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After Harry Potter, Rowling expresses her interest towards the Greek classics of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Now that the final Harry Potter book is out, a prominent publishing firm is hoping to get its hands on author JK Rowling, and persuade her to tell the tale of legendary Greek hero Orpheus. Rowling, who studied Greek and Roman mythology at Exeter University in the 1980s, has already expressed a wish to cover the classics, and now the publishing house wants to make her wish come true.

If Rowling does agree, then it will also be a coup for the publishers, who will be able to boast of having her amongst its ranks of celebrity writers who have contributed to its best-selling Myths series. Orpheus is best known for attempting to rescue his wife Eurydice from the underworld. 

An insider revealed, “She has expressed an interest in updating the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, but the whole thing is being kept under wraps, so not to overshadow the launch of the final Harry Potter book.”

The idea was to approach top-class writers and invite them to retell any myth in their own style. “In turn, their myths would be published all over the world. Already a wonderful array of writers have come on board, as have 24 superb international publishers,” the sources added.

Katherine Rushton, publishing reporter believes that writing Orpheus’ tale would be a great move on Rowling’s part. “People will go out and buy whatever JK chooses to write next, but updating Greek myths could be an inspired choice,” she said.

Jon Hesk, an expert in Greek literature at St Andrews University, feels that the author should reintroduce the classics to today’s generation. “The magical element of classical mythology seems to have made a big impression on Rowling, and Harry Potter is a hero in the Greek tradition. Because of her knowledge of the classics, she is ideally placed to re-examine the mythology of Orpheus,” he said.

This year’s first $200 million hit was a marriage of ancient history and modern Hollywood bloodshed, filtered through the visual wizardry of computer-generated animation.

The adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel combines live-action actors with surrounding backgrounds added later through digital imagery, a process similar to that used on the earlier rendition of Miller’s Sin City. Gerard Butler stars as Leonidas, the Greek King who leads a hopelessly outnumbered band of 300 Spartans against a marauding Persian army at the battle of Thermopylae.

The movie comes in a bare-bones single DVD edition or a two-disc DVD set. Extras on the two-disc include additional scenes, background segments on the actors and their characters and commentary with director Zack Snyder.

Movie Trailer > http://300themovie.warnerbros.com

George Michael Live in Athens waving the Greek flag on 26/07/07

For more video-clips check here and here

George Michael the Greek Cypriot Superstar rocked Athens at the OAKA Athens Olympic Stadium and paid homage to his “Greek roots” with a waving of the Greek flag.

The concert in Athens was a complete sell out with over 35,000 tickets sold in hours. This is the first concert Giorgos in Greek or “Yogs” as he’s known amongst friends has performed in Athens.

George Michael @ OAKA, Athens 26.07.07

Church of the Assumption, 97 Walcott St., Pawtucket, Rhode Island, will celebrate its 80th Greek Festival Friday, August 17, from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19, from noon to 10 p.m.

There will be a Greek marketplace that will include imported giftware, music, books and cookbooks and plenty of Greek food such as roasted lamb, chicken, rice pilaf, gyros, souvlaki and Greek pastries and coffee. Demonstrations on the art of baking with phyllo dough will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.” by Voltaire.

The Greeks have many forms of love >

•Eros is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing

•Philia means friendship in modern Greek

•Agape means Love in modern Greek. The term s’agapo means “I love you” in Greek. The word “agapo” is the verb meaning ”I love”. In Ancient Greek it often refers to a general affection rather than the attraction suggested by “eros”

•Storge means affection in modern Greek

•Thelema means desire in modern Greek. It is the desire to do something, to be occupied, to be in prominence.

Athens is famous for its vibrant nightlife. The Athenians like to party and will do so almost every night of the week.

The choices are many and they appeal to all tastes and lifestyles. In general, things get started pretty late, after midnight for bars and clubbing and after 10pm for dinner at the city’s tavernas, restaurants and bar-restaurants.

The Greeks are known for their love-of-life lifestyle, a sort of OPA! mentality that includes good food and good company, regardless of age. In Athens, life is for living and leaving your worries behind. The result is a good-hearted, energetic city with bars and restaurants to match. Hip areas include Gazi, Psirri, Kerameikos and Kolonaki. Traditional Greek evenings can be spent in Plaka.

  Bars and clubs > Athens is one of the best parties in the house! Glance at the list of guest DJ’s that spin the latest tunes and you’ll see that the Athens nightlife scene is one of Europe’s hottest. Local Greek DJ’s have emerged, gaining international recognition for their mixes that include foreign and Greek top hits.

The party lasts into the wee hours of the morning, as native Athenians and visitors dance, dance, dance. Athens is just overflowing with modern, bohemian, ethnic, Latin, dance, rock, fashion and mainstream bars, lounges and clubs.

Jazz is very big in Athens, too, and enjoys a strong repertoire of performers and venues that feature them. Karaoke bars have recently sprung up and offer an alternative fun night out. Especially popular are the restaurants and bars with Oriental and other types of ethnic music.

A unique cultural phenomenon in Athenian nightlife is the migrating of venues according to season. In Athens, one venue or club usually has two “homes” or addresses, a summer home and a winter home. Some time in October, the venues usually move back to their winter homes, which are often in the centre of Athens.

The streets of Gazi and Psirri are packed with people ready to enjoy the areas’ many restaurants, bars, clubs, art galleries and theatres. Summer or winter, the clubs host leading DJs and feature the latest and greatest in their genre, hip hop, R&B, soul, rap disco, funk, rock and Greek.

Many of the summer venues are located on the outskirts of Athens along the coast in Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, taking advantage of the breathtaking sea views. The popularity of the coastal clubs doesn’t mean the fun stops in the centre, though. Gazi and Psirri are hot nightlife destinations all year round.

Greek nightclubs > To truly experience modern Athenian nightlife, you should spend a few hours at a Greek nightclub with live Greek music. The levels vary from mellow to extreme. In the winter, leading Greek pop singers fill large halls along the industrial strip known as Iera Odos and Pireos Street and in the summer months along the coastal towns of Glyfada, Voula and Voulgiameni. Here patrons are part of the fun, dancing on the stage and on the tables until the wee hours. Laid-back evenings can be enjoyed at the many rebetadika in Psirri and Plaka.

Psirri > If you enjoy going out at night, Psirri is a must to visit. Some of Athens’ hottest clubs and bars are here. Large and small, they play all types of music from Greek, rock, ethnic, Latin, pop and jazz. Psirri has become an Athenian favourite. It offers artistically designed venues with good food, great music and an overall ambiance.

Gazi > A modern take on Athens would not be complete without a visit to the industrial district of Gazi. Most of the galleries, mainstream bars, restaurants, clubs and Greek nightclubs here are trademarked by their industrial design as many of them are housed in remodeled factories. In recent years, this area has developed into one of the hippest Athenian neighbourhoods. The area, and its new inhabitants of artists, has attracted fine restaurants frequented by the see-and-be-seen Athenians.

Kolonaki > This popular Athens neighbourhood is where you will find contemporary style eateries, in addition to buzzing all-day tavernas, grills, bars and an esplanade of outdoor cafés, perfect for people watching or relaxing after taking in the delightful shops. Kolonaki is a staple dining and entertainment destination catering to the city’s urban working professionals who enjoy an after work cocktail at many of its bars that are open, and busy, until after midnight, even on weekdays. The area’s many restaurants range from the affordable to the expensive, with Greek and international menus. The clubs here are also very chic. Some of the streets where the trendy bars are plentiful are Haritos and Skoufa.

Exarcheia > Exarcheia is where to go for smaller more bohemian style haunts that cater to artists and college students. At the foot of Lofou tou Strefi, the Strefi Hill, is where you will find most of the bars and clubs, many which play rock music.

For more information about Athens visit > www.athenstourism.gr