In the heart of Lusaka, Zambia, Greek entrepreneur Giorgos Ioannidis has transformed his bar restaurant into a hub of Greek nightlife and culture.
The rhythms of zeibekiko, syrtaki, and tsifteteli fill the air at “Onoma“, accompanied by the sound of plates smashing and a cascade of flowers tossed in celebration. Through his vision, the essence of Greek culture—its flavors, dances, and uninhibited joy—has found a home in this distant corner of Africa.
In October 2019 Ioannidis and his wife embarked on an adventure, leaving Greece behind to explore Africa—specifically, Zambia.
“For a European, a trip to Africa feels like an adventure, conjuring up images of safaris and jungles,” Ioannidis recalled in an interview with AMNA. “But beyond that, there are modern cities with apartment buildings, bridges, highways, and malls.”
Turning a dream into reality
Two and a half years later, that dream became a reality. Ioannidis was given the opportunity to purchase and renovate the restaurant, shaping it into the Greek oasis he had envisioned. In December 2022, after three months of intense renovations, the doors reopened—this time, with a true Greek soul.
A longstanding Greek presence in Zambia
Zambia’s connection with Greek culture runs deep. Historically, the country was home to nearly 3,500 Greeks and Cypriots, though today the Greek community has dwindled to around 400 members. Yet, despite the smaller numbers, Hellenism remains strong through the efforts of the Greek community, the consulate and the Metropolis.
The Staff: The heart of the celebration
Surprisingly, it’s not just the guests who have fallen in love with Greek culture—it’s the restaurant staff themselves. “The most amazing thing is that our employees enjoy Greek nights more than anyone else,” Ioannidis told AMNA.
“They are the ones who set the rhythm of the evening. They’ve learned to dance hasapiko, hasaposerviko, zeibekiko, Pontic dances, and even tsifteteli. It’s as if they’ve been part of countless Greek feasts all their lives.”
The fusion of African and Greek traditions has created a unique energy, where every night feels like a festival. “Africans love dancing and music,” he adds, “so when you combine their enthusiasm with Greek passion, every gathering turns into a true celebration of life.”
“Greeks enjoying life”
Of course, not everyone immediately understands the Greek way of celebrating. “There are still nights when some newcomers find it strange,” Ioannidis admits. “But all it takes is one phrase—‘Greeks enjoying life’—and they quickly join in the fun, breaking plates and dancing with the rest.”
Many regulars have even started learning basic Greek phrases, greeting staff with a friendly “Efharisto” (Thank you), “Parakalo” (Please), or “Gia sou” (Hi).
As for what’s next, Ioannidis and his wife have ambitious plans to expand Greek culture beyond Zambia, bringing their unique fusion of Greek-African hospitality to other countries. And perhaps one day, they’ll even bring their concept full circle—back to Greece itself, reintroducing their version of Greek entertainment with an African twist.
For now, though, one thing is certain: in the heart of Africa, Greece is alive and thriving, one dance, one dish, and one smashed plate at a time.
Source: Greekreporter.com
