Athens changes mood to celebrate Christmas despite economic difficulties (video Reuters)

With Christmas drawing closer, Athens changes mood to celebrate despite the difficulties of the ongoing economic crisis.

"Athens changes mood, Athens celebrates,"is the main slogan of the program of events organized by the Municipality of Athens this year for residents and foreign visitors over the next three weeks.

Running on a dramatically reduced budget compared to previous years, the festive program does not include impressive Christmas trees and other glitzy holiday decorations across central squares and avenues.

But the shortage of bright lights is balanced by peoples'spirit and determination to move forward and overcome all current challenges helping each other. The change comes from within peoples' heart, Athenians told Xinhua.

"Our purpose is to show that true emotions, kindness, solidarity and the Joy of Christmas have nothing to do with extravagances and are not related to the waste of money,"organizers said.

"Despite difficulties we are here...The Municipality of Athens, its people and its structures are by the side of people in need. Merry Christmas to all," Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis said on Syntagma square a few days ago, inaugurating the string of events with the lighting ceremony of the Christmas boat.

The illuminated traditional Greek seasonal decoration, which replaced the tree put up in the past and is the centerpiece of this year's decorations symbolizes confidence that Greece will brave all storms.

It is surrounded by an ice rink for children and kiosks of humanitarian groups who support the most vulnerable groups of society, such as the thousands of homeless.

"The economic crisis has affected everybody, but the most significant thing is to retain our positive mood, optimism. I do. I believe that things will get better,"pensioner Alexandra Argyriadi told Xinhua nearby, as she was doing her Christmas shopping this weekend.

With her family's income reduced by some 30 percent due to salary cuts and tax hikes introduced over the past three years to tackle an acute debt crisis, as happened to the average Greek household, she will spend the holidays at home on a reduced budget instead of travelling outside Athens, as in the pro-crisis years.

This year she and her family will try to get the most out of the dozens of admission free events available, such as open air music concerts, street theatre shows and workshops for children.

Despite difficulties, she is determined to keep smiling, until her only wish for the future becomes reality. "I wish for better days for Greece," she said.

Young actor Panayiotis Aslanoglou has also adapted his holiday plans to the new economic situation. They do no longer include dinners at expensive restaurants or luxurious gifts.

"It will be frugal this year. We cannot afford to spend much. The measures are unbearable. I will stay at home with good company, " he told Xinhua. His motto for the New Year is "We should try more and embrace each other."

Under the Municipality's program, Athenians and tourists will have the opportunity to embrace each other around the Christmas boat on Syntagma square on Christmas Eve during a marathon cultural program and under the Acropolis hill for the change of the year.
globaltimes.cn
23/12/13 
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•  Athens sails into the Christmas season