A sea of seperatism between Europe and not-Europe is present in the 6 mile crossing from the Turkish coastline to the closest Greek border on the island of Lesvos.  The human flood of refugees fills the channel daily.  When weary travelers, soaked by the salty sea, seeking solace and safety, set foot on dry land, they find generosity on the ground in Greece.  In the land that invented the notion of hospitality to foreigners, "philoxenia," remains alive and well on the shores of Greece as more than a million asylum seekers have crossed into Europe in 2015.  From the islands in the Aegean to the port of Piraeus to the northern border town of Idomeni, taking care of these fragile travelers has been the incentive that has created more than a hundred groups of volunteers, large and small, to soften the harsh journey.  While European governments bicker acrimoniously about borders and migration, Greek, weak from teetering on the precipice of economic collapse for more than 6 years, have opened their arms, hearts and homes to men, women and children who can no longer live in their own countries.

Generosity is not an institution that is mandated.  It grows from the hearts of the empathetic and the compassionate.  Ad hoc groups have sprung up throughout Greece and Europe to assist where governments have failed.  Their kindness and chutzpah have put them in the center of the human flood on the ground in Greece, transforming their generosity of spirit into dry clothing, good walking shoes, a warm meal, a back-pack of basic toiletries, warm gloves, on-line and printed guides to help lead asylum seekers to being properly registered and vetted. Who are these extraordinary groups and what are they doing and how can we support them?

Sensitive sould instinctively feel a call to action,  What can be done to help?  The majority of these groups are requesting monetary donations at the present time and able voluntees.  At the present moment, gathering used products-clothing, baby apparatus, etc to be shipped makes no sense.  There is certainly not the manpower to sort it or facilities to store it. It is much better to make a financial contribution, giving the volunteer organisations the ability to purchase supplies locally.  They infuse the Greek economy and they buy what is actually needed, as it is needed.

And for those who are considering giving of themselves on the front line, a qualified volunteer means several things; having language capabilities, enduring long days of physically demanding work in all kinds of weather, having a useful skill, working effectively as a team member and being self financing. 

Listed below are a few of these amazing groups, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), that have banded together to support refugees. 

On Lesvos and Kos:

Help for Refugees in Molyvos
Website: http://www.asterias-starfish.org/en/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HelpForRefugeesInMolyvos/

Founded by Melinda McRostie, the owner of Captain’s Table restaurant in Molyvos, Starfish hands out food and clothing to refugees and helps refugees with logistics at transit camps. Starfish began in 2014 as a collection of local individuals and international volunteers working together to support refugees arriving in Molyvos. Starfish has grown ever since and registered as an NGO in October 2015. Refugees arriving on the island receive a warm welcome, food, water, dry clothes, shelter, information and access to medical support. They also support refugees to access transport to Mytilini where they can access papers for onward travel. 

molyvosrefugees@gmail.com

Hellenic Post Office of Kalloni,   C/O Starfish Foundation  81107 Kalloni, Lesvos GREECE

Donations: IBAN: GR4001104070000040700115500  BIC: ETHNGRAA   ASTERIAS
National bank of Greece    Mythymna Makres, Mythymna 81108 Lesvos

Dirty Girls Lesvos
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dirtygirlslesvos/?fref=ts

When the refugees arrive on Lesvos in unstable, overcrowded boats, they are drenched in sea water. They are given new clothes and their perfectly good, but wet clothes are discarded and have mostly been trashed, therefore adding to the environmental problems of landfill on Lesvos.  Dirty Girls of Lesvos collect the clothes with are laundered commercially.  They are sorted and distributed so that they can be reused.  The project can cost up to €800 per day on laundering the clothes that refugees have to discard when they arrive wet from their dangerous journey from Turkey. 
€100 will mean that 150 warm jackets for children can be collected, washed and redistributed to keep 150 children warm as the weather is cold during the day and freezing at night.
€40 will mean that 100 people will have clean, dry socks to exchange for their wet socks.

Agalia in Kaloni
Tel: 210 69 836 01223
Email: mkoagkalia@hotmail.com

On their way to Mytilini port, the refugees can find some help in the town of Kaloni thanks to the NGO AGALIA: rest, food, clothes, transportation and so much love from a small and wonderful team.

NGO Agalia Koloni
Lesvos
GR 81107

O Allos Anthropos (The Other Human) Community Kitchen 
Website: http://oallosanthropos.blogspot.gr
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/koinonikikouzinamjt

The impetus for O Allos Anthropos, a community kitchen, was an unemployed middle aged marketer, seeing all levels of humanity sorting through the discarded seconds at Athens farmers' markets in an effort to gather food that they could not afford to buy. Kostas Polichronopoulos could no longer watch children fighting for scraps of food in the streets of Athens.  Initially food was prepared in homes and distributed for free at the farmers' markets. Vendors donated products. Eventually the food was prepared and eaten communally to combat the shame of receiving a free meal. “We eat together and we live together; lunch with our fellow man on the street.”  The volunteer operation branched out beyond Athens and traveled to Lesvos in August to assist with the ever increasing numbers of refugees. The number of meals made daily has gone from 300 to 3000.

Plataion 55 & Paramythias    Metaxourgeio    GR10435 Athens                             

Athens +30 6940 882 355, Mytilini +30 6978 550 168

oallosanthropos@gmail.com 

Donations: EUROBANK   GR 60026 0294 0000 88020 0608548 EUROBANK SWIFT ERBKGRAA, Kostandinos Chronopoulos

Proactiva Open Arms Lifeguard Beach Safety
Website: http://en.proactivaopenarms.org
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/proactivaservice

Proactiva Open Arms, an NGO from Barcelona, is a group of volunteer Spanish lifeguards, dedicated to saving lives in the sea. They came to Lesvos in September to assist the refugees that arrive on the Greek coast. They are also on Chios. They arrived in Lesvos with €15.000 from their own pockets, with no public funding. They began financing rescues for a month. With that budget they assisted in disembarking more than 20 boats per day, carrying 50 people each, including babies, kids and elderly people. In total thousands land on the beaches every day. 

Donation: ES53 0182 0262 910201668823 (SWIFT: BBVAESMMXXX)

A Drop In The Ocean
Website: http://drapenihavet.no/en/

The Norwegian volunteer group helps refugees as they arrive, including administering first aid and medical treatment. One of its volunteer nurses delivered a baby on the beach in mid-October.  There are also volunteers on the island of Chios and in Athens. A Drop in the Ocean runs its own camp for just-arrived refugees, particularly families with small children, where it provides food, tents and donated clothing.

Donations: Dråpen i havet     Account number: 1503 67 54327

BIC/SWIFT: DNBANOKKXXX        IBAN: NO3015036754327    DNB Bank ASA

Boat Refugee Foundation
Website: http://bootvluchteling.nl/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hulpactiebootvluchtelingen

This Dutch NGO assists refugees as they arrive on land with food, dry clothes and medical care in Lesvos, Leros, Kos and Athens. They provide emergency aid and supplies to boat refugees. They focus on the most vulnerable among them: pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under age 9. As a foundation they work with UNHCR, Red Cross and local volunteers. 

Stichting Bootvluchteling  Postbus 214, 3890 AE Zeewolde info@bootvluchteling.nl 

Donations: IBAN-account number: NL97 RBRB 0918 9326 37

Lighthouse Relief Lesvos
Website: http://www.lighthouserelief.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lighthouserelief/

They met in Skala Sikamineas on the northeastern coast of Lesvos in September 2015. This area suffers the highest influx of refugees per day yet lacks both sufficient infrastructure and financial resources.  None of the larger organizations are based here and help is urgently needed. These volunteers decided to start their own initiative. At present they provide hundreds of refugees everyday with emergency aid such as heated shelter, healthcare, clothes, food and water. The main priority is to protect the most vulnerable groups such as children, women and the elderly

info@lighthouserelief.org,  medics@lighthouserelief.org, donations@lighthouserelief.org, volunteers@lighthouserelief.org

Donations:  Swedish bankgiro: 377-6507
International payments: IBAN SE2950000000054031040237BIC ESSESESS

Helping Refugees Lesvos Island Skala Sykamineas
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/Helping-refugees-Lesvos-island-Skala-Sykamineas--581610095340512/?fref=ts

In the village of Skala Sykaminea there are several thousands of refugees arriving every day, with a normal population of 300 locals in the summer and 50 in the winter. The village is working hard to help the refugees day and night and at the same time trying to maintain a normal life, which can seem impossible in those conditions. But they do, and still with a smile on their face and love to give. Without any government organizations, they are alone.  Recently they have had help from private volunteers and smaller organizations who travel there to offer assistance.

Donations: Skala sykaminea Bank account  IBAN : GR5001104150000041563534522  BIC: ETHNGRAA

Lesvos Winter Proof
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/lesvoswinterproof/

Lesvos Winter Proof makes camp Moria in Lesvos ready for winter. Inspired by setting up major outdoor festivals, Lesvos Winter Proof fills the gap in terms of shelter, security, logistics, crowd management and production. It is done working in the event industry and as far as possible in collaboration with other, often small organizations. 

lesvos@10000hours.nl

Donations:  NL93 RABO 0175271658 t.n.v. Foundation 10.000 HOURS and quoting Lesvos Winter Proof

The Village Of All Together
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pikpalesvos/

The “Village of All Together” is a network of citizens, collectives, groups and other organizations in Lesbos with a common goal to act altogether. PIKPA is an open, self-organized refugee camp in Lesvos. They distribute food and clothes to the port, Kara Tepe and Moria This self-managed space has hosted more than 6.000 refugees, some for few days and others up to a year. The refugees include asylum and family unification applicants and/or vulnerable groups of newly arrived refugees e.g. people with disabilities, sick, pregnant etc. Food, clothing, medication, legal counsel and medical help as well as are offered.

 Donations: ΙΒΑΝ: GR5301107620000076200126290 SWIFT (BIC) ETHNGRAA

Coexistance and Communication In The Aegean
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/514654685298655/

It's the eldest local group for the peaceful coesistence of Turks and Greeks on both sides of the Aegean.  The main aim of "Siniparksi", as its name denotes, is the coesistence of different people, with different languages, religions, ethnicity, culture, traditions, ideas.  It is basically an antiracist organisation, which deals with refugees and immigrants and with the development of friendly and peaceful relationships with the neighboring people.

Kos Solidarity
Website: https://kos-solidarity.com/

The need for the Kos initiative was sparked by the arrival of refugees in boatloads in late spring of 2015. People were arriving from Bodrum in unseaworthy boats and dinghies in urgent need of food, water, tents, warm clothes and shoes, backpacks and help in establishing their legal status in order to travel safely by ferry to Piraeus. Kos Solidarity works in cooperation with other agencies like UNHCR and MSF etc. All the locals participate on a voluntary basis, daily and most have day jobs. Kos solidarity needs cash donations and volunteers. 

info@kos-solidarity.com    +30 6946 085 065

Donations:   https://www.gofundme.com/mcgcu6rw

Kos Refugees Need Your Help (KRNYH)
Website: http://kosrefugeesneedyourhelp.com/

Kos has been receiving daily arrivals of people mainly from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, who are in the process of making their way to Central Europe, to seek refuge. Generally, upon arrival in Kos, they begin the registration process (permitting there are no technical delays,) and refugees stay on the island for 3-4 days. Once they receive their registration papers, refugees continue their journey by ferry from the island. With the boat ride to Kos costing thousands of dollars, refugees often arrive with little money, and what they do have must last their entire journey. KRNYH offers daily distribution of hot meals (rice, vegetables, lentils) and bread/milk, provides for rooms for the vulnerable and distributes shoes and backpacks.

kosrefugees@gmail.com, communitykouzina@gmail.com

Donations: Epitopou e.V.   IBAN: DE 11370501981932915240   BIC: COLSDE33XXX   Sparkasse KölnBonn  Address: Hahnenstrasse 57, 50667 Cologne, Germany


On the mainland: Piraeus Port and Athens

Immigrant And Refugee Support Group in Athens
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/204202716585823/

The group aims at providing information about what is going on in Athens and volunteering or offering donations.  The volunteers meet at the port of Piraeus to greet the refugees disembarking ships coming in from Samos, Lesvos, Kos and Rhodes to provide them with additional clothing, a back-pack filled with essentials, toiletries and guides before they board buses headed for the next border or head onto camps at Eleona and Ellinikon hosting refugees while they complete the documentation process.  Sotiris Alexopoulos is the co-ordinator of Refugees Welcome to Piraeus.

Project Soup Port
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vereinsoliba/

The Swiss volunteers from Project Soup provide hot tea and soups - prepared and offered on the spot at the entrance of the refugee welcoming station based in E1 passenger terminal in the port of Piraeus. A group of Swiss residents in Greece have organized to bring soup to the port as a part of the meet and greet as travelers disembark the vessels at the port of Piraeus. The organization is devoted to the care of the refugees with the supply and preparation of food. 2or 3 small trucks with a mobile kitchen included go to exhausted refugees to offer a warm meal.

Donation:IBAN: Ch15 0839 0034 0179 1000 6 (note soup-Port)
Bankclearing: 8390 Bic (Swift code): Absoch22

Greek Council For Refugees
Website: http://www.gcr.gr/index.php/en/

The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) is a Non- Governmental Organization, which has been active since 1989 in the field of asylum and human rights in Greece. On a daily basis, GCR welcomes and offers free legal and social advice and services to refugees and people coming from countries who are entitled to international protection, while special emphasis is put on vulnerable cases, such as unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking etc. GCR’s Refugee Reception and Interpreters Unit handles the first contact with our beneficiaries since it is consisted of a group of multilingual receptionists, interpreters and political scientists. The interpreters, by conveying the social-historical-cultural features that characterize each case, contribute significantly to the proper function of the Service while they also participate in visits to detention centers, courts and hospitals in order to facilitate GCR beneficiaries’ access to services and good.

gcr1@gcr.gr

25 Solomou Str., 10682, Athens    +30 210 3800990-1   F: +30 210 3803774

Donations: National Bank of Greece  Account: 116/29606564   IBAN: GR5301101160000011629606564

METAction
Website: http://www.metadrasi.org/eng/

The Non-Governmental Organization “METAction” was founded in December 2009, its primary aim being to promote a rational system for managing mixed migration flows, while encouraging respect for human rights, national and international legislation, through the development of actions for the reception and integration of immigrants and refugees in Greece, as well as of actions of support for their voluntary return and reintegration in their countries of origin.

metadrasi@gmail.com, volunteer.metadrasi@gmail.com

8 Thesprotias, Athens, Greece
 +30 210 520 1792, +30 210 5201794
Donations: bank deposit at GR29 0140 1040 1040 0200 2019 320 of Alpha Bank

The Salvation Army In Greece
Website: http://www.salvationarmy.gr

The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement that operates in 124 countries worldwide. In Greece, the Salvation Army has been operating as a nonprofit company from January 2011, standing by the homeless, elderly, young families with infants and victims of trafficking. They are assisting refugees in central Athens as well now.

61Kodrigtonos 10434 Athens

athens@salvationarmy.gr, v.katsantonis@salvationarmy.gr         volunteer coordinator,

emily.carlsson@salvationarmy.gr program coordinator    

Donations: Eurobank IBAN  GR0602602520000120200537860    SWIFT CODE: EFGBGRAA

Home For Refugees And Immigrants Notara 26
Website: http://www.notara26.info/blog/?lang=en

This project stands for a self-organized solidarity project, wherein locals and refugees-immigrants decide together. Official “squatting” in an abandon public building in Athens at 26 Notara, volunteers cover the refugees/immigrants immediate needs: shelter, food and medical help. The decisive body is the squat’s open assembly where everyone is welcome to participate with no exclusions. 

Notara 26 runs a collective kitchen. Materials contributions are welcome and/or your help in the collective cooking.

+30 6947 908 121 +30 6978 873 643        notara26@riseup.net

Article written by Stacey Harris-Papaioannou
staceymykonos@yahoo.com

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The Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki.  The famous 'historical triangle' of Athens is full of surprises!

Whether or not you live in the city or you are making your way to the Greek islands, Athens is a must-see destination. Athens is filled with history and culture making it an unforgettable getaway. If you are visiting the city for the first time, be sure to check out these popular experiences from Discover Greece.

 

Centuries seperate the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis from the city that pulsates at its feet, lively and vibrant. It is the place where it all began - philosophy, democracy, the sciences and the theatre. The cluster of temples, shrines and ruins that visitors will encounter at the Acropolis and the creations of the Golden Age of Pericles (5th century BC), form the cornerstone of European culture. It's not surprising that the Acropolis has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1987.

A microcosm stuck in a previous century is carved into the northeast side of the hill of the Acropolis and looks as if it has been lifted from the Cyclades. Wanderers will get lost in its labyrinthine pathways, exploring the charming homes, past patios and whitewashed streets barely wide enough for two. 

Syntagma Square is the central hub of the historic centre. Walking in front of the monument of the Unknown Soldier, built in 1932, visitors can feed the pidgeons and wait patiently for the kilted Evzones to perform the changing of the guard, which happens on the hour.  Behind the guards is the imposing Hellenic Parliament building. Built as a palace by the architect Friedrich von Gaertner for the first kings of early Greece who settled here in 1843, it has been home to the Greek Parliament since 1935.

To read this article in full, please visit: Discover Greece

A global campaign currently circulating on the social media calls to award the Eastern Aegean islands with the Nobel Peace Prize for their contribution in the refugee crisis.

“The people of Lesbos and other Greek islands in the East Aegean, despite the on-going fierce economic crisis, have fought with the waves to save the valuable lives of desperate people fleeing the war zones of the Middle East, have provided safe shelter, warm clothing and food”, the campaign on Avaaz.com reads.

International media have been reporting how the native populations of the Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea (and many other external, worldwide, non-profit organisations and diaspora Greeks) have done and are doing anything possible to help the displaced Syrian refugees and make them as comfortable as possible, although they themselves have very little to offer, due to to a severe economic crisis for many years.

The campaign hopes their acts and sacrifices do not go unnoticed, “because they are significant contributors to World Peace and Stability, and are clear examples of love for others in the world to use and to learn from”.

More than 750,000 of the 900,000 migrants who have arrived in Europe this year landed in Greece, 60% on Lesbos, in the world’s biggest wave of mass migration since World War II.

Click HERE to cast your vote and support the Greek islands. It only takes seconds!

To read more, please visit: Greek Current

Greeks are known for their many superstitions, some of which have regional origins. Here is an assortment of superstitions (or customs) that are still prevalent in the lives of many local Greeks.

Evil Eye
The evil eye is perhaps the most talked-about Greek superstition, can strike a person at any given moment. There has probably been an occasion when you were all dressed-up, and minutes after someone complimented you about your looks, you spilled coffee all over your outfit. That's the evil eye. According to Greek tradition, there are a few different things you can do to keep away the evil eye.

You can buy a blue eye-shaped charm and wear it on a necklace or bracelet. The color blue is thought to ward off the evil eye, but it's also commonly believed that blue-eyed people are prone to give the evil eye. So beware when a blue-eyed person pays you a compliment, as the compliment could end-up in disaster.

Other ways to ward off the evil eye's effect include asking an older woman (such as a mother, aunt, or grandmother) to recite a secret prayer called 'xematiasma,' spitting (or rather a spitting sound), or throwing salt over the shoulder.

Pomegranates
In Greek culture, the pomegranate fruit is associated with fertility, luck, prosperity, renewal, and regeneration since ancient times. The custom of smashing a pomegranate on New Year's Day is very symbolic. According to tradition, the juicy, bounteous ruby-like segments of the fruit fill the home with health, happiness, and joys as many as the pomegranate's arils.  

Perfume
In Greece, there is a weird taboo against giving perfume as a gift, as it is thought of ruining friendships and relationships. To counteract the harmful effect, it is customary that the recipient of the gift gives a coin back to the gift giver.

Garlic
Greeks believe that garlic has the power to keep evil away. You'll often see braids of garlic, or large garlic heads dangling over the entryways of stores, restaurants, and homes. Apart from warding off the evil eye, garlic is also assumed to keep away evil spirits and demons. It is common for some folk to carry a clove of it on them or in their pockets.

Knives
Never hand a Greek person a knife, as giving a knife directly into another person's hand means they will fall out. Instead, you are supposed to set it down and let them pick it up.

Money
Greeks believe that money attracts money, so don't leave your pockets, wallets empty–always leave at least a coin or two–and never withdraw all the money from your bank account. It is also customary that when you gift a wallet or purse, you put a coin or two inside before giving it to the recipient.

Touch Red or Piase Kokkino
When two people say the same words at the same time, Greeks believe it's a sign that the 2 will get into an argument. To avoid the fight, they immediately need to say 'Piase Kokkino' or 'Touch Red' and touch something red, such as clothing or a piece of food.

Spitting
While Greek people spit for several superstitious reasons, the most common is to keep evil away. Spitting, or rather the spiting sound which sounds like 'ftou ftou ftou' is always done 3 times to represent the Holy Trinity. Greek people often say 'ftou ftou ftou' when they hear about another person's misfortune to protect themselves or their loved ones from it. Another common occurrence is with children and babies when people engage in spitting to protect the child from harm and bad luck.

This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab

The Diavlos Restaurant, in the heart of Athens, welcomes foodies to daily Greek cuisine workshops where experts reveal the secrets of traditional Greek cooking and participants partake in the joy of making and then tasting their creations to the tune of Greek music.

Located on Adrianou St, next to the Thisseio metro station, Diavlos is the ideal spot to chow down after a visit to the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Plaka borough or other main Athens attractions.

The warm atmosphere, friendly service and fine food make for a wonderful dining experience. Chefs prepare Mediterranean dishes with the freshest ingredients including everything from the much loved Greek salad complete with feta cheese and extra virgin olive oil to the omnipresent moussaka.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

There are some things you might not know about Greek immigration to the United States.  This history becomes particulalry relevant when watching the news these days and political candiates like Donald Trump, supported by huge and vociferous crowds, call for the complete ban of people from entering the United States based in their race or religion.

This is nothing new. In fact– today’s “undesirable” Muslims (in Donald Trump’s eyes), were yesteryear’s Greeks.

It’s a forgotten history— something that only occasionally comes up by organizations like AHEPA or the occasional historian or sociologist. In fact, many Greek Americans are guilty of not only perpetuating— but also creating— myths of our ancestors coming to this country and being welcomed with open arms.

A look back at history will prove that this usually wasn’t the case for the early Greek immigrants to the United States. Greeks, their race and religion, were seen as “strange” and “dangerous” to America and after decades of open discrimination, Greeks were finally barred— by law— from entering the United States in large numbers.

The Immigration Act of 1924 imposed harsh restrictions on Greeks and other non-western European immigrant groups. Under that law, only one hundred Greeks per year were allowed entry into the United States as new immigrants.

Much like today, when politicians and activists like Donald Trump use language against a particular ethnic group— like his call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, the same was the case a hundred years ago. Except then, Greeks were one of the main targets.

There was a strong, loud and active “nativist” movement that was led by people who believed they were the “true Americans” and the immigrants arriving— mainly Greeks, Italians, Chinese and others who were deemed “different” and even “dangerous” to American ideals, were unfit to come to America.

As early as 1894 a group of men from Harvard University founded the Immigration Restriction League (IRL), proponents of a United States that should be populated with “British, German and Scandinavian stock” and not by “inferior races.” Their biggest targets were Greeks and Italians and the group had a powerful influence with the general public and leaders in the U.S. government in their efforts to keep “undesirables” out of America.

To read more, please visit: Pappas Post

Ever wondered what Odysseus ate on his long journey back to his native Ithaca or what bread made from a 2,500-year-old recipe might taste like? The flavors of the ancient Greek world are being rekindled in London at the moment, in pop-up dining fashion.

Prepared by The Philosopher’s Stove team, the meals are based on recipes found in ancient manuscripts or fusions of old and contemporary culinary traditions. The ad hoc dinners began in May this year, with an emphasis on venues located in the British capital’s northeast.

“Given that we cannot re-enact the ancient Greek flavor palette, our project is an attempt to interpret the recipes through today’s contemporary reality, based on our own flavor horizon,” noted Stathis Georgiadis, a historian and co-founder of The Philosopher’s Stove. “We try to be as faithful as possible to recipes and references we come across to during our research, always working with the ingredients used back then. The feedback we get from those tasting our dishes is that the food is tasty, special and kind of off-the-beaten-culinary track.”

So far diners have been savoring a collection of antiquity-inspired dishes, including Dionysus’ Finger Food, a platter of vine leaves stuffed with minced pork and fried shrimps in a sour honey dipping sauce, Circe’s Pig, triple smoked pork cooked in wine, white grape juice, honey and spices – a recipe found in a papyrus at ancient Oxyrhynchus – and Cicero’s Burger, a vegetarian mix of chickpeas, walnuts, onions and spices, served with a smoked yogurt sauce and fresh coriander.

Ancient Greek poet Archestratus is widely considered to have laid the foundations for the art of gastronomy in 4th century BC Syracuse. His culinary laws included the use of quality ingredients in harmonious combinations, light sauces and a touch of spice.

The culinary spine of ancient Greek nutrition, says Georgiadis, was based on cereals, bread, fish, dairy products, cheese, eggs, honey, legumes and certain fruits – at the banquet table these were frequently accompanied by watered wine.

Have contemporary Greeks kept anything from the nutritional teachings of their ancestors?

“They certainly have. Above all, the high quality of raw materials produced on Greek soil and the purity of a number of ingredients which are intrinsically linked to Greek cuisine, such as olive oil,” noted Georgiadis. “It’s also about a certain balance and a sense of gastronomic wealth – this kind of cuisine includes almost everything. Another major factor is the notion of gathering around a table as a means of socialization. The way we get together to eat and share our food, the transformation of ancient Greek symposia, and their importance for individuals and society as a whole.”

To read more, please visit: ekathimerini

by

Elis Kiss and Christine Sturmey