“The Odyssey” by Homer: In this sequel to “The Iliad,” Odysseus takes the long way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. His ensuing adventures have inspired artists and writers ever since.

“The Alexiad” by Anna Komnene: The Byzantine Empire was renowned for its high level of literacy. So it should surprise no one that the emperor’s daughter wrote this detailed, if not exactly unbiased history of her father’s reign.

“The Greek War of Independence” by Peter H. Paroulakis: This illustrated history is a good and enlightening starting point for anyone interested in learning how the Greeks won their independence from the Ottomans in 1821.

“Collected Poems” by George Seferis: The poet captures the essence of Greece and Greek identity in skillfully-rendered, beautifully-wrought verse. Deceptively simple lines are charged with timeless, powerful emotion.

“Complete Poems” by Constantine P. Cavafy: A complete edition of the Alexandrian Greek poet’s lush, sensual verse appeared in print only after his death.

“Zorba the Greek” by Nikos Kazantzakis: Read the book which inspired the classic film by director Michael Cacoyannis. You’ll be stunned by the violence, lyrical descriptions and the differences between the film and the original text.

“To Lathos” by Antonis Samarakis: This politically-charged novel is perhaps Samarakis’ best-known book about a wrongfully-accused man in a police state. Published in 1965, it was translated into English in 1969 as “The Flaw.”

“Little Infamies” by Panos Karnezis: The author paints vivid, darkly comic portraits of Greek life in his short story collection. Karnezis, who writes in English, has subsequently written two novels with Greek themes, “The Maze” and “The Birthday Party.”

“Eleni” by Nicholas Gage: The book captures the biography of Gage’s mother, a victim of the brutal Greek Civil War. Many Greek villages were consumed by silence after the war, where survivors of torture often lived side by side with their torturers who were never prosecuted for their crimes. Gage’s story is extraordinary, powerful and true.

By Konstantinos Menzel

Greek Reporter

• Perthshire, United Kingdom
• Penghu, Taiwan
• Boyaca, Colombia
• Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
• Los Lagos, Chile
• Erongo, Namibia
• Otago, New Zealand
• Lapland, Finland
• Asturias, Spain
• Friesland, Netherlands

Originally published in Greek on: syrostoday.gr
Translated by: Codico Lab

We are fiercely loyal to our Local, and love bringing our friends and visitors there – although sometimes, if we’re honest, they might not understand our fascination with the place!

My own local is a place called Riza. Technically, I would say it qualifies as a ‘tsipouradiko’ or ‘rakadiko’, a place one goes to drink tsipouro or raki, accompanied by a little snack to off-set the booze (!).

So yes, you can get tsipouro here – or raki, or ouzo or wine. But this is not the whole story.

Riza looks cool. The owner has an obvious creative flair, and has infused the little place with whimsical touches, a careful understated aesthetic, creative musical choices (on vinyl!), and a undeniable feeling of ‘post-modern Athens’. So your eyes and ears and drink cup will be satisfied.

But what has kept me going back has nothing to do with the above. Riza has what is clearly a magician in the kitchen. The food is absolutely simple and absolutely delicious. (And, to be clear, nobody is paying me to write this.)

Here’s the thing – the menu is tiny. With no more than 8 or 10 selections, it is handwritten into recycled/repurposed books – lately, old children’s readers – literally scribbled and erased with the changing menu. And the menu does change, all the time, with whatever is fresh and local.  I would normally say ‘Oh, try the ___’, but at Riza that doesn’t always work. So, instead, without hesitation, ‘Oh, try everything…’  Delicious little sharing plates, a basket of fresh bread, and a wine-soaked afternoon in a friendly place under a tree – seriously, this what the Local is all about.

And the prices? I wont bother printing them here, since they are too good to be true. Let’s just say your wallet will thank you.

So next time you’re in Thisio and want a drink under a tree, and some lip-smacking meze… See you at my Local ;)

Riza
Iraklidon 7, Thisio, 11851
Phone: 213 023 7101
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/opef866

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…

Myrtos

It is the trademark of Kefalonia with numerous international awards as one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean and it is certainly worth it. Moreover, every year Myrtos is being awarded from the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) with the blue flag. The scenery from above is unique and the view is certainly breathtaking. Green rocks that result in quite a long beach with white pebbles and the Ionian Sea at its best. The turquoise waters, with or without waves, will make your swimming experience unforgettable. And when you finally descend and encounter the infinite blue, you will be enchanted. Do not leave until watching the sunset; it’s a unique experience.

Antisamos

The island of Kefalonia attained special glamour and publicity because of the Hollywood production “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, which was filmed in the year 2000 on the island. The beach that fascinated most viewers was no other than the beach of Antisamos. Awarded with the blue flag, it is located a few kilometers away from the port of Sami. The landscape combines all shades of blue and green, where the vegetation grows almost into the sea.

Petani

“Epietanoi” is a word of Homer, meaning an area with abundant water throughout the year. The Petani Beach consists of fine white pebbles and crystal clear turquoise waters. The path to the beach is just as unique as the beauty of the whole of the landscape which literally leaves the visitor speechless. The beach is fully organized with a food and drinks station, sun beds and many restaurants on the seafront. Enjoy your coffee or drink, while admiring the breathtaking sunset.

To read more, go to visitgreece.gr