About us
Background
WhySoGreece.eu emerged from a serendipitous meeting in the summer of 2020 on a ferry from Piraeus to Naxos. Eleni, a Greek cultural researcher returning from a conference in Athens, struck up a conversation with Sarah, a Canadian who had just moved to Paros during the pandemic. They were joined by Dimitris, a marine biologist documenting the effects of reduced tourism on island ecosystems.
As the ferry cut through the Aegean waters, their conversation turned to how Greece was portrayed online – either as a collection of ancient ruins frozen in time or as a party destination of white-washed buildings and endless beaches. All three felt that the real Greece – the Greece of philosophical kafeneio debates, of grandmothers’ secret recipes, of island communities adapting to modern challenges while honoring ancient wisdom – was largely invisible to the outside world.
The idea crystallized when Sarah mentioned how she’d been searching for authentic information about Greek culture and life, only to find travel blogs focused on “10 Best Instagram Spots” rather than meaningful cultural insights. Eleni had been documenting the evolution of Greek traditions for academic journals, while Dimitris had been writing about sustainable island living for environmental publications. They realized they could create something more comprehensive and authentic together.
The name “Why So Greece” perfectly captured their mission – Why is Greece so philosophically rich? Why so culturally complex? Why so timelessly relevant? Why so misunderstood by the modern world?
Author
Eleni Papadopoulos
Born on Crete, studied in Athens, currently splits time between Thessaloniki and various Greek islands. Classical studies PhD turned cultural journalist, specializing in modern Greek society and culinary traditions
