What do we cherish most about Easter in Greece? Its glorious paradoxes! The joyful arrival of Spring with its jasmine-scented air, the incense-infused solemnity of Holy Week rituals, the smell of lamb whirling on the spit. This year, Easter will be poignantly different - no candle-lit processions or fireworks. But the wildflowers will be ...
Read moreWhile we refashion traditions this socially-distanced Easter, having festive meals with laptops instead of family, watching services on screens instead of thronging to light candles, there are still lessons of hope to be had. And stark lessons in gratitude - from history, from nature in full bloom, from civic society, and even, street art...
Read moreWho would have thought that when we were asked ‘to give up jolly taverna nights and replace them with family fights,’* Greeks, the eternal anarchists, would comply? Greece’s remarkably stoic response as a people has evoked praise and rekindled pride in our country’s handling of the pandemic. It will be a poignant Easter, but here’s our fe...
Read moreHow telling that in an era when the barometer of success is to ‘go viral’, the very thought now evokes doom and gloom! From the real concerns the pandemic conjures - the corrupt posturing of populist politicians to the extraordinary challenges faced by cultural institutions – we dive into the everyday anxieties that manifest as google se...
Read moreThe new FOMO of our isolation age is Fear of Not Doing Enough! It’s almost as if we’re expected to pack every minute of our confinement with more information, more entertainment. Cultural venues, chefs, concert halls, Greece’s Tourism Ministry (Insider too!) have all scrambled to create more content to keep us ‘engaged’. How transporting ...
Read moreWater sports and swimming banned Additional measures including a ban on exercising may come into place to contain the spread. Exceptions for exercise will be made only for people with serious health problems who need special exercise or swimming, children with autism or people with multiple sclerosis must have the necessary certificate wi...
Read moreA unique, engaging interface that allows visitors to relive their holidays in Greece and to make future plans by offering a glimpse of what this ancient yet contemporary destination can offer “Greece from Home’ developed by Greece’s Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization, Marketing Greece and Google aims to promote Greece...
Read moreFrom April 3, the Onassis Foundation uploads and shares images, discussions, sounds, emotions, sold-out shows, new podcasts, educational programs, virtual cinematic experiences, online courses, secret concerts on its YouTube channel. Take the best seat on the sofa and tune into the Onassis Foundation’s digital channel, with new content ma...
Read moreIf you needed to feel even more isolated than you already are, after the roads, it’s the skies that will be empty starting this Thursday as Aegean announces that it will temporarily halt all international flights until 30 April . The airline issued a statement on Monday stating that ‘given the extraordinary circumstances of th...
Read moreStarting at 6 am tomorrow morning until 6 April, all Greek citizens and foreign residents can leave home only for a few specific chores, or risk a 150-euro fine. We’ve outlined what you need to do but for more details please visit www.forma. gov.gr. The website will be up and running later this evening (after 9 pm). What you need to know before ...
Read moreWith an array of Lenten treats on offer, the 40-day pre-Easter abstinence feels more like indulgence than penance. A quick Insider guide to learning Lenten terms and dos and don’ts For Greeks, even fasting is all about food! In fact, Lent reflects the rich culinary repertoire of the country, relying heavily on seasonal veggies...
Read moreVassilios “Bill” Lefakinis, 86, founder of the first yacht charter company in Greece and longtime Philadelphia-area resident, died Sunday, January 26, 2020, of natural causes at his home in Sellersville, PA. Mr. Lefakinis, who was born in Athens, Greece and came to the United States as a 13 year old student on scholarship, bec...
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