Bakoyannis

The fines imposed on political parties for illegal poster pollution not only concern one party, nor are they driven by a money collection logic, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis told Skai on Tuesday, commenting on the reactions of the communist KKE party to the penalty it received from the municipality.

A press conference was held by Greek cinema associations at a packed Astor movie theater in downtown Athens on Tuesday, calling for the rescue of the Ideal, Astor and Irida cinemas, which are at immediate risk of closure. In a pre-recorded message, Greek-French director Costa-Gavras urged Culture Minister Lina Mendoni to intervene.

The transfer of the presidency of the Balkan Cities Network from Istanbul to Athens on Monday was accompanied by strong political messages by the mayors of both cities, Ekrem Imamoglu and Kostas Bakoyannis, on the need to strengthen democracy, peace and cooperation. 

Mayors from 44 Balkan cities have arrived in Athens to attend the second gathering of the B40 Balkan Cities Network on Monday and Tuesday.

During Monday's session, the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, who hosted the network's inaugural meeting on November 29-30 1921, will deliver a report on the year of the presidency and transfer the presidency to Athens mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

Residents enjoy a sunny day in Voutie Park in the hip central Athens district of Ano Petralona, on Thursday, after it was treated to a facelift. The City of Athens planted more trees and shrubs in the roughly 5,000 sq.m. park, installed new benches and improved the paths and lighting, as part of a bigger scheme to spruce up the capital's parks, many of which have fallen into neglect.

The city of Athens will welcome mayors from 66 cities and 10 countries in the Balkans on January 22-24 in the context of the B40 Balkan Cities Network Conference.

Athens Municipality has started to distribute backpacks filled with basic essentials for the winter to homeless people in the city.

On Thursday evening, street work teams distributed backpacks to homeless people, each of which contained sleeping bags, blankets, jackets, water resistant trousers, thermos flasks, flashlights and whistles.

The mayor of Turkey's metropolitan Istanbul met Greek prime minister in Athens on Sept. 21. 

Ekrem Imamoğlu was received by Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of Greek prime minister.

He also held a meeting with Kostas Bakoyannis, the mayor of Athens, at the Athens City Hall.

A large-scale operation by cleaning crews of the Athens municipality to remove smudges and graffiti from building walls, shop shutters, planters, marble columns and phone booths was completed on Tuesday on Ermou, the capital's commercial high street.

It is rare to hear a member of Parliament make a meaningful contribution that transcends the miserly framework of what passes as public dialogue.