Christmas in Athens! > the events
December 6, 2006
Athens Mayor Theodoros Bechrakis and City of Athens Cultural Organisation Chairman Nitsa Loule on Monday presented this year’s “Christmas in Athens” programme of festivities.
Following the success of this relatively new tradition, the City of Athens is once again hosting an extensive programme of events for all ages with the aim of spreading Christmas cheer throughout the city and its neighbourhoods. Santa Claus, festive games and music performances will bring seasonal cheer to the central squares of Syntagma and Kotzia, as well as the Zappeion Gardens! Street theatre, among other exciting events, will spread Christmas joy throughout Athens neighbourhoods, including Pangrati, Thissio, Kypseli and Ambelokipi! Meanwhile, the City of Athens Philharmonic and music ensembles will fill city streets and squares with Christmas melodies! This year, “Christmas in Athens” comprises the following:
SANTA’S NEIGHBOURHOOD
Location: Syntagma Square
Duration: December 14, 2006 – January 7, 2007
Launch: Thursday, December 14, 2006
Operating hours: 9:00 – 21:00 daily
A Christmas tradition firmly established by the City of Athens, Syntagma Square is once again revealing its sweet, magical charm.
Our beloved Town of Treats is donning its seasonal best, ready to welcome us to its little world of luscious Christmas delights! Fifteen multi-hued, wooden confectionery cabins situated along the length of the square will host local patisseries, tempting visitors with Yuletide sweets from Greece and abroad.
Aside from the popular confectionery cabins, which this year will be more radiant and enchanting than ever, Syntagma is also playing host to Santa’s Neighbourhood.
Santa Claus is coming to Athens, Syntagma to be exact, and invites youngsters to visit his home, Santa’s Workshop. St Basil, as he is known in Greece, will welcome children to his unique house, where they will have the chance to explore the various rooms and see Santa’s helpers, the little elves, create toys as well as inspect the toy storeroom, which is full of exciting gifts.
Children can take photographs, play and chat with Santa and his elves, and get to know their magical world through games and fairytales.
The impressive, natural-looking Christmas tree, to take pride of place in the centre of the square, will bring festive cheer to Syntagma. Colourful Christmas balls will adorn its branches, while bright, white lights bring it to life.
This year, in Santa’s Neighbourhood, you will encounter a very different carousel!
An imposing antique carousel dating to 1886 will add olde worlde atmosphere, no doubt bringing smiles to the faces of young and old. The 80-seat carousel featuring vividly-painted horses and charming carriages will take young Athenians and city visitors on a ride through a bygone era!
LAND OF WISHES
Location: Kotzia Square (Ethnikis Antistaseos)
Duration: December 16, 2006 – January 7, 2007
Launch: Saturday, December 16, 2006
Operating hours: 9:00 – 21:00 daily
This year Kotzia Square is not only home to a Christmas Market and Baby carousel but also the Land of Wishes!
At the Workshop of Wishes, youngsters can design their own Christmas cards, obtain specially-issued stamps featuring the Christmas in Athens logo, and send their wishes via the Post-box of Wishes.
The Christmas Market and its quaint wooden cabin shops return to Kotzia Square, with many surprises in store! Cheerful Yuletide colours and dazzling lights will put all of us in the Christmas mood! Visit the 36 cabin shops, which form a miniature town, where you can relish festive aromas, discover seasonal gift ideas and sample sweet mulled wine and tasty treats!
Situated on the attractive square in front of City Hall, the new, brightly-coloured Baby carousel entices both youngsters and the young-at-heart to hop on. Kids will adore the specially-built 10-seater carousel and its horses!
Kotzia’s 11m-high, green Christmas tree will be adorned with ornate traditional toys and provide the backdrop for a stage hosting music performances for all tastes, that will take place most evenings.
Come along and enjoy the entertainment, exchange wishes for the festive season and listen carefully… you might actually hear your wish out loud!
Starting Saturday, December 16, all are welcome to take a stroll through the Land of Wishes. You’re invited to the fun-filled party for the lighting of the Christmas tree!
KIDS’ TOWN
Location: Zappeion Gardens
Duration: December 23, 2006 – January 7, 2007
Launch: Saturday, December 23, 2006
Operating hours: 11:00 – 20:00 daily
Kids’ Town, at the Zappeion Gardens, not only welcomes Athens’ youngest citizens but also those who are a little older…
Zappeion Gardens will be transformed into a snowy wonderland offering visitors endless hours of fun. Raise the adrenalin factor by taking a ride with inflatable tubes down a slide filled with real snow.
Youngsters will love the various rides and games spread throughout Zappeion’s Christmas wonderland.
At the giant Christmas stocking-shaped Gift Workshop, children have the opportunity, with the assistance of on-site staff, to create candles and Christmas ornaments using spices, make balloon figures together with Santa Claus, and turn into elves and fairies with the use of face-painting techniques.
We’ll all board the vibrant little train and enjoy Christmas tunes on our trip through Kids’ Town around snow-covered trees, past giant board games and amid happenings!
Storytellers will recite fairy-tales for our young visitors at the cozy, festive Fairy-tale Workshop, housed in an oversized dollhouse.
A huge snowman will host the Workshop of Happiness, where children can have a laugh with puppet theatre and pantomime performances, while stilt-walkers amuse with their antics.
Athens’ smallest citizens can take a ride on one of the two baby carousels at Zappeion.
Come with us and let’s play, draw and create…
Let’s feel the Christmas spirit…
And explore magical pathways…
See also >
The full programme of Christmas in Athens events
The programme of performances organised by the City of Athens Music Ensembles
UPDATE >
A highlight this year is the Snow Slide, featuring real snow, at the Zappeion Gardens. For more details, see www.christmasinathens.gr (in Greek and English).
Christmas in Athens, Greece
December 6, 2006
The Mayor of Athens, Mr. Behrakis, and the president of the city’s cultural center, Mrs. Loule, have announced the program of the Christmas activities and events planned for the city of Athens the holiday season.
Athens, as done the last few years, will be decorated and fairy tale props, rich colors, bright lights, games and spectacles will create an enchanting atmosphere in the entire city for the Christmas season.
Syntagma Square will maintain its “sweet” and magical character and invites all, Athenians and visitors, to sweet temptations and fabulous tastes.
City of Athens Music Ensemble celebrate Christmas
December 6, 2006
The City of Athens Music Ensemble greet Christmas this year with a series of performances by the City’s Symphonic Orchestra and Mixed Choir.
Five concerts will be held, on December 11, 17, 23, 27 and 29, featuring works of great classical composers, excerpts of well-known operas and beloved Christmas melodies that will add to the city’s festive atmosphere.
“We want to make the festive season even more enjoyable for Athenians through music which conveys the spirit and magic of Christmas in a unique way,” said Music Ensembles chairman and City Councillor Katerina Katsabe-Marneri.
The programme of concerts is as follows:
Monday, December 11, 2006 – National Opera, Time: 8.30pm
Performance of Sacred Music by Mozart, Bruckner and Wagner, Conductor: Eleftherios Kalkanis
Sunday, December 17, 2006 – Technopolis, Gazi, Time: 8.30pm
“Christmas by Candlelight” with Christmas music by Bach, Pachelbel, Mozart, Gounod and Ireland, Conductor: Eleftherios Kalkanis
Saturday, December 23, 2006 – Neos Kosmos Multi-purpose centre, Time: 8.30pm
Festive performance with excerpts of Operas and Christmas Suites, Conductor: Michalis Economou
Wednesday, December 27, 2006 – Neos Kosmos Multi-purpose centre, Time: 8.30pm
“With plenty of rosewater and icing sugar”, Family Voices, Conductor: Stavros Beris
Friday, December 29, 2006 – Akropol Theatre, Time: 8.30pm
New Year’s Gala with works by Rossini, Bizet, Strauss, Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Ravel and Sarasate, Conductor: Eleftherios Kalkanis
Entrance is free. For further information call 210 9243226, 210 9243227.
Eggnog > Diabetic
December 6, 2006
Ingredients >
2 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 1/2 teaspoons Canderel measure or 12 packets Canderel sweetener or 1/2 cup Canderell spoonful
2 eggs beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups skim milk chilled
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Method >
Mix 2 cups milk, cornstarch, and Canderel in a small saucepan; heat to boiling; boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
Beat eggs in medium bowl. Mix about half the milk mixture into the eggs; then add this egg mixture to remaining milk in saucepan. Cook over low heat until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon. Cool to room temperature; refrigerate until chilled, or until serving time.
Stir 2 cups milk into custard mixture; serve in small glasses or punch cups. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.
Variation > If desired, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons run or brandy extract can be stirred into the eggnog. Makes 8 servings.
Noel Nectar
December 6, 2006
1 (46 ounce) can red Hawaiian punch
1/2 cup instant tea mix with lemon and sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1 (28 ounce) bottle carbonated water or 7-Up
Mint sprigs
Party ice cubes (make these 2 days ahead of serving)
1 cup (12 ounces) red Hawaiian punch
2 cups water
Thin lemon slices
Punch > Combine punch tea and corn syrup in large bowl or pitcher. Stir until tea dissolves. Chill 3 hours.
Before serving, pour into punch bowl. Stir in carbonated water or 7-Up.
Party ice cubes > Mix punch with 2 water. Stir, then place a lemon slice in each ice cube tray and fill with punch mixture; freeze until firm. Can be frozen in jello ring or mold. Add to punch in bowl.
Christmas Plum Pudding
December 6, 2006
Ingredients >
½ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon allspice
½ cup butter, chilled
1 cup seedless raisins
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup chopped pitted prunes
¼ cup slivered almonds
¼ cup mixed candied fruit peel
1 cup plain bread crumbs
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup brandy (can substitute apple juice)
3 eggs beaten
For the hard sauce >
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons brandy (can substitute ¼ teaspoon brandy extract, plus enough water to equal 2 tablespoons)
Method >
Generously grease a 1-quart mold or ovenproof glass bowl; line with double thickness of cheesecloth.
Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In large bowl, combine flour, ginger, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice; mix well.
With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut ½ cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add raisins, prunes, almonds and fruit peel; toss until fruit is well coated with flour mixture.
Add bread crumbs and brown sugar; mix well. Stir in brandy and eggs; mix well. (Mixture will be very thick and almost crumbly).
Spoon mixture into greased and lined mold, packing firmly with back of spoon as mold is filled. Cover tightly with lid or heavy-duty foil; tie foil in place, if necessary.
Place rack in bottom of Dutch oven or 6-quart saucepan. Add water until it reaches top of rack. Bring to a boil. Set mold on rack; carefully pour hot water around mold until about half way up mold. Return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover Dutch oven. Simmer 2 ½ to 2 ¾ hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Add boiling water as needed.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine all hard sauce ingredients; beat until smooth. Line a 10 oz custard cup or decorative mold with plastic wrap. Spoon hard sauce mixture into lined cup. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.
Remove pudding from Dutch oven; cool in mold for 1 ½ hours. Turn out of mold; carefully remove cheesecloth. Place on serving plate. Unmold hard sauce onto small plate; remove plastic wrap. Top each slice of pudding with small slice of hard sauce. Makes 8 servings.
Spiced Christmas Coffee with Brandied Whipped Cream
December 6, 2006
3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
1 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon brandy
1 cup freshly ground coffee
5 teaspoons ground cardamon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
7 cups water
Using an electric mixer, beat whipping cream in large bowl to soft peaks. Add powdered sugar and brandy; beat to peaks. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
Place ground coffee, cardamon, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in coffee filter. Using spoon, mix gently. Add water to coffee maker and brew according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Divide coffee among 8 cups. Garnish each with a dollop of whipped cream and serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.
