One can see the ceramic “Brice Marden and Greek Antiquity” will be held at the Stathatos Man-
tiled roofs of the houses in the Plaka area, Hadrian’s Arch and the giant sion and will run until August 29, 2022.
Temple of Olympian Zeus – as well as Zappeion, the National Garden
and the First Cemetery of Athens. Make sure you take in this bird’s eye book a ticket for the athens festival
view of the historic Greek capital and marvel at all the monuments you Greece’s foremost cultural festival and one of the oldest performing arts
can see from this spot. Is it too hot to visit the Acropolis? In Athens, that festivals in Europe (since 1955), the annual Athens Festival presents nu-
can certainly happen… So just head to the best spots to see it from afar. merous theatre, dance and music artists acclaimed in Greece and world-
No matter where you are in Plaka, you are no more than a short walk wide, attracting large audiences from around the world. The Festival is
away, and you can play hide and seek with this wonder of the ancient held from June to August. The programme at the Odeon of Herodes
world behind the buildings. Alternatively, head to Philopappos Hill to Atticus, also known as the Herodeon, stands out for its high quality and
enjoy stunning sunset views of both Athens and Piraeus. Once you’re wide range. The Festival’s main performance venue stands right at the
there, you’ll watch the sun dive into the sea in an explosion of warm or- foot of the Acropolis. Throughout the years, it has welcomed some of The Book Castle of the National Library of Greece (above). The Greek National Opera’s 2022 season will be brought to a close by one of the best loved operas of all time,
ange, pink and red, and you’ll also get a chance to visit the 9th century the greatest stars in the world, including the likes of Luciano Pavarot- Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, presented at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival (below).
Byzantine chapel of St Demetrios Loumbardiaris. Keep in mind that a ti, Frank Sinatra, Nana Mouskouri, Liza Minnelli and Maria Callas, to
number of great rooftop bars can be found all over the city – and they name just a few. This year, the Greek National Opera presents one of the
are great for watching the sunset too! best loved operas of all time, Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca at the Odeon of
Herodes Atticus as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
The work was first presented in Greece in 1942 by the GNO, with Ma-
ria Callas in the title role. Performing the lead roles are the internation-
ally acclaimed Greek and international soloists Kristīne Opolais, Cellia
Costea, Ramón Vargas, Giorgio Berrugi, Dimitri Platanias, and Tassis
Christoyannis. (Lead Donor of the GNO Stavros Niarchos Foundation). >

Enjoy a summer YIORGIS YEROLYMBOS, NIKOS KARANIKOLAS, A. SIMOPOULOS ©GNO TOSCA ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS
dinner at the terrace Head to Philopappos Hill
of the Acropolis
Museum’s restaurant to watch the sun dive into
with night views of
the Acropolis, under the sea in an explosion of
the light of the
Full Moon.
warm orange, pink and red.

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