The family of renowned Greek ceramist Panos Valsamakis is preparing for a major retrospective exhibition at the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), marking 40 years since the artist’s death in 1986. His descendants, Panos and Sofia Valsamakis, have been cataloging hundreds of works, drawings and photographs from the artist’s studio as they prepare for the comprehensive showcase of modern Greek ceramics scheduled to open in June 2026. The exhibition, titled “Remaking Tradition: Panos Valsamakis and the Birth of Modern Greek Ceramics,” will run from June 4, 2026, to January 31, 2027, according to EMST. Sofia Valsamaki, the artist’s granddaughter,…

Greece’s National Transparency Authority has uncovered irregular state welfare payments totaling €1.86 million distributed between 2020 and 2022, the anti-corruption watchdog announced Tuesday. The authority is now calling on officials to recover the improperly disbursed funds and has referred the case to judicial authorities for potential criminal prosecution. The investigation targeted OPEKA, the state organization responsible for managing and distributing various social welfare benefits to Greek citizens. According to the transparency authority, the audit was initiated following an internal investigation conducted by OPEKA itself, which identified potential irregularities in benefit payments. Irregular State Welfare Payments Linked to Former Officials The…

Greek alpine skier AJ Ginnis made his Olympic debut at the Games on Monday in what became an emotional farewell to competitive skiing. The 31-year-old athlete competed in the Olympic slalom race knowing it would mark both his first and last appearance at the Games, as ongoing injuries have forced him to retire from professional skiing. Ginnis, who captured a silver medal in slalom at the 2023 World Championships in Courchevel, France, has been unable to return to peak form following his latest setback. The day before his Olympic slalom race, Ginnis realized during training that his body could no…

Costa Navarino, the premier luxury resort destination in Messinia, Greece, is set to open its doors for the 2026 season on February 27, coinciding with heightened international attention drawn by Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming film The Odyssey. The cinematic production is expected to spotlight historic sites including Voidokilia, Pylos and the Palace of Nestor, locations central to Homeric narratives where Telemachus received royal hospitality. The resort’s seasonal launch comes at a strategic moment when global audiences will focus on the myths, history and cultural heritage of Messinia. According to the resort’s official press release, Costa Navarino has embraced the region not…

Athens is set to expand its tram network with the opening of a new terminal station on the T7 tramline beginning Wednesday. The Akti Poseidonos tram stop will finally open to passengers more than five years after construction crews completed work on the facility, according to local transport authorities. This long-awaited addition marks a significant improvement to public transportation connectivity in the Piraeus area. The new tram stop is located along Akti Poseidonos Avenue and will serve as the updated terminus for the T7 line. Previously, passengers had to disembark at the Agia Triada station, which had functioned as the…

The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy has issued an urgent warning to Greek-flagged vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, advising heightened vigilance amid escalating military activity in the Persian Gulf. According to the ministry, a Greek ship entering the strait on February 3 was subjected to suspicious radio communications demanding it cut engines and prepare for boarding, while two armed small vessels made repeated approaches without providing legitimate justification. The vessel ignored the unauthorized calls and continued safely on its course, the ministry reported. However, the incident has prompted Greek maritime authorities to alert all Greek ships…

Greece’s Interior Ministry has introduced legislation to Parliament that would establish postal voting for Greeks abroad and create a dedicated overseas electoral district for national elections. The proposed reforms would fundamentally change how expatriate Greeks participate in elections by allowing them to vote by mail and select candidates from a specialized diaspora constituency rather than the current nationwide State List system. According to the bill submitted for ratification, Greeks living abroad would cast ballots within their own dedicated constituency instead of voting exclusively for the Epikrateias list as they do now. The new system would enable diaspora voters to choose…

A Greek soccer team chairman and two other individuals were arrested on Sunday following a violent incident at a football stadium in the Greater Athens area, according to local authorities. The arrests came after the group allegedly assaulted both rival fans and police officers who intervened to stop the altercation during a match. The police statement released Monday did not disclose the names of the suspects or identify the soccer team involved in the incident. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the three arrested individuals were part of a larger group of approximately 20 people who wore the colors of a…

Greek historian Eleni Glykatzi-Ahrweiler, a pioneering Byzantine scholar who transformed European understanding of the medieval empire, has died at the age of 99. The renowned academic, who broke gender barriers at the Sorbonne and dedicated her career to illuminating Byzantium’s role in European civilization, leaves behind a profound scholarly legacy that reshaped historical studies. Born in Athens in 1926 to parents from Asia Minor, Glykatzi-Ahrweiler pursued historical studies at the University of Athens before continuing her education in Paris. There she met Jacques Ahrweiler, a French Navy officer whom she married, and together they had one daughter, Marie-Helene. Revolutionary Byzantine…

The Greek island of Kimolos is emerging as a compelling travel destination that offers far more than pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. While international media outlets have recently praised Kimolos as a tranquil alternative to busier Cycladic islands, this small island near Milos deserves recognition for its rich archaeological heritage, medieval architecture, and well-preserved walking trails that reveal centuries of human history. According to recent coverage from Dutch travel platform griekenland.net and the UK’s Mirror, Kimolos has attracted attention for its unspoiled beauty and exceptionally clear waters. However, cultural travelers are discovering that the island’s historical treasures and hiking opportunities…

Greece’s left-wing SYRIZA opposition party has condemned educational authorities in central Greece for directing state schools to encourage students to view a Christian religious relic, sparking debate over religious freedom in public education. The controversy centers on a directive issued by regional education officials in Larissa urging teachers to organize student visits to see what is purported to be the lower arm bone of St Basil, housed temporarily at a local church. According to a SYRIZA statement, the party found it “inconceivable” that a European public educational system would engage in such religious activities in 2026. The Education Ministry’s regional…

A Cypriot court has acquitted former parliamentary speaker Demetris Syllouris and ex-lawmaker Christakis Tziovanis of corruption charges related to the controversial Cyprus golden passport scheme. The Tuesday ruling clears both officials of conspiracy to defraud and abuse of power allegations connected to efforts to secure passports for foreign investors under the now-defunct citizenship-by-investment program. Both defendants had maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings, according to Reuters. The case centered on the citizenship-for-investment scheme that sparked widespread public outrage and drew intense scrutiny from the European Union before Cyprus scrapped the program. The two former officials faced allegations that they attempted…

The Greek stock market extended losses for a third consecutive session on Tuesday, with the Athens Exchange general index declining 1.14% as concerns mount over potential profit-taking following recent 16-year highs. Market observers suggest the downturn may reflect a shift in trader sentiment rather than fundamental fiscal or corporate deterioration, with the benchmark possibly having reached overbought territory in the near term. The Athens Exchange general index closed at 2,253.06 points, down from Monday’s 2,279.10 points, according to official data. The large-cap FTSE-25 index fell 1.16% to finish at 5,732.84 points, continuing the market’s recent retreat from historical peaks. Banking…

Greece’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Akylas, has successfully qualified to compete in Vienna this May following his victory at the national selection show “Sing for Greece” on Sunday. The 27-year-old artist from Serres will perform his electro-pop track “Ferto” (Bring it), which blends contemporary sounds with traditional Cretan lyra elements. According to his Instagram post, Akylas expressed overwhelming emotions about his Eurovision qualification. The performer stated he keeps pinching himself to confirm the experience is real and not a dream, adding that he feels both happy and proud of this achievement. Breaking Traditional Eurovision Patterns “Ferto” represents…

Greece’s Super League title race remained tightly contested over the weekend as the top three teams all failed to secure victories. AEK Athens and PAOK battled to a 0-0 draw on Sunday at Toumba Stadium, while league leaders’ closest challengers Olympiakos were also held scoreless in a surprising stalemate against Levadiakos on Saturday, leaving the Super League standings unchanged after matchday 21. The highly anticipated clash between second-placed AEK and third-placed PAOK delivered entertainment despite the lack of goals. AEK goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha emerged as the hero for his side, saving a first-half penalty taken by Giorgos Giakoumakis. Additionally, AEK…

The Greek island of Ios is shedding its long-held reputation as simply a party destination and emerging as a multi-dimensional Cycladic retreat focused on sustainability and cultural heritage. According to recent reports from Euronews and international travel publications, Ios tourism is experiencing a transformation in 2026, with the island appearing on must-visit lists from The Times of London to French travel guide Petite Futé. This shift represents a conscious effort to balance tourism growth with quality of life for both visitors and permanent residents. Mayor Gkikas Gkikas has emphasized that the island’s strategy now extends beyond enriching tourist experiences to…

Greece is preparing to return a small collection of confiscated Egyptian antiquities to Cairo, marking another step in international efforts to repatriate cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. The Greek Culture Ministry announced Tuesday that six ancient statuettes currently housed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens will be handed over to Egyptian officials in the near future. The decision underscores growing cooperation between the two Mediterranean nations on heritage protection and the fight against illicit trafficking of ancient objects. According to the Culture Ministry statement, the Egyptian antiquities will be transferred to Egyptian authorities in Athens, though officials…

The Cyprus Land Department is facing severe operational challenges that threaten the protection of property rights and effective management of state land, according to a recent special report released by the Audit Office of Cyprus. The audit examined the Department of Lands and Surveys and revealed chronic administrative failures contributing to mounting financial losses and widespread delays in processing applications across the island nation. The comprehensive review covered the department’s activities from 2021 to 2023, while the Nicosia District Lands Office was examined for the period 2022 to 2024. According to the findings, uncollected revenues reached €18.5 million nationwide in…

Civil protection authorities in central Greece have issued an urgent warning to residents living near the Acheloos river to avoid the riverbanks due to a planned water release from the Stratos dam. The alert comes as heavy rainfall continues to impact the region, necessitating the controlled discharge of excess water to manage rising reservoir levels. According to the warning, residents in areas surrounding the Acheloos river near Kastraki received text messages on their mobile phones alerting them to the imminent water release. The messages specifically cautioned people to stay away from the river banks as water levels are expected to…

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi this week, where artificial intelligence policy and international cooperation will take center stage. The two-day event, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, will also include a bilateral meeting between Mitsotakis and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to government sources. The India AI Impact Summit brings together more than 20 heads of state and representatives from over 60 countries to develop a global framework for artificial intelligence governance. The summit focuses specifically on measurable social and developmental impact, positioning AI as a tool…

Eleni Glykatzi-Ahrweiler, the renowned Byzantine historian who became the first woman rector of Paris’ Sorbonne University, has died. The distinguished academic, who was born in Athens in August 1926 and shaped both Greek and French intellectual life for decades, passed away after a remarkable career spanning continents and disciplines. Her scholarly work in Byzantine studies remains a reference point for researchers worldwide, while her pioneering role at one of Europe’s most prestigious universities broke barriers for women in academia. According to biographical accounts, Glykatzi-Ahrweiler’s parents were refugees from Prousa in Asia Minor. She grew up in modest circumstances in the…

Greece’s Culture Ministry has dispatched experts to Belgium to examine photographs depicting the execution of 200 communists at Kaisariani on May 1, 1944, after the images appeared in an online auction. The ministry confirmed that specialists will travel to Ghent to assess the authenticity, legal provenance, and historical significance of the 12 photographs before determining acquisition procedures. According to the ministry, the images are considered very likely authentic, though several legal complications surround any potential claim. The photographs surfaced recently on eBay, prompting swift action from Greek authorities to secure what could be crucial historical documentation of a World War…

Workers at the Violanta biscuit factory in Trikala, Greece, have testified that they were instructed by management to conceal concerns about gas odors in the weeks leading up to a deadly explosion. A 10-year employee told fire investigators he had detected a smell resembling liquefied petroleum gas for at least two months prior to the incident, according to testimony gathered during the ongoing investigation into the factory explosion. The worker, who served as an unlicensed plumber at the facility, reported that the gas-like odor was strongest in restrooms and the dishwashing area of Building 2. He further testified that management…

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been appointed as senior advisor to Greece’s Antenna Group, the country’s largest media company announced recently. The appointment comes as the organization prepares to host the Europe-Gulf Forum, a major international diplomatic initiative scheduled for May 2026 in Greece that aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between European and Gulf nations. According to the media group’s statement, Blair will provide strategic guidance as Antenna Group collaborates with the Atlantic Council to organize the forum. The event is designed to serve as a platform for fostering stronger ties between the two regions during a…