Athens Christmas Sends Out ‘Light’ to City’s ‘Hidden Heroes’

“Light to those who truly bring light into our lives” is the motto behind this year’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony which took place in Athens this week in the midst of lockdown and without the customary crowds due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Instead, the city authority chose to share the holiday cheer with the public through a short film titled “An Athens Christmas Tale” which tells the story of the city’s “hidden heroes” featuring in the lead the capital’s chief electrician, Dionysis Nikolaou.

Born in Athens, Nikolaou lives in the inner-city neighborhood of Sepolia, works night shifts and is responsible, among others, for the lighting of the Christmas tree at central Syntagma Square.

“This year, the municipality of Athens sends out its appreciation to its own people… to the hidden heroes who are tirelessly on the front line not only during Christmas but every day of the year, doing their best to dispel ‘the darkness’ of the times,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

The municipality sent out its holiday message virtually stressing the importance of staying at home.

Fearing a third wave of Covid-19, Greek authorities decided to extend lockdown measures over the Christmas period. Entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and cafes will remain closed and curfews will apply for Christmas and the New Year.