Athens
State of Democracy
Learn about our work and support the Action!
A new initiative by the E-Learning Programme of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, promoting Greek culture worldwide and currently in the making with everyone’s support through the act4Greece crowdfunding program by the National Bank of Greece
How does the world see Greece and its culture? Do we share the same perspective? How do we overcome the stereotypes and the distance they create between us? Can we communicate, come closer and get to know each other, learning the real Greece? Can we capture the image of our country to share it with the world?
A new initiative implemented by the E-Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) entitled YouGoCulture invites us to "enter the picture", even with one euro, and create the images that we will share to travel Greece across the world ... through its culture.
Because ... Culture is not only (everything) that made us proud yesterday! Culture is also all that makes us proud of what we are today! Culture is everything that make us Greek every day. Because Greece means culture ... And culture is us!
Our next steps - the next destinations to develop with your support through Act4Greece:
But also further enrichment with audiovisual material of
For offers
A thankyou letter signed by the Supervisor of the action, an information newsletter and a reference by name of the supporters on yougoculture.com
a free subscription to a 3-week distance learning program
entitled “Ways of Financing Business Actions”
(in addition to the above)
, a free subscription to a 4-week distance training program
entitled “The Cultural Heritage of Classical Greece”
(in addition to the above)
A 30% discount on the tuition fees for NKUoA’s E-learning program.
Note: The discount cannot be combined with any other discounts that the trainee may have. Note that the discount is applicable to donations that are paid through to the maturity of the action and for applications submitted to NKUoA’s E-learning program from 05/06/2017 to 31/05/2018.
(in addition to the above)
Reference by name as “Donors”
on yougoculture.com
(in addition to the above)
reference by name as “Grand Donors”
on yougoculture.com.
(in addition to the above)
Reference by name as “Destination Sponsors”
on yougoculture.com
(in addition to the above)
For donations
In addition to the above
A free subscription to NKUoA’s distance E-learning Greek language course (for non-Greek speakers)
(in addition to the above)
Note:The Implementing Agency can only give the above token rewards after having received confirmation of the donor’s deposit at the email address donate@yougoculture.com, with the subject field filled in as follows: YouGoCulture-Sponsor’s Name (e.g.: YouGoCulture-Ioannis Papadopoulos, YouGoCulture-Company S.A.)
For offers
A thankyou letter signed by the Supervisor of the action, an information newsletter and a reference by name of the supporters on yougoculture.com
Supporters :
Reference by name as as “Supporters” on yougoculture.com.
(in addition to the above)
Supporters :
reference as “Supporters” with their corporate logo and web page link displayed on yougoculture.com. For donations of over €500, in addition to the above, production of photographic material to highlight the sponsor’s proposed point of interest (whether the sponsor is a local authority, association, cooperative, company or other).
(in addition to the above)
production of photographic material to highlight the sponsor’s proposed point of interest (whether the sponsor is a local authority, association, cooperative, company or other).
Note: The production concerns exclusively the destinations included in the action, after consultation.
(in addition to the above)
Donors
(in addition to the above)
Free subscription to three NKUoA’s E-learning programs, worth up to €1,500 each, for three staff of the legal entity, on a subject of their choice.
(in addition to the above)
Production of videos and photographic material
to highlight the sponsor’s proposed point of interest (whether the sponsor is a local authority, association, cooperative, company or other).
(in addition to the above)
(in addition to the above)
(in addition to the above)
Knossos - Crete
(Phaistos, Eleftherna, Gortyna)
Knossos was undeniably the capital of Minoan Crete and is the site of one of the most important and better known palaces of Minoan civilisation. Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization. It was damaged several times during earthquakes, invasions, and in 1450 BC by the colossal volcanic eruption of Thera, and the invasion of Mycenaeans who used it as their capital, while they were ruling the island of Crete until 1375 BC. Knossos was ruled by the dynasty of King Minos and is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur.
Crete is the largest and the most popular of the Greek islands. It is the birthplace of Dias (Zeus), the king of gods and the Minoan civilization with central axis the Knossos palace. Having Knossos as the core of our Virtual Tour, Crete is integrated as a new Destination on the YouGoCulture platform through the Act4Greece crowdfunding program by the National Bank of Greece with everyone’s valuable contribution The choice of this destination could be the best example of a perfect combination that works as bond between the historical background and the basic requirements of a modern life, two components that form the pure notion of the word “culture”.
A plethora of images and feelings come to the front by hearing the word “Crete”. Exotic beaches with blue crystal waters, unique flavors and traditional products as the valuable olive oil and the well-known raki, sceneries as the canyon of Samaria, the palm trees of Vai, the historic Sfakia, the lyre, traditional songs and dances as mantinades and pentozali accordingly and last but not least the pride and the hospitality of the locals, are some pieces that compose Crete’s puzzle.
Alive witnesses of the Minoan civilization, one of the oldest in Europe, are the remains of the palace complexes, Zakros, Festos, Malia, built in the whole extent of the island, with the central one, the palace of Knossos at Heraklion. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos and it is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Icaros. Beyond the palace complexes, rich settlements were excavated, such as Eleftherna and Gortyna, and thousands archaeological finds came to light to reveal the colossal level of Minoan art. Impressive frescoes, miniature crafts from jewelries to everyday items are the main exhibits in the museums of the island. The story continues and is depicted on the "body" of Crete with defensive monuments such as Fortezza fortress in Rethymnon, the medieval castle of Itzhedin and the Venetian walls in Chania, as well as countless monuments almost untouched by the passage of time lying all over the island, alive remnants of the past.
Delos - Cyclades
(Naxos - Paros - Mykonos)
There are few places in this world where someone is able to travel back in time. In Delos this dream comes true. With every step you take, the ancient city of the island comes to life before you.
Delos is the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis and was the largest city in the world at one point. Its history goes back to 3000 BC. The myth of god Apollo and goddess Artemis having been born there rendered the island sacred: no mortal would ever be allowed to be born on its land. But, a cradle of gods as the island has been, no mortals would ever be allowed to die on it either. So, apart from it being a conspicuous religious and economic centre, the island had also been exclusive in that: even during the years of peak of the Delian Alliance, women on the brink of childbirth and people close to dying would be carried to the neighbouring island of Rineia. The whole of the then known world was aware of the sacredness of the island and its uniqueness.
During the Hellenistic period, it became a center of commerce and one of the most important religious centers in Greece, attracting wealthy merchants, sailors and bankers from all over the Mediterranean who built more temples, shrines, homes, and other buildings. In 167 BC, it became a free port of the Romans Today the entire island is a UNESCO site. Delos preserves its uniqueness since nowhere else in the world is there a natural insular archaeological site of this size and importance.
The sacred island of Apollo and Artemis invite us to explore it! Another new travel experience that has begun for all of us with the YouGoCulture initiative and everyone’s support through the Act4Greece program by the National Bank of Greece, is coming to highlight memorable Points of Interest on the Greek map, taking us to an imaginary time travel to the past in combination with people’s everyday life. The significance of the historic Delos, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1990, is inversely proportional to the size of the island. It is a very small island, in the center of the Cyclades complex, located just a short distance from Mykonos and from the other islands of the complex.
The Cycladic civilization, similar and almost parallel to the Minoan of Crete, defined the foundations for the rapid growth of the following years. Today, the strong historical and cultural profile of the Cycladic islands combined with the unique beauties of their landscapes, the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea, the traditional architecture of the houses, the modern infrastructures, entirely adapted to the visitor’s needs and also absolutely attuned to the harmony of the environment, classify them among the world's top destinations.
The center of the circle (Cyclades), Delos, attracted the interest of many scientists from very early, since it was one of the most important commercial centers of the ancient world. The Sanctuary of Apollo, established since the Homeric years, has reached its heyday during the Archaic and Classical period. The city that the visitor faces today was developed in a few decades when wealthy merchants, bankers and ship-owners from the existing world settled on the island and hired a number of skilled craftsmen who built luxurious villas for them, decorated with wall paintings, mosaic floors and statues. Despite the rapid decline and abandonment, the island is still a pole of attraction and admiration for its history and the great sceneries under the unique light of god Apollo!
Delphi -
Central Greece
Situated in continental Greece on Mount Parnassus, Delphi was considered to be one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. It was believed to be home to the goddess Gaia, or Earth, and later to Apollo after slaying Gaia’s son, the snake Python. The Pythian games—similar to the Olympic Games—were held here every four years to honour Apollo’s slaying of the Python dragon.
Delphi was once considered the centre of the world, because the eagles of the East and West were said to meet here, and became a famous Greek centre during the 7th century BC. An omphalos (navel) was a powerful symbolic artifact made from stone and it was believed to allow direct communication with the gods. Delphi were considered the ‘navel of the world’, the central point from which terrestrial life originated.
The site is completed with a theatre, gymnasium, stadium, and hippodrome—where treasures from all over Greece were said to be kept. However, the Oracle was the most eminent feature of Delphi, and some of the most important people from all over Greece—including demigods, according to Greek mythology—visited her to seek advice.
Built at the base of mount Parnassos, surrounded by an imposing natural landscape, we find the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, where the female deity of Earth was first worshiped, and then god Apollo and Athena Pronaia. In the same place where altars, shrines, sports facilities such as the stadium and the most famous oracle of ancient Greece found. Delphi, a cultural heritage monument since 1987, has been a major political, cultural and religious center, in other words a symbol of the unity of ancient Hellenism over many centuries. It is the next destination of the YouGoCulture platform, which will be developed through participatory funding, supported by the Act4Greece crowdfunding initiative by the National Bank of Greece.
Totally intimate with mythology, Delphi was regarded as the center of the world, as it is believed thatthe two eagles that Zeus sent out from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world, finally met there. The most reliable oracles are expressed by Pythia, the hieria of the oracle and interpreted by Apollo's priests. Cities or individuals rushed to consult Pythia and expressed their gratitude with splendid edifices. The aura of the archaeological site is so powerful that the visitor rightly feels like being carried back many years.
Along with the historicity of the site, the visitor can use it as a base for nearby excursions to unique destinations. The natural environment, the wild nature and the traditional identity of the surrounding villages will automatically transfer you to an idyllic atmosphere. Livadia, Arachova, Galaxidi, Itea and the whole Sterea (south-central Greece), combine all aspects of modern Greece to make our trip exciting.