The International Press Conference for the presentation of the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture Programme was held with great success on Tuesday, December 13 at 12 pm. At the X-Bowling Art Center, in Elefsina.
The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports responsible for Contemporary Culture, Nikolas Giatromanolakis, the Regional Governor of Attica, Giorgos Patoulis, the Mayor of Elefsina, Argyris Oikonomou, the President of the Hellenic Tourism Organization, Angela Gerekou, while a video greeting was addressed by the Vice-President of the European Commission for the Promotion of the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas and the Representative of the European Commission – Responsible for the Capitals of Culture, Sylvain Pasqua. The event was coordinated by journalist Manolis Spinthourakis.
The Press Conference started with a warm welcome from the Chairman of the 2023 Eleusis Board of Directors, Despina Geroulanou, who noted that “Elefsina was rightly elected as European Capital of Culture because it is a completely unique and special city. A city that, with these contrasts and intersections, fascinates even the most ignorant visitor and that has been praised by the brightest minds throughout the centuries.”
In his short message, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, stated that “the triptych of your priorities ‘People-Environment-Work’ make Elefsina an alternative nursery of extroversion as well as a pan-European cultural nursery”, while the Representative of the European Commission, Sylvain Pasqua noted that they are “sure that 2023 Elefsis will be a great success.”
Subsequently, in her speech, the Minister of Culture & Sports, Lina Mendoni, mentioned, among other things, that “beyond the realization of a successful artistic program and the promotion that Elefsina will receive at a pan-European level, what is even more important is the infrastructure created in the city that will be a backdrop for the development of Elefsina, economically, socially and culturally.”
Afterwards, the Deputy Minister of Culture & Sports, responsible for Contemporary Culture issues, Nikolas Giatromanolakis, spoke, saying that “our goal this year is not to be a bright firework in the Attic sky, but an investment: in the city, in its people, in its energy, in its past and, above all, in its future.”
The Regional Governor of Attica, Giorgos Patoulis, addressed the audience sharing that “the interventions of the Attica Region for Elefsina are not only limited to the self-evident support of the Cultural Capital, but also extend to many other fields, in the context of our wider policy for the development of Western Attica.”
The President of the Hellenic Tourism Organization, Angela Gerekou, stated that “the EOT is here to strongly promote, throughout the world, the 2023 Eleusis Cultural Capital of Europe.”
After the completion of the greetings, the Mayor of Elefsina, Argyris Oikonomou, took to the stage and emphasized that “the city acquires not only multi-purpose spaces for culture and events, but also an important legacy.”
The presentation of the 2023 Elefsis program was made by the General Artistic Director, Michael Marmarinos, exclaiming that “art unites! Meaning that those here now are ready to celebrate an honest abolition of its limits and borders or all kinds.”
The Managing Director, Nana (Sultana) Spyropoulou, emphasized how “culture can spread and upgrade the social and economic life of the residents, workers, businesses, and visitors of Elefsina.”
The entire press conference will be shown on the official channels of 2023 Elefsis, with English subtitles and Greek sign language. Stay tuned on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.
