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10 Icelandic films and TV series to watch
Last year, I embarked on ‘a musical journey to Iceland‘, a country that I am yet to visit in person. Then, I went on ‘a cinematic journey to the Nordic countries‘, whereas earlier this year, I embarked on a wellbeing journey inspired and accompanied by the Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson. Since then, I happened to have watched several beautiful Icelandic films and TV series. So, today, I’m embarking on another virtual journey to the Land of Fire and Ice to re-visit those Icelandic films and TV series I’ve watched. Icelandic Films The County ‘The County’ (‘Héraðið’) was one of the first films I watched at the cinema, once cinemas were…
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Island-hopping in the Cyclades
The Cyclades. A group of islands in the Aegean Sea, so close to each other (island-hopping, anyone?) and yet so different. Like a group of old friends, each of them has her own distinct personality, her own unique character, her own charm. Syros is the quiet leader, Mykonos her loud, party-loving, gay-friendly neighbor. With equal parts of hedonism and glamour, she is comfortably nestled between religious Tinos and chaste, pure Delos. Santorini is the popular one, classic pageant material, the queen of Instagram (#Santorini: 6,122,817 posts). Then, there’s Folegandros. Stepping out of her sister’s shadow, she’s trendy and vibrant; some may call her hipster. Star-quality Amorgos is as enchanting as adventurous. …
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A classical music journey to Austria
Happy 4th of July! Today is a national holiday in America, commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on 4 July 1776. As a non-American living in London during the lockdown, I have no plans to celebrate the Independence Day (well, I might listen to some country music). Nonetheless, I have a very good reason to celebrate today. Around the world, most of the music festivals scheduled to take place this summer have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not however the case with the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival (Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus) which is taking place from 2 to 11 July. Since I am not able…
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A literary trip to Norway with Alex
Although lockdown measures are being eased around the world, it will probably take some time for international travel to fully bounce back. In the meantime, a good book can take us to all those places we can’t (or may not yet want to) physically travel to. A few weeks ago, my friend Deborah sent me a link to the article ’10 of the best novels set in Greece – that will take you there’ recently published in the Guardian. This gave me the inspiration for this literary trip to Norway, one of my favorite travel destinations. A literary trip to Norway with Jo Nesbø and Harry Hole Jo Nesbø is…
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12 Norwegian TV series to watch
Since the beginning of the lockdown, many of us have found solace in binge-watching TV series on Netflix. Being a Scandiphile, I watched all Norwegian TV series I could find on the American network and some other TV and streaming services available in the UK. This was not the first time I watched Scandinavian TV series. In fact, I had been well acquainted with the Danish ‘landmarks’ ‘The Bridge’ (‘Bron/Broen’) (actually a Danish-Swedish co-production), ‘The Killing’ (‘Forbrydelsen’), and ‘Borgen’. Then, a few years ago, I came across more Nordic Noir drama on Channel Four, including two Norwegian TV series that I absolutely loved: ‘Acquitted’ (‘Frikjent’) and Eyewitness (Øyevitne). Almost three months into…
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Healthy cakes & bakes inspired by my travels
Aside from traveling, I also love cooking and baking, and I draw inspiration from my travels. Unable to travel during the lockdown, I have found solace in baking. In fact, over the last couple of months, I have baked dozens of healthy cakes, cupcakes and muffins, cookies and biscuits, and other bakes. As a Psychiatrist, I am a passionate advocate of work-life balance and wellbeing (which includes healthy eating, yoga and meditation), and I try to lead by example. In 2018, I decided to combine these passions of mine into something that I could share with my family and friends across the world. So, I launched the Traveling Psychiatrist, a…
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Bergen International Festival, Music & Silence
Established in 1953, the Bergen International Festival takes place from 20 May to 3 June 2020. Each year, the program includes over 400 events taking place over 15 days in more than 70 venues in and around Bergen. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the events have been canceled, but there are still more than 50 events taking place in empty venues; these events are streamed online for free. They include music, theatre, dance, opera and visual art performances. Last Sunday, I watched the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra performing Edvard Grieg’s A minor Piano Concerto in Grieghallen. Considered the Bergen International Festival signature work, the Piano Concerto in…
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Reflecting on my travels around Europe
The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 final would have taken place tonight in Rotterdam, following the Netherlands’ victory last year with the song ‘Arcade’ performed by Duncan Laurence. Unfortunately, this year’s contest has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have to admit that Eurovision is my guilty pleasure and an annual event that I am very excited about and always looking forward to. So, understandably, I was rather disappointed when I learned that it wouldn’t be held this year. To mark the occasion, however, I’ve decided to embark on a mental journey and reflect on my travels around Europe. Having been born and raised in Greece, and being a…
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Traveling to Greece through film & music
The London Greek Film Festival has been taking place every year since 2008. This year, however, the festival will move online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under normal circumstances, the screenings would have taken place at the Theatro Technis, an independent theatre in Camden, North London. The festival, due from 13 to 16 May 2020, showcases feature, short and documentary films either by Greek film-makers (no matter where they are produced) or simply related to Greece. According to the organizers, the festival showcases ‘films from Greek Origin Individuals and Production Companies from all over the world, or International Individuals and Production Companies from all over the world, with film or…
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Celebrating the International Jazz Day
Hello! Today, it is the International Jazz Day. A few years ago, UNESCO designated April 30 as the International Jazz Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. The inaugural International Jazz Day took place in 2012 in New York, with celebrations also taking place in Paris and New Orleans. Since then, the International Jazz Day is hosted by a different city (and country) each year. Subsequent host cities include Istanbul, Osaka, Paris, Washington DC, Havana, Saint Petersburg and Sydney (together with Melbourne). This year, Cape Town has been designated the Global Host City for the International Jazz Day 2020. Due…