When this programme was made at the start of the century, Athens was undergoing a radical face-lift in feverish preparation for Greece’s hosting of the 2004 Olympics. What started out as a unification of the archeological sites turned into the biggest planning scheme since the city became the capital of Greece, including the new Acropolis Museum. But many projects were plagued by delays and controversy. Some archeologists feared important finds might be destroyed by the urgent needs of a modern city, like the new metro system. A five-minute ride on the metro from the Acropolis to Omonia Square brings one in contact with another problem facing Athens: an alarming increase in drug addiction.
Producer: David Swatling
Broadcast: July 12, 2002