Bogota, Colombia’s capital and a sprawling megacity of nearly 10 million people, is home to a total of around 150 Greeks, according to greekreporter.com.
Nonetheless, most have become successful entrepreneurs in the food industry, adding a Greek touch to the Latin American country’s rich gastronomic tradition.
The “Salonika” restaurant is a little piece of Greece in the heart of South America. Owner Giorgos Sitaras, originally from Thessaloniki and a passionate fan of the city’s football club Aris, says his restaurant is about more than just eating gyros and souvlaki.
“It’s not just a place to eat. We have created a Greek corner in the city,” he notes proudly, pointing to the walls with photographs of Thessaloniki, the Greek islands and his beloved football club, Aris.
“Colombians love Greeks. They know a lot about Greek culture, history and the Greek islands,” Sitaras emphasizes.
Theodoro Lykos, the owner of the “Teo” restaurant, met his Colombian wife while studying in the United States and decided to follow her to Bogota, where he founded his successful business. “The Greeks who emigrated here are having a good time,” he said.
“I opened the Téo restaurant in the 1990s. Since then, Greek cuisine has become trendy in Bogota,” he says.
Panagiotis Voidonikolas, owner of the “Opa” restaurant, was actually born and raised in Bogota. “Colombians are a happy people. They like to dance, sing and have a drink,” he told the Greek newspaper.
He is always proud of his roots. “I’m really happy to speak Greek, I have a Greek passport and I always have family at home,” adds the restaurateur.
His wife, Terena Barajas – Voidonikola, life coach, was born in Athens and raised in Bogota. “Both cities feel ‘at home’ but at the same time ‘abroad’ in a way,” she notes.
She explains that her name was given in the traditional Greek way and is a combination of her two grandmothers’ names. “Rena was the name of my Greek grandmother and Teresa was the name of my Colombian grandmother. My father put the two together.
“Bogota has lovely parks and wild spaces nearby. It’s a great city to enjoy… Great restaurants and great shopping,” she says.
The city is located in central Colombia, on a high plateau known as the Bogota Savanna, located in the Eastern Andes Mountains. It is the third highest capital in South America and the world, after Quito and La Paz, at an average altitude of 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level.
Panagiota Voidonikola, the sister of the owner of “Opa”, Panagiotis, has a Greek father and a Colombian mother. She worked as a civil servant, but is now a full-time housewife caring for three children.
“Some people say that Bogota is dangerous, but I have lived here all my life and it’s not like that,” she says.
“Any Greek who comes to Bogota should call us. We will reciprocate the philoxenia (hospitality) we experience in Greece,” she graciously promises.
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