The author tells in his unique humorous way what he went through when he had to work as…elf!

Are you worried?, during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, when the flashing lights start menacing public and private spaces; Are you tired of window displays with fake snow and plastic Santas who smile the same way every year at bewildered customers; It makes you uncomfortable when you hear the song "Rudolph the Reindeer" everywhere; Do you resent the peculiarity of the festive climate imposed by m’ an extraordinary way of joy, hope and of course consumption;

If you believe that goblins – there are also – they have to shake off that seasonal euphoria at some point, then you must read the American's Christmas Country DiariesDavid Sentaris. S’ this short novella, the humorist writer of Greek origin, he describes with his sly sarcasm what attracted him when he decided to work, black as he was, as a multi-tasking and "full-time" elf in the world's largest store, «Macy's in Herald Square» during a festive season which always creates the need for additional support staff.

The author's narrative, a hilarious tour of a multidimensional bureaucracy that "sells" the holiday experience and souvenirs from’ her photos for an exorbitant fee, leads us to believe that it would be better to be a reindeer and pull Santa's sleigh in distant Lapland than to wear "green velvet suit» and be humble p’ an annex of the mythical house of s’ an American department store that accepts young and old.

We follow the hero, among many other ridiculous things, to rage with the other elves, freaking out when it comes to taking over a cash register and losing control when the store gets crowded. «Any sane person would leave if they knew they would have to wait over two hours to see Santa. Two hours – you could see onefilm in two hours. Standing in a line that will last two hours makes people worry that they don't live in a democratic state». But the purpose is one: for as many people as possible to stay in "Christmasland" and consume as many products as possible while there. In other words "we were an efficient machine in the chaos" where at any time it is possible to anagram "Santa" (Santa Claus) with "Satan" (Satan).

The working elves go through many devious ways to keep up the interest of distracted parenting parents and young children who, because they are not happy enough, their parents slap them and demand ap’ αυτά να σταματήσουν το κλάμα και να χαμογελάσουν στο ξωτικό που περιμένει να τους τραβήξει φωτογραφία σαν μια ευτυχισμένη οικογένεια. «Some of these kids get anxious before they see Santa. They pace up and down and shake hands looking at the floor. They pretend to be going to a job interview» thinks the narrator, trying to reassure a child. «Don't worry, Santa isn't going to judge you. He is not strict. He used to be very critical but people were protesting so he stopped. Trust me, you don't need to worry»…

It is interesting the embarrassment with which he, the v’ other magical world faces reality, that is, when children with disabilities or mental retardation go to see Santa Claus. And when Sendaris describes these situations he does so with sensitivity. With the rest he is amusingly merciless. «I witnessed a fist fight between two moms and watched a woman suffer a severe agoraphobic panic attack: he fell to the floor trying to breathe, waving her arms as if chasing away bats. A Long Island father called Santa a sister for not reciting “Christmas Eve” to his child».

THEHenry James he said that "experience is the very atmosphere of the intellect” and in the mind of David Sedaris everything is strange, surreal, desperate jokes. The author read this novella for the first time, which later became a play, in the morning program of NPR (National Public Radio) of the USA on 23 of December 1992. From then on he became more widely known and subsequently the books he published climbed several times on the bestseller lists in America.

The author's books in Greek http://www.vivlionet.gr/

Source : tovima.gr

"Culture month" dedicated to economically and socially vulnerable groups is declared in December by thirteen cultural institutions of Athens providing events (representations, concerts, exhibitions, educational programs, movie screenings etc. a.) with free entry for art lovers, they want to follow the culture but the circumstances do not allow them.

The extraordinary initiative was organized in a short period of time and is the result of the meeting held last September around Crisis and Culture. An informal Network of Cultural Organizations called "APO KOINOU" was created then, from people who, despite the times and passing from the individual to the collective, declared their intention to develop synergies to strengthen the role of culture in social development, making everyone's everyday life better. The agencies participate in the network: ART – ATHENS, Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens International Film Festival, National Opera, National Theatre, National Book Center, Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation, "Hellenic World" Cultural Center, State Orchestra of Athens, Museum of Cycladic Art, Benaki Museum, Athens Biennale, House of Letters and Arts – Onassis Foundation.

Specifically, the "Culture Month" program includes the following actions per organization:

ART – Athens: Program of guided tours and other activities with free entry to art galleries in Athens and Thessaloniki. Among others from Athens, AD galleries participate, Art Gallery “Kaplanon 5”, Astrolabe, About, Andreas Melas & Helena Papadopoulos, Art Zone 42, Batagianni gallery, Ersi Gallery, expression – Gianna Gramatopoulos, food, Ileana Tounda Center for Contemporary Art, K – art, Medusa Art Gallery, Qbox, Rebecca Camhi, Cap, The Apartment, The Breeder, Titanium Yiayiannos Gallery, and Artis Causa from Thessaloniki, TinT Gallery and Zina Athanassiadou Gallery. (Detailed program at www. art – Athens. gr)

Byzantine and Christian Museum: Christmas workshops for children at 11 and 17 and 18 December. Young visitors will make Christmas cards and ornaments starting with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons and other selected objects from the Museum's collections, which illustrate different episodes from the Nativity narrative. For children 5 to 8 years with free membership. However, since places are limited, a strict priority order will be observed. registration on the phone 213 213 9507 Sunday 11, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December. Start times: 10: 00 and 12: 00 (www. byzantinemuseum. gr)

Athens International Film Festival: Apollo Cinemax Class cinemas offer free screenings to the unemployed (Stadium 19), Danaos 1 and Danaos 2 (Kifissia 109) and Nirvana Cinemax (Alexandra 192) in collaboration with the Athens International Film Festival. Specifically on Monday 12 and on Monday 19 December entry will be free for holders of unemployment cards recognized by the OAED: for Apollo and Nirvana cinemas, the offer is valid for the first evening screening and for Danaos cinemas 1 and 2 for all views. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis – depending on the available seats of the cinemas – and in the scheduled screenings of those days. (Information at www. aiff. gr.)

National Opera: Grant 100 seats for the ballet performance "Everyone dances a waltz!» of December 11.. The positions will be given to registered unemployed and elderly people over 68 years while the is made from the funds of the EU. L. S. (Academy 59-61) in order of priority (09.00-21.00, daily). It is necessary to show an unemployment card – identity. (Information: 2103662100, www. nationalopera. gr)

National Theatre: Provides 30 places with reduced entry 5 euro (in order of priority) to young people, elderly and unemployed for the performance of William Shakespeare's play "Pericles" directed byYannis Houvardas on the Main Stage, on Thursday 22/12. Free viewing of her "Peter's Walk" performanceAlkis Zeiin the Children's Stage for special groups of children, after consultation with the competent authorities. Performance of "Antigone" by Sophocles directedTakis Tzamargiain prisons, on Wednesday 14/12. Organization of a tour of the grounds of Ethniko on Monday 19/12 at 11.00 in the morning, open to the public. (Information at the press office of the National Theater and email promodept@n – t. gr)

National Book Center: Festival of Young Writers. A two-day focus on the new generation of Greek creators with the presentation 40 emerging writers, which are recommended by literary magazines as well as parallel events of dialogue with the other arts: movie screenings, dance and theater performance, speculatively, comic, musical happenings, competitions, workshops (all events are open to the public). On Friday 9 and on Saturday 10 December at the Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation. (Detailed program of events: http: //www. festivalneonlogotechnon. gr/, Information: National Book Center, tel. 210-9200300, info@ekebi.gr, www. half. gr)

Michalis Kakogiannis Foundation: Movie Wednesdays with free admission with a small tribute to Woody Allen. From Wednesday 7 until Wednesday 28 December, time 21:30. In collaboration with New Star andVelissario Kossyvakis. (Information and seat reservations on a first-come, first-served basis: 210 34 18 579, Mon – Fri. 10: 00 – 14:00). Parallel Events – Music is echoing: Δύο μικρές Jazz συναυλίες στο φουαγέ του Ιδρύματος (14/12 and 21/12 at 21:00) από το Ωδείο Φίλιππος Νάκας (Information 210 52 44 648, 6972 710 991)

"Hellenic World" Cultural Center : Εκατό δωρεάν εισιτήρια για την έκθεση «Υπάρχει σε όλα λύση; Ταξίδι στον κόσμο των αρχαίων ελληνικών μαθηματικών». One hundred free tickets for the exhibition "Yiannis Metsis – Athens Experimental Ballet". Fifty free tickets for the screenings of "THOLOS". (Πληροφορίες για την παροχή εισιτηρίων στα τηλέφωνα: 2122542001-4. www. hellenic – cosmos. gr)

State Orchestra of Athens: Special offer 50 δωρεάν εισιτηρίων σε εγγεγραμμένους ανέργους για κάθε μία από τις ακόλουθες συναυλίες: «Το Χαμένο Παλάτι των Θεών» – Έργα τωνGluck, Tchaikovsky, XenakiandHaydn, Friday 09.12.2011, 20: 30 Athens Concert Hall. "On the Edge of Legend" – Έργα τωνSibelius, Beethoven, Strauss, Friday 16.12.2011, 20: 30 Athens Concert Hall. "Christmas Concert" – The 4 his flute quartetMozart, Monday 19.12.2011, 20.30 Parnassos Philological Association Concert Hall. (Information on the phones 210 7257601-3. For collection, it is required to show an unemployment card recognized by the OAED and a police ID card. Priority will be given. www. too. gr)

Museum of Cycladic Art: Ελεύθερη είσοδο στην νέα έκθεση «Άγονη Γραμμή. Ένα αρχαιολογικό ταξίδι στο Καστελλόριζο, στη Σύμη, στη Χάλκη, στην Τήλο και τη Νίσυρο» την Πέμπτη 15 December 2011 (10.00 – 20.00). At 18.30 θα πραγματοποιηθεί ξενάγηση για το κοινό. (Ε: communication@cycladic.gr)

Benaki Museum: In the main building. Educational Christmas program "Santa is looking for partners" on 18 December (11.00-14.00) and on 29 December (17.00-20.00) for young and old visitors, with the aim of discovering the rich collections of the Museum through an exciting game. Entrance free.

In the Islamic Museum. Two free guided tours by the curatorsMina MoraitouandRosanna Ballianfor an introduction to Islamic culture, on Saturday 10 December, time 11.00, for unemployment card holders and on Saturday 17 December, time 11.00, special tour of refugee groups (Οργάνωση σε συνεργασία με το Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες). Priority will be given. Μέγιστος αριθμός επισκεπτών 35 individuals.

Στο Κτήριο οδού Πειραιώς. Ξεναγήσεις στην έκθεση «Νίκος Χουλιαράς. The back rooms of the mind" on Friday 9 December time 19.00 to unemployment card holders and Sunday 11 December, time 12.00 in refugee groups (Οργάνωση σε συνεργασία με το Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες). Priority will be given. Μέγιστος αριθμός επισκεπτών 35 individuals. (Information on the phone 210 3671023, www. benaki. gr)

Athens Biennale: Free entry is provided to the unemployed, teachers and special categories of visitors’ throughout the 3rd Athens Biennale 2011 ONE ROAD (to 11 December). Σε συνεργασία με το Εθνικό Κέντρο Βιβλίου και το Ίδρυμα Μιχάλης Κακογιάννης η 3η Μπιενάλε της Αθήνας 2011 ΜΟΝΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ παρουσιάζει στο 1ο Φεστιβάλ Νέων Λογοτεχνών (9 – 10 December 2011) his play "Rhinoceros".Eugene Ionescoin audio performance by Stelios Karamanolisand herTula Plumi and his "Notes on a Modern Novel" videoΜάκη Μαλαφέκα. (Πληροφορίες στα τηλ. 6945037687, 210 52 32 222, E: press@athensbiennial. org)

House of Letters and Arts – Onassis Foundation: At 14 Δεκεμβρίου στη συναυλία του συνόλου DissonART αφιερωμένη στονΙάννη Ξενάκη (δέκα χρόνια μετά τον θάνατο του) θα υπάρχουν 200 θέσεις δωρεάν, in order of priority on the phones 2109005800 and 2130178036. www. sgt. gr

Source : tovima.gr