A Tribute to the Humble Greek Kiosk
An essential element of the streetscape of every Greek city and town, the corner kiosk’s or periptero’s unique contribution to the rhythm and character of Greek daily life cannot be undermined.
Open until the wee hours of the night, the periptero is where one stocks up on cigarettes and newspapers (strung out like laundry and fastened with clothes pegs!!) or on just about everything else from ice-creams to pens, lighters, postcards, toothbrushes, beach towels, sun-screens, yoga-mats and of course, magazines.
The first kiosk opened in 1911 on Panepistimiou street and it is estimated that there are over 11,000 kiosks all over the country, some 1300 located in Athens’ city centre alone! The Mayor of Athens recently announced a competition for designing new kiosks, in keeping with the needs of the kiosk-owners but also in harmonizing the look and feel of a modern kiosk across the city.
