School Reform

Tired of `git rebase` conflicts? Wish you could edit your commit history without fear? Join us for a hands-on introduction where we'll cover some \`jj\` basics and get to use it in action! \`jj\` is a modern version control system that's compatible with Git but designed from the ground up to be: simpler and easier, but also more powerful ! Pretty bold claim, right ? In this hands-on session, we'll explore: * What jj is and why developers are excited about it * Basic jj commands and how they compare to Git * Setting up and using jj with Git repositories * (yes, you can use it on your existing projects!) * (and, no, the rest of your team doesn't have to adopt it!!) * Core workflows: creating commits, viewing history, and making changes * A quick look at what makes jj different (automatic commits, simpler history editing) **What to bring:** * Your laptop (ideally with \`jj\` [installed](https://docs.jj-vcs.dev/latest/install-and-setup/) ) * Curiosity about alternative version control workflows **Who should attend:** Developers of all levels who use Git regularly and are curious about modern alternatives. Whether you're frustrated with Git's complexity or just interested in exploring new tools, this workshop will hopefully entice you to try out something new that will spice up your daily workflows! No prior jj experience required—just familiarity with basic version control concepts. **Sponsors** Our sponsors for this meetup are [Yodeck](https://www.yodeck.com/) \- who are not only kindly providing the venue\, free of charge\, but who will also treat us to some snacks / drinks for the networking session after the meetup\! Do stick around and say hi!

Ελάτε μαζί μας σε μια εμπνευσμένη και ανανεωμένη συνάντηση της Unreal Engine στο SAE Creative Media College στην Αθήνα! Είτε είστε έμπειρος δημιουργός είτε μόλις ξεκινάτε, αυτή η εκδήλωση είναι η ιδανική ευκαιρία να συνδεθείτε, να συνεργαστείτε και να μάθετε από άλλους ανεξάρτητους δημιουργούς παιχνιδιών στην κοινότητα! Βυθιστείτε στον κόσμο της ανάπτυξης παιχνιδιών με την Unreal Engine και ανακαλύψτε καινοτόμες τεχνικές, εργαλεία και ιδέες για να αναβαθμίσετε τα έργα σας. Μην χάσετε αυτήν την ευκαιρία να γίνετε μέρος της αναπτυσσόμενης σκηνής ανεξάρτητων δημιουργών παιχνιδιών της Αθήνας—φέρτε τη δημιουργικότητά σας, τις ερωτήσεις και τον ενθουσιασμό σας! Ας κάνουμε αυτή τη συνάντηση ένα ισχυρό βήμα προς την τοποθέτηση των ελληνικών ανεξάρτητων παιχνιδιών στον παγκόσμιο χάρτη! Τα λέμε εκεί! Join us for an inspiring and renewed Unreal Engine meetup at SAE Creative Media College in Athens! Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn from fellow indie game developers in the community. Dive into the world of game development with Unreal Engine and discover innovative techniques, tools, and ideas to level up your projects. Don't miss this chance to be a part of Athens' growing indie game dev scene—bring your creativity, questions, and excitement. Let's make this gathering a powerful step towards putting Greek indie games on the global map! See you there! Agenda --- Hosted By Pavlos Alifragis, Unreal Community Leader Passionate Game Designer / Developer with 8+ years of experience making games for PC, Mobile and VR. --- Partner SAE Creative Media College of Athens (https://www.sae.edu/grc/) --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://communities.unrealengine.com/events/details/epic-games-athens-presents-unreal-engine-meetup-at-sae-creative-media-college-of-athens-v2/.

**Weekly Donation-Based Yoga Class in Athens** 🧘‍♀️✨ Join us every **Wednesday, 17:00–18:30**, at **Patision 185, Athens** for a welcoming and mindful yoga practice in the heart of the city. The **minimum contribution is €5**, and all proceeds support **Cats of Antiparos**, helping care for stray cats on the island. **Booking is required**, as spaces are limited. To reserve your spot, please email: **ioviktoratou@gmail.com** Classes are offered in **English or Greek**, depending on the group. **About the Instructor** **Io Viktoratou** is a 200-hour Hatha Vinyasa Yoga Alliance–certified instructor. She has taught Hatha and Vinyasa yoga at a studio in Exarchia and continues to deepen her practice through ongoing training and workshops with Carmen Aguilar, Ashtanga Yoga with Adam Keen and Melina Vlachou, and Dharma Yoga with Jerome Burdi. Her teaching is grounded in Patanjali’s eightfold path, emphasizing mindful movement, breath, and meditation. I look forward to seeing you on the mat! 🙏

ATHENS NOMAD FEST and ATHENS FUN & CONNECTION present : CO-WORKING WEDNESDAY, a weekly co-working event for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers! Keeping the ATHENS NOMAD FEST spirit alive every week 🚀 if you want to go far, work alone, if you want to succeed, work together!👊🏼 let's gather every Wednesday together from 10am to 2pm (or later) to connect, collaborate and keep building Athens Nomad community together! Every Wednesday a different place. Check meetup for the updated location 🙏 Ask the staff to find us or send me a message on Whatsapp: +32486805343 Looking forward to working with you Michaël & Christina

Book your place at www.basketble.com Time: 17.00-18.30 (Athens Time) Duration: 1.5 hours Price: 10 Euros (payment at the basketball court) Facilities: Underground parking Game Setup (depending on the number of players) 3 teams of 5 players playing against each other Winner stays on but maximum 2 games 7 minute games You can play in the same team with your friends or we will place you in a team Come Out and Play!

**Get ready to hop from bar to bar, sip on unlimited drinks, and dance the night away at the Athens Party Pub Crawl - it's gonna be legendary!** ## Highlights * Feel the rush of excitement of **meeting new people** and dancing the night away * Opt to include an **open bar for 1 hour**, including beer and wine or long drinks * Be led by **experienced and fun local hosts** and explore Athen's nightlife * **Dance, drink, and mingle** with fellow party enthusiasts from around the globe * Breeze past long lines at the nightclub and relax knowing **entry is covered** ## Full description Experience the ultimate night in Athens with 1 FULL HOUR of Unlimited Drinks (8€ - 35€+ Value!)\*, free shots, and Free Nightclub Access (10€ Value!) while meeting nightlife lovers from around the world! Get ready to celebrate like never before with the Best Pub Crawl in Athens! Embark on an epic pub crawl through Athens' hottest nightlife spots. Dance, drink, and mingle with fellow nightlife enthusiasts from around the globe. Enjoy an hour of unlimited drinks and free shots at each\* venue, while our energetic party hosts lead you through the night. Skip the lines and get access to the city's best clubs. Book now and make your night in Athens unforgettable! **\* We offer three ticket options:** 1\. The **Sober Owl Ticket**: Does not include an open bar \| Includes: A Free Shot at each Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club 2\. The **Tipsy Owl Ticket**: Includes 1 hour of unlimited beer or wine\. \| Also includes: Free Shot at 1st & Last Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club 3\. The **Drunken Owl Ticket**: Includes 1 hour of unlimited long drinks \(Gin/Vodka/Rum/Tequila\)\, beer\, and wine\. \| Also includes: Free Shot at 1st & Last Venue \- Drink Discounts \- Free Entrance & Skip the Line to Club ## Includes * Local Experienced event host(s) * Bar crawl: Visit 2 Bars & 1 Nightclub * 1 hour of unlimited drinks (depending on ticket option chosen) * 2-3 Free Shots (depending on ticket option chosen) * Discounts in Cocktails (1st Venue) * Skip-the-line & Free entry to Nightclub ## What to bring * Your Best Mood 🤩 * Comfortable shoes for dancing 🕺💃 * Camera * Charged Smartphone ## Not allowed * Intoxication ## Know before you go * This is an Adults only event. 18+ years old ## Booking Terms & Conditions - Code of Conduct By participating in any event (including pub crawls) organised and hosted by Athens Party Pub Crawl, you the participant & every person your booking is consisted of, agree to the following terms and conditions without restriction: [https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct](https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct "https://athenspartypubcrawl.com/terms-and-conditions-code-of-conduct")

**IMPORTANT PLEASE RSVP** @ https://www.meetup.com/foobar-io/events/312880991/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events \*\*\* 🚀 **foobar.i/o** kicks off the new year with the first meetup of **2026**! We are excited to announce our upcoming meetup on **February 19**, hosted at the Greek offices of **NTT Data Greece**! 📍 **Michalakopoulou 80,** Athens (2nd floor) 🎤 Speaker: **Matthaios Stavrou** **Matthaios** is a Custom Software Engineering Associate Manager at Accenture and will join us to present **schema evolution** best practices. 🎯 Topic: **Secure & Reliable Schema Management for Java Microservices with Kafka Schema Registry in Production** In this session, we will explore how **Java-based microservices** can securely and reliable work with **Kafka Schema Registry** in real production environments: * best practices for schema evolution with **Avro** and **JSON Schema** * **ACLs** and **RBAC** over **Schema Registry** * runtime schema Validation and Compatibility * hands-on **Spring Boot** & Maven demo with real-world config

🚀 **foobar.i/o** kicks off the new year with the first meetup of **2026**! We are excited to announce our upcoming meetup on **February 19**, hosted at the Greek offices of **NTT Data Greece**! 📍 **Michalakopoulou 80,** Athens (2nd floor) 🎤 Speaker: **Matthaios Stavrou** **Matthaios** is a Custom Software Engineering Associate Manager at Accenture and will join us to present **schema evolution** best practices. 🎯 Topic: **Secure & Reliable Schema Management for Java Microservices with Kafka Schema Registry in Production** In this session, we will explore how **Java-based microservices** can securely and reliable work with **Kafka Schema Registry** in real production environments: * best practices for schema evolution with **Avro** and **JSON Schema** * **ACLs** and **RBAC** over **Schema Registry** * runtime schema Validation and Compatibility * hands-on **Spring Boot** & Maven demo with real-world config 🤝 **Networking & Refreshments** After the talk, we will stick to our usual tradition of networking over food and drinks, **sponsored** by **Confluent**. **Confluent** proudly supports communities worldwide that focus on streaming platforms, real-time data streams, **Apache Kafka®**, **Apache Flink®**, and their ecosystems. More information and community resources can be found at: [https://developer.confluent.io/community/](https://developer.confluent.io/community/) Their continuous support of the developer community makes meetups like this possible, and we are amazed to have them with us while kicking off 2026! #foobario #Confluent #NTTDataGreece #SoftwareEngineering #Microservices #ApacheKafka #Streaming

Το Shut Up & Write διοργανώνει δωρεάν τοπικές φυσικές και διαδικτυακές εκδηλώσεις συγγραφής για συγγραφείς από όλο τον κόσμο. Οι εκδηλώσεις μας χρησιμοποιούν την αποδεδειγμένη φόρμουλα μας: 15 λεπτά εισαγωγής, 1 ώρα συγκεντρωμένης γραφής και 15 λεπτά τελικού απολογισμού για να μοιραστούν οι συμμετέχοντες την πρόοδο τους. ***Τι να περιμένετε*** Δηλώστε συμμετοχή και παρακαλούμε να φτάσετε 10–15 λεπτά νωρίτερα για να τακτοποιηθείτε. Ο οικοδεσπότης θα οδηγήσει σε συστάσεις και στη συνέχεια όλοι θα γράψουμε για ένα ήσυχο, συγκεντρωμένο χρονικό διάστημα. Στη συνέχεια, θα έχουμε προαιρετικό χρόνο για να συζητήσουμε και να γνωριστούμε. Τα μέλη συχνά μιλούν για τις επιτυχίες και τις προκλήσεις τους ως συγγραφείς. Οι εκδηλώσεις μας είναι ένας ασφαλής χώρος για τους συγγραφείς να εργαστούν πάνω στην τέχνη τους. Κανείς δε θα διαβάσει ή θα ασκήσει κριτική στα γραπτά σας. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με τις εκδηλώσεις μας, επισκεφθείτε το τη διεύθυνση: [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com) ***Δεν πειράζει να αργήσετε:*** Απλώς εμφανιστείτε και τακτοποιηθείτε και μετά επικοινωνήστε μαζί μου μετά τη συνεδρία. ***Τι να φέρω;*** Ό,τι χρειάζεσαι για να μπορείς να γράφεις! Laptop, κινητό, χαρτί και μολύβι. Ο χώρος έχει απόλυτη ησυχία, και θα πρέπει να κάνουμε και μεις απόλυτη ησυχία. Άλλες σημαντικές πληροφορίες: ***VENUE WIFI NAME/PASSWORD:*** Free - open Wi-Fi ***TRAVEL / PARKING:*** Βρίσκεται εντός του ΚΠΙΣΝ. Πρόσβαση με αμάξι ή λεωφορείο και τραμ. Πληροφορίες πρόσβασης στο link του SNFCC Shuttle Bus, τηλέφωνο επικοινωνίας: 2168091000 ***SEATING INFORMATION:*** Συνάντηση κατευθείαν στον μεγάλο πορτοκαλί καναπέ στην γωνία μετά τα βιβλία στην είσοδο της Εθνικής βιβλιοθήκης. Στη συνέχεια αφού γίνουν οι συστάσεις, ΞΕΚΙΝΑΜΕ ΓΡΑΨΙΜΟ! Ο χώρος είναι ελεύθερος για το κοινό και η διοργάνωση δεν γινεται από την Εθνική Βιβλιοθήκη. Μην αρχίσετε να ρωτάτε στις πληροφορίες. Το πλήρες πρόγραμμα εχει ως εξής: 15 λεπτά συστάσεις να γνωριστούμε, έπειτα 1 ώρα όπου θα γράψουμε με ησυχία και έπειτα μπορούμε να πιούμε καφέ στα τραπέζια στο ποτάμι και να συζητήσουμε τις συγγραφικές μας προκλήσεις. ***GUIDELINES:*** Δεν επιτρέπονται ποτό ή φαγητό εντός της βιβλιοθήκης. Εφόσον η ομάδα συμφωνήσει θα συνεχίσουμε τη συνάντηση για καφέ στα εξωτερικά τραπέζια.

Based on my MBA research, this talk explores the current state of Agile adoption in Greek organizations. Drawing on survey data from executives and Agile team members, it examines how Agile is practiced today, which frameworks are in use, what success looks like and where things quietly start to break down. The research reveals a growing gap between how leaders believe Agile is working and how teams actually experience it. Using a data-driven lens, we explore the real challenges of scaling Agile in Greece, the underestimated role of culture and people, and what it takes to build truly adaptive, innovation-driven organizations. While the data was collected in Greece, the findings are compared with some of Europe’s most mature Agile environments, particularly Denmark and the Netherlands. This comparison places the Greek ecosystem in a broader EU context, distinguishing local constraints from universal Agile challenges and highlighting what can realistically be adapted. **What you’ll take away** * Uncover critical perception gaps, such as the ‘Culture Blind Spot’, that are holding teams back without leadership realizing it. * See the shared roadmap executives and teams actually agree on for scaling Agile beyond pilots and isolated successes * Identify the human factors currently undervalued, contributing to stalled innovation in the majority of organisations and talent loss eventually. * Learn how to move beyond the ‘delivery’ toward healthier, more resilient organizations This session is ideal for leaders, managers, Agile practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of work and organizational agility.

Want to practice your public speaking and communication skills? Want to overcome stage fright? Come to our next Toastmasters meeting! We are an open, friendly and fun group of people that practice public speaking and evaluate each other. We follow the Toastmasters methodology that has developed over 100 years and is being practiced in Greece since 2005. Meetings are open to all and require no preparation. For more information please consult: https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556529585790 We meet twice monthly, every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, from September until July (except of Christmas - New Year & Easter holidays). Αυτή θα είναι μία αγγλόφωνη συνάντηση. Για τις συναντήσεις μας στα ελληνικά επισκεφθείτε την σελίδα: https://www.meetup.com/ethos-pathos-logos-toastmasters-club

This Friday we socialize and practice our languages in a Scottish Pub in Ampelokipi. 🍻🍕🌭 Beer, pizza and hotdogs! The event is free of charge. You only pay for what you order at the bar.

Jump in our whtsapp group,introduce yourself, start connect,put your ideas and lets hangout and make friends https://chat.whatsapp.com/EDf4HaUjK4gLMMQeiOsllt Athens, let’s make Thursday night about connection that actually matters. This is a social language exchange designed for real conversations, cultural exchange, and meeting new people—set inside the warm, lively atmosphere of Mint Bar ✨ Whether you want to practice English, Greek, Spanish, French, or simply meet people from around the world, this space is built for easy, natural interaction. No pressure. No judgment. Just conversation, laughs, and good energy. 🌊 How the Night Works • We gather around big shared tables 🪑 • Start with small, natural conversations 💬 • Every 15–20 minutes, people naturally rotate and meet someone new 🔄 • Share languages, cultural stories, travel experiences, or ideas 🌍 • Some people dance 💃🕺, some relax 😌, some do both • Stay as long as you like, move at your own pace ✨ The structure is light and flexible—enough flow to keep things dynamic, enough freedom to keep it relaxed. This is conversation in motion. 🤝 Who You’ll Meet Locals, expats, travelers, creatives, and curious minds ✨ People who enjoy learning, sharing, and connecting beyond surface-level small talk. I’ll be there all night 👋 Introducing people, connecting groups, and keeping the energy flowing ⚡ Coming alone? Perfect. This event is designed so solo guests blend in easily and leave with new connections 🤍 🍷 Community Drink Deals • Sangria — €3 🍷 • Shots — €2.5 🥃 • Cocktails — €7 🍸 • Beer — €5 large / €4 small 🍺 Affordable, social, and stress-free. 🎶 Music & Atmosphere Upbeat enough to keep the energy alive 🎧 Soft enough to actually talk 💬 A warm, inclusive vibe where people—not noise—are the focus ✨ 📍 Event Details 📅 Every Thursday 🕣 20:30 – 00:00 📍 Mint Bar → https://maps.app.goo.gl/thKjPZDwyEvegVWD9 🎟 Entry: FREE (just say you’re with the community) 🌟 Why This Night Works • Meet people from all over the world 🌍 • Practice languages through real conversation 🗣️ • New faces every week, familiar energy every time 🤍 • A social setting that feels easy, open, and human • Start your night with connection—and let it unfold naturally 🔥 💫 Final Thought Thursday nights don’t have to be random. They can be social. They can be intentional. They can be fun and meaningful. Come for a drink 🍸 Stay for the conversation 💬 Leave with stories, smiles, and new friends 🤍🔥 Thursday = Mint Bar Social & Language Exchange See you there. Mamad – The organiser of Athens locals&Travellers events Whtsapp 00306949528622 Follow us on instagram And make us grow Thanks in advance https://www.instagram.com/athenslocalstravellers?igsh=MWM4MTh4c2p5M3NxdA== travel, meetup night, night out, city adventures, bar night, social event, friendship, network, mingle, explore city, evening fun, solo night, group meetup, local hangout, international friends, nightlife lovers, weekend fun, party vibes, cocktails night, live music, clubbing, coffee meet, brunch meetup, cultural events, street tours, urban life, nightlife adventure, new connections, chat night, fun night, singles meetup, evening drinks, meet & greet, food tour, sightseeing, art events, music night, rooftop bar, sunset party, festival, theater night, karaoke night, games night, pub crawl, city nightlife, travel buddies, hangout night, casual dating ταξίδια, meetup βράδυ, νυχτερινή έξοδος, περιπέτεια πόλης, βραδιά μπαρ, κοινωνική εκδήλωση, φιλία, δικτύωση, γνωριμίες, εξερεύνηση πόλης, βραδινή διασκέδαση, μόνος βράδυ, ομάδα meetup, τοπικό hangout, διεθνείς φίλοι, λάτρεις της νυχτερινής ζωής, Σαββατοκύριακο διασκέδαση, vibes πάρτι, βραδιά κοκτέιλ, ζωντανή μουσική, κλαμπ, καφές meetup, brunch meetup, πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις, περιήγηση δρόμου, ζωή στην πόλη, νυχτερινή περιπέτεια, νέες συνδέσεις, βραδιά κουβέντας, διασκεδαστική νύχτα, meetup σινγκλς, βραδιά ποτών, γνωριμία & χαιρετισμός, food tour, αξιοθέατα, εκδηλώσεις τέχνης, μουσική βραδιά, ταράτσα μπαρ, πάρτι ηλιοβασιλέματος, φεστιβάλ, θέατρο βραδιά, karaoke βραδιά, παιχνίδια βραδιά, pub crawl, νυχτερινή ζωή πόλης, ταξιδιωτικοί φίλοι, hangout βράδυ, casual ραντεβού

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

Polarity Reflexology (PR) Certificate Course: (2026) February 21-22 March 21-22 April 25-26 May 30-31 June 27-28 Students must attend all 5 weekends to receive Certificate Classes run from 8:30am-5:30pm each scheduled day Information & Registration Link can be found here: [Polarity Reflexology (PR) Certificate Course](https://www.gafee.org/#/polarity-reflexology-pr/) *[Global Academy for Energetic Education (GAFEE) is Registered with the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools and is authorized to teach Diploma and Certificate Programs. (Registration #2091)](https://oh.edvera.com/directory/institutions)*

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

Come check us out! You will have a wonderful time! The music and friendships are life-changing!

Always an overachiever, David Bayer didn't settle for being Number Two in just about anything. Whether a runaway entrepreneurial success as a teenager, the leading online director for Ducati with over $70 million in sales, or as an early mid-life crisis overachiever with at least three wildly self-destructive behavioral addictions, whatever David did, he did it wholeheartedly. Not surprisingly then, when it came to facing his failures and determining his next course of action, David sought health and healing with the same full-strength effort he had previously used to bring about his own ruination. Seeking to learn from the best of the best, David's pursuit of tangible, practical, actual change from the mind and emotions, outward, brought a new passion--that of encouraging others to learn from his mistakes and to be able to strive after and achieve healing and success in their own lives. We are reading *A Changed Mind*, by David Bayer, and can't wait to enjoy the group discussion on **Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6:30 pm**, at **True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**. Come join us! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-changed-mind-columbus-ohio-tickets-1978437853879)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1390625182655746)!

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.