Where do Athenians spend their time? Where do they unwind, meet friends, or enjoy their daily coffee? Where does work end and the city begin? In the new column “Meet the Athenians”, we talk to the people of Athens about the places and moments that make them love the city they call home.
In this interview, film director Petros Sevastikoglou talks with TO BHMA International Edition.
1) How does your work connect with the city and its people?
I’m not sure about the city itself. My films don’t take place in any specific country. When I’m shooting in the streets of Athens, I try to find locations you could find in other cities, anywhere. As for the people, I find the generosity that persists in the face of our times touching.
2) If you only had 24 hours to spend in Athens, which are your 3 must-visit places?
First stop, Athinas Avenue. It’s one of the few places downtown that hasn’t been entirely distorted by tourism. You can find anything from screws and screwdrivers, meat and fish, saddles, sails and a thousand and one miscellaneous things on sale.
Second stop, Mercouri Square in Petralona, which is in a true Athenian neighborhood and exudes the local sense of humor.
Third stop, Philopappos Hill, because I live close by and a dose of greenery and calm is good for the soul.
3) What do you really like about Athens and what would you change if you could?
I like the Athenians, most of whom have roots in other regions. This creates a climate in which people can misunderstand each other, but it’s also a multicultural tapestry. Athens is a surreal urban landscape, charming even in its ugliness. I wouldn’t change a thing. If I didn’t like it, I’d move to another city.
