Happy New Month, since September, is already here! Today, we perceive September as the first month of autumn, meaning that the relaxing days of August are gone and everyday life is back on track. Question is, is it truly the end of the summer? How did the ancient Greeks divide their year?
Is ancient Greek mythology dead, a collection of ancient stories with no connection to the modern world or does it remain a pivotal and integral part of everyday life, surrounding the world we live in? In a try to answer this question, the following article explores some of the aspects of life where ancient Greek mythology is very much alive!
Follow the steps of the demigod Hercules and through his Labours, explore Greece like no other!
Demeter (literally meaning Mother Earth) is one of the most ancient deities of the Greek pantheon. Dearly loved by ancient Greek people, Demeter was commonly thought to be a benevolent deity, tending to the people's needs but with her dark side too when challenged. Many myths and legends orbit around the figure of Demeter often symbolizing different qualities of nature. One of them is the moving story of Demeter and her beloved daughter Persephone.
What do Homer, Franz Kafka and Percy Jackson have in common? One way or another, they all discussed the exciting story of the mythical king of Corinth, Sisyphus!
Today it’s Mother’s day and people across 46 countries celebrate motherhood. Although roots of the holiday can be traced in the U.K and the United States as late as the 19th century, the origins of Mother’s day go back to the era of Ancient Greece and the myth of Rhea.
The ancient open Theatre of Epidaurus dates back to 4th century BC and is located in the lush hills of the Peloponnese, just a 30-minute drive from the Saronic Gulf. This is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Greece, but is undeniably unique for a multitude of reasons. It is argued that the Theatre of Epidaurus is the grandest and best preserved in all of Greece, making it a must-see for travelers who come to Athens (Epidaurus is only 2 hours away from Athens!). Although the Theatre is most definitely the highlight of the area, the city that surrounds the Epidaurus Theatre is also an exemplary archeological site, with a gymnasium that is recently excavated and a museum with beautiful works of art like statues and replicas.
World renowned and truly a remarkable man of talent and integrity, Mikis Theodorakis has composed over 1000 songs, written heartbreakingly beautiful music and been awarded the Lenin Peace Prize. Politically active and a man of deep conviction he has also demonstrated the power of music to bring unity where there is discord. He is a living - breathing giant of the Greek music scene, and, at the age of 92, is living proof that abiding by one’s convictions and striving for the common good is, in effect, an elixir for longevity.