-
Samali: a traditional Greek mastic-flavoured cake
The 25th of March is a national holiday in Greece. To celebrate, I have baked a samali, a delicious traditional Greek cake, made with semolina (instead of flour), flavoured with ground mastic, and soaked in syrup. Greeks celebrate today for two reasons: a religious (the Feast of Annunciation to the Virgin Mary), as well as a historical one (the starting date of the Revolution or War of Independence, which led to the establishment of the Modern Greek state in 1830). In fact, this year marks the 200-year anniversary of the declaration of the Revolution against the Ottomans, who had occupied Greece since the 15th century. The 400-hundred Ottoman rule has…
-
Finland tops the World Happiness Report
Today, March 20th, is the International Day of Happiness. According to the ninth World Happiness Report, published yesterday, Finland is once again on the top of the happiness rankings (for a fourth year running). It is followed by the usual culprits: Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland and the Netherlands. As usual, the happiest countries in the world are predominantly in Western Europe. New Zealand is the only non-European country in this year’s top 10 (9th place). Canada is no longer in the top 10 (15th place), whereas Germany has made it to the top 10 of the happiest countries in the world. My home country, Greece, is in the 51st place (better than last year’s…
-
Lagana: the traditional Greek sesame flatbread
Today is a bank holiday in Greece, known as ‘Kathara Deftera’ (lit. Clean Monday). In the Greek Orthodox liturgical calendar, Kathara Deftera is the start of the Great Lent, and as such, it is the equivalent to Shrove Monday. The day falls on the 7th Monday before the (Orthodox) Easter; it follows the 3 weeks of Carnival celebrations (‘Apokries’). Kite-flying is one of the main Kathara Deftera customs, often accompanied by outdoor dining. The menu consists of seafood, taramasalata (fish roe dip), halva, and lagana, a traditional Greek sesame flatbread, baked only on this day. Although most Greeks buy their laganas from a bakery, it is an easy bread to bake…
-
10 Greek islands to visit after the pandemic
Last week, it was announced that Cyprus would soon allow fully vaccinated British tourists into the country without any restrictions, such as the need for a negative COVID test or quarantine on arrival to the island. Meanwhile, other countries, Greece included, are keen to establish vaccine passport systems, to facilitate international travel. Hopefully, such a system will be in place before the summer, so we can travel safely and responsibly. In anticipation of this, here is my list of 10 Greek islands to visit after the pandemic: Serifos The Cyclades is a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, so close to each other (island-hopping, anyone?) and yet so different.…
-
My 7 (+1) favorite books
Today is the World Book Day. A few months ago, I was nominated by my friend Haris to list my 7 favorite books in 7 days. At first, I was so excited about the prospect of looking back to the books I’ve read and reflecting on my favorite ones that I eagerly accepted the challenge. But then I realized that I had read so many books that I had a lot more than 7 favorites. Which ones to choose? To help make up my mind, I started reflecting on the reasons why I love reading books. Truth be told, I’ve not always been a bibliophile and an avid reader. As…
-
10 places in Europe to visit after the pandemic
Last Saturday, the Guardian featured twenty pieces written by authors, travel writers and journalists on the places they were longing to go. Inspired by their reverie, I started daydreaming about the places I am longing to go. The realist in me quickly took charge, so I focused my reverie on those places in Europe that I would like to visit (or visit again) once the pandemic is over. So, here is the list of my top 10 places in Europe to visit after the pandemic: Skyros (Greece) Skyros is my favourite Greek island, which I last visited last summer, and I hope to visit again this summer (COVID permitting of…
-
10 tips on how to break up with your phone
A couple of years ago, whilst browsing in a shop in Santa Barbara, California, I came across the book ‘How to break up with your phone’ by Catherine Price. I immediately bought a copy to give to a friend of mine, who, at that time, was addicted to Candy Crush and would spend hours and hours on her phone. Since she no longer does so, I can only assume that the book did the trick. Being a Psychiatrist specialising in the assessment and management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), I daily come across people telling me that they spend hours and hours on their phones, often to the detriment…
-
10 Greek covers of Italian songs
It’s been 40 years since my home-country Greece became the 10th member state of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the European Union (EU). The EEC was created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957; the six founding member-states were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The first enlargement was in 1973, with the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom (which sadly left the EU on 31 January 2020). Greece joined on 1 January 1981, followed by Spain and Portugal five years later. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hellenic entry into the European family, I curated a playlist, which…
-
Voilà: 9 Greek covers of French songs
Earlier this week, it was announced that the 65th Eurovision Song Contest would not take place ‘as normal’ this year. The organisers are currently considering 3 alternative scenarios. Either way, the event will definitely take place on 18, 20 and 22 May. A total of 41 countries will participate in the contest, five of which have already chosen the song that will represent them this year. Among these countries is France. Last week, Barbara Pravi was (rightly) chosen out of 12 participants and will now go on to represent France with her beautiful song ‘Voilà’. Since then, I have been listening to French artists, as well as to Greek covers…
-
A weekend break in Norwich
It’s been almost a year since I visited Norwich, a beautiful medieval city located 100 miles (161 km) north-east of London. With a population of 143,000, Norwich is a relatively small city; yet, it used to be England’s second-largest city after London up until the 18th century it was. Norwich is the most complete medieval city in the country. Elm Hill, a historic cobbled lane located in the city centre is lined with buildings dating back to the Tudor period. Not far from there, there’s the imposing 11th-century Norwich Cathedral. The River Wensum flows through the city centre, towards the castle; founded soon after the Norman Conquest (in 1066), the castle is now a museum.…