From Greece and Cyprus
Coverage from Greece and Cyprus on politics, society, and culture.
Private Universities Open in Greece for the First Time
Greece has launched private universities for the first time, ending a decades-long ban. Four new institutions opened this fall in Athens and Thessaloniki with space for more than 6,000 students. The reform is historic but has…
Today in History: September 6, 1955 – The Night Constantinople Turned Against Its Greeks
On September 6, 1955, mobs swept through Constantinople, looting Greek homes, shops, churches, and cemeteries. The violence was planned, not spontaneous, and it marked the beginning of the end for the city’s Greek community.
From the Paralia to the Office: How Greece Ended Up with Europe’s Longest Workdays
Greeks work more hours than anyone else in the EU, averaging nearly 40 a week. New laws now allow six-day weeks and even 13-hour days in some sectors, sparking debate over whether this is resilience or…
Why Agia Napa Named an American Its Tourism Ambassador
After more than a hundred visits in forty years, Andrew Smith was welcomed into the Agia Napa family with an honor that reflects Cyprus’s deepest tradition: hospitality.
Today in History: August 29, 1916 – When Greece’s National Schism Turned to Revolt
On August 29, 1916, a failed military move in Thessaloniki exposed Greece’s National Schism. Within a day, it turned into an open revolt, setting the course toward war and reshaping both Greece and its diaspora.
Greece Becomes a Digital Gateway: Inside the Country’s Data Center Boom
Greece is quickly turning into a digital hub. With submarine cables, billion-euro investments, and new data centers in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete, the country is positioning itself as a technology gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa.
On This Day in History: The First Greeks Arrive in Australia (1829)
On August 27, 1829, seven sailors from Hydra arrived in Sydney aboard the convict ship Norfolk. They became the first Greeks in Australia, with Antonis Manolis and Gikas Voulgaris choosing to stay and start a community…
On This Day in History: The Sack of Thessaloniki – August 24, 1185
On August 24, 1185, Norman forces stormed Thessaloniki, killing thousands and devastating one of Byzantium’s most important cities. The disaster helped bring down Emperor Andronikos I Komnenos just weeks later.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Ambition and Belonging: Why More Greeks Abroad Are Moving Back Without Starting Over
More Greeks abroad are finding ways to return without starting over. Remote work, new visas, and programs like Rebrain Greece are making it possible to build a life in Greece while keeping global careers and connections.
Panagia Soumela: Divine Liturgy Granted Again for August 23
Turkish authorities have again granted permission for a Divine Liturgy at Panagia Soumela, set for August 23. The shift from August 15 highlights both the monastery’s deep spiritual meaning and the limits placed on worship there.
Greek Cities Are Getting Smarter, And Here Is How
Across Greece, more than 110 towns are adopting City On, a smart city platform that lets residents report issues, track progress, and connect directly with their municipality. It is changing how communities solve everyday problems.
Greece’s Centaurus System Proved Itself in Combat in the Red Sea
In the Red Sea, a Greek navy frigate used the homegrown Centaurus system to stop incoming drones. It was Greece’s first combat test of its anti-drone technology and a sign of the country’s growing defense innovation.
