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August 15th, or Dekapentavgoustos in Greek, is one of the most important religious celebrations in the country and a quintessential part of the Greek summer. Except for honoring the final resting of the Virgin Mary, on this day, Greeks throughout the country celebrate with major festivities known as panigiria that include traditional music, dancing, good food, and plenty of drinks!

If you find yourself in Greece during August, make sure to experience the splendor surrounding the Dormition of Mary. Where else? On a Greek island, of course!

Tinos


@gpapapostolou.photo

The most popular destination for celebrating August 15th in Greece is Tinos, home to the Greek Orthodox Church’s holiest church, the Panagia Evangelistria. Thousands of visitors arrive in Tinos each year to enjoy various festivities in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, including Tsiknias (the leavetaking of the Dormition, the mother of God, held nine days after) and Exοmbourgo (a religious feast in honor of Jesus).

Astypalaia


@astypalaia_island

Religion plays a vital part in the ethos of the residents of this scenic island in the Dodecanese archipelago. The most important celebration is the feast day of the Virgin Mary. The island’s biggest festival takes place in the monastery of Portaitissa, and the celebrations last for three days. On August 15th, everyone gathers in the church to shower the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Portaitissa with flowers and then moves to the ‘Rodia’ courtyard for the big fete with violins, lutes, and traditional dancing.

Ikaria


@dimitris_pazaitis

When it comes to “panigiria” Ikaria is the island to be! Especially on August 15th, big celebrations are held throughout the island, but the biggest ones can be found in the villages of Christos Rachon and Lagada. There you will find thousands of locals and tourists dancing the Ikariotikos and enjoying traditional food and delicious Ikarian wine; an experience not to be missed!

Lesvos


@evangelou_giannis

On the 15th of August, the most popular celebrations in Lesvos take place in the village of Agiassos, where the church of Panagia Agiasotissa is located. Along with a church service and plenty of food, including the traditional dish “Keskeki” ( a combination of stew and wheat ), visitors can attend several cultural events such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, and concerts, as well as the local track races known as “Christophidia”.

Nisyros


@nuno_eca

Nisyros celebrates the day of the Assumption with great reverence! The celebrations take place at the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and run from the 6th until the 15th of August. During these days, the monastery hosts women from all over the island who are committed to making 300 prostrations daily, kneeling in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, and fasting. On the day of the Assumption, the icon of the Virgin Mary is carried in a procession. The feast begins when the icon arrives at the village, with the traditional dance of “koupa”.

Kefalonia


@nico_cene

A rather peculiar legend surrounds the celebration of Dekapentavgoustos in Kefalonia, as well as the church hosting it, Panagia Fidousa, in the village of Markopoulo. Every year around August 15th, small snakes appear inside and outside the church. According to the legend, in the 1200s a convent of nuns was praying for safety from a pirate attack, and during their prayers, hundreds of snakes appeared between the nuns and the pirates, saving their lives. Since then, “Virgin Mary’s snakes”, as they are called, enter the church and head for the icon of the virgin.

Greece has submitted the nomination file of Mount Olympus for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.

“Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in our country, is linked to ancient mythology, to Homer, to the history of Greece throughout the centuries. The home of the gods is one of the strongest Greek brand names,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain with an altitude of 2,918 meters. In 1981 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and in 2021 it was declared a national park by presidential decree.

UNESCO is expected to issue a final decision by September.

Originally published on: ekathimerini.com

Nestled among the vibrant tapestry of global urban culture lies an unexpected treasure: Troon Street in Athens. In a recent unveiling by Time Out magazine, celebrated for its keen eye for cultural hotspots, Troon Street proudly clinched the 28th spot on the list of the 30 coolest streets in the world for 2024.

But what defines the essence of a 'cool' street? Is it the diverse array of cafes, culinary havens, and inviting bars where time seems to stand still amidst the exploration of tantalizing cuisines and innovative cocktails? Perhaps it's the charming boutiques teeming with one-of-a-kind treasures that entice the curious wanderer. Or could it be the intangible ambiance that envelops a street, an unmistakable aura of community and familiarity?

In crafting its esteemed list, Time Out meticulously weighed various factors, including culinary diversity, libation offerings, cultural vibrancy, nocturnal allure, and the collective spirit of each street's inhabitants. The result is a celebration of streets that have evolved into dynamic hubs, offering sanctuary from the urban hustle and bustle.

Leading the charge is Melbourne's High Street, an urban sanctuary renowned for its plethora of gastronomic delights, hidden watering holes, and independent boutiques. Here, locals and visitors alike revel in a palpable sense of camaraderie, epitomizing the inclusive spirit of the community.

And amidst these illustrious thoroughfares lies Troon Street, a beacon of Athenian charm and authenticity. Stretching from the historic neighborhood of Thisios to the heart of Petralona, Troon Street captivates with its fusion of storied landmarks, picturesque vistas, and a thriving local scene. It beckons travelers to immerse themselves in an authentically Athenian experience, where every corner reveals a new facet of the city's rich tapestry.

In an age where streets have transcended their traditional roles as mere conduits of traffic to become vibrant social spaces, Troon Street stands as a testament to the transformative power of community and culture. As the world embraces al fresco dining and champions green initiatives, Troon Street remains a shining example of urban revitalization done right—a place where the echoes of the past converge with the pulse of the present, and every step narrates a tale of resilience and renewal.

Originally published in Greek on: intronews.gr

The CineDoc 2025-26 Documentary Festival concludes on Thursday, April 30, with the presentation of the E.K.K.O.ME.D. Audience Awards and the screening of the documentary Dust to Dust at the Danaos Cinema. The awards are sponsored by the Hellenic Center for Motion Pictures, Audiovisual Media, and Creation (E.K.K.O.ME.D.) - Creative Greece, and the event will be held in the presence of Athena Kartalou, General Director of Cinema at E.K.K.O.ME.D.

The films nominated for the Audience Award are: Takis. by Michalis Roumbis, The Goals of August by Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, LO by Thanasis Vasiliou, The Red Teacher by Stelios Charalampopoulos, and Bull's Heart by Eva Stefani. Supported by Creative Greece, this year’s festival draws to a close after eight months of screenings in Athens, Volos, Larissa, Thessaloniki, and Rethymno, featuring premieres, VR screenings, and tributes across its network.

Following the Closing Ceremony, the documentary Dust to Dust by Kosai Sekine will be screened, focusing on sustainable fashion and the work of Japanese designer Yuima Nakazato. The film is a national premiere and has received international accolades, including the Green Warsaw Award (Millennium Docs Against Gravity 2025) and the Human/Nature Award (Tribeca Film Festival 2024).

DUST TO DUST by Kosai Sekine (2024, Japan, 89’)

CLOSING FILM - 30/04/2026 | Arrival: 19:30 - Start: 20:00

The screening will be introduced by Christiana Vardakou (Textile Designer) and Iro Tsarampopoulou-Fokianou (Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace Greece). A reception by the Open Farm producers' network will follow in the cinema foyer.

Tickets: Available online and at the DANAOS cinema box office: danaoscinema.gr

Synopsis

Yuima Nakazato is only the second Japanese designer invited to Paris Fashion Week and the youngest graduate of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts. A pioneer of sustainable fashion, Nakazato blends haute couture with ethical production. His vision? A future where creativity is inseparable from environmental care. Dust to Dust follows his journey to Kenya to understand the impact of fast fashion, resulting in a 2023 collection made entirely from landfill waste.

Nominated Films & E.K.K.O.ME.D. Audience Awards

For the 2025-26 season, CineDoc partnered with the Votemo platform to establish local Audience Awards in Athens, Volos, and Rethymno.

TAKIS.

Michalis Roumbis, 2025, Greece, 63’ 

Takis, a former disco owner, dedicates his life to saving strays in Crete. Hosting over 400 dogs in his shelter, the film showcases his daily struggles to change local mindsets while gaining global support.

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

THE GOALS OF AUGUST (TA TERMATA TOU AVGOUSTOU)

Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, 2025, Greece, 117’ 

Every August, an improvised football championship revives small villages in southern Pindos. Through the journey of the "Armatolikon" team, the film captures the vibrant local community and personal stories of all ages. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos.

LO

Thanasis Vasiliou, 2025, Greece – France, 70’ 

A year after his mother’s death, the director returns to his childhood apartment in Athens to manage a troubled inheritance. Fragments of family memories emerge from the bare walls, intertwining personal history with the collective trauma of the Junta. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

THE RED TEACHER

Stelios Charalampopoulos, 2024, Greece, 100’ 

Two political trials and executions left an indelible mark on post-civil war Greece: those of Nikos Beloyannis and Nikos Ploumpidis. Ploumpidis died alone, slandered and disgraced. This film explores his Promethean tragedy. 

Nominated in: Volos.

BULL'S HEART

Eva Stefani, 2025, Greece, 78’ 

Eva Stefani follows world-renowned creator Dimitris Papaioannou over two years during the tour of Transverse Orientation. The documentary explores the nature of creation, asking "Why do we do what we do?", highlighting art as a means of resistance against futility. 

Nominated in: Athens, Volos, Rethymno.

About CINEDOC

CineDoc screens and distributes award-winning Greek and international documentaries. Screenings are organized as part of the CineDoc Documentary Festival, in collaboration with:

• Danaos Cinema and Anesis Open-Air Cinema

• The French Institute and the Greek Film Archive (Tainiothiki)

• CineDoc Volos, under the auspices of the Municipality of Volos and with the support of the Region of Thessaly (P.E. Magnesia & N. Sporades)

• The Municipality of Larissa

• The Thessaloniki International Film Festival ("Pavlos Zannas" and "Stavros Tornes" theaters)

• The "Simeio" Cultural Center in Rethymno

The festival takes place annually from September to April across the main CineDoc network, presenting new films approximately once a month. The sponsor of the CineDoc 2025-2026 Documentary Festival is the Hellenic Center for Motion Pictures, Audiovisual Media, and Creation (E.K.K.O.ME.D.) - Creative Greece.

Furthermore, CineDoc continuously expands its distribution network by organizing documentary screenings both on the Greek islands (Cyclades, Sporades, Ionian, and Dodecanese through CineDoc Island) and throughout mainland Greece. Every year, it co-organizes and supports regional documentary screenings in collaboration with cultural and environmental organizations, film clubs, counseling centers, foundations, cinemas, municipalities, and more. 

German interest in Greek destinations is still keen, with more German travelers including Greece in their holiday plans for 2016, local tourism professionals say. To keep up with the trend, German tour operators are enhancing their Greece packages with additional airline seats and accommodation options.

Greece is facing fierce competition by other neighbouring destinations including Spain, Italy and Turkey, which has – following the recent Russia incident and the resultant embargo – focused much of its tourism drive on the German market.

At the same time, an estimated 20 percent of Germany’s holidaymakers said they would think twice before setting off on their next trip, according to a November survey published after the terror attacks in Paris, in German travel magazine fvw.

The report, however, also found higher figures for people who would not be influenced in their travel plans, led by Spain with 50 percent and Greece at 39 percent.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages