Mediterranean Magazine - May 9th, 2021 - GREECE IN USA: A New Cultural Platform is Launched in NY

SPRING 2021

Mediterranean

San Domenico Palace Rebrands and Reopens SOAR - Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief DNA - Connecting with Cousins from the Mediterranean Region

"Israel and its Spring Cuisine" - Recipes

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Armenian Wines Make a Splash in Miami Storica Wines Sponsors High-Profile Event and Launches Online Shop on Website Storica Wines continues a spirited 2021 in April with the launch of their online store (www.storicawines.com) and by serving as the official wine sponsor of Haute Living's Villa Azur event on the evening of April 21st.

Nacho Figueras was the event's guest of honor as he graced Haute Living's February-March 2021 Miami edition cover.

Nacho, alongside other high-profile guests including Romero Britto, Lennox Lewis, Amar'e Stoudemire, Blaise Matuidi, Alberto Tubilla Slim, Radmila Lolly, and John Utendahl, enjoyed a glamorous night in partnership with Rolls Royce Motor Cars at the famed Miami Beach supper club. Guests were treated to a three-course dinner paired with Keush Sparkling White, Zulal Areni Red, and Zulal Voskehat White, part of Storica's portfolio of Armenian fine wines.

Areni is a leading red grape from Armenia's Vayots Dzor region, where the oldest artifacts of winemaking were discovered from over 6000 years ago. The Voskehat grape, which translates to "golden berry," makes a full-bodied white wine with flavors of stone fruits, flowers and delicate notes of herbs.

Lastly, the "Origins" sparkling white wine from Keush, made under methode traditionelle (traditional champagne method) features grapes from 100-yearold vines grown at 1,800 meters above sea level; the zesty, acidic bubbly displays salinity and bright citrus flavors, and was rated 91 by Jeb Dunnuck in 2018.

The Storica Wines portfolio offers a variety of Armenian wines expressing the purest characteristics of the country's indigenous grape varieties. Armenia's high elevation viticulture, extreme climate and volcanic soil give these wines their distinctive character, gaining much recognition from the US wine community of late.

Storica's wines are available for purchase at restaurants including Miami's The Deck at Island Gardens, Boston's Ilona, and NYC's Barbounia, and in stores in more than 15 states, including in the New York City, Boston Metro, Miami Metro, Houston & Austin Metro, Chicago Metro, and Los Angeles Metro markets. For more information, please visit https://www.storicawines.com/.

Taormina's Legendary San Domenico Palace Reopens as Four Seasons - Summer 2021

Perched high above the deep blue waters of the Ionian Sea and in the magnetic presence of Mount Etna, one of Europe's most storied hotels will soon be reborn as San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel.

"This is truly a jewel in our crown of historic properties throughout the Mediterranean region, and the perfect complement to our beloved Four Seasons hotels in Milan and Florence," says Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations - Europe, Middle East and Africa. "San Domenico Palace is a legend in European hospitality, and it is our honour to welcome the hotel into our portfolio on the occasion of its 125th anniversary." Returning to his home country from his most recent Four Seasons assignments in Dubai and a round-the-world career in luxury hospitality, General Manager Lorenzo Maraviglia leads a dedicated team that is writing a new chapter in the history of San Domenico Palace. "We are delighted to reopen in summer, Taormina's high season, so that we can welcome our guests for a uniquely Sicilian holiday experience. Taormina's landmarks are at our doorstep, and the ancient Greek Theatre is a stroll away as are countless other historic sites to discover, endless countryside for scenic hikes, and the siren call of Isola Bella and the Grotta Azzura – part of an exclusive yacht excursion that is just one of the bespoke experiences we are planning for our guests." Built on the site of a 14th century Dominican convent, the San Domenico Hotel first came to life in 1896 with the addition of a new building in Italian Liberty style (today's Grand Hotel Wing) adjacent to accommodations converted from former quarters in the Ancient Convent Wing. It soon became a highlight on the Grand Tour, favoured by royalty and nobility and increasingly, a colourful cast of artists, writers and Hollywood stars. Set amid lush Italian gardens with sweeping sea views, the Hotel pairs contemporary art with antiquities and architectural relics throughout. Intimate at just 111 guest rooms and suites (some with private terraces and plunge pools), the Hotel also boasts a spa and gym, and an infinity pool terrace. The culinary team is led by Sicilian-born Executive Chef Massimo Mantarro, whose signature style is showcased at the award-winning Principe Cerami. Etna's rich terroir is the inspiration for a memorable culinary journey enhanced by Sicilian wines here and at the additional dining options, including Anciovi, a fabulous poolside restaurant, and Rosso, the all-day-dining venue with a spectacular terrace. More than 1,700 square metres (18,300 square feet) of beautiful indoor-outdoor event spaces invite both corporate retreats and social gatherings, and wedding couples will love the opportunity to exchange vows in this historic setting. Be among the first to experience a new chapter in the storied history of San Domenico Palace: In celebration of its reopening this summer, San Domenico Palace is extending an Introductory Offer that includes 20 percent savings on the room rate and breakfast for two with a minimum two night stay through November 2021. To make a reservation, book online or call +39 0942 613111. Wedding couples, event hosts and meeting planners are invited to contact catering.sdh@fourseasons.com to inquire about event facilities and arrange virtual site tours.

GREECE IN USA: A New Cultural Platform is Launched in NY GREECE IN USA is a New York City-based organization that promotes Greek culture in the U.S. Founded by Dr. Sozita Goudouna, one of America's acclaimed Greek curators and adjunct professor at City University of New York (CUNY), GREECE IN USA makes an impressive launch amid the pandemic, under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, with the group exhibition The Right to Silence? on the reform of criminal justice.

The first iteration is presented at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) until July 31, 2021, with the participation of 43 Greek and Cypriot artists, while the second parallel program "The Right to Breathe" will be launched May 14, 2021, at Seneca Village in Central Park and at UNDERCURRENT.NYC with the participation of 100 Greek artists. The exhibition venue was selected owing to its focus on U.S. and EU partnerships such as EUNIC and UN/MUTE. Board of Directors GREECE IN USA produces innovative programs in the field of arts and education, exploring the evolving diversity and richness of Greek culture. The Board of Directors consists of prominent personalities including Antonios Backos (corporate lawyer, non-profit consultant); Nicholas Karytinos (professor and architect); Yiannis Kaplanis, General Manager, Athens & Epidaurus Festival; Andreas Takis, President, MoMUS; Nektarios Antoniou, Head of Culture, St. Nicholas; Rachel Katwan, producer, Pomegranate Arts; and Tressa Berman, founder, Institute for Inter-Cultural Practice, among others.

Founding Director Dr. Sozita Goudouna is the inspirer, founder and artistic director of GREECE IN USA, head of Raymond Pettibon Foundation, and adjunct professor at CUNY. She is the author of Beckett's Breath: Anti-theatricality and the Visual Arts and researcher at the Organism for Poetic Research, supported by NYU and Brown University. Dr. Goudouna has had a distinguished 20-year career in the cultural sector, serving in many executive roles prior to becoming the director of "Greece in USA" in 2020. From 2015, she has taught at New York University as the inaugural Andrew W. Mellon Curator at PERFORMA Biennial in NYC. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of London on art and respiration. Her internationally exhibited projects include participations at New Museum NYC, Performa Biennial and Institute in New York, Documenta, and Onassis Foundation New York, among others. She served as treasurer of the board of directors of AICA Hellas International Art Critics Association and as a member of the board of directors at ITI International Theatre Association, UNESCO.

MHz Choice to premiere first series from Lebanon 'Awake' MHz Choice announces its February lineup including the premiere of Awake, the SVOD platform's first Arabic-language release. The first two episodes of the ten-part Lebanese production, acquired from UK distributor Videoplugger, will debut on February 2, 2021, with two new episodes released weekly.

Flavia Bechara

Tarek Yaccoub

Created by Nadia Tabbara and directed by Mazen Fayad, Awake (2019, 16X45') is about a young woman, Dana (Flavia Bechara), who wakes up from a coma after twelve years, unable to speak or interact with others. With the help of her family, including sisters Lama (Stephanie Atallah) and Jinane (Ruba Zaarour), she slowly comes to grips with what happened to her, and how social media has taken over the world. She realizes that she has woken up to a new world and a new, vibrant Beirut where everyone she's loved is different, and family secrets and lies begin to reveal themselves."Awake is a great opportunity for MHz Choice to showcase the best of TV content emerging from Lebanon," says Lance Schwulst, MHz Networks' VP of Content Strategy. "It's excellent storytelling that's set in one of the world's greatest cities. It's a perfect mix for our audience."

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021 MOVIE OF THE WEEK - JUST LIKE HOME | FILM & PICTURE | NEW EPISODE| FRANCEA French and Turkish family's cohabitation agreement goes on longer than either family had anticipated.AWAKE | VIDEOPLUGGER | NEW EPISODE| LEBANONA young woman awakes after a twelve-year coma to a world she hardly recognizes.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 MOVIE OF THE WEEK - LOVE NATURALLY, PART 1 | FILM & PICTURE | NEW EPISODE| FRANCEA Parisian businesswoman travels to rural France for a wedding and falls in love with Luc, a single father and farmer.MAFIOSA: SEASON 4 | MEDIAWA |NEW SEASON| FRANCEA gripping drama about the inner workings of a notorious mob clan after its patriarch dies and his young niece takes over as heir to the family business.

SOURCE MHz Networks http://www.mhznetworks.org