FILIA 665 ΑΜ

Through its successful European course, Greece - from a sending country of migrants in the 1960s - became a recipient country for workers from all corners of the globe. The radical changes in the country's cultural and social map took place in a very short period of time and constituted a challenge for everyone. Hellenic State Radio (ERA) decided to respond decisively and creatively to these new challenges.

Based on an idea by the former General Director of ERA, Giannis Tzannetakos, and with the already existing framework of ERA-5's Foreign Language Department, a pilot program in 12 languages was created, with the aim of broadcasting to foreign workers in Greece. Today's autonomous FILIA program - broadcast on 665 AM - is the natural continuation of that successful venture.

Its aim is to allow migrants from a total of 121 countries to maintain ties with their countries of origin and be updated daily, in their own language. FILIA also helps to eliminate prejudices and xenophobic attitudes, which frequently lead to racist phenomena, as has occurred in many European countries.

FILIA (the Greek word for "friendship") seeks to cultivate mutual feelings of acceptance and solidarity between locals and migrants through news bulletins and, of course, music, adding yet another stone to the structure known as friendship among peoples.

In this era of globalization, language is one of the basic elements of people's existence and their cultural diversity. Radio may not be able to influence drastically the complex conditions that cause the migrant phenomenon, but it can contribute positively to an environment in which racism and xenophobia cannot thrive.

FILIA broadcasts in 12 languages: English, French, German, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Rumanian, Turkish, Serbo-Croatian Bulgarian, Albanian and Polish. It presents greek and foreign news bulletins. Its programs also include on-the-spot reports from the source of the news, as well as analyses and comments, highlighting the objective views of Hellenic State Radio.

Collaboration with the BBC World Service, RFI, and DW is another important feature of our programs, as well as cooperation with volunteer non-governmental organisations, such as "Doctors Without Borders" and "Doctors of the World".

FILIA also broadcasts on shortwave, from 08.00 to 13.00, on 11645 kilohertz.