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Costas Tzavaras announced a merger of museums in Thessaloniki

The International Book Fair will take place in May in the city

The decision to merge the State Museum of Contemporary Art with the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki was announced by the PAITHPA Deputy Minister responsible for Culture Kostas Tzavaras at a press conference in Thessaloniki at noon on Thursday 7 February. In the same interview, he also announced the dates of this year's 10th International Book Fair in the city, in the presence of the Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas and the mayor of Thessaloniki Yiannis Boutaris.
Describing the fact that there are two museums with the same object in the same city as unthinkable, he commented on the merger of the State Museum of Contemporary Art with the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art as a "demand that has matured". By combining them it will be created, argued the minister, "one of the largest museums in Greece and one of the largest Museums of Contemporary Art in Europe with the aim of promoting contemporary art". The new museum will be a Legal Entity under Private Law and will be managed as provided by law. The Museum of Photography is not included in the merger, which will become autonomous and operate as an independent legal entity.
10the Thessaloniki International Book Fair
From the 16 until 19 The 10th Thessaloniki International Book Fair will finally take place in May. It will be, said the minister, "a great celebration of culture centered on the book, dozens of events, at least 30 international participations and the encouragement for all Greek publishers to participate". The aim of the ministry, he stated, is to strengthen the participation of Greek and foreign publishers, the better promotion of the Greek book to the Greek and international public and the synergies with the cultural institutions of the city in order for Thessaloniki to become a pole of culture.
The Ministry in collaboration with 18 supervised cultural institutions prepares a program 200 events, which will start before the start of the exhibition, acting as a "pre-shock of the great celebration" that will send messages to the international environment, in collaboration with the Region of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki but also the world of publishers, such as the Panhellenic Federation of Book Publishers and the Union of Publishers of Northern Greece. The organization, which the minister characterized as the "beginning of a historic period in the history of the institution, which Thessaloniki deserves and deserves".
Following the recent decision to abolish the National Book Centre (THERE), the exhibition will be the first event under the new data that has been established. Honored country for 2013 -as had already been set in motion a long time ago- it will be Great Britain. The thematic exhibition will be dedicated to K. P. Cavafy, on the occasion of their anniversary 150 years since his birth, while the Municipality of Thessaloniki is preparing a tribute on the subject of "Cyril and Methodius" in a separate stand inside the exhibition where a photographic exhibition of heirlooms will be presented, which will then travel to the countries where the Thessalonian missionaries worked.
The Governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, emphasized the decision of the Central Macedonia Region to invest in culture and support all sectors and announced the decision to reactivate the Lazarist Monastery.
The mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris, expressed his belief that the 10th Thessaloniki International Book Fair will be crowned with success and added that the municipality will continue to work closely with the ministry. Referring to the merger of the two museums, he pointed out the importance of highlighting both the collections of the Macedonian Museum and the Kostakis collection of the State Museum of Contemporary Art.
Also present at the press conference were the Presidents of the State Museum of Contemporary Art and the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Mrs. Katerina Koskina and Xanthippi Heupel, which for their part welcomed the ministry's initiative to proceed with the merger of the two Museums and described today's announcements as "historically important" as, as they mentioned signal the need for a change and focused on the need for the new museum to be an extroverted organization.
Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis, Serres
As part of his visit to Thessaloniki, the deputy minister visited the archaeological site and the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis Serres, he congratulated the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and the Region of Central Macedonia for contributing financially to the progress of the excavations and declared that "the State will do its duty and this project will reach its end". They will be given initially 50.000 euros for the completion of the excavation and "at the beginning of March the project will be included in the public investment program and will be financed in its entirety by the Ministry of Culture".
Source : tovima.gr
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The "Walls" of Orelia Thiere "whisper" in the Mansion

Resourceful and smart, dynamic and mysterious. The "Wall Whispers" (“Murmurs of walls”), the spectacle presented by Orelia Thiere at the Athens Concert Hall (15,16/2, Alexandra Trianti Hall) it's a surreal world, intangible and ever-changing, where circus meets theatre.

The direction, the choreography as well as the sets are signed by the protagonist's mother, Victoria Thierry Chaplin (daughter of Charlie Chaplin) while the performance is part of the "Bridges" series.

The heroine of "Whispers" is in a city that resembles Venice, but it is constantly changing, populated by gray figures with expressionless faces, which refer to ghosts or memories frozen in time. The woman is constantly moving, he gets lost in a fantasy where he meets another figure, the dancer Jaime Martines, a lover who keeps following and losing her, makes her literally dance in the air while another claims her, gloomy and dark man, the clown and acrobat Magnus Jacobson, who is always near her without ever touching her. The incidents fade into one another, buildings tilt and rise again, they swallow the performers and throw them into the air, the walls are peeling, strange creatures appear menacingly, objects gain and lose motion, a vague menace fills the atmosphere…

The parents of Orelia Thiere, Jean Baptiste Thierry and Victoria Chaplin (whom we have seen in the past in Athens) they belong to the pioneers of the modern alternative circus. Orelia and her brother James (we have also seen him in Athens) they followed in their parents' footsteps and moved forward independently with mutes of their own, almost visual spectacles. Orelia, with her first job of her own, the "Oratorio", created a sensation around the world a few years ago

Source : tovima.gr
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Tales Of Murder And Dust live in Athens, Thessaloniki and Larissa

The Catch The Soap, You Trip Me Up and Melotron Productions present Tales Of Murder And Dust live on Thursday 7 February in the Stage Club, in Larissa, on Friday 8 February in Eightball Club, in Thessaloniki and Saturday 9 February at six d.o.g.s, in Athens.
Opening acts
Thessalonica: Sick Boys Connection
Larissa & Athena: VAT

In a musical juncture where the pessimistic static of the Velvet Underground met the gothic drama of the spaghetti western landscape of Wall of Voodoo, the Tales of Murder and Dust sextet invented their own take on guitar psych-pop melancholy.

Created in faraway Aarhus, Denmark, managed to tune in to the renewed sound of the lazy psychedelia of the Velvet Underground and 13th Floor Elevators (as we met her from Black Angels, Blue Angel Lounge), enriching their ethereal shoegazey sound with the raga-like melodic tones of the sitar and the mesmeric John Cale monotones of the violin.
Their unique sound manages to connect in a unique and contemporary way

areas of the neo-psych spectrum that have been unbridged until now: sometimes smooth and sometimes torrential, synthesizes American guitar oriented psych-pop and soundtrack music with the oriental sound exploration of the 70s under a mystical Scandinavian aura.

With their first full length titled “Hallucination of Beauty” (in production and circulation of the same) to capture their musical goal crystal clear, are looking for – as well as in their music – beauty in the flow of time, creating a plural, fresh and flawless record that adorns some of the most sought after best of 2012 editor lists.

Οι You Trip Me Up, Mellotron and Catch The Soap Productions welcome Tales of Murder and Dust – the new big name in neopsychedelic sound – for 3 appearances in Larissa, Thessaloniki and Athens, at 7, 8 and 9 February respectively.

Source : culturenow.gr

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Cultural route in the ancient theaters of Epirus

Initiative of the association "Diazoma" for the promotion of the monuments

A cultural route with stops and visits to the ancient theaters of Epirus is proposed by the association "Diazoma". Its aim is to highlight monuments, which are largely unknown to visitors to the area, but at the same time to the rise of tourism and the benefits that may arise from the program.
For this purpose, the relevant proposal has been made to the Region of Epirus. According to it, "Diazoma" intends to draw up an "itinerary", a composition i.e. a visit to ancient theaters, securing the necessary documentation and permits, selecting the people who will guide each site and generally drawing up the non-tourist part of the visit program.
 The fact that Epirus was chosen as a pilot proposal is important, a non-tourist area (except for its beaches), which, however, has interesting monuments. In fact, the theaters of ancient Epirus reach the number ten, with that of Dodoni being the most important and also the largest, as well as that of Nikopolis, of Kassope,the small theater of Amvrakia, of Apollonia, of Bouthrotos, of the Gypsies, of Nice etc.
 The proposal also gains more interest due to the latest trend internationally to create specialized branded programs in the form of routes or networks, something that has not been done sufficiently in our country. These routes end, they are aimed at people with special interests and a high educational level, such as archaeologists, historians, architects, dramatists, directors, actors.
Source : tovima.gr
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The "concentration camp" that illuminated Athens

The Industrial Gas Museum in Technopolis "tells" the story of working life in Greece from the mid-19th to the end of the 20th century

If today's Athenian could go back a century and a half and face his working environment 1857, the year that the light gas factory was founded in today's Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, he would discover conditions that perhaps reminded him of concentration camps.  In one of the first industries of the capital, the kerosene plant created to meet the needs for public lighting, the work exceeds eight hours – which will be established in Greece as soon as 1919. Employees work without protective masks and work uniforms (factory safeguards were established around the decade 1930).
From the medical records of the factory it appears that the workers have respiratory problems and also the disease of cancer, with the most difficult conditions prevailing in the ovens, where the flue gas is cleaned of tar, the ammonia, naphthalene and hydrogen sulfide, materials unhealthy for the human body. The penal code also states that a day's wages will be deducted from anyone who does not pour the required amount of coal into the mouth of the furnace.
"The factory belongs to the category of heavy industry, but… it's still 19th century. The trade union movement took shape in the interwar period (1920-1930), so the claims for workers' rights started to become more intense. No one was forcing them to work under these conditions, but only the financial need" notes the historian Mr. Yannis Stogiannidis, who consulted historical records and collected testimonies in collaboration with the scientific team that supported the creation of the Industrial Gas Museum, which opened its doors last Sunday in Technopolis. The visitor has the opportunity to tour the factory facilities, to follow the gas production line and discover a now forgotten chapter of Athenian history.
"Light gas as the 1890 it is mainly used for lighting the streets and maybe for the shops and some shop windows" says Mr. Stogiannidis. "Homes until then were lit by candles or oil lamps and people were warmed by wood stoves. The upheaval it brings 1890 the kerosene is that it enters the house, gives basic uses, such as heating, the lighting, the operation of the kitchen and water heater".
The light gas factory is founded by the Frenchman Francis Theofilos Feraldis and when he takes over, the 1887, the Italian mineralogist Giovanni Battista Serpieri is not long in reaching his prime. The use of kerosene enters many homes. “The 1880 the factory numbers from 800 as 1.000 workers, number maintained until the 1930s".
The factory is male-dominated. In contrast to the same type of factories in other countries, here women work only in administrative services, in secretarial support or cleaning. The workers come from low social strata, mainly from areas neighboring Athens, but also several from insular and mainland Greece, while there are no immigrants.
"The great population change in Gazochori (the surrounding densely populated district where workers had begun to settle from the 1860) just brings it 1970 and 1980 the arrival of the Pomaks" says Mr. Stogiannidis. “The living conditions from the 1890 until the 1930 in Gazochori they were degraded. There was crime and outbreaks of epidemic diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. Residents have been complaining about living conditions since the beginning of the 20th century. The factory created problems in their daily lives, first and foremost the exhaust gas that covered their houses and clothes".
The onslaught of electricity
Their hope of closure begins to loom as a prospect when the 1950 the Public Electricity Company is established (PPC), which provides electricity to homes – whereas until then electricity was mainly used in industries and street lighting. "It was natural that the use of gas lighting would decline. Electricity was much safer for home use, prof’ that nitrous oxide caused several ailments, such as suffocation and poisoning, when someone forgot to open the supply. This affects the workers who are reduced the most 50% in his decade 1950. When a new energy wins the consumer public of the city and the country and makes leaps in its decades 1950 and his 1960, το φωταέριο παρακμάζει. The 1938 foreign businessmen leave. And the 1952 the Athens Municipal Gas Company is established".
Fri.’ all problems the condition of the workers improves. From the 1950 the staff begins to decrease, but the rights and benefits to the employees are increasing, their wages improve while the internal organization of the factory increases drastically, which takes on a more corporate profile. Kerosene is still used, mainly from some Athenian detached houses, from hospitals and from few but large industries, such as EVGA, OSRAM et al. It costs approx 1/5 less than electricity, but eventually the season will overtake it: the 1984 the factory closes permanently.
"Fortunately in his decade 1980 the project was saved as an industrial monument and was declared preserved" says Mr. Κωστής Μπιτζάνης, CEO of Technopolis. «Στη δεκαετία του 1990 equipment and buildings were restored. All that was left was to become a museum and tell its story, something that happened on the initiative of the current municipal authority and with an impressively low budget".
According to Mr. Bitjani, given that a Museums Department of the Municipality was created and the fees of those who collaborated for the Light Gas Museum were covered by Technopolis, its cost did not exceed the 300.000 euro. The 50% covered by natural gas companies ("who considered themselves the continuers of history"), the rest from Technopolis' income.
"The Karagiozis gasman"
"Arts meet industry" is the title of the tribute hosted by 27 January at the Fotaeri Industrial Museum. Includes the exhibition of twelve visuals entitled "Byproducts", curated by Alexandros Psychoulis, the exhibition "Workers" edited by Platon Rivellis, a photographic exhibition dedicated to the industrial themed museums of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, screenings of industry-themed motion pictures, curated by Soti Triantafillou, as well as shadow theater performances by Sotiris Charidimos entitled "O Karagiozis gasieris".
In its first weekend of operation more than 2.000 Athenians visited the Fotaeri Industrial Museum – a first vindication of those in charge of Technopolis, who seek to have its funding covered by the visits (1 ευρώ η είσοδος) και το πωλητήριο. It should be noted that in the special sales area all items, from jewelry to notebooks and caskets, are connected with the history and aesthetics of this very recognizable toponym of Athens.
Source : tovima.gr
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Diana Krall in the summer at Herodeo

Her latest work was released in October 2012 and is titled "Glad Rag Doll"

One of the most important contemporary jazz performers, Diana Krall, will appear again in Greece in the summer, specifically in Irodeion.
The Canadian singer and pianist, will appear on July 1st 2013 in Herodion.
At the request of the Canadian Embassy in Greece, the members of the Central Archaeological Council unanimously gave the "green light" to granting the use of the monument.
Diana Krall, wife of the well-known British musician Elvis Costello from 2003 and mother of two twin boys from the 2006, it is not the first time it will appear in our country.
In July of 2006 she had amazed those lucky enough to enjoy her at the Herodeion as part of the Athens Festival with her soulful voice and her exceptional skill on the piano, while his summer 2010 more than rewarded her few but loyal fans at Terra Vibe in Malacca.
She is considered one of the most successful singers worldwide, as it has sold more than 15 millions of albums in the world, of which the 6 from. only in the US.
He has won two Grammy Awards, nine gold, three platinum and seven multi-platinum albums. Her latest work was released in October 2012 and is titled "Glad Rag Doll".
Newsroom USD, with information from ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source : tovima.gr
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The "global" Kiki Dimoula was applauded in the Concert Hall

The anthology of 79 of her poems in English

As soon as she appeared and the presence of Kiki Dimoula was noticed in the packed "Alexandra Trianti" hall of the Athens Concert Hall on Tuesday afternoon (29/1) the first scattered applause also fell. When the spotlights lit up her white hair, not a few stood to applaud the 81-year-old poet as she slowly climbed the steps leading to the stage. "It would be the first time he stayed in one place for that long without smoking" and he finally succeeded.
Not in her case, it is probably needless to mention that a significant part of the youth who read it fanatically was also waiting for it in the audience. After all, "you don't need an occasion to honor Kiki Dimoulas" as the writer Yiannis Efstathiadis said at the beginning of the event (which was made in honor of this "unique literary artist" as her translator Cecile Inglesi Margellou called her, on the occasion of the publication of an anthology of her poems in the English language.
The evening indeed, beyond the expected good reasons, she also had an air of extroversion without necessarily referring to the ambassadors who attended her. Recently - after the poet's recent interview that was featured on the front page of the "International Herald Tribune" and republished by the "New York Times" - a lot has been said, even the magic word "Nobel" was heard.
One had the impression, however, that he was attending an event that had a specific goal and was part of a strategy, even if in some places it was unnecessarily pompous. Declared purpose of the bilingual edition with the 79 poems by Kiki Dimoulas under the title "The Brazen Plagiarist" (The brazen plagiarist) by Margellos World Republic of Letters (MWRL) of Yale University Press, is the worldwide recognition and award of her work.
"I bow to the incomparable national poetess of Greece who is now also a world poetess," said the director of Yale University Press, John Donatich, in a taped message, calling it a "shame" that only "the 3% of titles circulating in the US correspond to translated literature'.
The translator Cecile Inglesi Margellou highlighted the importance of translation - a "deep political act" - in the evolution of culture and the approach to otherness "because give and take is a relationship of two-way and constantly renegotiated parity". In addition, MWRL's special publishing series under the imprint of Yale University Press was created at the end of it 2007 precisely to alleviate "the appalling absence of great world literature in the English language". It is characteristic that in Greece the percentage of translated literature corresponds to 40% of the titles.
To them 50 so far titles in this series, the 10% it concerns books by Greek writers, a percentage that becomes particularly important if one considers that they are somehow co-located in it 19 different languages. "The Greeks have things to offer to the world beyond our ancient heritage," she said, referring to the wish of her husband Dori - who celebrated his sixtieth birthday on Tuesday - "that we publish Kiki in English, one of the largest modern intellectual capitals of the place". She also said that The New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines want to interview the poet.. Finally, he mentioned the long-distance "difficult but exciting" translation adventure he had with the American poet Rika Lesser, who surprisingly does not speak any Greek.
At the event, a video excerpt from the "Monogram" of Giorgos and Iros Sgourakis was shown, with the poet talking about her childhood and youth in Kypseli, holding a fan in her hand (whole, shortly, on the NET), while the actresses Katerina Didaskalou and Marina Psalti read her poems in English and Greek respectively.
The attendees, including, they heard the poem "Melancholia" by Kiki Dimoulas set to music by Nikos Xydakis (from the "Erebos" collection with which she herself appeared in the letters 1956), the first part of "Two short poems about a riddle and a road" from the collection "On the Tracks" (1963) composed by Tassos Rossopoulos and Christos Papageorgiou (with the cinematographic instructions of Argyris Papadimitropoulos) to improvise on his piano "commenting" on the poet's verses.
Yiannis Efstathiadis, who moderated the evening said, referring to whether and to what extent Dimoula's poetry can be set to music, that "in musical terms her poetry is a contradiction" as she "removes the music so that the sounds of the words can be heard so as to remind us that there is not only the time of music but also the music of time".
Kiki Dimoula took the floor after about two hours during which she watched the various artistic transformations where "everyone translated my poetry with their own inspiration and their own notes". "The translator is a co-creator" he emphasized, among other things, and "must mend the cracks in the writing" where the other language is more generous. "Cécile Inglesi Margellou's flexible translation brought together the two-faced essence of the words giving a certificate of translation legitimacy". It is "a translation so transparent that the reflection of the native language breathes from underneath," he said.
She quietly wondered if "there was poetry before the creation of the world and fear" in yet another personal testimony to the essence of her art. He wished "to save the poverty of our lives from shocking events". He thanked God "for hiding himself from us" and concluded that poetry is probably "a kind of ark to save us from the deluge of so many truths".
Read her poems, he especially thanked the many academics who attended the event and was delighted by the audience's long standing ovation at the end. He's still enjoying it, with a restrained and melancholic character.
Source : tovima.gr