Mark Herz: This is GBH’s Morning Edition. Boston is partnered with about a dozen cities and other countries around the world, in what is called the Sister Cities Program. One of the up-to-date partnerships that is developing is with Athens, Greece. Earlier this year, Mayor Haris Doukas was in Boston to sign a letter of intent with Mayor Michelle Wu to take that relationship to the next level.
Joining us immediately to talk about what that partnership is all about, is local Greek Consul General Symeon Tegos. Good morning, Consul.
Symeon Tegos: Good morning Mark.
Herz: So, this is both a cultural and economic partnership. Tell us more about it.
Tegos: The idea is to formalize relations that already exist and it really goes back, I would dare to say, at least two centuries in a way. So having in mind that Boston is the Athens of America, my community, our people are very proud to see this taking, let’s say, a bit more formal step. We’re not there yet, I know the two teams are working very hard because, yes, those two cities have a lot in common. So we are very happy to see this happening.
Herz: I know two of the issues that might be on the table — they’re interesting — dealing with rising sea levels and managing ever-increasing tourism. Can you tell us more about both those two issues?
Tegos: Definitely. You know, last year, I mean this year actually, we have around 36 million people visiting Greece and we’re still counting. And I know Boston is a center of tourism for the United States, with all its history and beauty. So of course, sustainable tourism is one of the issues, the challenges, we face in common. So climate change in general, it is a problem, it’s a global problem, we need global solutions and global answers. So we know that Boston, as an expertise, they’ve been doing a great job there for many years immediately. So exchanging know-how, exchanging cultural experience, exchanging answers to challenges is part of the process.
Herz: And you mentioned how the history goes back. You know, the Boston area has been a major destination for Greek immigrants, sure, going back at least to the 19th century. Can you tell us a little bit more of how Greek immigrants have shaped Greater Boston, Massachusetts [in general]?
Tegos: It started maybe [in the] 18th century, we had some people, we know that. Right immediately we have in broader New England, in Greater New England, around 150,000 people of Greek descent, maybe more depending on how you count them. We’re very proud of our communities here because they came here with nothing and then literally they created empires in our view, they did an incredible job.
Everybody knows for example Governor Dukakis, who was an integral part of our community, and contributed immensely in the way Massachusetts looks today. I’m just giving an example, we have incredible people, but what I think is important to realize about our community is that they’re everyday present in everything. And I have an example for that, which is the Boston Marathon. The story of the Marathon is an incredible story. It’s a Greek story, and the citizen soldier fighting for its freedom, for democracy, for its rights, so you have the same here with the Minutemen. So there are so many stories, incredible stories that my community represents and serves with you and with this city.
Herz: I’m curious, there has been a rising interest for people, sometimes who are digital nomads, sometimes who were going in retirement to, you know, get a longer-term visa in Europe. Are you seeing that at your consul?
Tegos: Yes, we see this and we’re happy. Greece is doing a big effort and, you know, in a kind of volatile world, we’re a stability island, if I may say that. And we’ve seen this interest from Americans to work there more, to go there more to visit. They don’t need a tourist Visa, but we had a lot of students [who] were interested to go, and there are a lot programs that they can choose from. We have this organization called Study in Greece — everything is in English. They can go visit. And from students to professionals, Greece offers great opportunities.
Herz: Greek Consul General, Symeon Tegos, thank you so much.
Tegos: Thank you so, so much Mark for having me. It was a pleasure.
Herz: This is GBH.
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