On 15 September 2015, our world is celebrating the UN International Day of Democracy. This was of course the day Elyx chose to travel to Athens and celebrate democracy at its birthplace.
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Elyx visits the Roman Agora of Athens.
- Elyx arrived at the airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” early in the morning and was picked up by Dimitri Fatouros, UNRIC Communication Officer for Greece who would be Elyx’s guide during their one-day visit to the Greek capital. Without losing any time, they drove directly to the city’s historical centre, where they started some of the famous sightseeing including the Hellenic Parliament where they took photos next to the Greek Presidential Guard as well as the Ancient Agora, where the Athenian democracy made its first steps.
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Elyx meets the presidential Guard at the Hellenic parliament. (Photo: Georgios Vardakis)
Needless to say that Elyx was more than eager to walk up to the sacred rock of Acropolis, where the iconic monument of Parthenon stands. Elyx learned that the symbolic monument was made a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987. As you would all expect, he took several photos showing him and the cultural richness of the Greek capital.
Walking around the modern building of the Stoa of Attalos, originally constructed during the Hellenistic period, Elyx was happy to learn that his visit to Greece coincided with the 3rd Athens Democracy Forum, an International New York Times Conference taking place from the 13th to the 15th September 2015 in cooperation with the City of Athens and the United Nations Democracy Fund.
- Elyx opens arms to the Acropolis.
The Athens Democracy Forum is being held with the support of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who, in his message to the Forum, “commended the participants for coming together in the birthplace of democracy to observe the International Day of Democracy, and wished that the oxygen of dialogue travel from Athens to places far and wide around the world”.
- Elyx hangs out by the Stoa of Attalos and hears about the 3rd Athens Democracy Forum.
With the unique view of the sunset’s final rays on the ancient marbles and recalling the meaning “rule of the people” originally reflected in the word “democracy”, created and uttered for the first time in Greece, Elyx said goodbye to the famed city of Athens.
More Photos of Elyx in Greece (Full Flickr Gallery)
