33 Reasons Why Athens Is The Next Big Thing! (photos)

Athens is once again on the rise. Dealt a black eye during the financial crisis and the ensuing media coverage of the unrest, the country has pulled itself together and its capital has never been more lively. 

With visitor numbers back up, a recent New York Times article touting the town, and a new campaign to make curious tourists feel more at home (#ImAnAthenian), Athens has regained its confidence and is ready to show the world why this city is the next big thing.

Γείτονες ξαναφτιάχνουν το μαγαζάκι των μεταναστών που κάηκε στο Ηράκλειο

Την περασμένη εβδομάδα το μαγαζί που διατηρούσε μετανάστης από το Μπαγκλαντές στο Ηράκλειο της Κρήτης στην οδό Γιαμπουδή, έγινε στάχτη μετά από φωτιά που ξέσπασε τις πρώτες πρωινές ώρες.

Τα αίτια της πυρκαγιάς παραμένουν ακόμη άγνωστα, ενώ προανάκριση διενεργεί το ανακριτικό τμήμα της Πυροσβεστικής, που εξετάζει και το ενδεχόμενο εμπρησμού με ρατσιστικά κίνητρα.

Οι γείτονες, ωστόσο, πήραν την πρωτοβουλία να φτιάξουν από την αρχή το μίνι μάρκετ. Καθάρισαν τις στάχτες και τα αποκαΐδια και πλέον το «μαγαζάκι» -όπως το αποκαλούν- είναι έτοιμο για την ανακαίνιση.

Dimitris ‘DK’ Kyrsanidis Wins Red Bull Art of Motion Santorini 2014! (video)

Local hero Dimitris Kyrsanidis (GRE) seized victory at Red Bull Art of Motion 2014 by beating 17 of the world’s best freerunning athletes on Santorini’s urban track. Pavel Petkuns (LAT) came second and Alexander Baiturin (RUS) finished third to grab the two remaining podium spots.

It was a winning run full of creative tricks and fluid movements from Kyrsanidis who gave a world-class performance above the whitewashed stone roofs of Santorini to impress the judges. A crowd of 1,500 spectators celebrated the 19-year-old winning the fourth edition of freerunning’s most celebrated title. The shock result saw two-time champion Pavel Petkuns pushed into second place.

17-year-old Greek Invents Smartglasses for the Blind

Greek teenager Angelos Getsis won Google’s Science Fair 2014 for creating a pair of smartglasses that can help blind people navigate the city.

The 17-year-old from the city of Arta, Greece, said that the glasses can replace the cane used by the blind.

Leonidas Kavakos wins Gramophone Awards 2014 Artist of the Year! (video)

46-year old Kavakos was presented with the coveted award by trumpeter Alison Balsom at this year's Gramophone Classical Music Awards, held at St. Johns Smith Square, London, on September 17th. 

The award for the acclaimed Greek violinist and conductor was voted for by the public.

Greek junior women's water polo team takes gold in U19 European championship

Greece’s junior women's water polo team won the gold medal in the European Championship held in Ostia, Italy. The Greek U19 team beat hosts Italy in the final 7-6 and were crowned European champions.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Announces Emergency Relief Grant to Help Combat Ebola Epidemic

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has announced a $500,000 emergency relief grant to international non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders, to help combat the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Thessaloniki Mayor wears yellow star in protest against fascism

The mayor of the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki wore a yellow Star of David, similar to the ones worn by Jews rounded up in the city during WWII, to his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday in protest against fascism.

Newly re-elected Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, 72, pinned the badge to his jacket in response to the presence of far-right Golden Dawn MP Artemis Mathaiopoulos on the municipal council, the daily Kathimerini reported.

Innovative convertible high heels launched by Greek students

A group of young Greek students - Loukas Karakikes, Athena Tsiligaridis and Calliope Tatsis - have launched an innovative product that would certainly attract every woman's attention: convertible high heels.

The three students from Democritus University of Thrace in northern Greece came up with the idea of convertible shoes after looking at the market and women's daily routines.

Google Announces Initiative to "Grow Greek Tourism Online"

On August 19th, Google announced a plan that will improve Greek tourism’s online communication tools, in collaboration with the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE).

The “Grow Greek Tourism Online” project aims to provide enterprises operating in the tourism sector with the necessary internet-related skills and tools that will help them boost their business even after the end of the summer season.