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 Chryssa Oikonomopoulou, radio producer and bar owner, talks with TO BHMA International edition.
1) How does your work interconnect with the city and its people?
There is no greater everyday connection between actual strangers, than the one between radio producers and their audience. Of course, in truth, we don’t really consider our listeners to be strangers: sometimes we haven’t even confessed the things we share on air with our nearest and dearest. Also, picture this: a guy walking the streets of Athens with headphones on, listening to a radio station; a driver stuck in traffic laughing to a joke which a complete stranger (… but also not!) just cracked on the radio… I mean, isn’t this as urban as it gets?
2) If you had only 24 hours in Athens, which three essential stops would be on your list?
Because a cliché is a cliché for a reason, Plaka aka “the old town” is the mandatory start. Whether it’s as a destination or a deviation, Plaka will hold this place in my heart always and forever.
The overly touristic corners, the ruins mingling with grass, the concerts at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the sudden calm as we approach the eye of this storm of noise… See, when I answer a simple question I become a poet.
My pit stop for drinks would absolutely be Barrett, the only bar I feel comfortable drinking alone at, and I would definitely book a table at Argoura Fish restaurant. You’ve got to trust me on that one.
3)What’s one thing you really love about Athens, and something else you wish was different?
I don’t like the wholesome-ish minimalistic algorithm bars. I resent the fact that downtown Athens is so dirty and noisy, and that the climate has become unbearable of late for someone who’s somehow less summery than the average Athenian.
I like what the lifestyle magazines call “The Scene” (theaters, bars, parties, live venues, the culinary rise); even though I liked it more before, I have to admit it’s still vibrant, still round-the-clock. I like the ugly, ungentrifiable downtown spots nobody in their right mind would choose for a stroll. I like the fact that, regardless of how gentrification (which I don’t love), messes with our neighborhoods, the Acropolis will always be there. Cheesy? Yes. True? You bet.
*Chryssa Oikonomopoulou is a producer at Nostos radio and co-owner of the “Barrett” bar.
