Preliminary construction for the expansion of Athens International Airport is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2025.
The goal is to increase the airport’s capacity to accommodate up to 33 million passengers by 2028, according to an article by Dimitris Delevegos in ekathimerini.com.
The expansion will add 81,000 square meters to the terminal.
The 650-million-euro investment aims not only to address the current capacity limits but also to align with Eurocontrol’s forecasts, which project a steady increase in flights to Greece through at least 2029, albeit at a more moderate growth rate.
According to a recent survey by Scrap Car Comparison, Greece ranks among the most nerve-wracking places to drive in the world. The study collected data from 2,000 drivers across ten countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Italy, and Spain, who rated their experiences driving in various nations.
According to express.co.uk, participants rated each country on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 indicating minimal nervousness and 10 indicating extreme discomfort behind the wheel.
Greece was noted for its challenging driving environment and ranked as the 23rd most intimidating country for drivers worldwide. Turkey came in 12th with a score of 6.68, while Hungary placed 15th and Italy ranked just behind Greece in 24th.
The study remarked that “Greece and Italy are known for their chaotic traffic and historic, narrow streets, which can be especially daunting for foreign drivers.”
In the fashion industry, passion and determination are ‘must haves.’ If you don’t have them, you won’t succeed.
Stefanis Papadopoulos is not one of the passionless. She is a fashion designer proud to share her heritage through her label, By Stefanis.
Having worked in the fashion industry for many years, Stef witnessed the beauty and the darker sides of the industry.
“This experience fuelled my desire to create a brand that embodies transparency and authenticity. By Stefanis is not just a label; it’s a reflection of my values and dreams. I want my customers and my team to feel connected to the journey, to know that every piece is crafted with care and integrity,” the designer tells The Greek Herald.
Due to its intense competition, quick trend cycles, and ongoing need for innovation, the fashion industry is infamously hard to thrive in. In addition to keeping up with rapidly changing consumer preferences and seasonal trends, new designers must compete with established brands and the customer expectations for fast and cheap fashion.
Stef’s roots run deep in Edessa, Thessaloniki and Greece. Her family’s journey began when her yiayia, pappou, and mother arrived in Australia by boat, carrying little more than a blue suitcase. Their strength and determination have always inspired her, teaching Stef the value of hard work and the importance of pursuing what you love.
“My Pappou, a Greek Orthodox priest, instilled in me a deep sense of community and faith, while my Yiayia, a talented seamstress in the textile industry, nurtured my passion for fabric and design,” she remembers.
Fashion had been a lifelong passion for Stef, rooted in the cherished memories of her childhood. She vividly recalls watching her yiayia and mum transform into stunning figures, draped in incredible designs that were both classic and timeless. Their elegance and style captivated her, igniting a spark that would shape her future.
“My journey into fashion truly began when my yiayia handed me my first sewing needle at the age of 12, encouraging me to practice sewing on a button,” Stef explains.
“By 14, I was learning the intricacies of her domestic sewing machine. I can still picture myself as a five-year-old, holding fabric while she expertly tailored beautiful garments. Those moments, filled with laughter and the soft hum of the sewing machine, were the foundation of my dream to become a fashion designer.”
Stef’s Greek heritage is woven into every stitch of her designs, deeply rooted in the cherished memories of her beloved yiayia.
“Watching her at her sewing machine, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of fabrics and textures, was nothing short of magical,” she says.
By merging her Greek heritage with high-quality Australian craftsmanship, she aims to redefine elegance for the modern woman.
“Each piece reflects my commitment to meticulous craftsmanship, incorporating unique trims, buttons, and fabrics that echo my cultural roots. Through By Stefanis, I hope to celebrate the grace and strength of women everywhere, honouring the legacy of my yiayia while creating timeless fashion that resonates with today’s world,” she says.
Each garment she creates, with its rich textures and impeccable fit, stand as a testament to Stef’s commitment to perfection.
“The durability and elegance of my designs offer a refreshing alternative to the fleeting nature of global fast fashion. I want every woman who wears By Stefanis to feel not only comfortable but also radiant and self-assured, celebrating their unique beauty with every stitch,” Stef says.
She has bright dreams and ambitions for the future.
“Looking ahead, my dream is to see By Stefanis flourish into a household name, embraced by women everywhere who seek to feel confident, bold, and inspired. I aspire to expand our presence across Australia and, one day, to grace the beautiful landscapes of our homeland, Greece,” she concludes.
Angelina Jolie expressed her great love for Greece in an interview about her film MARIAalong with director Pablo Larrain, in London.
“It is very special, and I think there was something very meaningful to start this film in Greece, for obvious reasons,” Jolie noted.
The Chilean director praised the uniqueness of the Greek light: “The water, the colors, the islands in the background, but the light, I think, as a filmmaker, lighting has a lot of meaning and I think the light in Greece, to me it’s a Greek light. This atmosphere, you cannot cheat. There’s a lot of things you can cheat in films but not the light.”
The first shooting of the film, which follows the Greek diva as she retires to Paris after a glamorous and turbulent life, took place in the Peloponnese and specifically in Ilia.
MARIA is one of the most prominent Hollywood productions shot in Greece, thanks to the 40% Cash Rebate investment incentive of the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center- Creative Greece.
HFAC – CREATIVE GREECE, as the main body exercising the country’s film and audiovisual policy, continues its efforts to attract international productions to Greece, which now has its own special place on the world film scene.
Renowned Greek filmmaker Yannis Smaragdis has been elected as a full member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, becoming the first Greek director to receive this honor since the Academy’s founding in 1990, tovima.com, has reported.
The Academy, based in Salzburg, Austria, operates under the patronage of the presidents of 12 European nations. Smaragdis, who hails from Crete, is celebrated for his films Cavafy, El Greco, and Kazantzakis, which have resonated deeply with audiences both in Greece and internationally.
The induction ceremony to welcome Smaragdis into the Academy’s Arts section will take place in Salzburg in March 2025, recognizing his significant cultural contributions and a remarkable career spanning four decades.
El Greco
According to tovima.com, upon his election, Smaragdis expressed his gratitude.
“It is a great honor to be elected by the European Academy of Sciences and Arts as a member in the field of Arts and Culture,” stated Yannis Smaragdis, further adding that he views this distinction as a duty to honor the Greek film and theatre directors who have left an indelible worldwide mark through successful films and stage productions.
Smaragdis, specifically stated “There are many talented Greeks who merit this recognition in fields such as music, painting, literature, and theater. My duty is to reach out particularly to the filmmakers and television creators, where numerous Greek directors are already gaining international prominence, not to emphasize my own success but to highlight the legacy of great creators of our nation in recent centuries—the fathers of modern Greek culture. They have fused core Greek values with contemporary international movements in a spirit of creative exploration, integrating their works into our national and, simultaneously, European and global tradition.”
A recent discovery in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii—a small house adorned with remarkably well-preserved frescoes—has drawn attention.
According to reuters.com, unlike other homes, this dwelling does not have an atrium but boasts intricate wall paintings.
The house, named the “House of Phaedra,” features a depiction of the mythological Athenian queen Phaedra alongside her stepson Hippolytus, who is shown rejecting her advances.
Additional frescoes display various motifs, including natural scenes, a meeting between a satyr and a nymph, and figures believed to represent the gods Venus and Adonis.
On Wednesday, October 30, AHEPA NSW Inc held its annual National Day celebration at its Hall, paying due honours to the men, women and children who fought against the Nazi invasion and Occupation of Greece between October 1940 and May 1945.
With a combination of speeches, poetry, music and art, AHEPA NSW Inc continued its 90th anniversary celebrations in style.
Beyond the traditional celebration of the OXI of the Hellenic people on 28 October 1940, the event marked a number of special anniversaries. Athens was liberated from Nazi Occupation on 12 October 1944, ending a three-and-a-half year nightmare. These were the focus of the comments by the Keynote Speaker, genocide scholar Dr Panayiotis Diamadis.
Wednesday, October 30 marked exactly 80 years since the last Nazi forces evacuated Thessaloniki, withdrawing from mainland Greece completely the following day.
Nazi garrisons remained on strategic Aegean islands until 1945, surrendering on Symi on May 8. Indeed, the last Nazi soldiers to surrender to the Allies were those on Crete on May 10, two days after the fall of the Nazi regime in Germany itself.
In keeping with the theme of honouring sacrifice, a recitation was screened of the Odysseus Elytis poem ‘An Heroic and Funereal Chant For The Lieutenant lost on the battlefield.’ First published in 1946, Elytis drew on his own experiences as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Hellenic Army on the advanced fire line.
Dignitaries in attendance included Anastasia Christophilopoulou, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Consulate-General of the Hellenic Republic in Sydney, and Councillor Fiona Douskou of Bayside Council, attending her very first community event as an elected public official.
The Ode to the Fallen was presented by Greek Ex-Servicemen’s Association President Peter Tsigounis in tribute to all Australians and Hellenes who have served the two countries.
The Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association (HAL) NSW and ACT Chapters hosted a captivating event on October 28, 2024, at Sparke Helmore Lawyers in Sydney, focusing on the legal and cultural debates surrounding the Parthenon Marbles.
Chaired by Bill Kritharas, NSW State Chair of HAL and Partner at Sparke Helmore, the event coincided with OXI Day, a day of profound significance for Greeks worldwide. In his opening address, Mr Kritharas emphasised the importance of the event taking place on OXI Day, which commemorates Greece’s defiance against Italy’s 1940 ultimatum—a powerful symbol of resilience and cultural pride, aligning closely with the evening’s themes.
Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson, Patron of HAL ACT, began with a reflection on philotimo, a Greek concept embodying honour, empathy, and moral integrity. She underscored the value of emotional intelligence in the legal profession, especially in today’s AI-driven world, and explained HAL’s decision to dedicate this event solely to the Parthenon Marbles, with future events planned to address AI, misinformation, and disinformation.
The keynote presentation by The Hon Justice Nye Perram of the Federal Court of Australia provided an in-depth historical and legal context for the Parthenon Marbles, which were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and now reside in the British Museum.
Justice Perram traced Greece’s repeated requests for their return since gaining independence, beginning in 1833, with a formal appeal in 1836—a campaign that continues today with strong support both globally and within the UK.
Mr Perram discussed the various dimensions of this ongoing debate, including the moral claims for repatriation versus the British Museum’s arguments for preserving the Marbles as part of a global cultural collection accessible to millions. He also cited recent diplomatic tensions, such as the 2023 incident in which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis after comments by Mitsotakis on the Marbles’ return. Justice Perram emphasised that the UK government’s position remains steadfast, pointing to Elgin’s alleged legal acquisition of the Marbles and the benefits of their global accessibility.
His keynote address also delved into the potential paths forward, noting that a political solution, such as a loan agreement, could offer a compromise, allowing the Marbles to return to Greece temporarily while remaining accessible globally. However, he underscored the legal and political complexity of this issue, emphasising that, despite strong arguments on both sides, a resolution remains uncertain. He referenced examples from international law and past cases, such as the Temple of Preah Vihear. The potential for seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice was suggested as another approach to achieving clarity in such culturally charged cases.
The Hon Justice Melissa Perry of the Federal Court, Patron of HAL NSW, closed the talks with a personal reflection on her Hellenic heritage, honouring her father, a Greek-born judge who migrated to Australia during the Great Depression. She emphasised HAL’s mission to foster professional engagement, cultural harmony, and a connection between the Hellenic legal community and the broader Australian and international legal communities. Justice Perry also announced an upcoming international conference in Athens on July 7-10, 2025, focused on safeguarding democracy and the rule of law, with a particular emphasis on AI’s impact on the legal field.
During a Q&A session, attendees engaged deeply on the ethical and legal implications of repatriating historical artifacts, particularly the Parthenon Marbles. The conversation explored the moral arguments for repatriation, the challenges it presents, and comparisons with other artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone. Discussions touched on international law, customary international law, and domestic legislation like the Australian Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act, with examples such as the Temple of Preah Vihear case illustrating the legal intricacies.
Following the Q&A, prominent corporate lawyer Betty Ivanoff delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing appreciation for the speakers’ insights and the evening’s rich discussions. With her words of gratitude, the event concluded, and attendees enjoyed drinks and canapés, continuing conversations in a relaxed setting.
The HAL gathering underlined the organisation’s commitment to advancing discourse on justice, cultural identity, and the responsibilities of the legal community in a globalised world.
The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne held its annual commemorative service on 31 October 2024, marking the 106th anniversary of the Armistice of Mudros.
The historic agreement, signed on 30 October 1918 aboard HMS Agamemnon in Lemnos’ Mudros Bay, brought an end to World War I across the Balkans and the Middle East, coming into force on 31 October 1918.
Organised in collaboration with the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, the service has taken place since 2018 and includes a dedication at the Lemnos Tree and 1915-16 Plaque in the Shrine’s grounds.
Photos: Jim Claven OAM / Facebook.
The annual ceremony pays tribute to the strategic role Lemnos played as a medical base during the Gallipoli campaign and as the resting place for over 1,300 Allied soldiers, including 200 Australians and New Zealanders.
This year’s service featured a wreath-laying by Deb Stewart and readings by Col. (Ret.) Jan McCarthy, with attendance from Committee Secretary and historian Jim Claven, who has worked extensively to commemorate Lemnos’ role in WWI. Claven’s work includes public presentations and publications, enhancing the legacy of the Armistice of Mudros in Australia, Greece, and the UK.
Photos: Jim Claven OAM / Facebook.
Guests gathered at the Lemnos Tree before moving to the Shrine Sanctuary, with a ceremony officiated by Shrine Governor Squadron Leader Steve Campbell-Wright. Simela and Martha Stamatopoulos were also in attendance.
The service concluded with a moment of reflection, uniting attendees in remembrance of those who served and fell in these historic campaigns.
National Second Tier (NST) Foundation Clubs, South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC, have both responded to Football Australia’s (FA) recent announcement on the competition’s new format and start date.
According to a media release issued by FA on Thursday, October 31, the NST will kick-off in October 2025, showcasing the best of Australian club football in a contemporary and sustainable competition format.
The competition will feature a 16-team structure with group stages leading into an elimination Finals Series. The eight NST Foundation Clubs will automatically qualify, alongside eight invitational teams chosen from Member Federation NPL State Premiers.
The NST will be held annually from October to December, covering nine matchday rounds and concluding with a Championship Final in early December.
Numerous NST Foundation Clubs have voiced their concerns and opposition to this new ‘Champions League-style’ format, given they put significant financial resources into their bid to be involved in a new standalone competition.
In a statement on Facebook on Thursday following the FA’s announcement, South Melbourne FC said whilst it was disappointed the NST wasn’t “a standalone competition from the outset,” the club remains “hopeful that Football Australia will fulfil their commitment to ensuring this transition happens as soon as possible.”
South Melbourne FC President Nicholas Maikousis added, “This new platform provides an opportunity for our club to once again maintain a presence for all our stakeholders on the national level. We encourage our fans to continue backing us throughout the 2025 season, in the NPL, Australia Cup and the NST – the time to get behind us is now, with many exciting announcements to come.”
Sydney Olympic FC President Damon Hanlin echoed these sentiments and said whilst the announcement “may not align with the original vision we were presented at the beginning of this process, it represents a positive step forward.”
“[The announcement] lays the foundational building blocks for a brighter competition. It’s important for all football fans to come together in support of their clubs and the collective vision. Together, we can unite and help our sport reach its full potential,” Mr Hanlin added.
Chairman of the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC), Nick Galatas, also issued a statement on behalf of the eight NST Foundation Clubs, and said they were “confident FA will identify and add the additional clubs in 2025 to establish the standalone NST home & away league competition for which the F8 signed up and which reflects the wishes of Australia’s football fans, clubs and players, while also being FA’s stated objective over an extended period.”
FA said it will provide further updates as the NST continues to evolve, noting it remains a key strategic objective to establish a standalone NST home & away league competition as soon as the minimum threshold is secured.
