AI Athens

Athenian Stories

With a depth of talent in the city, it seemed imperative that we share and celebrate the stories of people with big ideas, who are starting new businesses, despite the hard economic times. It is the people that make up a city and Athenians are dynamic, creative and talented. Above all they’re brave. Athenian Stories is about those who are bold enough to have a go. You will also find cultural stories that make up the many parts of Athens today, including food, trends and modern architecture.

  • Nicholas Samaras Underwater Photography Greece-2

    The Greek uncovering the hidden treasures of the sea

    Fascinated by the myriad of colours, marine life and the refraction of light under water, Nicholas Samaras has become one of Greece’s leading underwater photographers. With more than 50 international accolades under his belt awarded from NELOS International Underwater Photo & Film Festival, Festival Mondial De L’Image Sous Marine, among others, it was when he…

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  • Zama Athens Zips Buttons

    ZAMA, romance re-born in Athens

    Family run businesses have for decades been a vital part of the social fabric of Athens. The city’s history as a mercantile centre runs deep and if you wander around the area surrounding Agias Irinis Square (close to Monastiraki) or along Perikleous St near Syntagma, you’ll find the evidence of a once thriving textile precinct…

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  • Taf Coffee Athens

    TAF specialty coffee in Athens

    Taf coffee is another business success story from Athens. Established as a family business in the 1990’s, Taf soon evolved from importers and roasters of traditional Greek coffee to a multi-level business specialising in high quality international roasts. For the last ten years, founder Yiannis Taloumis has been dedicated to sourcing sustainable gourmet grade coffee beans.

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  • Greece revisited we design

    Greece Revisited by We Design

    When architect Philippos Photiadis, product designer Sergios Fotiadis and graphic artist Theano Petridou joined forces to establish 'We Design', their focus expanded into redefining the concept of souvenirs, leading them to establish Greece Revisited, a line of products drawing from Greek history, tradition and everyday culture.

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  • Elena Syraka jeweller

    Designer Elena Syraka draws from Greece’s ancient history for inspiration

    Elena Syraka created her first pieces of jewellery while at school, without realising this would ultimately be her calling. After studying at the Veloudakis Fashion School in Athens, she went on to ESMOD in Paris, where she decided to focus on jewellery design. Her official debut into the field was in 1995 and about a decade later, she decided to focus exclusively on fine jewellery. Her designs balance between opposite elements, such as the masculine and the feminine, the strict and the fluid.

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  • Kostarelos Cheesemakers Why Athens

    Kostarelos: three generations of cheesemakers

    The Kostarelos family cheesemaking business began in 1937 in the keen hands of Kyriakos Kostarelos. Today, brothers Kyriakos and Nikos, are the equally capable third generation, who have stepped up to continue the legacy. Striking the perfect balance between old and new production techniques, they are successfully producing a large variety of high quality dairy products, that are attracting the attention of those who are serious about cheese.

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