Program 789: Easter in Greece; Pillars of Europe; Easter in Andalucía

Learn about the customs that Greeks observe as Orthodox Easter draws near. Then contemplate the massive undertaking of building a cathedral centuries ago and how these monuments to faith and devotion helped shape their locales. And get acquainted with southern Spain's elaborate Semana Santa observances, which fill the streets of Andalucía in the week leading up to Easter.

• Tour guide Anastasia Gaitanou, from Thessaloniki, Greece
• Poet Rena Priest
• Ken Follett, author of "The Pillars of the Earth" (Viking)
• Tour guide Concepción Delgado de los Reyes, from Seville, Spain
• Gene Openshaw, co-author of the Rick Steves art guides and "Michelangelo at Midlife"

• Palm Sunday observances from Seville and in Greek Orthodox traditions are included in Rick's "European Easter" TV special, which you can view on our website.
• Anastasia Gaitanou tells us how her name means "resurrection" in Greek, as she guides visitors to reimagine the ancient world at the sites of Greek history and mythology.
• Poet Rena Priest has released a collection from more than 150 poets in Washington state, ranging from first graders to tribal elders, in tribute to salmon. It's called "I Sing the Salmon Home: Poems from Washington State."
• Ken Follett is a top-selling author of thrillers and historical fiction, including the Kingsbridge series, set in medieval England. His novel "The Pillars of the Earth" was made into a TV miniseries, and adapted into a computer game. Ken wrote a tribute to Notre Dame cathedral called "Notre Dame: A Short History of the Meaning of Cathedrals" after it caught fire in 2019. His proceeds from that book are being donated to the cathedral's restoration work.
• Rick notes that historian Malcolm Miller is a specialist interpreter of the stained glass and sculptured figures at Chartres Cathedral in France.
• Ken Follett spoke with Rick about the reopening of Paris' Notre Dame cathedral on Travel with Rick Steves program #775 in December 2024.
• Concepción Delgado de los Reyes provides walking tours of Seville.
• Rick writes about Holy Week observances in Seville.
• Gene Openshaw is the author of "Michelangelo at Midlife: Chasing the Tomb of Julius II," and co-wrote with Rick "Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler."