Olympic Flame Lighting

Greek light travels the world

The Olympic Flame is alight for the very first time by the Greek sun at the sacred and historic site of Ancient Olympia.

Ever since, the unique event of the Flame Lighting Ceremony has acted as herald for the Olympic Games worldwide. The Sacred Flame travels the country where the games are to be held and burns for as long as the Olympic Games last, as a strong reminder of the land that gave birth to them.

The ritual of the Lighting, in simplicity and mystagogy, starts with the procession of the priestesses from the Altar of Hera, in front of the goddess’s temple. Dressed in archaic-style clothing, priestesses surround the Altar while the High-priestess, invoking god Apollo, lights the torch, using a concave mirror. According to the Myth of Promytheus, the fire is the symbol of life, rationalism and freedom as well as inventiveness and so had been the ageless flame that used to burn on the Altar of Prytaneion in Ancient Olympia.

Then, the High Priestess relays the flame in a small ceramic pot and heads to the Stadium with all priestesses in procession. They pass by the Olive Tree, where they stand for a moment and “Amphithalis Pais”, the young boy (whose both parents are alive) cuts off an olive branch, as a symbol of peace and a meaningful winner’s prize. When the procession arrives at the Stadium, the High Priestess lights the torch of the first runner and the torch relay begins. The Olympic flame travels to many places and becomes the connecting bond among people, sending the message of hope.

Let’s listen to the thoughts and feelings of the High Priestess in anticipation of the unique event of the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony, which is to be held on May 10, and will draw the humanity’s attention to Olympia.

“… just a while before the sun sends its rays to light the flame of the Olympic Games, thousands of images and feelings come before my eyes and my soul abounds in them…... A great culture, which once gave birth to ideas, values, important advocates of those ideas and events, enriches the course of history and humanity. The light of Olympia signals the creative force in the hearts of people which generates culture. The flame; a force of nature, a symbol of life and a source of inspiration.

….how many feelings, how many unique moments in the cycle of priestesses who convey images from the past, symbolisms, the concept of art……

“Sacred silence

Let the sky, the earth, the sea and the winds sound.

Mountains fall silent

Sounds and birds’ warbles cease

For Phoebus, the light bearer King shall keep us company…”

…waiting for the moment that these words will sound in the sacred land of Olympia, carrying the essence of the team’s soul in my voice and the power of its heart in my hand… just before the invocation to Apollo who will send the rays of the sun and to Zeus who will bestow peace to all peoples on earth and will wreath-crown the winners of the sacred race…”

Optimistic outlook for Greek holidays in 2012, say Holiday Hypermarket

According to Holiday Hypermarket, Greek holidays will see moderate growth this summer

Greek tourism is tipped to see moderate growth in 2012 due to lower airfares and attractive rates in island destinations like Crete, Mykonos and Corfu, say leading online travel retailer, Holiday Hypermarket. This follows statements from Taleb Rifai,secretary general of the U.N. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), who affirmed Greece's popularity as a tourism destination.

In 2011, around 10 per cent more travellers booked Greek holidays, and with tourism accounting for 15 per cent of the economy as well as one in five jobs, it is a crucial aspect of the Greek way of life. As a result, both the mainland and surrounding islands boast a large number of holiday resorts with great facilities.

Greek tourism bodies have launched campaigns to promote tourism abroad. For example, UP Greek Tourism is an initiative that employs outdoor advertising, traditional and social media to promote inbound tourism, particularly among German and British travellers who are eager visitors to Greece's coastal and island resorts.

Calum MacDonald, Online Marketing Manager at Holiday Hypermarket, comments,"Greece is slowly climbing into the top 10 tourist destinations in the world with plenty to offer families, honeymooning couples and young friends looking for a party destination.

"Tourism resorts on the coast are continuing to provide excellent package holidays to visitors from abroad no matter the political situation. As one of the most attractive countries in southern Europe, Greece is a great place to book a beach holiday this summer."

Another Reason to Visit Beautiful Santorini, Greece: Prehistoric Site of Akrotiri Finally Reopened

As if you needed another reason to visit one of the most magnificent places in the world, the Greek island of Santorini, the archaeological site of Akrotiri is now open to visitors after being closed for the past seven years.

Akrotiri, known as the “Pompei of the Aegean”, is considered to be one of the most fascinating and important archaeological sites on the entire island. It reveals part of an excavated city that flourished thousands of years ago, nearly 20 centuries BC. Similar to Pompeii, it was buried by the ash of a largevolcanic eruption that occurred on the island in about 1613 BC and is thought to be one of the most important sites not only inGreecebut in the entire region of southeastEurope.

After the 1450 BC eruption, Santorini was uninhabited for nearly two hundred years while the land cooled and both plant and animal life could be regenerated. The ruins of Akrotiri remained buried beneath the ash until about 150 years ago when Suez Canal workers who were quarrying volcanic ash made the discovery.

The lava and ash that had covered the entire island and destroyed the Minoan civilization, helped preserve the buildings, streets, furniture and pottery, making it one of the best preserved sites on earth.

Visitors can glimpse this ancient world in the Minoan period with its elaborate architecture and incredibly detailed frescoes. It’s thought that the 40 buildings that have been uncovered are just 1/30^thof what remains to be discovered. Here you’ll tour the ancient city streets, lined with stores and warehouses, including many large earthen jars with traces of olive oil and fish left behind.

Admission is just €5, and on Sundays between November 1 and March 31 it is free. The site is open from 10:00 to 17:00 Tuesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays.

Of course, Santorini itself is one of the most spectacular destinations in the world, filled with picturesque scenery and historical sites to explore. Located about120 milesoff theGreecemainland, Santorini is known for its villages’ whitewashed architecture and the dazzling turquoise Aegean Sea.

One of the best ways to explore the island is to rent an ATV, readily available for only 20 Euros a day. Take your time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery that includes volcanic beaches, historic cliffside villages and magnificent sunset views.

Stop for a break and enjoy a cup of traditional Greek coffee at the Santorini Café, with all the “flavors and aromas” of the Mediterranean at your fingertips, as well as panoramic views of the water.

The hardest part about visiting Santorini is saying goodbye.

About the Author

EuropeTravel.net is a European travel guide website, blog and open travel social community. It was designed to connect visitors and travel professionals, and help build an informative platform dedicated to all aspects of traveling throughout the 55 European nations.