Ellinopoula.com is a web-based platform catering to the needs of children and parents of the Greek diaspora, especially focused on building and maintaining Greek language ability through entertainment and other methods.

Interview with Anna, who runs Ellinopoula. By Michael Klioumis.

Michael: User experience both for kids and parents is characteristically enhanced, is this a part of a bigger strategy?

Anna: Yes, our strategy is simple: we want to help every child learn Greek. Learning any foreign language is hard and it requires a lot of commitment both from the parent and from the child. We want to make this effort easier. We believe that Learning Greek is very important both as a developmental tool (children do much better in life when they learn a second language and Greek in particular) but also for patriotic and emotional reasons. Our culture is very rich and part of that culture is the language.

Michael: In what ways would you say the new platform of ellinopoula.com is ahead of competition?

Anna: Actually I do not think there is really a serious competition to my knowledge. There is no other site in Greek that has the depth and breadth of our site one that includes so many different types of interactive activities and videos, games quizzes etc.. We know that some people get onto our site and copy some of our content but they cannot catch up or compete with us because each day our groups of educators, illustrators and designers come up with all kinds of new stuff.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek TV

In January 2018, Greece saw a 22.4% increase in international arrivals according to the Greek Tourism Confederation's (SETE) intelligence INSETE.

According to INSETE’s latest report, the upward trend in Greek tourism is continuing into 2018 with pre-bookings paving the way for an estimated 5 percent increase in the number of visitors and revenue.

The country’s major airports reported a 17 percent rise in the number of international arrivals in January compared to the same month last year: 22.4 percent at Athens International Airport and 4.2 percent at regional airports. Specifically, the German arrivals are dominating the market, which rose by 40% in January.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

Greek culture is full of wonderful traditions and the beggining of Spring is bound to have one as well! Check out our newsletter for some spring inspiration and to stay updated with the latest lockdown measures in Athens! 

 

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When you think of Athens, a bustling, lively capital, brimming with top-notch cultural exhibits springs to mind. Right? Well, it's much more than that. Apart from the great historical monuments, the huge apartment buildings, the streets, and the avenues, you will also discover many beautiful parks and gardens in the center of the city offering a much-needed respite from the urban hustle.

Here's a list of our favorite parks to explore in Athens and spend a refreshing afternoon!

Stavros Niarchos Park 


@mysecretathens

A cultural hub surrounded by tree-lined paths, perfect for jogging and cycling, the Stavros Niarchos park was specially designed to provide a "respite from urban concrete". The impressive complex includes flowers, pine and olive trees, playgrounds, fountains, and canals that fill the area with the refreshing sound of running water. During the summer months, the park hosts a number of events (often free), from yoga workshops to film screenings.

The sprawling Syngrou Estate, in the northern suburb of Maroussi, is actually a 200-acre wooded park, with well-maintained paths, perfect for jogging, running, and strolling. The park used to belong to wealthy businessman Andreas Syngros, but after his death, his wife donated it to the Greek Agricultural Company. One of its highlights, is the rare plants that can be found there, such as wild orchids. Once there, don't forget to pay a visit to the nearby Church of Agios Andreas, which is the only Neo-Gothic Orthodox church in Greece.

Flisvos Park 


@fanwho

Strolling around Flisvos Park, in the southern part of Athens, is a truly local activity, as this is completely off the tourist path. Located right next to the sea, the park features modern playgrounds and outdoor workout equipment for adults. The Flisvos Marina is just around the corner, where you can find modern seaside cafes and restaurants, as well as the Battleship Averof, a floating museum.

Translated by: CodicoLab

One of a parent’s greatest dreams is for their child to be happy. For many, happiness seems elusive and subjective. But could it be simpler than we think? What if we could secure our children's happiness?

Let’s address this question with a profound truth: parents wield enormous influence over their children's emotional well-being. The parental impact on shaping children’s happiness is well-documented and has transformative potential.

Let’s explore the various ways parents hold the key to cultivating their children's capacity for lasting happiness and fulfillment!

Being the Example

Children are keen observers, absorbing not just words but actions and behaviors of their parents. Thus, one of the most powerful ways parents can teach happiness is by experiencing it themselves. By cultivating our own sense of well-being, engaging in activities that bring us joy, and practicing gratitude, we become living examples of happiness. When children see their parents happy, they learn resilience, optimism, and zest for life, internalizing happiness and laying the foundation for their own emotional well-being.

Emotional Intelligence: The Power of Connection

Emotional intelligence is a crucial predictor of a child's long-term happiness. By promoting skills of open communication, empathy, and emotional regulation, parents equip their children with the tools to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and grace. Encouraging children to express their emotions freely, validating their feelings, and providing a safe space to explore their inner world fosters a sense of emotional security and self-awareness, essential for happiness.

Positive Environment: Planting the Seeds of Happiness

The environment serves as the fertile ground where children's emotional well-being takes root and flourishes. Parents can create a positive atmosphere by infusing daily interactions with warmth, affection, and encouragement. Celebrating successes, no matter how small, and offering support and reassurance during tough times cultivates a sense of competence and confidence in children, boosting their self-esteem and resilience. Additionally, creating bonding rituals—such as family meals, shared activities, or bedtime routines—fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens family ties, promoting feelings of happiness and security.

Loving Imperfections

In the pursuit of happiness, it's important for parents to embrace their children’s imperfections as an integral part of growth. Recognizing and learning from mistakes, reframing challenges as growth opportunities, and demonstrating compassion show that failures are a natural part of life’s journey. This way, parents instill a positive and resilient mindset in their children, allowing them to live with optimism and courage—fundamental pillars of happiness.

As parents, it is our responsibility to create an environment where our children feel safe to explore, express themselves, and learn from both successes and failures. Through our actions and behaviors, we have the power to shape their perceptions of themselves and the world around them.

Let’s embark on the parenting journey with intention, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to cultivating a legacy of happiness that will endure for generations. In doing so, we not only ensure our children’s well-being but also contribute to creating a brighter future for all.

Short-form video plays a growing role in how students in Athens communicate, relax, and share their experiences. What began as a simple way to capture quick moments has developed into a meaningful part of youth culture. These platforms influence humor, trends, and the rhythm of daily routines, often shaping conversations both online and offline.

Students also use these clips as small breaks in a busy day, giving them a quick moment to unwind before returning to other responsibilities. The steady flow of new trends keeps their feeds fresh. This makes the short videos an easy way to stay connected without committing much time.

This article explores the rise of short-form video culture among students in Athens.

Families and teachers have noticed changes in how students use their devices throughout the day. Quick clips fill the gaps between study sessions, bus rides, and after-school downtime.

An Association for Computing Machinery study states that people are even using short-form videos to share everyday activities such as running, studying, and sketching. Researchers reviewed 420 TikTok clips and found that creators often show details before, during, and after the activity. They also found that people adjust larger personal goals into smaller, video-friendly moments that fit the fast pace of short clips.

However, this growing interest also ties into broader public debates on the addictive use of social media platforms. TikTok, for example, is one of the most used platforms for creating and consuming short-form content.

According to TruLaw, many families of students and young adults have filed lawsuits for the same. They allege that the platform intentionally uses addictive design features. This is leading to mental health harm.

Through the TikTok lawsuit for mental health, families are seeking platform design changes. Discussions of this kind often highlight the mix of entertainment, pressure, and emotional influence.

Athens adds a distinctive backdrop to student-created videos. Teens showcase street corners, murals, cafés, and lively neighborhoods, giving viewers a glimpse of the city through their eyes. These clips combine local character with modern editing styles, helping students build a visual language that feels personal and expressive.

Many videos travel beyond the city through reposts, placing Athens in front of audiences who might never have visited. Students enjoy seeing their surroundings gain attention on a wider stage. This sense of visibility encourages them to experiment even more with their content.

However, there’s a fine line between experimentation and overuse. Athens and Greece are trying to ensure students, especially minors, don’t overstep these boundaries. As reported by The National Herald, Greece is planning strategies to not ban but curb the use of social media. The aim is to protect minors from the negatives of social media, which include harassment, bullying, and internet addiction.

Short-form videos also influence what students do outside regular lessons. Some explore editing as a hobby, while others try storytelling techniques or create simple documentary-style clips. These projects sometimes turn into collaborative efforts among classmates, giving them a chance to build something together and share it with peers.

Such creative experiments help students develop confidence with visual communication. They learn how to pace clips, frame scenes, and combine audio with movement, all while sharing their daily experiences.

This has even allowed many students from Athens and Greece to excel in film festivals. A GreekReporter article states that a Greek student won second prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. The movie’s name was The Chaos She Left Behind, and it was the country’s first entry into the La Cinef competition in Cannes in 23 years.

Schools and community groups across Athens have started offering spaces where students can talk about digital habits. Workshops often focus on creativity, balance, and thoughtful media use. The aim is to help teens understand what they enjoy while giving them room to think about areas they might want to adjust.

These conversations encourage young people to recognize their own patterns and make choices that feel comfortable. This is done without losing the spontaneity and fun that draw them to video platforms in the first place.

Some educators also mention that students respond well when these discussions feel practical rather than theoretical. Sessions that include examples from their own routines help them think about how digital habits fit into their daily choices. This approach gives young people space to reflect without feeling judged, and it encourages them to shape their online activity in a balanced way.

Short-form video culture continues to grow, and students in Athens remain enthusiastic contributors. Their styles, humor, and creative approaches shape how stories are shared and how local experiences circulate online. As this trend develops, the voices of young people will keep influencing the direction of digital expression throughout the city.

Short clips often act as conversation starters, giving students shared references that help them connect quickly. Many teens bond over trends, inside jokes, and creators they follow. These shared interests can make new social situations feel easier, especially for students who are shy or adjusting to a new environment.

Quite a few students explore academic-focused clips that feature study routines, note-taking styles, or time-management ideas. These videos give them a sense of motivation and help them experiment with techniques that might suit their own habits. While the approach is informal, some students say these clips offer small boosts of inspiration when long study sessions feel heavy.

Some parents take a curious, lighthearted approach by watching clips their children recommend, which can spark fun conversations at home. Others try making simple videos together as a bonding activity. Even if parents do not use the platforms often, many appreciate the chance to understand what their children enjoy.

Short-form video culture continues to grow, and students in Athens remain enthusiastic contributors. Their styles, humor, and creative approaches shape how stories are shared and how local experiences circulate online. As this trend develops, the voices of young people will keep influencing the direction of digital expression throughout the city.