And another «escape about»; And another. Why «occasions» is what gives us the opportunity to visit those parts which do not belong on the list of "hot" summer destinations - which means that not sink from the world, not unreasonably expensive and not arrogant face their visitors. Why does the joy of exploration - and discovery-resulting in such opportunities. And why, if "something moving" in the Greek province, the summer cultural activities. These deserve, for many reasons, our attention.
In the beginning was the Festival…
The counting is already 13 years old, is the most popular festivals in the region - okay, at Epidaurus, which is also considered part of the Athens Festival, and has managed to integrate messiniaki capital in the cultural map of Europe, thanks to metakliseis great names of international choreftikou stereomatos.
From the performances which will not lose anything with, Spiegel (Mirror) by Wim Vandekeybus, who opens the curtain of the festival celebrating 20 years of his team Ultima Vez. A project with debris from earlier creations that summarize the strength of an artist paroxysmikou, who wrote history with frenireis races, the violent fall and the strong stamp of zoikotitas in motion.
Subsequently, the renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin and the band Batsheva, who in 2001 impressed the audience of Kalamata returned with strange charming, minimalist and touching work Mamootot (The amouth M), while the French choreographers - dancers Dominique Boivin and Pascale Houbin will present their work Bonté Divine (Divine Kalosyni), a «longitudinal» love story on the medieval legend of Avelardou and Eloizas, poetry, tenderness and humour.
But the dynamics of Greek dance scene emerges from this year's programme, including mobility and exchanges take flesh and bones. Both Fotis Nikolaou (group X-it, work Ninth Time) and the Linda Kapetanea and Jozef Frucek - founders of the newly created group RootlessRoot, work Sudden Showers of Silence - are excellent dancers who wanted to anametrithoun with the choreography. The latter two even as members of the group of Wim Vandekeybus, zymothikan with the idea of reckoning with the limits which dominates the idioma renowned Flamandou.
The triantachronos Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui belongs in the case of polytalanton dancers who quite naturally passed in the choreography - and is a member of the famous Belgian kolektivas. In Kalamata Festival presents his last creation, Myth, with Toneelhuis which premiered on June 20, 2007. Together with the 21 performers (dancers, actors, musicians) is planning a world where the movements draw on all technical and accompanied by traditional Italian pluralist music.
The Swede Palle Dyrvall is the first time in Greece to present a solo Catastrophe Communication Combinatoria, which chorografise with Caroline Hainaut. This is a katastrofologiko, komikotragiko monologue that combines perfectly with the dance floor, in a comment of the two artists for contemporary society, with humor and dance integrity.
The curtain closes with another leading figure from Belgium, kolektiva Les Ballets C. de la B. (Les Ballets Contemporains de la Belgique), a creation of Alain Platel in 1984 in Ghent, which hitherto operated as a catalyst for talented young artists. The present give them back in Kalamata, choreographer and again Koen Augustijnen in his last production Import Export.
… Plaisiomeno from parallel events…
Why, as they say the organizers of the Festival of Kalamata, a festival is always a meeting, but also because it is not only performances but also - perhaps even more-the parallel events that give vitality, fun and pace in the city.
Thus, this year during the festival organized in various parts of the city events including music, dance, film, lectures and other surprises. The Dominic Bouaven, open to various kinds of entertainment is, apart from Bonté Divine, an original duet for a dancer and an excavator, entitled Transports Exceptionnels, while five musicians and two dancers of encardia with guitars, ntefia, accordion, harmonicas, kastanietes, mantolina and ntaoulia, misled viewers in the footsteps of the most ancient dance of Italy, tarantelas.
A separate group of six from Antwerp, Belgium, Think the f One travel this summer in Kalamata with unique Naftmobiel. The reason for a truck with karotsa old, who is none other than the mobile arena complex, fully equipped for concerts anywhere (even in motion), incorporating sound system and dj booth for the expected after party.
The seminar Contemporary Dance, which is now an integral part of the Festival, will be taught from 12 to 22 July, Frei Faust, who, having created its own method of teaching aims to make students understand and use in depth the art of motion of the body.
… But from «extracurricular» activities
Since summer escape without diving is not understood, will certainly take one day leave - or a legitimate absence from the scene festivalika to visit the beaches of the region. The beach of Kalamata, a few minutes from the city center, offered for the first dive of the day. Do not parasyrtheite and stay longer, will miss the incomparable beauty of the more remote.
Six kilometers to the east, organized beach Almyros suitable for water sports, oloimera party adjacent beach bars and people watching, because it enjoys one of the busiest in the region. Dimofilestates is also the Small Mantinia, 7 kilometers outside the city, and Buka and Petalidi, preferred by the locals. A little more remote, around 12 kilometres, is the «secular» beach of Sant ovas, with golden sand and beach bars serving drinks on the beach.
The beaches of Stoupas and Karadamylis will compensate you for a little more leg, with its crystal waters and the stunning natural scenery. Do not miss in any case the beach Fonea, Karadamyli, with the blue water, pebbles and katalefka epivlitikous of the rocks, while if you prefer the beaches crowded with party atmosphere go to the beach Kalogrias, Stoupa.
For nature…
In the unlikely event that prevent visit all the beaches in the region, or simply want an alternative, the Caves of Dirou are very close and are in themselves a key reason to visit Mani. A journey worth making is also this from Kalamata in Sparta, to admire the breathtaking natural beauty and landscape of evergreen Tafgetou.
Unreservedly is the proposed visit to Πολυλίμνιο, 32 kilometres from Kalamata. Fifteen beautiful lakes, gorges and waterfalls compose a landscape unparalleled natural beauty, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, which will identify with a little help from the locals. Ideal for exploration and walking in the dew is the length of 19 kilometres of Rintomou gorge, just outside the city at the start of Messiniakis Mani.
… And for lovers of history
It is understood that the tour will start from the historic centre of Kalamata, will periplanitheite in narrow alleys, will enjoy the built in 1317 historic church of the Holy Apostles and will visit the Benaki Museum, the Municipal Library and the Historical and Folklore Museum of Kalamata, which hosts objects from the Revolution of 1821 and folklore exhibits.
Highlight of the region, the fort of Kalamata is built on top of a piney hill, with stunning sea views. Built in 1208 by Guglielmo Villeardouino, the Angelo Terzaki inspired to write a novel about the princess Izampo, who lived here. At the foot of the castle, imispilaiodis church of St. John dating to metavyzantinous times. Below the castle was likely that the citadel of ancient Faron.
At the end of the road Aristomenous, kentrikoterou street of the city, you will find the Railway Park, the only open-air museum of its kind, with machinery and train wagons various historical periods are exposed to a green environment, apart from the museum, is an excellent park recreation for children and adults.
A few kilometres outside the city, the ancient Messina regarded by most preserved archaeological sites and worth a visit for important archaeological finds brought to light the recent archaeological excavation.
And if peinasoume with so many walks?
No problem. In Kalamata, but also in the wider region, will find many tavernas serving fresh seafood on the beach, too steamed and local specialties.
For fresh seafood and Mediterranean recipes based on traditional materials, visit the Mediterranean Cuisine of John Koumani in Navarino, while for fresh fish and seafood from the Messinian Gulf, and local traditional delicacies go to Limeni, at the intersection of roads and Chios Poseidon.
Extremely steamed and traditional dishes you will have the opportunity to try to Tafgeti, on the road to Dimiova. Extra bonus the panoramic view of the bay and the city of Kalamata.
For demanding and particularly for those good food is not taftismeno with luxury propose "alternative" tavern "Jamaica" in the center of Navarino. The Couleur Locale at its best: tables from all kinds of material and origin (school, plastics, old dining) and chairs in the same style housed under a tentative building. In the same area, the elderly mother of the owner is and the preparation of meals, while next to thelassa fired the ... forever. Please note that all products are cultivating owners serving akomakai water from their own well! Besides tasting, food is pamfthino after each person will pay around 10 euros.
Nychtoperpatimata
For the… akourastoys visitors to the Kalamata has a plethora of entertainment choices night, promising to keep your xypnious until the early morning hours. The Gala Bar in Navarino builds correctly cocktails, playing mainstream foreign and Greek music, and regularly organises 60s, 70s and 80s parties. All the hot spots are concentrated on the beach, which is the meeting point of a city that never sleeps.
Okay, now kourastikame
Back at the hotel, then, which probably is excellent, 4 star Filoxenia (Navarino, tel: 27210 84213) with 180 rooms and 8 suites, all fully equipped with special decoration and stunning views, or also 4 star Pharae Palace (Navarino - R. Fereou, tel: 27210 94420-4) with luxurious, stylish rooms.
Great choice is the Rex Hotel (tel. 27210 94440, 27210 22334) Aristomenous, in a neoclassical building in the historic city centre, with two rooms and suites fully equipped with satellite TV, mini bar, telephone, Internet access and room service.
It is unlikely to dyskolefteite in finding accommodation in Kalamata, as both here and in surrounding areas, the options are many and vary from simple romantic lodgings to luxury hotels and guesthouses.
