Tradition triumphs in Greece

After visiting the Middle East, the FLO delegation headed for one of the most historic destinations in the world - Athens, Greece. Hosted by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce , we were eager to meet Greece's leading entrepreneurs, experience the culture first-hand, and learn more about the business heritage.

The European city surprised me with its cultural similarities with India. Quite like us, Greece is still a big worshipper of tradition, with traditional family businesses at the forefront of the economy. Greece’s old-world charm is a big attraction in the tourism sector, but it has a more ambivalent impact on the culture of entrepreneurship. I observed quite some reluctance towards technology - from payment systems to scannable restaurant menus. In many ways, these conflicts help maintain the warmth and hospitality of the ancient city, but how do they play in the realm of business growth? The jury is still out on that one. 

The trip began with a personal milestone - I spoke at the historic Athens Chamber of Commerce on FICCI-FLO's behalf, proudly presenting stories of India’s women entrepreneurs and their wins. The delegation also met some of the Chamber's most prominent members and industry titans - including Christina Sakellaridis, the pioneer who heads Panhellenic Exporters Association, an organization with almost 100 years of experience in supporting the Greek export industry.

When it comes to preserving history, there are quite a few notes India could take from Athens. We visited the Acropolis on our second day, restored with great historical accuracy. I remember noting now the ancient pillars of the citadel were held up by Caryatids – six sculpted sisters who look out towards the Parthenon. It felt like an ancient nod towards how women have always ‘held up’ our society and civilisations.

The Acropolis museum is a marvel in using tech to reconstruct a bygone era, you could almost imagine being back in medieval Greece thanks to some of the exhibitions! It was heartening to see heritage being cherished and a part of everyday life - from historical monuments to habits and cuisine.

One cannot leave Athens without experiencing the fabulous food, of course! Think of luscious tomatoes, olive oil and delicious platters that seem simplistic, but pack an explosion of fulfilling flavours. Kali Oreksi indeed!