2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture presents the Ecoculture Festival, one of the most significant legacy projects of its artistic programme, which will take place from 3 to 6 October in Elefsina, the wider area of the Thriasian Plain, as well as in nearby cities such as the municipalities of Aspropyrgos, Corinth and Loutraki, Perachora and Agioi Theodoroi.
The festival sets the stage for changing how we perceive coexistence with the environment by embracing everyday practices; it explores ways of life (#life) closer to nature, through experiential activities such as picnics with music, hiking, thermal baths, and live gastronomy events. Additionally, through discussions (#dialogues), a series of themes are developed – with the participation of scientists, academics, artists, and active citizens – regarding the impact of climate crisis on different ecosystems (from stars to water, and on lifestyle, coexistence, and cultivation), but also regarding the way in which societies can respond to disasters. At the same time, scientific and artistic workshops (#workshops) are held for children and adults, along with artistic projects and events (#art), such as art installations, performances, screenings, and specially designed walks in collaboration with artists and curators from Greece and abroad. The Ecoculture Festival features many significant and interesting collaborations with art, sci-
ence, and educational institutions, such as the “Save Ios” association, MedINA, Land & Water – which curates a unique programme of activities – the University of West Attica, the Hellenic Mountaineering Association of Elefsina, the Municipality of Corinth, and the Municipality of Loutraki–Perachora–Agioi Theodoroi.
The Festival primarily takes place outdoors, making the most of each location’s unique characteristics to create a programme that “communicates” with the environment and offers an immersive experience. The activities unfold in various parts of Elefsina, while new green spaces in neighbouring municipalities, such as the Observatory in the village of Stefani in Corinth, and Pefkakia in Agioi Theodoroi, are added to the Festival’s map.
The Festival revolves around four key themes: the concept of ecoculture and how it influences and impacts life today; the sky, light pollution, and its effects on the immediate environment; water and the planet’s issues related to scarcity; and the Earth, wildfires, and the climate crisis.
Mystery 37 Voices of Elefsina, the city’s community radio, will follow the Festival’s actions throughout and broadcast the vibe via its website, voicesofelefsina.eu.
Ecoculture
On Thursday, October 3rd, activities begin in Elefsina with a discussion on ecoculture and its impact on contemporary life. Eleni Panouklia, with Mystery 47 Mnemonic Garden, introduces the audience throughout the festival to the daily collection, use, and care of seeds. Using plastic and performative materials, as well as dialogical and participatory practices, a collaborative workshop environment – a nursery – is created. Additionally, the LANDSCHIP diary – a product of Mystery 99 The Ark project – is presented, documenting the journey of TimeCircus from Antwerp to Elefsina. The Elefsina youth group Cultterra curates and presents the “Edible City Nature” project, which seeks to raise environmental awareness and spread knowledge, promoting sustainability and the protection of the environment. A collective cooking event follows, organised by the group, while the Skate Park is also reactivated.
Sky
On Friday, October 4, the activities shift to the Municipal Observatory of Stefani in Corinth. The main discussion focuses on the issues of light and noise pollution and their impact on the immediate environment. This is followed by a wine tasting and discussion with winemaker Thodoris Kontogiannis from the biodynamic winery Kontogiannis Family Farm, accompa-
nied by live music. The audience will also visit the Observatory, where they are introduced to astrophotography and methods of observing the night sky.
On Saturday, October 5, the event moves to Pefkakia in Agioi Theodoroi for a picnic with food and blankets, followed by a tour of the Loutraki Municipal Thermal Springs. The discussion centres on the global issue of water scarcity, while children participate in herbal therapy workshops and book readings. In collaboration with the GENΙΑ17: Urban Murals initiative, a live, participatory graffiti creation takes place on one of the park’s abandoned buildings. The event concludes with a screening of the award-winning documentary Fishing for Litter by Sotiris Danezis, along with the 2023 Vovousa Festival production and MedINA’s By the River exhibtion.
Earth
On Sunday, October 6, the festival returns to Elefsina and the OASIS former campsite. Following a hike on Mount Pateras, there will be a discussion on wildfires and the climate crisis. Afterward, drawing on an extensive exploration of bread through an imagined journey across the Mediterranean, the TAVROS team in collaboration with Kostantia Manthou complete a publication filled with original stories, essays, myths, and beliefs about the most essen-
tial food in our region – and beyond. Before the official release of the publication, they invite the team of 3 137 artist-run space to Elefsina, the place that inspired much of the research process, to lead a children’s workshop centred around bread. This workshop aims to reconnect us with bread, a fundamental source of sustenance, in an effort to prompt us to revisit the roots of survival that are often overlooked.
At the same time, the project Isolated Tracks by visual artist Zafos Xagoraris takes place, featuring a sound-based walking action with children, along with a series of on-site workshops in collaboration with the 7th Elementary School of Elefsina. The project is part of the broader Mystery 130 Eleusis Walks, curated by Daphne Vitali, which explores walking as an artistic methodology and serves as a form of physical engagement with the urban landscape, aiming at the reappropriation of land and spaces.
Demeter and Agricultural Cultivation
in the Post-Industrial Thriasian Plain is the theme of the Mystery 67 Amoli project, conceived and curated by Emilia Bouriti in collaboration with the artistic platform SYN+Ergasia. The project is presented at the Anastasia Kallergi Farm in Aspropyrgos and focuses on the cultivation of pistachio trees in Western Attica. Using
contemporary art, participation, experiential knowledge, and science as tools, it highlights the importance of agricultural cultivation in Elefsina and Aspropyrgos, as well as the need for the sustainability of the Arvanite rural communities.
Εcoculture
THURSDAY 03/10/2024
Main Location: Elefsina, ARKOPOLIS
17:00 - 21:00
MYSTERY 47
MNEMONIC GARDEN
#Art
Eleni Panouklia
Private Space: 51 Pangalou St., Elefsina
In Mystery 47 Mnemonic Garden, Eleni Panouklia introduces the audience to the care and activation of seeds left over from fruit consumption within a laboratory environmentnursery for mnemonic traces, crafted through the use of plastic materials and participatory practices. The project aims to foster experiential reflection on environmental and social sustainability, as well as justice, by co-creating a communal space of collective memory.
18:00 - 19:30
ECOCULTURE: A DEFINITION
#Dialogues
What is Ecoculture, and who does it concern? At the start of the festival, we attempt to define Ecoculture through an open discussion about different expressions of sustainability in our daily lives, our lifestyle, and culture.
Participants: Georgia Voudouri,
Director of Cultural Development, 2023 Eleusis TimeCircus Collective Sofia Aivalioti, One Health 4 Cities network Dr. Stylianos Karatzas, University of Patras, HeritACT Research Project Spyros Karnezis, Physicist & Skater
18:00 - 23:00 VOICES OF ELEFSINA #Life
The community radio station “Voices of Elefsina” follows the festival and broadcasts live from ARKOPOLIS.
19:30 - 20:00 LANDSCHIP #Art
Book Presentation
A rare road diary that records the entire procession of the Belgian collective from Antwerp to Elefsina, through the eyes of Bram Soli.
A months-long project that captures the manifesto and the living experience of a very unique artistic group, on a remarkable journey through Europe, leading to their landmark arrival in Elefsina in February 2023 during the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Eleusis.
Participants:
Olga Hatzidaki, Editor of the publication and Timecircus Collective
20:00 - 21:30
EDIBLE CITY NATURE #Art
Cultterra
An innovative collective project aimed at highlighting the relationship between urban life and nature, with a focus on edible
urban flora. By fostering environmental awareness, the project seeks to encourage citizens to rethink their relationship with the natural environment and recognise its significance in their diet and daily lives.
21:00 - 23:00
SKATE ΑLL YOU CAN ARKOPOLIS #Life
Sky
FRIDAY 04/10/2024
Main Location: Stefani Observatory (Corinth)
Other Location: Elefsina
17:00 - 19:00
FOLKLORE AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF STEFANI #Art
The Folklore and Historical Museum of Stefani opens its doors to the festival visitors.
17:00 - 21:00 MYSTERY 47
MNEMONIC GARDEN #Art
Eleni Panouklia Private Space: 51 Pangalou St., Elefsina
17:00 - 21:00
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY #Art
Astrophotography Exhibition by the Astronomy Group of the Corinth Municipal Library
18:00 - 19:30
BOOK READING #Workshops
Children at Play, Eleni Varasa For children aged 3-10
18:00 - 19:30 LIGHT POLLUTION & NOISE POLLUTION #Dialogues
A discussion and a screening on the issues of light pollution and noise pollution, and their impact on the immediate environment, the ecosystem, and ultimately our lives.
Participants: Light pollution
Lampros Doulos, Physicist, PhD
Andreas Papalambrou, Astrophysicist
Anna Sbokou, Aslight
Noise pollution
Konstantinos Dadiotis, Physicist, PhD in Acoustics
Dimitris Papadopoulos
General Director D.
Papadopoulos LP-Acoustics Consultancy Company-ACC LP
19:30 - 20:00 GUIDED TOUR OF THE OBSERVATORY #Workshops
20:00 -21:00
CULTIVATING WITH THE MOON #Life
Biodynamic farming in Corinthia. Wine tasting with winemaker Thodoris
Kontogiannis from the biodynamic winery Kontogiannis Family Farm, followed by a discussion on the challenges faced by producers
in the context of the current climate crisis, and the strategies they adopt to mitigate them.
21:00 - 22:00
SPYROS MANESIS TRIO #Art
The trio led by jazz pianist and composer Spyros Manesis, known for its modern jazz aesthetic and characterised by a dynamic interplay between melody, lyricism, and adventurous rhythmic arrangements, will perform pieces from throughout their career, along with new, unreleased compositions.
Water
SATURDAY 05/10/2024
Main Location: Pefkakia (Agioi Theodoroi)
Other Locations: Elefsina, Thermal Springs (Loutraki)
11:00
VISIT TO THE LOUTRAKI MUNICIPAL THERMAL SPRING #Life
* Participation by reservation at 2023eleusis.eu
11:00 - 15:00 MYSTERY 47
MNEMONIC GARDEN #Art
Eleni Panouklia
Private Space: 51 Pangalou St., Elefsina
12:00 - 18:00
GRAFFITI WORKSHOP #Art
In collaboration with the GENIA17: Urban Murals initiative, a live, evolving, participatory action of graffiti
creation takes places in the park, aiming to raise public awareness of sustainability goals through artistic creation in public spaces.
15:00 - 21:00
PICNIC AT PEFKAKIA #Life
We bring our food and our blankets and go for a PICNIC, enjoying family time until the evening. We incorporate sustainable practices into our daily lives, while discovering hidden urban oases in our local areas.
15:00 - 18:00
CREATIVE ACTIVITIE & FACE PAINTING #Workshops
Children at Play,
Eleni Varasa
Workshop for children aged 3-10
16:00 - 17:30
HERBAL MEDICINE
#Workshops
Study of local flora and its properties
Workshop Coordinator: Constantina Litsa, BSc Honours Herbal Medicine/ Phytotherapy Workshop for children of all ages
* Participation by reservation at 2023eleusis.eu
17:00 - 21:00
DJ SET
#Life
17:00 - 19:00 WATER #Dialogues
A discussion on the challenges the planet faces regarding water scarcity and groundwater pollution, as well as the strategies being implemented to mitigate the consequences, with an emphasis on prevention
Participants: Michael Fischer / “Save Ios” association – the Med-RESET project for the construction of micro-dams in Ios Emilia Kondyli Laboratory of Soft Energy Applications, University of West Attica Vangelis Ioakimidis, Director of Land and Water Project, Screening and presentation of the international photography award “Prix Pictet” (https:// prix.pictet.com/), focusing on the theme of Water, featuring works by the 18 short-listed photographers. (https://prix. pictet.com/cycles/water)
A discussion and screening inspired by the commission and production of the artistic project titled “By the River”, a production of the 2023 Vovousa Festival and MedΙΝΑ, focusing on the Vjosa River with photographic artworks of Pinelopi Thomaidi and a sound documentary of Natasa Blatsiou. Camillo Nollas, Founder and Director of Land and Water project and Vovousa Festival Natasa Blatsiou, Documentary Director and Journalist Alexis Katsaros, Director of the NGO MedINA
19:00 - 19:30
SCREENING
FISHING FOR LITTER
#Art
Sotiris Danezis, 2023, 26’ “If we fish now from the Dardanelles to Piraeus, we’ll catch two fish, ten barrels, one hundred bottles, and one thousand pieces of trash!” Dimitris, from Kavala, removed 2.5 tons of waste from the sea last year with his trawler. He is one of 40 fishermen collaborating with the Athanasios C. Laskaridis
Charitable Foundation.
Direction Sotiris Danezis
Production Danezis Stories Co-production C. Laskaridis
Charitable Foundation
18:00 - 19:30
BOOK READING
#Workshops
Children at Play, Eleni Varasa
Workshop for children aged 3-10
Earth
SUNDAY 06/10/2024
Main Location: Oasis Former Campsite, Elefsina Other Location: Aspropyrgos
10:30 -13:00
HIKING ON MOUNT
PATERAS
#Life
Together with Elefsina Mountaineering Αssociation, we visit the forest areas that were burned in recent years and observe first-hand how the mountain has changed.
Meeting point: P.E.O A.TH at the junction to Agios Georgios at the height of the settlement Titan in Agia Sotira in front of the church supplies (shop).
Duration of the route: 1:30 minutes, easy to walk
Required: sneakers, sunscreen, hat. Snack will be provided (fruit/bar & water)
* More information on participation: 2023eleusis.eu
11:00 - 14:00
ISOLATED TRACKS
#Art
Zafos Xagoraris
A sound-based walking action with children, along with a series of on-site workshops, conducted in collaboration with the 7th Elementary School of Elefsina. This event is part of the new in-situ actions of the curatorial project Eleusis Walks, curated by Daphne Vitali, which focuses on walking as an artistic methodology and expression, presenting participatory actions
and wandering practices by visual artists in Elefsina. These actions serve as a form of physical engagement with the urban landscape, aiming to interpret and re-appropriate spaces and areas.
11:00 - 15:00
MYSTERY 47
MNEMONIC GARDEN
#Art
Eleni Panouklia Private Space: 51 Pangalou St., Elefsina Workshops on creating enclosed, micro-scale gardens (terrariums)
* The workshops are one hour long (11:00-12:00, 12:00-13:00, 13:00-14:00, 14:00-15:00).
* Participation by reservation at 2023eleusis.eu
13:30 - 15:00
WILDFIRES AND THE CLIMATE
#Dialogues
Following the hiking on Mount Pateras, we will gather at the Oasis to discuss the destruction of forests by wildfires, the importance of strategic planning for combating large wildfires, and the contribution of volunteer fire-prevention and firefighting teams.
Participants: Petros Filippas, Special Municipal Councillor for
Civil Protection, Municipality of Elefsina
Petros Bougias, Fire Brigadier of West Attica
Nikolaos Iliopoulos, Lieutenant Fire Colonel of West Attica
Head of Volunteer Forest Firefighting Teams
Vangelis Ioakimidis, Director of Land and Water Project, Screening and presentation of the international photography award “Prix Pictet” (https://prix.pictet.com/), on the theme of Fire, featuring works by the 12 short-listed photographers (https://prix. pictet.com/cycles/fire). Screening and discussion inspired by Danae Stratou’s artistic project “Burning Issues”, curated by Christoforos Marinos
Danae Stratou, Christoforos Marinos
15:00 - 21:00
PICNIC AT THE OASIS
#Life
We bring our food and our blankets and go for a PICNIC, enjoying family time until the evening. We incorporate sustainable practices into our daily lives, while discovering hidden urban oases in our local areas.
15:00 - 18:00
CREATIVE ACTIVITIE & FACE PAINTING
#Workshops
Children at Play, Eleni Varasa Workshop for children aged 3-10
16:00 - 19:00
TREE-PAPER-BOOK
#Workshops
Adult Workshop
How the destruction of a book through art, sculptural constructions, and images creates the “upside tree”?
Workshop Coordinator: Christina Mitrentse Interdisciplinary Artist, Teacher: Christina Mitrentse
* Participation by reservation at 2023eleusis.eu
16:00 - 18:30
MYSTERY 67
AMOLI
#Art
Emilia Bouriti & Artistic
Platform Syn+Ergasia
Anastasia Kallergi Farm, Aspropyrgos
Hydrous Encounters of Growers in Stubborn Trees
Meeting of pistachio farmers from Western Attica in Aspropyrgos
An action centred on pistachio cultivation in Western Attica and the challenges posed by climate change and the region’s diverse identities, organised by Emilia Bouriti and the artistic platform Syn+Ergasia in collaboration with the Laboratory of Soft Energy Applications and Environmental Protection of the University of West Attica. The event comprises a walking tour, participatory action, artistic installation, Arvanite songs, a lecture on proper water management and energy communities. Moreover, it brings together producers from Aspropyrgos, Elefsina, and Megara to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and establish a network.
16.00-17.00 & 17.30-18.30
TANDOOR-BOULANGERIE
-BAKERY #Workshops
A workshop with 3 137
What do children eat in bakeries around the world? What is bread called in other languages? How is it made? When do they eat it, and what do they pair it with?
We invite children to become bakers at Elefsina’s first children’s bakery! Imagination, taste-buds, and a sense of adventure are required!
In the workshop, children will be divided into teams to create various bread recipes inspired by places near and far around the world.
We’ll dress up, travel across the map, and cook with passion!
Ages: 8-11
Groups of 10-15 children
* Participation by reservation at 2023eleusis.eu
17:00 - 21:00
VOICES OF ELEFSINA #Life
The community radio station “Voices of Elefsina” follows the festival and broadcasts live from the OASIS.
18:00 - 19:30 BOOK READING #Workshops
Children at Play, Eleni Varasa Workshop for children aged 3-10
20:00
CHALLENGING EVERESTING #Art
2023, 52’ Kostas Danis
A real-time documentary about the personal goal of a Greek cyclist, filmed over 18 hours in Greece. On Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – the World Bicycle Day – Takis Xouris took part in a unique international cycling challenge called Everesting 10K. The goal of Everesting is for the rider to ascend a total elevation of 10,000 metres on a specific climb, matching the height of Mount Everest, plus an additional 1,200 meters.
Ecoculture Festival, a Legacy Project
Ecoculture Festival, a model institution for environmental awareness, is passed down by 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, having completed its year as the titleholder, both in the city itself and in the surrounding area, which shares common characteristics with Elefsina. The Ecoculture Festival was initially designed with the area’s unique features in mind, particularly its history of environmental degradation due to the excessive concentration of industrial activity. It focuses on ecoculture, exploring how climate change, environmental pollution, and alignment with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals impact daily life.
This creates an opportunity to expand the discussion to include aspects of eco-culture related to the primary sector and the effects of climate change on peri-urban environments, both at the land and aquifer level. The ultimate goal is to establish the festival’s locations as international meeting points for redefining our relationship with the environment and promoting sustainable development on a broader scale.
The Ecoculture Festival is implemented as part of Greece’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0”, with funding from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
The programme may be subject to change. Stay tuned at 2023eleusis.eu.
2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture
Website: 2023eleusis.eu
Facebook: 2023eleusis.eu
Instagram: 2023eleusis
YouTube: 2023Eleusis
E-mail: info@2023eleusis.eu
Access to Elefsina #21km
Just 21 km from the centre of Athens, one of the most important sacred cities of antiquity, the city of the Eleusinian Mysteries and birthplace of Aeschylus, Elefsina is the fourth European Capital of Culture hosted in Greece. The city can be accessed in the following ways:
* By car or motorbike via Attiki Odos or from Athinon Avenue, just 25 minutes from the centre of Athens
* By bus (lines 845 and 871 from Piraeus, 876 from “Ag. Marina” metro station and 878 from Acharnes)
* By suburban train (“Magoula” stop and then by bus 863)
* By intercity coach (“Megara - Nea Peramos - Elefsina” line, starting from Asomaton Square in Thiseio)
* For your visits and transportation to Stefani, Agioi Theodoroi and Loutraki please contact www.2023eleusis.eu
EXECUTIVES
BoD Chairman
Nikolaos Villiotis
BoD Vice Chairman
Evangelos Lingos
CEO & BoD Member
Soultana (Nana) Spyropoulou
BoD Secretary
Dimitrios Papagiannaros
BoD Members
Georgios Liontos
Spyridon Mavrodimitrakis
Kyriakoula (Koula) Paradisi
Grigorios Sampanis
Charalambos Tsafaras
Niki (Monika) Tsiliberdi
Programme Curation Project Coordination for 2023 Eleusis
Georgia Voudouri – Director of Cultural Development
Project Coordination Support for 2023 Eleusis
Zoi Drakopoulou – Associate Co-ordinator of the General Artistic Directorate
Associate Curator Head of Production Organisation & Execution
Giannis Tsiatsianis
T&T Productions
Production Execution
T&T Productions
Production Organisation Assistant Sotiris Tsitos
Facilitation Staff
Danae Androni
Aggeliki Nezi
Giannis Tsitos
Technical Support
Kariotis Bros
Odysseas Nezis
Design
MNP Design
Ellastration
And the team of 2023 ELEUSIS who contributed to the project’s realisation
In collaboration with the Municipalities of Elefsina, Aspropyrgos, Corinth, LoutrakiPerachora-Agioi Theodoroi, Peloponnese Region, The Astronomy Group of Corinth Municipal Library, Educational & Cutlural Association of Stefani
