In honour of Greece’s National Day on March 25, The Sofia Echo takes a look at the Greek community in Bulgaria, business relations between the two countries and opportunities to explore and relax
Article courtesy of Greek national tourism organisation tourism office in Sofia, Bulgaria
Where the sky is blue and the history rich
The archipelago of 11 islands large and small strung out along the west coast of mainland Greece is known as the Ionian Islands. The six large ones are Zakynthos, Ithaka, Corfu, Cephalonia, Lefkada and Paxoi, the small ones being Antipaxoi, Ereikousa, Mathraki, Othonoi, Meganisi and the cluster of uninhabited islets to the south of Zakynthos, the Strofades. Together with Kythera, which is cut off from the rest, opposite the southern Peloponnese and the shores of Lakonia, as well as neighbouring Antikythera, they constitute the Heptanese.
The historic past of the Ionian Islands, known to us from the lines of Homer’s Odyssey, goes back millennia. Ithaka was home to the cunning King Odysseus, some of whose adventures took place in the Ionian Sea, while Corfu (ancient Corcyra) is identified with the Homeric island of the Phaeacians. Important landmarks in the history of the Heptanese are their colonisation by Peloponnesians and Euboeans in the mid-eighth century BCE; involvement in the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BCE); subjugation by the Romans in 197 BCE; Venetian occupation (1204-1797); Septinsular Republic (1800-1807); French occupation (1807-1814); British Protectorate (1814-1864); union with Greece (1864).
These islands, totalling 2200 sq km in area, with their wonderful natural environment, abundant water, fascinating towns and villages, mild climate, inviting bays and beaches, crystal-clear seas, and archaeological sites, are set like jewels in the vast blue Ionian Sea. Their ease of access, modern tourist infrastructure, diverse cultural and folklore events, facilities for sport and entertainment, cosmopolitan ambience and warm-hearted inhabitants complete their attraction.
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Friday, May 16 2008
Expat of the Week
anglachanka
I like motorcycles, driving, rambling in the countryside, going to bazaars, relaxing in the sunshine ... read more
What`s on in Bulgaria
Theatre
Short Play for a Child’s Room What: The play resulted from a fortunate – and unlikely – encounter between director Galin Stoev and playwright Yana Borissova’s debut text. When: May 24 and 29 Where: Theatre 199
Valentine’s Day What: One of the most popular contemporary Russian playwrights, Ivan Vyrypaev has chosen for his play’s motto the words of an Arabian philosopher: “There are only two things – love and love.” When: May 22 Where: Little City Theatre off the Channel
Three Sisters What: Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a play about the things that never happen and the sophisticated sadness and despair of the characters. When: May 21 and 30 Where: Nikolai Binev Youth Theatre
Lazarus and Jesus What: Based on Emilian Stanev’s apocrypha, Lazarus and Jesus aims to excite interest in the “damned questions” raised by the author and to argue against the assertion that Bulgarian literature is limited mostly to the regional and the untranslatably Bulgarian. When: May 18 Where: Sfumato Theatre-Workshop
16th International Istanbul Theatre Festival What: two weeks of theatre and dance performances from around the globe When: May 15 to June 4 Where: Istanbul
The Taming of the Shrew (premiere) What: Director Marius Kurkinski returns to the stage of the Satirical Theatre with this Shakespearean comedy, which was one of the master’s earlier plays. When: May 10, 19 and 26 Where: Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre, Sofia
Cultural Institutes
Salon of the Arts What: The annual Salon of the Arts features tens of exhibitions, concerts and performances. For a complete programme, stop by the Ticket centre at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) When: May 11 to June 30 Where: National Palace of Culture, Sofia
Art
Sofia, Paris, Strasbourg What: A joint project by the National Academy of Arts in Sofia, the Ecole Superieure d’arts graphiques – Penninghen and the Ecole superieure des arts decoratifs, Strasbourg, focusing on the Cyrillic alphabet with a newspaper theme. When: Opens May 8 Where: Akademia, 1 Shipka Str, Sofia
ART POSITIVE 2008: FRAGMENT What: exhibition with the participation of 14 Plovdiv artists When: Until May 25 Where: Centre for Contemporary Art - Plovdiv arttoday.org
Live Music
KYLIE MINOGUE What: Indisputably, one of the major concerts in Bulgaria in 2008 will be that of pop icon Kylie Minogue. Ticket prices vary from 40 to 50 leva. When: May 18 Where: Lokomotiv Stadium
JAZZ PLUS FESTIVAL 2008 What: Jan Garbarek Group featuring Manu Katche, Alboran Trio, Roberto Fonseca, Luisito Quintero. Tickets at 20 and 25 leva, available from Dyukyan Meloman, Bulgaria Hall, NDK box office, eventim.bg and ticketstream.bg. When: May 15, 17, 18 and 29 Where: NDK, Bulgaria Hall and 4km Party Center
After Business Club What: weekly mixers When: Wednesdays, 8pm Where: Chillout Bar & Dinner, 5 Triaditsa Str
RONI SIZE DJ SET What: The Sofia gig of the world-famous drum ’n’ bass DJ Roni Size will be the first in a series of events presenting legendary performers from the global drum ’n’ bass scene. When: May 17 Where: Hristo Botev Hall in Studentski Grad
WORLD BEAT NIGHTS – DANCING AROUND THE GLOBE What: Three more World Beat Nights – Dancing Around The Globe parties will be held in May. When: May 16, 23 and 30. May 16: African Night, May 23: The Latino Friday and May 30: Arabian Night. Where: Club Pulse
Soaring with the eagles at Sokolski monastery.. 
Theatre
Cultural Institutes
Art
Live Music