In the bustling heart of Athens, second-hand bookstores stand as quiet sanctuaries, brimming with untold stories and forgotten histories. These aren’t just shops; they are vibrant hubs where the past gracefully intertwines with the present, offering a unique treasure hunt for every visitor. From the dusty shelves emerge out-of-print titles, old editions, and rare finds that have vanished from modern bookstores, each holding a piece of a bygone era.
The Enduring Allure of the Printed Word
Despite the relentless challenges faced by the world of books, these havens of literature have not only survived but thrived, sustained by a collective love for old books and an unwavering desire to preserve knowledge and memory. Their clientele is as diverse as the books they house: young enthusiasts seeking vintage comics, diligent students and researchers poring over academic texts, seasoned collectors hunting for specific historical periods or completing cherished series, and casual readers simply looking for a nostalgic journey back to their childhood through familiar pages.
From the quaint kiosks and overflowing carts of yesteryear to the modern, yet equally charming, brick-and-mortar shops of today, the presence of old books has evolved but never faded. As always, the vibrant pulse of Athens’ second-hand bookstores beats strongest in the city center, transforming them into vital meeting points for intellectual exploration and serendipitous discovery.
A Universe of Unexpected Delights
Step into one of these literary sanctuaries, and you’re always on the cusp of a small, delightful surprise. It could be an elusive, out-of-print title, a poignant handwritten note scribbled in the margin, a heartfelt dedication on the first page, or a long-forgotten edition that finds a new lease on life in the hands of a new, eager reader.
One such captivating establishment is Bookinist, a second-hand bookstore founded 13 years ago by the passionate Nasos Koulis. Koulis, a man whose initial dream was to work with vinyl records due to his profound love for music, found his path diverted into the world of old books by the gentle encouragement of his father, a man with an extensive personal library.
Any initial hesitation Koulis felt quickly blossomed into an infectious enthusiasm. “To be honest, when I began this journey, I never expected how fascinating it would be,” he confesses with a warm smile, speaking to ANA-MPA. The shelves of Bookinist are predominantly adorned with a rich and diverse collection of historical books and insightful works on folklore.
“Beyond history, I quickly became interested in books published outside Athens – usually local-interest editions with limited copies that were never reprinted and are extremely difficult to find,” Koulis explains, adding with a touch of pride, “So, in the field of folklore, I dare say I now have a very significant collection.”
Who Seeks the Wisdom of Old Pages?
The individuals who cross the threshold of Bookinist are as varied and intriguing as the books themselves. “Members of the academic community, students searching for specific titles for their papers, collectors looking for books from a particular historical period or trying to complete a specific series, or ordinary readers searching for older books they would like to own,” Koulis recounts.
He shares a fascinating anecdote: “Did you know there are people obsessively searching to reread ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel García Márquez – but only in specific translations?” Koulis also highlights a growing trend he has observed recently: a surging demand for out-of-print children’s books. “There is huge demand for discontinued children’s books. Without exaggeration, people ask me for at least three or four children’s titles every month,” he reveals.
The Endless Quest: A Treasure Hunt for the Soul
For Nasos Koulis, his second-hand bookstore transcends the simple transactional nature of buying and selling books. It is, at its core, a profound meeting place and a vibrant dialogue with knowledge itself. “I believe a second-hand bookstore is a place of encounter and dialogue with knowledge between the present and the past. A point where different people share the same passion – and many times, through conversations, I myself have been led toward new directions.”
In these unique spaces, the act of searching for a book often mirrors a thrilling treasure hunt. “These are places where a constant treasure hunt takes place, both for us and for the buyers. It starts from the same point: the desire to acquire something we consider unique.” Koulis elaborates that he meticulously maintains a lengthy waiting list of requests for books that might only resurface after six months, or even a year, before finally reaching the eager hands of the interested reader.
The Intrinsic Value We Impart
When asked about a particularly elusive book, Koulis points to ‘The Writings of Giorgos V. Makris’ as a title exceptionally hard to find today. And does he possess books that customers desperately covet but that he, personally, cannot bear to part with? He responds without a moment’s hesitation: “Yes! There are books I truly cannot let go of…”
Regarding the determination of an old book’s value, he notes, “As you can imagine, many factors shape the selling price of an old book. But at the end of the day, the value of an old book is the value we ourselves give it… how important it is for us to have it in our hands.”
In Athens’ second-hand bookstores, every book holds a story, and every story finds a home, connecting generations through the timeless magic of the written word.
Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA)
