Athens has welcomed in the New Year with fireworks and live music at Syntagma Square as thousands gathered to enjoy the festivities.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyiannis performed the traditional countdown to the New Year at midnight to the impressive crowd that turned out, expressing his joy at celebrating “together again”. He concluded his speech wishing to “see people with smiles of joy, like those that we see now” and sang “Καλή Χρονιά, Καλή Χρονιά, Χαρούμενη Χρυσή Πρωτοχρονιά (Happy New Year, Happy New Year, Joyous Golden New Year).

Fireworks display over the Acropolis and Parthenon building as the clock struck midnight. Photo: AMNA/Kostas Tsironis
Mario Frangoulis, left, and Giorgos Peris sing during a concert organised by the City of Athens at Syntagma Square on Saturday night. Photo: AMNA/Alexandros Vlahos

A ten-member orchestra and soloists, accompanied by tenor Marios Frangoulis and singer Giorgos Perris, performed earlier in the night under an impressive audiovisual show.

The City of Athens and partner organisations also organised an all-night party with DJs at the Varvakeios Municipal Market, which was to continue til sunrise.

Source: With AMNA