Athens Unpacked - A Podcast Series From This Is Athens
- by XpatAthens
- Wednesday, 02 June 2021
“All cities are complex but Athens has an especially tangled character—it’s both spectacularly ancient and undeniably modern.” Says author and former anthropologist Sofka Zinovieff.
As the city reopens to tourism again, this new 8-part podcast series from This Is Athens is designed to decode Greece's captivating capital, with the help of acclaimed author and Athens-based anthropologist Sofka Zinovieff. Athens Unpacked follows last year’s popular podcast debut, We’ll Always Have Athens, in which high-profile Athenophiles from Stephen Fry to Mary Katrantzou shared their tales of Athens.
Listeners are invited to embark on a fascinating journey of discovering Athens, as Zinovieff delves deep beneath the surface of the city (literally at times!), in a quest to uncover the true essence of her adopted home of Athens, in all its guises, layers and mysteries. The more you understand a place, the more deeply you engage with it and that's exactly the aim of the podcasts; for people to fall in love with Athens and all those things that make it such an enchanting place!
In each episode, Zinovieff enlists a rich pantheon of city experts and insiders - from celebrated singers and graffiti artists to high profile journalists and street food chefs - to dig beyond the Acropolis into themes that the guidebooks rarely cover.
This is not just another podcast series. It's more of a documentary where you’ll visit a lesser-known aqueduct built by a Roman emperor, meet the capital’s most exposed skeleton, encounter the alternative culture behind Rembetika (Greece’s answer to the blues), climb a historic off-grid hill with a former archaeologist, experience a refugee neighborhood, browse a bustling farmer’s market with a local foodie, and explore the omnipresent legacy of the ancient philosophers and politicians. What a brilliant way to connect with the heart and soul of Athens!
To embark on this audio odyssey of Athens, please visit: thisisathens.org or subscribe here on Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
1. Up Above & Down Below - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In this debut episode, you'll get acquainted with the geography of the Athenian basin and Zinovieff's theory of the 3 hills (Acropolis, Lycabettus & Tourkovounia), all while exploring the Syntagma Metro skeleton and Hadrian's aqueduct.
In this debut episode, you'll get acquainted with the geography of the Athenian basin and Zinovieff's theory of the 3 hills (Acropolis, Lycabettus & Tourkovounia), all while exploring the Syntagma Metro skeleton and Hadrian's aqueduct.
2. From Dreams To Demolition - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In this episode, follow Zinovieff as she explores the surprisingly diverse fabric of Athens and explains how the city went from being a European neoclassical capital in the 1830s to a concrete oasis brimming with apartment blocks in the 1950s.
In this episode, Sofka sets to explore the Athenians' beloved outdoor activities, from cafes to concerts and open-air cinemas. Find out why taking to the streets is part and parcel of everyday life in Athens and listen to the secret confessions of a young graffiti artist.
In this episode, follow Zinovieff as she explores the surprisingly diverse fabric of Athens and explains how the city went from being a European neoclassical capital in the 1830s to a concrete oasis brimming with apartment blocks in the 1950s.
3. A City Of Villages - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In the series' third episode, Sofka explains why Athens is "the most foreign capital of the world" consisting of numerous villages, all with their own distinct character. Explore the neighborhoods of Pangrati and Anafiotika, Athens' only true remaining village, and learn all about the journey of the Greeks of Asia Minor who fled the 1922 Catastrophe.
4. Feasting & Fasting - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
This mouth-watering episode is all about food! Visit the Ampelokimpoi Laiki, discover the character of Greek cooking, get acquainted with Greek regional cuisines, like Cretan, and discover international flavors.
5. Taking To The Streets - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In the series' third episode, Sofka explains why Athens is "the most foreign capital of the world" consisting of numerous villages, all with their own distinct character. Explore the neighborhoods of Pangrati and Anafiotika, Athens' only true remaining village, and learn all about the journey of the Greeks of Asia Minor who fled the 1922 Catastrophe.
4. Feasting & Fasting - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
This mouth-watering episode is all about food! Visit the Ampelokimpoi Laiki, discover the character of Greek cooking, get acquainted with Greek regional cuisines, like Cretan, and discover international flavors.
5. Taking To The Streets - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In this episode, Sofka sets to explore the Athenians' beloved outdoor activities, from cafes to concerts and open-air cinemas. Find out why taking to the streets is part and parcel of everyday life in Athens and listen to the secret confessions of a young graffiti artist.
6. Songs & Poems - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
In this fast-tempo episode, Sofka visits a celebrated singer who has worked with some of the greatest Greek composers. Get ready to unpack some of the city’s most beloved sounds, from rembetika to mainstream laiko, alternative entechno, and folk music.
7. Birth & Death The Athenian Way - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
This episode is really a matter of life or death as Sofka pays a visit to the first cemetery, Athens' most famous cemetery. Get ready to explore a number of Greek traditions and superstitions, including the evil eye, and learn why name days are really important in Greece - even more important than birthdays!
Whether you've just arrived in town – or have been here for years – Athens always has new secrets to share!
8. From Benefactors To Buskers - FIND THE EPISODE HERE
Let's take a look at the city's biggest foundations and learn about famous Greek shipping families and their legacies. Fancy exploring Athens' street art and visiting some small-scale art galleries? You'll do all that and much much more!
This is Athens is the official guide to this captivating city of ancient energies and booming urban culture. Compiled by a team of specialist local writers, This is Athens brings you an authentic and intimate portrait of a living Athens beyond the guidebooks – along with daily curated listings of all the best events and great weekend inspiration all-year round. From must-know neighbourhoods and emerging art hubs, to gourmet hotspots, cool shopping and the buzziest bars, This is Athens will help you to get the most out of living in Athens!
Thank you This is Athens for your contribution as an XpatAthens Partner.