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Strategic Objectives

Over the years, the initiative has contributed to the sustainable development of cities and their surrounding areas, bringing them long-term impact in cultural, social, and economic terms.

The ECoC project is a unique opportunity to promote Europe’s cultural diversity, as well as dialogue and greater mutual understanding between European citizens; to widen access to, and participation in culture; to strengthen the capacity of the cultural sector and its links with other sectors; to improve cultural infrastructure; to develop the skills, capacity, and governance of local and national assets; and to promote the city and its cultural programme.

Drawing inspiration from the rich history of the city, 2023 Eleusis forms a comprehensive artistic, research, and educational programme. Its Mysteries of Transition focus on three distinct and interconnected central programme themes – People | Society, Environment, and Labour – reflecting the unique features of the city and the contemporary challenges facing both Elefsina and Europe. Therefore, through the artistic programme, the city is led away from its prevailing public perception as a disadvantaged industrial city and into its next phase, strengthening its position on the cultural map at a regional, national, and international level. This is being realised through wider synergies within the national and international contemporary cultural field, turning the city into a thriving cultural destination, one undoubtedly remarkable for the visitor.

By becoming the European Capital of Culture, Elefsina is joining an ECoC family of over 70 European cities that have held the title so far. Elefsina is the fourth European Capital of Culture hosted in Greece, after Athens (1985), Thessaloniki (1997), and Patras (2006). In 2023, the city of Elefsina is not celebrating alone, as the title of European Capital of Culture is being hosted together with our partner cities, Timișoara in Romania and Veszprém in Hungary, forging close links, exchanges, and collaborations between the three cities.

The 2023 Eleusis attempts to reveal the unseen side of Elefsina, signaling a new era for the city and its people.
The three central thematic axes of the 2023 Eleusis program are: People/Society, Environment and Labour
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Μystery 166 State of Emergency

From 8 September to 1 October, 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture presents Mystery 116 State of Emergency, an installation by Athanasios Kanakis at the old machine works Filomila 3.


Mystery 14 Ηuman Requiem in Eleusis

Mystery 14 Ηuman Requiem in Eleusis is one of the main works of 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, which will be presented in the archaeological site of Elefsina from 29 September to 1 October.

Mystery 42 Futuring Waters

Mystery 42 Futuring Waters’ exhibition and parallel events introduces us to the artworks created through a process of co-authorship initiated by the artist and educator Jenny Marketou with the help of Greek and international scientists, artists, curators, architects, archaeologists and activists among others around water rights and hydropolitics, a complex political thought around water.


Mystery 169 If the Wind Blows

Mystery 169 If the Wind Blows by Amsterdam-based international visual artist Mariko Hori explores the relationship between language and the city, prompted by the Japanese proverb which goes “If the wind blows, the barrel makers prosper”, which means that any event can bring about an effect in an unexpected way.


Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina In Situ - Second Circle

The Mystery 7 Free University of Elefsina In Situ, organized by the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture in collaboration with the University of Patras, continues in September, an innovative educational programme mainly addressed to the residents of Elefsina and the surrounding area, with on-site teaching sessions taking place both indoors and outdoors in the city.

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