The Welcome Map: How Does “Welcome” Sound Where You Come From?

Today is Friday, 16 October 2026 – 76 days until New Year’s Eve. The break is over, and the first sentence we want to say today is an old one:

Welcome to Greece.

Back from today

From today, 16.10.2026, we are ready to welcome you and look after you – with a genuine smile and warm hospitality. The break did what breaks do: we have recharged our batteries and we are back, just a few hours before we greet you. The rest of that story is in this morning’s article – this one is about something else: the word itself.

One word, many doors

In Greek, hospitality is called “philoxenia”, roughly “love of the stranger” (xenos means both stranger and guest). And whoever invites someone in says “kalós írthes” – roughly “good that you came”. That is general language knowledge, not a secret of our kitchen.

Every language, every family, every dialect has its own welcome. Some say it with a word, some with a plate, some with a sentence that only sounds right at home. Those are the sentences we want to collect.

The idea: a map made of replies

Every reply under this article is a pin. Together they form a map of welcome – no borders, only words. It starts with our own line, “Welcome to Greece”, and grows with every reply until New Year’s Eve.

How to take part

Reply to the comment “My welcome” with three things: 1. language, dialect or family, 2. the word or sentence, 3. where it comes from – a place, a person, a memory. One line is enough. (You can answer in English – and write your welcome in its own language.)

Three made-up examples from the editorial team (not real replies): “Low German – Kumm rin! – from the coast” · “English – Make yourself at home – from a trip” · “Greek – kalós írthes – from the Sunday table”.

We name nobody, unless you write that you would like to be named. We do not put anything insulting or hurtful on the map.

The big question: at the door or at the table?

When does a welcome really begin – at the door, in the first moment, or only at the table when the first plate arrives? Team Door says: if you hear nothing at the threshold, you won’t hear it later. Team Table says: a word is quickly said, but a welcome only shows in staying. These are the arguments of both sides, not measurements. Vote by replying to “The big question” with “door” or “table” – a sentence is welcome.

A word on fairness

Under our last articles it has been rather quiet. We don’t know how many replies will come. If only a few come, we will still add them all and say openly that the map is still empty. If none come, our own line stays the only pin – and the map stays open until New Year’s Eve.

76 days until New Year’s Eve

Mastiha Berlin, Arndtstraße 12, Berlin-Kreuzberg. The next Drachmen Fest comes in a year – as every year.

Welcome to Greece.