One of post-war Greece’s best known and beloved music makers, Dionysis Savvopoulos, passed away last month (October 2025) at the age of 81, leaving behind a musical and cultural legacy that can’t easily fit into neatly defined genres or generational monikers. Savvopoulos was hugely consequential in Greece and with Greek-speaking fans yet remains more-or-less unknown beyond the “Hellenosphere”, i.e. the Greek-language world. Endearingly known as “Nionios” to his fans, Savvopoulos wrote his music, lyrics and enthusiastically performed his works. Some point to his often-eclectic mix of different musical styles – ranging from 1960s American folk to southern Balkan rhythms to rebetika (Greek blues) to the 1960s domestic New Wave – varying influences and even a limited use of the iconic bouzouki, the plucked string instrument (part of the lute family) that is famously associated with 20th century popular Greek music. Look up “syrtaki” and you can hear bouzouki-dominated scores. Dylan and Frank Zappa were his early and clearly visible influences. Savvopoulos’ lyrics are also playfully complex at times, using wordplay, metaphors and mischievous rhymes that were, possibly, difficult to convey in other languages and lacking the context entailed with the “Greece reality” in the 1960s and 1970s, his most productive periods. He was both a modernist and traditionalist, a non-conformist in his art and life, but not a nihilist nor a pessimist. The Thessaloniki native was on record (no pun intended) – in interviews and, more importantly, with his albums – as being an unabashed optimist and afficionado of the finer things that life has to offer. Savvopoulos also eschewed ideological and political confinement, repeatedly and calmly speaking his mind on politics and current affairs, earning the 20-something troubadour two arrests and rough treatment at the hands of authorities during the advent of the military dictatorship in Greece (1967-1974) – a “badge of honor” in the minds of democratically minded citizens. Years later, however, with the restoration of democracy in the country he slipped into near pariah status for the left and far left, given that many on this end of the divisive political spectrum considered that he prematurely and definitively “abandoned the cause” in favor of mainstream success and its amenities. The vast majority of Greek society, fans or not, disagreed and considered his death as the passing of a musical genius. This podcast merely “scratches the surface”, the real Savvopoulos will emerge through listening to his music.

A political “tempest in a teapot”, a mere diversion from other, more pressing issues, a necessary move to better protect a revered site for Hellenism, or, a “discount” on freedom of assembly and free speech? An amendment tabled by the center-right government in the latter half of October transferring jurisdiction of the Tomb of the Uknown Soldier monument and the commons in front of the memorial – which lie directly in front of the Greek Parliament – to the defense ministry sparked a passionate debate and sudden political tug-of-war. Moreover, the first article of the now ratified law prohibits the occupation, alteration and holding of public gatherings in the area in front of the memorial monument, located between Parliament and Vasilissis Amalias Avenue – the thoroughfare that separates the commons from Syntagma (constitution) Square. Penalties for offenders are up to a year of jail time or fines. The amendment came immediately after a hunger strike and protest “encampment” was set up in the commons area by the father of one of the 57 victims of the Tempi two-train collision in February 2023. The latter demanded that judicial authorities allow the exhumation of his son’s body for DNA and toxicology testing. While ostensibly aimed at pressuring relevant judicial authorities to allow the exhumation, the nonstop protest – which attracted supporters and activists of other causes as well – vigorously targeted the center-right government over what critics say is its culpability in the deadly train accident and claims of a “cover-up” in its wake. In this edition of “Explaining Greece”, Alkmini Fotiadou, a constitutional law expert and practicing Athens-based attorney specializing in human rights, administrative law, privacy and protection of personal data, broaches the question of where protection of a venerated monument begins and ends – at least in Greece - and where the, at times, blurry boundaries of freedom of assembly and free speech exist - or should exist in relation to the latter. The amendment was ratified on Wednesday, Oct. 22, by 159 deputies in the 300-MP Parliament.

Greece will need to at least triple its power production capacity - today at roughly 50 TWh - by 2050 and produce cheaper electricity, according to Purdue professor of nuclear engineering Lefteri Tsoukalas. Noted professor Tsoukalas stresses that the future use of nuclear reactors, possibly along the design of small modular ones (SMRs), is “imperative” for the east Mediterranean country. At the same, he emphasized that before any consideration is given to the possibility of generating power from nuclear means, infrastructure, such as “smart grids”, and a massive investment in human resources is necessary. Nuclear projects are akin to building dams, tunnels, bridges and offshore facilities, he emphasizes. The native of Elis (Ilia) prefecture in southwest Greece also first touches on the concept of “green transition” that now is now an almost ubiquitous topic in addresses by policy-makers and company executives.

For hundreds of millions of people from around the world that have visited Greece over the past decades one thing that more-or-less comes to mind when recalling their “food experiences” in the east Mediterranean country is the humble but filling souvlaki – essentially “meat on the stick” that’s often packed and folded into a type of pita bread with other ingredients, usually tomatoes, onions, the tangy yoghurt-and-garlic based tzatziki sauce and even fries. In this edition of the “Explaining Greece” podcast, Dorothea Lentis, a biologist and clinical health researcher who lectures on biomedical sciences at Deree – the American College of Greece, explains what a souvlaki actually is, compared to the very similar and also homegrown gyro, for instance, or to the famous Turkish favorite doner and its expatriate “brother”: the doner-kebab. She details a single souvlaki’s nutritional value, depending on how one orders this street food, the concept of a “diet souvlaki” and even recent inflationary pressure that's making the traditionally inexpensive fare pricier. Giorgos Tsambas, the co-founder of the successful NYC-area food truck business King Souvlaki, talks about “Greek street food” in the “Big Apple”.

By all accounts, 2025 will be another banner year for Greece’s all-important tourism and holiday industry, a sector that attracts tens of millions of people from around the world every year and annually pumps more than 20 billion euros into the local economy. The substantial economic benefits that tourism generates for Greece is a result of the east Mediterranean nation’s surging global popularity as a destination that combines the traditional “sea-and-sun” recipe with ample doses of culture, cuisine and “living” history - and more recently, “city breaks” in urban areas – especially in the historic Athens center. Yet the boon in the tourism and travel-related sector has not come without some side effects - marginal many would say when looking at the plentiful “bottom line”; “concerning and requiring action”, according to others, traditionalists, local residents and certain political quarters of the “anti-capitalist” persuasion. “Overtourism” is a leitmotif “making the rounds” of news sites over the recent period, with a handful of European sites (Barcelona, Venice, Santorini etc.) mostly in the spotlight. Additionally, the explosive expansion of short-term rentals (STRs) and leasing, the “Airbnb effect”, has also generated “blowback”, with the invective usually conjuring up perceived or real gentrification, hordes of trolley-totting tourists and locals priced out of rental residences and other amenities. In the latest episode of “Explaining Greece”, we speak with Ioannis Pappas, an engineer by training with a doctorate in applied mechanics, whose has been professionally involved in the sector for more than a decade with a focus on tourism sustainability, which he details. Also on our latest podcast is Eftichea Koumartzaki, a UK and Greece-based tourism professional who manages short-term rental properties in the greater Athens area, the Peloponnese and two of Greece’s most popular isles. Koumartzaki is also a member of the local chapter of STAMA, the Short-Term Accommodation Managers Association of Greece.

In the latest episode of “Explaining Greece”, we speak with Effie Foka, a senior fellow at the Athens-based Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), as well as a research associate for the London School of Economics – Hellenic Observatory. Prof. Fokas also teaches politics at the American College of Greece – Deree. On the occasion of a major Aug. 15 religious holiday in Greece, which commemorates the Dormition of the Virgin Mary on the Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical calendar, Prof. Fokas delves into the relationship between the Orthodox Church, the modern Greek state and the Greek Orthodox faithful. Fokas notes that the major August religious holiday is not the only one in Greece intertwined with a national dimension, with the most notable example being March 25, which is annually celebrated as the commencement of the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and coincides with the Feast of the Annunciation. “The secular and the religious overlap,” is one of her statements. Fokas also touches on the issue of religious education in Greek public schools and the Church’s standing vis-à-vis the state and its institutions, as well as its position in the country’s national identity. She also touches on how prevalent the concept of being “vicariously religious” is in Greek society, and debates about Church-state relations.

In this week’s episode of “Explaining Greece”, we speak with Maria Gavouneli, a professor of International Law at the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the director general of the Athens-based Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), regarding an issue that since 2019 has soured relations between Greece and the fractured and still unstable North African country of Libya. The issue is none other than a controversial Turkey-Libya maritime MoU signed by Ankara and the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli, an accord subsequently used to delimitate exclusive economic zones (EEZs) between two countries that do not directly face each other across any body of water. The latter was essentially accomplished by “erasing” all Greek island territory between them – something that contravenes international law. The issue may appear as “obscure”, compared with the outright warfare and multiple conflicts affecting the wider region, especially in the Middle East, yet it has added another element of antagonism between Greece and Turkey over their conflicting claims and interpretation of international maritime law in both the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Greece considers the accord as illegal and baseless, a view now officially shared by the European Union, as well as Egypt, which is affected by the agreement. On her part, Prof. Gavouneli explains the intricacies of maritime case law and the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the legal and geographic terms widely used but often poorly understood, and how they apply to this case. She also covers Athens’ standing positions on delimitating continental shelfs and the now more expansive concept of Exclusive Economic Zones. The issue resurfaced on the Greek government’s “radar” and made media headlines this summer with reports that the rival Government of National Stability and its affiliated Tobruk-based House of Representatives, which controls east Libya and much of the central part of the massive country, is now reconsidering its earlier opposition to the Tripoli-based government’s deal with Turkey.

This episode of Explaining Greece takes listeners on a journey from high-stakes international climate negotiations to the everyday forces driving up electricity prices in Greece—offering a comprehensive look at global climate diplomacy, emissions trends, and the real-life impacts of the climate crisis, from heatwaves and floods to rising energy bills. In conversation with Dimitris Tsekeris, Senior Climate Policy Analyst at Climate Analytics in Berlin, we unpack what happened behind closed doors at this year’s Bonn Climate Conference, where global emissions targets stand ahead of COP30, and how geopolitical tensions are shaping climate ambition across Europe and beyond. We then turn to Greece’s own energy transition for a clear-eyed state of play, examining how much power is now generated from renewables, how fossil fuel dependence continues to drive up electricity costs in Greece, and what structural reforms are needed to decarbonize effectively without leaving consumers behind. Most importantly, we explore the solutions and pathways that could move Greece toward a more resilient and affordable energy future.

In this episode, we speak with Archimandrite Fr. Porphyrios Frangakis, the venerable Sinai Monastery’s spokesman in Greece, as well as Dr. Ronald Meinardus, a journalist, political analyst and commentator with extensive experience in both Egypt and Greece, where he’s lived and worked for many years. The abrupt emergence of an existential threat to the continued existence of the St. Catherine Monastery of the God-trodden Mount Sinai, as it is officially known, in the form of an Egyptian appeals court ruling in late May, appeared as a “thunderbolt in a clear sky” of otherwise very warm and even strategic relations between Athens and Cairo. As Meinardus wrote after the initial “shock” of the judicial verdict: “…for the Greek public and the Greek government, which sees itself as a guardian of global Orthodoxy”, the issue is particularly sensitive. A previous agreement ironed-out between the Greek government, which essentially represented the monastery and its dependencies, and the Egyptian side was never finalized, with the blame – according to Athens – lying with the latter. For the Brotherhood of 1,500-year St. Catherine Monastery the court ruling, as detailed by Fr. Porphyrios, has many elements of unfairness, can serves as a legal means for the Egyptian state to acquire the monastery’s properties, lands and dependencies, especially the main compound. Meinardus explains the intricacies of the issue, and possible effects on Greek-Egyptian relations.

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Spyros Blavoukos, a professor of international and European economic studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business. Prof. Blavoukos is also a senior research fellow at the Athens-based Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). One focus of the podcast is the recently adopted, by the EU Council, 150-billion-euro financial instrument known as the Security Action for Europe, or SAFE, which aims to facilitate joint procurements of weapons systems and materiel in order to boost European security and defense. The threat in this case, as he says, is evidently Russia. The regulation is part of the overall ReArm Europe initiative enacted to mobilize more than 800 billion euros in defense spending through various means, including fiscal flexibility - as 650 billion euros of the figure will emanate from national coffers, along with a possible redirection of Cohesion funds. Blavoukos breaks down what the ReArm initiative means and how it came about, as well as Athens’ concerns over the participation of neighboring Turkey (Turkiye), a perennial EU candidate-state and third country in this case, in the joint EU defense scheme and the continent’s overall defense architecture. The Greek side has, among others, pointed out that Turkey cannot maintain a “casus belli” (cause of war) against its neighbor, a fellow NATO member-state in case, if the latter exercises its international right to extend territorial waters from the current six nautical miles, and at the same time benefit from the EU’s spending spree on defense. The prospect of whether the unanimity will be required in future decision-making vis-à-vis third countries is discussed, along with the initial US reaction to increased defense spending by the Europeans – which Washington has long demanded - but with exclusionary clauses for American contractors and manufacturers.

On display at the Benaki Museum until May 25, Africa Amongst Us is a multi-medium exhibition showcasing archival objects from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Kenya, alongside stories, artifacts, and art from the African diaspora in Greece. The exhibition illuminates the histories of the diaspora, presenting a timeline that braids together traditional and everyday items to highlight how African communities have grown, flourished, and shaped Greek society. The exhibition and its accompanying series of guided tours, discussions, and performances have been co-organized and co-curated with ANASA Cultural Center for African Art and Cultures. ANASA has long worked to promote African culture in Greece, using its programming to open space for conversations often missing from mainstream cultural discourse—questioning the stereotypes around Greekness, Blackness, racism, and discrimination in contemporary Greek life. In this episode, we speak with Béatrice Koumnta, an organizer with ANASA about the Africa Amongst Us exhibition and how the group uses cultural connection both a bridge and a challenge to entrenched stereotypes.

Whatever you are shopping for, you can likely find it at Eleonas Flea Market-- bed frames, motorcycle parts, hiking boots, silver earrings, canned fish, posters from the 2004 Olympics, icons of Saint George, magazines from former Yugoslavia, film for polaroid cameras, or hand-carved backgammon sets. This flea market, hosted every weekend, offers a bewildering plethora of options, a collection every object that has ever passed through Athens. On this episode we spoke with photographer Antonis Theodoridis about his new publication "Lost Things Found," a collection of photos of Eleonas market. His photos are charming, overwhelming, often absurd amalgamations of the detritus of a city, all on sale. We spoke to him about Eleonas, what it reveals about Athens, and how he went about photographing this unique corner of the city.

Surrogacy has been legal in Greece for two decades. But surrogate pregnancies, the protections for surrogates, and the access to surrogacy have been all over Greek headlines as of late. Specifically, in April, a legal provision underlined again that gay couples and single men cannot access surrogate reproduction techniques. To understand why, we spoke with Marianna Vassiliou, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of Greece, who specializes in assisted reproduction law. Vassiliou outlines the history of surrogacy and assisted reproduction law in Greece, the prohibitions for same-sex couples, and the country's market for international surrogacy tourism.

Will the U.S. tariffs impact the Greek olive oil business? Will market volatility drag Greece toward more financial instability? In the first 100 days of his presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened, implemented, and then paused sweeping tariffs on imports into the United States. Greece was subject to the tariffs levied against the European Union. Exporters worried about the olives, feta cheese, and wine that are sold to U.S. supermarkets. But Greece was perhaps more concerned about the upset in global trade, as a country so involved in global shipping and as an economy so heavily dependent on international tourism. We spoke to Petros Konstantinidis, financial reporter at the Greek newspaper Ta Nea, to try to pull apart exactly how these tariffs—and the global market uncertainty—will impact the Greek economy.

Athens is in a housing crisis. Athenians are less and less able to afford buying a house, unable to pay their ever-increasing rents, and slowly are being pushed out of the center of the city. Greek households face the highest housing cost burden in the EU. But it wasn't always this way-- In 2005 nearly 85% of Greeks owned their own home. So how did we get here, and what is the history of housing in Athens? We spoke with Thomas Maloutas, a professor of Social Geography and Thematic Chartography who has been studying Athens for decades. In this podcast we dig into the history of the blocky off-white apartment buildings that seem to dominate the center of Athens, and how a mid-century land-for-flats system called antiparochi determined the urban structure of the city. Maloutas explains his research into vertical segregation in Athens, how it came about. and what it means for city dwellers. We also explore how Greece’s protracted economic crisis has reshaped home ownership, examine the impact of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb on housing, and ask: what can actually be done to address Athens' housing issues?

To state the obvious, Greek poetry didn’t begin and end with Homer. There is a vast and rich body of modern Greek poetry, much of which has been translated into English for wider appreciation. In this episode of Explaining Greece, we explore some of that poetry—its ties to Greek folk music, and the complexities of translation. Joshua Barley, a translator of modern Greek literature and poetry, and a passionate enthusiast of Greek folk music, joins us to delve into these connections. Barley discussed common influences and recurring themes in 20th-century Greek poetry. Alongside ancient mythology, Greek folk music was a powerful source of inspiration for many writers. One poet particularly shaped by this tradition is Michalis Ganas. Barley recently translated A Greek Ballad: Selected Poems of Michalis Ganas and talks through the process. He speaks about the challenges of translating registers and form from Greek into English—especially the difficulty of preserving rhythm and incantatory qualities. The appeal of much of Ganas’ poetry, and of the folk music he was so inspired by, are the universal feelings of longing, exile, and lament. Feelings that sometimes need a poet to be put into words.

In the center of Athens, tucked amidst tavernas and the metro line, lies a sprawling archaeological site—the Athenian Agora—once the center of political and economic life in the city. It was here that the ancient democracy held trials, passed legislation, and, at times, decided whom to ostracize. Excavations at the Agora have been underway for well over 100 years, and they continue today. This means that thousands of years of history have been unearthed, bit by bit, revealing not just magnificent marble monuments, but also the everyday minutiae— the loom weights and ballots of the ancient Athenians. We spoke with John Papadopoulos, director of the Agora excavations, about what the site was like in its prime, who frequented it, how ancient democracy functioned—and what new discoveries are being made today. He also shared why he’s the first excavation director to publish plastic findings.

The Mediterranean diet is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits, including heart protection, anti-inflammatory properties, and its role in promoting longevity. Beyond its nutritional advantages, it is deeply intertwined with tradition, culture, and family life. In a recent podcast episode, Elena Paravantes, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and leading expert on the Mediterranean diet, discusses how this way of eating has evolved over time and what it means today. Paravantes, the creator of Olivetomato.com and author of The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners, explores what truly defines the Mediterranean diet and whether it remains as authentic as it was decades ago. Have modern food trends altered its essence, or can people still reap its full benefits by following time-honored traditions? The episode breaks down certain misconceptions around the Mediterranean diet, from its accessibility to its affordability. The conversation also revolves around the role of family, particularly Greek grandmothers, in preserving culinary heritage. In Greece, home-cooked meals are more than just food—they are a connection to the past, passed down through generations. But is this deep-rooted connection to food unique to Greece, or does it resonate in cultures beyond the Mediterranean? As Greek cuisine gains global recognition, the episode also considers whether it has become more gourmet and restaurant-driven, and whether younger generations in Greece are embracing their culinary heritage or drifting away from it. Paravantes also reveals lesser-known Greek superfoods and shares practical advice for anyone looking to adopt the Mediterranean diet. Listen now to this week’s episode. And for next time follow “Explaining Greece” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and turn on your notifications to be the first to listen to our new episodes every Thursday.

In an era of increasing geopolitical instability, modernizing and reforming the Greek Armed Forces has become an urgent priority. With conflicts unfolding in Ukraine and Gaza, and with the return of Donald Trump to the White House signaling potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy, Greece must assess how its military can adapt to emerging security challenges. In the latest episode of our podcast, we explore these pressing issues with Antonis Kamaras, a Research Associate at ELIAMEP and an expert on the Greek Armed Forces. As Greece navigates an increasingly complex security landscape, the Greek Armed Forces face key challenges, from modernizing training and operations to strengthening the country’s defense industry. We examine whether Greece can learn from Ukraine’s wartime adaptability, the significance of the "50 Years of Democracy and the Armed Forces" conference, and the broader geopolitical shifts—especially as the U.S. reassesses its global commitments. With Europe potentially facing a future without American security guarantees, what steps must Greece take to ensure its military remains resilient and prepared? Listen to the full conversation to explore these questions and the future of Greek defense strategy. Listen now to this week’s episode. And for next time follow “Explaining Greece” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and turn on your notifications to be the first to listen to our new episodes every Thursday.

Music has always been deeply intertwined with human migration, displacement, and identity. Across history, communities forced to leave their homelands have carried their musical traditions with them, allowing these sounds to evolve and merge with new cultural influences. In our latest episode of Explaining Greece, we explore how Greek music has flourished in times of mass displacement and immigration, as well as how the Greek diaspora in Canada has cultivated its own unique musical scene. To guide us through this fascinating journey, we are joined by Dr. Alexandra Mourgou, a Postdoctoral Researcher at York University and Principal Investigator of the project Musical Geographies and the Greek Canadian Experience in Toronto: Places, Cultures, & Diasporic Identities. With a background in cultural geography, architecture, and urbanism, Dr. Mourgou’s work examines the intricate relationship between music, space, and identity, particularly within Greek diasporic communities. Music as Memory and Identity Music has long served as a bridge to memory, preserving cultural heritage in times of upheaval. A prime example is Rempetiko music, which emerged in Greece following the 1922–1923 population exchange with Turkey, blending Greek, Ottoman, and Middle Eastern influences to express loss and resilience. Similarly, the Portuguese fado genre shares rembetiko’s melancholic themes, reflecting displacement and longing. Dr. Mourgou’s research also explores the Greek Canadian musical experience, particularly the role of Greektown on the Danforth in Toronto during the 1960s and 1970s. These venues were more than entertainment spaces—they became cultural hubs, shaping a distinct Greek Canadian identity. As migration patterns continue to shift, how will Greek music evolve? Will new forms emerge as younger generations reinterpret their heritage? This conversation delves into how music continues to define diasporic communities, bridging past and present through sound. Listen now to this week’s episode. And for next time follow “Explaining Greece” on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and turn on your notifications to be the first to listen to our new episodes every Thursday.