It is strange to start writing about the institution of the European Capital of Culture, having been involved in the past, having been fascinated by the idea and having believed in the possibilities and perspectives that the institution creates for each lucky city and wider region.
These happened in 2015, when Larissa was a candidate, but she did not manage to pass the second phase of the competition. They passed Eleusis, Rhodes and Kalamata. At that time, we all thought that Kalamata was the big favorite and that Elefsina was an outsider. A large section of Greek public opinion was surprised by the election of the outsider. However, Elefsina had a different proposal: that of the Greek industrial city struggling to find its rhythm in the post-industrial era, having culture as its vehicle. The city of Greek industrial production, processing, transport and logistics. Downgraded in the present despite its archaeological wealth and its important historical presence in the past.
Now we are eight years later and as of today the city of Elefsina is turning into a new cultural destination of Attica thanks to the organization of "Elefsina 2023 Cultural Capital of Europe". She becomes the protagonist on the cultural map of Greece and is at the center of European interest trying to prove that culture in times of crisis is the solution. In the previous period, actions had begun to take place and act as a precursor to the event, constantly attracting thousands of visitors to Elefsina, while a large volume of visitors and artists from all over Europe is expected to flood the historic city of Western Attica next year.
Thus, it joins the family consisting of more than 70 European cities that have received the title to date. Elefsina is the fourth European Capital of Culture to be hosted in Greece, after Athens (1985), Thessaloniki (1997) and Patras (2006). In 2023, the city of Elefsina is not celebrating alone, as the European Capital of Culture is also hosted by partners Timisoara in Romania and Vesprem in Hungary, creating close ties, exchanges and collaborations between the three cities.
It all started with an idea. As always...
Culture should become the vehicle for meeting and uniting the peoples and through it to build our common European identity.
And it was the idea of Melina Mercouris and Jack Lange (Ministers of Culture of Greece and France respectively) in 1985, who laid the foundations for the European Capital of Culture initiative which aims to bring European citizens closer, highlighting the wealth and the diversity of European cultures and by making citizens aware of their shared history and shared values. Artists from all parts of Europe, but also the world, meet, work together, co-create, and unite their different cultural specificities and historical heritage, creating and transferring cultural works for the present and the future.
Since 1985 and Melina's vision, the cultural capitals have evolved significantly over the years. From the simple, mainly, series of artistic events in a city that it was initially, it has proven to be a very important opportunity for diverse and integrated development for the city that hosts the institution and for the wider region. Many of the cities that have already been awarded the title did not only have a successful year in the cultural sector, but also had long-term benefits in other sectors: tourism, the promotion of local products, the reorganization of the local economy, the improvement of local infrastructure. It is therefore a unique opportunity for the revitalization of cities, for changing their image so that they become better known on a European and international scale, with direct consequences for the development of tourism and beyond. To be more understandable, according to previous estimates of many cultural capitals, every euro invested in the events brings 8-10 euros, thus contributing to development and employment, while it is worth emphasizing that the sector of culture and creation play an important economic and social role , contributing to GDP growth.
After the dive into the investigation of the modern meaning of the institution in which all the participants entered the Larissa claim office, I personally came to the conclusion that today the institution, in addition to being an artistic pole of creation and coexistence, also functions as a development lever for cities and regions that need transformation. The greater the transformation, the greater the success of the institution. Both the communicative and the essential.
And Eleusis?
Eleusis, as one of the five Holy Cities of antiquity, possesses rare archaeological wealth. The temple of Demeter and Persephone, the entrance of the Underworld to Plutonium, the Caryatids of the Propylaea and the solid walls create one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Greece. In fact, the Archaeological Museum of Elefsina is being renovated to house the city's great monumental stock, ensuring a special experience for visitors from all over the world.
At the same time, the industrial heritage of the city is a pole of attraction for lovers of industrial archeology and photography. The Old Olive Mill at the base of the acropolis, the Neo-Gothic tower of Kronos and the chimneys of lost factories in the urban fabric form a mosaic of history and culture that makes Elefsina an alternative cultural destination of pan-European scope.
Drawing inspiration from the rich history of the city, the organization forms an integrated artistic, research and educational program with the general title MYSTERIES OF TRANSITION, under the artistic direction of the internationally renowned director Michael Marmarinou. Reflecting the unique characteristics of the city and the modern challenges faced by Elefsina and Europe, the three central thematic axes of its program are formed, distinct and interconnected: 'Man / Society, Environment and Work.
"The European Capital of Culture institution can act as a bridge of the city's industrial tradition with art, highlighting culture at the center of local development in a new era for the city and its people",
Despina Geroulanou, President of the Board of Directors of "Elefsina 2023 Cultural Capital of Europe" reports to APE-MPE.
Europe's great celebration kicked off today with four processions arriving in the city by land and sea and a spectacular event on the seafront and a "colourful" two-day program of exhibitions, concerts, DJ parties and side events across the city. The flagship launch of the 2023 Elefsis program is the idea/conception of the General Artistic Director Michael Marmarinos, directed by the distinguished British director Chris Baldwin; you can see the detailed program of the European Capital of Culture here.
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theCommonSense; he was lucky enough to meet TimeCircus on the outskirts of Larissa, in the village of Modesto, on the way to Volos that crosses the Thessalian plain. It is about the Belgian collective from Antwerp, which having crossed Europe -3,000 km from Belgium to Eleusis- with a land ship (Landship), which moves only with human power, make their ceremonial entry into the city of Eleusis . Immediately upon their arrival, Timecircus will focus on the construction of THE ARK, a space of Eternal Youth and Culture that will act as an open space for the city's youth of all ages.
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On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the Elefsina European Capital of Culture 2023, the theCommonSense? presents a photographic tribute to the archaeological site of Elefsina from the incredibly rich archive of the photojournalist and collaborator of the magazine Stelios Matsagos.
Let's enjoy a dip in its historical past, before we get carried away and enjoy the great celebration of European Culture in the present...