On Saturday, May 7, 2023 Eleusis inaugurated three new venues and celebrated Europe Day with a plethora of events for all ages.
It was a special day for 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture and for the city of Elefsina, with a European flair, in collaboration with the Office of the European Parliament in Greece, and the Representative of the European Commission in Greece.
The celebration of Europe Day, on Saturday, May 7, was completed successfully in Elefsina, featuring a plethora of events dedicated to young people, and parallel activities for people of all ages. The celebration was co-organized by 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, the Office of the European Parliament in Greece and the Representative of the European Commission in Greece, and opened new horizons in the city of Elefsina, encouraged the citizens’ participation, provided a platform for reflection and enhanced critical thinking and dialogue. Check out the detailed programme here.
As part of the main event, which took place at the Elefsina-West Attica Labor Center (EKEDA), Eva Kaili, Vice-President of the European Parliament extended a virtual greeting, while in-person speeches were delivered by the Mayor of Elefsina, Argyris Economou, the Head of the European Parliament Office in Greece, Constantinos Tsoutsoplides, the Head of the Representative of the European Commmision in Greece, Niovi Ringou and the Chair of the BoD of 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, Despoina Geroulanou. Other central speakers: Kostas Arvanitis, Member of the European Parliament, Thomas Doxiadis,Architect, Vassilis Karamitsanis, President of Animasyros and Michail Marmarinos,the General Artistic Director of 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture. The discussion was coordinated by journalist Nora Ralli. The 55 young people, ages 16 to 30, who participated in the four working groups played a key role in the event. The four themes covered where the following: “Youth without borders,” “Young & cultural and social innovation,” “Youth, climate change & sustainable cities” and “Youth & Democracy,” coordinated by: Ntina Ntziora, Cultural Manager, Network Officer (Athens Comics Library), Vangelis Kravvaritis, Education and Society Programmes Manager (British Council), John Pantazopoulos, Journalist (LIFO), Menelaos Karamaghiolis, Director, producer, screenwriter.
On the occasion of Europe Day, three important city venues, the Old City Hall of Elefsina, the ΕΛΕVΣΙΣ INNOVATION LAB by 2023 ELEUSIS and the X-Bowling Art Center, opened their doors and welcomed the enthusiastic citizens of Elefsina and its visitors.
Specifically, the Old City Hall of Elefsina, which was renovated with the kind support of METRON S.A., hosted the opening of the exhibition “Peace Rainbows” (Greek: Ειρήνιατόξα),featuring artworks from the PanHellenic Painting Student Competition,organized by the Office of the European Parliament in Greece, in collaboration with Children’s Art Gallery of Greece and 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture.
Moreover, the ΕΛΕVΣΙΣ INNOVATION LAB by 2023 ELEUSIS opened its doors to the audience for the very first time, for an impressive presentation of the educational action Mystery 64_Print your City,an innovative workshop by The New Raw, structured on the principles of Circular Economy and the recycling of plastic. Attendees had the opportunity to witness the way in which plastic waste can be transformed into new raw material and gain a second or even third life, utilizing new technologies such as 3D Printing. The space is courtesy of TITAN.
One of the celebration’s highlights was the performance of 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, Mystery 2_Clock Tower Voices, featuring the unique actress and director Roula Pateraki,who enchanted the attendees by reciting the Waste Land by T. S. Eliot, within the archaeological site of Elefsina.
The celebrations concluded in another impressively renovated indoor venue, the X-Bowling Art Center, which hosted the screening of Sebastian Meise’s award-winning film “Great Escape,” a statement piece about the life of homosexuals before the decriminalization of homosexuality and the impact of imprisonment in post-war Germany. For more information, click here.
Europe Day, dedicated to young people, democracy and culture, on the occasion of 2022, which has been declared the European Year of Youth, concluded as the very nature of the event demanded, with a big, inclusive party at the X-Bowling Art Center,in the presence of young people, of all ages, who shared their impressions of the extremely interesting events they attended, but above all their dreams and plans for the future. A future that is democratic, participatory, respectful and inclusive, just as Europe Day—and indeed, every day—demands.
“Peace Rainbows” (Greek: Ειρήνια τόξα) Exhibition at the Old City Hall of Elefsina
Duration: May 7-22, 2022
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 17.00-19.00, Saturday 19.00-21.00, Sunday
11.30-13.30
Address: Nikolaidou & Vas. Laskou Str.
Morning visits for school groups upon request via telephone at +30 2105547646 (205 /208) & +30 6939407774
“Print Your City” Workshop at ΕΛΕVΣΙΣ INNOVATION LAB by 2023 ELEUSIS
Duration: May 10 to July 3
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9:30-14:30 (visit by appointment – daily tours for schools)
Duration of visit: 45 minutes
Maximum number of visitors per tour: 35 people
Address:Sotiriou Gkioka and Tzaferi Str., Elefsina, 19200, within the TITAN industrial complex
Reservation phone number: +30 6958458342
email: innovationlab@2023eleusis.eu
