Latest news with #TheMoonhouse
The Age
22-05-2025
- The Age
Party tourists ruined Mykonos. Now they're heading for another island
I visited Paros for the first time in the late 1980s. Stepping off the rusted ferry into bright sunshine in Paroikia's (then) tiny port felt like arriving in paradise – albeit a backpacker's paradise – and my days there were filled with long lazy meals outside bougainvillea-shaded, family-run fish tavernas in the tiny village of Naoussa, and afternoons at Piso Livadi's traditional kafenions (cafes) and golden beaches, where I'd often have the sands almost entirely to myself. Forty years later, around half a million people flock to Paros every summer, which – on a small island with just 12,000 residents – means today's visitors are unlikely to have more than a scrap of sand to themselves, let alone a whole beach. It was, until recently, still the 'the chilled alternative to Mykonos' – as it was dubbed in a Vogue article – and the preserve of a handful of celebrities (amongst them Tom Hanks and his Greek wife, Rita Wilson, who have a house on the satellite island of Antiparos), drawn by hyper-exclusive hideaways like The Moonhouse, and a lack of prying eyes. But as is so often the way, the masses soon followed. Once renowned for its fine white marble, the island is now increasingly associated with glitzy beach clubs, gourmet restaurants and hip hotels, and resources are under strain. 'Rising costs for locals are a huge concern,' ceramic artist and long-time island resident Christiane Smit told me, while a recent LinkedIn post from former MEP and environmentalist Kriton Arsenis reported that, in the past five years alone, Paros has topped the demand for new building permits in the Cyclades, surpassing even Mykonos and Santorini, and 'been overbuilt at a dramatic pace'. 'You see it in the crowded streets, the traffic jams, the way people seem stressed,' explained Nikos Botsinis of Santorini Walking Tours, who moved to the island several years ago seeking a more authentic way of life. 'Both locals and the environment can feel the immense pressure of the tourism 'development'. But those in power are celebrating the 'success' of their decisions, turning a blind eye to the tsunami of issues that is approaching rapidly.' Increasingly frustrated with seemingly out-of-control development on the island, residents of Naoussa sent a petition to government representatives in 2022 asking them to put a halt to rampant building in the tiny resort, describing it as 'a severe test of all the fragile infrastructure of a small place'. In 2023, locals came together to create the Paros Citizens' Movement for Free Beaches – dubbed the 'Greek beach-towel movement' by foreign press – to protest what they describe as the 'illegal privatisation' of beaches in Greece. 'The law says no beach is private, yet there were huge swathes of beach covered by sunloungers and parasols rented for up to €100 ($A176) per day, and we couldn't afford to use those areas,' one protester fumed.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Party tourists ruined Mykonos. Now they're heading for another island
I visited Paros for the first time in the late 1980s. Stepping off the rusted ferry into bright sunshine in Paroikia's (then) tiny port felt like arriving in paradise – albeit a backpacker's paradise – and my days there were filled with long lazy meals outside bougainvillea-shaded, family-run fish tavernas in the tiny village of Naoussa, and afternoons at Piso Livadi's traditional kafenions (cafes) and golden beaches, where I'd often have the sands almost entirely to myself. Forty years later, around half a million people flock to Paros every summer, which – on a small island with just 12,000 residents – means today's visitors are unlikely to have more than a scrap of sand to themselves, let alone a whole beach. It was, until recently, still the 'the chilled alternative to Mykonos' – as it was dubbed in a Vogue article – and the preserve of a handful of celebrities (amongst them Tom Hanks and his Greek wife, Rita Wilson, who have a house on the satellite island of Antiparos), drawn by hyper-exclusive hideaways like The Moonhouse, and a lack of prying eyes. But as is so often the way, the masses soon followed. Once renowned for its fine white marble, the island is now increasingly associated with glitzy beach clubs, gourmet restaurants and hip hotels, and resources are under strain. 'Rising costs for locals are a huge concern,' ceramic artist and long-time island resident Christiane Smit told me, while a recent LinkedIn post from former MEP and environmentalist Kriton Arsenis reported that, in the past five years alone, Paros has topped the demand for new building permits in the Cyclades, surpassing even Mykonos and Santorini, and 'been overbuilt at a dramatic pace'. 'You see it in the crowded streets, the traffic jams, the way people seem stressed,' explained Nikos Botsinis of Santorini Walking Tours, who moved to the island several years ago seeking a more authentic way of life. 'Both locals and the environment can feel the immense pressure of the tourism 'development'. But those in power are celebrating the 'success' of their decisions, turning a blind eye to the tsunami of issues that is approaching rapidly.' Increasingly frustrated with seemingly out-of-control development on the island, residents of Naoussa sent a petition to government representatives in 2022 asking them to put a halt to rampant building in the tiny resort, describing it as 'a severe test of all the fragile infrastructure of a small place'. In 2023, locals came together to create the Paros Citizens' Movement for Free Beaches – dubbed the 'Greek beach-towel movement' by foreign press – to protest what they describe as the 'illegal privatisation' of beaches in Greece. 'The law says no beach is private, yet there were huge swathes of beach covered by sunloungers and parasols rented for up to €100 ($A176) per day, and we couldn't afford to use those areas,' one protester fumed.
Korea Herald
22-05-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
The Moonhouse: The First Ever House on the Moon – A Swedish Red Cottage Set to Land June 5
STOCKHOLM, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- History is about to be made. On June 5 at 09:24 PM CET, a tiny red house — a traditional Swedish cottage — is set to become the first house ever to land on the Moon. After traveling through space for more than four months aboard the Japanese lunar lander RESILIENCE, the artwork known as The Moonhouse now enters its most critical phase: a soft landing in Mare Frigoris — the Sea of Cold. This unique fusion of art and technology began with a bold idea. In 1999, Swedish artist Mikael Genberg imagined placing a simple red house on the Moon. "Not as a scientific outpost or political symbol," says Genberg, "but as a quiet reminder of humanity, imagination, and home. A beacon of hope — and an eye turned toward Earth, the pale blue dot." Since then, the idea has passed through the hands of engineers, dreamers, and supporters who, together with Genberg, have carried it forward across decades, continents, and now deep space. Landing on the Moon remains one of the most difficult feats in spaceflight. ispace's first attempt in 2023 did not touchdown successfully, and this second mission demands flawless precision. But even with a successful landing, the mission's most delicate moment is still to come. Mounted on the front of the lunar rover TENACIOUS is the house itself. Once the lander touches down, the rover will be deployed to scout the Moon's surface for the perfect site. "The hardest part starts now. The Moonhouse must find its place on the Moon — and then make its final leap, just 8 centimeters, powered only by gravity. We'll be holding our breath until we see the images," says The Moonhouse technical lead Emil Vinterhav. "It's a delicate maneuver, done by remote control from 400,000 km away," says Antoine Bocquier, Rover Pilot and Senior Space System Engineer at ispace. "I will operate the rover to identify a location that is both stable and symbolically meaningful." Only then — when the house stands alone on the Moon — will The Moonhouse be fully realized. "This is more than a work of art. It is a 26-year journey of persistence, collaboration, and belief — a red cottage that dares to dream on the Moon, forever." — Hans Elis Johansson, Communications Director Contact: Hans Elis Johansson +46 70 5136035 Mikael Genberg info@ +46707755393 Emil Vinterhav +46705551869
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
A little red house is set to land on the Moon within days - they call it The Moonhouse
A little red house is set to land on the Moon within days - they call it The Moonhouse The project has been in the pipeline since 1999 and the house will be carried on a lunar rover before making its own 8cm touchdown on the surface The Moonhouse (Image: The Moonhouse ) A traditional Swedish cottage is set to become the first 'house' to ever land on the moon next month. On June 5, at 9.24pm CET, the artwork known as The Moonhouse, a tiny red house which has been travelling through space for more than four months aboard the lunar lander RESILIENCE, will enter its most critical phase, a soft landing in the Mare Frigoris region — the sea of cold. In 1999, Swedish artist Mikael Genberg envisioned placing a classic red house with white corners on the moon. Since then, a diverse group of "engineers, dreamers, and passionate believers" have kept the vision alive — across time and space, across the Earth, and now into deep space. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here . "It's not about science or politics," says Genberg. "It's about reminding us of what we all share — our humanity, our imagination, and our longing for home. "A red house gazing back at the Pale Blue Dot, as Carl Sagan once described our fragile planet." Article continues below Despite decades of technological advancement, landing on the Moon remains one of the most complex challenges in spaceflight. Japanese ispace is now undertaking its second mission after an unsuccessful attempt in 2023. The project demands extreme precision — and even with a successful landing, the most delicate moment will still lie ahead. Mounted on the front of the lunar rover, TENACIOUS, is the artwork itself. Once the lander touches down, the rover will be deployed to scout the moon's surface for the perfect site. The Moonhouse then must find its place — and perform its own little moon landing: a drop of just eight centimetres, powered only by gravity. "We'll be holding our breath until the images reach us," said Emil Vinterhav, technical lead for The Moonhouse. Antoine Bocquier, rover pilot and senior space system engineer at ispace, said: "It's a highly delicate manoeuvre, remotely operated from 400,000 kilometres away. I will guide the rover to a location that is both stable and symbolically meaningful." Communications director, Hans Elis Johansson, who has been part of the project from the beginning, added: "This is more than a work of art. It is a 26-year journey of persistence, collaboration, and belief — a red little house that dares to dream. On the moon. Forever." Article continues below
Cision Canada
22-05-2025
- Science
- Cision Canada
The Moonhouse: The First Ever House on the Moon - A Swedish Red Cottage Set to Land June 5
STOCKHOLM, May 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- History is about to be made. On June 5 at 09:24 PM CET, a tiny red house — a traditional Swedish cottage — is set to become the first house ever to land on the Moon. After traveling through space for more than four months aboard the Japanese lunar lander RESILIENCE, the artwork known as The Moonhouse now enters its most critical phase: a soft landing in Mare Frigoris — the Sea of Cold. This unique fusion of art and technology began with a bold idea. In 1999, Swedish artist Mikael Genberg imagined placing a simple red house on the Moon. "Not as a scientific outpost or political symbol," says Genberg, "but as a quiet reminder of humanity, imagination, and home. A beacon of hope — and an eye turned toward Earth, the pale blue dot." Since then, the idea has passed through the hands of engineers, dreamers, and supporters who, together with Genberg, have carried it forward across decades, continents, and now deep space. Landing on the Moon remains one of the most difficult feats in spaceflight. ispace's first attempt in 2023 did not touchdown successfully, and this second mission demands flawless precision. But even with a successful landing, the mission's most delicate moment is still to come. Mounted on the front of the lunar rover TENACIOUS is the house itself. Once the lander touches down, the rover will be deployed to scout the Moon's surface for the perfect site. "The hardest part starts now. The Moonhouse must find its place on the Moon — and then make its final leap, just 8 centimeters, powered only by gravity. We'll be holding our breath until we see the images," says The Moonhouse technical lead Emil Vinterhav. "It's a delicate maneuver, done by remote control from 400,000 km away," says Antoine Bocquier, Rover Pilot and Senior Space System Engineer at ispace. "I will operate the rover to identify a location that is both stable and symbolically meaningful." Only then — when the house stands alone on the Moon — will The Moonhouse be fully realized. "This is more than a work of art. It is a 26-year journey of persistence, collaboration, and belief — a red cottage that dares to dream on the Moon, forever." — , Communications Director Contact: Hans Elis Johansson [email protected] +46 70 5136035 Mikael Genberg [email protected] +46707755393 Emil Vinterhav [email protected] +46705551869 SOURCE The Moonhouse AB
