From Greece and Cyprus
Coverage from Greece and Cyprus on politics, society, and culture.
Clicking Through Life: The Significance of Komboloi in Greek Society
Click, click, click—the gentle rhythm of beads sliding through fingers echoes through Greek cafes and streets. This is the sound of the komboloi, Greece’s beloved worry beads, a simple yet profound cultural icon that embodies the…
The Power Of One Word: How Greece’s ‘No’ Changed The Course Of WWII
It was 3 AM on October 28, 1940, when the doorbell rang at Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas‘ residence in Athens. Like many dramatic moments in history, this one began with something as simple as a doorbell.…
The Greek Tech Team That Gave Birth to ‘Our Own ChatGPT’
It all started with a snarky tweet that stung the researchers’ pride. “What are those people at Athena Research Center doing? Aren’t they going to make a Greek language model already?” Those dismissive words from an…
Romeyka/Pontiaka: A Greek Dialect on the Brink of Extinction in Turkey
Romeyka, or Pontiaka (Pontic Greek), a Greek dialect spoken by a few thousand people living in remote mountain villages of the Pontos region in northern Turkey, has been described as a “living bridge” connecting the ancient…
Greek Fighter Pilot Receives Prestigious Award for Exceptional Bravery and Skill
Major Anastasios-Sotirios Palamidas, a Greek Fighter Flight Instructor in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Texas, has been recognized for his outstanding bravery under exceptional circumstances with the prestigious 80th Flying…
From Local Delicacy To Global Obsession: How A Greek Family Conquered The World Of Dolmades
A family-run Greek company has dominated globally with dolmades – hand-rolled, stuffed grape leaves – transforming them from a local delicacy to an international phenomenon. For decades, Greece has struggled to protect or add value to…
Athens: From Ancient Village to Modern Metropolis – A Historical Transformation
When Athens was officially designated as the capital of the newly established Greek State on September 18, 1834, it was a modest village with a population of around 7,000 residents, clustered in the vicinity of the…
Scars of the Past, Hopes for the Future: Reflecting on the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
On July 20, 1974, the serene island of Cyprus was shattered by the Turkish military invasion, forever altering the lives of Greek Cypriots and leaving a lasting scar on our collective memory. As we approach the…
Unveiling the Political Earthquake in Greece: The Sweeping Victory of New Democracy
Greece, the cradle of democracy, experienced yesterday a special political episode marked by the overwhelming victory of Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party. This compelling turn of events has spotlighted the country’s political dynamics as the blue…
Ioannina: The Unexplored Gem of Epirus Region and the Lasting Legacy of the Late Mayor
Ioannina, the capital of the Epirus Region in Greece, has been a burgeoning hot spot for tourism in recent years, especially from Israel. Much of this can be credited to the late Mayor, Moses Elisaf, whose…
A Unique Epitaphio Dome of The Holy Monastery of Tsouka
Ioannina, Greece – Hand-carved and designed by the fathers of the Holy Monastery of Tsouka, the newly created Epitafio is unique and part of Holy Friday’s liturgy service. It was inspired in memory of Theocritus of…
Remembering the Greek Genocide
Between 1913-1922 Ottoman authorities and the Turkish National movement led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk embarked on a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting the Christian minorities of the former Ottoman Empire. These minorities included Assyrians, Armenians,…
