All languages in the world, including marginalized and endangered ones, play their own part in making us human. Yet, for historical, social and political reasons, many languages are ignored and underappreciated, and so are the humans behind those languages. This has led to thousands of languages becoming threatened and endangered today. In this talk, Georges Awaad reminds us of the common humanity behind our languages and tells us why and how to foster language diversity. With 25 languages under his belt, Georges Awaad, a self-taught polyglot, has been fascinated by different languages and cultures for as long as he can remember. He holds a Bachelor's in Linguistics and is currently working on a Master's in Language Didactics. He wishes to combine his skills in those fields to work with Indigenous people on revitalizing their languages. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In our pursuit of progress, we have illuminated our cities like never before—but at what cost? Joshua Begelman explores the hidden consequences of light pollution, from its profound effects on human health and wildlife to its devastating impact on astronomy and our cultural connection to the stars. Through personal experience and scientific research, Joshua challenges us to rethink our relationship with artificial light and take action before we lose sight—literally—of the universe beyond. Joshua Begelman is a nationally recognized debater, actor, and aspiring astronomer. As the Vice President and Lincoln-Douglas Captain of his school’s Speech and Debate team and a nationally awarded Mock Trial competitor, he has mastered the art of storytelling and persuasion. A professional actor with credits on SNL, WandaVision!, and Madam Secretary, Joshua’s passion for the stars extends beyond performance—he has conducted independent research on the brightness of stars and is launching The Star Series, an event series where he and astronomers from the Upstate give talks before celestial events. With aspirations to pursue astronomy in college, he is on a mission to inspire others to look up. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this enlightening Tedx talk, Vaagmi Shukla explores the groundbreaking potential of gene therapy in treating neurological diseases. Focusing On AAV (adeno-associated virus) therapy, Shukla explains how this innovative approach could revolutionize how we treat conditions affecting the brain and nervous system. She debunks common misconceptions surrounding gene and brain therapy, shedding light on the science behind these treatments and their potential to transform patient care.Shukla dives deep into the mechanisms of AAV therapy explaining how it works at a molecular level to deliver corrective genes to the brain. Additionally, she discusses real-world applications, like talking about more complex conditions such as Parkinsons. However, she acknowledges the significant challenges still faced in AAV gene therapy, from technical hurdles to ethical considerations. Through this talk, Shukla offers an exciting glimpse into the future of neurological treatments and the promise gene therapy holds for countless patients.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx As a young junior, Vaagmi has grown as a scientist and a student through her multiple research projects and assistance in esteemed labs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Main Stage performance act | TEDxAthens 2024 | X Machina Εva Theotokatou was born in Athens and has studied Finance, Art History, Piano and Advanced Music Theory. She started her career in Radio as a sound engineer and then as a Radio producer. In the past 26 years she has worked in the most established Radio stations (Kiss Fm, Athens DeeJay, Best, Nrg, Off radio, en Lefko 88,7). At the same time, she expressed her love for music through a daily TV music show on Mad TV, which lasted for 10 years. She developed herself as a radio producer and TV presenter by focusing on interviews and on identifying and presenting creative individuals and music bands through the Radio project 525 Live Sessions on En Lefko 88,7 but also through her TV shows Selfie on ERT2 and Mastoremata on Skai. She has also worked onMusic supervision for to shows and theatre productions; she has produced jingles and music which has been released in record labels in the UK. If you are not familiar with her work on the Radio or TV, then you most definitely have listened to her DJ sets in one of the plethora of night clubs and cultural events she has been invited. She had always been selective with main criteria being the music quality and artistic taste of the venues/events. Nowadays you can catch her daily at 20:00-23:00 on En Lefko 87,7, part of the frontstage radio corporation.Yannis Efthymiadis was born in Piraeus in 1969. He studied Classical Philology (University of Athens, Department of Classical Philology, 1991) and completed postgraduate studies in ancient Greek drama. He has published nine poetry collections (Stigma, private edition 2004; Kainos Diaritis, Nefeli 2007; Letters to the Prince, Mikri Arktos 2010; 27 or The Man Who Falls, Mikri Arktos 2012; On Your Body, Mikri Arktos 2014; Patreida, Ikaros 2018; Alkinos, Nefeli 2021; The Familiar Darkness, Nefeli 2022; Homo Erectus, Nefeli 2024), two plays (Achilles in Hades, Nefeli 2022 and Oidikasti, Nefeli 2023), and one literary essay (12 Texts in Dialogue with The Monogram of Odysseas Elytis, Kaligrafos 2014). He has translated works by English and American poets. His poems have been included in Greek and foreign anthologies and translated into English, French, German, Italian, and Arabic. Additionally, the poetry cycles The Crystal of the World (Metronomos 2016) and Alkinos (Metronomos 2021) have been set to music and recorded. He works as an educator, has published philological books for secondary education, and collaborates with literary magazines, both print and online. From 2015 to 2020, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts (in the first engraving workshop under Professor Giannis Gourzis). He has presented his printmaking works in two solo exhibitions and participated in nine group exhibitions. His artistic focus is on lithography and watercolor. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Choral ensemble musican performance on the Main Stage | TEDxAthens 2024 | X Machina Chorus, choir: both words deriving from the Greek word choros—a singing and dancing collective in Ancient Greek tragedy and comedy; kore: a Greek word denoting a daughter or a young maiden; words, sounds and meanings that have mingled and created CHÓRES [kórεs], a female choral ensemble based in Athens, Greece. Using vocal music as a vehicle, CHÓRES aim at salvaging, elaborating and promoting the wealth of Greek traditional music as well as creating original repertoire and performative works in collaboration with contemporary musicians and artists.CHÓRES is an artistic incubator created in order to cultivate its members’ skills in music, dance and acting as well as to develop artists with a broad education and social awareness. The ensemble consists of more than 150 women, aged between 15 and 60, who regularly practice the whole spectrum of performance arts and revive, in their unique way, yesterday’s traditional songs using today’s sound and aesthetics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Main Stage performance, music, by Dalene. DALENE, is an Athenian Synth-Pop/New Wave/Art-Pop band, formed by the Mexis Brothers, Theodore and Konstantinos, in 2021. In 2021, the timing felt right for DALENE to unleash their creative spirit with the first single from their debut LP, ‘For Those In Love.’ Their debut album, “For Those In Love” , was released on January 5, 2024 via Mellowsophy Music.The duo, inspired by iconic pop music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, as well as jazz, ignited their passion for creating music after completing their studies at the National Conservatory. Influenced by the likes of New Order, Depeche Mode, Pulp, and Duran Duran, they embarked on their musical journey.DALENE’s first single, ‘For Those In Love,’ became an instant hit on popular Athenian radio stations like Pepper 96.6 and En Lefko 87.7. It has also become a daily favorite on Greek radio stations and online radios in the UK. For Those In Love’ was recognized by various radio producers at Pepper 96.6 as one of the best songs of 2021 in Greece.DALENE’s music captivates, as evidenced by 7K Shazams, 50K Spotify streams of their debut album ‘For Those In Love’ and their non-stop monthly listeners INCREASE. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx