Type Around the World – Get to Know Athens

In this recurring feature in our “Fonts Having a Moment” series, we’ll be exploring cities around the world through the dual lenses of culture and typography, guided by our friends at Monotype and some of our partner foundries. We hope you’ll join us on this exciting journey!

This week, get to know Athens, Greece with Parachute’s Panos Vassiliou.

Portrait of Panos Vassiliou.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your foundry.
My name is Panos Vassiliou, and I am a type designer and the founder of Parachute Typefoundry. My journey into type design began during my engineering studies at the University of Toronto, where I discovered a passion for letterpress and type design while apprenticing at a printing house in Canada’s largest, most diverse metropolis. 

At Parachute, we specialize in bespoke type design, corporate typefaces, and custom lettering, creating proprietary typefaces for some of the world’s most iconic brands and institutions. Our collaborations with leading organizations reflect our commitment to pushing the boundaries of modern typography.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

2. Tell us about your city. What do you love about it? What’s distinctive about it?
Athens is a vibrant, multilayered city with a character unlike any other. Its charm lies in the juxtaposition of ancient and modern. The city’s diversity can be felt in its unique neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and identity. From the artsy, bohemian Exarcheia to the upscale streets of Kolonaki, or the historic lanes of Plaka, Athens resists the uniformity often found in other European cities, maintaining a chaotic yet thrilling energy. 

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

Athens’ creative pulse is most palpable in the central neighborhoods, where street art, graffiti, and quirky cafes spill out. Walking through these areas, you’ll notice a patchwork of lettering from various eras — old shop signs alongside contemporary art tags and graffiti that reflect the city’s evolving story. 

It’s a city full of contrasts; you might find ancient ruins next to modern buildings, traditional tavernas beside edgy galleries. This blend of old and new infuses Athens with a distinctive, rebellious energy that attracts creative minds from around the world.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

3. Where would you take someone visiting your city for the first time to explore its creative heart? (Art, music, food, neighborhoods.)
I would definitely start at our vibrant neighborhood of Psirri in the historic center of Athens. Here, you can experience the creative pulse of the city, with its mix of street art, traditional artisans, and cutting-edge design studios all within close proximity. Psirri is filled with an ever-evolving canvas of graffiti and murals, where walls are adorned with works by both local and international street artists. You’ll also find neon-lit signage and quirky lettering on old shopfronts that have been preserved alongside newer establishments, reflecting the neighborhood’s eclectic spirit.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

Next, I would guide our visitor to Exarcheia, an area known for its rebellious character and alternative culture. Exarcheia’s typography and signage often carry political messages and slogans, embedded into the urban landscape as graffiti and street art. The neighborhood also has a unique blend of bookshops, record stores, and small cafes with hand-painted signs, lending it a creative atmosphere that’s rare in other parts of the city.

Another must-visit area is Monastiraki, especially for its vibrant flea market. Here, vintage signs, old books, and antique items are scattered across stalls, offering a glimpse into Athens’ typographic and cultural past.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

Finally, a stop at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) offers a completely different experience, showcasing modern design in a state-of-the-art architectural setting. This center, along with the Onassis Cultural Center, the National Library and the Greek National Opera, highlights Athens’ commitment to contemporary cultural expression and provides a beautiful space to experience exhibitions and installations.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

4. What’s a typeface that you think represents the spirit of your city and why? Or, alternatively, what typeface is your city known for and why?
The monolinear geometric archaic capitals seen around Athens reflect the city’s deep connection to its ancient heritage and classical ideals. This style of lettering, often reminiscent of inscriptions chiseled into stone during Ancient Greece, is everywhere in Athens, creating a distinct visual language that resonates with the city’s historical identity. Found on government buildings, financial institutions, and various public spaces, these characters exude a sense of timelessness, authority, and gravity that aligns with the spirit of the city.

Image Submitted by Panos Vassiliou

Meanwhile, the playful, often handmade signage found in shops around the city brings warmth and personality to its typographic landscape. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern, formal and casual, is emblematic of Athens itself — a city rooted in history yet constantly evolving.

 

Want to learn more about Athens and typography? Check out this 2021 video from Parachute.