Run-a-Way
The Cultural Way
In this section we are going to present various areas related to culture.
Athens has many interesting museum and organizations which are not known. We strongly believe that it is worth not only presenting them but actually supporting them, because they make Athens a vivid, active and colorful city.
From museums to theaters and from theaters to music halls Athens has many thinks to show you.
None can deny that "The Acropolis Museum" is a “must see” but do you know about the "Cartoon Museum" which is located in Vathi’s Square?
Free Museums
In the majority of museums you have to pay a ticket to enter. Although the prices of tickets are low, some people can afford them. For that reason, we find museum in the center of Athens with free admission.
ΑΤΗΕΝS UNIVERSITY HISTORY MUSEUM
Tholou 5, Plaka
This museum is located in a building which functioned as the first University of the independent Greek state. The collections include: manuscripts, diplomas, scientific, portraits, photographs, medals, seals and University memorabilia.
Diogenous 1-3, Plaka
In this museum is presented the collection of 1200 Greek folk musical instruments from the 18th century to the present day. Instruments Museum has also a library, audio file and a large database for songs. During summer the Instruments Museum organizes many concerts.
National Bang of Greece HistoricalArchive
3th Septemvriou 146
There are collections of banknote, coin, photographs, NBG calendar, Furniture and appliances, Architectural designs, Ceramic objects, Metal printing plates.
Melidoni 4-6, Keramikos:
The collection consists of 5000 pottery from all over the country. In addition, the museum offer pottery lessons for free. In the Pottery Museum there are, also, café, library and gift ship.
...to be continued
Many Cars in Athens
Nooooo, I don't mean the traffic jam but The Hellenic Motor Museum.
When I first read about Hellenic Motor Museum I thought that is a periodic exhibition which came from abroad and would stay in Athens for a couple of months. Only some months ago, I realized that Hellenic Motor Museum is actually a real museum which is located in 3th Septmvriou.
The founder of this museum is Theodore Charagionis who make his dream come true. He was a rally driver and he start collecting cars in 1977. Now his collection has over than 290 cars.
Some years ago, Theodore Charagionis managed to open a beautiful museum in the center of Athens in which is exhibited 122 cars. The exhibits will be renewed every two years. I have to mention that a part of the museums is open to the public without ticket. But the museum is so organized and unique that is really worth paying a ticket.
And if you are not convinced yet to visit the Hellenic Motor Museum , some images will make you change your mind .
The Stage is Yours
Athens has over than 200 theaters. That means that every year more than 500 plays are presented to the audience. Of course, it not worth attending all of them but definitely you can find something to your taste. From National Theater to Booze Cooperativa, there is a great variety of areas where you can discover a stage.
In this article I will help you find some hidden stages.
It is not surprising that "Michael Cacoyannis" Foundation include a theater. The surprising thing is that "Michael Cacoyannis" Foundation has 3 stages which are located in the garage.
The “Theatro Neou Kosmou” has 3 stages which are active all over the year. But, while it is easy to find where the two main stages are, it is difficult to find the third stage which is downstairs.
“Bios” is also an interesting place where can find all kind of art. The theater could not be excluded.
In “Knot Gallery” you can discover another alternative stage.
Another theater that is worth mentioning is “Empros Theater” which a self-managed organization. “Empros Theater” did not lend its stage but offer it to artists who want to present their work.
We could dedicate the entire blog to this issue but our purpose was to make you be alert because every stage in Athens can be yours.
Hellenic Children Museum
The characteristic of this museum is the interactive exhibits which let children discover new aspect of live.
The Museum of Greek Children’s Art expose exclusively drawings created by children 5 to 14 years old. The Museum’s main aim is to promote the children’s art.
This is a special and unique museum which uses alternatives ways in order to encourage children to discover their emotional world and improve their interpersonal skills. In the same time make parent and teachers understand children’s emotional development and socialization.
What About Children?
It’s also important to present tree museum which are specialized in children. Children have their own places in Athens where they can learn and express their self.
Music Everywhere
For Athens European Music Day is an established institution which take place every summer on city’s street. If you visit Athens this period, you will release that beautiful sounds and melodies come from every corner. For this year the program is not announced, yet. But, it is to be announced in the next hours. As it happens, we look forward to being informed about the artists who are going to play for us.
A walk in Athens will be like an endless concert with musicians from around the world.
Info: For 2013 the European Music Day will de held from 19 to 21 june.
Technopolis
In the heart of Athens you can find a multipurpose venue that named Technopolis.
The premises of "Technopolis" includes patios and enclosed exhibit space, conference rooms, cultural events and presentations, music, dance, theater, photos, painting, comics, hagiography and any artistic event. Also in the same place in a special designed first reservoir - reservoir sites are located the municipal radio station Athens 9.84, also the Museum of Maria Callas (housed at the "Andreas Embirikos"), across the R / S 9.84, and Globe of Peace at the official login of installation.
The former tanks (reservoirs), warehouses, industrial plants, kilns, ovens etc. have transformed in an artistic "tying" for the aims of the new presentation and art production space.
What else you can do in Technopolis :
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Visit the Industrial Gas Museum
The Industrial Gas Museum opened its doors to the public in 2013. The main objective of the Museum is the promotion and protection of the old Athens Gasworks plant, an industrial heritage monument that supplied energy and lighting in the Athens metropolitan area for 130 years.
The visit to the Museum includes a museum path with 13 stops in specific areas of the factory. The museum path tour helps the visitor follow the gas production line, admire the mechanical equipment and the old machinery, learn about the role played by the management and workers of the factory, find out about the work conditions and become familiar with terms such as industrial heritage and archaeology.
The Museum has a rich collection of photographs and archive material as well as audiovisual material, including short films and recorded interviews of factory workers and residents of the area. The museum’s collection is further enriched with items from the factory itself as well as interactive applications.
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Enjoy your cafe in a peaceful area in the heart of Athens
Coffee shops and restaurants. In a large space framed with trees and paved areas, visitors can enjoy a coffee, a soft drink or a meal after their visit to the tens of events that organized at the exhibition centre.
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And for the children
Plenty of room for any kind of activities and a specially designed playground for our little friends to spend their time while their parents enjoying their coffee.
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The Industrial Gus Museum Shop
The Industrial Museum Gasworks is a source of creativity for the shop so all objects, from jewelry to notebooks and pencil cases, be linked to the history and aesthetics of this very recognizable place name in Athens.
The journey in time, images of the past to the present, the old and the new function space, and the overall feel of the visitor in the museum Technopolis reflected in utilitarian and decorative objects.
The objective of the sales is to honor and inspired not only by the Museum itself but also by the industrial character. Employing concepts like innovation and entrepreneurship necessary for the success of the industry, the Museum differentiated and undertakes the entire production process of industrial objects in collaboration with Greek craftsmen and factories. So based on the work of Greek industrial designer as well as domestic production while achieving a final product without intermediaries at the lowest possible price for the buyer.
Visit their facebook page :
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Industrial-Gas-Museum-Shop/199014420238840?ref=hl
Badminton Theater
The Badminton Theater, is multipurpose area dedicated to organizing events of medium and large scale. It is located within the metropolitan Army Park of Athens, Goudi . In its areas it is hosting concerts, theatrical performances, dance performances and musicals. In parallel, conferences, workshops, presentations and corporate events.
In January 2007, the Badminton Theatre opened its doors to the public.
Keeping only the shell of the building which was originally designed to accommodate the sport of badminton in the Olympics in Athens in 2004, changes and configurations are made, they completely changed the interior, thus creating the largest, modern and updated for modern global artistic trends theater in Greece.
Particular attention was paid during the conversion of the building from stage to theater, and maintained the industrial style of the outer casing and the very large external surroundings. The space of the interior of the building has been formed from a sports arena into a luxurious theater!
On January 31, 2007 inaugurated the successful performance of Swan Lake Matthew Bourne. The most famous musicals of Broadway, the greatest Greek productions, the most successful shows the West End, the finest Parisian variete, the most important orchestras in the world, classical ballet, internationally acclaimed composers, singers and performers will find the stage of the Theatre Badminton ideal environment to present their projects in as many people as possible with an affordable ticket.
All areas of the building is fully equipped to meet the specific needs of each production.
More Music
To continue with music, I would like to introduce you to classical music and opera. There are two organizations in Athens which offer this kind of shows.
First, Megaron: The Athens Concert Hall. It has three stages and hosts every year many well-known artists offering in Athens citizen the opportunity to enjoy excellent music. It is also worth mentioning that Megaron give space to accomplished young people in order to present their compositions.
Also, Megaron has an active present regarding lectures, dance and theater. But the main advantage of Megaron is its garden which a large green area behind the main building. The garden attracts every day many people who want relax. Not only that but many event and concert are organized there (sometimes with no ticket) attracting –mainly- teenagers.
Then, there is National Opera which specialized in opera and Ballet Theater. Sometimes it looks like an old fashion organization which has nothing to offer to young people. But, honestly, if you attend a performance there , you will be fascinated and the whole experience will be memorable.
Don’t forget to inform you that Nation Opera will be relocated in new premises close to sea in 2015.
