The Greeks of Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, the capital of Colombia and a sprawling mega-city of almost ten million inhabitants, is home to a grand total of approximately 150 Greeks.

With its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and breathtaking landscapes, Bogota offers visitors a unique and immersive experience.

Some of the Greeks in Bogota have become successful entrepreneurs in the food industry, adding a Greek touch to the rich gastronomic tradition of this Latin American country.

The restaurant called “Salonika” is a small piece of Greece in the heart of South America. Owner Giorgos Sitaras is from Thessaloniki. He is a passionate fan of the Greek city’s football club, Aris, and says that his restaurant is not just about eating gyros and souvlaki.

Watch the video:

“It’s not just a place to eat. We have created a Greek corner in the city,” he says proudly, as he points to the walls with photographs of Thessaloniki, the Greek islands and his beloved Aris football club.

“Colombians are fond of Greeks,” Sitaras explains. “They know a lot about Greek culture, history and the the Greek islands.”

Greek community in Bogota

Theodoro Lykos, the owner of the restaurant “Teo,” met his Colombian wife while studying in the US and decided to follow her back to Bogota, where he established his successful business. “The Greeks that have emigrated here have a good time,” he says.

“I started Teo restaurant in the 1990s,” he reveals. “Since then, Greek food has become trendy in Bogota.”

Panagiotis Voidonikolas, owner of the restaurant called “Opa,” was actually born and raised in Bogota. “Colombians are a happy people. They enjoy dancing, singing and having a drink,” he tells Greek Reporter.

He is still proud of his roots. “I am really glad that I speak Greek,” the restaurateur says. “I have a Greek passport and still have family back home.”

His wife, Terena Barajas – Voidonikola, a life coach, was born in Athens and raised in Bogota. “Both cities feel [like] ‘home,’ but at the same time ‘abroad’ in a way,” she tells us.

She explains that her name was given in the traditional Greek way and is a combination of her two grandmothers names. “Rena was my Greek grandmother’s name and Teresa was my Colombian grandmother’s name,” she says. “My dad put the two together.”

“Bogota has history, nice parks, wilderness nearby,” she states. “It’s a great city to enjoy…Great restaurants and good shopping.”

Bogota traces its roots back to the indigenous Muisca people, who inhabited the area long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors according to this Colombian news site.

The city is located in the center of Colombia on a high plateau known as the Bogota Savanna, located in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. It is the third-highest capital in South America and the world after Quito and La Paz at an average of 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level.

Panagiota Voidonikola, the sister of “Opa” owner Panagiotis, has a Greek father and a Colombian mother. She formerly worked as a civil servant but is now a full-time housewife caring for three children.

“Some say that Bogota is dangerous, but I’ve lived all my life here and it’s not like that,” she protests.

“Any Greek that comes to Bogota should call us,” she says graciously. “We will reciprocate the philoxenia (hospitality) that we come across in Greece.”

Related: Meet The Greeks of Medellin, Colombia