CapitalA

life in

Living in AAtthheennss and loving it

Issue [30]

, - Art, Culture and Everyday Life in Athens

ffrreeeeissue!

/ BILINGUAL EDITION

Contact person: Vasilis Katsaganis10 Parnonos Street, 151 25 Maroussi, Athens T: +30 210 6149567, M: +30 6937 058 466, F: +30 210 6142072, E: conference@capsis.gr,

A L P H A B E T

3 0 / i s s u e 3 0: 6755

FRONT COVER

, , Common view, Contemporary Art at the National Theatre, Maro Michalakakos, Untitled, 2000

ALL ABOUTwinter life in Capital A

Editor Ioanna Bissias

Director Ilias Bissias

Editorial AdvisorJonathan Smith

Contributors Lisa Marelou Sophia Ignatidou Rodianos Antonakopoulos Konstantinos DimosM Marios Psallidas

Art Director George Paraskevas

Advertising Executives Chris Kapadais Dimitra Tsakou

Translations Dora Tsepa

Life in Capital A (01.01.10 -14.03.10) , Gratia is a free two-monthly magazinepublished in Greece by Gratia Publications Ltd.. 132176 71 , 132 Syngrou Avenue176 71 Athens, Greece Tel. (+30) 210 9222501 Fax: (+30) 210 9222640www.capital-a.grE-mail: info@capital-a.gr

" " " " , A. @ Gallery 7 7 ,

A. Karvela @ Gallery 77 Zalokosta str., Athens

AT THE THEATREO E .douard Sacaillan talks about his lifeand Art, page 08

ART IN THE CITY Artistic events and openings inAthenian Galleries, page 14

ASPIRINGH Katerina Didaskalou talks about television and theatre, page 26

AMBLING Weekend in Athens page 30

AFFORDABLEShopping therapy, page 32

ATHENIANS Stathis Drogosis reveals his lyrics, page 38

ATHENIAN THEATRES , page 42

AFTER DARK dj he hottest dj residencies in town,page 60

AURAL PLEASURE ipodusic for my ipodpage 62

I t is clear that despite a generalfeeling of frustration and disillu-sionment throughout the world, cityinhabitants are trying to find a wayout of the present economic situation.Through positive thinking and opti-mism they try to triumph over adver-sity. The current issue of Capital Ahas devoted many of its pages to sug-gesting performances, concerts andother musical events to its readers.After all, Athens offers the widestchoice of plays and music throughoutthe Eastern Mediterranean. The theatre presents us with theopportunity of taking part in open-ended conversations among our-selves. The Greek National Theatre hasrestored and refurbished its beautifulbuildings. In honour of this, an exhibi-tion has been organised in some of itshalls, which concentrates on the dia-logue created between the theatre

04 CAPITAL A

A L PHABE T

- -, - . - Capital A , . - -, . - . - -

, . - - . - -, . - - .

Looking for a way outwhen goingout During a recession, you wouldexpect the entertainment sectorto suffer. However, in 2009,there was a dramatic increase in the attendance of plays, liveperformances and concerts bythe inhabitants of New York,London and other majorNorthern European cities.

, . , 2009 , .

and visual arts. Modern art meetswith the theatre on many levels andduring its performances the GreekNational Theatre attempts tobring the audience in contact withcontemporary artistic creation. Expect an enriching, multilateral, cul-tural experience when attending aperformance of the Anton Chekhovplay Uncle Vanya. In the foyer of thelisted building designed in the 19thcentury by Tschiller, works by theinternationally acclaimed artistsRhona Bitner, Michel Francois andMaro Michalakakou will be on show. The American Rhona Bitner createsphotographs that focus not only onthe theatre stage, but also on theauditorium and the lights. Throughher prints, these secondary aspectsare brought to the foreground tobecome the main stars. Her picturesattempt to show what encompassesand defines the theatrical experience. Michel Francois is one of Belgium'smost important contemporaryBelgian artists and creates works that

E - . 22-24

(, ) : 28 2010

www.n-t.grwww.commonviewn-t.gr

NATIONAL THEATRE- ZILLER BUILDING

22-24 Ag. Konstantinou str.(Omonia square metro station)

The exhibition will be on till the 28thMarch 2010

www.n-t.gr www.commonviewn-t.gr

, Rhona Bitner, MichelFrancois . Rhona Bitner - . -- . . Michel Francois - . , - - - . - . - - , - - . - . , 2010 per-formance. - - . - . C-A

have an intense semiological but alsoperformative character. His workmoves between sculpture, installa-tions and video projections. With aplenty of humour, Michel Francoisshows the interplay between objectsand their representation, and chal-lenges the observer to form their ownunusual connections. Maro Michalakakou presents aninstallation specially created for theTschiller building. The audience willhave the opportunity to visit the mainhall which takes on a fairy taleappearance. Using velvet surfacesthat mingle with antique furniture orhang tapestry-like, the artist employsa surgical scalpel to reveal theatre setsfull of suggestive meaning. Herthemes are interwoven with memo-ries and create bipolar associationsfilled with tension. For the spring of 2010, there will be afestival for artists from all around theworld, as art will guide us through themagical foyers of the Tschiller Building.You'll find more information concern-ing this in the next issue of Capital A.The entrance to view all the exhibi-tions is free on the days and times ofthe performances. C-A

Ilias Bissias

, Costa Coffee - - Evergreen. In Korai Square, experience amagical atmosphere, as you sit andenjoy a hot cappuccino at CostaCoffee, before sampling one of the best salads in Athens at Evergreen.

06 CAPITAL A

10

Ten thingsto Do in Atticathis season

by Marios Psallidas * . - , . -

. Visitthe Planetarium and take a trip into children's dreamland. During these days when ourwishes come true, you can travel to the outermost reaches of our galaxy. Two films onshow- The Death of the Stars and Sea Giants - provide a great virtual reality experience.

* . . -, . Start your day with a coffee and adelicious cake at the historic cafe Filion, whichis frequented by solicitors, journalists and actors.

. , . . Experience a live and festive atmosphereby taking a stroll down Ermou Street. Wrap up warmly and do your shopping, ormerely look in the shop windows, as you walk past street musicians from all parts ofthe globe.

A NT I C I PAT I ON

* Fnac . - - . , - . Find at the corner ofMitropoleos and Aiolou Streets in

Monastiraki the five-storey building that has become a branch of Fnac. This Mecca for booksand gadgets will help you make some successful choices for Christmas presents.

Jackson Hall . - , burgers - . Have lunch at Jackson Hall in Kolonaki, withits American decor and wooden floors. Try a burger and let yourself be trans-ported from Athens to a restaurant in Chicago.

. - . , - , , - . The cold weather gives you an excuse to stay indoors and read. Drinkyour hot chocolate amid peaceful surroundings at the bookshop Ianos (on Stadiou street).As well as reading your latest purchase, you can also have a light lunch while leafingthrough a magazine.

* . - . , , . Plaka brings to mind Christmases past. Go to Melina Cafe and soakup the delightful ambience. The music played and the old photographs on display bring tomind the Athens of the composer Manos Hadjidakis and the iconic actress, political activistand Minister of Culture Melina Merkouri.

- big bands. , - . . Visit Stoa Ifestou Streetin Monastiraki, where you'll find the record shop Tou Zacharia which stocks hun-dreds of vinyl records. Explore its wide collection of black music.

* , - . . - . Take anafternoon stroll round Psyrri and head to Sta Serbetia Stou Psyrri. You'll love the syrupytraditional Greek puddings. Don't forget to have a taste of the delicious ekmek kadaifi.

douard Sacaillan, one of the most important Greekpainters of our times and ofthe contemporary Europeanart scene, talks to Capital Aabout his instinct, his complex origins, about thenotion of the Devine as wellas his aspirations and fears of life and death.

EdouardSacaillantalks to Ilias Bissias

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08 CAPITAL A

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I started painting when I was fifteen or sixteen. Painting has helped me live sincethen. I've heard many art historians placing me with the 1980s generation. Art crit-ics say that my work is anthropocentric and that I've been greatly influenced byCremonini and by Moralis. When I was 16, I started discovering my interests and people's faces attracted myattention. I then started painting portraits of my father's, my mothers and self-por-traits. For me, it was just like painting my face, but art historians keep giving dif-ferent long-winded explanations about my self-portraits. Wasn't it natural to beinterested in what I look like? Wasn't it normal to want to paint my parents' pic-tures, since I was afraid they were going to die? Painting people was my defensivemechanism.

I then discovered the great love towards the human figure, found in ancient Greek art.I've obviously, been inspired by ancient Greek art. However, I generally feel I amwhat I am through life and not through art. I'm not the product of cultivation, buta product of interpretation.

I have the impression that a mixed social background may help you go forward andappreciate life. This mixed social background might create difficulties, but it alsoenriches your existence. I was fortunate enough to be better off than many other peo-ple, which is something that I owe to my parents.

Painting is itself a joy in its own right. I discovered that when I turned fifty. Art is a liethat is necessary when facing the naked cynicism of daily life. It is both a power anda shield which helps us go forward on the road of life.

Everything I do doesnt depend on my skills and prior knowledge when I paint, I'm nota craftsman. I usually depend on what I don't know and on my instinct. I mightchange certain things in order to carry on, but my motivation is my instinct.

I grew up being inspired by the romanticism of artists like Modigliani, Van Gogh, orCezanne. I never identified myself with the life or works of Rubens, Titian, Velasquezor Warhol.

All my paintings speak of my Greek origin, but there is an underlying imaginary iden-tity. In reality and by birth I am a Greek. In my imagination, I have some other ele-

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10 CAPITAL A

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ments inside me, which I wished tosearch out and analyse. Some ofthese elements are the myths that Iused to listen to when I was a child. Iwanted to explore my Armenian ori-gins and i did this when I travelled toArmenia. I wanted this Armenianconnection to be clearer to me, not toothers around me.

All this implies a level of iconolatry,though. The reality and the truthalways encompass a dark side insidethem. This darkness is shown some-times when we want something, butsomething else comes out. Theessence is not in what I want,because I am all these things that Ithink I am.

I don't play tricks. I just cultivate spon-taneity to a worrying extent. I hidepractically nothing. I only hide crude-ness. I want to hide that I'm going todie. I think that we're all complicit incovering this up. Whoever tells thebest lie wins in love.

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My real mother is art. Art is whatmade me what I am. Without mypainting I would have been a good-for-nothing.

My biological mother had a passion forreligion that never became a fanati-cism. In essence, my mother, like me,was seeking to find courage in reli-gion. I respect people like that. Weused to go together and clean Greekorthodox chapels. This is somethingthat I remember with a lot of love andemotion. I feel God inside me and Ineed him. I don't talk about Godphilosophically or in a theologicalcontext. I know he exists.

I struggle to believe and my painting is

12 CAPITAL A

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a tool that will help me believe in God,in life, in myself, in other people. WhenI attend a performance, a film, a con-cert I feel I come across the divine.Despite any imperfections, whereverthere's harmony in art -in painting, inmusic or in architecture- we approachthe divine.

I'm not necessarily a product of civili-sation. I'm a little animal that doesn'tbelong to Darwin, nor to Walt Disney. Imight have come from Noah's Arc, Imight be a descendant of those ani-mals that survived all that. For me,each and all human beings should bein contact with their spontaneousnature, and their thoughts should nec-essarily be in harmony with what theirinstinct is telling them. We earn thetitle of being human little by little.Otherwise, we're no more than a livingorganism.

Children could grow up without parents.The worst thing in the world is theadults' selfishness and their convictionthat they can control everything.Keeping a distance is what can saveboth sides. For a person like me, father-hood has been like trying to strike abalance between chaos and the princi-ples that I had to represent.

I managed to find my balance with thehelp of art. I managed to sense theanxiety and the sensitivity that comesout of being around children.

When you have a child in your family,you become more sensitive towardsother children and you revisit your ownchildhood. You might forgive yourparents, but you also find the mainculprit: yourself. The most important

H - - 31 2010. , - 150-200 : Peter Blake, Leonardo Cremo-nini, Jean Rustin, , - , Vladimir Velicko-vic, Pat Andrea, , , , , , Bernardi Roig,DADO, Suzan Hay & , - . : 18/09/2009 - 2010.

he exhibition "The look of the artist- Edouard Sacaillan" will run till the31st of March 2010.From the collections of the Museum, in thisexhibition will be presented 150-200 ofthe artists works while, at the same time,the exhibition will also host works of thefollowing artists: Peter Blake, LeonardCremonini, Jean Rustin, Chronis Botsoglou,Diamantis Diamantopoulos, VladimirVelickovic, Pat Andrea, Tassos Mantzavinos,Panos Fidakis, Thanasis Makris, TsakaliAnna Maria, Christos Markidis, BernardiRoig, DADO, Suzan Hay & George Lappas,whose work is highly regarded by EdouardSacaillan. Duration of the exhibition: 18 September 2009 March 2010.

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part of this process is to forgive your-self. The issue isn't to forgive others,but rather to forgive yourself. That'sthe secret and this maturity will helpyou face many things in this world.

In a School of Fine Arts, the teachersshould be all-rounded artists like thepoets, Kavafy or Karyotakis. This isimpossible, of course and the biggestmistake of the young students is thatthey expect too much from others.They need to realise that their univer-sity studies are like a marriage: wemust first respect ourselves and our

contribution. We mustn't concentrateon what we'll get out of this partner-ship, but on what we can bring to it.Ultimately, this is what will make usrich. Give what you can, but you needto give. It is a special loving relation-ship. The teachers must give, but thestudents must also give to them-selves.

My parents, my family, my teachersfaced life with a romantic spirit. Theydidn't suffer because they weren'tfamous, because they weren't thecentre of the universe. Neither didthey think that the crudeness of theirtime was the only truth. I like the factthat I've somewhat distanced myselffrom aspects of reality, because I amspared all the rubbish of my era.

When life doesn't make you deal withneed and when you have no passionand when you think that what youhave is enough, what then is themeaning of art?

3

, ( )

FRISSIRAS MUSEUM3 Monis Asteriou

Plaka, Athens(at the junction of Kydathineon St.)

./tel.: 210-32.34.678 - 21033.16.027

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1956. , , - , - , , , . The famous artist concentrates on etchings, mosaics andtapestries. She has also been a traveller and the exhibitionhosts works inspired by her visit to China in 1956. In a coun-try full of contradictions, Gigi Makri would do etchings onthe spot and would be inspired by whatever she saw to cre-ate pieces that refer to the people and their workings. Onshow, you'll find a series of wood etchings and pastels thattalk about the history, the civilisation, the myths, the peopleand the society of a country undergoing major change.

- SPYROS VASILIOU

/ M A I N B U I L D I N G

(1929-1982) - '30 -. - , , -, - '30, '40, '50 '60. , - - . The retrospective will highlight the most important cre-ations of the prominent set designer Spyros Vasiliou, whowas so influential to all the artists of the 1930s generation.Spyros Vasiliou developed the taste and trends for the post-

/till 02-03/2010

14 CAPITAL A

A R T & T H E B E N A K I

A Exhibitions at the MUSEUMS of ATHENS

/ Exhibitions at the Benaki Museum

60

THE 1960S IN GREECE / M A I N B U I L D I N G

1960, , - - , , , - , - - . Dionysis Savvopoulos and the Benaki Museum bring back tous the atmosphere of the 1960s at Christmas in the Athens of2009. The exhibition includes music, photographs, objectsand sounds. Different artistic events will also be organised atthe Pallas Concert Hall and at historic venues in the centre ofAthens.

- GIGI MAKRI

/ M A I N B U I L D I N G

(. 1924), , - -,

/till 02-03/2010

17/12/2009 - 20/01/2010

ings were selected by distinguished architects, art critics andacademics. The photographs are displayed alongside sketches,drafts and models, and are explained in English.

-

YANNIS TSAROUCHIS - RETROSPECTIVE / P I R E O S S T R E E T B U I L D I N G

, - , - - . , - -

-. - , -, -

. H 420 , , - . This exhibition marks the centenary of Yannis Tsarouchis'birth and the 20th anniversary of his death. The retrospective

18/12/2009 - 28/02/2010

war design of theatre sets and this exhibition highlights theconnection between the set designs he created and the cul-tural, theatrical, artistic, ideological and economic aspira-tions of Greece during the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.It also showcases Spyros Vasiliou's interplay between paint-ing and set designing.

TO

THE ARCHITECTURAL WORK BY ARISTOMENIS ANDYORGOS VAROUDAKIS / P I R E O S S T R E E T B U I L D I N G

- - . - - . - 28 . The Greek Institute of Architecture has organised this retro-spective which features the Cretan architects Aristomenisand Yorgos Varoudakis. The two brothers' aim has been tointroduce whatever's new in architecture into the Greekprovinces. The exhibition presents the most representativeworks of their 28-year career.

NORWEGIAN ARCHITECTURE / P I R E O S S T R E E T B U I L D I N G

50 - 2000-2005. , . - , . The exhibition presents 50 of the most important buildingsconstructed in Norway between 2000 and 2005. All the build-

/till 10/01/2010

/till 19/01/2010

16 CAPITAL A

features representative pieces from all the creative periods ofthe life of this influential artist. There will be many otherevents organised, such as lectures, educational programmesand workshops. The public will also see 420 of his charac-teristic paintings along with sets which he created for thetheatre. The works have been loaned by private collectionsand museums from all over the world.

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NIKOS STEPHANOU - RETROSPECTIVE / P I R E O S S T R E E T B U I L D I N G

, - , - . . , , '60 , . . . - , , - - -, - , - . Nikos Stephanou is a famous artist, ceramist and set design-er. His sets have appeared in theatrical productions through-

out Europe. He wasalso a leading figurein the artistic move-ment of the 1960s,painting factorieswith their chimneysand smoke. This ret-rospective refers

mainly to his paintings. He is best known for his landscapeswhich appear through an open window, providing a fusionbetween reality and dreams, often creating a metaphysicalatmosphere.

23/12/2009 - 14/02/2010

(1900-1950)

TRAVELLERS IN GREECE (1900-1950) AN EXHIBITION OF THE BENAKI MUSEUM LIBRARY / P I R E O S S T R E E T B U I L D I N G

- , - - - - . - 20 (1900-1950) - , , - , -. The first half of the 20th century was a very difficult time forGreece, a country that had faced two Balkan Wars, the AsiaMinor Catastrophe, the Nazi Occupation and a Civil War. Yet,all those historical events did not discourage some bravetravellers from coming to the country and recording theirimpressions of what they witnessed here. This exhibitionshows books by travellers to Greece between 1900 and 1950found exclusively in the Benaki Museum Library. The displayalso includes sketches and photographs made by the samevisitors during their travels to cities, towns, villages andarchaeological sites. C-A

05/02/2010 - 21/02/2010

A R T & T H E B E N A K I

: 138 & ,Pireos Street Building: 138 Pireos str., & Andronikou,

tel.: 210-34 .53.111 : 1

Central Bulding: 1 Koumbari Street, tel: 210-36.71.000www.benaki.gr

O , - - Degas . , , - , - ., - -

A ll the bronze sculptures in thisexhibition were cast fromrecently discovered plasters, madefrom Degas' original waxes duringhis lifetime and with his consent. Thisis remarkable since all the otherbronzes one can currently see inmuseums and elsewhere were castfrom masters made after the artist'sdeath. Therefore, the bronzes in thisexhibition can be considered theoriginal versions, and all the othersthe second versions of those sculp-tures. Thus, for the first time, it will bepossible for experts, scholars and thegeneral public to compare the artist's

18 CAPITAL A

A R T A R R I VA L S

Edgar Degas

The completesculptures ofEdgarDegas

25 2010 EdgarDegas.

Edgar Degas .

M.T. Abraham Center for the Visual Arts

.

The Herakleidon Museumis currently hosting the exhibition The CompleteSculptures of Edgar Degas,which will be on show untilApril 25th 2010. The exhibition presents allseventy-four bronze sculptures of Edgar Degas,including his most impor-tant one The Little Dancer,Aged Fourteen. Thesebronzes are on loan fromthe M.T. Abraham Centerfor the Visual Arts.

HERAKLEIDONEXPERIENCE IN VISUAL ARTS

16, 16 Herakleidon St., Thissio

tel.: 210-34.61.981

www.herakleidon-art.gr

. , - , - - - - , - . -, Edgar Degas (1872, ) TheGeorge Economou Collection. Edgar Degas (1834-1917) , , , . -, -. , , .

bronzes in the before and after states,which is basically unprecedented inthe history of art. The exhibition alsohosts the drawing of Edgar DegasHorses and Riders (1872, pencil onpaper) from The George EconomouCollection. Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was a Frenchartist famous for his work in painting,sculpture, printmaking and drawing. Heis regarded as one of the founders ofimpressionism, although he rejected theterm and preferred to be called a realist.He was not interested in the outdoors. Heworked in his studio, with models or frommemory. His portraits are considered tobe among the finest in the history of art. An exhaustive catalogue with very inter-esting articles is on sale. The museumhas been selected as the organiser of thisexhibition, which will travel around theworld with Athens being the first stop.This exhibition will attract world-wideinterest since it is the first time that allseventy-four of Degas' remarkablebronzes will be presented together. C-A

Other events relatedto the exhibition French Institute Auditorium 11 / 01 / 2010 @ 20.30 Attend a concert with music from thetime of the impressionists, in collabora-tion with the Chamber Opera of Athens. 8 / 02 / 2010 @ 20.30 The sculptor Anna Moschona-Kalamara, chairwoman of theChamber of Art, will give a lecture byon the work of Edgar Degas. 8 / 03 / 2010 @ 20.30 Mrs Irini Orati, curator of the AlphaBank Collection, will give a lecture tobe given by the art historian on thesubject Woman in Art.

. , . - -, , - -, . , . - -, , - -, . C-A

11 / 01 / 2010 @ 20.30 . 8 / 02 / 2010 @ 20.30 -, , Edgar Degas. 8 / 03 / 2010 @ 20.30 , Alpha Bank, .

The B & M Theocharakis Found-ation presents the exhibitionSpyros Papaloukas - Religious paint-ings, Drawings, Modelli. SpyrosPapaloukas was a prominent Greekartist and iconographer of the past

20 CAPITAL A

A R T A R R I VA L S

, ,

O - . , - , (1927-1932).

- (1923-1935), , 1925, - (1937-1939). - -, , - 100 , - & , -, . , - - . - , - -

. - , - : "- -, -

Spyros Papaloukas Religious paintings, Drawings,Modelli

century. Along with his painting, healso decorated several churches,including the famous Cathedral ofAmfissa (1927-1932). Some of his most impressive and influ-ential icons can be found on MountAthos (1923-1935), in the monasteryof St. Loukas, whose mosaics he stud-ied and copied in 1925, the paintingsin the Nomikos School and the muralsin the Monastery of the Great Cave(1937-1939). The exhibition focuses on his religiousworks and includes drawings, oilpaintings and modelli belonging tothe B & M Theocharakis FoundationCollection, following a donation bythe artist's daughter, Mina Papalouka. These valuable works reveal the most

representative form of the work ofthe great reformer of the Byzantinetradition. The exhibition is curated by ChrysanthiBaltoyanni and will be on till March 7,2010. Many educational programmesfor school groups of all ages will takeplace. C-A

- . - , , , - ." 7 2010. - - -. C-A

&

9 & 1, 106 71,

B & M THEOCHARAKIS FOUNDATION FOR THE FINE ARTS & MUSIC9 Vas.Sofias Av. & Merlin Str. Athens, Tel: 210-36.11.206

w w w. t h f. g r

22 CAPITAL A

A R T A R R I VA L S

Yianoulis Halepas

. . -, -, -. KalfayanGalleries - , - - .

- , . - -, - 19. , -, - -

E ' 1877 -, (1851-1938) - . , - , - , 13 . 1901 1916.

, 14 2010, 20.00 - 22.00, Kalfayan Galleries -

. -

Kalfayan Galleries

. // On Thursday, 14

January 2010, between 20.00 - 22.00, Kalfayan Galleries will present an exhibition of drawings

and sculpture by Yianoulis Halepas. The exhibition is one of a series of shows that Kalfayan

Galleries organise periodically featuring important Greek artists.

19th century. In his later years, heturned his back on academicism andbecame more daring, concentratingon an investigation of form and com-position and allowing a certainexpressiveness to enter his work. Hisunique talent and creativity placehim firmly in the highest rank ofGreek artists.His preferred themes include subjectstaken from ancient Greek mythologybut also allegories, religious themesand portraits. The exhibition atKalfayan Galleries provides an insightinto the artist's creative world, per-mitting a glimpse into his observa-tions and how his ideas took form.In his work one clearly observes thepassage of Greek art in general from19th century academicism to 20thcentury expressiveness. C-A

was completed in marble.Maquettes in clay have survived andof course, countless drawings.Trained in the classical tradition atthe School of Fine Arts in Athens andlater at the Academy of Munich, hisearly work is closely allied to the con-servative spirit prevalent in the late

- 19 - 20 .

annoulis Halepas (1851-1938)is one of Greeces most impor-tant sculptors. He is best known forhis sculpture Sleeping Woman,which he created in 1877 at a youngage, and which can now be seen inAthens First Cemetary. Born in Tinos,an island with a strong tradition inmarble work, Halepas led a tempes-tuous life, interrupted by a 13-yearperiod spent in a psychiatric clinic inCorfu. In 1901 he returned to Tinosbut produced no work until after thedeath of his mother in 1916.Virtually no work from this period

KALFAYAN GALLERIES 11, ,

11 Haritos Street, Kolonaki, Athens./tel.: 210- 72.17.679

:14.01.2010-13.02.2010

www.kalfayangalleries.com

24 CAPITAL A

P UBL I

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Siemens Ericsson, , , - 1910. - , 712 1912. - , - 1885 1960, "" - , , studio control room!

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: 25, .

, , 08.00-14.00, , 10.00-14.00. .

. 210-62.01.899 : 210-62.01.999 ote-museum@ote.gr www.ote.gr

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1910Unique portable telephone device of 1910

T he OTE Telecommunications Museumcelebrates its twentieth anniversary byrelating the fascinating history of telecommu-nications in Greece.

Organised networks of visual communication in antiquity In his tragedy Agamemnon Aeschylus revealsthat the news concerning the sack of Troyreached Mycenae in a single night. But, howcould a message be transmitted over a 550kmdistance so quickly? The answer lay in the useof a series of bonfires to pass the signal. Thiswas the first recorded organised visual com-munication system in antiquity using fire andwas known as fryktories. The fryktories are displayed in the first room ofthe museum. You will also find on show thehydraulic telegraph created in the latter half of4th century BC by Aineias Taktikos as well asPyrsia, the Spartan relay, the acoustic tele-graph of Alexander the Great, the 9th centuryHoronomium of Byzantines, and many more.

The pioneersAfter the discovery of electricity in the18th century, inventors like Morse,Marconi, and Bell wrote another page inthe amazing history of telecommunica-tions. European and American physicistscompeted to develop the telegraph andthe "winner" was the American Samuel

Morse, who in 1837 gave to humanity the elec-tric telegraph and the famous code which carrieshis name. In two halls of the museum devoted to the post -electricity period, you'll be able to admire aMorse system, enabling you to send your ownSOS messages. You'll also find on display a copyof the first telephone, created in 1876 by theScottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell, as wellas hand-operated telephone sets by Siemensand Ericsson, and perhaps the most handsometelephone device from 1910. You'll also hear thestory of the wireless radio transmitter inventedby the Italian Marconi, which in 1912 was instru-mental in saving the 712 survivors of the wreckof the Titanic. In the display cases you'll discover beautiful tele-phone sets dating between 1885 and 1960. Youwill also discover the history of the greek tele-graph, and find digital and satellite communica-tions centres, together with a TV studio with areal control room!

A never ending journey The tour has a beginning and middle but it doesn't

end. Given the constant and multilevelchanges in the telecommunications sector,the Hellenic Telecommunication Orga-nization (OTE SA), provides high level serv-ices while acting as a "responsible citizen" tosociety as a whole. C-A

The Futureof TelecommunicationsStarts from the Past

Visit today the OTE Telecommunications Museum

1. Y (4 ..) - The Hudraulic Telegraph ofAeneas Tacticus (4th century BC)2. 1885- Wood made wall telephone device of 1885

3. - - Hand operated Telephone Converter

O T E T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S M U S E U M : 25 Proteos Street, Nea Kifissia

Open Monday to Friday 08.00-14.00, and on the first weekend of every month 10.00-14.00, Admission is free.

Tel: 210-62.01.899 Organised guided tours: 210-62.01.999 ote-museum@ote.gr www.ote.gr

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. 4 , . , , , , .

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}

An interview with Ilias Bissias

My past reflects my choices and my wishes

}

Katerina Didaskalou needs no special introduction. She's one ofthe few Greek actresses who enjoy an international career andappeal. This year, she appears in the highly successful TV series4, and also stars in the French play Moonlight Sonata. She is amother, a modern woman, and an active artiste who talks to usabout family, optimism, and the importance of prayer.

KaterinaDidaskalou

In my mind, the number 4 has always symbolised my three siblingsand me. The TV series talks about four siblings, as well. It also stands for the four sea-sons. I was born in autumn, but I've always felt I belong more to spring. This is becauseoptimism, anticipation, and hope have always been of paramount importance in my life.

Greek family represents inspiration, love and stability. My own family hasinspired and supported me. I don't know when one could condemn a family for beingoppressive and claustrophobic -I've never experienced such a thing myself.

Secrets and lies are found in all families throughout the world. In the series,I'm especially touched by the role the mother, because she offers stability and inspirationto her children. On the other hand, the father's tough-love approach teaches his sons thatwe can learn about life through pain.

My past haunts me. In his Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot writes, "Time future contained intime past". This implies that our future contains our past - our past defines who we are.My own past is made up of my own personal choices and my desires - it is who I am.

Infidelity is something that exists in real life. We've all experienced unfaithful-ness. There is flirting and temptation in our city -flirting is what motivates all of us. Someaccuse people in their mid-twenties of being rather asexual, but I just think that the menaren't too mucho and the women aren't too feminine. They do flirt when they feel like itor if they feel there is consent. On the other hand, let's not forget that for the last coupleof decades we've been living in terror of AIDS.

28 CAPITAL A

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I'm so impressed that in themiddle of a recession we canstill find good-quality TV series.I feel optimistic when there are serieslike 4 around. Christoforos Papaka-liatis writes scripts for multifacetedcharacters and doesn't restrict hisstar actors to one-dimensional parts.I trust him immensely as a directorand as a script-writer, because heknows exactly what he wants andwhat is required.

I just can't go on listening topeople talking about our cur-rent recession as if it's the endof the world. What would the1940s generation have said? There isa certain amount of exaggerationinvolved in all this, since every era,every historical period has had to facea crisis of some kind. I just want us allto put an end to feeling nostalgicabout the past and to stop sayingthat our lives were so much betterthen. I find it so unfair to our presenttimes. The only real problem is thelack of sensitivity we show towardsour planet and the place where welive. I do feel optimistic though andbelieve that Greece is now re-defin-ing its values on many levels.

I also star in the French playMoonlight Sonata, which is per-

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formed with Greek hypertext. Theplay itself was penned by the Greekpoet Yannis Ritsos, who wrote a lyricaland magical text. I know the poem verywell, because I had performed it for myentry exams to the National DramaSchool. I now approach it with greatermaturity and view it under a differentlight. I'm amazed by the alternatingmoods of darkness and light found in it.The poet Yannis Ritsos unsettles andawakens you. This performance alsoproves that women over 45 can still starin every day life.

I've been blessed with three chil-dren. I have two daughters and a son.I owe them so much. I try to instil inthem the need to appreciate and carefor their health; I don't want them totake their health for granted. I'd likethem to do what they really want to inlife -and I mean that sincerely.

I have no anxiety regarding mychildren. I generally refuse to con-stantly worry as this brings such badenergy and causes only accidents. I alsopray. To whom? To the higher power thatgoverns us, to the universe. I pray to thisPower, which I don't imagine it as anelderly gentleman who looks over us. Ipray to my guardian angel. I also believethat my friends and their positive ener-gy are my guardian angels.

}

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, window shopping. .

, -. . , . . - . On a Saturday morning, I love going for a walk to the shopseither to buy something or merely for window shopping.There's always plenty of choice. One possibility is to go tothe city centre, but there are plenty of alternatives. A goodsuggestion is to visit the pedestrianised streets of Platonosand Haimada right in the heart of Halandri. This pleasantarea features many different shops that cater for all tastes,budgets and age groups. It is the ideal choice for families,

since it provides the opportunity to relax over a cup of cof-fee or ouzo and meze platters in the taverna Ydroussa.

, . ; cosy all-time classic . . - . - - . - , . - target group . , , Ginger Ale - vintage . If you head for the city centre, visit Mavili Square for acoffee at the all-time classic Briki. It's nice and cosy and alittle bit different, attracting groups of friends and playing

by Marios Psallidas

A MBL ING

Weekends in Athens

, , . . ! // As theworking week draws to a close and anyjob-related stress is put to one side, thiscity's inhabitants get dressed up becauseit's time for a weekend in Athens!

50 Days . Clubbing fans should head for Cabaret or Dybbuk inKolonaki. The two clubs offer plenty of dancing to housemusic in a glamorous environment. Another choice isBlend, in Psyrri, where you can dance till you drop to tech-no music. A similar venue is 50 Days in Gazi.

- , ( Hilton) . After your clubbing, stop off and sober up at the legendarycanteens on Mavili Square, or on MihalakopoulouStreet right behind the Hilton Hotel. They stay open untilthe following morning. . , , - . ' , -, Invader Paintball Park . , -! ' - -- .. ( ) . , , - Casino MontParnes - .Sundays are not only for lie-ins but also short trips or pleas-ant walks in the city centre or outside of Athens. If you seeksomething that'll combine action, entertainment andadventure, head over to Invader Paintball Park, which issituated in a beautiful pine forest at Malakasa. Go on, havea go! If you are looking for something a bit quieter andmore relaxing, visit Mount Parnitha either by car or bytaking the funicular (which is free of charge). An outing toParnitha is ideal for a Sunday outing, combining nature, astunning panorama and the beautifully renovated CasinoMont Parnes, with its great service. You can also stop offat a taverna on the way to the funicular. There are so manyoptions, you'll be spoilt for choice. C-A

quality music. A couple of hundred yards further on, you'llfind the neighbourhood of Exarheia and our favouriterestaurant Fasoli. Here you can enjoy a wide variety ofhomemade dishes, large portions, superb service and greatvalue for money. If you feel like a coffee and apple pie oreven a beer, head to Ginger Ale on Exarheia Square. Itscharming vintage decor will transport you back to a moreelegant and leisurely age.

, Saturday night fever. - Circus ( ) . , , , , . Back home for a nice nap, refreshments and preparation forthe Saturday night rave-up. Clubbing requires some form ofwarm-up activity. Have your first drinks of the evening atCircus (Navarinou Street, somewhere between Exarheiaand Kolonaki). Get into the groove at this friendly bar,whilst listening to jazz, funk, rock and pop. Take in the high-quality decor and the happy faces of the clientele.

clubbing, Cabaret (W club -Prive) Dybbuk ( Plus X, Dragoste) - glam house . Blend club ( Danza) tech

By Sofia Ignatidou

A F F O R D A B L E

32 CAPITAL A

H , , - . - , - - , . Katerina Alexandraki is one ofthe up-and-coming talents of theGreek fashion world. She has recent-

ly opened a shop right in the centreof Halandri. After studying atVeloudaki Fashion School and par-ticipating in Berlin Fashion Week andmany other events, the designer hasdecided to share her own uniquepersonal taste with the public.

A , - Comme Il faut - . , Manolo Blahnik, -. -

shopping therapynow!

-, - : - ! Capital A .

During the dark winter monthsonly the thought of a renewedwardrobe can act as a suitabletonic for all the ladies. Capital Atracks down those boutiquesthat will steal your heart.

Meet The Cat

, - - . Make sure you visit Comme Il faut inGlyfada and check out its impressiverange of shoes. It sells the iconic ManoloBlahniks, which can help you tango real-ly well. The shop has a dramatic, theatri-cal-style decor that will immediatelytransport you to Buenos Aires, home ofthe Manolos.

-, Brazil by Brasil , . - - . Brazil by Brasil offers your wardrobea breath of Latin fresh air. It sellscolourful dresses, elegant shoes, andaccessories made from dried fruit. Inthe summer, it stocks colourful bikinisthat will give you a special allure onthe beach.

- , MeetThe Cat . - , - . - - . -

, , labels AkiraMushi, Two In A Gondola BrokenQueens . Meet The Cat in Halandri gives you

the opportunity to wear somethingdifferent, without moving continents.This boutique sells highly originalaccessories and clothes in a particular-ly friendly atmosphere. It enablesyoung designers to express theirvibrant imagination and practical skillsby exhibiting their work in a venuethat appreciates good taste. You'll findclothes by Harry Mitsiopoulos, JoannaKourbela, Alexia Kirmitsi and by thelabels Akira Mushi, Two In A Gondolaand Broken Queens. C-A

Sooo...Katerina Alexandraki

Comme Il Faut

SOOOKATERINA ALEXANDRAKI 125,

125 Iroon Polytechniou, Halandri./tel.: 210-67.21.884

BRAZIL BY BRASIL 3,

3 Esperidon Street, Glyfada 56 Ermou street

./tel.: 210-32.46.955

MEET THE CAT. 28,

. Center 28 Papandreou Street,

Halandri Shopping Center./tel.: 210-68.56.203

COMME IL FAUT 35,

35 Kyprou Street, Glyfada./tel.: 210-89.41.294

A USP I C I OUS

. , , - . // Every year, different artists create jewellery in the form of lucky charms and amuletsto bring you good fortune and happiness and shield you from the evil eye. These make a symbolic present, as well as special, as itreflects the love of the person who has chosen it for you, which will follow you throughout the new year in the form of good luck.

To Welcoming the New Year

Vally Kontidis

" - , - "., 1 . , 18, Margarita MeitaniHandwritten Jewelry. / tel.:210-32.42.483

, . - , Vally Kontidis Loukia Richards. design jewelleryshop " - Aria di eleganza". - . -Aria di eleganza 127, , 127 Ipsilantou str. Pireas, . / tel.:210-41.23.924

, . Vally Kontidis, . 40 Aithrio Centre40 Ag. Konstantinou str., Marousi. / tel.: 210-61.00.790

34 CAPITAL A

La Tienda

Astarti , 2010 FLIGHTS, - .( .) / Eleni Marneri Creative Gallery & Bebe Gallery 3-5, A3-5 Agathoupoleos str., Athens. / tel.:210-86.19.488, 210-86.79.641

, , La tienda. , , . , , . , , 2010. La Tienda, K. 2-4, , , 2-4 K. Varnali, Dourou sq., shopping centre Ermeion III, Halandritel.: 210-68.29.383

10 AbOvo , - . - ( 18-20, ). / Watch theextremely funny political comedy MotherGreece2 by the theatre company Above (TheatreHora - Nea Hora, 18-20 Amorgou Street, Kypseli).

A T H E N I A N N I G H T L I F E

* ( 138 & ) - 22:00. , - . / Begin your nightout with a visit to two new exhibitions featuring the artistYannis Tsarouchis and the theatre set designer Nikos

Stephanou at the Benaki Museum on Pireos Street (138 Pireos & Andronikou streets), whichstays open till 22:00 every Friday and Saturday.

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10

* , . , - . / Attend one of the new productions by theGreek National Opera House, either at the Lyriki Skini or at the Megaron. The new pro-ductions will offer you something different from the classical opera repertoire.

Minim's ( 6 , , -), , , , -, . . / Go to the new venue Minim's (6 Miaouliand Themidos Streets, Psyrri, opposite the Monastiraki metro station), which isreminiscent of a French bistro. It's an all-day cafe, serving drinks, food anddelicious homemade cakes and deserts, and is open till late.

Ten Things to DO in Athens at night

by Haris Attonis

* Six D.O.G.S. ( 6-8, ), lives, dj sets, sales market, movies projection, , , -. / Head for the new and highly versatile nightspot Six D.O.G.S. (6-8 Avramiotou Street, Monastiraki). Ithosts live DJ sets, sales and marketing events, film screenings, CD presentations, and exhibitions, while serv-ing coffee and drinks from the early evening.

, ( 30) . , , 02.00 (- ), , , , . / Take a seat above the cafe Diplo (30 Metaxa square,Exarheia) and discover one of the city's most authentic trattorias. Experience itscolourful interior and imaginative lighting. Its friendly staff will serve you till 02.00 in the morning following your barcrawl. Sample fresh, homemade pasta or risotto, filling main courses or a salad. If you can't make your mind upbetween two different dishes, you can order two half portions instead!

Replicas . O D:Tek ME8H (Methi), dj duo . http://www.myspace.com/the_replicas http://the-replicas.blogspot.com./ Join a party by Replicas in a popular nightspot, featuring the dynamic dj double act D:Tek and ME8H (Methi).Check them out at http://www.myspace.com /the_replicas and http://the-replicas.blogspot.com.

* , , , Cantina Social ( 8,) . - . djs . Tareq (http://www.myspace.com/tareqsouleiman) Jimmy Jib . / Head for Cantina Social (8 Leokoriou Street, Psyrri), which istucked away among antique shops, office buildings and storehouses in one of the most

beautiful courtyards of the city. Cantina Social took over from a traditional coffee shop and takes full advantage of its surroundings by usingimaginative ideas from the past for its decor. It serves great cocktails and exotic beers, while different djs experiment on its retro turntables.Among them, you can find Tareq on Wednesdays (http://www.myspace.com/tareqsouleiman), and Jimmy Jib on Thursdays.

1930, , -, , Salero ( 51, ), , - , - . / Sample Spanish and Mediterranean dishes at Salero (51 Valtetsiou street, Exarheia). It is housedin a beautifully restored 1930s building and boasts an inspired interior decor and a beautiful courtyard. It serves lunchand dinner till late at night and offers its own authentic sangria.

* - , ( 4). / Enjoy a film at the restored Asty Cinema (4 Korai square) and soakup the atmosphere from some popular all-time classic movies.

A T H E N I A N S

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} . - ; . 2005 - Show Business / Vanilla. 2006 - ex animo . - .

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Stathis Drogossis wanted to become a mathematician and a chess player. He started studying Maths at University and tookup singing with different groups to make a bit of money. His career began one summer on the Greek island of Folegandros,when the song-writer Manolis Famelos heard him sing with the group Fading Lights. Manolis Famelos liked their songs butthe group fell apart a couple of years later. Some went away to University, or for post-graduate studies, while others left to dotheir military service and that's when Stathis Drogosis saw his chance to launch a career as a singer and songwriter. An inter v iew to L i z a M a r e l o u

Stathis Drogosis With my lyrics I send a postcard to the world

Apart from writing songs for yourself, your music is currently being heard in a the-atrical production. How did this begin? It started by chance when in 2005 I wrote the music for the performance Showbusiness by Villy Sotiropoulou, which was being held at the Vanilla bar/theatre.Then in 2006, I wrote music for two performances by the theatrical company exanimo. I then wrote a score for the play I can't be on my own by the comedian and

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A TH EN I ANS

. . - .

; - . - .

- ; - . - . . - ,, .

playwright Dimitra Papadopoulou.This year saw the performance byVilly Sotiropoulou. Your lyrics are quite personal -evenapologetic, at times. Aren't you a bityoung for such introspection? It depends on the song, really,because I mainly write about myself.It feels like sending a postcard to theworld out there. It's as if I'm writingto tell people that I'm good or bad, asif I'm telling them my news. Everyday I begin a new report and com-plete old ones. I've lived quiteintensely and I've imagined myselfliving even more intensely.Sometimes I write lyrics about animaginary life that I invent; it's as ifyou are writing a play. I feel I can'twrite a song for anyone other thanmyself.

What style of music do you write?

who is who 1977. - - (2001), - - ' (2003) (2006) , . - - - , , -, , , . -, . CD . - , -, , , , , -, , -, . Stathis Drogosis was born in Athens in 1977.He has released two CDs: Winter isn't goingto set in (2003) and Another Land (2006).He's also written songs and music for othersingers. His third CD contains ten of newtracks by him and is entitled Love in the End.

, , , -, , -, , - ,( 10, ). , , 40 27, , . , ! , , , , - . -, , . ' ' - .

A few words on the performance Villy Sotiropoulou has writtenand produced the play We BreakUp Every Monday. The play is onin the Helios Theatre (10Frynichou Street, Acropolis metrostation). The story is set in mod-ern-day Athens. Five femalefriends, a 27-year-old and threeover 40, with very different per-sonalities stand by each otherduring very difficult times. They

then break up the one after the other, and they all break up on aMonday. The play sees the experience of separation sometimeswith a sense of humour or laughter, and at other times with ten-derness or tears. What saves the day is naivete and close relation-ships. Boyfriend-troubles, job-related problems or hang-ups leadto a confrontation but friendship remains strong. The play is full of'manly scent' even though the men in question never appear onstage but just approach close by. Relationships, marriage, divorce,family, fear of the passage of time and friendship all are issuesthat concern this play, which is full of black humour.

I wouldn't say I belong to the so-called quality Greek music, nor to thesingers representing this style. I start-ed off singing with groups and there-fore consider myself to be a rocksinger. Do you find any connection betweenthe music you represent and the jobthat you're obliged to have? I live through my music and I can'tsurvive without it, but I don't think ofmy career. I'm happy to do what Ilove, but I don't see it as a job. It is agood thing I don't need much,because I'd rather do things for mywork that don't involve any compro-mise. I don't like wasting myself on

projects that might give me moremoney, but would destroy my soul. Idon't want to feel ashamed of what Ido. I had the good fortune to see mydream become reality and to be ableto make a living doing my ideal job.Many people have to do a job thatthey hate. What is your relationship with thiscity? I'm a city slicker because I grew up inPatissia, in Kypseli and in Exarheia. Iboth love and hate this city. I love itspeople, my friends, but I hate many ofits inhabitants. All those living in theupper-middle class suburbs and wantto tell those of us in the city centrehow to live. They haven't realised howbeautiful Athens looks during thedemonstrations.

}

' . , . ; . , , -. ' : . , . . - - - . - . C-A

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A T H E N I A N T H E AT R E S

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A T H E N I A N T H E AT R E S - . , - ., . , ., , . - .. - . , , - perform-ers. (, ), - (, ,), ( , ) - stage setup . , - - , - - . , -. -, , - . / / performers GraveyardCafe Band - , -, -, , , , . C-A

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50

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The following productions arecurrently hosted by the AthensOpera House orLyriki Skini.

Rigoletto By Giuseppe Verdi 26, 30 / 12 / 2009 & 02, 03, 06 / 01 / 2010 / At Olympia Theatre

, , , - . , , - , . , - . - . - , .

Rigoletto is one of the most popular operas by Verdi. Itcontains one of the maestro's most melodic scores, whilethe libretto is based on a Victor Hugo play and is full ofintense emotions. This production by the Lyriki Skini will beon during the Christmas holidays. The stage directionreminds us of a film noir setting and is by Nikos Petropoulos.The action is set in Italy but has been moved to the time of therise of fascism. The orchestra is conducted by Ilias Voudouris ina production that boasts a world-renowned cast.

/ Deception with Happy Ending by Joachino Rossini/ Bal Masque by Francis Poulenque 16, 19, 23, 27, 29 / 12 / 2009 / At Olympia Theatre

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. -. - - . This new production by the Lyriki Skini features two light-hearted, one-act comic operas, providing young perform-ers with an opportunity to demonstrate their talent. Theshow is the result of collaboration between the AthensChamber Opera and the Patras Philharmonic Orchestra,conducted by Eric Frezis. The stage director is NikaitiKondouri. The Athens Chamber Opera is a platformfrom which new performers, composers and musicians canlaunch a career in the opera.

/ /

S E V E N M I N I O P E R A SThe Abduction of Europe / Theseus' Release /Ariadne's Desertion, all by Darius Millieau A Game of Bridge by Samuel Barber Back and Forth by Paul Hindemith Bros The Oracle by Henri Segued The Legend of the Old Seaman by Markos Sofianopoulos19, 21 / 02 / 2010 / At Olympia Theatre

, - 20. -. - , -, .

. - . These seven mini-operas showcase the different musicaltrends that prevailed during the 20th century. The perform-ances are conducted by Nikos Vasiliou and offer a new,original production to the audiences of the Lyriki Skini. Thethree ten-minute operas by Darius Millieau have beeninspired by Greek myths. The piece by Samuel Barber is avery jolly affair, whilst the one by Henri Segued deals withpalmistry, astrology and card reading. The work byHindemith Bros is a satire on serious opera works and wasfirst presented in Baden-Baden in 1927. The piece byMarkos Sofianopoulos is based on the poem by SamuelTaylor Coleridge.

Madam Butterfly by Joachim Puccini 28 / 02 / 2010 & 03, 05, 07 / 03 / 2010 / Megaron / At the Alexandra Triandi Hall

- (, , ) , - - . . The popular opera has been produced and directed byNikos Petropoulos and the orchestra of the Lyriki Skini isconducted by Loukas Karystinos.

: Bolero Ballet: Bolero by Maurice Ravel Choreography by Renato Zanella 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 / 01 / 2010 / Megaron / At the Hall of the Friends of Music

, - - Vienna State Opera,

Eleonora Abbagnato, Ivan Ortega, AnastasiaMatvienko, Denis Matvienko, Tim Matiakis, ShokoNakamura, Wieslaw Dudek, -. - . Renato Zanella has been the director of the Vienna StateOpera Corps de Ballet and will present us with two of hismost famous choreographies. Enjoy performances by thebiggest stars of many European Corps de Ballet, such asEleonora Abbagnato, Ivan Ortega, Anastasia and DenisMatvienko, Tim Matiakis, Shoko Nakamura, and WieslawDudek. The Lyriki Skini Orchestra is conducted by IliasVoudouris. C-A

w w w . n a t i o n a l o p e r a . g r Capital A

Capital A is a media sponsor to the Greek National Opera

CAPITAL A

48 , Live, -

30 -. ., - : " , ". , , -, . - , . 22/12 - 29/12 - Schoolwave Festival. Kyttaro Live can be found at 48 IpirouStreet and is a historic part of the city'slive scene, since it's been around for overthirty years, with some of the bestnames in Greek rock and Greek qualitymusic having performed here. ManolisLidakis is a singer with a beautifulvoice who sings folk and quality Greekmusic and appears at Kyttaro Live, whileon 22/12 there will be a HumanRights gig and on 29/12 SchoolwaveFestival is taking place.

- (, ). - . -

A F T E R D A R K

54

byKonstantinosDimos

clubbing hot dancefloor . - live . - . - . - . Capital A - .

A night out might mean a quiet drink at abar somewhere, whilst for others it signi-fies clubbing at the hottest nightspots inthe city. In any case, going to a club toattend a live performance is a differentsort of musical experience. Many Greekperformers appear live in Athens, givingtheir audience the opportunity to experi-ence their idols in the flesh, with artistssinging and emotions creating a differentatmosphere when communicated in per-son. Capital A presents to you some ofthe most legendary live venues in Athens.

live

The greek live

music scene

post-rock alternative . Cyanna, rosebleed . - , - Maraveyas House Band Club, . - -, - -. , Plus - . - - .

. O Stavros tou Notou (=Southern Cross)comprises three different live venues, all ofthem on Frantzi Street. The Main Scenehosts Cyanna, Rosebleed, and PavlosPavlides, all of whom represent theGreek post-rock alternative scene. TheStavros tou Notou Club mainly hostsperformances of the so-called QualityGreek Music. There will be live gigs byStathis Drogosis, Natasha Bofiliou,Kostas Maraveyias and House Band.The third venue, Stavros tou NotouPlus will be hosting the highly talentedyoung singers Eleonora Zouganelli andDemos Anastasiadis on Fridays andSaturdays.

O ( 124) . , - solo

Manolis Lidakis

Natasha Bofiliou

Stathis Drogosis

CAPITAL A

A F T E R D A R K

56

-. - , "I'm feeling good". lounge room -, -. , - -. vintage . Agyra (124 Solonos Street) is anotherinteresting live music venue in Athens.The furnishings will make you feel as ifyou're in the luxurious lounge of an

ocean liner circa 1920. Relaxing amidthe vintage decor, you'll hear musicfrom all around the globe performed bythe talented singer KonstantinosKotsadam and the pianist SakisVeryemtzidis.

( 47). , -, - . . - - .

Metro (47 Gyzi Street) is another long-established venue for live music. This season,you'll be able to enjoy Martha Fringila,Vassily Kazoulis, Laurence Mahairitsasand Alkiviades Konstantopoulos. Thevenue features bleachers and a mainarea where the audience can sit at tables.One of the best things about the place isthat its layout allows you to have a reallygood view of the stage, wherever you'reseated.

. live . The Greek music scene has a lot to tell usthis winter and live gigs are the best wayto communicate with the public. C-A

Vassilis Kazoulis

Laurence Mahairitsas

Pavlidis Eleonora Zouganeli

Museums/Galleries he Benaki Museums -Kolonaki-Piraeus, Goulandris - Museum ofCycladic Art, Frysiras Museum, LalaounisMuseum, Herakleidon Museum, ZoumboulakiGallery, National Picture Gallery, TsihritzisInstitute of Conjectural Art-Kifisia, M-ARTManolioudakis-Kolonaki.

Megaro Mousikis (shop) Athinais Votanikos. KEP Syntagma Eleftheroudakis Bookstores

Centre- 17 Panepistimiou str., Syntagma - 20 Nikis str., 39 Mitropoleous str., Ampelokipi - 2 Sinopis str., Neo Psichiko- 294 Kifissias av., Kifissia- 268 Kifissias av., 2 Panagitsas str. ,

Papasotiriou Bookstores37 Panepistimiou str.

Ianos Bookstores 24 Stadiou str. Politeia Boostore 1-3 Asklipiou str. The Capsis Conference Centre, MaroussiHotels Airotels-Stratos Vasilikos, Alexandros,

Parthenon, St. George Lycabetus, AthenianCallirhoe, Fresh Hotel, Ava Hotel-Plaka, ElectraHotel, Electra Palace, Residence Georgio Hotel,The Athens Hilton (Aithrion & Pool), AstirPalace Vouliagmeni, Hotel des Roses - Kifissia,Periscope-Kolonaki, Athens Gate

Greek National Tourist OrganizationInformation Offices Syntagma

Greek National Opera (Akropol-Ippokratous str., Olympia-Akadimias str.)

Theatres Apo Mihanis-Keramikos Ktirio-Psyrri, Theatro tou Iliou-Akropoli

Educational Institutes St. CatherinesBritish Embass School, Byron College, CampionSchool, American College of Greece-library useonly, Athens Centre, Lexi Logos, Alexander-Athens, Spanish Institute Cervantes-Athens.

Popular Bars Fillion-Kolonaki, Polis Cafe -Athens, Magaze-Monastiraki, Mamaca's-Gazi,Ginger-Gazi, Ivy-Psihiko, Baroco-Kifisia, 46-Aiolou, Menta-Kifisia, Fantaseed-Gazi

Restaurants TGI Friday's- Kolonaki, Hell'sKitchen- Kotzia sq., Barbara's Food Company-Exarcheia, Almaz-Gazi, Prosopa-Gazi, Nargile-Kifisia, Tirbuson-Gazi, Aleria - Metaxourgio,Atrina- Maroussi

Pastry Shops Cake-Psichiko, Haagen Dazs-Kolonaki

Hairdressers L eau-Syntagma.

Golf Glyfada Cinema Mikrokosmos Athens Airways airport stands

and many more...

tel: (+30) 210 9222501 www. capital-a.gr e-mail: info@capital-a.gr

DISTRIBUTION POINTS IN ATHENS -

Download the full issue

(in .pdf format) @capital-a.gr

58 CAPITAL A

B y S o f i a I g n a t i d o u

, event, . Capital A event . ! // Athens is a citythat stays awake 24/7 and hosts many different events covering a wide range of musical tastes.Capital A samples the most important gigs of the season. See you there!

21.01.10 Therapy? @ Kyttaro - live - . - - . The Irish rock band come to Greece for an explosive live gigthat promises performances of some of their new songs. Ofcourse we also expect to hear some of their older hits aswell.

22.01.10 Vladislav Delay Quartet & Mika Vainio @ Bios . Vladislav Delay SasuRipatti Luomo, Sistol

Uusitalo Conoco. live - - Mika Vainio Pansonic event . The two masters of experimental electronic music joinforces. Sasu Ripatti a.k.a Vladislav Delay has releasedalbums under a number of different stage names includingLuomo, Sistol Uusitalo, or Conoco. His live gigs in Greecehave always left us with the best of impressions and thiscollaboration with Mika Vainio will be one of the highlightsof the month.

29.01.10 Andy Votel @ Bios Andy Votel , , . ! The groundbreaking Andy Votel mixes up different musicalstyles, different decades and moods to create a musical col-lage that comes close to art.

A L L T H AT M U S I C

AgendaJanuary - March 10

06 & 07.02.10 And Also The Trees @ Kyttaro Cure post-rock. A- . The band that began their musical career overshadowed byThe Cure have not only continued to develop, but also man-aged to carve their own niche in the history of post-rockmusic. Let their electric darkness envelop you!

06.02.10 Uriah Heep @ Gagarin 205 21 , Uriah Heep, . Easy Livin,The Magician's Birthday, Sweet Freedom, Lady In Black - . After a forty-year career and 21 studio albums, Uriah Heepare a band that need no introductions. Expect to hearfavourite tracks such as Easy Livin, The Magician's Birthday,Sweet Freedom, Lady In Black plus many others.

12.02.10 Mary Anne Hobbs, Pinch & Dorian Concept @ Bios H dubstep - , - , Pinch. Dorian Concept. The lady who popularised dubstep around the globe comesto Athens, together with Pinch, one of her most famous pro-ducers. The event will also feature the up-and-coming talentof Dorian Concept.

28.02.10 IAMX@ Gagarin 205 To IAMX Chris Corner, Sneaker

Pimps. IAMX, o Corner -, elec-tro-industrial . IAMX is the solo project by Chris Corner, best known as thesinger of Sneaker Pimps. In IAMX, Chris Corner deals withdecadence, religion, isolation and alienation through anelectro-industrial medium, which proves very moving. C-A

BIOS 84, 84 Pireos str., Keramikos./tel: 210-34.25.335

GAGARIN 205 203-205,

203-205 Liosion str., Attiki./tel: 210-85.47.600

KYTTARO 48 &

48 Ipirou & Aharnon Streets./tel: 210-82.24.134

60 CAPITAL A

, -. , -

party teams underground djs - . This city never sleeps and youcan find a good party during any night of the week, from Monday toSunday. Athenian bars play host to some of the world's most popu-

lar party organisers. They alsoboast underground djs with theircutting-edge CD collections.

B y S o f i a I g n a t i d o u

Dj Labrador, , Bartesera . techno post-rock, trip-hop, electronica jazz, . Dj Labrador can be found behind the decks atBartesera on Kolokotroni Street, every Monday. He playseverything from techno to post-rock, trip-hop, electronicaand jazz. His choice of music will never disappoint.

R'n'B ,

Knockout Guzel . Tuesdays are dedicated to R'n'B, with Knockout takingover the decks at the winter version of the bar Guzel,which is located in the northern suburbs.

, R'n'B Bootycall parties agna Boutique, o hip-hop - Get Down party Dj Noiz & Monachus Loop techno-heads Groove Is In The Air

A T H E N I A N N I G H T L I F E

The hottest

djresidencies in town

T hot dj residencies

Bonso & Gus Cabaret. On Wednesdays, R'n'B fans can join the famed Bootycallparties organised by the agna team at the venueBoutique. Hip-hoppers should head for the Get Down par-ties organised by Dj Noiz & Monachus at Loop whiletechno-heads should make a beeline to Groove Is In The Airby Bonso & Gus at the Cabaret.

Cj Jeff, tech-house djs Electricity party Dybbuk. A - Jimmy Jib - Cantina Social. Thursdays belong to Cj Jeff, one of the best Greek tech-house djs, and his Electricity parties at Dybbuk. If you'reafter a bit more variety, then head over to Cantina Social,where you'll find Jimmy Jib at the turntables.

T , Higgs Hicc_Ups party, Listen Up! uplifting . On a Friday, check out Kotzia Square and the bar Higgs.Here you'll find the Hicc_Ups party, organised by the teamListen Up! They play anything that's uplifting and alterna-tive and can be found in the modern music scene.

Tribeca -, Me8h super-club , Venue. , , - . Saturdays take you to Kolonaki and the bar Tribeca withMe8h electrifying us with her sound. Alternatively, book anight out at the super-club Venue, where VasilisTsilichristos will be playing his music. Playmen party VillaMercedes . The week finishes with Sunday and the Playmen parties ofVilla Mercedes. C-A

BARTESERA: 25 ( ) 25 Kolokotroni street (Praxitelous Arcade), tel: 210-32.29.805

BOUTIQUE: 15 / 15 Filellinon street./tel: 210-32.31.315

CANTINA SOCIAL: 8, 8 Leokoriou street, Psyrri, tel: 210-32.51.668

DYBBUK: . 37, 37 Patriarchou Ioakim Street, tel: 6942-40.08.97

GUZEL: . 280, 280 Kifissias avenue, Halandri, tel: 210-68.00.101

HIGGS: 4 & 2, . Kotzia square, tel: 210-32.47.679

LOOP: . . 3, 3 Agion Asomaton Square, Thission, tel: 210-32.47.666

VENUE: 130 / 130 Pireos Streettel: 210-34.11.410

TRIBECA: 46 & , 46 Skoufa Street, Kolonaki, tel: 210-36.23.541

learn greek in Greece in the heart of Athens

apprendre le grec en Greceau coeur d'Athenes

3, Kapnikarea Square & Ermou Street 105 63 ATHENS, 6th floortel. 0030 210 3311602 - 603, 0030 6976673395www.lexi-logos.gr, e-mail: info@lexi-logos.gr

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'

A U R A L P L E A S U R E

y K o n s t a n t i n o s D i m o s

CAPITAL A62

Music for my ipd

cd . - '. - . , - , . . . First choice is Charis Alexiou's new CD, Love Will Find YouWherever You Are. Her latest offering is an excellent example ofmodern high-quality music, featuring material written both byherself and by musicians from around the world. There aresongs penned by the Argentinean Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla,as well as by the French songwriters Bruno Coulais and PhilippeFragione and the German Dirk Michaelis. Many of the iconicsinger's real-life experiences have become songs and her musi-cal snapshots transport us between memories of yesterday anddreams of the future.

cd -. , , Welcome to Greece. -

, -. - .

Next is an album by the up-and-coming songwriter KostasMaraveyias, who signals his comeback with a work entitledWelcome to Greece. His melodies and imaginative, versatilerhythms showcase every day life in this country. His popularand extremely personal, cosmopolitan style bring to mindcarefree Sunday mornings and leisurely strolls whilst enjoyinga lemon sorbet ice-cream.

cd -. . - - ,

,

-. , , , 24 - . . Capital A . / Athens is full of magic at this time of year,including Syntagma Square with its Christmas tree, musicians on thecorner of each main street, people searching for gifts, decorated shopwindows and Father Christmases on a 24h shift, all of which present abeautiful picture of our city. Greek music can keep you company, as youenjoy a hot drink on Ermou Street, or a quick snifter in Monastiraki.Capital A makes some suggestions.

"!", . , , cd. - , -, , . , - , - , . An album which has created waves is the one by the iconicsongwriter Arleta, who has returned after being out of thepublic eye for over a decade. The CD is called Arleta - Hello Againand the title comes from a funny incident. When she was in thestudio she kept walking past her musicians and sound engineerwithout acknowledging them. Suddenly she cried out "Hello!"as if they had just arrived in the studio. This caused such a laughthat it became the title of the CD. Music is by Arleta, VangelisGeorgiou, and Vassilis Rakopoulos and lyrics are by Arleta, SunnyBaltzi, Sotiria Bavelou and Alexandros Dimas. The CD also fea-tures some new remixes of Arleta's older songs.

. - , -

. - . - . Eleni Peta has a new CD out, which is entiled Strange Scent.Her superb singing is showcased through eleven songs by KostisZevgadellis and Yota Vasilakopoulou. Her voice conjures upsunny landscapes full of optimism and light. The expressiveartist sings with great emotion but never becomes melodramat-ic, finding the right balance with the help of wonderful musicalarrangements.

Domenica. cd . -, .

Domenica - urban -. , , -, ,

. Next in line is the group Domenica, with their new CD,Oblivion. In ancient Greek mythology, Oblivion was a river thatwould steal people's memories. The band's songs are full ofloud guitars and the melodic, lucid voice of their lead singer,alternating between tension, relaxation, bewilderment andinner discomfort amidst the chaos of daily life.

- . -

. . - , , , -

, , -. . " ' , ", - - .Euripides Zemenides is a young, talented musician andsongwriter, who's just released a new album calledKindergarten Slow. New singers and cheerful melodies featurein this album. The voices of Leonidas Balafas, George Mylonas,Panos Mouzourakis, Vasiliki Karakosta and Vangelis Asimakispaint a musical landscape full of sun, mountains, and cities andtheir people. The lyrics talk about our problems but are alsopositive at times. Check out my favourite song, Other Days,which describes a desperation that all of us sometimes share:I'll run like water and leave this city behind me; I'll run to savemyself and I don't care if everybody forgets me. C-A

CAPITAL A64

Modern restaurantsFishbar -, Fishbar - -, - .With wood the dominant materialand mementoes from the Greek sea-faring tradition, Fishbar restaurantin Glyfada s reminiscent of aMediterranean port, while offeringnon-stop partying. 2, ,

2 Zisimopoulou Street, Glyfada

tel: 210-96.80.100

Jackson Fish - . .This fish restaurant has an atmospherereminiscent of an island. Here you canenjoy seafood delicacies in a modernand friendly environment. 4

4 ilioni str., Kolonaki

tel: 210-36.16.546, 36.16.098

Prosopa , Prosopa .

In a new location, Prosopa isalways our favourite. Reasonableprices, good mediterranean food,and great atmosphere. . 50 &

4, / 50A Meg.

Vassiliou & 4 Konstantinoupoleos str., Roof

tel: 210 -34.13.433

TTirbouchon , . A modern taverna and a favourite forthe young and trendy. Open fromnoon till late at night. 104,

104 Konstantinoupoleos Str., Keramikos

tel: 210-34.10.107

Classical luxuryRoof Garden RoofGarden M . , -. -. The hotel Grande Bretagne is famous

A PP E T I Z I NG

Capital A / Capital As editorial team selects

the citys best dining spots

Prosopa

Aleria

OUR EDITORIAL TEAMSFAVOURITE RESTAURANTS

Fishbar Nikolas from Schinousa

for its luxurious environment. Itsrestaurant Roof Garden is open everyday, from 13.00 till late at night. Enjoyone of the best views of the Acropolis..

Syntagma Sq.,

tel: 210 -33.30.000

leria , . Housed in a beautiful decorated neoclas-sical building, Aleria offers a selectMediterranean menu. . 57,

57 Meg. Alexandrou str. Metaxourgio

tel.: 210-52.22.633

Cilentio , , . E .

In the heart of Kolonaki, a goodrestaurant with reasonable prices andoutstanding cuisine. 3 & 54,

.: 210-36.33.144

3 Mantzarou st. & 54 Solonos st.,

tel: 210-36.33.144

Nikolas from Schinousa , ... - . . A place for great sea food, fresh fish andmuch more. True Greek hospitality anda unique island atmosphere. Enjoyhome cooking in a modern ambience.ry the fresh fish brought to Athens ona daily basis from the islands. . 27, ,

On the corner of Chr. Nezer str and 27,

Themistokleous str., Glyfada

tel.: 210-89.42.205

Ethnic cuisineargile -. . A great place for Lebanese and Greekcuisine and beautiful decor. . 50,

50 Charilaou Trikoupi st. Kifisia

tel.: 210 -80.83.333

Svejk . - - . he best Czech cuisine in town. Don'tmiss out on the famous local beersand enjoy the fantastic, traditionaldesserts. 8, .

8 Roubesi Street, Neos Kosmos

tel: 210 -90.18.389

Micraasia , eth-nic , bazaar ' . In a beautiful house that resembles a warmfamily home in Asia, enjoy ethnic tastes, liveperformances and the micraasia shoppingbazaar with selected items from all over theworld. 70, ,

20 Konstantinoupoleos str., Gazi

tel: 210 -34.69.139

Nargile

What makes a night out remarkable and special?Good company, the right atmosphere, the possibilityfor a nice lie-in the next morning -but most impor-tantly the character of the venue.

M any hangouts, clubs and cafes in Athens havelost their character in an attempt to attract alarger crowd. In the process, they have becomejust another colourless, unremarkable venue. The placeshave no real personality and this is reflected in the choice ofmusic. These nondescript venues tend to appeal to a widerclientele and might cater to a greater number of tastes. Agood menu, reasonable prices and helpful staff will also

O , , -

. ' - . - . , , . , - , .

B y R o d i a n o s A n to n a ko p o u l o s

66 CAPITAL A

A T M O S P H E R E

-; , , . . .

Venues With Character

attract the crowds. Some of these spots feature a missmatch of dissimilar styles,destroying any hint of a unique atmosphere. A self-pro-claimed Latin bar playing music from a mainstream radiostation might be decorated with black and white photo-graphs of jazz legends. This desecration is an affront to oureyes and ears. Yet, there are places out there with plenty of character, wherewe can hang out, if we feel like experiencing somewhere dif-ferent that will reflect our mood and personal taste. Instead,we often we end up in one of those characterless venues. Whyis that? Are we to blame rather than their owners? Patrons aren't clear about what they want and they don'torganise a night out according to their preferences in musicand decor. Athens is a city that can cater for all sorts of tastes.If we were to choose a venue according to its ambience andcharacter, then I'm sure this would put a stop to the suddenincrease of generic bars, clubs or restaurants. If our criteriawere individuality and style, then there would be more dis-tinctive, original and genuine venues that cater for every-body. These stereotypical, run-of-the-mill venues wouldn'tcease to exist. They'd just be frequented by people who'dhave chosen to be there, rather than by people who have togo there, because nothing else is on offer. The owners will certainly have to recognise that shift andtake the plunge and invest in particular styles of music anddecor. I'm not the person to suggest anything too drastic.Just have clear categories, such as rock, jazz, soul-funk,mainstream, Latin, or reggae. There's a lot of people who feelsuffocated in the bars, clubs or cafes currently on offer andwho are desperately seeking something different. We all have our preferences. We just have to search them outand accept no