History & Culture

Does Greece have a “national” music? What’s that music I hear in Greek tavernas? What kind of music is played on the bouzouki? The answer to all of these questions (depending on who you ask) is a music genre in Greece called “rebetiko.” We answer all of your questions about rebetiko in this article.

If you Google "where did Bulgari start?", the answer will be "Rome." However, did you know that Bulgari actually started in a Greek village? We know we sound like that Greek grandfather who claims that everything is from Greece. However, it’s true. Sotiris Voulgaris, a Greek from Epirus, was the founder of the famous jewelry company Bulgari, which is one of the most successful jewelers internationally. How did Bulgari become so famous from its humble Greek beginnings?

Opa! Where did plate smashing in Greece come from? When did the tradition of breaking plates start? Where can I smash plates in Greece?

It is now 100 days to go until the start of the Olympic Games in Paris, and the iconic flame is lit. The ceremony was held at the birthplace of the ancient Olympics - Olympia in Greece. The flame represents hope and peace and will travel all across Greece until it travels on a boat to France. The Olympic flame will get to Marseille on May 8th. It will arrive in Paris for the Opening Ceremonies on the 26th of July.

Thomas Bach, the IOC President, was quoted in the torch-lighting event:

“The Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. The Olympic athletes send this powerful message: yes, it is possible to compete fiercely against each other and at the same time live peacefully together under one roof. The athletes will shine and show us what greatness humans are capable of with all their excellence, determination, and resilience.”

Greek surrealist painter and renowned poet Nikos Engonopoulos is one of the most well-known modern Greek artists and ranks among the great intellectual figures of post-War Greece.