Oecumenical Holy Roman Empress – In the tenth century just before schisms and crusades again divided East and West, a Byzantine princess briefly brought a sense of unity to Europe. Her memory is being honored this year in Germany and Greece.
After nearly 15 years of endless discussions, proposals and counter proposals, five Ministers of Culture, three architectural contests and storms of controversy, the issue of the New Acropolis Museum seems to be entering its last definitive and concrete stage. But is it so?
Religious icons are life companions for many Greeks, and the legends that surround them reveal their importance in the ethnic consciousness.
The traditional jewellery in the possession of Katerina Korre-Zografou may be the richest private collection of this craft in Greece. The silver costume pieces alone are a stunning historical display of three centuries’ achievement in a superb folk art.
“Wood has a grain and if you go against it, you will have to throw the work away.” Two woodcarvers speak of their traditional craft as an intimate relationship between material and artisan.
Once again on Christmas Day this year in Vitylo in Mani, male members of a clan claiming descent from the great Florentine family will be sharing a secret undisclosed for over 500 years. Beforehand, however, the secret-sharers celebrate a Mass.
From Byzantine times to the present, the printed scarf has wound together a rich fabric of legend, custom and dance.
The seventy-year history of this very special institution is the heart-warming story of how a people who scorned their past came to love and respect it.
Two very popular and charming subjects of 19th century ceramic art expressed national aspirations on dinnerware by illustrating the heroic exploits of the War of Independence and later the figures of reigning royalty.
During the last few months the French Institute has been celebrating its 15th anniversary. Promoting France’s very special intellectual values while embodying the fine flavor of its daily life, this monument to culture also has its sentimental side. Two of its directors fell in love and married brilliant Greek women.
