This event has drawn considerable attention due to its strength and the potential implications for the local community
Although there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries
conducting assessments to ensure the safety of residents and infrastructure
The earthquake serves as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity
prompting discussions on preparedness and response strategies for future incidents
paid a courtesy visit to the Holy Metropolis of Ioannina
where she was warmly received by Metropolitan Maximos
The meeting took place at the episcopal headquarters of the Metropolis
where the two officials discussed matters of mutual interest
including plans for a joint cultural and spiritual event to be held in the fall
Latsi with an album featuring the Christian monuments of the Metropolis
as well as a book detailing religious tours of churches and monasteries across the region of Epirus
The visit reflected the spirit of open dialogue and cooperation between the local Church and the Albanian diplomatic mission
with an emphasis on fostering cultural understanding and strengthening ties between the communities
the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women...
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos..
it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly..
A car once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem is being transformed into a mobile..
the Monastery of Saint Vlash in Albania hosted a festal Divine Liturgy on the..
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece presided over the festal Great Vespers at the historic..
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The death has been announced of Zanet Nahmia
the last Holocaust survivor from the northwestern city of Ioannina
She attended primary school at the Alliance Israélite Universelle until the fifth grade
when she left to help her mother with the chores of their large household
was rounded up and deported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp
and was a forced laborer in a factory in Breslau (now Wroclaw)
Only she and her older brother Michael survived out of their entire family
After her liberation from the camps in 1945
she returned to Ioannina and married fellow Auschwitz survivor Israel Tsitos and they began to rebuild their life
“We were saddened to learn of the unexpected loss of the late Zanet Nahmia from Ioannina
the last survivor of Auschwitz in the city
Zanet Battinou,” the Jewish Museum of Greece said
Nahmia “supported the work of the museum through the donation of family photographs as well as by depositing her personal testimony in our oral history archive,” it added
Her funeral will take place in Ioannina on December 5
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the CERN Council elected Professor Costas Fountas as its 25th President
He will take over from Professor Eliezer Rabinovici
who concludes his term at the end of December
“Professor Fountas is an experimentalist of the highest calibre
who has played key roles in the CMS collaboration at the LHC and also in the former ZEUS collaboration at DESY in Germany
As Vice President of the CERN Council since 2022
his professionalism and advice have been of great benefit to discussions
and I am confident that he will make an excellent President at this very important time for the long-term future of the Organization” said Professor Eliezer Rabinovici
Professor Fountas is Professor of physics and heads the high-energy physics group at the University of Ioannina in Greece
After completing his PhD at Columbia University in 1989
studying neutrino production at the Tevatron
he worked on the data-acquisition electronics for Fermilab’s CCFR experiment
He then moved to the University of Wisconsin and worked on the trigger system of the ZEUS experiment at DESY
he started work at Imperial College London and joined the CMS collaboration where
he took responsibility for the design and implementation of the Global Calorimeter Trigger; his group also developed the first model of the CMS track trigger
he developed and built the CMS Barrel Muon Track Finder using cutting-edge FPGAs and optical-link technologies
At the LHC his physics interests have focused on jet cross sections and searches for new fundamental interactions
Alongside his expertise in delivering detector systems and conducting physics analyses
Professor Fountas has held several management roles in CMS and been a member of many councils and advisory committees
He was appointed Greek scientific delegate to the CERN Council in 2016 and Vice President of Council in 2022
“My focus will be to support the CERN Management and the experiments so as to ensure that the High-Luminosity LHC is completed successfully and in a timely manner
I will also make sure that discussions on the next major project at CERN are held in such a way that everybody has a voice
my commitment will be to do everything I can to bring consensus and guarantee the brightest future possible for the Organization,” said Professor Costas Fountas
CERN Council is the supreme decision-making authority of the Organization
composed of delegates of all its twenty-four Member States
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The city of Ioannina marked the feast of its patron saint and protector
with great ecclesiastical splendor and deep reverence at the Holy Church dedicated to the saint
Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina presided over the Festive Hierarchical Co-liturgy
accompanied by Bishop Apostolos of Tanagra
representatives from Municipal and Local Communities
as well as members of the Military Authorities and Security Forces
Metropolitan Maximos delivered a heartfelt sermon
He highlighted the lives and virtues of St
emphasizing the importance of honoring saints and martyrs in the Church
He urged the faithful to follow their example as a guide in their Christian lives
a grand procession of the Holy Relics of St
George took place through the main streets of Ioannina
The procession concluded at the Holy Metropolitan Church of St
where the relics were ceremoniously deposited
Metropolitan Maximos expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Apostolos
and the faithful for their presence and contributions to the celebration
A vehicle lost control and crashed into the side of the road while passing through a tunnel on the Egnatia Odos highway near Ioannina in northwestern Greece on Thursday morning
The driver managed to exit the car on his own before emergency services arrived
No casualties or injuries have been reported
The incident follows a fatal road accident earlier this week
where a truck slammed into vehicles waiting at a toll booth
killing two people and injuring five others
the truck also crashed onto a toll station booth
the prosecutor filed felony charges against the truck driver
The Ministry of Civil Protection on Friday declared a state of emergency in the city of Ioannina
following a severe storm last Sunday that pummelled the area
Thomas Begas informed the municipal council of the development during a meeting on Wednesday
saying he had filed the request with the ministry
He also said that there was no warning from Civil Protection neither to the local authorities nor to citizens
and that an emergency alert was sent to the public a day after the storm
Streets flooded and the fire service received dozens of calls from people trapped in houses where the water had gushed in following torrential rain and hail
The blaze
which started under unclear circumstances around 2:30 a.m.
originated in the women’s balcony of the holy metropolitan cathedral
Firefighters worked through the early hours to bring the fire under control, deploying 20 personnel and six vehicles to the scene. While the flames were extinguished, the church sustained damage from both smoke and fire
The Church of St Athanasios, designated as a listed monument, holds significant cultural and historical value
amplifying concerns over the extent of damage
The incident was managed on-site by the commander of the 1st Fire Station of Ioannina
A preliminary investigation is underway by the fire service to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire
A two-day conference focusing on innovation
With a rich program and interesting discussions on digital nomadism
and the strengthening of responsible tourism models
which took place on April 4 and 5 in Ioannina
The organization was carried out in collaboration with the Innovation and Digital Economy Hub and the C.Ioannina Cowork Community
with speeches and interactive sessions that highlighted the city’s potential as an emerging hub for innovation and remote work
Of particular interest were the interventions of digital nomads living in Ioannina who shared their daily lives and their experiences of working remotely in Greece
Digital nomads & remote workers in the spotlight – Ioannina
The Summit was opened by Nikos Diamantopoulos
Co-Founder of the Innovation and Digital Economy Hub
Diamantopoulos underlined that digital nomads are a specialized and dynamic audience that can contribute decisively to the strengthening of responsible tourism models
Koutlas noted that innovation in the city draws strength from the connection of the university
Deputy Minister of Tourism Anna Karamanli congratulated Marketing Greece for the initiative
stating that Greece has all the resources to become a leading destination for digital nomads
provided that all stakeholders cooperate and that infrastructure is continuously upgraded
Vasilios Gorgolis (Deputy Governor for Environment)
Christos Tatsis (Deputy Mayor for Commerce
and Spyros Sourelis (President of the Hoteliers Association of Ioannina Prefecture)
Walking tour of the historical business of Ioannina – A combination of past and future
Through an organized Walking Tour in the historic center of the city
participants had the opportunity to get to know the historical business of the region firsthand
The action was carried out in collaboration with the Small Business Institute of GSEVEE and highlighted the continuity of business tradition with modern innovation
The conference was coordinated by journalist Maria Akrivou
while the program also included presentations by Androniki Kalfa (Marketing Greece) and Lotus Vrijma (Avnea)
discussions on the exchange of know-how and extroversion
and the final discussion with the participation of digital nomads who shared their experiences of life in Greece
With strong support from institutions and sponsors
The WORKFROMGREECE.GR Summit was held with the support of AEGEAN
and COSMOTE and was under the auspices of the Greek Government
The Wine & Cheese Cocktail was sponsored by Katogi Averoff S.A
Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show
Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price”
Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure
FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou
Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025
HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality
Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf
Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership
Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025
Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens
TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award
12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia
Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour
Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports
ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development
easyJet holidays | Fam trips to Santorini, Skiathos and Rhodes
Chania: The next actions of the “Tourism Partnership”
Navarino Challenge returns on May 9-11, 2025
Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025
Three Greek beaches among the world’s 50 best – Triumph for the Ionian
The “Typhoon” that saves the Greek coasts from garbage
EOT at the “Arabian Travel Market” | Interest from Gulf countries, India, and Australia
CERT to manage Vasilitsa Ski Resort – Investment of over 20 million euros
Is American tourism in Europe “slowing down”? What do professionals see for 2025 and 2026
This is Athens & Partners | The 7 partners renew their collaboration - the joint actions
FedHATTA: Dynamic presence of Greek travel agencies at the international Dubai exhibition ATM 2025
Ryanair announces new offer for Prime members on June flights
Thomas Ellerbeck | “Rhodes can become a model of sustainable tourism internationally”
The Times | The perfect time to experience the authentic side of Santorini
Chania: The Alternative Tourism Festival returns to the Venetian Port
Angela Gerekou: "Tourism is a force for good and Greece can play a leading role"
New flights to Greece in 2025 from 4 airlines
Crete welcomes Reveil 12 – Festival of Sounds and Ecology
Greek tourism - 3rd quarter | 97% of arrivals in Athens and Thessaloniki
Modernization aid for the marinas of Symi and Messolonghi
HOTREC Assembly: Focus on challenges and reforms in European tourism
AEGEAN 2025: Passenger growth and fleet expansion with an eye on the international market
FedHATTA Cooperation with Shaanxi Province, China
Greek academic in finalists of European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025
Thessaloniki museums join forces to promote the city
GNTO introduces “Sustainable Greece” to British Agents
Strategic meeting for cruises in Santorini
A message of friendship and cooperation at the friendly Greek-Turkish football match in Chios
Municipality of Xiromero | Diving tourism: Request for sinking of a decommissioned warship
The first La Quinta by Wyndham in Batumi, Georgia
Double racing event in Megalopolis on May 11: Festival Enduro and Theater Run 2025
Explora Journeys: Start of the summer season with the luxurious EXPLORA I from Piraeus
Strong start in 2025 for Aegean and SKY Express
Xanthi Tastes: A Gastronomy Festival with a Cultural Flavor
Rhodes: These are the five-star hotels with the highest revenue – Which ones “fill up” first
Greek Tourism/Webhotelier: The Winners and Losers in Online Bookings for 2025
GNTO | Promotion of Santorini in target markets
Unprecedented blackout in Spain, Portugal, France
Greece can play a leading role in the global sports tourism scene
Rhodes | Event for the protection of biodiversity
Attica, the …Caribbean of the Germans
Agios Nikolaos | Cruise season kicks off with arrival of luxury Silver Spirit
Operational Plan: “Cretan Food Culture 2026-2030”
Destination Management and Promotion Organization in Thessaloniki
Kefalonia: The authentic character of the island through the “Travel Reimagined” project
Hoteliers vs. Booking.com: The European uprising has begun
Tourism | Greece 4th choice for Europeans' holidays in 2025 - what the ETC survey shows
New high-standard heated swimming pool in Chania, aimed at sports tourism
Greeks Traveled (A Lot!) in 2024 – Where They Went, How Much They Spent
Greek-American Dean Spanos brings the NFL to Greece – Opportunities for promotion in the USA
Lesvos: The season begins with birdwatching tourists
MSC Cruises: Strengthens its presence in Greece with 6 cruise ships
New Luxury Arrival in Crete | JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa Opens on June 2
"Peloponnese Trails" inaugurated today: New network of trails for sustainable tourism
Knossos: 125 years since the excavations of Arthur Evans
The Spanish TV show “Viajeros Cuatro” in Corfu
Wyndham - Soliteight | 40 Super 8 hotels in Spain and Portugal
Airbnb: Final price now displayed in accommodation searches
Investments in the beaches of the Attica Riviera
The Municipality of Chania at the “From Crete to Side” Festival in Turkey
Region of Central Macedonia: Tourism Promotion Activities in Poland and the Middle East
Region of Crete | Connecting Minoan Palatial Centers with Archaeological Sites
Biodiversity protection plan is in full swing in Elafonisi
Record participation in the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition | Chania 8 - 10 May
Communities at the heart of tourism development
Booking.com | No to limiting tourists, yes to infrastructure investments
Thessaloniki’s dynamic presence at the World Tourism Summit in Hong Kong
easyJet | Summer 2026 sales open
Cruise | Turkey doubles its share, new opportunities for Greek ports
Aid for the upgrade of the tourist shelter of Astakos and the Marina of Alimos
Preparing the settlement of Kionia for the tourist season: An example to follow
The action of the region of Crete "Let's go for... Greens" concludes this weekend
“Art is our Language”: Campaign for the 70th Anniversary of the Athens Epidaurus Festival
Tourism | Nostalgia drives Brits’ travel choices
ΕΟΤ China | B2B meetings with Chengdu's t.os - Flights to Athens in June
State-of-the-art conference center at Theartemis Palace Hotel in Rethymno
Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation
Cooperation Memorandum between Development Athens and Piraeus University on Tourism
Kos: New advertising campaigns with Jet2 and National Geographic Traveller UK
Five cruise ships in Souda by Saturday
Imbros Trail Run & Hike 2025: A sporting tribute to the History of Sfakia
Cultural Days and Sea Routes in Piraeus
Religious Tourism | The University of Palermo comes to Panagia Nafpaktiotissa
Audio Walk in the Sitia Geopark: A Different Exploration Experience in Crete
AEGEAN “takes off” Larnaca with a new direct flight to Rome
FedHATTA | Tourism Bridges between Greece and the Chinese province of Guizhou
Nafplio at the epicenter of world yachting with the 10th Mediterranean Yacht Show
Top distinctions for Greece and Santorini at the American Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2025
Tourism | Promoting Crete in the Arabian Gulf
HOTREC | Supporting SMEs in European Hospitality
Samaria Gorge “War Zone” – “Others Decide, We Pay the Price”
Argosaronic Islands: Need for a long-term strategy and modern infrastructure
Aegean and Emirates expand their partnership
TripAdvisor Awards 2025 | Elafonisi Beach World's Best Beach - 9th in Crete, Sani Beach Award
Delta | Athens is in 5th place in American searches for 2025
Crete also invests in cycling tourism - 13th Pediadas Tour
Competitions with a summer and autumn backdrop: Attica runs at the pace of sports
12th BAJAGREECE: Motorsports Competition in Western Macedonia
Promotion of Preveza on the metro and tram in Athens
ATM'25 - Tourism | The fight against food waste at the forefront of sustainable development
PM at 1st Greece-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council on Monday
What to expect at this year’s ITB Berlin Exhibition from March 4-6
Greece's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO organizing concert on January 16
What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber
Athens to host the European Film Awards in 2027
North Macedonia: Increase in foreign tourists in 2024
Alonissos tops the list of Greek destinations without mass tourism
Athens Municipality Festival 2025 | The city's biggest celebration, with more than 200 events
Cruise Takeoff in Chania – Record Arrivals in the First Quarter of 2025
German tourism: Advance bookings are the new "last-minute"
Medievalists.net
A conversation with Emily Neumeier about Ali Pasha of Ioannina (d
a powerful Ottoman governor of Albanian origin who created a quasi-independent realm at a time when the Ottoman empire was feared to be collapsing
We talk about how he crated his own brand-image
in part by forging closer relations with his Christian Greek subjects and also through archaeological work and use of antiquities
We also talk about the concept of the “post-Byzantine,” which is used
You can also watch Anthony speaking on A Short Introduction to the Byzantine Empire – A Crusader Kings III Documentary:
Top Image: Portrait of Ali Pasha by Joseph Cartwright in 1819
We've created a Patreon for Medievalists.net as we want to transition to a more community-funded model
We aim to be the leading content provider about all things medieval
podcast and Youtube page offers news and resources about the Middle Ages
We hope that are our audience wants to support us so that we can further develop our podcast
and remove the advertising on our platforms
This will also allow our fans to get more involved in what content we do produce
known for his Greek and Malaysian heritage
recently spoke about his family history on Louis Theroux’s podcast
Kyrgios mistakenly described his father’s hometown of Ioannina as a “small island.” Though Ioannina is a lakeside city with a small island
I thought—with my grandmother and uncle to pursue a better life in Australia,” Kyrgios recalled
While he might have been confused by Ioannina’s famous lake and its island
Although he doesn’t speak or understand Greek
Kyrgios says he feels deeply connected to his roots: “I lived in Melbourne for two years
I felt the love of the Greek diaspora.”
The tennis star also shared his early challenges with the sport
I had a hoop outside that was barely standing
and soon a coach noticed my potential.”
Kyrgios and his parents were traveling to tennis tournaments across Australia
“My mum would make my favourite mac and cheese
and we’d stay in caravans on a budget
but those are my best memories,” he said
emphasising the hard work behind his success: “My journey wasn’t effortless; I worked ten times harder than most people.”
Kyrgios has risen to a world ranking of No
13 and achieved a Grand Slam doubles title—a testament to the sacrifices his family made for him
Divers cleaning the bed of Lake Pamvotida in Ioannina
have unearthed a trove of historical artifacts
ranging from German helmets to Ottoman grenades
conducted by the Protected Areas Management Unit
the recovered items are now on display in Ioannina’s Mavili Square
led by specialized divers under challenging conditions
stretching 3.5 kilometers in length and 30 meters in width
The effort highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats and emphasizes the historical significance of the discovered artifacts
The initiative seeks not only to clean the lake but to also educate the public about the impact of pollution and the value of historical preservation
Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM and the Food for Thought Network shine a light on women’s identities
and the future of Hellenic heritage in a landmark five-day event
Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM and her volunteer team at the Food for Thought Network (FFTN) brought together Greek women from the Diaspora and Greece in an inaugural Global Women and Hellenism Conference
and presenters praised the five-day conference and the volunteerism behind the event
Exploring women’s multifaceted identities and roles
The conference explored women’s multifaceted identities
assistant professor of Neurology at the University of Ioannina and Dr
head of business school at the University of Derby at Mediterranean College
Virginia Tsoukatou discussed gender-biased technological changes and AI’s impacts
Konstantina Dounis explored Greek-Australian women’s writings
A panel chaired by executive coach Maria Papazoglou included publisher Dimitra Skalkos from The Greek Herald
and Myrtali Organics CEO Vasiliki Kaskanakou
Penny Sahinis later shared insights on women’s empowerment and mentorship
drawing from her experience with Australia’s G20 Sherpa
Greek identity and heritage across generations
chaired by FFTN communications manager Dorothy Hatzopoulou
delved into the complex themes of identity and sustainability
Fromm explored the Greek identity of Jewish women from Ioannina
Aspasia Stacey Rabba discussed strategies for maintaining identity and well-being
presented on Greek philosophy through architecture
PR Manager Pericleia Veremis chaired the session “Representation of Hellenism Past and Present – Sustainability & Identity.” Author Kalliopi Toufidi discussed her work
while Vivian Pagourelias-Vassiliadis emphasised “the resilience of the Greek spirit”
Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou presented Her Voice: Greek Women and Their Friends
a book of oral histories that inspired the conference
Sustainability of Hellenism in a global context
contributions from scholars explored Hellenism and sustainability
Kostando Baruta-Ksera examined the roles of Epirotian and Deropolitissa women in Greek history
Other sessions addressed the sustainability of Greek language and culture in modern times
Maria Karidakis and Professor Joseph Lo Bianco from the University of Melbourne discussed reversing the decline of Greek language
and Professor Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis-Mallidis examined teaching Greek in times of crisis
Presentations included insights on Greek philosophy
and the power of music in preserving Hellenic heritage
The conference concluded with a singalong led by Anthea Sidiropoulos
vice president of the Greek Community of Melbourne
who performed a song “I am a woman.”
The closing evening featured a dinner at Parga’s renowned MED CLUB restaurant
with panoramic views of Valtos Beach and the castle
Parga Mayor Nikolaos Zacharias welcomed attendees with symbolic gifts of olive oil
a tribute to the region’s deep ties to olive cultivation
The organisers’ statement said that the conference “provided invaluable insights into the role of Hellenic women across the Diaspora and strengthened connections and inspired future discussions on identity
The Ionia and Egnatia highways have done away with the old isolation
The people of Ioannina do not want to repeat the mistakes of others
They want to keep the sense of moderation that characterizes Epirus
Before the opening of the Egnatia highway in 2009
Epirus was cut off from the rest of Greece
Most residents tell stories of desperation and being trapped in the snow at the Katara Pass
or of the difficult and time-consuming journey to Athens
But the latter is now a breeze since 2017 with the Ionia highway
It took the Kathimerini team just four hours to reach Ioannina from the capital
who had been stranded alone on the Greek border
suddenly saw their region become a north-south and east-west hub
with Igoumenitsa upgraded as a sea gateway to Europe
As Greece was plunged into an economic crisis in 2010
a new era of optimism began in this remote area after centuries of poverty
How will the coming extroversion change the firmly rooted Epirus identity
This was the question that sought an answer against the backdrop of the lake
I have seen the city change for the better
an Athenian who built an elegant boutique hotel called Lake Spirit in 2017 with her husband
“The economic crisis brought many young people back to their hometowns
With the improvement of economic conditions
others from abroad came to merge in the best way with the society that is now opening up to the world despite having had trouble adapting to changing new conditions in the past
These cosmopolitan 30-somethings will be the spearhead of progress
That the bad precedent of ‘development’ that we saw when mass tourism came to the Cyclades and elsewhere does not happen in Ioannina
I know that they have an inner sense of moderation and a tremendous love for their land that will protect them from the greed that has destroyed other places.”
One of the young men who returned to Ioannina is 35-year-old Thanasis Tassos
He was born in Konitsa to parents who own a hotel and restaurant in the Bourazani Environmental Education Park
worked in Germany and returned to open the first creative cuisine restaurant in Ioannina
where he cooks using crock pots buried in hot sand
The cabbage rolls (“dolmades”) and the pork dish with leek
celery and egg-lemon sauce that we ate were incredibly delicious
“With Thessaloniki chef Ioannis Xristidis and the whole team at Thamon
even making spoon sweets using giant beans
we launched this new restaurant with a focus on tradition
the restaurants here were mostly just selling grilled meat
the restaurant market opened up,” says the chef
but we also need the old to make room for the new
We need a balance of boldness and respect from our generation
I am most happy that I contributed a little bit so that other people from Ioannina who work abroad can come back.”
Another representative of this dynamic generation is 40-year-old Thanasis Navrozoglou
born in the United States to a Greek-American mother from Epirus and a father from Ioannina
who met there while studying computer science
his parents returned with the intention of opening a computer store
“If you can find me three people who will buy computers in Ioannina
otherwise we’ll go back to America,” his mother said to his father
They quickly developed programs for basic accounting functions
and one of their first clients was the Cooperative Bank of Ioannina [now Epirus],” he says
has grown to produce software for small banks with Greek and foreign clients
and is currently working with Piraeus Bank to create the country’s first all-digital bank
“We are experiencing a period of great change in Ioannina
with the technological community taking its first steps
There are 500 people and companies that have come from abroad
something in which we are still lagging behind
It would also help a lot if there was a better connection with the university
but in practice it is difficult to have a partnership to move forward with what we call industrial PhDs
to produce new technologies that the market needs in collaboration with certain departments
Professors prefer to be involved in European projects rather than in such ventures
Sometimes I dream that Ioannina could become something like Zurich
but also many problems to be overcome for proper development.”
one of those responsible for the city’s economic progress and the appointed executive adviser of the Cooperative Bank of Epirus
fully agrees with this optimism: “Forty years ago
Money came from students and the remittances of migrant workers
it is a leader in the bottled water industry
Roads made it easier to do business and export products
tourism from Central Europe will come here
We are also waiting for the connection of the Athens-Thessaloniki highway with the Egnatia highway
will also benefit when Preveza is connected to the Ionia highway
All this offers an amazing quality of life and prospects that can bring even more visitors
we met some of the foreigners at a networking event
They are part of a community of digital nomads from all over the world who work remotely in Ioannina as architects
like myself,” says the oldest member of the group
“What attracts most people is the beauty of the area
it was also the fact that my husband’s parents help raise our children
We are now preparing our first co-working space in a building provided by the city
This will give a new impetus for others to come.”
I asked a 70-year-old Belgian woman sitting next to me why she chose Ioannina
She surprised me: “I googled high mountains
the municipality’s tourism officer and a talented photographer
took us out on his small private boat to the lake’s island
he explained that there were very few permanent residents left on the little island
Our stroll around the island left me speechless by its beauty: listening to the ducks
enjoying the distant view of the city amid the sound of outboard motors
The tour of the Byzantine monasteries with their stunning paintings was unforgettable
built thanks to the perseverance of a private citizen
one could see the lack of taste and vision of the locals in the cheap souvenirs and in the totally touristy food offered in the tavernas
The flow of visitors to the island stops with the last run of professional boatmen
while the first guesthouse where a foreigner can sleep on the island is only just being constructed
we were lucky: We watched the crimson sunset while enjoying a meal prepared for us by 90-year-old Evdoxia
“We will go on and not lose anything of our tradition,” Kostas Belevetis
who owns a famous tsipouradiko (a restaurant where along with your order of tsipouro
they bring you a small appetizer to taste) in the village of Katsikas
“My grandfather wore the traditional burazana and I wear sweatpants and sneakers
but the soul of an Epirus man remains the same,” he told me
the basketball game between Bayern and Baskonia was blasting on the television
Kostas (as if in support of his opinion that Epirus is not threatened by globalization) had hung one of his grandmother’s needlework decorations
Ioannina is also known as the city of silversmiths and although the number of jewelry stores has increased
There was so much jewelry around him that he looked like a painted icon in an Orthodox church surrounded by votive offerings: “There goes the work
People have learned to buy what is easy and cheap
They don’t like the difficult and the expensive
Is something in danger of being lost in Epirus
is a policeman but plays the clarinet professionally
then taught himself to play traditional songs
“I learned how to play at festivals where old musicians still play; it’s like a school
I went to the shops around Omonia Square in Athens to buy them
The greats like Petros Loucas Chalkias had their own way of playing
you’d hear ‘foo’ and you’d know who it was
Each village had its own peculiarities and the musician was the bearer of a tradition
The listener was equally knowledgeable and a strict judge because the songs were passed down from generation to generation
the family would go and take a number so they would know when it was their turn to dance
And the clarinetist knew all the family members
he ‘read’ them in order to play correctly and earn his money
he knew which note to put in between until they put their foot down
There are songs being released on YouTube all the time with infinite influences
As an audience you have hundreds of people like in the bouzoukia [the flashy nightclubs with live Greek popular music]
They don’t listen to the music with their ears
The identity of Epirus is not threatened by new roads
The stately mansion belonging to attorney Niki Lappa’s family served as the headquarters for Greek dignitaries during Ioannina’s liberation from the Turks: “Ioannina
later embraced the ambiance fostered by its villagers
the Egnatia and Ionian highways ruptured this old order
possessing the charisma and vision to revamp the city
It was a profound loss for us.” How did a secluded society produce Greece’s first Jewish mayor
“They elected the Ioannina physician who for decades demonstrated integrity and devotion to his homeland
Ιn the historic gathering of Romaniote Jews
Among those seated alongside me were Patra Elisaf
General Secretary Periklis Ritas and Isaac Lagaris
an esteemed emeritus professor at the University of Ioannina
The Greek-speaking Romaniote Jews represent Europe’s oldest Jewish community
1,870 Ioannina Jews were deported to Auschwitz
following German orders that encouraged the plundering of homes and seizure of assets
with 69 having fled to the mountains with partisan aid or hidden among Christians
many struggled to reclaim their properties and businesses
their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 50 community members
upon her return to Ioannina from Palestine
encountered a woman adorned with one of her jewels
‘I wish that you never associate with this woman,’” Patra recalls
I pondered if there had ever been a form of catharsis for the events of 1944-45
“We are a close-knit community; everyone knows who did what during that time
It’s a collective secret without ever mentioning names,” Ritas reflects
They couldn’t bring themselves to speak about the atrocities
to rebuild their lives with whatever means they had,” Batinos adds
publisher of the century-old Ipeirotikos Agon newspaper
fondly remembers the late mayor Moses Elisaf: ‘Only after his death did everyone realize how great he was.’ [Nikos Kokkalias]
A notable figure from this community was Elisaf
cultured pathologist and university lecturer
He provided free healthcare services twice a week at the university clinic and kept his phone line open 24/7 for those in need
“He never made his Jewishness an issue,” his wife remarks
“Some of his opponents appeared on television with religious imagery and the Greek flag as a backdrop
I’ll never forget an elderly woman who told Moses
then went to the priest and confessed.’” During his brief tenure
he spearheaded projects such as the restoration of buildings in the old city
Lina Mendoni played a pivotal role in this endeavor
The culture minister also addressed the issue of the Jewish cemetery
a portion of which has been designated as a historic monument
resembling the white shells of ageless turtles
there was an incident of desecration by unknown perpetrators who vandalized tombs and scattered ashes from the Auschwitz memorial crypt
a symbolic human chain was formed by citizens and representatives of organizations who offered massive support to the Ioannina Jews
the community’s concern is the future: “What will become of the synagogue and the cemetery when the last of us departs from life?”
Romaniotes from around the globe gather [in Ioannina] for the Yom Kippur celebration
“Only upon his passing did everyone realize his greatness,” says Loukia Tzalla
editor of the historic Ioannina newspaper Ipirotikos Agon
as the publication commemorates a century of existence this year
“The mayor represented a break from cultural isolation
He left behind a profound legacy of selfless devotion to the common good
as we are currently experiencing the most promising phase in decades
Our small town is growing and requires forward-thinking leadership
This is a time of significant opportunities
the only outsiders infusing vitality and funds into Ioannina were students
departments affiliated with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki were established
it stands as the most robust university town in Greece in terms of the resident-to-student ratio
We met members of the student ensemble “6.5 Grades.” Originating from various parts of Greece
except for the vocalist who hails from Ioannina
they came together through the active association (Musical Society of the University of Ioannina)
which they describe as having a perfect balance: “neither as vast as Athens and Thessaloniki
surrounded by stunning nature that beckons exploration,” says drummer Vangelis
“The problem is that we love the city as a landscape
You only interact with them as customers at their shops or as tenants
Younger Ioanniniotes are only connected to relatives and old friends
They don’t function as a bridge,” observes saxophonist Giorgos Terzidis
“I think because we pass through the city by the thousands for our studies
they don’t see us mentally as a long-term investment
and that’s a pity because many graduates would like to live here
Only technology companies that have recently emerged have correctly perceived this need and – by offering job positions – retain some of us,” notes pianist Giorgos Manakos
All these make the sole Ioanniniote of the group
She says that the mountains and isolation made Epirotes family-oriented
But matriarchy is also to blame,” says surprisingly Martha Papadopoulou
head of the General State Archives in Epirus
formerly the palace of Ali Pasha and now the headquarters of the General State Archives
“Epirotes and Ioanniniotes always had commercial relations and networking with the Balkans
while women stayed behind to manage household affairs
Their outward orientation did not penetrate the family nucleus.”
added another reason why the university and students did not integrate into the city’s life: “Old bourgeois Ioanniniotes were much more cosmopolitan
experientially trained to coexist with Jews and Ottomans
urbanization brought thousands of people here from nearby villages
altering the human geography with the majority adopting a more conservative mindset
University professors also remained confined within their competitive
"Our government has developed and unrolled a very ambitious programme to settle a number of outstanding issues from the past
and we are absolutely dedicated to this goal," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in Kalpaki
The prime minister was in the area to attend the signature of a contract for the construction of an extension of the Ionia Highway (Ionia Odos) from Ioannina to Kakavia
was building a more connected and better Greece
"I personally place great emphasis on issues of road safety," he said
Mitsotakis noted that the government had succeeded in guiding this to maturity and through a tender process
and was now in the happy position to be signing the contract
He said that the Ioannina-Kakavia road will be crucial for the broader development of the region and in creating a link with Albania
is today perhaps the best-connected region
the E65 that is approaching its completion
We expect that all of the E65 will be delivered for use within the first four months of 2026," the prime minister said
"This means that you will be able to approach Ioannina from two different roads and certainly that
it will be much faster to come from the E65," Mitsotakis added
Whether your circumstances make you feel isolated
It depends on whether you choose to put a positive or negative spin on things
he wakes up and boards the small boat with seven other children
He doesn’t care if he leaves or stays on the island
He simply borrows his father’s boat and crosses the lake by himself
boards his caique and heads towards Ntrampatova through the thick morning fog that covers Pamvotida Lake
which he will then sell to the merchant on the other side of the lake for €1-2.50 euros per kilo
like that of all fishermen who fish the Pamvotida
It has saved the people of Ioannina time and time again
when locals traded their fish for wheat and other raw materials
to the recent economic crisis and pandemic
That’s how we survive when times are hard”
and people who work in the tourism sector) live on “The Island”
as it is known – one of the few inhabited lake islands in the world (in Greece
the island of Aghios Achillios in Prespa is also inhabited)
and the ferry boats to and from Ioannina run every 30 minutes to an hour from 08:00 to 21:00
The 50 boatmen who operate the 13 ferries are unionized and have established a system that allows everyone to work without competing with one another
and the routes are marked with buoys to indicate which way to go on foggy days
is 180 meters away on the far side of the island; locals who park their cars on the mainland come and go from here
and that is also where the platform for refueling vehicles is located
Everyone on the island tells the story of a visitor to the pasha in Ioannina who thought he was crossing a plain when
he was riding his horse across the frozen lake
“So and so drowned” is a phrase you will often hear used to the delight of everyone present
That’s what the locals say when someone falls off their boat into the lake
and they assure us that everyone has “drowned” at least once in their lives
The 220 hectare island is covered in pines
It is thought to have been first settled in the 18th century by Maniots
the truth is that the first inhabitants were monks
During the Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras
forming Greece’s third monastic community alongside Mount Athos and Meteora
The Monastery of Aghios Nikolaos (also known as Stratigopoulou Monastery or Diliou Monastery) and the Nunnery of Aghios Nikolaos of Philanthropenoi are the most important monasteries that are also open to the public
The monasteries were named after the Byzantine aristocratic families who founded them after fleeing to the Despotate of Epirus following the Fall of Constantinople in 1204
These monasteries are significant architecturally and artistically
which include a rare depiction of ancient philosophers
are magnificent examples of artistry and beauty
they contributed to the reputation of Ioannina as a city of the arts and sciences
Today the Eleousa monastery is home to a community of three monks
while the Philanthropines is inhabited by two nuns
“The island’s monasteries are truly unique and deserve more attention
very few people visit them nowadays,” says Fotis Rapakousis
founder of the Ali Pasha Museum that is housed inside the Monastery of Aghios Panteleimonas
Fotis Rapakousis exhibits his personal collection of authentic objects of the era
People have begun visiting the island since we renovated the museum in 2012
The construction of the Ionia Odos motorway also helped,” he adds
Tourism has always been vital to the island’s economy
would serve the city’s wealthy residents who would visit the island to take boat rides
visitors cannot stay on the island because there are no hotels
with its distinctive Epirote architecture (stone houses with slate roofs)
occupies a very small part of the island; the rest is owned by the forest service and the Metropolitanate
This is the islanders’ main problem – if a construction ban that protects and preserves the island can be considered a problem at all
Each house on the island is bequeathed to two or three children (and even more grandchildren)
but only one of them can continue to live on the island at a time
I came to the following conclusion: a family will only settle there if the wife grew up on the island
hey will feel confined or find it difficult to live on the island if they are not used to the hard way of life
this led to a decline in the island’s population
Only about 70 of the island’s 150 houses are inhabited today
The rest are summer homes or are vacant due to inheritance issues
efforts to make houses available for rent are well underway
the locals don’t seem very keen on changing their ways
so they eagerly wait for the last ferry of the day to take visitors back to the mainland
“People previously believed incorrectly that we did not need to raise the caliber of our services because the majority of visitors to the island only stayed for the day
It’s important that people enjoy themselves and leave with good memories of their stay on the island
But the truth is that we like to have our peace and quiet in the evenings,” says Kostas Thavmastos
a boatman who also operates a souvlaki restaurant
Souvlaki in Greece’s frog leg and eel capital
Although frogs are no longer fished in Ioannina
they are still purchased to keep the attraction alive
and pastry shops offer visitors baklava and klostari (an Epirote baklava pastry)
The town’s cobbled main street is lined with jewelry and souvenir stores; the pursuit for customers continues
though thankfully less aggressively than in the past
Popi Charatsari prepares the quintessential island dish: crayfish with garlic and walnut purée
Another dish that is only made here is grivadi plaki (oven-cooked carp)
there are still carp in the lake,” she tells us
When the nearby Lapsista Lake was drained in the 1950s
less and less water flowed into Pamvotida Lake
and eels returning from their breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea found their way back through the Kalamas River blocked
construction along its coast blocked waterways that fed into the lake and destroyed the reed beds that filtered its waters
sewage and heavy metals leached into the lake’s waters
according to the Management Unit of the Protected Areas of Epirus
which manages the Information Center of the Pamvotida Lake Management Body on the island
efforts are being made to reverse the situation
Local fisherman Tasos Charatsaris tells us that the fish population has declined considerably and talks us through the boutson (a cylindrical netting bag mounted on cones used to catch eels) fishing system
Vasiliki Ratsika tells us how she used to weave straw to make wicker covers for the buoys
while Froso Liaskou-Petsou shows us the old tools that adorn her award-winning garden
and tulips: “I can get to the center of Ioannina in just three minutes
How long does it take you to get to the center of Athens?” she quips
The last visitors leave the island around 6 p.m.
The town’s whitewashed alleys are completely quiet
The sound of a bouzouki can be heard from a distance
as the island’s inhabitants gather around woodburning stoves
At the house of Rena and city councilman Nikos Siorokas
where we had the pleasure of staying overnight
we sit around the fireplace talking about their life on the island
“I wouldn’t change the island for anything in the world,” says Nikos
echoing a sentiment we’ve heard dozens of times
being surrounded by water while being so close to the heart of a city
Rena bids us goodnight with another phrase we’ve heard many times here: ”Feel free to come and go as you please
The storms
which brought heavy rainfall and lightning
and the bad weather is expected to persist through Tuesday
In Ioannina
Several houses in suburbs like Perama and Neochoropoulos were inundated by rising waters
with lightning strikes leaving villages in Pella without power and igniting fires
Corfu also experienced significant disruption
with flooded streets in the Liston and Spianada areas and flight delays caused by lightning
The island saw temporary power outages and traffic congestion
a team from the 5th EMAK was dispatched to bolster the local fire services in preparation for worsening conditions
The National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued an emergency weather bulletin
warning of more thunderstorms and heavy rains through Tuesday
Residents are urged to remain vigilant as the storms continue
Weather Forecast: General Conditions and Regional Details
and virtually no room for any further losses
as they are «stuck» in seventh place with 14 points from 14 games
PAOK B departed on Sunday afternoon for Ioannina
The team trained in the morning at the Souroti sports center without Hurtado
who played with the Under-19 side yesterday
It should be noted that Dimitris Hatsidis is included in the squad for the first time
the 21-man squad for tomorrow’s game are: Balomenos
the Greek subsidiary of Austrian company Berglandmilch
as the cheese division of Minerva Edible Oils has been named after its recent separation from the latter
which until now had only commercial activity
the sale of Doriki does not mean that the sale of Minerva is imminent
as there does not seem to be any interesting proposal on the horizon for the time being
It is recalled that the sale of Minerva is scheduled as its main shareholder
will complete its investment cycle at the end of this year
Desserta Hellas acquires a feta cheese factory in Episkopiko
as well as a milk collection station in the Andravida region in Ilia
and under the agreement they will continue to be produced at the Ioannina factory
The competent authorities have taken decisions for 5 hotels in Crete
The building department of the municipality of Rethymno granted permission for the change of ground floor layout in an existing building for use as a 2-star hotel
with the use of a restaurant on the ground floor
Delimbasi Pagonas with a 25% ownership percentage and Delimbasi Kartl-Petrou Alexandra with a 25% ownership percentage.The Region of the Ionian Islands has conditionally approved the work plan for the removal and management of asbestos roof from a building owned by the company AKROTIRI BEACHES PALAIKASTRITSIS S.A
by the Hazardous Waste Management Company Hellenic-German Waste Management and Environmental Applications Company SOUK HELLAS Ltd.The General Directorate of Spatial Planning
Environmental and Agricultural Policy of the Decentralized Administration of the Peloponnese
approved the Environmental Terms and Restrictions for the 4-star hotel ESPERIDES RESORT
Karras OE.The Department of Modern Monuments and Technical Works of Epirus
Northern Ionian and Western Macedonia of the Ministry of Culture approved the study concerning the interventions of the facades of the building on Garivaldi and Metsovo streets
as well as its unification with the neighboring tourist accommodation because they do not affect the historical site of Lake Pamvotida
the double opening towards the courtyard of the neighboring building (Z hotel) that is being unified
the building in question to be formed with intermediate beams and the windows to be made of wood
in accordance with the conditions that apply to the historical center of the city of Ioannina.The General Directorate of Spatial Planning
approved the environmental conditions and restrictions of the 3-star
owned by the company Georgios Lymberis MON AXETE