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Explaining Greece

ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ

Explaining Greece

Κοινωνία & Πολιτισμός Πολιτική Σχολιασμός Ειδήσεων

Explaining Greece by To Vima unpacks the complexities of modern Greece, one story at a time. In every episode, journalists and experts shed light on the country’s most pressing issues, offering deep insight and fresh perspectives. Hosted by Charis Tzanis.

επεισόδια	18
διάρκεια	6 ώρες
συχνότητα	εβδομαδιαία
επεισόδιο	πριν 11 ημέρες
ηλικία	5 μήνες
προσθήκη	πριν 4 μήνες

From COP30 to Greek Kilowatts: A Climate Reality Check

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,...

The Existential Threat to Mt. Sinai Monastery

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...

Breaking Down the ReArm Initiative and Last Week’s SAFE Regulation; Greece’s Concerns Clarified

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...

Exhibiting the Every Day of the African Diaspora in Greece

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...

Photographing Athens' Favorite Flea Market

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...

The Legal History of Surrogacy

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...

U.S. Tariffs and the Greek Economy

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,...

Athens' Housing Crisis and History

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...

Translating Folk Songs into Poetry

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,...

Inside the Ancient Agora

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...

The Mediterranean Diet: Tradition, Health, Modern Society

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...

The Future of Greek Armed Forces: Challenges, Innovation, Reform

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...

Greek Music and Diaspora: The Soundscape of Displacement and Identity

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...

Navigating Security Challenges: Greece in a Changing World

In an era of rapid change and uncertainty, security has become a central concern for nations worldwide. Economic crises, climate change, technological advancements, and shifting geopolitical landscapes are reshaping the way governments approach national and international security. Greece, positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean, faces unique challenges...

Bridges and Barriers: The Complex History of Greek-Turkish Relations

This podcast delves into the intricate history of Greek-Turkish relations, tracing their shared past through centuries of conflict, cooperation, and cultural exchange. From the Ottoman era to modern geopolitical tensions, the series explores the ups and downs of this dynamic relationship, shedding light on key moments of diplomacy, war, and reconciliation. Whether it's the deep-rooted...

Greece in the Headlines

Whether it be the economic crisis, the following protests and bailouts, the influx of refugees, or the newly-hot art scene, Greece has spent quite some time in international headlines over the past few decades. But the story as told to an international audience can sometimes miss the nuances of the reality on the ground, can sometimes cling to specific tropes. So how has the story of Greece...

Greece's Paper Parks

Often when non-Greeks think of Greece, they think of sun-drenched beaches and white-washed villages overlooking seaside cliffs. Of islands and pristine blue waters. However, a joint report released by nine different Greek environmental organizations alleges that the Greek government is not protecting its marine areas adequately. Specifically, the report found that only 12 out of 174 marine...

Τhe Tempi train tragedy

Kostas Lakafosis, a renowned mechanical and aeronautical engineer and expert witness for the victims’ families, breaks down the critical mistakes that led to the fatal train accident that claimed 57 lives on February 28, 2023, south of the Tempi Valley in Greece. He also raises questions about the government’s response in the aftermath of the disaster.