The Acoustics of Ancient Greek Theaters
The sound quality in ancient times was likely much better than it is today
The acoustics of theaters in Ancient Greece are very important. It is often said that the acoustics of ancient Greek theaters were so sophisticated that spectators in the back row could hear the actors with perfect clarity, long before microphones came into the picture. In modern times, tour guides will often drop a pin, strike a match, or tear a piece of paper on the stages of these ancient auditoriums to demonstrate that soft sounds can be heard by visitors high up in the seats. But as Nicola Davis reports for the Guardian, a recent study suggests that Greek theaters’ acoustics are not quite so exemplary—at least not anymore. (more…)
Ceramic Art in Greece
Ceramic art (or pottery) marks ages and millennia.
Ceramic art is lost in prehistoric times, flourishing during Greek antiquity in an inspired exuberance of shapes, colors, and forms. Storage jars, amphorae, kraters, jugs, and lekythos reflect the daily habits and traditions of the society. Pottery represents the numerous objects of the same category found in any archaeological excavation.
In the modern era, new morphological and technical characteristics have been added to ceramic art in the manufacture of ceramics. Clay jars helped to store the crop. Pitchers and flasks were used for liquids and pots and cooking dishes as tableware. (more…)
Athens for Shopping Lovers
Whatever type of shopping you prefer, Athens won’t let you down.
The city’s best shopping areas are there for you to explore… Love to go shoe shopping? Love eco-friendly products? Want to find everything you need in a single store? Do you seek items of luxury and high aesthetics when you go shopping? Do you look for ‘treasures’ from old times, works of art in out-of-the-way places, or original materials for your creations?

Ermou Street
Anthesteria a passage rite from death to life
At the Gates of Spring-Anthesteria
Winter to Spring: coming into being from the sacred silence of grief
Anthesteria – Winter with its seemingly lifeless, unadorned nature, with its black and white background of gloomy skies or snowy motionless landscapes, bordering on underworld connotations, always loomed large to the minds of ancient cultures. Though some cultures were more preoccupied with death, the ancient Greeks were more preoccupied with life. Their inquiring minds, to cast the souls of the dead out, thought of winter as the start of spring, as the time of rebirthing, of rejoicing, of breaking the spell of death, of purifying it with life through communal memorial rites and rituals of offerings, of drinking, of purifications and libations.
Tsipouro, ouzo, tsikoudia
We all know ouzo. The famous Greek drink that turns white when mixed with a little water or poured over ice. Traditionally, ouzo is both a welcoming drink and after-dinner digestive. But ouzo is not the only aperitif offered in Greece. Tsipouro! Or, tsikoudia – or raki – (on Crete!) is also associated with hospitality and good company.
All these alcoholic beverages look alike and complement a delicious array of appetizers. But they are not the same. They differ in raw materials and the way they are made. They are also different in taste and flavor.
Ouzo is a mixture of alcohol, water, and various aromatic herbs, always including anise. In contrast to tsipouro, ouzo usually contains a small percentage of grape distillation. The final product is 40 to 50 ABV.
Tsipouro or tsikoudia is about the same, prepared – by distillation – and from the same raw material. Stemfyla (grape marc) are pieces of grapes, stems, and seeds that are left after pressing the grapes for the new wine. Also called strafyla or tsipoura, and on Crete, tsikouda. Tsipouro, however, contains anise, while raki does not. (more…)