The most fantastic island in Greece
The most fantastic island in Greece
But are there any Others?*
I hope everyone is ready for the start of the indian summer - and allergy season!
This past week I’ve been spending some time at the PressOne office in Bucharest, an independent media outlet that I’ve been writing for and running in the past years.
Because I’m technically a digital nomad (living in Athens, where I’m doing my PhD, and working remotely for Romania) I’d forgotten how it feels like to actually work in an office, with people, conversations and food. I’m pretty sure that after the pandemic and my subsequent move to Greece, and working alone most of the time, this particular muscle has atrophied for me.
It also led to burnout - the more time you spend working by yourself, isolated, the more you lose sight of personal boundaries, and then everything in your life turns into a mess. This week I realized that clearer than ever - and is something I plan to remedy when I return to Athens.
I’ve talked before about the importance of independent media in a country like Greece, which had, in 2023, the EU's lowest score in the World Press Freedom ranking, worse than Hungary and all other CEE countries.
And for those of you asking yourselves why you would actually care about this, if you’re not journalists or politically engaged, I’ll just say this: unless independent media exists, those guys in suits at the top are free to make all sorts of decisions that will, ultimately, impact each and every one of your lives. Migration laws. Taxation. Housing. Construction in forests and beaches. Railway safety.
I will soon start introducing you to independent newsrooms in Greece and explaining what they do and how you can support them, but before I have the chance to do that, I’d just like to introduce you to this Romanian one. PressOne is one of the watchdogs that keep an eye on the increasingly captured state institutions in my home country.
They may not look dangerous, but trust me, they’re fierce.
Yes, it’s a messy office. Yes, we drink a lot of coffee. Journalism isn’t exactly an esthetic profession.
Weekly Spotlight
My favorite news this week concerned the never before heard of paradise of Psimythos, a fantastic island invented for explanatory purposes by journalist Kostas Maniatis in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that started an internet madness and a trolling war among Greek politicians, with people frantically looking for the location of this island.
Stories about the fictional "Psimythos Island" have gone viral on Greek social media, even prompting a response from the Greek government, which clarified that the island does not actually exist.
The fictional narrative included colorful descriptions of must-visit spots and criticisms about the lack of medical facilities, leading to a fake uproar about the island's healthcare shortcomings. This forced the Greek Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, to address the issue, dismissing the story as fictional but also criticizing the trolling.
The situation was particularly sensitive as it came shortly after a real tragedy, where a tourist died near a rural health clinic in Anavra, Thessaly because there was no doctor on call, sparking outrage over the lack of medical care.
In the meantime, Greece is exploring the idea of establishing primary health units in the country’s 4- and 5-star hotels.
***
The coastline of Volos has been overwhelmed by thousands of dead fish, creating a disturbing scene and an unbearable stench. This phenomenon is also observed in nearby areas such as Agria, Alykes, Kritharia, and Nea Anchialos. Experts attribute the cause to the massive amounts of freshwater from Lake Karla and surrounding areas that flow into the Pagasitic Gulf via the Xirias stream. When freshwater fish come into contact with the saltwater, they die, a situation that has occurred before.
The situation has prompted a prosecutor's investigation to assess the quality of the seawater, the microbial load at the mouth of Lake Karla, potential pollution, and the exact cause of the fish deaths.
News You Can Use
I’m dying while looking at this picture of the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis standing in that bus, smiling:
It’s literally a scene I’ve never actually witnessed on a bus in Athens. And I’m not referring to Mitsotakis commuting. Just to the idea of someone standing with their hands in their pockets and smiling.
The rains are coming! With floods, of course. We have to go full circle, it’s a new tradition.
Tons of rubbish were discovered in the underground parts of Kifissos Boulevard with the occasion of a cleaning operation that is expected to last until October 31. They even found furniture.
Measures were announced on Tuesday to tackle future water shortages in Attica. Meanwhile, in some parts of Greece, water trucks are keeping crops alive.
Thessaloniki Metro will be up and running in November.
Housing in the Western Suburbs just became even more expensive: In the second quarter of 2024, the average rental price reached 8.33 euros per sq.m., from last year’s 7.63 euros, an increase of 9.20%.
Shockingly, the 1st half of 2024 has seen a steep growth of Airbnb in Greece. Maybe that’s why more and more people choose to share apartments.
The Greek government is planning tax reforms for freelancers, including:
Abolishing the business tax by 2025, potentially reducing it by 50% next year.
Maintaining a 50% reduction in advance tax payments for another year.
Expanding eligibility for a 50% reduction in minimum taxable income.
Considering family income in calculating imputed income.
Reducing tax burden from the increased minimum wage.
What will the annual cost of climate change be for the Greek economy until 2100?
11 key changes for the 2024-25 school year, that include hiring 10,000 new permanent teachers and a ban on visible mobile phone use.
A recent OECD policy paper criticizes Greece's approach to forest fire management, citing significant reduction in funding for the Forestry Service, which plays a crucial role in fire prevention. The OECD also calls for stricter regulation of construction in areas at the urban-forest interface, which exacerbates fire risks.
The Long Reads
The inspiring story of Hamza, a refugee who became an entrepreneur in Greece
Working Six Days a Week Is No Myth In Greece (and some additional explanations about this law)
Athenians can put up with a lot, but not their local cafe closing during the August break
Wanderlust
Xylouris White, a duo that merges traditional Cretan music with experimental rock and improvisation, are playing at Temple on Tuesday, September 3.
If you still haven’t seen Aftersun, one of last years’ most beautiful and sensitive movies, perfect for the end of summer, it’s still playing here.
Festival Rematias 2024 is starting on August 30 at the Rematia Theater in Chalandri. Free concerts and performances, inclusive and accessible.
Have a great weekend and do write back. Even if it’s just to complain.
*Just a nerdy Lost reference.
Ioana