What does FFF stand for? What does Fast Forward Festival mean? What are new media, new technologies, and new forms and how can they be used in everyday artistic practice? The festival refers to unconventional performances that will take place at the Onassis Cultural Centre and selected parts of Athens, in order to help the audience ‘see’ art and the city from a new perspective. For 2 weeks, from May 5th - 19th, the Onassis Cultural Centre, Omonia Square, Syntagma Square, Piraeus Port, and Drapetsona, will host collective art projects and performances, counter to the individualistic culture that dominates today.
New technologies sceptically integrate into various artistic activities and performances such as cinema, social choreography, and theater in order to bring to light existing or possible ways to coexist in the contemporary metropolis. FFF will pose questions about art and its dynamic in a constantly changing society.
Located just a few minutes away from Athens’ city center, the Attica region has a surprising number of large and historic monasteries. Standing proudly over the city are some of Orthodoxy’s greatest monastic treasures; these monasteries offer a place of religious devotion and contemplation – a haven of serenity.
The Monastery Of Agios Ioannis Prodromos
The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos of Kareas, lies on the slopes of Mount Hymettus. Although the exact date of establishment remains unknown, some written mentions date it to the 11th or 12th century, while there are also valid arguments supporting that it was founded in 1644. What is definitely known, is that during the 17th century, this monastery was part of the Petrakis Monastery. Finally, after many years of abandonment, snice 1971 it has functioned as a women’s monastery.
Monastery Of Agios Ioannis Theologos
The Agios Ioannis Theologos Monastery is located on the western slope of Mount Hymettus and dates back to the 16th or 17th century. In the 1700s it was part of the Petrakis Monastery; since 1971 it has operated as a women’s monastery. Of exceptional interest are the well preserved frescoes in various parts of its catholicon depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the Apostles.
Monastery Of Kaisariani
The complex seen today was erected in the 11th century, however, the Monastery of Kaisariani was founded in the 5th or 6th century on a neighboring hill of the present site. During the Frankish and Ottoman occupation, Kaisariani was an abundant monastery, yet by 1834 the monastery was completely deserted. The monument of interest at this site is a bathhouse that had a water supply system which was later converted into an olive press factory.
Asteriou Monastery
Located northeast of the Kaisariani Monastery is the Monastery of Taksiarhis, more popularly known as the Asteriou Monastery. Its history dates back to the 16th century when it was rich in academic purpose and had a flourishing library; by 1833, the monastery was gradually deserted. It remained in ruins until 1960 when it was finally restored to what we see today, including its catholicon, altar, cells, and an outdoor space with a fountain.
The Monastery of Agios Ioannis Kynigos
The Agios Ioannis Kynigos Monastery is located on the northern side of Mount Hymettus. Also known as the Monastery of the Baptist, the Monastery of the Philosophers or the Monastery of the Hunter of Philosophers, its names are all associated with its founder Philosophos, a monk believed to have come from the Philosophon Monastery in the region of Gortynia, Greece. This monastery survived the Turkish occupation until it was destroyed in 1833. Its catholicon is adorned with frescoes which date from the 17th century, and its impressive 13th century marble iconostasis was restored in 1960. Today, the monastery operates as a nunnery.
Penteli Monastery
Devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Penteli Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Greece. Founded around 1570 by Bishop Timotheos of Evripos, the monastery gathered ascetics from the surrounding area of Penteli. Under Ottoman occupation, the monastery was quite wealthy and was granted many privileges; it also played an important role in the Greek War of Independence. From the original 12th century construction, the catholicon and nursing home still survive, as does a library of significant traditional and historical value.
Open House Worldwide is a major, global institution for the promotion of architecture. The idea began in London in 1992 and has rapidly spread to many countries and cities, highlighting the value of architecture and its contribution to our lives. For one weekend a year, private and public buildings are open to visitors and the entire city is transformed into a massive museum, offering the public the opportunity to explore the history of architecture; which is, in essence, a history of human civilization.
Definitely add Open House to your to do’s this spring! Taking place in Athens for the last five consecutive years, the sixth edition is scheduled for April 6th and 7th, 2019. The event is made possible largely by volunteerism; hundreds of volunteers are responsible for welcoming and escorting thousands of people and groups. The project also includes a series of parallel events, like Open Hunt which is a city-wide ‘treasure hunt’ where participants have to explore and discover everyday items like a signature lamp; Isomat Open is a poll whereby participants vote for the building that impressed them the most, and Open Bauhaus involves visiting buildings that were deeply influenced by the Bauhaus movement, Open Embassy, is a guided tour of Athens’ embassies which are housed in buildings of architectural importance, and many more such exciting parallel events will be happening across the city.
Learn more and discover Athens' fascinating architectural profile by participating in interesting tours or fun games.
Kleanthis' and Schaubert’s great neoclassical house, located on Tholou Street in Plaka, housed the first University of the independent Greek state. The university was founded by order of Ioannis Kapodistrias, and the building actually functioned originally as the residence of architects and colleagues Kleanthis and Schaubert; they were also responsible for some of the city's urban planning. In 1987, under the Rectorship of Michalis Stathopoulos, the building inaugurated its current function as Athens University's History Museum. The Museum’s permanent exhibition includes rare items that are associated with the institution, such as books, manuscripts, medals, photographs, the school seals, portraits of professors, as well as other valuable exhibits.
The Museum's Building
The historically significant building which housed the first University of Athens is known as Kleanthis' Residence. It was built before the 18th century and is one of the very few surviving buildings of the pre-Otto period. In 1831, Kleanthis and Schaubert bought and renovated the building which from 1837, and for four years, housed the first University of Greece. From 1841, the building was used as a private residence, a workplace, a school, barracks, a refugee shelter, and a tavern. The museum's goal is to offer visitors, students, and families the opportunity to get acquainted with Greece's, and the Eastern Mediterranean's, first university.
The museum organizes daily guided tours for those interested. It also hosts conferences, while during the summer its welcoming yard is home to various concerts and theatrical performances.
