Victoria Hislop: Pages of History

For Greek director Elli Papakonstantinou, theatre has no boundaries. Her experimental productions boldly reinterpret stories, characters and themes from the ancient Greek Classics, in order to help us make sense of the world today. In 2011, she founded Vrysodepseio, one of the most vital cultural spaces in Athens during the crisis years and continues to challenge audiences around the world. In this episode, she explains why the Greek Classics are still relevant today and how the psychological and political insights they contain will forever continue to heal and enlighten us.  

American photographer Robert McCabe’s lifelong relationship with Athens began during a visit as a student in 1954. He’s been returning ever since to capture the city’s architecture, ancient sites and, of course, its people. As Greece began to open up again after a harrowing civil war, McCabe's iconic black-and-white images from the 1950s and ‘60s helped create a new image of Athens in the eyes of the world. In this episode, he talks about how photographing the city helped launch his career, Greece’s so-called ‘Golden Era’ and why the best time to photograph the Acropolis isn’t what you might think. 

British author Victoria Hislop first visited Athens as a teenager, during the summer of 1977, and was captivated by the heat, the people … and feta. Since then she’s been back nearly every year and credits Athens as a major source of inspiration for her work, which includes her bestselling historical novel, The Island. In this episode, she takes us on a journey back to 20th-century Athens through her latest book, Those Who Are Loved, and talks about how the city continues to inspire her as an author to this day.

No matter how many times you walk the streets of Athens, you’ll always discover something new. Self-declared flâneur Nikos Vatopoulos has made it his mission to walk the whole city- one neighbourhood at a time. Through his thoughtful writing, the journalist and author of “Walking in Athens” weaves together his reflections on the city’s complex layers through history, and its urban culture of today. In this episode he shares his love letter to Athens and takes us with him on one of his walks, through the fast-changing neighbourhood of his childhood: Kypseli.

They call her the “Queen of Prints” – and for good reason. Athens-born fashion designer Mary Katrantzou’s eye-popping digital prints have lit up the catwalks of London, Paris, Milan and New York. It was only recently though that Katrantzou fulfilled her ambition of hosting a show in Athens: a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Katrantzou joins us from London to give a vivid retelling of what she calls the biggest challenge of her career, and how she draws inspiration from the many faces of Athens.

It’s fair to say Stephen Fry is a man of many talents. After dazzling guests at a dinner party while retelling Greek myths, the British actor, comedian and author discovered his talent for bringing these ancient tales to life. He knows his Theseus from his Prometheus, his Medea from his Medusa, and has a knack for making us feel that the myths are still alive and kicking in the city’s old temples, winding streets and hills. He’s even written a book on the subject, suitably titled “Mythos”. Fry joins us from lockdown in his home in Norfolk, UK, to share his three favourite myths about Athens.

Introducing our brand new podcast from This Is Athens, the official guide to the city of Athens. We invite you to explore this ancient metropolis' art, history and urban culture with our stellar cast of hosts- and find out why it's so much more than just a living museum. Coming soon! Visit: www.thisisathens.org Produced by The Greek Podcast Project