If you ever thought of visiting Athens, I am sure you have been advised to avoid the area called “Exarcheia”. I have no doubt that your tourist office has informed you to stay away from this district and all the surrounding areas as they have been unfairly connected with high crime, prostitution, drug dealing and of course with the Greek riots of 2008.
I believe whatever has been said about Exarcheia is just bad rumors given by the unpopular Greek establishment and BBC’s widespread far right propaganda. First of all, I have found a documentary (in the above playlist) which confirms that Exarcheia is nothing more than a great place to live, full of artists, punks, an ideal place for a “cult lifestyle”. Just like every big city has its own place where people that attracts people with alternative beliefs (Camden Town in London, Kreuzeberg in Berlin), same in Athens.
It is well known that Greece is a very conservative country where being an artist is something that does not make you gain enough sympathy from the public. Also Greece has the biggest police force in Europe per capita behind Italy and maybe one of the most violent. Therefore Exarcheia will always be the place that disturbs the conservative establishment and all those who support it such like the Greek Media which try to overshadow everything positive that comes from this area. Nobody knows that Exarcheia was (and still it is) home to some international famous artists. According to the videos, even the songwritter Eric Clapton spent a little time of his life living there, things unknown to a lot of brainwashed citizens who still believe the uprise ot 2008 was something negative (as the Media promoted). On the other hand there are a few trustfull Greek channels who reported serious police brutality cases in Exarcheia where the presence of the police has become very upopular as there are more and more witnesses of officers who overuse their power day after day.
So if you are a right wing puppet obsessed by the Ancient Greek Empire, a “descent” citizen, Exarcheia is not a place for you. Better stay in a luxury hotel, enjoy the Acropolis monument and the plenty of crap architecture which makes the whole city looking like a concrete jungle. Yes Exarcheia has been named as a dirty area. It is true, there is a lot of litter and graffiti, but the whole city is dirty finally! The whole city has changed dramatically as the crime rates climbed high, due to the massive increase of poverty and the gap between poor and rich. But if you are looking for cultural adventures, then give a go to the only place maybe where good architecture is still alive in Athens. A place filled with Theaters and stunning University buildings, lively streets and of course friendly people, chatty and open minded neighbors, a lot of live pubs, alternative culture! if you are an artist, then Exarcheia is not a bad choice.
Sources: Youtube, tvxs.gr (Day accesed 24-01-2010)
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