Monday, December 17, 2012

Christmas decorations in Athens for the new year 2013

 Bustling Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament, is now adorned for Christmas.
 An installation consisting of  16 Christmas trees, which were created by 20 students of Interior Architecture is set up in the middle of the square, and with the use of lights and huge LED displays, it has become an alternative, inventive and imaginative proposal adornment of the most luminous square.
 From December 11th and for 25 days a skating rink of 200sqm. is waiting for everyone, who wants to make free rides on the ice from 11.00 to 21.00 at Syntagma Square, as part of Christmas happenings and the new year 2013 celebrations in the Greek capital.

360 Degree Virtual Reality interactive panorama:
Place your cursor inside the panorama and move around
Click to fly into this spherical panorama on 360cities.net

Athens Christmas tree - liitle-planet
The ice rink under the Christmas tree - little-planet
The ice rink under the Christmas tree - little-planet


360 Degree Virtual Reality interactive panorama:
Place your cursor inside the panorama and move around
Click to fly into this spherical panorama on 360cities.net




Thursday, December 6, 2012

Youth protest police brutality in memory of Alexis Grigoropoulos


Students protested police brutality in commemoration of the death of Alexis Grigoropoulos, a 15-year-old student who was shot dead by a police officer in 2008. Two demonstrations were held and a temporary memorial set up at the spot where he died.




Riot policemen in Exarcheia district, pictured resting during clashes with demonstrators. On a wall behind the officers can be seen graffiti artwork.

Young men during the memorial gathering on the site of murder.

A companionship of young people, reads the notes left for Alexis, during the memorial gathering on the site of murder.

A letter written by a classmate of Alexis, named Stelios, is left during the memorial gathering on the site of murder. Full text of the letter on the story.
Greek original text of the letter:
Γράμμα που άφησε συμμαθητής του Αλέξανδρου Γρηγορόπουλου  στο σημείο όπου δολοφονήθηκε ο 15χρονος κατά την ώρα της βραδινής συγκέντρωσης: 
«Είσαι σχεδόν 20 χρονών τώρα πια...
το σχολείο έχει τελειώσει και κοντεύεις να γίνεις ολόκληρος άντρας!
Όλοι σε καμαρώνουμε αλλά μας λείπεις...! 
Και μας λείπεις γιατί ήταν άδικο!!!
Δεν θα σε ξεχάσουμε ΠΟΤΕ!!!

Θα ζεις ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ ΜΑΖΙ ΜΑΣ »


A young woman passes by the "Bank of Greece" after the demonstrations and makes a picture of the slogan sprayed on the wall of the Bank, that reads: "Alex e vivo" and the anarchists sign.

A man wearing gas mask can be seen during clashes with Police in Exarcheia Square.

Students during a protests, shout slogans and hold a banner that reads: "This day will always be yours, because cops shot your generation", referring to Alexis Grigoropoulos, a 15 year-old who died in 2008 after being shot by a policeman.

Students protest surrounded by heavy Riot Police forces in Syntagma square, with the main banner of the demonstration, that reads an antifascist slogan.

Students protest shouting slogans surrounded by heavy Riot Police forces in front of the Greek Parliament. They hold a banner that reads: "You give money to the banks and bullets to youth".

Students protest and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

An elderly man can be seen watching the scene as riot police march past him outside a shopping center as protest takes place to remember Alexis Grigoropoulos, a 15 year-old who died in 2008 after being shot by a policeman.

Riot Policemen stand at the entrance of the "Bank of Greece" building.

Riot police detain a young protester in Omonoia Square.

Riot police detain a young protester in Omonoia Square.

A riot policeman throws a stun grenade towards protesters in Omonoia square during a demonstration over police violence and to remember Alexis Grigoropoulos, a 15 year-old who died in 2008 after being shot by a policeman.

A homeless woman can be seen during the protests, while standing on the seat of a bus stop, in front of an advertisement with Kate Moss.

Students protest shouting slogans during the evening demonstration near Syntagma Square.

Students protest shouting slogans during the evening demonstration near Syntagma Square.

Young people protest surrounded by heavy Riot Police forces in Syntagma square, during the evening demonstration.

Young people protest in Panepistimiou Ave. during the evening demonstration.

Young people protest in Panepistimiou Ave. during the evening demonstration.

Young people protest in front of the Athens Academy during the evening demonstration.

Young people protest in front of the Athens Academy during the evening demonstration.

Young men protest and march shouting slogans in Panepistimou Ave. During the evening demonstration.


Students protest Police brutality in commemoration of the assassination of Alexis Grigoropoulos, a 15-years-old student who was shot dead by a Police officer on December 6th, 2008. Two demonstrations are held and a memorial on the site of murder.
Athens, Greece, December 6th, 2012.

On the fourth anniversary of Alexis murder, thousands of students and young people demonstrate in Athens center.
Police deploys some 5,000 policemen to prevent possible riots.
Two metro stations (Syntagma, Panepistimio) have been closed to public as of 10 a.m., until the end of the day.

Both demonstrations are mainly peaceful, and protesters shout slogans against Police brutality, and against fascism.
"You give money to the banks and bullets to youth" a banner reads.
Both demonstrations ended in clashes with Police and at least 78 people have been detained of which 9 were arrested.

At 9:00 p.m. a memorial gathering is held on the site of murder, where a monument is built with Alexis picture and flowers.
Many people leave there some notes written on paper.
A letter written by a classmate of Alexis, named Stelios, reads:

"You are now 20 years old...
You have finished college, and you are now an adult.
We are all proud of you, but we miss you...!
And we miss you mostly, because it was unfair!!!
We will NEVER forget you!!!
You're gonna live with us, for EVER!!!





For licensing images of this story, contact me or follow this link:
http://www.demotix.com/node/1661180/



Sunday, November 25, 2012

Shia Muslims perform Zanjeer Zani to commemorate Ashura in Athens


Approximately 650 Shia Muslims gather to commemorate Ashura in Athens. Some of them, perform the traditional self - flagellation ritual called 'Zanjeer Zani’ in solidarity to the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad.



Shia Muslim man repents after performing the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which he flagellates himself with blades attached to chains.
Worshipers holding 'zanjeers' (a chain with blades) mourn on the day of Ashura.
Shia Muslims perform 'Zanjeer Zani’ by hitting themselves on the back with blades attached to chains.
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.
Shia Muslim men touch a decorated horse during the Ashura commemoration in Athens. The horse is symbolically representing in Ashura ceremonies as Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina.
Shia Muslim men perform 'Zanjeer Zani’ by flagellating themselves on the back with blades attached to chains.
Shia Muslim man flagellates himself with blades attached to chains. The decorated horse that is symbolically representing Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina can be seen.
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains
A child seen while watching the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which Shia Muslim men flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.
Shia Muslim men touch a decorated horse during the Ashura commemoration in Athens. The horse is symbolically representing in Ashura ceremonies as Imam Hussein's horse Zuljina.
Shia Muslim men chanting hymns during the Ashura commemoration in Athens.
Shia Muslim men chanting hymns during the Ashura commemoration in Athens.
Shia Muslim men beat themselves with their hands to mark Ashura. Some of them are covered with blood as a result of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which they flagellate themselves with blades attached to chains.
Signs of blood can be seen on the hands of a Shia Muslim man, short after he has performed the ritual of 'Zanjeer Zani’ a practice, in which he flagellates himself with blades attached to chains.
Pilgrims who have gathered to watch the ritual and commemorate Ashura in Athens.
Approximately 650 Shia Muslims gather to commemorate Ashura in Athens, outside their society place. Some of them, perform the traditional flagellation ritual called 'Zanjeer Zani’ in solidarity to the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad.
The practice of ' Zanjeer Zani’ (also known as Tatbir) includes hitting oneself on the back and/or chest with blades attached to chains, causing blood to flow in remembrance of the innocent blood of Imam al Husain ibn Ali which was shed by Yazid's forces in Battle of Karbala.
I talk with a flagellation performer named Sayed Ashir, who is 30 years old, and has migrated from Pakistan to study in Greece, many years ago, and now he has a good living and work. He has been taking part to the ritual of ‘Zanjeer Zani’ since he was teen and although he is covered in blood, he says that he feels no pain.
Shia commonly believe that taking part in Ashura is to be absolved of sins. A popular Shia saying has it that, 'a single tear shed for Husayn washes away a hundred sins'.



Video: Muslims in Greece self-flagellate to mark day of Ashura



For licensing images of this story, contact me.








Tuesday, November 6, 2012

48-hour unions strike begins with protests in Athens


Tens of thousands of Greek workers protest a new round of austerity cuts in Athens center, on the first day of a 48-hour general strike, that was called by the biggest unions of the country.



Pictures belong to the story on this link, where the full resolution images can be found:
http://www.demotix.com/node/1576621/



"Troika Get Out" reads a banner of grassroots unions in front of the Greek Parliament during the rally.

Members of Taxi Drivers Unions shout anti-government slogans in Syntagma Square.

A female protester writes a slogan on the advertisement that depicts Kate Moss, that reads: "Sex and strike must have duration".

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Male protesters march and shout slogans in Syntagma Square.

Syriza members and among them Syriza MPs: Maria Bolari, Nikos Voutsis, Dimitris Tsoukalas, march in Syntagma Square. Banner reads: "You (Government) destroy the country. Go away!".

Members of GSEE and ADEDY, two biggest unions of the country, march in Syntagma Square. Banner reads: "People above all. Not numbers and measures!".

Anti-fascist and anti-austerity banners, hold by protesters during the rally, near Syntagma Square.

Protesters in Syntagma Square during the protest holding anti-austerity banner.

"Troika Get Out" reads a banner that hold members of grassroots unions in front of the Greek Parliament during the rally.

A protester holding a banner that reads: "Continuous strikes, lasting until the victory", while marching and shouting slogans in Syntagma Square.

Female protesters shouting slogans during the rally in Syntagma Square.

Youth protesters shouting slogans during the rally in Syntagma Square.

Groups of protesters that belong to Syriza party, march and shout slogans in front of the Greek Parliament, during the rally.

Tens of thousands of Greek workers protest a new round of austerity cuts in Athens center, on the first day of a 48h general strike, that was called by the biggest unions of the country.
The strike is called by Greece’s two biggest labor organizations of public and private sector (GSEE and ADEDY), All Workers Militant Front (PAME, KKE, and taxi drivers associations. Thousands of of Small Business and Industry Association (GSEVEE), also joined the rally, that ended peacefully in Syntagma Square, in front of the Greek Parliament.





Pictures belong to the story on this link, where the full resolution images can be found:
http://www.demotix.com/node/1576621/